July 2011 by New North B2B

Golden start ups Not yet ready to rest, retirees take on new challenges and new risks in entrepreneurship

The little things that matter Microfinancing

Capitol expense Government

July 2011 $3.95

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new north b2b July 2011

Golden start ups

26 32

Features

18 COVER STORY ❘ Golden Start Ups ❘ The growing trend of retirees going into business for themselves

24 GOVERNMENT ❘ Capitol Expense ❘ Business and economic highlights of the 2011-2013 biennial state budget

26 FINANCE ❘ The Little Things that Matter ❘ New program fills gaps for business owners needing small loans

32 SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE ❘ Living the Green ❘ Totally “green” store sustaining itself in its third year of business

Departments 4 From the Publisher 5, 36 Professionally Speaking 6 Since We Last Met 10 Build Up Pages 16 Around the Boardroom 17 Pierce Stronglove 30 Guest Commentary 31 Firefighters Progress Report 38 Who’s News 45 Business Calendar 45 Advertiser Index 46 Key Statistics

On our Cover

Changing lanes cover illustration by Kate Erbach of New North B2B.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 3

FROM THE PUBLISHER

How the high court ruling hurt business Attack on open meetings law widens the crevice of bad government

Sean Fitzgerald New North B2B Publisher 4 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

When Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled June 14 in favor of a portion of the budget repair bill passed by the state legislature in March, most business leaders and public sector administrators viewed the decision as a victory in holding the line on public spending. But couched in the rhetoric supporting the decision was a proclamation that severely debilitated one of Wisconsin’s proud pillars of justice and democracy – our faithful §§19.81 to 19.87 – known more widely as our state’s open meetings law. While the budget repair bill wasn’t being challenged in and of itself, the procedures that ultimately led to the bill’s ratification were challenged in the courts on the basis of violating Wisconsin’s open meetings law. The ruling from the state’s high court weakens what’s already viewed by many as an innocuous guideline for ensuring public discussion and debate on issues requiring transparency and scrutiny. The sanctity of Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law is crucial for businesses to ensure they’re not subject to unfair regulations or for paying an unfair amount toward public projects and programs. More often than we’d like to admit, governmental bodies – usually local units of government – put together deals behind closed doors because they feel certain aspects of the negotiation could be compromised if the public had specific knowledge regarding tentative details of the discussion. That a genuine concern, one the state’s open meetings law recognizes, and provides narrow, but specific, exceptions for sidestepping those rules. I’ve been party to more than a dozen open meetings and open records challenges during my career, and I can honestly say that a majority of the violations of openness are unintentional, and more commonly committed because of a relaxed interpretation of the above-mentioned exceptions to open meetings law. But such cases in which a member of the public or the media challenge a perceived violation of open meetings law are generally adjudicated by a local district attorney or the state’s attorney general’s office, and their decisions are often arbitrarily based on previous case law. As a result, the decision rendered last month by the state Supreme Court will likely

expand the loose and arbitrary interpretation of those exceptions to the state’s open meetings law. And that’s a shame, because even though what Republicans ultimately accomplished with the budget repair bill was arguably right, the manner in which they legislated it clearly violated the “spirit” of the open meetings law. If you hang out in an open meetings lawthemed coffee shop or tavern often enough – and there are plenty, even though they don’t advertise themselves as such – you’re bound to hear the term “spirit of the law” used frequently. That’s because the law was intended to provide for the most open forums possible in executing democratic-style government. The law itself couldn’t possibly cover every single circumstance for which it was intended to protect against, so it needed to be written with a fair amount of subjectivity in order to broadly cover all of the various decisions governmental bodies could possibly evaluate. Granted, the specific public injustice carried out in the situation of the budget repair bill – not giving the public and legislature enough time to prepare for debate because Senate Democrats left the state to avoid the bill coming up for discussion and its inevitable ratification – was perhaps circumvented by another violation of the spirit of democracy. But if we’ve learned any valuable lessons in state and local government in Wisconsin during the past five months, we should have learned that one egregious act to thwart openness in government could very well be followed up by a similar and equally egregious violation of the spirit of democracy by the other side of the aisle down the road. If we don’t uphold the sanctity of our open meetings law in Wisconsin, how can we always be assured our businesses won’t someday fall victim to burdensome regulatory legislation ratified in much the same manner as the budget repair bill was passed earlier this year? Support of open meetings and open records isn’t exclusively the domain of Republicans or Democrats. It’s not exclusively owned or fought for by public workers or by private industry. It exists to ensure business and citizens alike are treated fairly, taxed fairly and makes every effort to ensure their voices will be heard. www.newnorthb2b.com

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING

U.S. Supreme Court Rules for Wal-Mart by Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. Tony Renning

920.233.6050

If you have a particular labor/employment law question, please forward your question to Mr. Renning at info@ newnorthb2b.com. If he responds to your email in a future issue, your name and company will be withheld to preserve your privacy.

Reader Question: What impact will the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court in Dukes v. Wal-Mart have on employers, if any? Tony Renning: The Supreme Court recently rejected the largest-ever employment discrimination case in U.S. history. Betty Dukes et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., No. 10-277 United States Supreme Court (June 20, 2011). The case involved about 1.5 million current and former female Wal-Mart employees, both salaried and hourly, from all 50 states, who alleged Wal-Mart discriminated against them on pay and promotion decisions. The female employees sought judgment against Wal-Mart for injunctive and declaratory relief, punitive damages and back pay because of Wal-Mart’s alleged discrimination against women in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They claimed local managers exercised their discretion over pay and promotions disproportionately in favor of men, which had an unlawful disparate

Sean Fitzgerald

Publisher & President

sean@newnorthb2b.com

Carrie Rule

Sales Manager

carrie@newnorthb2b.com

Kate Erbach

Creative Director

kate@newnorthb2b.com

Contributing writers

Cheryl Hentz Lee Marie Reinsch

Chief Financial Officer

Vicky Fitzgerald, CPA

impact on female employees. There were two primary issues before the Supreme Court: (1) whether the order certifying the class conformed to the requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP); and (2) whether claims for monetary relief could be certified under the FRCP. The two issues are at the heart of most class action lawsuits and resolution of these issues often casts the die for success or failure in the prosecution or defense of discrimination lawsuits. The Supreme Court by a 5 to 4 majority concluded the class action could not proceed because the female employees had failed to demonstrate “commonality” under the FRCP, which required them to prove there are “questions of law or fact common to the class.” Additionally, the court unanimously concluded the employees’ back pay claims could not be properly certified under the FRCP – sparing Wal-Mart from having to potentially pay billions of dollars in back pay. The impact of the decision is significant

NEW NORTH B2B is published monthly by WINNEBAGO B2B LLC for $20 per year or $3.95 for a single issue. A single complimentary subscription is offered to all members of the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. Printed by Digicorporation, 120 Lake St., Neenah, WI 54956 POSTMASTER: send address changes to: WINNEBAGO B2B LLC 923 S. Main St., Oshkosh, WI 54902. Bulk-rate postage paid at Oshkosh, WI. Reproduction of any contents of NEW NORTH B2B without express written permission of its publishers is strictly forbidden. The appearance of any advertisement or product information does not constitute endorsement of any product or service by WINNEBAGO B2B LLC. Copyright 2011.

for employers. The decision establishes how much class members must have in common for a class action to be certified and the extent to which claims for money damages can ever be certified. For advice and counsel defending employment discrimination claims, contact Tony Renning at (920) 232-4842 or trenning@dkattorneys.com or any other member of the Davis & Kuelthau Labor and Employment Team. Tony Renning is an attorney in the Oshkosh office of Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. (219 Washington Avenue). Mr. Renning provides counsel to private and public sector employers on a wide variety of labor and employment law matters. This article is intended to provide information only, not legal advice. For advice regarding a particular employment situation, please contact a member of the Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. Labor and Employment Team.

Green Bay

Fox Cities

Oshkosh

Fond du Lac NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 5

SINCE WE LAST MET

Since we last met Since We Last Met is a digest of business related news occurring in the Green Bay, Fox Cities, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac areas in the one month since the previous issue of New North B2B.

May 25 Newly-elected Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach refused to approve a county board decision to increase the number of supervisory districts from 26 to 29, arguing the county can’t afford such an expansion during this period of budget shortfalls. The move could push the issue to the Brown County Circuit Court to determine an alternative redistricting plan. The proposal to increase the number of board supervisors developed from the 2010 U.S. Census statistics which indicated the county’s population grew by nearly 20,000 during the past decade. County officials indicated adding three more supervisory seats could cost taxpayers as much as $369,000 over the next 10 years in annual salaries paid and in health insurance benefits offered to supervisors.

2005 July 13 – The Fond du Lac City Council voted to convert the former Kohl’s grocey store property into an extension of Hamilton Park. The property has been vacant since 1990.

2006 July 21 – Wisconsin Power & Light Co., a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, bought the development rights to a wind farm project in southeastern Fond du Lac County. The project includes nearly 40 wind turbines in the towns of Eden and Empire, which would generate a projected 80 to 100 megawatts of electricity.

2008 July 2 – United Way Fox Cities began promoting and distributing the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card to anyone in the community, predicting it could save area residents an average of 35 percent on the cost of their prescription drug purchases.

