Meet the people behind some of the most exceptional businesses in our area! These individuals represent the best of the best in their respective fields, which is why we deem them the Faces of Milwaukee.
LAST YEAR, MILWAUKEE HOMEOWNERS voted Pella Windows & Doors of Wisconsin No. 1 for innovation and craftsmanship amongst window brands. The windows and doors company, with three Wisconsin showrooms, has been at the forefront of innovative work in home design for nearly a century.
“My team at Pella Windows and Doors of Wisconsin is proud to celebrate innovation in all its forms,” says Gina Della, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We have embraced the ever-changing world around us – from the product itself to our customer experience, innovation is at the forefront of all our decisions, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by Wisconsin residents.”
Pella manufactures stylish and high-quality windows and doors, and the company offers free in-home consultations with their team of experts to answer questions, show Pella product samples, and provide a free, no-obligation quote.
“It’s hard to believe how much the windows and doors market has changed over the past 20 years,” says Della. “When I started, customers were primarily concerned with function over fashion. But now, customers are embracing
trends, design styles and features like never before, and our team at Pella Windows and Doors of Wisconsin does an incredible job of helping them every step of the way. The windows and doors market may have changed dramatically over the past 20 years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing the best possible products and services to our customers. We are proud of our team’s ability to stay ahead of the curve, adapt to changing trends and technologies, and provide expert guidance to our customers every step of the way.”
THIS YEAR, REFINED RENOVATIONS IS LAUNCHING Refined Interiors. The new wing of the company is expanding into interior design and furnishings. “We’re thrilled about the official launch of Refined Interiors,” says Laura Marshall, the director of marketing. “For years, we’ve done design-build work, and now we’re offering clients a full interior experience with furniture, art, lighting, bedding, rugs and window treatments.”
Refined Renovations has been a home and design staple in southeastern Wisconsin for over 20 years. Started by Matthew Jahns, a third-generation home builder and remodeler, the firm provides a full-service, custom experience. Its award-winning team is equipped to handle jobs ranging from single room remodels to full-home redesign.
“It’s our privilege and practice to design and build legacy spaces that feel fresh, classic and impossibly clever,” Marshall says.
Refined Renovations’ customized approach means that the team handles every step of the process – their clients receive concierge service and won’t have to manage multiple contractors. From the first sketch to the final install, Refined Renovations guides each client through the many decisions a remodel involves. And now with Refined Interiors, that meticulous process extends into furnishing the newly designed spaces. “Each project is crafted with soul and story to fit our client’s lifestyle and needs,” Marshall says. “We offer a thoughtful, personalized experience with beautiful results.”
NICOSIA KING HAS A KEEN EYE for spotting gaps in Milwaukee’s business market – and stepping in to fill them. She is a wife, mother and serial entrepreneur who established over 17 companies over the last 13 years. One of the Milwaukee native’s early jobs was at a payday loan company. “I wanted more,” King says. “I wrote down some goals, and one day I just woke up and put in my two-week notice and never looked back.”
Her career in entrepreneurship began in 2009 with Golden Path Senior Living, followed by Golden Path Home Care in 2013. The two companies have provided seniors with at-home care and assisted living for the decade since. And each Thanksgiving, Golden Path hosts a turkey drive, providing turkeys to the community and families struggling to afford them. “That will never stop unless they stop selling turkeys,” she says.
In 2016, King and her husband, Jakim Jones, started GP Trucking Inc., with the first fleet of trucks removing debris, gravel, crushed concrete and more at construction sites, such as Fiserv Forum and Highway 45. That same year, the couple bought foreclosed homes from the city, fixed them up for new residents, and created Golden Path Home Improvement.
King’s latest venture is a Home Health Care and Diagnostic Lab in Arizona. “It’s a fresh start, and it’s time to create a new foundation,” she says. This all comes back to one of King’s core missions: to coach people to help them open their businesses. By sharing her story – and through training, consulting and mentoring – she hopes to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“Under the Golden Path umbrella, I’ve established many businesses and organizations,” King says. “What makes it all possible is the people that work with me and the clients we serve.”
Golden Path
7577 N. Teutonia Ave. 414-236-5208
goldenpathhomecare.com
IN 2015, RYAN LAESSIG OPENED the first ever Milwaukee Makers Market. The small event was held outside Bay View’s Colectivo, bringing together a handful of local artisans and small businesses to sell their wares. The market was a hit and soon outgrew its parking lot home. Laessig started holding the event monthly at venues around the city, like Discovery World and The Ivy House. Now, eight years later, it’s the largest, longest-running monthly market in the city.
