WOMEN TO KNOW + DO BUSINESS WITH
|
VOL. 2
#KNOWMILWAUKEE
2021 | 1
STATISTICS women-owned ON
BUSINESSES
40
%
OF ALL BUSINESSES ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY WOMEN
9 MILLION WOMEN EMPLOY MORE THAN PEOPLE
11.3
MORE THAN
37
FIRMS ARE OWNED BY WOMEN
WOMEN EARN MORE % OF THAN THEIR HUSBANDS
1.6
2 | theknowwomen.com
MILLION
WOMEN FIRMS GENERATE
TRILLION IN SALES
WHAT IF
you could connect with women on a global scale who want to help you succeed?
A MEMBERSHIP LIKE NO OTHER MEMBER EVENTS
PROMOTE
Register to attend a weekly ‘Let’s Have Coffee’ series, a monthly masterclass, or a monthly CEO Chat to help build your business or grow your career. Join the new member meetup or virtual events to connect with female members all over the globe.
Get exclusive opportunities to promote your brand, speak at an event, host a master class, and sell your products through our KNOW Women marketplace.
ONLINE PORTAL As soon as you join you’ll have access to The KNOW Women Global portal where you will find all of your members-only resources from CEO chats to connection calls. You’ll unlock business development opportunities, publicity, and marketing help, outreach opportunities, and the chance to continually connect and grow through collaboration and connection with your global sisterhood.
A CLASS OF LIKE-MINDED BUSINESS WOMEN WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LEVELING UP The KNOW Women Global Membership is built around women who will help you achieve your goals. You’ll be seen and heard, acknowledged, and supported. You won’t ever have to question if you are in the right room or if you have a seat at the table. Our movement is built to help you rise through inclusivity, positivity, and collaboration.
we promise
1. To align you with motivated women from across the globe. 2. Provide access to female industry leaders who will educate and inspire. 3. An opportunity to promote and elevate your brand to a global audience.
KNOW Women Global Membership: KNOW this is where you belong.
www.theknowwomen.com/membership 2021 | 3
from the
FOUNDER & CEO
Launched in 2017, The KNOW WomenTM began as a way to bring more attention to dynamic women doing remarkable things in the Phoenix metro. We knew there were an outstanding number of women impacting the community and making big strides in their industries. Our goal was to get those women out from behind their computer screens and into the public eye. Thus, we created the KNOW Book, a carefully curated publication that would feature vision-led women in a glamorous and authentic style. As the momentum grew and we recognized the need for more, we launched our Collaborative around the women featured in our KNOW Book. Our mix & mingles soon ensued and we witnessed incredible things happening. We saw our women doing business with each other, creating friendships, supporting each other, collaborating on projects together, and so much more. What started as a fun project to spotlight women, has turned into a full-blown movement. The KNOW WomenTM has expanded beyond its birthplace of Phoenix, Arizona; its aim is to launch in every major city across the United States and Canada.
Sarah Benken FOUNDER & CEO
4 | theknowwomen.com
#BTS
2021 | 5
Milwaukee is home to a thriving tapestry. It seeks to inspire change, celebrate sports and culture, raise families, grow businesses, and is the place where you can find these women to KNOW. We present you with the 2021 Milwaukee KNOW Book. To the women of this book: Welcome to KNOW Milwaukee! As we celebrate our second year, may we continue to be champions for the community and the women creating it. You are all a gift to one another, and it is my hope that you are strengthened by the connections and support found here. Each of you truly embodies the mission of The KNOW Women: to amplify the voices of female leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs. Your dedication to empower women is inspiring, and I cannot wait to see where you lead. I honor each of your journeys and am proud to serve as your market manager. Our voices are stronger together when we LIFT + RISE!
6 | theknowwomen.com
Katie
MARKET MANAGER Photo Credit: Amanda Melby Photography 2021 | 7
design & layout
collection
Myra H.Ray
photography
Katie Soyka Photography
We are a collection of highly successful, authentically driven women.
market manager
Katie Soyka
collaboration
publisher
inspires & motivates the advancement for all women.
admin team
We collaborate to support one another & build clout that
community
We support our local & global communities by actively searching for ways to pay it forward.
mantra
Lift + Rise
Nominations are now open for our Elite Membership. Follow KNOW Publications for the latest information. @theknowwomen hello@theknowwomen.com theknowwomen.com 8 | theknowwomen.com
Sarah Benken
Erica Storck
Sara Mayer
connect
@theknowwomen subscribe
theknowwomen.com
table of contents 10 business
37 home + life
27 fashion
56 non-profit
29 food + beverage
57 notable
34 health + wellness
THEKNOWWOMEN.COM 2021 | 9
BUSINESS
AMANDA DALNODAR
Brew City Marketing
Amanda wrote the first draft of Brew City Marketing’s business plan on the plane ride home from her honeymoon. She had always known she’d own her own company someday – and in one short plane ride, she made it happen. Over the last decade, Amanda has grown Brew City into a thriving digital marketing agency complete with a team of highly-skilled professionals. The agency operates as a remote marketing department for its clients, handling anything from website design to SEO. Amanda’s passion has helped countless Milwaukee-area small businesses grow and achieve success. When Amanda isn’t working, she’s spending time with her husband and two young children. And even this digital marketing maven makes it a point to unplug every once in a while for yoga and time in nature.
brewcitymarketing.com 9211 W Center Street @brewcitymarketing Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 10 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
BRIANNA GASPER
Elevate MKE, Inc.
Brianna Gasper is the Executive Director of Elevate MKE, a local non-profit that creates, coordinates and executes uplifting events; always including a charitable impact. With a team of 22 outstanding women alongside her, they bring life to everything from run/walks, live music events to dance competitions. Elevate has raised over $350K since its start and in the last 8 years The Power of Purple Dance Competition has raised over $150K for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Their latest event Calm in the Chaos; a women’s wellness event, connects women while giving them a day away from all responsibility to normalize therapy, practice stress reduction techniques and meet local experts while raising money for therapy to support women in need. This has grown to two cities in two states this year, and Brianna has set her goal of expanding to more states to keep normalizing self care and women’s mental health initiatives. She enthusiastically supports women and community all while proudly raising five children of her own.
theelevatecommunity.org info@elevatemke.com @elevate.mke Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 11
BUSINESS
BRENDA E CORTEZ
BC Books, LLC
“Share your life experiences through written words to inspire others.” This is what Brenda felt called to do after donating her kidney to another mom. Resources for children did not exist to help Brenda’s children understand what she was doing at the time, so after feeling inspiration from her daughter’s college entrance essay seven years after the kidney donation, she wrote her first children’s book to do just that. Brenda has published nine children’s books, with Howl the Owl®️ as her main character, and is a bestselling author with her book, “Because of Organ Donation – A Collection of Inspiring Stories Celebrating the Gift of Life”. Now, as a book coach, Brenda is helping so many others fulfill their dream of writing and publishing a book. She specializes in non-fiction, memoirs, and children’s books. Brenda can coach you through the entire process or even co-write with you.
brendacortez.com brenda@howltheowl.com @authorbrendacortez Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 12 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
CHRISTY SIEGLE
Transitions Coaching, LLC
When you spend the time to realize your strengths, values, and skills, you improve your relationships, maximize your potential, and perform your best. As a leadership coach with Transitions Coaching, LLC, Christy Siegle helps people become the best versions of themselves, personally and professionally. In her previous experience as a talent leader in a Fortune 500 company, Christy learned that work can be fun and fulfilling—when you commit to personal growth and development. Christy believes this is key to finding purpose and achieving exceptional results. Her own journey taught her that development takes courage, and now she helps people push their boundaries to drive their own growth. Developing leaders to their fullest potential is Christy’s calling, and she’s dedicated to helping others lead, work, and live more humanly. As a mom to three boys, she understands the challenges many parents face, and she’s especially passionate about helping working parents achieve sustainable success.
