17 minute read
AUTOMOTIVE................................10
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP - USED
Zimbrick, Inc.
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Smart Motors Used Cars Schoepp Motors
BEST OIL CHANGE
FAVORITES
Smart Motors Toyota Woodman’s Gas & Lube Center
BEST TIRE STORE
Zimbrick, Inc.
Weber Tires Costco Wholesale
BEAUTy & WELLNESS
BEST BARBERSHOP
Escapade Salon Number of Years in Business: 8 1/2 4102 Lien Road, STE B, Madison, WI 53704 (608) 241-1966 www.escapadesalon.com See Bios on pages 14 & 53 Beauty & Wellness: Best Hair Salon
FAVORITES
Goat Barber Club Great Clips
BEST FITNESS CENTER
Princeton Club Number of Years in Business: 30+ 8080 Watts Road, Madison, WI 53719 (608) 833-2639 www.princetonclub.net
What makes you stand out from the competition?
Open 24 hours, free on site childcare, 8 Dane County locations, over 75+ included group exercise classes at each large club, top-of-the-line equipment, beautiful aquatic centers, world-class facilities, $0 joining fee, each member receives two free personal training sessions, and more! What’s something your customers may not know about your business?
At the Princeton Club, we believe in the pursuit of a better tomorrow. We all have different reasons for pursuing a healthy life with the common thread being our hope to create a better tomorrow! As a family and locally owned company, we wholeheartedly believe in this, for those who make the Princeton Club their home for health and fitness, and for the communities where our Princeton Clubs are located. What brings customers back to your business?
Princeton Club removes every obstacle to achieving your health and fitness goals, and creates countless opportunities to help you focus on improving your health to create your better tomorrow! What makes your business a good place to work?
Princeton Club is a fun, high-energy place to work where you get to help people improve their lives every single day. Plus, employees receive a free membership! What do you love most about having your business in this community?
The positive impact Princeton Club makes by helping people improve their lives through health and fitness doesn’t stop with the individual. When one person decides to make their health and fitness a priority, it creates a ripple effect... expanding more ways they can enjoy life with their family, increasing focus and energy at work, boosting confidence to try new activities. It boosts engagement with the people and activities around them, improving our community’s connections even more! Princeton Club also partners with local organizations that are working hard to make tomorrow better for everyone in our communities. For every new member or renewal member that joins our club, a portion of that sale is donated to a local organization!
Wisconsin State Journal
Princeton Club is honored to be voted Best Fitness Center by our community! We strive to inspire, challenge and motivate you to be the best version of yourself, and we’re incredibly grateful to be part of your health journey. What are some of the things you do to give back to the community?
Princeton Club partners with local organizations that are working hard to make tomorrow better for everyone in our communities. For every new member or renewal member that joins our club, a portion of that sale is donated to a local organization! We partner with different organizations throughout the year to support our collective pursuit of a better tomorrow for everyone in our community. How do you build trust with clients, patients, or customers?
Princeton Club is committed to excellence. We’re committed to you! What makes your business popular with families?
Princeton Club offers free on site childcare at our Kids Club! Your kids can have a blast while you focus on improving your health and fitness. Princeton Club West and Princeton Club East have weekly family swim time to enjoy the pools with your kids. Princeton Club East offers Summer Camp for campers 5-12 years old!
FAVORITES
Anytime Fitness Prairie Athletic Club
BEST HAIR SALON
We are a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon that is also a full-service salon, offering spa pedicures, body waxing, massage, and facials. We have a boutique with unique clothing, purses, jewelry, handbags, and much more! We are open 6 days a week, offer online booking and sell gift cards online. What makes you stand out from the competition?
We strive and deliver the best customer experience every time you walk through our front door. Our service providers are united as a family and you will feel the warmth and hospitality during your entire visit. Our guests are greeted by their names when they walk in. What’s something your customers may not know about your business?
We are the largest Paul Mitchell Salon in the entire Midwest. What brings customers back to your business?
Our AWESOME team of professionals and our upbeat friendly attitude at all times. You will always hear everyone laughing. What makes your business a good place to work?