“I call the Milwaukee Makers Market an experience,” says Laessig, who is an artist himself and daylights as a high school teacher and freelance event coordinator. “If you come here, you’ll notice the community atmosphere. You’ll hear from this amazing variety and diversity of small businesses.”
Milwaukee Makers Market brings over 50 local small businesses to each
monthly market, from clothing designers and jewelers to bakers and coffee roasters. The one requirement for every small business is that they make what they sell themselves. To find the date and location of upcoming markets, visit milwaukeemakersmarket.com. There’s no admission fee to enter the market.
“You can just come and have fun and check everything out,” Laessig says. “And if you do decide to make a purchase, you’re going to find something you love, and you know that money is not going to a big box store. You’re helping a small business grow and supporting someone’s dream.”
Milwaukee Makers Market
milwaukeemakersmarket.com
BILTRITE FURNITURE-LEATHER-MATTRESSES
was named Retailer of the Year 2023 by the Home Furnishings Association. BILTRITE is the first and only retailer in Wisconsin to ever receive this national honor.
“For 95 years, BILTRITE has sought to improve and elevate how they do business,” the HFA said in a statement. “They always come away with new ways to up their game. So, it’s no surprise that their attention to their customers and their community has garnered BILTRITE this honor.”
The award was decided by a panel of home industry professionals, who judged nominees based on customer experience, company culture, social responsibility, innovation, adaptability, industry contribution, marketing and achievements.
“We are very honored and humbled,” said Randi Komisar Schachter, a fourth-generation family member at BILTRITE. “We have come a long way since 1928 and look forward to continuing to be a locally and family-owned metro Milwaukee-area institution.”
BILTRITE, which started out of a small storefront on Third and Garfield nearly a century ago, now boasts a 45,000-square foot showroom in Greenfield, where it keeps thousands of items in stock, including mattresses, better-quality and affordable furniture, Amish and USA-made furniture, flip-able mattresses and much more. BILTRITE also offers special and custom furniture, with lead times much faster now in 2023 than during the pandemic. The retailer, which also won Milwaukee Magazine’s Best of the Burbs Readers’ Choice poll for best furniture/home goods store and Best of Milwaukee for furniture store, remains the largest family- and locally-owned furniture and mattress store in Wisconsin. “We care about each and every one of our customers,” Randi says. “We do what we do because we have a love and a passion for it. We want our customers to have the best experience possible when they come to BILTRITE.”
BILTRITE Furniture-Leather-Mattresses
5430 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, 414-238-2020, biltritefurniture.com
MARQUETTE IS TAKING ITS BUSINESS EDUCATION program to the next level. In January, the university opened Dr. E. J. and Margaret O’Brien Hall, a brand-new facility that houses the College of Business Administration, Graduate School of Management and Marquette’s innovation leadership programs.
“The hall was designed so that the lights would always be on,” says Tim Hanley, the acting Keyes Dean of Business Administration. “We designed it so that students would be happy to be here from 9 in the morning to 9 at night, to stay between their classes, to study in groups in the evenings. Now that it’s open, the lights really are always on – it’s incredible to see how many students gather here.”
The new building, which was funded entirely by donations, is a catalyst to grow the pipeline of future Catholic, Jesuit-educated business leaders for years to come. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including
whiteboard cameras, speakers and other web-connected rooms. It has classrooms, lab and study spaces, a café, faculty offices and an event space. The facility’s “Pitch Pit” is one of many spaces to emphasize innovation – the room is designed for students to pitch ideas and give presentations as they will in their professional careers. For example, students in the Accelerating Ingenuity in Markets program convene there with professors to pitch investment ideas for Marquette’s endowment fund.
The hall was also designed with collaboration between disciplines in mind. “Our goal with this new building was to create the convening place for business in southeastern Wisconsin. We envision collaboration between companies, their executives, our faculty and our students, and we’ve created spaces to facilitate that, including technologies that allow that to happen both in person and remotely,” Hanley says.
Future accountants, marketers, bankers and even students from outside
the business school are all welcome to take advantage of the new space. Hanley believes the student-centric facility will help to foster further innovation in Marquette’s business education program, which includes nationally top-ranked programs in supply chain management, accounting, finance and real estate.