May 25 The Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education approved laying off 12 teachers for the coming 2011-12 school year in order to raise class sizes at the middle and high school levels in anticipation of even larger budget issues looming for the 2012-13 school year and beyond. The layoffs are expected to save the district an estimated $568,000 in salary and benefit costs for the next year. The district had already developed a balanced budget for the coming 2011-12 year with assistance from a wage freeze and larger employee contributions toward health and retirement benefits. May 26 The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah was awarded a $13,731 Joint Effort Marketing grant from the state Department of Tourism for its Arts of Fire event in October 2011. The second annual event is expected to draw 1,600 visitors and 125 additional room night bookings for a local economic impact estimated at $111,100. The event features an outdoor mobile glass making studio from The Corning Museum of Glass in New York, with four master artists creating works from molten glass on special staging, equipped with two glass furnaces. May 31 Ripon Medical Center merged with Fond du Lac-based Agnesian HealthCare as part of an agreement in which Agnesian commited to plan for a replacement hospital facility in Ripon, enhance service lines and implement an electronic medical record at RMC. Ripon Medical Center will retain its name, and the services currently provided to the community will be expanded with additional specialties. The Ripon Medical Center Foundation will remain a separate entity outside of the affiliation of Agnesian to continue its mission of philanthropic support to benefit the 40-bed hospital. June 1 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation approved plans for three pedestrian overpasses in the Green Bay area crossing over U.S. Highway 41 and State Highway 172. The overpasses will cost between $1.65 million to $2.25 million each, with the state picking up 75 percent of the construction costs from the U.S. 41 enhancement project budget. Municipalities would have to cover the remaining 25 percent of the construction costs, in addition to costs for connecting the path to the existing facilities, any necessary land acquisitions, and ongoing maintenance. June 2 Fall Fest De Pere was awarded an $18,328 Joint Effort

6 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

www.newnorthb2b.com

SINCE WE LAST MET Marketing grant from the state Department of Tourism to help market its fourth annual event on Sept. 17 which includes a Best of the Midwest Rib Cook-Off, live entertainment, family activities and cultural performances. The downtown event is expected to draw 20,000 attendees and generate more than $400,000 in traveler spending at area hotels, restaurants and stores. June 2 The City of Fond du Lac Police & Fire Commission hired William Lamb, chief of police for the Village of North Fond du Lac, as its new police chief. He will succeed Tony Barthuly, who retired from the department on June 30. Lamb has 23 years experience in law enforcement. June 2 The state legislature’s joint finance committee decided to expand the school voucher program to Racine and all of Milwaukee County, but decided not to expand the program into Green Bay, arguing there wasn’t enough support for the idea. The City of Milwaukee has had a voucher program for the past 20 years which enables students to attend a private or religious school in the city at taxpayers’ expense. June 3 The U.S. Department of Labor reported 54,000 jobs were created in May, leaving the national unemployment rate essentially unchanged at 9.1 percent. Job gains continued in professional and business services, health care and mining.

June 7 Schreiber Foods announced plans to build a new $50 million corporate headquarters and technology center in downtown Green Bay on the site of the former J. C. Penney Co. store in the closed Washington Commons mall and the Days Inn building. City of Green Bay officials plan to provide $14.5 million in assistance to acquire adjacent properties, pay off existing debt on the mall property and demolish the mall structure. The city funding is projected to come exclusively from tax incremental financing and from New Market Tax Credits, and isn’t expected to increase property taxes for city residents. Mall demolition should be complete by the end of 2011, with construction of the new Schreiber facilities starting early next year and scheduled for completion in 2014. Though designs have not been finalized, the corporate office is expected to be about 130,000 square feet and at least three stories, while the technology center will be about 90,000 square feet. The dairy processor is expected to consolidate positions from other facilities and employ an estimated 550 staff members at the new location. June 7 NewPage Corp. agreed to sell its closed paper mill in Kimberly to AIM Demolition, an affiliate of Montreal-based American Iron & Metal Co. Inc. The metal recycling company scraps metal for resale to foundries and also specializes in the manufacture of solder wire, solder paste and alloys. Officials from AIM declined to outline their plans for the mill, which NewPage closed in September 2008, putting 600 people out of work.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 7

SINCE WE LAST MET June 8 Gov. Scott Walker appointed Scott Baumbach as secretary of the state Department of Workforce Development. Baumbach had served in the role as interim secretary for the previous month in the wake of the sudden resignation of Manny Perez. Baumbach was named deputy secretary of the department in January, having previously been an associate and partner at the Milwaukee law firm Michael Best & Friedrich since 2001. June 9 The Green Bay Area School District hired Michelle Langenfeld as its new superintendent to succeed Greg Maass, who resigned at the end of June for another job in Massachusetts. Langenfeld previously worked as associate superintendent in the Anoka-Hennepin School District near the Twin Cities, which educates about 40,000 students, more than double the amount of students in the Green Bay district. In Minnesota, Langenfeld helped create magnet schools focused on fine arts, as well as others centered around science, technology, engineering and math. June 14 Public transit officials in Green Bay and Appleton announced plans to hire a consultant to study the concept of providing a commuter route service between the two communities to help larger businesses in the region with employees who commute. Certain employers could be asked to help subsidize the cost of the service to help make it financially viable. The

8 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

idea for a commuter route between the two metropolitan areas surfaced two years ago with the idea of providing as many as eight daily trips in each direction along U.S. Highway 41. At the time, such a program was estimated to cost $240,000 a year. June 14 At the filing deadline to register for candidacy in the races for nine state senate seats up for recall, enough challengers filed nomination papers to force a primary election in all four recalls in northeast Wisconsin. In the 18th Senate District held by Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac), three candidates registered as Democrats: Jessica King of Oshkosh, endorsed by the Democratic Party; John Buckstaff of the town of Vinland, who was recruited by Republicans to run as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;spoilerâ&#x20AC;? candidate; and John Michael Curry of Waupun. In the 14th Senate District held by Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), three candidates registered as Democrats: Assembly Rep. Fred Clark, (D-Baraboo); Rol Church of Wautoma, who was recruited by Republicans as a spoiler candidate; and Robert Forseth of Waupaca. In the 2nd Senate District held by Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Allouez), there were also three candidates registered as Democrats: Nancy Nusbaum of De Pere, a former Brown County executive; Otto Junkermann of Green Bay, a former Republican assemblyman recruited by Republicans as a spoiler candidate; and Mert Summers of De Pere. A Democratic primary will be held in each of the three races on July 12, and the general election is scheduled for Aug. 9. Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) in the 30th Senate District also faces a recall election against the winner of a July 19 primary.

www.newnorthb2b.com

SINCE WE LAST MET June 14 The Outagamie County Board of Supervisors voted to consider selling property near its downtown Appleton Justice Center for a proposed new convention center. The proposed convention center – spearheaded by a group of community leaders under the auspices of Fox Cities Exhibition Center Inc. – would be a roughly $20 million, 30,000-sq. ft. facility attached by skywalk over Lawrence Street to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. The county had previously acquired the property for future expansion of county facilities, but has primarily used it for parking. County officials will still need to negotiate an agreement to sell the property. The Fox Cities Exhibition Center group would purchase the property and construct the convention facility primarily through an anticipated increase in hotel room taxes, in addition to redevelopment support from the City of Appleton and a public fundraising campaign. June 14 The City of Oshkosh Common Council rezoned nearly two acres of existing residential property near the northeast side of the Ninth Street and U.S. Highway 41 interchange to commercial, paving the way for a possible national retail pharmacy store. The rezoned area – which currently includes existing single- and multi-family residences – has been part of the city’s comprehensive plan. June 15 The City of Neenah Common Council approved two agreements which will allow Plexus Corp. to build a $7 million, 20,000-sq. ft. development center adjacent to its 1-year-old

corporate headquarters on the site of the former Glatfelter paper mill in downtown Neenah. The city agreed to spend up to $400,000 to remove contaminants from the soil at the site, and will redevelop the site with funds generated through an existing tax incremental finance district. Construction of the two-story facility is expected to begin in July and be complete by the summer of 2012. June 16 The U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation awarded 11 projects or programs a total of $248,000, including $35,000 to Tri-County Community Dental Clinic for its Focus on the Children program; $20,000 to Clarity Care, Inc. for its Help at Home program; and $68,000 over three years to Fox Valley Technical College for its Career Kickstart program, a collaboration between the Oshkosh Area School District and FVTC’s Riverside Campus to help 60 at-risk high school students. June 17 The state Department of Transportation approved a $965,000 project to build a general aviation ramp at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, allowing more space for general aviation aircraft to park on the east side of the airport terminal, along with providing access to a fixed-base operator on the airport. The state will provide $772,000 toward the cost of the project, while Brown County will contribute the remaining $193,000. The project is expected to be complete this summer.

Oshkosh’s Commercial Real Estate LEadER Specializing in Commercial Real Estate since 1967

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Grant Schwab 920.203.1917 schwabg@firstweber.com

Dick Casey 920.216.0115 caseyd@firstweber.com NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 9

BUILD UP FOND DU LAC

4 5 3 2

C - Indicates a new listing

Build Up Fond du Lac

3 - 430 E. Division St., Fond du Lac,

- 1155 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac, Rolling Meadows Development, renovation of a former nursing home building and an addition to the fourth floor shell for a 101room hotel and conference center. Project completion expected in the spring of 2012.

- N6425 Stanchfield Dr., Fond du Lac, C Wausau Equipment Company, a 6,300-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in September. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukuana.

Agnesian Healthcare St. Agnes Hospital, a build out of the fourth through sixth floors of the existing South Tower of the hospital for private patient care rooms.

4 - 919 E. Johnson St., Fond du Lac, Kornelli’s Mobil, an addition to the existing convenience store and a new car wash.

1045 E. Johnson St., Fond du Lac, C Citizens First Credit Union, a 4,100-sq. ft. new credit union office. Project completion expected in December.

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BUILD UP OSHKOSH

6&7

C - Indicates a new listing

Build Up Oshkosh 6

- 2541 W. 20th Ave., Oshkosh, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company-Oshkosh, a 6,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility.

- 800 High Ave., Oshkosh, University of WisconsinOshkosh, a four-story, 191,000-sq. ft. academic building for the College of Business Administration. Project completion expected in August.

7 - 600 Block of Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a five-story, 340-bed student residence hall.

Projects completed since our June issue: None.

- 1515 Planeview Dr., Oshkosh, Cobblestone Inn, a two-story, 31-room hotel.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 11

BUILD UP FOX CITIES The Build Up department of New North B2B includes a monthly two-page spread identifying significant commercial and industrial construction projects ongoing in the Fox Cities area. The listing does not include multi-tenant residences, interior renovation projects or commercial buildouts. C - Indicates a new listing

- 4082 N. Richmond St., Appleton, C Timbercrest Dental Center, a 3,594-sq. ft. dental office. Project completion expected in the fall. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukuana.

- 1111 DeLanglade St., Kaukuana, C Badger Utility Inc., a 13,340-sq. ft. addition for offices and additional truck maintenance and repair space. Project completion expected in October. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukuana.

- 1500 Lamers Dr., Little Chute, C Building Services Group, a 4,430-sq. ft. addition and remodel of the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in the fall. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukuana.

4 - 1506 S. Oneida St., Appleton, St. Elizabeth Hospital, a 6,370-sq. ft. addition as part of the ongoing campus revitalization project.

5 - 310 S. Lynndale Dr., Appleton, C Gustman Subaru, an addition and remodel of the existing dealership building to accommodate a new showroom and customer service area. Project completion expected in November. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukuana.

- 130 Second St., Neenah, Theda Clark Memorial Hospital, a 10,897-sq. ft. addition to the first floor of the hospital and remodel of existing patient rooms.

- 901 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah, CVS Pharmacy, a 13,225-sq. ft. new retail store.