christy@transitionscoachingllc.com 414.915.1036 transitionscoachingllc.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 13
BUSINESS
CHRISTINA STONE
Fusion Recruiters, LLC
As the VP, Recruiting Solutions for Fusion Recruiters, LLC, Christina has the privilege of connecting extraordinary people with equally extraordinary organizations across the country each and every day. After 15+ years in Corporate Talent Acquisition, she changed gears and joined Fusion. Growing up in a family business she always had the desire to follow in her parents and grandparents’ footsteps to build a business herself one day. What she found by joining the Fusion Recruiters family is not only the ability to help build an award-winning search firm but also the opportunity to continue helping others meet and exceed their professional and financial goals through the development of genuine partnerships and long-lasting relationships. Married to her high school sweetheart and a mom of 2 girls, Christina strives to be a role model for her daughters by showing them they can truly have the best of both worlds – a fulfilling career and a beautiful family.
fusionrecruiters.com 414.870.3873 cstone@fusionrecruiters.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 14 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
EMILY GILDERS
Serendipity Labs
Ever since Emily was a little girl, she hated to leave a party! She loves watching a room come to life, seeing people make memories, and making people happy with her hospitality. Emily Gilders is an experienced sales professional, curator of community, and natural connector. Driven by helping provide solutions for people, she takes pride in providing the best hospitality possible when it comes to her clients, Lab members, friends, and family. As the Director of Sales for Serendipity Labs, her goals include growing a professional community in Wauwatosa and watching her members flourish with their businesses. In addition to being a Director of Sales at Serendipity Labs, Emily is a Wauwatosa resident, wife, mother to a sassy six year old boy, and rescue dog mom.
serendipitylabs.com @serendipity_labs emily.gilders@serendipitylabs.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 15
BUSINESS
JULIE MENDEN
Julie Menden, LLC.
As a Leadership & Performance Coach, Trainer, and Speaker Julie is passionate about helping rising leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners’ step into their leadership, success mindset and confidence to drive results and achieve their potential. Working in Corporate as a Training & Leadership Development professional, Julie became curious how to help emerging leaders go from self-doubt and overwhelm to true leadership confidence and a strong mindset for success. This led her to become a Certified Professional Coach, Energy Leadership Index Practitioner, as well as a Positive Intelligence Mental Fitness Coach. Julie launched her coaching business and now coaches leaders and small business owners, delivers workshops & training’s, as well as does Public Speaking. Julie’s mission is to empower ambitious achievers to ditch the self-doubt and limiting thoughts holding them back, to reach their full potential by owning their leadership, mindset, and instilling high performance habits.
juliemenden.com julie@juliemenden.com @juliemenden Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 16 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
KILEY PETERS
Brainchild Studios® & RAYNE IX Kiley Peters is the Founder and CEO of the international award-winning Brainchild Studios®, an audience research and content strategy partner for equity-centered brands building smarter businesses. She founded RAYNE IX, an executive coaching and consulting company for small business owners. She also created the Work From Home Playbook, a series of online courses guiding aspiring entrepreneurs through the steps of starting a virtual business. As a serial entrepreneur and national speaker, with almost 15 years of industry experience, she has worked on digital content strategies for over 100 brands ranging from small businesses to global enterprises. Her primary areas of expertise include small business consultation, digital content strategy, and consumer behavior research and analysis. She is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from Marquette University and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
kiley@brainchildstudios.com brainchildstudios.com RAYNEIX.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 17
BUSINESS
KRISTA MORRISSEY
CHOICES Coaching & Consulting Have you ever met a person and
thought, ‘Wow, I want more of that!’ Meet Krista Morrissey, owner of CHOICES Coaching & Consulting and ICF-certified coach. Krista brings energy, laughter, reflection, and inspiration to every engagement. She partners with clients as they transition to who they want to be and where they want to be. The journey on the outside is a powerful result of the story on the inside. Krista guides an inside-out journey of discover thy self, know thy self, grow thy self, lead thy self. When the outside doesn’t work, Krista goes deep to understand the story on the inside, where the nuggets of wisdom and change hide. Krista will ignite the leader within. After decades of domestic and international leadership and organization development experience, Krista draws upon her strength to stand with others through change and transition. Her mission is to help individuals tap their highest potential and bring their gifts and their power to the world.
choicescoachingconsulting.com @kristamorrissey krista@choicescoachingconsulting.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 18 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
LINDSAY RENIER
Renier Hotopp Law
As the owner and operator of Renier Hotopp Law, Attorney Lindsay Renier represents women going through divorce or child custody issues. She not only represents her clients as they navigate through challenging legal issues, but she also encourages, emboldens, inspires, and strengthens women as they endure one of the most difficult times of their lives. Lindsay operates a Boutique Law Firm and works directly and intimately with each of her clients, encouraging them to fight for what they have a legal right to and emboldens them to demand what is needed for a brighter future ahead - for themselves and their children. Lindsay is a fierce litigator and a savvy negotiator. She is happily married to her husband, Kenny, and has a blended family of her own.
TheRHLawOffice.com 262.977.7717 @RenierHotoppLaw Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 19
BUSINESS
LISA RAEBEL
Rebel Girl Marketing, LLC Meet the REBEL of Rebel Girl Marketing. As the Founder, Speaker & Chief Storyteller, Lisa uses her 28+ years of experience to help business owners who know they need better sales and marketing strategies yet have no idea where to start. You will often hear her say, “Everything is marketing. From how you answer your phone to your final invoice to a customer… it’s all marketing.” Lisa cuts through the noise and breaks marketing opportunities down to what makes sense for her clients, creating strategies that are simple and relatable to their target audiences. Her passion for helping others can be seen in her volunteer work and speaking events. Lisa’s workshopstyle engagements provide participants with content and strategies they can implement right away. One popular speaking topic is “The Power of Your Pitch,” which helps professionals make great first impressions. There are benefits to a #rebelmindset!
lisa@rebelgirlmarketing.com rebelgirlmarketing.com @lisaraebel Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 20 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
LORA HAINES
JB Training Solutions
Lora Haines is a high-energy, worldclass facilitator, keynote speaker, and instructional design expert. She has over twelve years of experience in learning and development at world-class organizations like Walt Disney and Microsoft. Lora is currently a Director of Learning and Development at JB Training Solutions, a learning and development company that offers dynamic in-person and virtual soft-skill training across all stages of the employee life-cycle. She has designed and developed several of JB Training’s most popular workshops. She is also a certified coach who is passionate about helping professionals reach their highest career aspirations. She is available to facilitate in-person and virtual soft skill workshops at your organization through JB Training Solutions (www. jbtrainingsolutions.com) or can be reached directly (www.lorahaines.com) for one-on-one small business and entrepreneur workshop consulting.
