Rob Howlett
About this Executive:
Name:
Rob Howlett
Company:
Circlesprout, Ltd.
Interview Topics:
Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Region:
Region 8 - Southeast Ohio
One consistent theme in my conversations with executives centers on Ohio as an ideal location to call home and raise a family. In fact, many Ohioans return to our state to find the perfect balance between professional success and family life. In addition, many non-Ohioans find the balance in Ohio is exactly what they are seeking in their life.
I recently spoke with Rob Howlett, founder and CEO of Circlesprout Ltd. Rob is a graduate of The Ohio State University who left Ohio to pursue his professional career and decided to return when he and his wife, Ellen, wanted to start a family. Rob is an unabashed Buckeye and prouder than ever to be one. He left Cleveland seeking professional and personal success only to find that it was most easily attainable in Ohio, the state of perfect balance; the state he proudly calls home.
Q: What have you found are the key differences between the locations you've lived and Ohio?
A: Once I graduated, I moved to Chicago to start my professional career. I was in my 20's and the city seemed exciting. There were lots of people, activity and hustle and bustle. It was very different than my Ohio experience. But, after a while the city lost its luster. The sheer volume of people, crazed pace, and high costs became more noticeable. Additionally, the transient culture did not make it easy to create sustainable friendships. I was always surrounded by people, but never felt like I was really getting to know anyone on a personal level. In fact, the volume of people quickly became problematic. It translated into long commute times, long lines and high costs to visit any local attraction or event. I lived four miles from my office in Chicago and I could literally jog home faster than drive home. Los Angeles had the same dynamic. It was no different in San Francisco, either. In fact, when we lived in San Francisco we would drive to the suburbs to do our grocery shopping and go to the movies simply to avoid the excessive crowds.
My wife Ellen and I decided to move to Cleveland, Ohio to get back to a more balanced life so we could raise a family. It is amazing to go to the Cleveland Museum of Art and encounter no lines to get in. We can actually take time to enjoy the Ansel Adams collection. I live on the 12th hole of an amazing golf course and five minutes away from our child's day care center. I have a short commute to work. I can spend quality time with my children in the morning and again in the evening. I'm not getting home after they've gone to bed for the night or leaving for work before they get up in the morning.
Q: You mentioned that it was harder to form friendships with people in the other locations you lived. Why do you think that it is easier in Ohio?
A: In part, it is the Midwestern culture. In Ohio, people want to know you as a person. Everybody looks out for each other. In the cities I lived before returning, it was unusual to know your neighbor's name. People tended to rent versus own and move frequently. As a consequence, there wasn't the same desire to invest in getting to know somebody on a personal level.
Friendships are important, especially for children. In Ohio, our children are making lasting friendships and Ellen and I know the parents of their friends. We see each other at school and social events because everybody has the time to get involved. We feel like we are part of a community and with that comes an increased degree of safety. I know my neighbors are helping to look after the interests of my family. They keep a watchful eye on our property when we are not around and are quick to lend a helping hand when needed.
I have a good friend who lives in New York City. I was visiting him one time and while we were walking, I noticed he kept his head down. I asked him why, and he said it was to avoid being hassled by strangers. I found that quite revealing. In Ohio, people keep their heads up so they can say hello to their neighbors and friends. It made me appreciate that in Ohio, you can actually see the world versus just the tops of your shoes.
Q: What are the biggest misperceptions about Ohio that you encountered when you lived outside of the state?
A: Probably the number one misperception is that Ohio doesn't have a lot to offer. This perception is fueled by sit-coms and late night shows that poke fun at our state and cities. Additionally, when executives visit Ohio they normally don't have time to get a good look at how their counterparts live. When I tell my friends about the amount of home I am able to afford, the low cost of living and the short commute I have to get to work, their jaws drop. It is hard for them to wrap their minds around the fact that they could be enjoying the same balance Ellen and I are.
The second misperception is that Ohio has no water activities. I hear this a lot from my California acquaintances. Honestly, for most of the west coast the ocean is cold. I'd much rather be able to enjoy the Great Lakes. It is a lot more fun. People don't realize that Ohio has access to 20 percent of the world's fresh water supply. And boaters can actually afford dock slips. There is so much recreational activity on the lake that the hardest thing is to choose what to do on any given day.
The third most common misperception is that the creative opportunities are few and far between in Ohio. People are amazed when I tell them that the Cleveland Orchestra is regarded as one of the top five in the nation. Cleveland is also home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. There are 21 art museums in Cleveland. And if you consider professional sports a form of art, there are the Browns, the Indians and the Cavaliers. Most important, though, is that it is all accessible and affordable. We find if Cleveland doesn't have exactly what we want, then the chances are good Columbus or Cincinnati will. Both cities are a short drive and Ellen and I take advantage of their offerings whenever we want to.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve both your professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. How authentic do you feel the promise is?
A: After we moved to Ohio, I was able to buy a wonderful home I am thoroughly enjoying and save enough money to start my own business, which is doing extremely well. If we were still living in any of the cities we lived, that simply wouldn't have been possible. My earnings would have been spent to just keep our heads above water because of the cost of living. I feel my family and my employees live in a safe environment that is conducive to them doing their best work. My employees have a strong work ethic and people take their job responsibilities seriously in Ohio. Often my biggest problem is ensuring they take all of their vacation days! My children are making lifelong friendships and getting a high quality education. I am not stuck in commuter traffic and am an active part of my kids' childhood so when they are grown and Ellen and I are empty nesters, I'll be able to have a wonderful relationship with them as adults. Call it the American dream if you want, but I am definitely living it in Ohio.