Women in Business

Real Deals

Home décor in a downtown setting Stiernagle added that friends and family from Albert Lea and the surrounding areas Prior to opening Real Deals on Sept. 20, have also been very supportive of their new owners Kim Stiernagle and Kim Underdahl, store. both of Albert Lea, had no prior experience With any new business, there are chalowning a business. Stiernagle worked as lenges, particularly for first time owners. an administrative Stiernagle and Underassistant at a financial dahl both agree that advisory company in the biggest challenge is Business Name: Real Deals Albert Lea. She also time. worked jobs cleaning What does the business do?

“We are here all the homes, doing inSells home décor items for every time,” Stiernagle said. “It home daycare and as season as well as clothing and kind of takes over your a hospital employee. accessories. life; there’s a lot to do Underdahl was a and we want to keep the How long have you owned the stay-at-home mom store looking good all business? Since opening on Sept. before getting a job the time, so we feel a lot 20, 2018. cleaning homes and of pressure. Sometimes was recently providwe’re here until midHow long have you been in the ing daycare for her night and back at 8 a.m. profession? First venture in the granddaughter.

It makes for long days.” home décor and fashion business.

The two longtime “Trying to get all of friends were looking the things done in a day What do you see as the single for a new adventure, that we need to get done most important thing people see and one presented to feel ready to open the in your business? itself when they next day is a challenge,” Stiernagle: “A lot of times we hear stopped into the Real Underdahl added. that (customers) like coming here Deals in Mason City.

But the business is because every time they come “We both love more than just a home they see something new. That’s our home décor and we décor and fashions store; goal, to always have new stuff and loved the store,” Unit is a sign of efforts to have people wanting to come back derdahl said. “When revitalize Austin’s downto check out what’s new. We’re we found out it was a town area. trying to keep everything fresh and franchise, we looked “Everyone will comdifferent.” into opening one. ment on how nice the Underdahl: “Having new things We’ve been working store looks,” Stiernagle and different things that are on acquiring this for said. “Our neighbor next reasonably priced as well as the over two years.” door said that when we customer service, visiting and Since opening the had our grand opening, talking with customers. They feel Austin location at 413 she felt like she was havuplifted when they come in here.”

North Main Street ing another grand open(in the same building ing because people were as the old Hallmark walking downtown and store), both have described the reception as would stop at her store and (Sweet Reads). “excellent.”

It’s kind of a community thing.”

“The people of Austin have supported Real Deals currently employs four adus,” Stiernagle said. “They have been so ditional staff members and hosts special good to us and people love the store. We events with treats and sales on event have heard so much positive feedback. We theme-related items. Underdahl said that just can’t thank Austin enough for supportcustomers who provide a mailing address ing us the way they have. It’s been great.” are mailed postcards about upcoming “(The reception) was more than I exevents. Event information can also be pected,” Underdahl said, mentioning that found on the Real Deals Austin Facebook about 75 percent of the addresses they have page. collected from customers are from Austin With the reception, Real Deals looks to be and the surrounding area. “People are so ex- going strong for a long time. cited to have us here and so excited to have “We are really lucky to have so many someone in this building because so many people happy to have a new place to people have fond memories of this building shop,” Stiernagle said. being the Hallmark store. They’ve been very Real Deals is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. accepting and excited to have us here.”

Monday through Saturday.

By Michael Stoll

mike.stoll@austindailyherald.com

AVC

AUSTIN VETERINARY CLINIC

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433-5225 • 24 Hour Phone (5pm-8am Emergency) Day Phone 507-433-1261 • Adams 582-7828

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Kim Underdahl and Kim Stiernagle

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018

Women in Business

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

The Hardy Geranium

Vicki Trimble

Business bloomed through hard work, service and quality Bartesch, Jane Corkill, Denise Kamp and Kenzie Trimble. Adnewsroom@austindailyherald.com ditional delivery drivers are enlisted during the busiest days.

Vicki Trimble always loved gardening – and when her flowOutside, she has a garden center with garden accessories er arrangements began to draw raves from colleagues in the and accents, and provides storage for customers’ cemetery doctor’s office where she worked, an idea began to form. urns – which number about 300, she said. She and her staff Today, 18 years later, that idea has fill and deliver the urns to the cemetery each spring; in the blossomed into one of Austin’s most fall, they pick them up and store them. She and the crew enduring businesses. also provide outdoor plantings for local businesses.

The Hardy Geranium opened its However, it’s in the back room where most of her business doors in 2000, in the building at the has grown — that’s where the designer in Trimble comes corner of Fourth Street Southeast and out. The business handles all manner of flower and plant orOakland Avenue that had previously ders for funerals, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, thank housed a liquor store. you’s and everything in between.

