Tri-Valley grad builds company from passion for chemistry
GRANVILLE ― He grew up in Zanesville and graduated from Tri-Valley High School. He started his own business about two years ago and today distributes cleaning products around the country.
“I grew up extremely energetic, curious, spontaneous but goal driven, a natural born leader, and kind to those less fortunate than myself, said Ethan Slaboden. "I’m the oldest of five boys and always the captain of any team I played on, regardless of the sport.
“I always knew I wanted to own my own chemical company one day after my junior year in high school,” he said. “My AP chemistry teacher ignited my passion for chemistry. It was the first time I’d found a passion outside of sports at that time in my life.”
Today, Slaboden is the founder, owner and CEO of Granville-based Prime Solutions. It’s a company that’s “the NEXT GENERATION of auto detailing and home cleaning product lines,” as the web site states. Prime Solutions has two warehouses, in Granville and near Utica. It has 15 full-time employees and is growing at a fast pace. The products are made, packaged and labeled at Granville with specialized equipment.
Prime Solutions products are distributed all over the country. More than 60 of them are available on Amazon, and they are also sold at over 200 Tractor Supply stores. Google Store is yet another source.
“I’ve always wanted to work for myself with the goal of showing others what is truly possible if you dedicate yourself to something.
“Nothing is impossible,” he added.
Slaboden earned a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in environmental engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 2018.
“The program at Cincinnati had been ranked No. 1 in the country for several years in a row, which is the primary reason I selected it. It was a five-year program, which offered me the opportunity to complete five semesters of full-time employment at some of the largest chemical companies in the United States before graduating. Ultimately, I attribute all my accomplishments at such a young age to the several mentors and vast experience gained during my years at UC.”
Slaboden started Prime Solutions two years ago.
“To think we were selling 8 ounce bottles out of the back of a pickup truck, to packaging 2,000 pound super-sacks for billion-dollar companies is unreal," said Jack Hillis, a childhood friend and production manager at Prime Solutions. "I think everyone around him has always known, he was going to be a very successful person.”
“I do it to show people what’s possible regardless of your age, background, ethnicity, etc. I love to inspire and challenge people to bring the best out of them. I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Slaboden said.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Tri-Valley grad builds company from passion for chemistry
