From bank teller to United Way CEO to buying a business — Christine Simmons on the leap into Party Plus Lancaster

Some people talk about community. Christine Simmons builds it. After 26 years at Fairfield Federal, a stint as CEO of United Way of Fairfield County, and one very fateful Facebook ad, Christine took the leap into business ownership on January 1, 2025 — buying Party Plus in Lancaster, Ohio with her friend and business partner Deb Connell.

In this episode, Christine sits down with Janis and Michele to talk about the mimosas-adjacent decision that started it all, what nobody tells you about the event rental business, how she and Deb are figuring out partnership (spoiler: it's a marriage), the operational headaches of seasonal staffing, and why the micro-wedding trend is quietly reshaping how families celebrate.

Whether you're a small business owner, a Fairfield County local, or someone planning a backyard wedding, this one's full of honest, funny, and practical takeaways.

What we cover: 00:45 – How a Facebook ad and a group text turned into a business purchase 04:00 – What Christine loves about running a business in her hometown 07:20 – The career path: Fairfield Federal → United Way → Party Plus 11:15 – The reality of business partnership (and why it's like a marriage) 16:45 – What most people get wrong about the rental industry 20:30 – One-year anniversary reflections 24:00 – The best piece of business advice she ever received 26:30 – Behind the scenes: logistics, prep, and what customers don't see 33:00 – Software, systems, and the winter cash flow scramble 40:45 – Pricing, upsells, and the "quick cover" advantage 57:15 – Handwritten holiday cards and building repeat business 1:03:00 – Why backyard weddings are booming 1:04:00 – The most memorable event Party Plus has been part of 1:09:30 – Her single best piece of advice for anyone planning an event 1:13:30 – Where to find Party Plus Lancaster

Connect with Christine and Party Plus Lancaster: 🌐 partypluslancaster.com 📍 Serving Fairfield County, Hocking Hills, and Central Ohio 🎉 Weddings, corporate events, backyard parties, graduations, and more

About Cosmos and Commerce: Cosmos and Commerce is hosted by Michele Cook (owner of Body Ache Escape in Pickerington) and Janis Francis (realtor). We talk business, community, and everything in between — usually over a cocktail.