8 - 913 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah, Kwik Trip, a 5,800sq. ft. convenience store, fuel station and car wash.

- 1035 Breezewood Lane, Neenah, Webex Inc., a

12,120-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. Projects completed since our June issue: None.

US 41 business resources Tools to help your business during construction on US 41 available at

www.US41wisconsin.gov

12 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

(920) 492- 4120 US 41 Project Hotline

www.newnorthb2b.com

BUILD UP FOX CITIES 1 2 3

5 4

6 7 &8 9

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 13

BUILD UP GREEN BAY The Build Up department of New North B2B includes a monthly two-page spread identifying significant commercial and industrial construction projects ongoing in the Green Bay area. The listing does not include multi-tenant residences, interior renovation projects or commercial buildouts. C - Indicates a new listing

9 - 626 Pinehurst Ave., Green Bay, C Martin Elementary School/Green Bay Area School District, a 2,050-sq. ft. addition to the existing elementary school building.

- 1315 Lime Kiln Road, Green Bay, The Salvation

Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, a new multi- 1520 Brookfield Ave., Howard, C The Solberg

level community center. Project completion expected in August.

Company, a 20,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility and corporate office headqarters, as well as a separate 6,800-sq. ft. research and test laboratory. Project completion expected in the fall.

2 - 2949 Riverview Dr., Howard, C Community First Credit Union, a 6,705-sq. ft. credit union office. 3 - 2806 Riverview Dr., Howard,

Dermatology Associates

of Wisconsin, a 7,552-sq. ft. dermatology clinic. Project completion expected in August. C Donald & Patricia

Schneider Education Center at Green Bay Botanical Garden, a 13,000-sq. ft. education and training facility.

5 - 1461 W. Mason St., Green Bay, Rabideau Auto Mart, a new automotive retail building. - 300 Block of N. Washington St., Green Bay, C

Watermark, a six-story, 70,000-sq. ft. mixed-use development which will house Hagemeister Park restaurant and Children’s Museum of Green Bay. Project completion expected in early 2012.

7 - 930 Main St., Green Bay,

- 600 Willard Dr., Ashwaubenon, PCM Employees

Credit Union, a 12,276-sq. ft. financial institution office. Project completion expected in July. - 2502 S. Ashland Ave., Ashwaubenon, Western

Racquet & Fitness Club/ Prevea Medical, a two-story, 28,418sq. ft. addition to the existing fitness center and a new health care clinic.

- 1160 Ashwaubenon St., Ashwaubenon, Circle

Business Center, a 9,643-sq. ft. industrial facility.

- 1121 W. Main Ave., Ashwaubenon, SparkNet

Interactive, a four-story, 69,000-sq. ft. commercial office building. Project completion expected in July.

16 - 100 Grant St., De Pere, St. Norbert College Michels Commons, an addition to the existing student commons and

CVS Pharmacy, a new retail

store and pharmacy.

for a lunch room, locker rooms and restrooms.

4 - 2600 Larsen Road, Green Bay,

11 - 1330 Lime Kiln Road, Green Bay, C Packerland Packing Company, 18,000-sq. ft. of existing industrial space

1960 University Ave., Green Bay, Family Dollar, an

addition to the existing structure for a new retail store.

cafeteria, as well as the Ariens Family Welcome Center. Project completion expected in May 2012. Projects completed since our June issue: None.

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BUILD UP GREEN BAY 1

2 &3

4 5 6

9 12 13 11

15 16

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 15

AROUND THE BOARDROOM

.22

In billions of dollars, the amount of federal stimulus money given to Wisconsin to offset general purpose revenues from 2009 to 2011. Those funds weren’t available for consideration in the 2011-13 biennial budget. Source: Wisconsin Policy Research Institute

QUOTEWORTHY “When we started working

with them, I thought they were the Belgian mafia.”

Rich Bartosic, president and founder of Alpha-Prime Inc. in Menasha, joking about his lending relationship with American National Bank-Fox Cities, who he credited with much of his success while accepting the Small Business of the Year Award in the manufacturing category from the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry in early June. The Appleton-based financial institution has several employees with last names of Benelux heritage.

...for becoming an entrepreneur in retirement The extensive knowledge and experience that baby boomers have accumulated throughout their working lives could make them the ideal entrepreneurs. Increasingly, older workers who are unable to find new jobs or are looking for increased workplace flexibility go to work for themselves. Almost a quarter of workers who change jobs after age 51 become self employed, according to an AARP and Urban Institute analysis. Here are five tips for becoming an entrepreneur in retirement:

5 tips...

❶

Emphasize your experience. Decades of work experience can be a huge advantage in coming up with ideas for a start-up and making a business work. After retiring for two years, Lex Alexander, 57, launched 3 CUPS in 2008, named after the three fermented drinks it sells: wine, coffee, and tea. Alexander already had extensive experience in the retail food business: He started Wellspring Grocery in 1981, which merged with Whole Foods in 1991, and he remained with the company for 10 years.

❷

Find funding. You may have savings you can tap to launch a start-up, but it’s risky to invest a large portion of your life savings so close to retirement. You need to be able to feel confident that the worst-case scenario is something that you can live with. While most entrepreneurs use their own savings to fund their start up, less common sources of funding for first startups include bank loans, friends and family, venture capital and angel financing.

❸

Tap your network. Most people approaching

16 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

retirement age have a large network of friends, associates, and colleagues, which can help you find suppliers, customers, and other support for your business. Reach out to your social network when you need ideas and assistance.

❹

Prepare for more responsibility and flexibility. As a business owner, you’ll have the flexibility to set your own hours and work at your own pace. But you are also ultimately responsible for hiring, firing and meeting your budget.

❺

Use your creativity. During her hour-long commute to work at Bank of America, Dorothy Atkins, 69, would make sketches with crayons and dream of doing more creative work. When she was offered a buyout in 2002, she welcomed the chance to try something new. Atkins launched a greeting card company, From Where I Sit, named for the brainstorming she did during her train rides to San Francisco. Source: By Emily Brandon for U.S. News & World Report

www.newnorthb2b.com

AROUND THE BOARDROOM

O “

Marketing Evil & Divine

h, you work in marketing,” my companion scoffed over her steaming CoffeeBucks double-espresso. “So, basically, you make people buy stuff they don’t need.” Following a well-intentioned friend’s suggestion, I had agreed to meet “Sandra Bernhard” for introductions since Demi Moore’s calendar continues to be hopelessly brimming with conflicting commitments. Suppressing my otherwise rigorous standards, my frustrated mind rationalized that perhaps a simple caffeinated outing with a different celebrity, even if a less celebrated one (and a fantasy look-alike at that), might temporarily quell my true desperate yearning. Wrong-o. “Sandra – if that’s what your name really is – people need to understand that authentic and effective marketing can’t MAKE people buy ‘stuff’ they don’t need. “While deceptive premises can produce a sale, they’re really “soft fraud,” and they backfire in myriad ways: indignant product returns, futile hope for repeat purchases, negative word-of-mouth that spreads like wildfire (especially considering the power of social media), complaints to industry and trade associations, and even lawsuits. “Marketing absolutely cannot create a need. Even marketing professionals of the nitwit ilk fail to accept this unwavering fact. Could any form of persuasion make you run off with Howard Stern – alone, that is?” She rolled her eyes in contempt, her grimace discharging an audible “phewf” of exasperation into my defenseless face across the highboy at which we were seated. An iPod bud was firmly planted in one side of her head. I could hear Madonna singing “Hanky Panky.” “It can,” I continued, “build a prospective customer’s receptivity to a better way to satisfy a need they already have despite their unawareness of it – like an instant and effective way to, cough, neutralize offensive coffee breath. “The same is true with various kinds of negative sell. Water heaters, dehumidifiers and insurance are typical examples, but

the reality of removing or reducing your loved ones’ exposure to the discomforting lack of hot water, dangerous mold growth and financial vulnerability are legitimate needs. Educating the prospect to avoid a negative only uses those needs to legitimately provide prospects with some greater level of comfort or security – a very real need.” She heaved an unbridled yawn, releasing another cloud of violated Indonesian Kopi Luwak. “Tic Tac?” I offered helpfully, hopefully. She shook her head, her kelp-like locks flagellating in the semi-metabolized dark-roasted pong. “Look,” I reasoned, “carrying this message is a primary responsibility of every marketing professional worth shimself in Venn diagrams. More and more, trust and likeability are the overriding influences in the purchasing choices people make, both emotional and/or rationale, from the many business options out there. “Deceptive, uninformative or cheesy tactics are more than a waste – they’re detrimental. Appealing to a need is the key for a brand to be trusted, liked and preferred.” With no smoking in CoffeeBucks, she confidently opened her flip-top box of Capri cigarettes. Clearly our visit was coming to a swift and welcome end. Unknowingly, she was now demonstrating the textbook dynamic of marketing that powerfully plays on a need, and I don’t mean the need to smoke. She could smoke anything, but bought into a physical product augmentation and brand personality differentiating this particular white-filtered, luxury length, ultra-slim tobacco product as one that somehow increased or enhanced her sexual appeal – a need obviously wanting to be satisfied in whatever way her choice finds most satisfying. She looked at me flatly. “I don’t care if people like me. People love to hate me.” A personal brand like hers never gets me too down, even with a mint. Maybe we didn’t engage, but at least she was being truthful.

Behind the façade of Mr. Stronglove is an advertising professional wielding his strategic and conceptual stealth in all forms of media (except book jackets). Send comments (or crisp twenties) to piercestronglove@gmail.com.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 17

COVER STORY

Golden start ups Not yet ready to rest, retirees take on new challenges and new risks in entrepreneurship

Story by Sean Fitzgerald New North B2B Publisher

18 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

When Joe Vosters’ 88-year-old mother was on the brink of no longer being able to take care of her husband, the furthest thing from Vosters’ mind was starting a business. At 92 and with limited mobility, Vosters’ father couldn’t maneuver around his bed enough to roll over on his own, and getting in and out of bed by himself was a struggle. Traditional bed railings and suspended trapezes were available from medical device stores for him to grab onto, but they’re flimsy, wobbly and more often than not, couldn’t provide the help his father needed. Vosters’ background as a mechanical design engineer and 30 years experience in the paper industry encouraged him to come up with a solution of his own. Vosters knew he could develop and design a structure over the bed sturdy enough to withhold more than 400 pounds and accommodate a wide range of motions his father would need to roll over on his own, move more freely around his bed, and even stand up from the bed, stabilize himself and safely maneuver from there. After Vosters was laid off from a job running the operations of a small plastics machinery manufacturer in his mid-50s, Vosters’ brother-in-law suffered a debilitating stroke which limited his movement in bed as well. Since he wasn’t working

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COVER STORY at the time, Vosters helped out a few days a week making his brother-in-law more comfortable. Noting the same mobility problems as were evident with his father, Vosters began scratching ideas together for a heavy duty design to provide greater freedom and independence in the bed area. “I saw the same challenges going on between the two of them,” Vosters said. “In fact, this was even more important for the caregiver.” Then it struck him – the need for his product idea was more widespread than he thought, and would only increase further as more and more Americans with limited mobility strive to remain in their homes rather than go into an assisted care facility. If he could manufacture and sell these devices – which he dubbed Friendly Beds – he could create quite a thriving business. So he ceased his job search and started his own company, Appleton-based Bill-Ray Home Mobility, which he launched in early 2010. “The potential market out there for this product is just getting ready to go nuts. All the pieces I’ve ever had in my background are coming together to make something come from nothing,” Vosters said.