“Marquette creates confident business professionals who have the knowledge to succeed and the principles to lead with purpose,” Hanley says. “We have smaller classes, our students get hands-on guidance, and we have a strong background in Jesuit education principles. That kind of training gives our students a leg up, and we see our graduates excelling in all corners of business.”
Marquette University
1530 W. Wisconsin Ave., 414-288-7142, marquette.edu/business
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(left to right) ANDY HUNT VIETH DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE ANTHONY PENNINGTON-CROSS EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION KRISTIE ROGERS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT MARKO BASTL DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT JENNICA WEBSTER PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR OF MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY’S INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP HANLEY ACTING KEYES DEAN OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION JOE WALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ACCELERATING INGENUITY IN MARKETS (AIM)
VITA FITNESS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY stands apart as the premier physical therapy destination in Milwaukee, offering a unique fusion of rehabilitation and physical therapy services alongside medically guided fitness and personal training programs. With a dedicated team of licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, Vita crafts customized fitness plans to enhance clients’ health, prevent future injuries and promote long-term fitness.
“Our therapists are also trained to design fitness programs,” explains Dr. Tommy Grabowski, DPT, the owner and founder of Vita. “Being able to utilize our medical expertise from physical therapy, we can create specialized fitness programs tailored to individuals with unique needs. From youth to seniors, we
guide them through the entire process, from injury rehabilitation to achieving optimal physical fitness.”
Grabowski founded Vita in 2004, after receiving his doctorate in physical therapy from Concordia University Wisconsin. The practice now has two locations – one in the Third Ward and the other in Wauwatosa. This year, Grabowski welcomed recognized occupational therapist Debbie Callif, who has over 27 years of experience in pelvic floor therapy. Callif’s expertise extends to a wide range of concerns, including incontinence, endometriosis, painful sex and other related issues. Grabowski acknowledges the importance of this specialized field. “Pelvic floor therapy is an underserved area, and we are privileged to have Debbie, a true leader in pelvic floor therapy, as an integral part of our team,” he says.
Vita also offers dry needling, assisted stretching and nutrition coaching. Grabowski and his team design customized plans considering each client’s history, medical conditions and aspirations, such as returning to the golf course, tennis court, swimming pool and more. “With us, you’re not just managing pain or getting back to baseline function,” Grabowski says. “We’re creating a fitness and prevention program to keep you healthy and active for years.”
Vita Fitness & Physical Therapy
451 E. Erie St., 414-272-8482
10460 W. Innovation Dr., Wauwatosa, 414-563-1230 getvitafit.com
(left to right) RACHEL SOO HOO DPT DEBBIE CALLIF OT, THIRD WARD CLINIC DIRECTOR BRADLEY MEYER DPT, WAUWATOSA CLINIC DIRECTOR ADAM BETH PTA JOE GLOSTOTT PTA TOMMY GRABOWSKI DPT, OWNER COREY LARSON DPTFIVE YEARS AGO, SHERMAN PHOENIX OPENED as a new kind of entrepreneurial hub in Sherman Park. The building, housing Black-owned businesses, has become more than just a place for vendors to sell goods –it’s now a community resource. More than 25 businesses offer retail, diverse foods, wellness services and cultural activities. By providing mentorship and coaching, Sherman Phoenix supports entrepreneurs of color to help them grow their businesses, generate jobs and contribute to the local economy.
“We’re now recognized as a national model,” says Dr. Stacia Thompson, the executive director of Sherman Phoenix Foundation. “A high percentage of our businesses survived the pandemic because our community supports them.”
Through the Phoenix Rising program, Sherman Phoenix’s support of Black businesses extends beyond its walls. The program offers workshops
and technical assistance for entrepreneurs around the city. And in the past year, Sherman Phoenix has expanded, adding a new director of operations and engagement and a new director of programs and outreach to continue growing its footprint.
“We refer to the ‘Sherman Phoenix effect,’” Thompson says. “It’s the energy and the positivity and the warmth you feel here. The Sherman Phoenix is a welcoming, supportive environment, and you feel it as soon as you step through the door.”
