Ohio’s Business Climate Drew this Wine Enthusiast to the State of Perfect Balance

Cheryl Sher is president of Sher-Bliss Wine and Chocolate Shoppe in Gahanna, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Combining her family chocolate business with her passion for wine, Cheryl opened Sher-Bliss in 2001. In addition to wine, Cheryl also sells homemade Belgian chocolate to pair with it. Cheryl’s signature item is a hand-dipped, chocolate-covered bottle of wine.

Recently, I had an opportunity to talk with Cheryl about her experience as a small business owner in Ohio and why a New Jersey native like herself was drawn to this Midwestern state. She told me that Ohio is home to many wine distributors because of the way Ohio’s liquor control is structured. As a result, Ohio wine retailers can offer one of the best selections of cult and boutique wines in the nation. Additionally, Cheryl said that the state’s low cost structure has helped her business a great deal. Without low costs, staying profitable would be a challenge for this small business.

She also talked with me about the benefits that Sher-Bliss has realized by having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance. She said, “People are happy when they have a job they enjoy and time to do things outside of work. In other words, because my employees are afforded good balance in their lives, they effortlessly deliver quality customer service, a critical component of any retail business.”

Click here to read my complete interview with Cheryl Sher, founder of Sher-Bliss Wine and Chocolate Shoppe in Gahanna, Ohio.

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• Published under Ohio Business Climate Improvement, Region 1 - Central Ohio