A growing trend Vosters’ story of starting a business toward the end of his career isn’t unique. In fact, leading entrepreneurship think tank Kauffman Foundation indicated rates of entrepreneurship are 50 percent higher for those individuals between 55 and 64 than people between 20 and 34. At the same time, rates of entrepreneurship among that later age demographic have been trending upwards since 2007, while rates for the younger demographic group have remained flat. That trend might seem somewhat counterintuitive because of the financial risk often associated with an entrepreneurial start up. Younger entrepreneurs, at the very least, can often manage if they lose everything in a worst-case situation should their business goes bottoms up. And often younger entrepreneurs haven’t accumulated a lifetime of wealth and assets, the impact of which is it isn’t all that painful to lose everything when one doesn’t have very much to lose. Retirees – on the other hand – have often paid off their home mortgages, put their children through college, and accumulated a sizeable nest egg. They own boats, vacation properties, hobby collections, robust investment portfolios, and a whole range of other assets that a failed entrepreneurial endeavor could compromise. And at that stage in life, there’s much less opportunity to lose it all, start from scratch, and rebuild substantial wealth. Yet, an increasing number of retirees are becoming first-time, start up entrepreneurs rather than hitting the golf links late every morning after watching The Price Is Right and downing a few cups of coffee. The Baby Boomer generation coming into retirement age this decade perhaps accents this trend more than at any other time in the past. And why not? They’re not necessarily looking to rest and relax in their late 50s and early 60s. They’re still extremely active, both cognitively and physically. They’ve collected a lifetime of skills, knowledge, and a network of resources in their industry and in their community. And they may just have accumulated enough wealth working for others during their career to pull off starting their own in-

dependent business. Green Bay’s Mary Pulak had always had a passion for health and wellness during her 33-year career as a health and physical education teacher in the Green Bay Area School District. After leaving the classroom in 2006 to pursue a job as a wellness consultant with a large group health insurance carrier, Pulak was let go after two years when the company changed its strategy relative to her role. During the last year in her consulting role, Pulak attended a health and wellness conference where she was exposed to hooping, a blast-from-the-past but contemporary way to exercise that seemed to have an appeal with the Boomer generation. Pulak was literally hooked, enough so that in 2008 she began a company to make the custom weighted hula hoops called Hooked on Hooping. Not knowing much about business, she sought out SCORE counseling and eventually enrolled in an entrepreneurship program through Urban Hope in Green Bay where she developed her business plan. “I thought this might possibly turn into a business, and I didn’t know anything about running a business,” Pulak said. Now 60, she’s evolved the business beyond just making and selling her custom hula hoops. She teaches classes for adults, has conducted numerous school assemblies for large groups of students, and even produced a DVD to allow fellow hooping enthusiasts to receive her personal instruction from the comfort of their homes. “The cool thing is I’m doing everything I love to do,” Pulak said. “I love teaching. I love kids, and I love hanging around PROFILE Name: Business: Location: Web site:

Joe Vosters Bill-Ray Home Mobillity Appleton www.friendlybeds.com

Submitted photo

The deluxe model of Vosters’ Friendly Bed in his Appleton showroom.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 19

COVER STORY with women my age. I love spreading the message of health and wellness to others.” Pulak admits she’s reticent to invest her own savings too heavily in the business. Opportunities have presented themselves along the way for her to purchase equipment to mass produce her custom hula hoops – or even to contract the production out to other vendors – but she’s leery of the risks that come from taking her company to that level.

PROFILE Name: Business: Location: Web site:

Mary Pulak Hooked on Hooping Green Bay hookedonhooping.com

“Being in my position at my age, I was not about to invest a lot of money. I was thinking about retirement,” Pulak said. “For me, I didn’t do this because of the money.”

Fulfilling purpose After more than 25 years in the health care industry pairing up doctors with patients, doctors with health management organizations, and ultimately bringing together health insurance providers with patients, Bill Macier left a key executive position with one of the region’s leading health insurers to make his mark on the community in a different way – by becoming his own boss and contributing to the ambience of the Green Bay community he’s called home for the past 15 years. With a connoisseur’s affection for coffee and tea, Macier looked to start up his own coffee shop in 2007. After months of research and visits to coffee shops across the region, Macier stepped into a chance opportunity to buy a business that already had a bit of history behind it. The Attic on the outskirts of Green Bay’s downtown was more of a book store at the time that also sold coffee, but Macier saw potential to carry on its tradition while putting his own mark on the business. Today, The Attic Books & Coffee still has books, but that’s become much less the focus of his comfortable pad that supports regular live musical entertainment, poetry readings, and occasional art exhibits from children’s programs across the region. Macier takes pride in

recognizing his corner coffee shop has created a judgment-free zone that’s become a melting pot for Green Bay to get together with friends, family or colleagues for some hearty conversation. And a hearty cup of joe. “Part of my mission here is to give people a place to revive, to refresh, and to renew their spirit,” Macier said. The Attic grew its annual revenues by 20 percent during the first year Macier owned it, and he’s continued to gradually re-invent the coffee shop one overstuffed comfy chair at a time. He recently implemented a tea bar and is in the process of developing a tea house “within a coffee house” concept at The Attic. With areas of study in philosophy and religion while in college, Macier started his career working for a nonprofit agency enabling cognitively disabled individuals to lead more fulfilling lives. As such, the characteristics of social responsibility embedded in his DNA have found an additional outlet now through his business. Macier sits on the board for the Olde Main Street District in downtown Green Bay. His coffee house often hosts displays for local human service and social service agencies to share the scope of their work in the community. And Macier has been known to derive a number of clever promotions aimed at raising funds and awareness for local charities. Collectively, these and other efforts have infused a personality into The Attic which gives its customers a sense of belonging and a sense of ownership.

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COVER STORY Macier strives for that. It would seem that everything he does with his entrepreneurial endeavor is an attempt to become even more a part of the community and to make a difference. “My whole work life has been about creating a space for people to get things done,” he said. “As Baby Boomers, it’s kind of in our nature to just keep going.”

Hedging entrepreneurial bets Regardless of a entrepreneur’s financial motives for creating a start up, “business” by it’s very definition has to maintain some focus on money and financial risk, even as a nonprofit. In Pulak’s case, she said she didn’t get into business “because of the money.” She has a pension from her teaching career that comfortably supports her household income, and seems content keeping Hooked on Hooping going at its current pace with out any abrupt shifts to the next phase of growth. In Vosters’ case with Bill-Ray Home Mobility, he’s sought outside investors and arranged strategic partnerships with vendors to help him get his business off the ground. His effort is costly – his first prototype alone cost him $6,000, which he invested himself – and he’s been enduring the long and grueling process to patent his product. His patent is currently pending. A finalist in the 2010 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Competition, Vosters’ business is also officially qualified with the state for Act 255 angel funding, and he’s hoping to eventually receive some venture capital support.

PROFILE Name: Business: Location: Web site:

Bill Macier The Attic Books & Coffee Green Bay www.theatticbooks.com

“(Going into business is) a risk no matter how you cut it,” Vosters said. “There’s so many steps to get a business off the ground.” He continues to tweak his product, and earlier this year opened a showroom in Appleton to help tangibly demonstrate it to those willing to stop in. But marketing remains a challenge, particularly as Vosters is preparing to expand into the Milwaukee and Madison markets later this month, then into Arizona and Florida by this coming fall. All that marketing costs money. Entrepreneurs at the latter stages of their career do need to evaluate their entire portfolio of wealth and identify a finite amount they’re willing to lose without having to compromise on the lifestyle they expected for themselves in retirement, said Roy Fine, a corporate law attorney with the Neenah law firm DiRenzo & Bomier LLC. “There’s something of a gambler’s mentality (with start-up entrepreneurs at this stage in their lives), but it’s more of a

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COVER STORY professional gambler’s mentality,” Fine said. “The universal element seems to be to protect what they’ve accumulated.” Fine offers four simple tips for protecting that accumulation of wealth and assets. First, and universal to any entrepreneur, set up a limited liability company or other legal business incorporation. Second, Fine said limit the number of guarantees to creditors and lenders – and a closely related third tip – limit the dollar amount on those guarantees. Lastly, he warned not to pledge personal retirement assets as collateral for any loans or lines of credit. For any would-be entrepreneur that’s been fortunate enough to establish a trust while earning income during their career, it’s all right to consider those funds for a start up. “If you have a trust, I would suggest using it to help fund and finance the new enterprise,” Fine said.

Fighting for social justice After more than 50 years as a Catholic priest, Fr. Joe Mattern wasn’t about to sit still when he “retired” from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Omro two years ago at the age of 75. A self-described bleeding heart liberal with a penchant for social justice, Fr. Mattern spent much of his career helping the primarily Mexican immigrant farm working population in rural western Winnebago and eastern Waushara counties. When he retired, Mattern knew his work couldn’t retire with him. This growing community had come to rely upon him –primarily because many are devoutly Catholic – and Fr. Mattern is fluent in Spanish and has conducted Spanish-speaking mass for the past decade. He’s also come to acutely understand the challenges this population faces in the schools, in the justice system, an elsewhere in the community. PROFILE Name: Business: Location: Web site:

Fr. Joe Mattern Casa Esther Omro www.casaesther.org

22 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

“There is an inherent racism here – I firmly believe that – and that’s at the root of every problem they face,” Mattern said. “They are the poorest of the poor. They’re living in fear.” With funding assistance from a trust set up by his sister who sold a technology firm she helped build from the ground up, Fr. Mattern established Casa Esther, a nonprofit Catholic worker house in Omro. Padre Joe, as he’s affectionately called, enrolled in the eSeed Program through the Venture Center at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton where honed his budgeting skills, drafted a formal business plan for Casa Esther, and formed a board of directors for the 501(c) 3 corporation.