(left to right) RASHIDAH BUTLER-JACKSON ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR ROMERO MCCANTS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT KAYLA LEWIS ALLEN DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH DR. STACIA THOMPSON EXECUTIVE
LOCKER’S FLORIST HAS BEEN a southeastern Wisconsin staple for over 100 years. The floral design shop specializes in eye-catching designs for all occasions. Recently, Locker’s even took home the people’s choice award three of four days at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Art in Bloom show. Kimberlee Grob, a floral designer for nearly three decades, bought Locker’s in 2018, expanding its clientele to major corporations as well as the many individuals it serves. “We’re trusted when someone just needs a small and personal arrangement, and we’re trusted when someone needs big and professional florals for a major event,” Grob says. “We’re really proud of that range and the reputation we’ve built here.”
Grob offers fresh flowers in a constantly rotating variety, including a “designer’s choice” every day. She runs the business with the help of Robert
Sinkey, who quit his previous job to work at Locker’s with his partner Grob. “The special ingredient is our warmth and creativity,” Grob says. “Our clients describe us as kind and trustworthy. We want to help them convey their messages through flowers in an easy, thoughtful way. Flowers are a form of communication, and as interpreters of that language, we feel honored to translate those emotions that are so hard to use words to say.”
WARREN BARNETT BOASTS an 8,000-square-foot showroom and design center, displaying one-of-a-kind furniture, accessories and more. The showroom is staffed by Warren Barnett’s team of interior designers, who guide customers through the firm’s wide selection of on-trend, timeless and luxurious pieces. “We have a highly qualified team of designers, who meet with each customer to discuss their needs and their wants, whether they’re looking for just a single piece or an entire home refresh,” says Emily Ebben, the director of design at Warren Barnett.
The family-owned and -operated interior design business has been a metro Milwaukee staple for over two decades, offering customized high-end furniture, as well as affordable design options. A complimentary in-home design service is provided to all purchasing clients of Warren Barnett. A member of this talented team of designers will come into your home and measure the space, discuss needs and wants, and ultimately prepare a presentation offering expert advice on furniture and decor. Their end goal is to craft an eye-catching space for all of their clients.
“When you get a customized piece of furniture, you’re going to get exactly what you want – the style, the size, the exact fabrics and finishes,” says Ebben.
Warren Barnett curates distinctive brands with hundreds of styles. People in need of a fresh look are encouraged to come to the showroom for a complimentary design consultation to get started.
“We pride ourselves on taking care of our clients,” Ebben says. “Our end goal is to help them achieve a space they are proud of. We treat them like part of our family, and I think that feeling is evident whenever anyone walks into our showroom.”
Warren Barnett
13100 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove 262-790-1111 warrenbarnett.com
CONCEPT CO. EXISTS TO HELP BUSINESSES with what CEO and Creative Director Zach Beaman calls “The Big Shift.” That’s the shift from conventional thinking and traditional operations into a digital future. As a business-to-business digital growth agency, Concept Co. partners with companies seeking change. Concept Co. is hyper-focused on the manufacturing, food and beverage, automotive, health care, insurance and construction industries.
“That means branding, business marketing, sales solutions, website development and technology integrations,” Beaman says. At Concept Co., the team leads with strategy. They implement a tailored business ecosystem to provide the foundation for growth and long-term sustainability. They offer a balanced methodology combining data with
creative communication.
Concept Co. is a team of creatives, programmers and storytellers with locations in Milwaukee and West Palm Beach, Florida. The agency continues to grow and is repeatedly recognized for its work providing digital solutions to businesses across the country.
“Our agency is built on a foundation of creative and technical leadership,” Beaman says. “We are driving the digital transformation.”
1433 N. Water St., Suite 400, 262-446-6823 conceptcompany.com
RICK BARTELT STARTED WORKING AS A CARPENTER when he was 12 years old, learning the trade from his father on job sites during weekends, holidays and summer vacations. The passion for that work passed from father to son, and in 1984, Rick and his wife, Chris, started Bartelt Remodeling.
“It started off as a small operation,” says Amanda Coakley, Rick’s daughter who has been a member of the Bartelt team since 2012. “Over the past 39 years, Bartelt has grown into the premier high-end remodeling company that we are today.”
Bartelt primarily does residential remodeling but also builds custom homes. Rick and his team have developed long relationships with reliable industry partners who help to ensure that projects run smoothly and are always
high-quality for their clients. The team’s design philosophy is timelessness, creating spaces that have staying power and transcend passing fads.