jbtrainingsolutions.com lorahaines.com lorabhaines@gmail.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 21
BUSINESS
MANDY EMERSON
The Fierce Social Society
Mandy is a social media coach & strategist helping female entrepreneurs grow their business using socials! Before the pandemic, Mandy was performing on cruise ships as a singer. While sailing the world, she discovered her love for video content creation & made makeup tutorials on YouTube. After Mandy lost her job working for a cosmetic company due to the pandemic, she took it as an opportunity to dive head first in to the world of Instagram. It quickly turned in to a full-on coaching business mentoring entrepreneurs on how to leverage the power of socials to gain even more exposure & grow. With the release of Instagram Reels, she gained over 46k followers & exceeded her business goals in just 6 months of coaching. She has now released an Instagram Reels course & will be opening the doors to her new membership in January 2022. Mandy’s mission is to not just empower entrepreneurs with their social presence but also provide them community & encouragement. She realized that entrepreneurship can be lonely but it doesn’t have to be through the power of social media!
themandyemerson.com fiercesocialsociety@gmail.com @themandyemerson Photo Credit: Taylor Kelley Photography 22 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
NANCY TOWLE
Licensed Insurance Agent HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Nancy is proud to be in the KNOW book again to proclaim her love for insurance. Yes, health insurance. Most would think that is crazy but in a lively conversation, Nancy can share the challenges, satisfaction, and rewards that come from helping protect people from devastating medical bills. After a number of different careers, Nancy discovered her perfect niche. She gets to do speaking events and individual appointments, both live and virtual, to share her expertise. Nancy is here to “Clear up the Confusion” about Health Insurance. As a Licensed Insurance Agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Nancy can offer numerous plans and products with companies in Wisconsin. Ask her about coverage for any age - Medicare is her sweet spot. Don’t hesitate to call to see how she can help you! When she is not helping people navigate coverages, she is probably networking, volunteering or walking her sweet dog Lambeau!
ntowle@HealthMarkets.com, @HealthMarkets.nancy.towle HealthMarkets/ntowle Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 23
BUSINESS
NEIKO STEWART
Aneu Strategies Group, Inc. Neiko has more than 25 years’
experience combining ERP Solutions, Cloud Architecture, business processes, system analysis, project management and governance. She delivers value-added expertise to support a company’s digital transformation, strategy roadmaps, and implementations. Neiko continues to evaluate her craft by partnering with Global leaders in technology to provide the best technology solutions to her clients. As the founder and chief strategist officer of Aneu Strategies Group, Inc. (ASG) a woman- and minority owned small business enterprise that provides B2B solutions and B2C As-a Service technology solutions to government entities, nonprofits, and corporate clients. ASG leverages our extensive and successful management, leadership, and professional experience to aid our target market (SMBs) evaluate their current enterprise posture, review their vision, and identify the most appropriate solutions for their current problems. We believe in our ethics, team and expertise. These attributes allow us to provide integrous services to our customers.
aneustrategies.com @company/aneu-strategies-group @aneu.strategies.group_inc Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 24 | theknowwomen.com
BUSINESS
RHONDA NOORDYK, CDFA®
The Women’s Financial Wellness Center
Rhonda Noordyk, Founder & CEO of The Women’s Financial Wellness Center, is Host of the Podcast, Divorce Conversations for Women, a Public Speaker and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, who understands that divorce can be a complicated and a painful journey. This is what drove Rhonda to leave the financial industry in 2014 to pursue her passion of helping women achieve financial justice and financial wellness in their divorce. She refers to her work with women as ‘a different kind of divorce experience, one that leads to empowering moments and living a happy and fulfilled life, post-divorce.’ Fun fact: Rhonda has been a public speaker since the age of 11!
wfwcdivorce.com info@wfwcllc.com New Berlin, WI Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 25
BUSINESS
VICTORIA HAAS
Affinity Accounting
Victoria is the Principal at Affinity Accounting, located in downtown Milwaukee. They believe the most important aspect of any business is its people, which is why they focus on small business owners in the professional services industry. Their expertise is providing professional accounting, tax, and outsourced CFO services. Leveraging the most current technologies, their people are empowered to work proactively and collaboratively together with their clients. The best part of Victoria’s job is talking to other small business owners about their passion and vision for the future and helping them make that a reality. Victoria attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for Accountancy and has a master’s in taxation. She is a member of the WICPA, AICPA, and TEMPO where she serves on the finance committee. She has 3 young children and serves on the school fund board. Victoria enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new cuisines.
@company/51619972 @affinitymke info@affinitymke.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 26 | theknowwomen.com
FASHION
LISA C. GIBB, MS, CCC-SLP
LifeStyled by Lisa
Lisa is a Wife, Mom, Community Volunteer, Board Member, and Entrepreneur! Anyone who knows her appreciates her pillars of purpose for family, friends, and giving back. With a healthcare background, Lisa pivoted multiple times with family moves, and has learned the value of saying “Why Not”! She is sought after for her personal style, creativity, compassion, leadership, and service. She LOVES a great challenge around vision and the creation of exceptional experiences! At her core, Lisa connects with people in ways to help them live better and feel great while creating a beneficial community impact. She provides concierge level services to men & women, offering carefully vetted lifestyle brands for sleep wellness, fashion, and beauty. Services and products have been curated to align perfectly in design, quality, value & inspiration. Hobbies include time with friends and family, cooking & entertaining, photography, traveling, reading, pickleball, and a crazy huge love for animals!
Lisacgibb@gmail.com 262.227.4246 @lisagibb Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 27
FASHION
SARAH JOHNSON
Delafield Main St. Boutique
Sarah Johnson is the proud owner of Delafield Main St. Boutique, a women’s clothing, accessories and shoe store. In 2018, Sarah decided to follow her dream and leave the corporate retail world behind to become an entrepreneur. Her knowledge gained from prior work experience, her exuberant personality, and her love for working with customers, form the core foundation of her store. Delafield Main St. Boutique is centered around providing the best customer experience and product that fits multigenerations, catering to most women of all Ages, Sizes & Lifestyles. Sarah and her wonderful staff work hard to curtail special, unique pieces and outfits to fit each individual customer – looks you won’t see everywhere else. While Sarah enjoys helping customers look and feel great, she loves that her store is more than a brick & mortar; it is a special place where people gather, come to socialize, and build relationships.
delafieldboutique@gmail.com 262.303.5064 @delafieldmainstboutique Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 28 | theknowwomen.com
FOOD + BEV
AMANDA MATTEFS
Charcuter-Me
Amanda is the CEO and Cheesehead in Charge of Charcuter-Me, a delicious company that mindfully curates elevated charcuterie boards. A graphic designer by day, charcuterie designer by night, Amanda took her profound love of graphic design and translated it from computer design into aesthetically pleasing food styling. Much to her humble surprise, what started out as a side-hustle quickly turned into a unique concept and business that has allowed Amanda to connect with powerhouse women all over the Milwaukee area. Born and raised in Brown Deer, she deeply loves her city and takes pride in all Milwaukee has to offer, including small businesses and bad-ass entrepreneurs. Her overall goals are to provide a unique and fun food experience for customers while continuing to connect and support local Milwaukee businesses. When not making fancy adult lunchables, Amanda can be found travelling, having visited over 25 different countries throughout the world (so far!) She loves drawing inspiration from all the people she meets and through the experience of different cultures.
charcuter-me.com @charcuter_me amanda@charcuter-me.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 29
FOOD + BEV
BRITTANY WOHLFEIL
Batter
Brittany started Batter out of her home in 2020 after making her daughter’s first birthday cake. Since then, she’s expanded her business and will be opening a storefront in Menomonee Falls with her sister and fellow KNOW woman, Kasey of Kasey’s Confections. It is her work with For Goodness Cakes that she is most excited about. By opening a chapter of this non-profit, Brittany hopes to give local bakers, (professional and amateur alike) a chance to use their talents to bring birthday joy to local kids. Volunteers can sign up to bake birthday and celebration cakes for children in foster care and at-risk youth who may not otherwise have their birthday celebrated. By providing a child a treat made especially for them, it gives them some much needed time to not feel the increasing pressure of their socioeconomic situation, but rather help nurture optimism and confidence at a critical age.