“

There’s something of a gambler’s mentality but it’s more of a professional gambler’s mentality.

”

Roy Fine, a corporate law attorney with DiRenzo & Bomier LLC Casa Esther currently operates an 11-acre organic vegetable garden and sells its produce at farmer’s markets in Oshkosh and Omro. Additional produce is provided to a handful of food pantries in the area. The entity gives music lessons to children, a personal passion for the still-performing jazz musician in Fr. Mattern, and even equips children with instruments to play. Casa Esther provides interpreting services, English Language Learning classes, provides prison ministry for those who are incarcerated, and actively lobbies for comprehensive immigration reform. His mission is growing as the population of Hispanics in northeast Wisconsin has grown from just over 5,000 in 1990 to more than 33,000 as of the 2010 U.S. Census. Now 77, Fr. Mattern still conducts three to four masses every weekend. He works out at the gym three times per week, is still an avid golfer, and loves to perform live jazz in front of an engaged audience. But it’s his entrepreneurial efforts toward social justice that fuels his fire to keep battling racism, ignorance and misunderstanding everyday. “I try to stay healthy, and this stuff all keeps me healthy.”

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NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 27

GOVERNMENT

Capitol expense A cursory overview of the economic highlights of the 2011-2013 biennial state budget Gov. Scott Walker’s first two-year budget passed through the state legislature in relatively quick fashion in midJune and he was preparing to sign it as of the New North B2B press deadline in late June. The $66 billion two-year spending plan, which took effect July 1, includes a host of spending cuts to balance a projected $3 billion shortfall. It also includes no general tax increases. The final version of the budget closely parallels the original budget document Gov. Walker presented in March. Here are some of the economic and business-related highlights of the budget:

Taxes P Does not include any sales or income tax increases and would limit schools and local governments on raising property taxes. Property taxes on owners of median-valued homes are projected to increase a total of $54 over two years. P Creates a new capital gains tax deferral for investments in Wisconsin-based companies. The measure costs $36 million over two years. P Creates a new tax credit for manufacturers and agricultural businesses. The cost is expected to be about $129 million a year once it’s fully phased in starting in 2016.

Medicaid P Cuts $500 million from Medicaid through a variety of reforms including increasing co-pays and deductibles. The changes do not reduce benefits across the board or cut provider reimbursement rates. P The approved budget does reject Walker’s proposal to require participants in the SeniorCare prescription drug program to first enroll in Medicare Part D.

K-12 schools

P Loosens taxes charged to multistate corporations – indoctrinated through the combined reporting law enacted during the Gov. Doyle administration – which provides a tax break worth more than $46 million over two years.

P Cuts aid to schools by about $800 million over two years and also reduces how much schools can collect from property taxes per student, a combined cut expected to reduce revenue to districts by about $1.6 billion.

P Creates a new sales tax exemption for advertising and promotional direct mail starting in 2013.

P Repeals the enrollment limit for voucher schools in the City of Milwaukee and expands vouchers to all Milwaukee County schools and to Racine.

24 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

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GOVERNMENT

Higher education P Cuts University of Wisconsin System funding by $250 million, but keeps the flagship Madison campus as part of the system while giving it and other UW campuses more autonomy in how they operate and spend money. P Cuts aid to technical colleges by $72 million, or about 30 percent of 2009-11 biennial budget levels.

Transportation P Increases transportation funding by 1.2 percent. P Provides $225 million to rebuild the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee. P Provides $195 million to continue reconstruction of Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Kenosha.

Natural resources P Continues to require local recycling programs and maintains state funding to help finance those programs. P Reduces Stewardship Program funding by $26 million a year. The program protects land from development by purchasing it and preserving it for public recreational use.

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Government P Ends public financing in races for governor, the legislature and the state supreme court. P Cuts aid to local governments by $76 million. P Increases state spending by 1.8 percent over the 200911 budget plan. P Cuts most state agency budgets by 10 percent, but makes exceptions for salary and benefits. P Eliminates 1,032 state positions, most of which have been vacant more than a year. P Downsizes the state treasurer and secretary of stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offices, moving many of their existing duties elsewhere. P Eliminates the structural deficit and leaves the state with a $306 million surplus.

Sources: Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau and The Associated Press

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 25

FINANCE

The little things that matter

New program fills gaps for business owners needing small loans they typically couldn’t access through traditional lenders Story by Lee Marie Reinsch

All De Pere chef Ben Michiels wanted was to borrow six thousand bucks for an old trailer to help him bring breakfast to the masses – or at least bring it to the local farmers market crowd. Banks turned him down. Credit unions turned him down. Despite the fact that his enterprise has been up and running for two years, lenders all but told him not to let the door smack him on his way out of their offices. “A few years ago, (lenders) would have called this a used car,” said Michiels, owner of Eggs N’ Bacon Wagon, talking about the trailer, a vintage 1966 Airstream Caravel, which is actually a portable certified commercial kitchen. Eggs N’ Bacon Wagon is a division of Michiels’ personal chef service, Original Experiences, which offers in-home chef services. To serve up culinary dishes at farmers markets, Michiels needed a commercial facility to store his ingredients and utensils and also to work from. But even the Veterans Administration wouldn’t help him with a loan, despite Michiels having served in the military. One lender did cut him some slack, however. The Brown

26l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

County Micro Loan Program takes on some of the loans most banks feel are too shrimpy to bother with – either the ratio of paperwork to payoff is too high, or the borrowers have no assets to secure the loans, or the weekday of the application ended in a Y, or any of the interminable number of reasons to say ‘No way, Jose.’ “Small loans are difficult because they’re generally (for) startup (businesses) or they’re very small,” said Marianne Dickson, director of the micro loan program, which was launched this past spring by the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s economic development wing, Advance, with collaboration from a dozen area financial institutions. “(Financial institutions) need to do as much due diligence on a $20,000 loan as they do on a $1 million, or at least, say, a $500,000 loan,” Dickson said. Launched in May, the Brown County Micro Loan Program offers loans of between $5,000 and $100,000 to “new, start-up and emerging businesses” in Brown County. Loan repayment terms are a maximum of seven years, and interest rates vary but aren’t horrible.

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FINANCE The program aims to help entrepreneurs like Michiels, who are unable to obtain loans from more traditional lenders, to give their businesses that needed jolt of adrenaline. Loan money can be used to buy equipment, vehicles, supplies or inventory or for payroll, down payments on leased space, or for any of a number of approved expenses.

Dreams to reality Therapist Risa Janowski borrowed $8,800 at 8 percent for five years to set up her own private practice, Promises Counseling Center in Green Bay. She had been working for someone else but dreamed about opening her own private practice. After 12 years of working for other people, she took that step, with the help of the Brown County Micro Loan Program. The money enabled her to buy office furniture, filing cabinets, a new computer plus business software, a printer and some other office items. She hasn’t spent it all yet, but she says she’s pretty sure it will be sufficient for her needs. “The process of writing a business plan really helped me to see how I could run my business for much less money and be more effective for my clientele,” Janowski said. “I am able to be more productive, and that means better quality mental health care for my clientele.” In accordance with program parameters, Janowski makes her purchases first, submits receipts to the program, and gets reimbursed once the expenses are approved. The loan money isn’t given to borrowers in the form of a lumpsum check but is released to borrowers drop by drop, as needed and with proper documentation.

Small loans so hard to get While you probably would rather loan your neighbor $10 than $1,000, most financial institutions don’t look at lending that way. It’s just as easy for them to loan $500,000 as it is to loan $5,000, said Kent Nelson, president of QuickStart, Inc. in Menasha and Green Bay. His firm works as a liaison between business owners and financial institutions to help them apply for loans and refinance existing debt. “One thing is that, with people looking for these smaller amounts, often their credit isn’t very good, or maybe

they need the money for things that aren’t considered good collateral, and maybe they don’t have any other collateral,” Nelson said. Nelson said QuickStart itself has seen a huge decline in business from start-up companies recently, a trend recognized by a variety of agencies and other consultants who typically work with new start-up entrepreneurs. “You don’t see a lot of startups these days, and one reason is that banks aren’t lending to them,” Nelson said. “Then you have the whole issue with the housing market and, whereas people were typically able to take out a home equity line of credit and borrow five, ten or $15,000 to do something like this, they are not able to do that now because they don’t have the equity in their homes.” Even when they do have the equity in their homes, those entrepreneurs still may not qualify for a home equity loan, Nelson said.

Banks in the microloan program Associated Bank-Green Bay Bank First National Baylake Bank The Business Bank Denmark State Bank Heartland Business Bank Johnson Bank Nicolet National Bank M&I Bank Union State Bank

About the Brown County Micro Loan Program: • • • • • • • • •

Loans are available to start-up, newly established and emerging businesses in Brown County. Applications are taken throughout the year. Review and approval generally takes 30 to 60 days. Loans can be used to buy fixed assets, inventory, working capital (including payroll and down payments for leased space), supplies, insurance, legal and accounting fees. The applicant must have a business plan, be able to personally contribute a minimum of 10 percent of the project cost and have a minimum of two months of working capital. All owners and their spouses will be required to personally guarantee the loan. Interest rates will be ﬁxed for the term of the loan and established by the Loan Committee based on the overall risk assessment of the loan project. The maximum term of the loan will be seven years. There are no prepayment penalties.

What’s not allowable:

Money can’t be used to refinance existing debt, for personal use, or reimbursement of expenditures already made.

Information:

To set up an appointment with Marianne Dickson, or for further information, call 920.496.2111. Meetings usually take place at the Advance Business Center offices, 2701 Larsen Road, Green Bay, or at the applicant’s place of business.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 27

FINANCE “When banks look at financing, they want cash flow Number 1, and that is why you need projections on a business plan,” Nelson said. “The second thing is collateral, and that’s where people tend to fall short, especially in a start-up business.” Borrowers asking for lots of money are generally more sophisticated borrowers, according to Nelson. “They have credit, they have collateral, experience and all of the other nuances that go into commercial lending,” Nelson said. “It’s not like a car loan, where if you have a credit score and a job – Boom! – you qualify for the loan.” Nelson said even if a loan applicant has all of their ducks in a row as a start-up entrepreneur – good credit, an air-tight business plan, and solid collateral – they still need sufficient experience in their industry. Entrepreneurs heading into an altogether different industry than they’ve ever been in often raises a red flag for lenders. “They aren’t going to give you a $500,000 loan to open a restaurant if you’ve never worked in one or ran one,” Nelson said. “A lot of the time, these smaller loans are people getting into something for the first time. They don’t have the experience – they don’t have the Five Cs of Credit that the banks are looking for.” Those Five Cs of Credit, by the way, include character, capacity to pay, capital, conditions (of the economy and the borrower’s business) and collateral.