“The majority of the projects we do every year are for repeat and referral customers,” says Coakley. “We’ve worked with homeowners for decades, and they refer their children, their neighbors, their friends. I think that’s unique and is a testament to Bartelt’s ability to not only deliver quality craftsmanship but to also build a trusting relationship with our clients.”
(left to right) MARY SWEET INTERIOR DESIGNER AND PROJECT COORDINATOR MATT RETZAK PROJECT DESIGNER AND COORDINATOR JESSICA BOLL DESIGN AND SALES COORDINATOR HEATHER SCOTT INTERIOR DESIGNER
AFTER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE leading organizational training and development, Ed Hendricks saw the impact that leaders and culture play on employee engagement, satisfaction and productivity. In 1997, he started his own business called Dynamic Developments, with the goal of helping individuals grow into versatile leaders and helping organizations perform more efficiently through effective communication and performance development. This year, his son, Brian Hendricks, took over as CEO after eight years working under his father and remains committed to delivering on that goal. Dynamic Developments uses a full suite of customized workshops and one-on-one coaching that has helped dozens of corporate leaders and organizations improve their communication while creating positive cultures and engaged teams. “None of our workshops are cookie-cutter,” Brian says. “I think a lot of other training companies pull something off the shelf. For us, when we meet with clients, we customize the program to what the client really needs.”
Companies such as Allstate, Abbott Labs, AT&T and Blue Cross Blue Shield have all used their training, as well as many others. “Our emphasis is on interactive elements and providing you with practical tools you can use,” Hendricks says. “You leave our workshops with things that you can put into practice right away.” One example is the “echo back” technique Hendricks teaches, a method of avoiding miscommunication. At the end of an important conversation, the leader respectfully encourages the other person to explain their understanding of what was said to ensure both people are on the same page. “I think the biggest thing that sets us apart is our personal touch,” Hendricks says. “We’re not just going to come in, do a workshop, and then you never hear from us again. We’re there for our clients, and we make a difference for them.”
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LOOK AROUND MILWAUKEE and you’ll see HGA’s mark. The architecture and engineering firm has made a significant impact on the city’s skyline with projects like Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Art Museum addition; fostering the unique neighborhoods it serves with longterm partnerships with the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Library, Advocate Aurora, Harley-Davidson and Froedtert Health; and furthering the national discussion with transformational projects in Milwaukee and beyond such as Bronzeville Center for the Arts, Sherman Phoenix, UPMC and Kerry Inc. HGA has built long-standing relationships with community organizations throughout Milwaukee including The Boys & Girls Club, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Kinship Community Food Center, Kathy’s House and Revitalize Milwaukee.
“We’re very proud to have been a part of shaping these projects across
the Milwaukee area,” says Paula Verboomen, the Milwaukee office director. HGA was founded in Minneapolis 70 years ago with the goal of taking a different approach to architecture. The founders wanted to create an integrated and interdisciplinary practice, with engineers and architects working in tandem from start to finish. In 1987, HGA opened its Milwaukee office. “We have grown to be one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the area,” Verboomen says. “Our scale allows us to bring resources to our clients that other firms can’t.”
HGA has been at the forefront of sustainable design in our region as well, promoting renewable energy sources in its designs, like solar panels and geothermal heating. The firm has joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Healthier Materials Pledge, committing to avoid certain
potentially toxic building materials. HGA also signed on to the AIA 2030 Commitment and the SE2050, two nationwide architectural and engineering programs that pledge to lower emissions and reduce carbon impact.
Recently, HGA hired Terri Howard as the inaugural Director of Equity to help bolster its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. “To have Terri leading our organization is an important and positive step,” Verboomen says. “We are now living equity as a core value; we are putting equity into action to benefit our clients, employees and society as a whole.”
The Christian post-secondary school for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities only had six students. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Shepherds College has grown dramatically. It has nearly 90 students, provides a comprehensive curriculum, offers accessible digital classes with Shepherds College Online, and is even exploring new locations.
“At 15 years, it’s amazing to look back at the hundreds of lives we’ve impacted,” says Dr. Tracy Terrill, the school’s president.
Students attend three years of classes on Shepherds College’s campus, studying their chosen occupational field: culinary arts, horticulture or technology. On top of those classes, students also receive social and life skills training to help them achieve what Terrill calls “Appropriate Independence™,” a level of self-sufficiency aligned with an individual’s strengths and guided by Christian
values. Over 80% of Shepherds College graduates are employed, and many are able to live with much greater independence after completing the program.
