By Jennifer Fester, Multi-Unit Owner of Barry Bagels
When people ask me if I always planned to be a business owner, my answer is simple: absolutely not. If you had told me years ago that I would be running multiple Barry Bagels locations, I might have laughed. My professional path started in an entirely different direction, first as a dietitian and military officer, then as a stay-at-home mom. But life has a way of leading you where you are meant to be, and my time in the Army gave me the foundation I needed to step into the world of entrepreneurship with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
My career began in dietetics, a field I had always been passionate about. I studied nutrition, earned my degree, and envisioned myself working in a clinical capacity helping patients live healthier lives. To officially become a Registered Dietitian, I needed to complete a year-long internship in a credentialed hospital, but I did not have the financial resources to move away from home or work without pay. That is when the Army became an option. It not only offered me the internship I needed but also gave me immediate job experience. The application process was intense, and out of many applicants, I was one of only twelve chosen. As a result, I received a direct commission as a Second lieutenant from the US Army and went to San Antonio for 13 weeks of military training before heading to Washington, D.C. for my internship. That year was life changing. It gave me the experience and discipline I needed to grow in myself-confidence and leadership skills.
For four years, I worked in clinical settings, teaching outpatients with diabetes, helping active-duty soldiers manage their weight, and caring for children with special needs. My patients included everyone from service members to retirees and dependents. The work was rewarding, but what stayed with me most was not just the professional medical experience, but learning how to set and achieve high standards, teaching others, and balancing discipline with compassion. These are the lessons that I’ve carried with me through every chapter of my life afterward.
When my time in the Army ended, I shifted gears and became a stay-at-home mom. For 18 years, I focused on raising my children and loved every minute of it, but when my youngest child entered school full-time, I started asking myself what might be next. I knew I did not want to return to hospitals, but I also was not sure where to go – that’s when an unexpected opportunity appeared.
A New Chapter with Barry Bagels
My business partner, Cody Klueter, was the one who first introduced me to Barry Bagels. At that time, Cody served as a mentor to my son and many of the youth in our community through YoungLife. His very first job had been with the brand in Toledo, and he dreamed of bringing it to Dayton. He was young but determined, and I watched him pursue this goal head on. It was inspiring, but I could also see the challenges he was facing. One day I had a conversation with my husband and proposed something bold: what if I became Cody’s business partner? I had the resources and stability to help with things like loan applications, and he had the vision and brand experience. Together, we could make it work. We were like-minded, shared the same values, and were equally driven to create something lasting. That is how I unexpectedly became an entrepreneur.
Owning a restaurant, I quickly learned, is not for the faint of heart. I did not come from a business background, so I had to figure everything out as I went: finances, operations, customer service, hiring. In the early days, Cody and I often worked long hours just to get our little business off the ground. We sacrificed a lot but never lost sight of the bigger picture, which was creating a business that was genuine, welcoming, and built to last.
The pandemic challenged us in ways we never could have prepared for. Supply chain issues, staffing shortages, and the constant uncertainty made survival a daily battle. But just like in the Army, I leaned on resilience and adaptability. We learned how to pivot, adjust, and keep moving forward and over time, our persistence paid off. As our customer base grew, so did our wholesale business, and eventually we needed a bigger kitchen space. Our second location became the hub to meet demand, and through it all, we kept our focus on what mattered most: taking care of customers. People keep coming back because we set the standard for great service, and we make sure every visit feels personal.
I often reflect on how much my military background shaped my leadership style. In the Army, leadership meant meeting high standards but also caring for people and that is the same approach I take with Barry Bagels. I believe in building strong relationships with my employees, maintaining an open-door policy, and creating an environment where they feel respected and supported. When my team feels valued, everything runs better, customers are happier, operations are smoother, and the workplace is more positive. Leadership to me is not about authority – it’s about influence, guidance, and investing in people – and honestly, my employees inspire me as much as I hope to inspire them.
Looking back, I realize the Army prepared me for entrepreneurship in ways I did not expect. Resilience, adaptability, and teamwork are not just military values, they are business values too. Running restaurants has come with its share of struggles and sacrifices, but it has also given me a community and opportunity to interact with so many different people. I never set out to be a business owner, but I have found so much joy in creating something meaningful alongside Cody. Together, we have built businesses with personality, heart, and a focus on people. That is what makes Barry Bagels special, and that is why customers keep coming back.
For any veteran, or really anyone, considering entrepreneurship, my advice is this: do not be afraid to take the leap, even if it was not part of your plan. The skills you have gained along the way are more transferable than you realize. Sometimes the best journeys are the ones you never saw coming.