Making it easier on the small guy In applying to the microloan program, prospective borrowers have to write and submit their business plans and lay bare their financial dirty laundry. They’re subject to background checks and credit checks and have multitudinous forms to fill out. The paperwork isn’t insurmountable, but it’s definitely a process, Michiels said. Borrowers also have to meet with a committee from the Brown County Micro Loan Program to talk about their business and why they feel their loan request is worth the risk. Advance administers the microloan program, with pooled monies loaned by a handful of area banks, according to Dickson. “When I make a loan, each bank advances us their pro-rata share of the loan to fund it,” she said. The Brown County Micro Loan Program isn’t part of the U.S. Small Business Administration, but after its first full year of lending, it will apply to be an SBA intermediary, Dickson said. “This would allow our organization to borrow money directly through the SBA for this program,” Dickson said.

Create a Welcoming Environment! Phone 920.235.2864 1.800.809.0315

www.heavycritters.com

T H E U LT I M AT E S TAT E M E N T

$6,000 man Thanks to the Brown County Micro Loan Program, Michiels has a suitable facility from which to peddle his veggie burritos and sausage sandwiches. Michaels is borrowing $6,000 for three years with an interest rate of 8 percent. That enabled him to pay the balance of the Airstream Caravel trailer. “The trailer gives us unlimited options,” Michiels said. “It’s a functional, marketable transport vehicle.” The trailer is modified so that propane for cooking comes out the side. “We just hook right up,” he said. Lee Reinsch writes and edits from Green Bay.

28 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

Book the for your next summer event Community & non profit events • Private Parties & Weddings Corporate Events and Picnics For profit Concerts and Shows 920-236-5080 office www.leachamphitheater.com www.newnorthb2b.com

Bridgewood Resort

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• Weddings, Meetings, Banquets •Ground Round Grill & Bar •Aquatic Fun Center •Golf Course & Miniature Golf 920.720.8000

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Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau

2011 SUMMER Leisure GUIDE

Plan Ahead! Winnebago County Fair August 2- 7 Dragonboat Race & Festival Sept 24 Oshkosh Oktoberfest Sept 30- Oct 2

VisitOshkosh.com

The Brooklyn Grill

607 South Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902 920.230.4477 x www.brooklyngrill.com Be our guest at the Brooklyn Grill. Experience great food and drinks on our newly remodeled patio just for you! The perfect atmosphere to unwind and relax with clients, friends or family. Select from our tantalizing menu or our martini list as long as the Brooklyn Bridge.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 29

GUEST COMMENTARY

Getting behind early childhood education Giving kids a smarter start now could lead to economic advantages down the road

Tom Still President Wisconsin Technology Council 30 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

The numbers are hard to dispute: Kids who attend organized but relatively inexpensive pre-school programs are more likely to graduate from high school, to earn more as adults, to stay off welfare and to avoid spending time in jail. All of that accrues huge dividends for society, with long-term economic paybacks for early childhood education pegged at a minimum of $7 for every $1 spent. Study after study, including some that have meticulously traced pre-school students into middle age, has reached the same conclusion. So why haven’t more business leaders embraced the merits of early childhood education? Some in Wisconsin and nationally have done so, as was evident during a recent gathering in Madison to discuss national trends and partnership success stories from other states. Unfortunately, however, some have yet to decide. That’s not because the evidence isn’t persuasive, but more likely because business leaders have been told too many times – by conservatives and liberals alike – that one educational trend or another is the Holy Grail. Think of all the educational elixirs that have been concocted since “A Nation at Risk” was published in 1983 by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. That report, which sounded the alarm bell about shortcomings in American schools, was followed by waves of reform. Private school “choice,” charter schools, tougher high-school graduation requirements, smaller class sizes, literacy exams for teachers, merit pay for teachers, required standardized tests for students, new teacher licensing requirements and much more have followed “A Nation at Risk.” Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, business was told that eliminating the U.S. Department of Education was the right thing to do. That was followed by “No Child Left Behind,” a federal program that critics said intruded on the ability of individual states to run their own schools. No one expected a single reform to cure what ailed public education in America. In fact, a mix of ideas – public and private – is likely the right recipe. Business leaders have been told too many times, however, that one single reform or another is the panacea. Private school vouchers were supposed to have turned Milwaukee’s underperforming students into mini-Einsteins by now (a

conservative idea) and smaller class sizes in Wisconsin’s SAGE program were touted as a salvation for at-risk primary students (a liberal idea). So forgive business leaders if they don’t rush immediately to the altar of early childhood education, even if the economic case for investing a few bucks in Head Start, 4-year-old kindergarten, and improved child care programs is appealing. At the same time, a number of business leaders are standing at the church door, listening intently, and trying to make up their minds about whether to sit in the pews. An economic case for investing in early childhood education was presented at a May conference on “Building Early Childhood Public-Private Partnerships” in Wisconsin. Participants heard from the president of the Committee for Economic Development, a national business group, as well as the founders of successful early childhood programs in North Carolina and Virginia. They also heard from three people who may be able to influence Gov. Scott Walker’s thinking on the topic – including two of his Cabinet secretaries. Eloise Anderson, secretary of the state Department of Children and Families, and Paul Jadin, secretary of the state Department of Commerce, both talked about the value of partnerships that can better prepare children in their most formative years. Anderson talked about specific attributes of highquality early childhood programs, and Jadin spoke of successful examples in Wisconsin. “Healthy, prepared children equals a prosperous economy,” said Jadin, a former Green Bay mayor and chamber of commerce president. “I’m certainly prepared to argue for a better investment in that regard.” The business case for societal investments in early childhood education is strong and getting stronger. Evidence that includes neuroscience research demonstrates it’s the least expensive way to create the largest number of productive citizens. And with demographic trends pointing to huge worker shortages, it may be to our advantage in Wisconsin to see that all kids get a smarter start now. Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. He is the former associate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison. www.newnorthb2b.com

FIREFIGHTERS PROGRESS REPORT

Firefighters of northeast Wisconsin Less stress and better sleep at night After working with Guident Business Solutions for roughly three months now, Action Painting & Carpet Care owners Ruben and June Contreras said they’re enjoying a decreased level of stress in their lives. Many of the operations and finanContreras cial management issues they’ve been facing are being worked upon, and June said she can see a tangible difference in the daily operations of the business. June, who does the bookkeeping for the Appleton-based business, said she’s found a great source of relief in spending time once a week with Schelly Somenske, an accounting consultant with Guident. “Schelly has gotten control of our cash flow to enable us to make better financial decisions and to frankly sleep better,” June Contreras said. “There have been numerous procedures put in place designed to help me to separate our business lives from our personal lives, which is no easy task for a stay-athome mother of three active kids and a small business to run out of the house.” Another daunting task for the Contreras couple was to set up an operating budget, a task they took on early in their work with Gary Vaughan, owner and president of Guident Business Solutions. June said this particular exercise was the most eye opening for both her husband and herself, because they never before saw the

Guident Business Solutions LLC www.guidentbusinesssolutions.com

financial picture of their business in such a black & white manner. “It made things become more realistic, and helps with every decision we will make going forward,” June said. As for Ruben on the operations side of Action Painting, he and Vaughan have been working to implement various tools to “corporatize” the company, which has included a cash flow budget, a job costing sheet, and an employee scheduling form. In the coming months, Ruben and Vaughan will be working to establish job descriptions and an employee manual. Along with these operating improvements, June said she and her husband, Ruben, have discovered that just simply having two experienced professionals Vaughan available to bounce ideas off has already proven to be a huge advantage for their business. “We know that both Gary and Schelly are invested in our business and are helping to take us to the next level,” June said. “We are able to access Gary directly and know that he is in our shoes as a fellow entrepreneur. He understands every struggle that we are presented with both from the business and personal standpoint.” In the August 2011 issue of New North B2B magazine, we’ll update the work Green Bay-based IT Connexx owners Brian O’Shaughnessy and Kevin Scholz are conducting with Steve Van Remortel and SM Advisors.

On the Web

SM Advisors www.smadvisors.com

Methodology New North B2B kicked off its inaugural Firefighters of Northeast Wisconsin initiative in April 2011, aimed at assisting those northeast Wisconsin small business owners who feel as if they’re constantly burning the candle at both ends, putting out fires, spinning their wheels, but intent on finding a way to improve. We put out a call for nominations back in January. In the end, our staff selected two businesses: IT Connexx of Green Bay, an IT contractor for small to mid-sized companies throughout the region, and Action Painting & Carpet Care of Appleton. Through the generous help of Steve Van Remortel of SM Advisors in Green Bay and Gary Vaughan of Guident Business Solutions in Appleton, the two dedicated-to-improve businesses are receiving four to five month’s worth of consulting at no cost to help their owners work on the strategy of growing their business rather than regularly attending to problems. B2B is providing a monthly update on the progress of their efforts in each issue of B2B leading up to September 2011. In between issues, additional updates will be provided online at our blog newnorthb2b.wordpress.com.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 31

P R O F Living the Green I L E SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE

Small Business

PROFILE

Northeast Wisconsin’s first totally “green” store sustaining itself in downtown Appleton Story by Cheryl Hentz

The number of people trying to live a greener, more sustainable life is growing each day. As a result, the first totally green retail store in the New North has managed to sustain itself and recently began its third year of operation in downtown Appleton. A passion many years in the making for owners J.C. and Dianne Paustian, Just Act Natural opened to a stream of delighted shoppers on Earth Day – April 22, 2009 – and the couple have kept the momentum going ever since. The idea for the store started as a seedling back in 1996 when J.C. worked as a buyer for a small gift shop operated by the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys. It was there that he was surrounded by true environmentalists and began seeing the cause and effect of how humans live and how everything is connected. It didn’t take long before he, too, became an advocate for the environment and our ecosystem. J.C. moved back to his native Wisconsin a couple years later and worked

32 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

various jobs, but he was never completely satisfied and always maintained his passion for the outdoors. When J.C. and Dianne married in 2003, they began looking at ways to convert their conventional products into green products, but had trouble finding all things green in one place. Their frustration grew over time, and in 2006 they decided since they couldn’t find what they were looking for all under one roof, other like-minded folks must have the same issue. So why not create such a place?