battermke@gmail.com @battermke battermke.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 30 | theknowwomen.com
FOOD + BEV
JAMIE BERGER JAIME LEVINE
Cream City Kitchen
The “Jamies” know great food… As coowners of The Box, an event venue, the next big idea for entrepreneurs, Jamie Berger and Jaime Levine, was to build a licensed commercial kitchen space within The Box to support the growth of fellow entrepreneurs. Cream City Kitchen is a premier space for cooking, baking, food processing and more. An allaround culinary hub, available to chefs, bakers, caterers, food truck owners, food vendors and artisan chefs starting new ventures who need a licensed commercial kitchen to operate out of. Being connected to a 3,000 square foot event venue also makes it an ideal popup restaurant ambiance for chefs to showcase their talents to a wider audience, offer classes for culinary experiences, and then some. Cream City Kitchen has become a destination where local businesses have grown, and dreams have been realized…and the “Jamies” could not be prouder to be part of their journey.
creamcitykitchen.com info@creamcitykitchen.com 414.551.5021 Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 31
FOOD + BEV
SHELLEY STEWART
Singular Ice
How did Shelley Stewart, originally from Oklahoma, find herself in Wisconsin selling ice? After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Shelley began her career in engineering at Honeywell in Phoenix. There she fell in love, got her MBA, had children, became a full-time mom, and then moved to Wisconsin to raise her children. She had no idea that sixteen years later ice would be a passion. Shelley is co-owner of the luxury ice company, Singular Ice, which makes two-inch crystal clear cubes for spirits and craft cocktails. Shelley has successfully sold Singular Ice to retail locations, bars, country clubs, and local events. Shelley’s gift for deeply caring about people fits well with her other sales position. She’s an insurance agent for The Jeff Hansen American Family Insurance Agency. Both of these positions allow her time to give back to the community and be with her family – her true passion.
@singularice shelley@singularice.com singularice.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 32 | theknowwomen.com
FOOD + BEV
SUSANNAH LAGO
Style Up Group LLC
Susannah Lago is the founder and CEO of Style Up Group LLC, a creative and stylish event services company specializing in pop-up events. With over a decade of experience in corporate and leisure events, Susannah launched Style Up Group in 2018 with Milwaukee’s first ever mobile bar (named Zara) and has since added to her stylish fleet of mobile stations with Lola the Trike, Coco the Cart (named after style legend Coco Chanel) and more! While Susannah is accomplishing great things in growing her own fempire, she remains passionate about social responsibility and community which is why she is also the founder and president of Working Moms of Milwaukee, a community engagement organization that supports and empowers moms. Susannah and her work have been featured in national publications such as Vox, Newsy and Buzzfeed, and she has also received numerous awards including being named a 40 Under 40 winner in 2020 with Milwaukee Business Journal. Susannah lives in Wauwatosa with her husband, two children, two rescue dogs and a flock of backyard chickens.
styleupgroup.com @StyleUpGroup hello@styleupgroup.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 33
HEALTH
LILLIAN ODUWOLE
Dove Hydration and Wellness
Lillian Oduwole is an award-winning Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for empowering her patients to make the right decisions in their healthcare. Lillian is the CEO and owner of Dove Hydration & Wellness, which she opened in late 2020. Lillian discovered that there was a need in the community for a well-rounded, holistic approach to improving and maintaining your health. She discovered that during these high-stress times, one must find ways to regularly engage in self-care practices for overall wellness. At Dove Hydration & Wellness, Lillian offers several services which include IV hydration vitamin therapy, vitamin injections, teeth whitening, holistic womb care, health and wellness coaching, and more. Lillian has almost 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry and was recently featured on The Morning Blend show on TMJ 4 for Women’s Small Business Month. Lillian is passionate about the importance of self care. She identifies what your individual needs are, and creates a plan in collaboration with you to help you achieve your goals!
dovehydrationandwellness.com @dovehydrationwellness info@dovehydrationandwellness.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 34 | theknowwomen.com
HEALTH
RUTH I. BUSALACCHI
SYNERGY Home Care
Ruth Busalacchi is the owner and operator of SYNERGY Homecare serving Southeast Wisconsin. Her company currently employs over 100 professional caregivers who work with more than 150 clients ranging companion care to 24/7 live-in care. She has owned her company since 2010, having been drawn to the industry while advocating for her Dad who had Parkinson’s and her Mom who was his primary caregiver. Combining her personal and professional experience in Social Services, Ruth created a Business Mission, “To provide unique and dignified care, and to educate the community about the options available.” Ruth is a facilitator for the Alz. Association, and offers free Educational Events to local Seniors. Ruth is the Senior Care Expert on WTMJ-4 “The Morning Blend” as well as national radio spots and podcasts. Ruth’s hobbies including spending time with her five grandchildren and playing the ukulele! Ruth graduated from Concordia University with a B.A. in Business Administration and Management and Human Resources.
synergyhomecare.com/agencies
/wi/greenfield/wi03/ @SYNERGYHomecareof
MilwaukeeCounty @ruth-busalacchi-a23b3428
Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 35
HEALTH
DR. TIFFANY MULLEN
Vytal Health
Dr. Tiffany Mullen is the CEO and cofounder of Vytal Health, a Milwaukee, WI-based telemedicine startup company. Years after feeling frustrated by health care--both as a patient and as a physician--Dr. Tiffany left corporate health care behind to co-found Vytal Health. Vytal Health is a membershipbased telemedicine company focused on helping people solve health problems that have been overlooked or under-treated by traditional health care. The Vytal Health team of physicians, nutritionists, and health coaches treat the whole person, focusing on lifestyle--nutrition, sleep, managing stress, and moving the body--in addition to supplements, medications and other interventions when necessary. Holistic health care has always been Dr. Tiffany’s passion. Prior to launching Vytal Health, Dr. Tiffany led Aurora Health Care’s (Milwaukee, WI) Department of Integrative Medicine as its Medical Director, growing it to the largest department in the country.
vytalhealth.com @yourvytalhealth hello@vytalhealth.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 36 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
ADRIENNE SHEA EMILIE SEAMAN
Little Sprouts Play Café
Inspired by having two small children at the time, Adrienne Shea founded Little Sprouts Play Cafe in 2016. She created a place for other mothers and caregivers to gather while the children socialize through engaging play. The cafe has many rotating sensory and creative toys, hosts birthday parties targeted at younger children, and puts on regular events. In 2019, partnering with Emilie Seaman, Little Sprouts expanded to a second location in Mequon. Adrienne and Emilie’s overarching goal is to create a vibrant and collaborative community of mothers and caregivers that shares knowledge, experiences, and connections. The cafes have expanded to offer a wide variety of classes—from baby sensory play to toddler art classes—and sponsor or participate in community events—like the Shorewood Criterium’s Kids Roll. A particular favorite has been their birthday parties, which encouraged a new venture: Pop & Joy Co, for elaborate balloon decor and party supplies.
