by Blair Butters | Aug 29, 2022 | Client Features
When you step into Rejuvenation Spa, expect a retreat for relaxation and total wellness. As an Aveda Lifestyle salon, each treatment offered is held to a high standard using Aveda treatments and products, focusing on the client’s needs. Rejuvenation Spa came to be when long-time stylist Tina Morshauser stepped out from behind the chair and into life as an entrepreneur in 1998 after years of training that began when she was in high school. She purchased Yellowstone Day Spa and operated as the only stylist among a spa and support staff of 7 until her business partner, Gretchen Brown, joined her in 2000. Over the past two years, Morshauser and Brown have expanded the salon, adding an additional location in Sun Prairie, and have a team of 42 between their Madison and Sun Prairie locations. Brown noted that Rejuvenation Spa is a team-based pay salon, which includes a profit share when monthly goals are met. The spa has partnered with Green Circle, which aligns with the spa’s mission to be environmentally conscious in all they do. “Through Green Circle, we can recycle almost all that we use in the process of doing services. We have added a $1.50 environmental service fee to each service in order to help pay for the service,” Brown said. “We recycle ALL plastic, metal color tubes and aluminum foil used in highlighting services, all waxing waste (paper, sticks, etc.), and the hair that is left over after a cut is collected and sent to become oil booms (to soak up oil spills) or made into plastic bins that we use to collect everything that...
by Blair Butters | Jun 1, 2022 | Client Features
Linda Kudrna opened Learning Ladder in 1994 to provide the “highest quality of care to the children in the Cottage Grove community.” And for the past 30 years, she and her team have continued to do just that. The Learning Ladder hosts infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age programs for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old. Their philosophy combines planned themes and emergent lessons to create hands-on environments that are safe and innovative and encourages learning through play, inquiry, and exploration. “The most rewarding part of my job has been being a part of an industry that is finally being recognized as a valuable service for the education of young children and for the economy,” said Kudrna. The facility has expanded twice since opening in 1994; once in 2005 when 8 classrooms were added and again in 2008 to accommodate a partnership with Monona Grove School District to offer 4k programs and wrap-around care, which begins before school hours and continues after school for families who need it. In 2014, Learning Ladder earned national accreditation from the National Accreditation Commission and received a 5-Star rating from Wisconsin’s YoungStar program. During the COVID pandemic, Learning Ladder only closed for two weeks and was able to implement additional cleaning, child health checks, and procedures that allowed them to adapt and stay open to support children in-person and virtually. Kudrna said the pandemic highlighted the importance of Early Care and Education, which she also advocates for as a board member of the Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association. “Currently, there is a teacher shortage in childcare across the state of Wisconsin. It...
by Blair Butters | Sep 29, 2021 | Client Features
In a two-bay garage in 1986, Tom Schoenmann and his wife, Lisa, opened Tom’s Auto Center with the dream of providing quality maintenance and repairs for their neighbor’s vehicles. Soon after, they expanded to the back of a body shop on Terminal Drive before building their 12-bay garage in 2000. In that time, the shop has hired additional technicians and service advisors to keep up with demand. In 2018, Tom partnered with Tom Sumwalt, a technician who worked at the shop for more than 15 years. Tom Sumwalt will be the full owner in the next 5 years, allowing the original Tom and Lisa to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Little Town Feel, Big Time Service Tom’s Auto Center focuses on a “little town feel with big time service,” providing a trusted and reliable shop for the greater McFarland area. Technicians are available for maintenance, repair, and tire installation for automobiles and light trucks. “We’re here for our neighbors and the community really focusing on helping them maintain their vehicles to the level they want, and when they do have a break down, we can efficiently and effectively fix the issues,” said Mr. Sumwalt. “We pride ourselves on our service and taking care of your whole vehicle, and keeping it in the ideal condition for a long time.” Mr. Sumwalt is particularly proud of the Tom’s Auto team because of the way they handle nuances and updates in the automobile industry’s computer technology. Each vehicle, even those of the same make, operate 15-30 computers at a time, with updates coming out consistently. Technicians and service advisors at Tom’s Auto are committed to continued learning so they can provide the most accurate and efficient diagnoses for customers. “We make sure...