The family atmosphere with our team of professionals. We work well together and are always there to offer support to one another. What do you love most about having your business in this community?
I love Madison and everything it offers. The diversity of our culture, the events happening year-round. The beauty of the city is surrounded by lakes. We are home of the Wisconsin Badgers!! What can customers expect when they walk through your doors?
Always greeted by your name and a smile. We take customer service to the next level. We are a very clean and eco-friendly salon for the environment. What does it mean to be voted Madison.com’s People’s Choice?
It is truly an honor to be recognized by our guests and community for this award. Thank you!! What are you most proud of?
Our team of professionals is what makes it all possible they are creative designers with a friendly attitude. The team has amazing talent and great customer service. Always pitching in to help out with an incredible team spirit.
14 PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS GUIDE • AUGUST 29, 2021 What is your secret to good customer service?
We treat everyone how we like to be treated with kindness and respect. What are some of the things you do to give back to the community?
Our motto has always been to give back to the community you work and reside in. With the help of our guests and team, we support Sandburg Elementary School in Madison. We do annual drives for Back to School Supplies, filling their Food Pantry, and Christmas presents, and another Food drive. We also take donations throughout the year to help where they need it the most. How do you build trust with clients?
By taking the time to personally know each one of them and stopping to say hello. Our strong consultations, product knowledge, and styling tips so our guests can achieve this look at home. What makes you popular?
Our one-stop Salon for services and our Boutique to find that one-of-a-kind unique gift for someone special. What makes your business popular with families?
Being a full-service salon and trained to do all aspects of hair. Our families can book their appointments all together at the same time and be done at the same time.
FAVORITES
ANiU Salon & Spa Cost Cutters
BEST NAIL SALON
En Avant Nail Studio Number of Years in Business: 4+ 6406 Westin Drive, Madison, WI 53719 (608) 628-1820 www.enavantnailstudio.com
En Avant Nail Studio is a nail salon loyal to customer satisfaction, providing exceptional service and high quality products. We provide a welcoming environment where the client feels at home and relaxed. Our goal is to not only satisfy, but to exceed our clients expectations and needs. What makes you stand out from the competition?
We are located in the lower level of my home with a private pedicure suite. This gives the client more of a relaxing atmosphere. What’s something your customers may not know about your business?
Future clients may not know that we offer Gelcap Nail Extensions, a system previously only available at Nail Spa Plus on Whitney Way. This process leaves a virtually flawless nail all while keeping your natural nail healthy. What makes your business a good place to work?
We must say, it is the clients that make En Avant a great place to work. What can customers expect when they walk through your doors?
When our clients walk through the door, they can expect a homey, welcoming environment where all the latest safety and sanitation laws are followed. Wisconsin State Journal
It is an honor and a privilege to be voted People’s Choice for Best Nail Salon. We couldn’t do it without the support of our loyal clientele. What are you most proud of?
We had a short amount of time to start, set-up and open the salon and the fact that we are thriving, even during a pandemic, is the thing we are most proud of. What is your secret to good customer service?
The key to customer service is being able to converse with the client and listen to their needs. The client always comes first. What are some of the things you do to give back to the community?
En Avant has donated to multiple golf outings, bowling tournaments and PBS auctions, all raising money for different causes. We believe it’s important to give back to our community whenever possible. How do you build trust with clients, patients, or customers?
We build trust with our clients by being honest, friendly, knowledgeable in our field and adhering to sanitation laws. FAVORITES
ANiU Salon & Spa Happy Nails and Spa
BEST SPA
Kneaded Relief Day Spa & Wellness Number of Years in Business: 23 5500 E Cheryl Pkwy Ste 126, Fitchburg, WI 53711 (608) 255-0070 www.kneadedreliefdayspa.com
Kneaded Relief is a full service day spa specializing in Therapeutic Services: massage, facials, natural nail manicures, pedicures, shellac manicures, body treatments, waxing, aromatherapy steam showers & aromatherapy bath, personal training and fitness classes. Kneaded Relief features a beautiful prairie view from several rooms including the Relaxation Retreat and has won many awards in their 23 years of business. You’ll feel like you are a world away yet just steps outside of Madison! What makes you stand out from the competition?