littlesproutsplaycafe.com @littlesproutsplaycafe hello@littlesproutsplaycafe.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 37
HOME + LIFE
ALETHA CHAMPINE
Champine Realty Group Keller Williams
Real Estate Agent, Aletha Champine works alongside clients with unwavering force and unmatched commitment. Aletha’s eye for design and passion for real estate bring a unique, lively perspective and approach to the home buying or selling journey. She prides herself on helping her clients envision themselves in homes at all price points; showing them the potential of a home, and how they can make the home their own. Her slogan “your future starts at home” is really the core of her business. Aletha believes that a home is the backdrop of one’s future. Recently, Champine grew her team to include a Director of Operations, along with two active agents. This powerhouse group of women look forward to growing their business to better serve their clients. Their goal is to provide a concierge real estate experience to all clients, no matter the price point. Working with Aletha, and Champine Realty Group, ensures your future home is in the right hands.
yourfuturestartsathome.com @yourfuturestartsathome alethachampine@kw.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 38 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
AMANDA MELBY
Amanda Melby Photography
Amanda Melby is a photographer in Waukesha, WI that focuses on families, newborns and seniors. She believes every season of life is beautiful and that it’s important to capture each and every moment. When clients book a session with Amanda, they can expect a personalized and professional experience. Amanda works directly with each client to understand their individual needs and strives to exceed their expectations. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Amanda received her associate degree for medical billing and coding and worked in healthcare for over 10 years. In 2019 Amanda began pursuing her love of photography as a side business. As her business continues to expand, today Amanda is proud to focus on photography full time. When Amanda isn’t taking photos or editing, she loves to spend time with her husband Chris and their two daughters. Amanda also enjoys traveling with her friends and family.
amandamelbyphotography.com @amandamelbyphotography amandamelbyphotography@gmail.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 39
HOME + LIFE
ASHLEY FENDERSON
Modern Woodmen of America
Ashley is a 2nd generation financial representative that builds her practice on the importance of financial education and personalized, holistic financial planning. Ashley has built her business on the 4 core values of authenticity, honesty, integrity, and compassion. She believes these values contribute to the success and financial security of her clients. She specializes in working with women in business, physicians, and their families to maximize their small business growth, best leverage their assets, protect their families, and ultimately ensure that they achieve their financial goals. She takes pride in getting to know her clients’ and their families to create a relationship that grows through every phase of life. Outside of “the office,” Ashley places a strong priority on community engagement and family. She is an Ovarian Cancer survivor and volunteers on the Board of directors for Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance and Athlos Academy. She uses her faith to overcome adversity and approach life with a positive attitude!
reps.modernwoodmen.org /afenderson/ Ashley.L.Fenderson@mwarep.org 262.902.9476 Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 40 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
CHERYL LITVIN LORI WOOD
First Associated Insurance Agencies Inc
People are often unclear, confused and hoping for the best when they think about their insurance. You know you need insurance and are expected to be the expert. We take the stress out of the process so you can have the peace of mind you deserve. As licensed fourth generation independent insurance agents, Lori and Cheryl develop personal relationships with their clients. Whether it is personal or business insurance, they implement strategies that best protects your assets. Cheryl and Lori believe in transparency, partnerships and education which gives you the power to make informed insurance decisions. With over a half a century of building professional relationships, Lori and Cheryl can provide customized insurance plans unique to you. Along with running their family agency, they have an online employee training program, allowing you to develop and strengthen your employees. Cheryl also consults, certifies and teaches General Industry OSHA classes.
info@firstassociated.com firstassociated.com 262.288.2488 Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 41
HOME + LIFE
CHRISTINE ROEHLING
R5 Construction, LLC
During the day, Christine is a Human Resources leader at Johnson Controls Federal Systems. She is also the owner of R5 Construction, LLC, a residential and commercial construction company servicing southeastern Wisconsin. After working years in corporate America, she and her husband decided their desire was to own their own business. The combination of her business expertise with his journeymen carpenter background inspired them to step out in faith and start R5 Construction. They take pride in the fundamentals; timely responses, partnering with customers, and providing high quality products. Additionally, Christine is the Executive Director of The Beat Goes On, a non-profit focused on supporting pediatric heart disease. The Foundation was formed in 2016 after her identical twin daughters were diagnosed with advanced staged heart failure at 1 year old. Both required heart transplants. The mission of The Beat Goes On Foundation is to turn heart transplant into a cure by supporting patients and families and investing in meaningful research focused on ‘one transplant for life’.
Christine@R5ConstructionWI.com R5ConstructionWI.com @R5ConstructionLLC Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 42 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
GINGER LAZOVIK
Milwaukee Real Estate Agent Falk Ruvin Gallagher Keller Williams
As one of the area’s top real estate agents, Ginger Lazovik has a special appreciation of Milwaukee and all it has to offer. She thrives helping clients find the perfect place to call home and uses her relocation experience to help clients fall in love with the city too. Ginger personalizes the buying and selling process to each client to meet their individualized goals. As a part of the Falk Ruvin Gallagher Real Estate Team, she goes above and beyond for clients. One of Ginger’s talents is bringing a design eye to help clients prepare and stage their homes to attract buyers. Ginger thrives when collaborating with other women in business and helping them succeed. She serves as a mentor to other entrepreneurs and is an active member of Tempo EWL. Giving back to the city of Milwaukee is important to Ginger and she actively participates in the United Way Emerging Leaders Program, Partnership MKE, and other local non-profits.
ginger@thefrgteam.com 414.828.7638 @lazovikmilwaukeerealtor Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 43
HOME + LIFE
JAMIE BERGER AND JAIME LEVINE
The Box
The “Jamies” know what makes a
weddings to corporate gatherings, photo
great event… Jaime Levine and Jamie
shoots to health and wellness classes,
Berger are co-owners and co-creators of
fundraisers to social soirees, The Box
The Box, a versatile, one-of-a-kind event
transforms your event into an experience
venue in heart of downtown Milwaukee.
you and your guests will not soon forget.
Both born and raised in New York, each
Jaime and Jamie pride themselves on
moved to Milwaukee in their 20s, raising
being hands on for each event during the
families and pursuing different career
planning process and day of, building
paths until 2013 when they collaborated
trust with clients and industry partners,
on an idea to create a unique gathering
and using creativity to bring each client’s
space. Think create; pop up; meet;
vision to life.
theboxmke.com info@theboxmke.com 414.551.5021
celebrate. Classic Milwaukee meets modern event space at The Box. From 44 | theknowwomen.com
Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography
HOME + LIFE
JAN OELKE
Walker’s Point, it has been one wild ride.
repurposed inventory. In 2020, Relics also
It’s true when the Relics team says “we
launched it’s Exclusive Signature Events,
live for this stuff!”. She has spent the
including their well-published Pop Up
founders and CEO around. Her motto:
last 9+ years curating some of the most
Wedding Events for their clients & Styled
“Good taste is boring”. Who wouldn’t
unique and design-forward collections
Shootout Events for creatives.
want to curate some of the coolest
for some of the most discerning clients
pieces for a job? After grad school Jan
and their events in the upper midwest.
