MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — A woman who built her career in service to our country, she retired and started her own business. A community leader who brings people together for different roles and isn’t afraid to pursue her dreams: That’s Bailey Erickson, the 2022 Tennessee Valley Remarkable Women’s finalist.
Bailey was described as enthusiastic, honest and full of integrity by her nominator and friend, Donna Phillips.
Bailey’s visions have made a difference in the city of Madison. She created and developed numerous projects like Volksmarch, River of Hope and even started her own business during the pandemic.
Volksmarch is an annual, non-competitive activity that takes families outdoors and allows them to learn about Madison’s history. When COVID-19 shut everything down, he created an app, Discover Historic Madison, so families could get outdoors and learn about Madison’s history on their own.
“During the start of COVID, about six months when people were starting to feel nasty and negative about being on lockdown,” Bailey told News 19, that’s when her next project, “River of Hope,” was born.
The River of Hope is a painted rock garden in Dublin Park that symbolizes the strength of the community during the pandemic.
It began with a conversation over coffee: “We wanted to think of a way for the citizens of Madison to go out and do something, voice their concerns about COVID-19, or encourage them to reach out to other people… To this day , is an inspirational reminder to people in Madison,” said Bailey.
Another project, while still focused on bringing the community together, instead benefited nature.
Bailey had read an article that said the monarch butterfly, Alabama’s state insect, was experiencing a 90% decline in population due to urban development and herbicides. Naturally, he decided to see what he could do to help.
He investigated what kinds of plants attracted and fed the butterflies in the hope that it would increase the population: “I thought it was something we could do, and my friends have the knowledge, so why not?” Not long after, “Save Our Monarch” was born to encourage community members to develop butterfly habitats.
Outside of her work within the Madison community, she is also a mother. Bailey raised her children alone: “I have a son, Christian. He is an electrical engineer. My daughter, Alexis, followed in my footsteps and joined the Air Force. She misses her so much, but I am so proud that she is serving our country.”
As if Bailey wasn’t busy enough, she and Alexis used their downtime during the pandemic to start a waffle business. Like many of us, COVID-19 caused many people to try new things: bake new items, learn different skills, and more to try to stay entertained during quarantine.
“During COVID, my daughter and I, she is now 19 years old. She and I were very bored…. and she wanted to have an idea for a product that would make people happy. We thought of Belgian waffles,” said Bailey.
“Wafel-Bitte, LLC” is a “Liege” Belgian waffle business that the two run together and make homemade waffles for residents throughout the Tennessee Valley. Even after working for the US government for nearly 30 years and serving in the Air Force for four years, Bailey doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
His advice for future entrepreneurs?
I suggest that if you have an idea for a business, you don’t keep turning it over in your head. As soon as you get an idea: do some planning, map out what you’re thinking, and contact the Catalyst Center and the UAH Small Business Development Center. They are both there to give you free advice. They were my secret to success.
Bailey Erickson, 2022 Tennessee Valley Notable Women Finalist
As mentioned above, Bailey was nominated for our Remarkable Women contest by her friend Donna Phillips. You can read her nomination essay below:
“My dear friend Bailey is very deserving of this “Extraordinary Woman” nomination and award. She retired from the US government after serving 28 years in civilian federal law enforcement and prior to that 4 years in the US Air Force. She currently owns and operates a small business in Madison called Wafel-Bitte, LLC, a Belgian “Liège” waffle company. She has two sons, Christian who is an electrical engineer and Alexis who is currently in the US Air Force. Bailey’s passion is giving back to her community and she is very involved with various organizations. Volunteers with the Rotary Club of Madison-Sunset (President Elect), Rotary Club of Madison Foundation Board (Member), Madison Visionary Partners (Board Member), Women’s Economic Development Council (WEDC) , CSNA Community Coordinated Response to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force, Tennessee Valley Air Force Association (member), and was a former Military Professor Emeritus at the US Rocket and Space Center. She also attends routinely to the Madison City School System with projects as needed. Bailey has been instrumental in several important projects and events that have contributed to the betterment of the Madison community. She ran a project in Madison called “Save Our Monarch.” That project was a major community effort to develop butterfly habitats. The monarch is Alabama’s state insect and its population has decreased by 90% due to many factors, including urban sprawl and herbicide use. Other recently completed projects include Madison River of Hope and Quaranteam (both raised funds for people financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic). She developed the idea and directed the Volksmarch of Madison (2018 and 2019). The intent of the Volksmarch of Madison was to provide an outdoor family walking event that would promote Madison’s historic and business districts. This year, Bailey took Volksmarch’s idea and turned it into a smartphone app called “Walk Historic Madison.” The app has been approved by the Madison City School System as a history teaching tool for students and is a local attraction for visitors and citizens alike to enjoy.”
To see other 2021 nominees and nominees, visit the Notable Women tab on WHNT.com.