“It sat empty for two years and I “And some days, we do all of those in one day,” she said. thought, this might be a good place” She also has a website through which customers can order for her flower and gift shop. flowers, and has Teleflora and FTD services.

“It sat empty for Trimble, an Austin native, did her The busiest days are Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. two years and homework before she opened her Average deliveries on Valentine’s Day number about 450, I thought, this business. She took a business course she said. at Riverland Community College. Her might be a good “But Mother’s Day is the busiest, because it really goes on instructor helped her develop a busiall week, whereas Valentine’s Day is pretty much that one place.” ness plan and the study helped to preVicki Trimble day.” pare her for the opening of her shop.

Trimble continues to work hard – given the time of year, But it was an uphill battle at first. There was plenty of “it could be seven days a week,” depending on events. The competition – there were four flower shops in town at that busiest time of year runs from mid-November through Metime. And, shortly after she opened, “September 11th hapmorial Day. pened,” she said. “It was as if people were afraid to spend Trimble has no thought of slowing down and clearly enany money.” joys her operation and her hometown – evidenced by the “It was just me in the shop; my mom and dad would almost $80,000 in items and services she has donated to come and watch the shop when I had deliveries,” she regroups over the years. called with a chuckle.

It’s no wonder that she named her shop after the hardy She endured, though. She expanded her lines over the geranium, an enduring variety. years as she kept abreast of trends and customers’ wants.

“I liked the idea that it was tough and would be around Today when customers walk into the shop, they’re greeted forever,” she said with a grin. by an abundance of items that includes a wide array of gift The Hardy Geranium is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monand home décor items, as well as purses, clothing, accessoday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. ries – even Hallmark greeting cards.

Check out the shop’s website at https://www.hardygeraniShe no longer works alone, either. Staff includes Penny um.net/.

By Deb Nicklay

Business Name: The Hardy Geranium What does the business do? Provides flower arrangements for local and wire delivery, garden center, gifts, home décor, clothing, accessories.

How long have you owned the business? 18 years How long have you been in the profession? 18 years What do you see as the single most important thing people see in your business? “Quality and customer service; it’s rare that we get a complaint.”

Women in Business

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

The Style Lounge Main Street business takes a team approach to success “Immediately,” she said. “All those art classes I had taken through all my years in The Style Lounge has been a fixture on school … it all came very naturally for me.”

Main Street in Austin for a number of years, She worked close to seven years at Regis providing a unique hair care experience.

Salon in the Oak Park Mall while working as It’s a warming environment, filled with a substitute at Riverland in the cosmetology hard-working and department. During dedicated professionthat time, she grew a als who take great care clientele and eventually Business Name: The Style Lounge in providing the best moved to The Edge customer experience What does the business do?

Salon. they can.

Expertise in hair services with “It was great,” Haney And that has been a highly-trained, highly-educated said. “I was surrounded primary goal for ownprofessionals by people who were er Lindsey Haney. very passionate about How long have you owned the Haney has put great education and making a business? Eight years (four years effort into making sure career out of it.” solo) her employees get That very same idea the most opportunity began guiding her to How long have you been in the they can get so, in the opening her own busiprofession? 20 years end, that experience ness. After some time, is passed down to the she met Jill Erhich and What do you see as the single customers. the pair opened The most important thing people see “We create a culStyle Lounge, building in your business? ture, a code of honor,” on a shared passion for “Giving (stylists) amazing career Haney said, sitting in a career. opportunities.” the trendy front wait“(We) had the same ing area. “Rules that vision,” Haney said. we live by. Having that “Create a space where like-minded attitude helps grow each other. you walk in and didn’t feel like you were in We’re always wanting more.”

Austin. I love Northeast Minneapolis and Haney has been in the profession for 20 that was our inspiration.” years, a profession that was as much a surIn the beginning there were seven stylists prise to her as anybody else. hired, a number that has swollen to 15, all Haney had no intention of getting into of it driven by advancing experiences and hair styling. Her world in high school readvancing opportunities. volved around art.

Among the many opportunities is an “It actually fell into my lap,” Haney said. advanced associate program that requires “I was an art student first. I did one year at a new associate to simply observe for four Riverland for general education and I need- months before they start seeing guests. ed something more creative.”

They also host monthly meetings where On a whim, she decided to pursue cosideas are introduced. metology, making the decision a week be“The staff is super involved,” Haney said. fore the semester started.

“I facilitate and they brainstorm.”

However, it turned out that art backThese ideas, these steps, create an atmoground helped give her a boost. She took to sphere of togetherness at The Style Lounge. cosmotology right away.

“Everybody felt a part of it,” Haney said.