was working in biotech, specifically
The best part about Jan, aside from her
molecular genetics, then she starting
eye for design, is that she’s not afraid to
having kids and found herself ready
schlep with the rest of us. And we do a
for a second career, one that was more
lot of schlepping! Relics is ready to assist
info@relicsrentals.com
creative. Since its inception in 2012, and
and support you to ensure your event
@relicsrentals
immediately beginning the search for
or display will be full of adventure and
www.relicsrentals.com
alla our loot and the perfect backdrop
oozing with originality using our extensive
for it, a historic cream city warehouse in
treasures of upcycled, reclaimed, and
Relics Rentals
Jan is one of the coolest owner/
Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography
2021 | 45
HOME + LIFE
KARYN GIMBEL YOUSO
First Look Family Law, SC
Karyn Youso is a low conflict divorce attorney and mediator with almost 30 years of experience. During the first 20 years, most of her time was spent winning battles in high conflict litigation. Life experience taught her that conflict is unhealthy for families, and for finances. She opened her own firm in 2018, with the goal of growing it within 3 years. Now, First Look Family Law employs a second attorney and has relocated to a bigger office space in Brookfield with more room for clients and a growing mediation practice. Lowering conflict means lowering cost, both financial and emotional. Karyn is committed to resolving problems with a cooperative approach, and knows that emotions often get in the way of compromise. She helps her clients see the big picture, beyond the pain and anger of divorce. Karyn has served on several Panels, Boards and Committees during her many years in practice, and is currently serving on the Wisconsin State Bar’s Family Law Section Board. A recent empty nester with three daughters in college, she is looking forward to having more free time to resume her love of yoga and travel.
firstlookfamilylaw.com kgyouso@firstlookfamilylaw.com 262.788.5335 Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 46 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
KIMBERLY WARNER
RePour’d Candle Factory
Kimberly Warner is the owner, operator, blender, and “Le Nez” (The Nose) of RePour’d Candle Factory. She has always had a passion for fine fragrance candles, non-toxic home fragrance accessories and re-purposing things to be “new to you!” As the owner and buyer of her own retail gift store, authentiquegifts.com, Kimberly has bought and sold thousands of candle lines. Many of them fell short due to toxic ingredients, poor marketing, or bad wholesale to retail relationship building. Kimberly has made a career out of finding products that are healthier for her customers and the environment; RePour’d is no exception. She takes pride in using top of the line, 100% Non- GMO Soy Wax, Essential Oil Fragrances (versus the headache inducing kind), and Lead-Free Cotton Wicks. All of these are offered in a variety of recycled, re-purposed, and re-usable vessel options. Find her at www. repourd.com in Kenosha, WI.
repourd.com @repourdcandlefactory info@repourd.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 47
HOME + LIFE
KATIE SOYKA
Katie Soyka Photography Katie Soyka is a brand photographer based in Milwaukee, WI who creates beautiful and clean images to elevate your brand. Katie believes that when women invest in themselves through professional photography, they step into their power and raise their voice. She understands that photography is a powerful way to help businesses attract their ideal clients through strong branding and stunning visuals. A Wisconsin native, Katie graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in marketing and worked for a Fortune 500 company for 6 years. Her love of photography prompted her to create her own business. As a brand photographer, her positive energy and encouraging nature, combined with a passionate eye for the creative and beautiful, have found their perfect home. She is most proud of her ability to make women feel comfortable in front of the camera because when they overcome their fears, they create immense power. Katie’s clients receive a level of service beyond what they may expect. She develops a clear focus on the essence of their brand to establish a vision for consistent messaging. She then guides them through the brand photography process so they feel prepared, confident, and delighted with the experience! Lifestyle brand photography cultivates know, love and trust with ideal clients, and when Katie partners with a business, they can tell their story with beautiful images that convert to results. Katie’s clients love how professional images set them apart, position them as the expert, and increase their worth. Katie is honored to work with the amazing ladies of The KNOW Book Volume l and ll, and serve as Director of Photography for The KNOW Women. When not behind a camera, she devotes her time to experiencing life with her husband, Dan, and children Evelyn, Henry and Nathan.
katiesoykaphotography.com katie@katiesoykaphotography.com @katiesoykaphotography Photo Credit: Sarah Hoag 48 | theknowwomen.com
2021 | 49
HOME + LIFE
LISA RICHARDSON
CarePatrol
Lisa Richardson is a “consummate senior care concierge” who serves seniors and their families as a Senior Care Advisor for CarePatrol. Lisa brings over twelve years of experience in healthcare, financial services, and the assisted living industry to help her clients find safe and appropriate care and housing solutions by reviewing the care and violation history. CarePatrol Advisors offer their services at no cost to the senior or their families as they are compensated by their vetted and recommended care providers. Her detailed consultative style and problem-solving skills put clients and their families at ease, whether facing an immediate crisis or simply beginning to explore future care options. Her mission and passion are to help her clients find safe and appropriate senior care solutions. She enjoys mentoring other women and watching them succeed, grow both professionally and personally to make a difference in their lives.
@lisa-richardson-54158012 262.470.7741 Lrichardson@carepatrol.com Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 50 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
NATALIE WIEDMEYER
ND Properties | EXIT Realty XL Natalie Wiedmeyer Realtor, 18 years in the customer service industry to one of Southeastern Wisconsin’s Premier Realtors. Natalie prides herself in her detail oriented customer service, her empathetic nature, and her tenacious enthusiasm. She treats her clients like family! A licensed full-time Realtor, Natalie works with both buyers and sellers
assisting them as they navigate through one of the biggest investments of their lives. Some of Natalie’s accomplishments include The Rising Star Award, Five Star Professional Award, Top 5 Producer, Bronze Sales Award, 10 Million Dollar Cub, Monthly Top Producer, and guest on Perfect Your Purpose Podcast. As a Wisconsin native Natalie is a big fan of all Wisconsin sports, she especially enjoys cheering on her hometown teams. Recently Natalie introduced her sister Danika Tramburg to the exhilarating world of Real Estate. They are looking forward to growing their brand and business ND properties.
homewithnatalie.com @nd_properties @ndprop Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 51
HOME + LIFE
OLGA THOMAS
Olga Thomas Photography
Olga Thomas is a legend in the field of photography. She takes pride in being a well rounded wedding, family and boudoir photographer. Olga currently owns and operates two studios in Milwaukee, WI and Bucharest, Romania with plans to open a third location in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Throughout the last 15 years, Olga has photographed over 400 weddings across the United States and internationally in Mexico, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Italy, France, England, Spain, India, and Romania. “I don’t think of my sessions as photoshoots, but life experiences captured through a lens,” said the Romanian-born photo-artist. “I spend the session waking up one’s inner child and authentic self. I also focus on their wardrobe, the environment of the shoot, the colors, the lighting, and the story then finish with my trademark, a personal editing style which completes the unique, masterful imagery.
olgathomas.com chicweddingday.com thewhiteloft.net Photo Credit: Katie Emanuelson 52 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE
RENEE KASPER
First Weber Realtors
Renee is passionate about all aspects of real estate and her clients’ best interests are at the forefront of her mind. Always. Determined to ensure their home is ideal for the season of life they are in; Renee’s ultimate goal is to help them live their best life. Working tirelessly to stay on top of market trends and community growth, she provides a nextlevel experience from start to finish. Her clients find her honest, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable as she guides them through every aspect of buying or selling a home. Relationships are the foundation in which Renee has built her life and her business. She is committed to developing authentic, respectful, and life-long connections throughout the communities in which she serves. The enthusiasm Renee has for life is admired. She thrives on new adventures, is constantly learning, and holds dear the friendships she’s created throughout her life. And don’t forget to ask about her love for animals!