Not only is Kneaded Relief situated on a beautiful prairie but our services are unmatched. The owners are also therapists and hand pick each employee. We are a team based business and everyone looks out for the guests’ best interest. What’s something your customers may not know about your business?
We are locally owned by Nichol & Duke Harvey for the past 23 years. Nichol & Duke had just started dating a few months before purchased the business and have grown it from a 1400 sf spa to over 5300 sf! What brings customers back to your business?
Our excellent customer service, amazing therapists and beautiful spa is what brings guests back to Kneaded Relief. We truly care about our guests and their wellness.
16 PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS GUIDE • AUGUST 29, 2021 What makes your business a good place to work?
Since the owners are also therapists, we know what it’s like to be in the treatment room. We have also worked many hours at the front desk. We have done it all! We pride ourselves on open communication, trust, and respect yet we like to have fun and humor is super important to us! What do you love most about having your business in this community?
When we think about all the people in the community that we have been able to help over the years, it brings tears to our eyes. To see our guests leave feeling better physically and mentally, that means the world to us! This community has embraced us and supported us for the past 23 years and we couldn’t be more thankful and blessed! What can customers expect when they walk through your doors?
A warm smile, pleasant aromas and to leave their stress at the door. What does it mean to be voted Madison.com’s People’s Choice?
We are so honored and blessed to be voted Madison.com’s People’s Choice for Best Spa! This past year has been a very challenging time for our business and we are truly thankful for the support we have received. What are you most proud of?
We are so proud of our team! They work so hard each and every day to help us bring Kneaded Relief to every guest. We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with! What is your secret to good customer service?
Open communication and understanding our guests’ needs. We may not be able to please 100% of the people, 100% of the time but we sure do try! And we really do care. What are some of the things you do to give back to the community?
Kneaded Relief holds our own Silent Auction every year to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of WI. We do this in honor of our Spa Coordinator, Janelle Waterman, who lost her battle with a rare Kidney Disease in 2005 at the age of 27. Kneaded Relief also typically donates gift cards to a variety of charities through Silent Auctions. However, we have had to put that on pause this past year. How do you build trust with clients?
Honesty and open communication is really the only way to build trust. Trust is the foundation of any relationship. What makes you popular?
Since our Spa is located on a restored prairie, we have a lot of visitors that like to walk the prairie and visit the Farmer’s Market at the Agora. We also have guests that like to arrive early to their appointment to read a book or curl up in our Relaxation Retreat. What makes your business popular with families?
We have guests that trust Kneaded Relief to provide services to their children which is an honor to us.
FAVORITES
ANiU Salon & Spa Rejuvenation Spa
BEST TANNING SALON
Sun Tan City
7327 West Towne Way, Madison, WI 53719 (608) 827-8884 Address: 4327 E Towne Way, Madison, WI 53704 (608) 242-7715 www.suntancity.com
FAVORITES
Cost Cutters Studio Z Salon/TanSpa
Wisconsin State Journal
BEST TATTOO SALON
Blue Lotus Tattoo and The Piercing Lounge Number of Years in Business: 26 years 458 W. Gilman Street, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 284-0870 www.tattoomadison.com What makes you stand out from the competition?
Our mission always has been to provide distinctive quality and unparalleled customer service as we strive to gain the respect and trust of our customers. We treat each client as an individual and never stop working towards this mission. What’s something your customers may not know about your business?
Despite all the tough tattoos and piercings our employees sport, we’re just a gang of lovable weirdos, and pretty nerdy ones at that. What brings customers back to your business?
At Blue Lotus Tattoo & The Piercing Lounge, it is not just about the result, it is about the process. Each member of our team works diligently to provide a complete and enjoyable experience to every client who walks through our doors. Every tattoo, every piercing, is a collaborative process between our body modification professionals and their clients. The ability to work with the practitioner to create a unique, one-of-a-kind experience is what keeps our loyal clients coming back for more. What makes your business a good place to work?
