Feature Stories
Jamie, '09 & Ramsey, '09 Gilbertsen
Jamie, ’09 and Ramsey, ‘09 Gilbertsen always knew they were meant to start a business of their own someday. They never predicted they would be in the business of fried food. CEO and owners of Fry Nation, the first french fry stand to hit the RiverTown Crossing shopping mall in Grandville, Michigan. The Gilbertsen’s aren’t just selling french fries – they are in the business of selling brief moments of happiness.
Jamie and Ramsey met freshmen year at GVSU. Jamie was an advertising and public relations major, and was actively involved in Ad Club. Ramsey was a finance student and participated in intramural sports and campus ministry. They both graduated from Grand Valley in 2009 with their respective degrees. They were both attracted to the beautiful campus and the friendly atmosphere. Although they didn’t know it at the time, their liberal arts education at Grand Valley set them up for everything they needed to know about successfully starting and maintaining a business.
The Gilbertsen’s received their degrees during the Great Recession, when quality jobs were scarce in Michigan, which prompted them to move to Clearwater, Florida. They saved money for four years while dreaming up a business plan. During their time in Florida, Jamie worked as an insurance agent for AFLAC Incorporated, and Ramsey worked as an actuary for a consulting firm. In September 2013, they took the big step of moving back to Grand Rapids with the aspiration of launching their new business.
“Quitting our jobs and using all of our savings was a huge risk, but if we had waited any longer, it wouldn’t have been as easy for us,” they said.
Fry Nation became the little fry in a big house, as the only local business located in the RiverTown Crossing shopping mall in Grandville. Getting the food stand up and running in the mall was nearly a 14-month process.
“There were a lot of obstacles standing in our way. When you’re new it makes it hard because banks and malls don’t want to work with you. It’s all-cash upfront, and in the food business, you have to deal with the county and plan submittals. We really had to fight through it,” Ramsey explained.
On top of the legal and financial struggles of starting a business, the Gilbertsen’s spent many Friday and Saturday nights coming up with recipes for their fry stand and testing them on friends. Their end result is simple but savory; potatoes, oil and salt, and various toppings, combined to make an all-natural, no preservative, hand-cut, gluten-free treat.
“There was lots of planning and time that went into this. But we never wanted to give up; we only got more excited,” Jamie explained.
Fry Nation has been up and running since April 10, 2014. Ramsey handles the finances, banking, and operations of the business, while Jamie focuses more on managing the location, training employees, and keeping up with Fry Nation’s social media accounts. While the 180 square foot stand may not look big from the outside, it is a business that is constantly growing.
“It’s nice to see all the hard work pay off and come back,” the Gilbertsen’s said about Fry Nation.
Since its inaugural opening, Fry Nation has been nominated for the Celebrated Service Award and advanced to be a finalist out of 60 nominated businesses in the Grand Rapids area.
“We pride ourselves on good service. If people are happy and they love the product, they will come back,” Jamie said.
Jamie and Ramsey eventually would like to open a second location in the Saugatuck area, and have further aspirations of someday getting on Grand Valley’s campus for a third location.
“French fries allow you to be nimble in site selection. We can fit into spaces that a lot of other businesses can’t,” Ramsey said.
Jamie and Ramsey have been married since July 2012 and currently reside in Hudsonville.
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