“Our Christian faith is a guiding point for what we do,” Terrill says. “We believe in the dignity and potential of every one of our students. We set out to have an impact on every facet of their lives: social, emotional, occupational and spiritual. It’s more than just an educational experience – it’s a life-changing experience.”
FOR 25 YEARS, FLOOR360 HAS LED THE WAY in beautiful flooring in Wisconsin. The locally owned and operated design and installation firm is celebrating that milestone anniversary. “We are extremely grateful for our success and the relationships we’ve built over the years in the residential and commercial construction markets,” says Kelly Kuehn, FLOOR360’s Kashou Design Studio manager. “We value every client’s project equally and work to ensure we meet all expectations, no matter what it takes.”
FLOOR360 installs more floors in new homes than any other company in Wisconsin. It offers a wide variety of options, including carpet, hardwood, tile and luxury vinyl, for both homes and commercial projects. The firm is well known for its craftsmanship and design, including on specialty projects like stairway carpets. The in-house team includes interior designers, expert carpet fabricators and installers, and each stair runner is custom-made.
“The level of craftsmanship our installation team performs on a regular basis is unmatched in the state of Wisconsin,” Kuehn says. “We’re consistently rising to the occasion. Difficult projects are our specialty.”
The firm is also giving back to the Milwaukee community. In 2023, for the third year, FLOOR360 is providing a free Design for a Difference makeover to a local nonprofit. Last year, the Grand Avenue Club, which offers job training and placement for adults who have dealt with mental illness, received a first-floor remodel free of charge. “FLOOR360 offers a level of expertise that no one else can match,” says Kuehn. “Our local professionals use their skill and attention to detail to consistently deliver beautiful results.”
FLOOR360
COCOA TREE CONFECTIONERY OPENED ITS DOORS in March of 2020. The upscale Mequon shop sells artisan, hand-painted chocolates crafted in small batches, along with handmade gelato. Owner and chocolatier Kishoree Boegel sources ingredients and packaging from small businesses both locally and nationally, whenever possible. One example is the authentic French macarons made by chef Jerome Landrieu, a former instructor of hers, now a family friend.
Cocoa Tree also offers gift boxes and custom orders for weddings and special events, as well as corporate gifting. “After taking on projects like the Ryder Cup back in 2021, we know we can do it,” Boegel says. “Companies that want to set themselves apart need to show their clients something special, and we are something special.”
“My staff is mostly teenagers – for many of them, it’s their first job,” Boegel says. “It means a lot to me to work with these kids. My goal is to teach them responsibility, accountability, follow-through and autonomy. Once they learn
those skills, I let them loose, and that’s when the fun begins. They bring me ideas, and we work together to make them happen. It’s part of what makes us a family – we grow together and create together. We made it through a pandemic and we’re still going strong because of a unique and quality product, a supportive and enthusiastic community, and our dedicated and creative people. It’s as simple as that.
“People support what they help create. It’s something I was told a long time ago, and it’s been our mission statement ever since.”
Cocoa Tree Confectionery
1330 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon 262-643-4692
cocoa-tree.com
Instagram: CocoaTreeConfectionery
(center) KISHOREE BOEGEL OWNER AND HEAD CHEF (left to right) SYDNEY MIRACLE BROGAN RINGGOLD MANAGER ZOE RACHUM ASSISTANT MANAGERTHREE CELLARS IS THE “CHEERS OF MENOMONEE FALLS,” according to owner Gino Gaglianello. The unique spot is part bottle shop, part bar, and part community gathering space featuring a wide selection of fine wines and craft beers available on tap and in the shop. “We know our customers, and they know us,” says Gaglianello, who opened the Menomonee Falls location in 2016 with manager Matt Cellitti. “I love the community here. We take pride in our service, and our customers become our friends.”
Three Cellars is one of the only hybrid bottle shops/bars in the Milwaukee area, offering drinks both to enjoy at the bar and to take home. And now Gaglianello and Cellitti are bringing that model to a new location in Franklin, set to open in 2024.