Turning idea into reality

The Paustians continued working fulltime during the day and growing their family while writing a business plan and laying other groundwork for the retail store at night and on weekends. By early 2009, the dream finally came to fruition. “I kept hearing from people that you need to find www.newnorthb2b.com

SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE something you’re passionate about in order to be satisfied in life,” J.C. said, adding that he’d always loved the downtown Appleton area, plus he had a desire to have a retail store, so the two dreams somewhat meshed together. “The idea of opening a green shop in downtown Appleton blended nicely and from concept to opening the doors it was almost three years. So it’s not like it was my idea of the month where it faded. It sunk in and settled. It was something I lost sleep over and we went through a lot of obstacles to get to this point.” One of the first obstacles was getting financing. Paustian said he and his wife were turned down by about 15 different banks, but finally secured a loan necessary to open the doors. The premise behind the store is to offer all green, eco-friendly products under one roof. They don’t sell food or vitamins or supplements, etc., but they do carry some organic clothing, kitchenware, natural bath and body products and make-up, natural sunscreen and bug repellants made from essential oils, eco-friendly cleaners and laundry soaps, recycled cards and stationery, reusable bags and reusable, stainless steel water bottles, and baby items – including apparel and toys – just to pro-

vide a list of examples. Their retail inventory includes much more, and many of their products are made in the U.S.A. “While some of our baby products are made in China, most of our toys are made from either recycled plastic or sustainably harvested woods in Vermont,” Paustian said. “So the vast majority of our toys are American-made, which is very, very important to a lot of people, especially when it comes to their kids and babies.” The Paustians spend a lot of time researching products before stocking them, making sure they are genuinely natural rather than “greenwashed” as many companies do. “Greenwashing,” Paustian explained, is the act of companies disingenuously labeling their products as being environmentally friendly or promoting themselves and their practices as environmentally friendly, even though they’re not, just to jump on the “green” bandwagon and gain market share. He proudly noted they only support manufacturers who create their goods in a sustainable and socially responsible manner, using natural, organic, non-toxic or recycled materials. They’re confident the products they sell benefit the well being of their customers’ bodies, homes, community and planet.

A sampling of personal care products on display at Just Act Natural.

PROFILE Business: Just Act Natural Location: 129 E. College Ave. in Appleton Year started: 2009 Web site: www.justactnatural.com Owners: J.C. and Dianne Paustian, both 43 years old Families: Kendra, 5 ½ years, and J.J., 2 ½ years What they do for fun: Being outdoors and camping. Both are runners. How they met: While attending UW-Oshkosh How they divide the business responsibilities: J.C. handles most of the day-to-day business operations and marketing. Dianne handles graphic and art design for business cards, Web site, letterhead, etc. Greatest honor so far: In March 2010, Appleton Downtown, Inc. awarded them its New Business of the Year. “Most of that voting was done by our peers in the downtown, so it was a real nice tip of the hat that our peers thought enough of us to honor us that way,” J.C. said. What about the business makes him happiest: Besides helping people better their lives and the planet, he is happiest engaging customers and giving them a pleasurable shopping experience. “It sounds cliché and cheesy, but it is what people want and it is so rare to find. But you’ll find it here, and in most of the downtown Appleton area.” His advice for other businesses looking to go green: “Make sure you’re true to yourself and not just greenwashing. Make sure if you’re saying you’re a green company, you’re actually walking the walk and living the lifestyle you’re trying to sell to other people.”

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 33

SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE Beyond start up

Live at Lunch 2011

Through August 10 · Noon to 1 p.m.

presented by

Enjoy food and music every week in downtown’s Opera House Square July 6 Patchouli Food by Lara’s Tortilla Flats

Thank you to our major sponsors

July 13 Erin Krebs Food by New Moon July 20 Donna Ruzicka Trio Food by The Roxy July 27 Joe Slyzelia Food by Caramel Crisp For a complete Live at Lunch schedule, log on to www.oshkoshchamber.com/live_at_lunch or call the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce at (920)303-2266.

D E S I G N . P R I N T. M A I L .

510 N. Oneida Street Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 734-9997

www.bouwerprinting.com

Kathy Peotter Vice President

Lisa Bouwer Hansen President

34 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

The Earth Day Grand Opening exceeded their expectations, but J.C. said with only two years into the store so far, they have a long way to go yet and his “grand expectations” haven’t yet been met. “It’s much tougher than we thought it was going to be. Granted, we know the Appleton/Fox Valley area does lean on the conservative side. But at the time I wasn’t too worried about it because the trend was, and continues, to go that way. But, coupled with the bad economy and green products being more expensive – just like organic food is – (this might have been expected.),” he said. “So it’s been very challenging and a tough sell in this particular market.” The first six months were actually a little easier, J.C. admitted. The store was fresh, new and operating practically on autopilot. But activity tapered off some since then. Still, they’re doing enough business right now to get by and the store is catching on in recognition and popularity. Besides traditional advertising, Paustian heavily uses Facebook and Twitter, which he said have been successful to a point. They have over 1,000 friends on Facebook so “there’s some degree of success there,” and those Sustainable stuffed animals are free services that cost the store nothing. Being a member of the downtown business association, Appleton Downtown, Inc., has helped, he said. “Because they promote the downtown very heavily in a lot of different avenues, I think we’ve been able to latch onto their promotions of downtown,” he said. “It’s still up to us to get people in the store, but at least they’re bringing people downtown, which I think is a huge plus rather than if we were a stand-alone store somewhere else and we had nothing but us.” From June through October, the farmer’s market in downtown Appleton provides a built-in clientele of some 5,000 people to potentially draw from. Since College Avenue is closed off right in front of their store, they have a captive audience. “This has been a boon for us each year. The clientele for the farmer’s market is our clientele, as well. So we have very good Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market, but the challenge is keeping them coming back when that’s done in the fall,” he said. Paustian acknowledges the economy has taken a bit of a toll on the spending habits of his regular customers. “We have people coming in but the ‘per transaction’ amount just isn’t up there where it needs to be for us to be sustainable. So we haven’t really grown in the traditional sense. That’s another part of the challenge.” Even though they’re still a new business, the Paustians have the same concerns any business has, no matter their size or length of time in business: How do they best invest their adwww.newnorthb2b.com

SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE vertising dollars? How do they increase foot traffic? How do they engage existing customers to come back more frequently? How do they get those customers to spend more once they’re in the store? “I also wonder about what that one item is when people come in off the street, that we have to sell that they cannot leave the store without,” J.C. said, adding that they found such an item once already – a T-shirt called “Hope for Japan.” “It depicted a distressed Japanese flag with the word ‘hope’ in the middle. My wife, who’s a graphic designer, designed them and a friend printed them. All the proceeds went to the Salvation Army. But people stopped dead in their tracks on the street and they’d come in and buy one or two. That was a huge success for us but we didn’t make any money because it was all donated to charity.”

Still maturing market The Paustians are proud to be one of the few retail establishments in the area totally focused on helping people be healthy and do things good for themselves and the environment, with all the necessities under one roof. “I don’t know of anyone else in this area doing this. There’s some places in Madison similar to ours and there’s a couple in Milwaukee that are kind of close to what we do, but they’re more fair trade,” Paustian said, adding that he also has no idea how many stores nationally or globally there might be like this. But he said there are many such online stores, mainly because they’re relatively easy and inexpensive to set up since

they don’t have the overhead of a physical store. “The market is still relatively new – like in the last 10 years – for selling this type of goods. The big boon happened in the last five years, probably, with retailers setting up online, but there’s still not a lot of physical storefronts within the country,” he said. As for the future of Just Act Natural, Paustian said evolution is the key to staying alive. “We have to continue to evolve – we have no choice, because the big boxes are already creeping in. They’re bringing in some bedding, but the things that are the most evident are the cleaning products and the body care products. If we don’t evolve, we’re not going to last,” he said. “But we have to be careful. We have to find items that no other store, including the big box stores, carries. And that’s the challenge.” It might be a case where they need to stay away from those types of commodity items, he said, because they’re often cheaper at the other stores. “I can’t compete with a lot of their products, so I have to continually look to bring in items that people cannot find at places like Shopko or Wal-Mart. That’s the evolution we have to continually move towards,” he said. Cheryl Hentz is a freelance writer from Oshkosh with more than 25 years experience. Her articles have appeared in several newspapers and magazines and cover topics including business and economic development, minority issues, family pets and animal rights, finance, politics and women’s issues. She can be reached at 920.426.4123 or via email at cheryl.hentz@gmail.com.

FACE of Keller

I am your next door neighbor. I may belong to your church or coach

your child’s baseball team. I’m a Board Member for the Fox Cities Chamber, Appleton Baseball Club, Haven of Hope, and PULSE. As a commercial Project Manager, I may have built your dentist’s office, your manufacturing/ warehouse facility or your office building.

I am a face of Keller and I live and work in your community. I am an Employee Owner, Project Manager, and Design/Build Expert. But don’t just take me at face value, call today and experience for yourself the difference that is Keller, Inc.

Keller

Planners l Architects l Builders Construction Excellence Since 1960 See Kip’s work at the following local businesses: Baye Dentistry, Van Zeeland Manufacturing, Veronica Tovar D.D.S., Apple Creek Orthodontics, The StoneYard, Players Choice, Innovative Machining & CountrySide Vet Services to name a few.

Kip Project Manager Co-Owner

1.800.236.2534 l www.kellerbuilds.com Offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee & Wausau NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 35

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING

Style Matters: Would You Follow Yourself? by Organization Development Consultants 888.827.1901

Leadership is, of course, of the most fertile areas in the business and management literature. There are literally thousands of books out there on this topic. Is there one “best way” to lead? Just what does it mean to lead, anyway? This is where the concept of leadership style comes in. Just as we all have differently shaped feet and toes, we also have different ways of leading and influencing. Leadership “style” represents one’s characteristic approach to leading others. A person’s leadership style is a derivative of personality, values, personal and professional experiences, mentors, role models, and education/training (or lack thereof). No style is perfect. No style fits all occasions. While we each have a primary approach to leading, it’s also likely that we can flex into other modes as events and situations demand. While we might have a particular vision of our leadership

Dr. Daniel Schroeder one

style, remember that our direct reports might see things differently. It takes courage, but we might want to gather a few staff members together and solicit their feedback. This can be an important step in clarifying whether our perception of our leadership style is aligned with that of those who follow us. Based on the feedback we receive, we have the capacity to adapt or alter your style to become a more effective leader. We can identify some steps we can take immediately. We can identify some changes that might require a longterm approach. We can identify resources upon which we can draw and people inside (and outside) of our organization we can enlist for support. Ultimately, we need to remember that strong leaders have more than professional knowledge. They also have personal knowledge. They know themselves. On an ongoing basis, they look inward to examine their strengths and

weaknesses and they solicit input on how they can grow and develop. For, as John Wooden, the legendary UCLA men’s basketball noted, “It’s what you learn after you ‘know it all’ that matters the most.” Dr. Daniel Schroeder is President of ODC. Additionally, he coordinates the Organizational Behavior and Leadership program at Edgewood College in Madison, serves as a judge for the Better Business Bureau’s International Torch Award for Business Ethics and Integrity, and is a featured columnist for Biz Times Milwaukee. For a free initial consultation, contact him at 888.827.1901 or at Dan.Schroeder@OD-Consultants.com. “Professionally Speaking” is a promotional spot for business professionals to share their expertise with New North B2B readers.

