Hidden Gems: Meet Ashley Bodine of A Pink Apron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Bodine.

Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
While attending The Ohio State University as an undergrad student, a Google search for “healthy food near me” on Ohio State’s campus turned in an all-night investigation. It was then that I discovered what a food desert was and that Columbus had a lot of them. It was heartbreaking to see how many communities must live without grocery stores and access to healthy foods. As my heart grew for people living in these areas, I began to pray for ways I could create change. Ever since I was little, I wanted to create my own business. I have always admired the idea of entrepreneurship because of the effect that businesses can have on a community. My dream for A Pink Apron (bakery/café) is for it to be a catalyst of change by making nutritional foods and nutrition education equally accessible in every community in Columbus. The mission behind the bakery is what wakes me up in the morning and inspires me to keep doing what I love. 

We want to help blaze the trail of equal access to nutritious food in every part of the city we all know and love through donating to amazing non-profits such as Local Matters, supporting farm-to-table practices, being invested in the impacted communities, and creating health-conscious sweets of our own. All our goodies are always made from scratch with fresh ingredients we get from local farms and roasteries. We also offer a wide range of vegan and gluten-free options. The long-term goal is to regularly donate high amounts of money to non-profits aimed at erasing food deserts, and our short-term goal is to acquire a storefront. I am excited and hopeful, dreaming about the future and what I can do as a small business owner to care for my community and accelerate equal access to nutritious foods for all. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been a lot of smooth and fun days but also many challenging ones. I feel like the most challenging times are when imposter syndrome creates a crushing pressure that leads to my constant questioning of my decisions and my talents. Usually, this feeling comes when I’m trying something for the first time or comparing myself with the many other incredible small business owners in Columbus. My support system and my faith have played a huge role in overcoming any doubts I have. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about A Pink Apron?
We are a home bakery and love making lots of different goodies, but we specialize in cupcakes. Our most popular items, and what sets us apart, are our large selection of vegan and gluten-free cupcakes. We have worked on these recipes for years to make the taste between traditional sweets and non-dairy gluten-free sweets as unnoticeable as possible. We also specialize in catering for weddings and have won the Couples Choice award on the Knot in 2023 and the Best of Weddings award on Wedding Wire in 2023. All of our products are made from scratch, ingredients sourced from local farms and other small businesses, and we make a habit of composting and recycling as well as donating left over foods to Food Rescue US. What we are most proud of, though, is our mission to create equal access to healthy foods and nutrition education in Columbus. 

You can find us at local farmers’ markets in the summer or place an order online at a-pink-apron.square.site. 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always extremely extroverted and loved working with or helping others. I deeply valued relationships – with my family, friends, and most importantly with the Lord. As a result, I knew I wanted a job that allowed me to work alongside others. This is how I chose to be in the restaurant industry throughout high school and college. I was eventually promoted to manager, which taught me a lot of the business skills I have today. Growing up, I also loved being outdoors, rollerblading, ice skating, reading mystery novels, and watching true crime documentaries. 

Contact Info:

• Website: apinkapron.com
• Instagram: apinkapron
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072446179010
• Other: a-pink-apron.square.site

Image Credits
Kerry Darlene Photography