At Blue Lotus Tattoo & The Piercing Lounge, there is a safe and inclusive space for employees and clients alike. Everyone is welcome to express themselves as their most authentic self and is supported by their peers. What do you love most about having your business in this community?
Having worked with the people of the Dane County for more than 25 years, we know that this community consists of some of the most friendly, creative, and down to earth individuals imaginable. Over the years, we have built some truly enduring relationships within this community and have been fortunate enough to pour our energy back into the community whenever the opportunity arises. Through the COVID pandemic especially, we saw so much support and goodwill from our client base, and we cannot thank them enough for it. What can customers expect when they walk through your doors?
Here at Blue Lotus, we strive to provide a safe, inclusive experience for all. Regardless of which location our clients go to, they can always expect to be greeted with a smile (under the mask for now) and treated with respect. This is not the scary tattoo shops from the movies, we want every person who pursues our services to feel welcome and to consistently attempt to maintain an atmosphere of approachability. What does it mean to be voted Madison.com’s People’s Choice?
We are humbled and grateful to have been chosen as Madison.com’s People’s Choice award winner. This accolade means so much because it comes directly from the community we serve. Without the support and patronage of our clients, we would not be able to wake up and do what we love every day. Thank you to the people of the Dane County community, this truly motivates us to continue working to keep the trust you have invested in us. What are you most proud of?
There are too many things to choose from, so rather than one specific accomplishment, we choose to take pride in our continued pursuit of excellence. We know that there is always room for growth and development, and we welcome every challenge as an opportunity to learn how to better serve our loyal patrons. We are proud of the impact each of our employees have daily. We are proud of our relentless pursuit of superior service. We are proud that you chose us Madison! What is your secret to good customer service?
In our years of service, we have learned that there is not really a secret. The
Escapade Salon thanks you for voting us #1 in 3 categories
TOP HAIR SALON TOP HAIR STYLIST WITH RENEE OLSON TOP BARBER SHOP
4102 LIEN ROAD, MADISON • (608) 241-1966 • www.escapadesalon.com
Wisconsin State Journal PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS GUIDE • AUGUST 29, 2021 17
Local Businesses drive Tourism
While sometimes you may wish that your favorite local restaurant or shop remains a hidden gem in your town, tourism dollars can create significant benefits for the business owner and community.
grEEnSHOOT MEDiA
Thanks to the internet, out-of-towners can seamlessly research locally owned outlets with review sites and decide to stop by while they’re in the area. As word spreads about the available unique products, don’t be surprised to see people traveling into the neighborhood to check out the services. This is one of the best ways businesses can organically grow their loyal customer base.
You can do your part to increase your local business’s reputation by sharing your experiences online and recommending the shop to family and friends.
When an area is flush with tourism spending, it becomes an enticing location for additional entrepreneurs to set up shop and give the community more character. Take a look at the positive benefits created when non-locals visit the area to get a taste of the neighborhood’s flair.
CrEATES MOrE JObS
As businesses welcome a surge of customers and attention into their shops, an increased need for employees is created.
Many entry-level positions open the door for teenage employees seeking their first job without previous experience. According to the World Travel Tourism Council, around half of all employees in the hotel, catering and hospitality sector are under 25 years of age.
Here are some other interesting statistics regarding the tourism industry from IBISWorld. • In terms of employment, the tourism sector ranks first in accommodation and food services,
18 PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS GUIDE • AUGUST 29, 2021 the third-largest overall in the United States. • There are 5,459,152 people employed in the industry as of 2021. • The average tourism business in the U.S. employs 12.1 employees.
Between 2016 and 2021, the field increases at a rate of 0.4% each year.
TAxES STAy LOCAL
In addition to gaining revenue from cash spent by out-of-town visitors, tourist taxes also maintain the community’s funds.
Many states and municipalities enact a lodging tax that property owners and managers must pay when renting a room or property.
The costs are often levied to the person staying and retained by the state for distribution.
Wisconsin State Journal