Craft beer sourced from all over the United States is a focus at Three Cellars, with 20 to 30 new beers in the store each week. Members of
Three Cellars’ beer club receive weekly emails listing all the new varieties available for them to sample. Gaglianello and Cellitti take an equally meticulous curatorial approach to wine, focusing on small, family-owned vineyards around the world.
“We are regularly trying product before it goes on our shelves,” he says. “We love to find beer and wine that will truly impress any customer coming through our doors.”
Three Cellars
N72 W13400 Lund Ln., Menomonee Falls 262-735-7823
threecellars.com
(left to right) MATT CELLITTI MANAGER GINO GAGLIANELLO OWNER
RACHEL HOMULOS HAS WORKED AT Zuern Building Products & Design Center for 19 years. She started as a receptionist when she was in high school, and continued in part-time roles through college, before eventually joining the full-time marketing team. “When I started my own family, I was able to have a career with Zuern and be a working mom,” Homulos says. “They gave me the flexibility to be a great employee and a great mother.”
In 2018, Homulos was named the director of human resources, and she’s made it her mission to continue fostering that caring company culture. “Regardless of what position an employee has, everyone’s voice matters,” she says. “We work together to grow, and we have a fun environment, and everyone is heard.”
Zuern was founded in 1953 and has remained family-owned for the 70 years since. It has grown from a single shop with only five employees to five showrooms across southeastern Wisconsin with over 200 team members on staff. The company supplies building materials to homeowners and commercial/residential contractors. It also offers design and
remodeling services, with trained consultants who provide expert advice on decks, window coverings, decor and more. From the initial consultation to choosing materials to installation, Zuern helps homeowners bring design projects to life.
“What really makes us stand out is our attention to detail and our service,” Homulos says. “We have a team of specialists, and we take the time to make sure our customers understand every part of their project from A to Z.”
YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE SALVATION ARMY from its Christmas Red Kettle Campaign – but the worldwide charitable organization does much more than that. The Salvation Army operates multiple food pantries, provides shelter for the homeless, collects school supplies for underprivileged children, operates a health clinic, and offers relief for disaster victims, among many more efforts all year long. In 2022, the organization served over 65,000 meals to those in need in the Milwaukee area.
“We’re providing services 365 days a year,” says Sheree Dallas Branch, the Assistant Divisional Director of Development for The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County. “When people are in need, many times the first organization they turn to is The Salvation Army.”
Dallas leads The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County’s creative team, a group responsible for marketing, media relations, volunteer recruitment, special events and more. Dallas’ team promotes The Salvation Army’s mission and raises awareness throughout the city, including hosting events year-round. The organization relies largely on
donor money to continue its programs. Eighty-seven cents of every dollar raised goes directly to its charitable services, and while the organization is global, money donated in Milwaukee stays here to contribute to those local programs. The creative team promotes over 50 programs that The Salvation Army runs in Milwaukee.
“Our job is to tell The Salvation Army story – we’re here to help and we’re here to serve,” says Dallas. “We want to grow and protect The Salvation Army’s brand, so that ultimately we can help more people and continue to change lives.”
(left to right) AMY HAND MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR JOHNNETRIA GARDNER SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER
CHRIS MITCHELL, RUSTY PETERSON AND JASON GANIERE all came to IAG Wealth Partners from different backgrounds. Now a managing partner, Mitchell began with IAG 20 years ago after graduating college, Peterson was a longtime partner at another firm, and Ganiere was a police officer for more than 20 years before becoming a financial advisor. But all three joined the financial planning business for a similar reason. “IAG treats its clients the way they should be treated,” Peterson says. “We have a foundation of strong, Christian values.”
IAG was founded in 1985 and has since grown to become one of the top firms in southeastern Wisconsin. The firm’s 12 advisors provide customized financial plans for their clients, including working toward retirement, creating tax-efficient income plans, setting aside money for philanthropy and other goals.
“I think IAG is a perfectly sized firm,” Ganiere says. “We’re large enough to handle client needs with a full financial planning team and support staff, but
we’re also small enough that we can provide personalized, tailored service to each client.”
Every IAG client meets with their advisor as frequently as necessary to talk through every step of the planning process. Each advisor specializes in particular areas of financial planning to help meet their clients’ goals.
“One thing that sets IAG apart is our synergy as a team,” Mitchell says.
“Advisors at IAG also own shares in the business, so we all have a vested interest in our clients’ success. We bring our own expertise to the table and work together to serve all our clients.”