ReneeKasper.com @ReneeKasperRealtor @ReneeKasper Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 53
54 | theknowwomen.com
HOME + LIFE GAIL KOMISAR SARAH KOMISAR RANDI SCHACHTER
BILTRITE Furniture-Leather-Mattresses Celebrating 93 years, four generations and fifteen years in our Greenfield location, Biltrite Furniture Leather and Mattresses has been women-lead. Women represent three out of the five family members who currently run our 79,000 square foot showroom and warehouse, featuring affordable, better quality furniture and mattresses. The three women include Gail Komisar (3rd generation), Randi Schachter (4th generation) and Sarah Komisar (4th generation). Gail graduated from Brooklyn College and married into the business in 1977 after meeting her husband, Marty Komisar, who is CEO and president as well as head buyer of Biltrite, on vacation. The two of them connected over the fact that Gail was an assistant buyer at Abraham and Strauss in the home furnishings department in Brooklyn, NY. It was a match meant to be. Gail now leads the design and buying team. Randi, born and raised into the business, graduated in 2001 from High Point University, in North Carolina (the home furnishings capital of the world), with a degree in interior design and a minor in art. Since 2006, She has been our store spokeswoman, as you have seen her on TV known as “Randi K”. She also heads up the marketing and design team for the store. Sarah married into the business in 2014 after meeting her husband, Bradley Komisar, who is Vice President, head mattresses buyer, and head of operations for the business. Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in education and art. She brings a passion for art and design and loves bringing joy to customers as she helps design their homes. Her education degree has also enabled her to become the lead sales trainer. Together, we are teaching the fifth generation, Jordan, Simon, Sloan, and Allison the value of a family business, and the importance of a strong work ethic. It is important for us to show them that women can lead in a male-dominated industry. #buylocal
biltritefurniture.com info@biltritefurniture.com @BiltRiteFurniture Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 55
NON-PROFIT
RACHELLE COFFEY
On Purpose Trauma-informed Care Rachelle Coffey is a psychotherapist and founder of On Purpose Traumainformed Care (OPTIC). Her passion for social advocacy and prison reform led her to her current position as Director of Mental Health for Compassion Prison Project based out of Los Angeles, California. Rachelle’s own history of trauma and poverty empowered her desire to provide a new standard of care for those suffering from symptoms of unresolved trauma. For the last fifteen years Rachelle has provided support to
Arizona’s death row population, giving life to a current project she is working on with the University of Wisconsin Green Bay to bring trauma-informed and practical education to the incarcerated population and those working in Wisconsin prisons. Rachelle received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University and is a proud member of Phi Kappa Phi. Outside of work, Rachelle loves spending time outdoors with her two girls, Rhiannon and Stella.
info@opticresources.com @OPTICResources 333 Bishop’s Way Ste. 125 Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 56 | theknowwomen.com
NOTABLE
LISA BYINGTON
Milwaukee Bucks
Lisa Byington is one of the newest additions to the Milwaukee area. In September, the Milwaukee Bucks named her as the first female play-by-play for a major professional men’s sports team. It has always been a safe bet to find her at a stadium or arena. Lisa played two sports in college, both basketball and soccer at Northwestern University, and graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism. Cool story, Lisa was wearing this green blazer (thank you, L’Agence) when she found out she got the Bucks position. She was announcing a football game at the time, and her agent texted her, “It’s a good thing you’re wearing green! Congrats!” So clearly, Lisa says “green” is her lucky color. But ultimately, Lisa believes in hard work creating your own luck. “You have to work the Grunt Job to get the Glory Job,” she likes to say! She is Midwest through and through, and is excited to begin this new journey with all of us! She encourages all Bucks fans, “If you see me, say hello…and bring your favorite restaurant recommendations!”
lisabyington.com lisabyington.iconvibes.com @lisabyington Photo Credit: Katie Soyka Photography 2021 | 57
MONICA RODRIGUEZ ON PURPOSE PSYCHE VOL1 | 55
KRISTA HULL
REDEEM AND RESTORE CENTER VOL1 | 81
TAREN SARTLER
TICK TOCK IT’S ABOUT TIME, LLC VOL1 | 42
ALUMNAE
KNOW MILWAUKEE
ERIN GUENTERBERG LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN VOL1 | 60
STEPHANIE ROGERS
ARIEL KOPAC
BROOKFIIELD CENTER FOR THE ARTS VOL1 | 75
HARNESS YOUR HINDRANCE VOL1 | 18
JEN WICKLUND
JANDELL HERUM
JENNIFER RUNDELL
VOL1 | 27
VOL1 | 25
VOL 1 | 68
JUST ENGAGE NATURALLY
58 | theknowwomen.com
THIRD EYE LOCAL
RUNDELL REDESIGN
TANYA MURPHY CRUISE PLANNERS LAND AND CRUISE TRAVEL VOL1 | 74
JOY VERTZ
MORGAN SHEA
LORI HIGHBY
VOL1 | 57
VOL1 | 36
MORGAN SHEA HEALTH & WELLNESS
KEYSTONE CLICK
JENNA TORES
SUNNIE SABOL
VOL1 | 27
VOL1 | 56
DRY BAR
PELLO WINDOWS & DOORS
RACHEL LAMANTIA
STEPHANIE MELNICK
MARY BETH BURNS
VOL1 | 39
VOL1 | 41
VOL1 | 14
VOL1 | 12-13
MASTERPIECE BOOKKEEPING, LLC
MELNICK & MELNICK, S.C.
THRIVE ACUPUNCTURE
CRAIG BERNS SALON SPA
2021 | 59
WOMENof IMPACT PATTI GORSKY Make-A-Wish Wisconsin Patti Gorsky is President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, a non-profit organization that creates lifechanging wishes for children with critical illnesses. Leading the organization since 1999, Patti has earned a reputation in both the nonprofit and private sectors as a professional of integrity who has made a significant impact on her community.
CONTESSA LOBLEY TBEY Arts Center, Inc Contessa Lobley (Cole) is the Principal & CEO of CC Consulting Group, LLC, Owner & CEO of Hey Puddin, LLC. She is also the Executive Director & Founder of TBEY Arts Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that Lobley started when she was 16 years old. TBEY provides arts programs and experiences for Milwaukee youth.
60 | theknowwomen.com
KNOW CARES PRESENTS ITS
PHILANTHROPIC partner of the year
REDEEM & RESTORE CENTER
Chaplain Krista Hull
Krista is the founder and executive
great love, power and justice in her life. With that, she perseveres in honesty, vulnerability, integrity and strength as a passionate speaker, chaplain, crisis intervention specialist, and a life coach.
director for Redeem & Restore Center.
She is also trauma care certified, and
RRC’s mission is coming alongside
an alumna of the FBI Citizens Academy
women recovering from sex trafficking
and Waukesha County Sheriffs Citizens
and helps them build a foundation of
Academy.She is married, and a mother to
healing- ultimately through a restorative
two young adults. In her free time, Krista
care home.
enjoys her an adventure in the outdoors!
She is inspired by the courage and resiliency of women survivors, and believes that together with God’s help, we can restore women to a life of freedom! Fueled with compassion, Krista’s desire to help hurting women stems from
redeemandrestore.org
being a survivor of child sexual abuse
262.844.5882
and abandonment. She knows God’s
krista@redeemandrestore.org
KNOW Cares mission is to Empower, Educate and Engage women and youth globally through give-back initiatives related to LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, WOMEN IN BUSINESS, COMMUNITY IMPACT, and EDUCATION. We believe that all women
We create an educational
and youth should have
experience for women and
access and opportunity to
youth focusing on knowledge,
engage in leadership
problem-solving, leadership,
development programs.
communication, interpersonal skills, health, and well-being.
We serve & provide financial
We support and educate
assistance to local, national, and
women in business through
international communities.
our signature program.