By Eric Johnson

photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“We create a culture, a code of honor. Rules that we live by. Having that like-minded attitude helps grow each other. We’re always wanting more.”

Lindsey Haney

3 reasons women should consider small business State Point Media

Women have steadily increased their presence in the world of small-business ownership over the past 10 years.

In fact, the number of women-owned firms has grown 68 percent since 2007, compared with 47 percent for all businesses, and women-owned businesses support more than 7.9 million jobs, according to a survey commissioned

by American Express.

Women have many reasons to love working for a small business, according to Aflac’s 2018 Small Business Happiness Survey, which surveyed 1,000 U.S. employees at organizations with three to 49 employees. Here are three key findings from Aflac’s survey that indicate women are finding happy, fulfilling careers at small businesses.

1. A supportive, close-knit working environment.

One of the clear benefits small businesses have over their counterparts is the ability to more easily create company

cultures that make all employees feel like they belong. In fact, in this year’s survey, women employees ranked feeling like a family as the best part of working for a small business.

2. The benefits of greater flexibility.

While working for a small business often comes with many perks, women listed flexible scheduling as the biggest perceived benefit (29 percent). This was closely followed by feeling more appreciated and feeling like their input matters. These benefits help explain how a whopping 91 percent of all employees feel satisfied working at a small business.

3. Progress and commitment toward pay equality.

Seventy-eight percent of female small-business employees believe they are compensated equally with their coworkers, and 73 percent think the small-business industry achieves success when it comes to equal pay. Still, 48 percent of male and female respondents acknowledge that there remains room for improvement.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018

Lindsey Haney

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Women in Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Rave Nutrition

Emily Golbuff

How one Austin woman’s journey for fitness led to helping others

By Hannah Yang

hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative for lunch, chances are Rave Nutrition has what you’re looking for.

It’s hard to believe that Rave Nutrition has been open for almost a year (its one-year anniversary approaching on Nov. 21). Since then, Emily Golbuff, owner, has served hundreds of customers with her shakes, all the while offering them support in their own fitness journeys.

When stepping inside Rave Nutrition, customers are usually greeted by Golbuff, who mostly stands behind the counter whipping up a delicious concoction of sorts to help people get through the day with boosts of energy and fat burning from the 42 flavors of shakes that are available to them. With a quick whirr through a blender, healthy treats become accessible to those looking for a pick-me up without feeling guilty about the calories or sugar.

“We provide healthy, fast lunch options for the community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” she said. “We have oneon-one coaching for those working on certain health goals and we host community challenges at Rave.”

Helping others achieve their personal fitness goals also stems from Golbuff’s innate desire to help others.

The 27-year-old was also in a similar position several years ago when she wasn’t living an active lifestyle. She had previously shared that she had

Business Name: Rave Nutrition What does the business do? Rave is here to help serve the community of Austin and develop a healthy active lifestyle. We provide healthy, fast lunch options for the community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We have one-on-one coaching for those working on certain health goals and we host community challenges at Rave.

How long have you owned the business? I have owned Rave for a year on Nov. 21.

How long have you been in the profession? 5 years What do you see as the single most important thing people see in your business? It is hard to pick just one!

The shakes are delicious, but I would like to say people love the positive supportive environment Rave has to offer! gained “the freshman 15 and then some” and received a wake up call when her father was diagnosed with cancer.

“I knew I was unhealthy,” she said in a previous interview. “I was not going to fall into that.”

What started off as first being a community challenge participant in a nutrition club in Mankato, Golbuff lost 40 pounds and still kept the weight off. Since then, she had co-owned Ignite Nutrition in Albert Lea and was inspired to open up Rave Nutrition on her own after seeing many clients traveling from town to get shakes.

“I decided to open my own club in Austin,” Golbuff expressed. “Rave is here to help serve the community of Austin and develop a healthy active lifestyle.”

Before opening up Rave, Golbuff had debated whether

opening a fitness operation on her own would be risky. She never thought she’d be the one to own her own business, but the fuel to help others obtain a better, healthier life, was too much of a motivator to quit.

She had previously thought about becoming a special education teacher in Austin, but then she found love with improving her own health, as well as helping others get the community support needed to continue pushing forward. From the support her loved ones gave her, Golbuff pursued every opportunity possible and opened up Rave Nutrition. Since then, the blenders haven’t stop churning out healthy shakes.

“I never thought I’d be running my own business,” she said, “and I get a high of helping other people achieve their goals.”

As to what she considered to be the most important aspect of owning and running Rave, she noted that aside from getting shakes, it was the accountability her nutrition club has that gives participants an extra kick to get them moving.

“I would like to say people love the positive, supportive environment Rave has to offer,” she added.

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