by Blair Butters | Jun 26, 2021 | Client Features
A walk off the beaten path led this entrepreneur to her sweet destiny Fond memories make a lasting impression Gail Ambrosius discovered her love of chocolate as a child, making fancy chocolates with her mom. When relatives would visit, she would take the treats around on trays and everyone would ooh and ahh over them. Her appreciation deepened when she traveled to Paris in high school. After getting separated from her student group for the day, she meandered the streets, visiting little chocolate shops and making the most of her three years studying French. She observed people flowing in and out of the shops, savoring treats and purchasing gifts for loved ones. It occurred to her that she wanted to help people feel that joy. Best-laid plans don’t go as planned Gail returned home with the dream of opening her own chocolate shop. Life took her on a small detour instead. She moved to Madison, married, had a child, divorced, and was encouraged to get a stable, well-paying job. She took people’s advice, went to school for cartography and worked a state job for 10 years when she was laid off unexpectedly. Unemployed and a single mother, she needed to figure out what to do next. This was her chance to follow her heart and take the leap into entrepreneurship. Gail claims that once people follow their hearts, doors will open. After learning the craft and absorbing as much as she could from shops in France, she opened Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier in 2004. One of her favorite aspects of the shop was being able to see all of the...
by Blair Butters | Oct 15, 2020 | Client Features
Today we are excited to introduce you to Steven (Steve) Clausen, owner and operator of Clausen Automotive and P&B Truck Accessories. The Road to Entrepreneurship Fueled by a desire to be self-employed and to use the skills he learned working at Chevrolet, Steve set out to purchase his own shop in 1975. The garage was originally located on Milwaukee Street in Madison, WI. Back then, Steve worked on cars and trucks that had carburetors, points, and plugs. All of these are now things of the past and Clausen Automotive has since transitioned to its current location on Stoughton Road, where the types of cars they work on have also evolved… More on that to come. Next to Clausen Automotive sat a retail shop: P&B Truck Accessories. The shop was owned by a company named Penda, who had originally purchased it from 2 gentlemen by the names of Paris and Burns (where the P&B came from). After a few years in business, Penda decided to stick with manufacturing, so the retail business, which sat in a building adjacent to Clausen Automotive, went up for sale. In January of 1990, Steve and his wife decided it would be the perfect opportunity to expand their business. They bought P&B Truck Accessories, which is now the largest truck accessories store in the city of Madison. Changing Gears: Innovation and Success One of the most poignant aspects of Clausen Automotive and P&B Truck Accessories is that they stay nimble and relevant in the current market by adapting to new challenges and industry upgrades. This is a process Steve has prioritized since his first days...
by Blair Butters | May 27, 2020 | Client Features
A look into the past, present, and future of a successful and dedicated entrepreneur A Look into the Past One decision can change everything, and for Dick Powell, it did. Dick grew up in an entrepreneurial household with a father who worked full-time as a farmer and operated a trucking company as a second business. Dick graduated from Iowa State University with a BS degree in Agriculture. Upon graduation, he accepted a job with Amoco Oil in the fertilizer manufacturing business. While at Amoco, Dick served as the bridge between Amoco and the petroleum marketers who re-sold Amoco petroleum products. Dick thought he was going to be with Amoco for the remainder of his work career. But, his future changed suddenly when he was asked to transfer to Philadelphia. For family reasons and his love of Wisconsin, he decided to leave Amoco without another job lined up. During the 20 years that he worked for Amoco, his interest in being a Jobber, or wholesaler, grew. This interest led him to a small Jobber in Wisconsin (Fletcher Oil Company, a petroleum marketer for Shell petroleum products) that was looking to sell some assets. These included several convenience stores, car repair stations, a bulk motor oil business, HVAC, and bulk distribution to farmers, commercial customers, and dealers. The purchase of assets from Fletcher Oil Company, which he renamed to Wisconsin Petroleum Inc (WPI), was long and challenging. Dick struggled to find a banker to help finance his new business; he went through three rejected proposals before finding a banker who was willing to take the risk with him. The final agreement...
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