TO GET INVOLVED:
hello@knowcares.com
TO DONATE:
knowcares.com 2021 | 61
index
AMANDA DALNODAR................................BREW CITY MARKETING.................................................BUSINESS.........................10 BRIANNA GASPER....................................ELEVATE MKE.................................................................BUSINESS.........................11 BRENDA CORTEZ......................................BC BOOKS.......................................................................BUSINESS.........................12 CHRISTY SIEGLE.......................................TRANSITIONS COACHING LLC........................................BUSINESS.........................13 CHRISTINA STONE...................................FUSION RECRUITERS......................................................BUSINESS.........................14 EMILY GILDERS.........................................SERENDIPITY LABS........................................................BUSINESS.........................15 JULIE MENDEN.........................................JULIE MENDEN,LLC........................................................BUSINESS.........................16 KILEY PETERS...........................................BRAINCHILD STUDIOS & RAYNE IX.................................BUSINESS.........................17 KRISTA MORRISSEY..................................CHOICES COACHING & CONSULTING.............................BUSINESS.........................18 LINDSAY RENIER.......................................RENIER HOTOPP LAW.....................................................BUSINESS.........................19 LISA RAEBEL.............................................REBEL GIRL MARKETING................................................BUSINESS.........................20 LORA HAINES...........................................JB TRAINING SOLUTIONS...............................................BUSINESS.........................21 MANDY EMERSON....................................FIERCE SOCIAL SOCIETY................................................BUSINESS.........................22 NANCY TOWLE.........................................HEALTHMARKETS INSURANCE.......................................BUSINESS.........................23 NEIKO STEWART.......................................ANEU STRATEGIES GROUP, INC......................................BUSINESS.........................24 RHONDA NOORDYK..................................THE WOMEN’S FINANCIAL WELLNESS CENTER.............BUSINESS.........................25 VICTORIA HAAS........................................AFFINITY ACCOUNTING..................................................BUSINESS.........................26 LISA C. GIBB ............................................LIFESTYLED BY LISA.......................................................FASHION...........................27 SARAH JOHNSON.....................................DELAFIELD MAIN STREET BOUTIQUE.............................FASHION...........................28 AMANDA MATTEFS..................................CHARCUTER-ME.............................................................FOOD + BEV......................29 BRITTANY WOHLFEIL...............................BATTER...........................................................................FOOD + BEV......................30 JAMIE BERGER & JAIME LEVINE.............CREAM CITY KITCHEN....................................................FOOD + BEV......................31 SHELLEY STEWART..................................SINGULAR ICE.................................................................FOOD + BEV......................32 SUSANNAH LAGO.....................................STYLE UP GROUP LLC.....................................................FOOD + BEV......................33 LILLIAN ODUWOLE...................................DOVE HYDRATION & WELLNESS.....................................HEALTH + WELLNESS.......34 RUTH I. BUSALACCHI...............................SYNERGY HOMECARE.....................................................HEALTH + WELLNESS.......35 DR. TIFFANY MULLEN...............................VYTAL HEALTH...............................................................HEALTH + WELLNESS.......36 ADRIENNE SHEA & EMILIE SEAMAN.........LITTLE SPROUTS PLAY CAFE.........................................HOME + LIFE.....................37 ALETHA CHAMPINE.................................CHAMPINE REALTY GROUP - KELLER WILLIAMS............HOME + LIFE.....................38 AMANDA MELBY.......................................AMANDA MELBY PHOTOGRAPHY...................................HOME + LIFE.....................39 ASHLEY FENDERSON................................MODERN WOODMEN FRATERNAL FINANCIAL................HOME + LIFE.....................40 CHERYL LITVIN & LORI WOOD..................FIRST ASSOCIATED INSURANCE AGENCY, INC...............HOME + LIFE.....................41 CHRISTINE ROEHLING..............................R5 CONSTRUCTION, LLC.................................................HOME + LIFE.....................42 GINGER LAZOVIK......................................FALK RUVIN GALLAGHER - KELLER WILLIAMS..............HOME + LIFE.....................43 62 | theknowwomen.com
index JAMIE BERGER & JAIME LEVINE..............THE BOX MKE.................................................................HOME + LIFE.....................44 JAN OELKE...............................................RELICS RENTALS............................................................HOME + LIFE.....................45 KARYN GIMBEL YOUSO.............................FIRST LOOK FAMILY LAW................................................HOME + LIFE.....................46 KIMBERLY WARNER..................................REPOUR’D CANDLE FACTORY.........................................HOME + LIFE.....................47 KATIE SOYKA............................................KATIE SOYKA PHOTOGRAPHY........................................HOME + LIFE.....................48 LISA RICHARDSON...................................CAREPATROL..................................................................HOME + LIFE.....................50 NATALIE WIEDMEYER...............................ND PROPERTIES OF EXIT REALTY...................................HOME + LIFE.....................51 OLGA THOMAS.........................................OLGA THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY.....................................HOME + LIFE.....................52 RENEE KASPER.........................................FIRST WEBER REALTORS................................................HOME + LIFE.....................53 GAIL KOMISAR, SARAH KOMISAR, RANDI SCHACHTER .................................................................BILTRITE FURNITURE - LEATHER - MATTRESSES............HOME + LIFE.....................54 RACHELLE COFFEY...................................COMPASSION PROJECT.................................................NON-PROFIT.....................56 LISA BYINGTON........................................MILWAUKEE BUCKS........................................................NOTABLE..........................57
alumnae 58-59 ARIEL KOPAC
STEPHANIE ROGERS
RACHEL LAMANTIA
ERIN GUENTERBERG
TAREN SARTLER
SUNNY SABOL
KRISTA HULL
JENNA TORES
STEPHANIE MELNICK
JANDELL HERUM
JOY VERTZ
JEN WICKLUND
LORI HIGHBY
women of impact
JENNIFER RUNDELL
MARY BETH BURNS
MONICA RODRIGUEZ
MORGAN SHEA
PATTI GORSKY................................... 60 CONTESSA LOBLEY........................... 60
TANYA MURPHY
2021 | 63
2021 KNOW MILWAUKEE BOOK COMMUNITY PARTNERS Style Up Group LLC | Katie Soyka Photography | Serendipity Labs Charcuter-Me | Batter | Amanda Melby Photography The Box MKE | Cream City Kitchen Little Sprouts Play Cafe | Relics Rentals | Press Seltzer
KNOW MILWAUKEE is an annual publication that features dynamic women in virtually every industry. Every woman featured in KNOW MILWAUKEE has been vetted through peer-review. Because our mission is to showcase the best and brightest, the only way one can claim their slot is through nomination. The women featured are a compilation of proven leaders, high producers, and rising stars. Those published in KNOW MILWAUKEE are also considered trendsetters, influencers, and women to watch. KNOW MILWAUKEE is published annually and distributed to affluent decision makers through social and networking events and partnering businesses. While deemed the new who’s who, KNOW MILWAUKEE also delivers readers a vetted list of local female-run businesses. Simply open the KNOW MILWAUKEE and find the next woman-led business you can support with goods and services you need now!
KNOW MILWAUKEE is produced by The KNOW WomenTM. The women featured in this volume have been vetted by their peers and are known leaders in their industry. For consideration in an upcoming volume of KNOW, go to theknowwomen.com and complete a submission.
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Featuring women you should KNOW and do business with We are searching for influencers, tastemakers, and fellow dynamic women who are well-connected, savvy, in tune with community, and believe in our mission to lift & rise women. If this is you, become a KNOW Market Manager! Connect with us at KNOW Publications to find out how to bring the KNOW Women to your city!
For more information: hello@theknowwomen.com
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