Financial Strength.

JULY CONCERTS www.waterfest.org

Bob Schiender with Lukas Nelson and Promise of The Real Andy’s Automatics Community Night – 2 for 1 admission before 6 p.m.

American English: The Complete Beatles Experience Three Beers till Debuque/ORPHEUS Community Night – 2 for 1 admission before 6 p.m.

Little River Band Paul Sanchez and The Rolling Road Show Tin Men

Rusted Root Sly Joe and The Smooth Operators with The Jumbo Horns! Green Tea

info@waterfest.org ❘ 920.303.2265 ext. 22 36 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

Client Interests First. Stocks • Bonds • Mutual Funds • IRAs • Money Market Funds Annuities • UITs • Managed Money • CDs • Retirement Plans Cash Management • Financial Planning

(920) 437-2555 (888) 798-2555

River Walk Plaza 200 South Washington Street Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301 Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC and NYSE

www.newnorthb2b.com

Preventing Cancer

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING

by Aurora Health Care Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in both men and women in the United States, with this silent killer claiming approximately 50,000 lives each year. Most cancers of the bowel develop over many years, but when the disease can be detected and treated early, it has a five-year survival rate of about 90 percent. Research shows that a high percentage of colorectal cancers could be avoided if people over 50 had regular screening tests. Yet despite the benefits, only about half of Americans 50 or older have been screened for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy is still considered to be the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer screening. This procedure allows a physician to view the entire large intestine and see any inflamed tissue, growths, ulcers or bleeding. If anything abnormal is spotted (polyps or inflamed tissue)

Jeffrey Goldman, MD third

the physician can remove it during the screening procedure. The colon must be completely empty for the colonoscopy procedure to be thorough and safe. A clear liquid diet is followed the day before. Patients are given a laxative to take the day before and on the morning of the exam. Medications are given through an IV to make the patient relaxed and sleepy. The exam itself takes an hour or less and shouldn’t be an uncomfortable experience. Many patients “go to sleep” and have no recollection of the exam afterward. Patients remain in recovery until the sedative wears off and someone else must drive them home. Many insurance companies cover a screening colonoscopy for those over 50. It’s also a covered Medicare benefit, subject to usual deductibles and co-payments. There can be lots of reasons not to be screened for colorectal cancer — such

920.303.8700 as the time involved, the possible costs, and the advance preparation needed. There is, however, one excellent reason to do it — it can actually save your life. So, even if your family has no history of this disease, please talk to your health care provider if you are 50 or older to make arrangements for a colonoscopy at your earliest convenience. Jeffrey Goldman, MD, is a gastroenterologist at the Aurora Health Center in Oshkosh. Dr. Goldman is a board certified, fellowship trained specialist who specializes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastroesophageal Reflux and colorectal cancer screening. “Professionally Speaking” is a promotional spot for business professionals to share their expertise with New North B2B readers.

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 37

WHO’S NEWS Incorporations New North B2B includes a monthly list of new business incorporations filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

Brown County NPS Insurance & Retirement Solutions LLC, Carrie Nohr, 355 Main Ave., De Pere 54115. Voiceondemand LLC, Gary E. Gabryel, 839 Ash St., De Pere 54115. Salon 416 LLC, David James Van Gheem, 2353 Shirley Road, De Pere 54115. Steve’s Signature Sauces LLC, Steven F. Padley, 2087 River Point Court, De Pere 54115. North Country Financial LLC, David J. Norwood, CFP, 2043 River Point Court, De Pere 54115. New Fresh Distributing LLC, William F. Schmidt, 980 Wrightstown Road, De Pere 54115. Molly Johnson Studio LLC, Molly Johnson, 217 Broadway, Denmark 54208. Castlerock Restoration LLC and Castlerock Construction LLC, Mitchell R. Koenig, 3069 Greenview Dr., Green Bay 54311. Keebler Software Development Inc., Matthew C. Zuengler, 200 S. Washington St., Suite 401, Green Bay 54301. The Diamond Factory Wisconsin LLC, Lawrence G. Vesely, 416 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay 54301. Goldeneye Construction LLC, Randall Scott Belter, 1170 Cottage Grove Ave., Green Bay 54313. Sylvan Demolition LLC, John M. Meyer, Jr., 143 N. Broadway. Suite C Upper, Green Bay 54303. Professional Sales and Marketing Inc., David John Linz, 2203 Allouez Ave., Green Bay 54311. Onwardpath Technology Solutions LLC, Sunderapandyan Ramar, 1374 Lindale Lane, Green Bay 54313. Precision Plumbing LLC, John Martin Hensley, 111 E. Mission Road, Green Bay 54301. Smarts Transport LLC, Adam Dennis Smart, 1751 Lost Lane, Green Bay 54302. Passport Recordings LLC, Heath Lee Karau, 1495 Maple Hills Court, Green Bay 54313. Hmong National Sports Inc., 38 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

Staryoung Thao, 1750 Debra Lane, Green Bay 54305. It’s All About You Massage Therapy LLC, Teresa L. Shaft, 2868 Saint Anthony Dr., Green Bay 54311. R-Tek Coatings LLC, Frederick L. Schmidt, Esq., 231 S. Adams St., Green Bay 54301. Jenstar Yoga and Dance LLC, Jennifer K. Berres, 1339 11th Ave., Green Bay 54304. Infinity & Beyond Cleaning Services LLC, Tatyana Falovska, 287 Laverne Dr., Apt. 8, Green Bay 54313. Smart Media LLC, Robert Atwood, 831 Green Valley Ave., Green Bay 54301. JD Entertainment LLC, Joshua Cooper, 602 15th Ave., Green Bay 54303. Meinhardt Archival Photography LLC, Daniel Joseph Meinhardt, Ph.D., 1295 Ken Dr., Green Bay 54313. Welsing Auto & Truck LLC, Nathan Welsing, 2142 Garden Grove Lane, Green Bay 54311. Carter Painting & Finishing LLC, Troy Carter, 3740 Wayside Road, Greenleaf 54126. Gilson Farms LLC, Todd W. Gilson, 7346 St. Pat’s Church Road, Greenleaf 54126. Teiam Transport LLC, Kim Ngoc Vo Thi Bauer, 4370 Windemer Lane, Oneida 54155. Sawmill Pellets LLC, Kim M. Nohr, 13427 Velp, Suamico 54173. Accu-Trench LLC, Pete Meulemans, 4463 County Road DDD, Wrightstown 54180.

Fond

Lac County

Steel Wheels Express LLC, Michael S. Faas, W2808 Maple Road, Eden 53019. Wrightway Home Improvements LLC, Joseph R. Mand, 487 Garfield St., Suite 200, Fond du Lac 54935. AJ’s Custom Welding LLC, Adam J. Belling, 485 Western Ave., Fond du Lac 54935. Epic Motorsports Inc., Amanda E. Pryz, 25 Mulberry Court, Fond du Lac 54935. Balken’s Auto Body LLC, Byron Balken, W7640 U.S. Highway 151, Fond du Lac 54937. New Beginnings Children’s Boutique LLC, Beate G. Atkins, 160 University Dr., Fond du Lac 54935.

Impact Your World Ministry Inc., Francesco Platania, N5808 Nelson Dr., Fond du Lac 54937. Mt. Calvary Ambulance Service Auxiliary Inc., Michale J. Wirtz, N8299 Tower Road, Malone 53049. Calvary Wood Products LLC, Dennis Norman Stenz, W2217 County Road WH, Mt. Calvary 53057. Jason Guelig Excavating LLC, Jason John Guelig, W2961 Cody Road, Mt. Calvary 53057. Mark Klapperich Floor Covering LLC, Mark Joseph Klapperich, 201 Fond du Lac St., Mt. Calvary 53057. Blue Thunder Ice Cream LLC, Michael Bowe, N6333 Pit Road, Mt. Calvary 53057. Voodela Entertainment LLC, Eric Royce, 602 Harvey St., Apt. B, Ripon 54971. Hunt-Technology LLC, Chad S. Hunt, 303 Watson St., Suite D, Ripon 54971. Flyway Motorsports Inc., Eric M. Wegner, 290 Gateway Dr., Waupun 53963.

Oconto County Packerland Websites LLC, William Joseph Koehne, Jr., 5406 Mary Court, Abrams 54101. Soquet Delivery Inc., Mark J. Soquet, 1917 Sandalwood Road, Abrams 54101. Divorce Mediation of Green Bay LLC, Heidi Ann Harris, 5969 Valley Haven Court, Little Suamico 54141.

Outagamie County Artisan Studio LLC, Steven Gernetzky, N9174 Cherry Meadow Dr., Appleton 54915. Kalumet Pantry Inc., Deapak Dogra, 319 E. Calumet St., Appleton 54915. B2 Computing LLC, Brett J. Belau, 103 W. College Ave., Suite 1210, Appleton 54911. Save One More Ministries LLC, Lynn Klemp, W5511 Quarry Road, Appleton 54913. Abbott Family Chiropractic S.C., Gregory B. Abbott, 2867 W. Brookhaven Dr., Appleton 54915. Interact Marketing LLC, Brenda Leopold, 536 N. Richmond St., Suite 1, Appleton 54911. Appleton Deck Renewal LLC, Mark Busnelli, 2700 W. College Ave. Appleton 54914.

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WHO’S NEWS Northeast Wisconsin RV Dealers Association Inc., Maury Wiese, 2100 N. McCarthy Road, Appleton 54913. Wisconsin Tactical Training LLC, George Emerson Butz, Jr., 1311 Colony Court, Appleton 54915. Conceptual Financial Advisors LLC, Charles R. Kranzusch, 3962 N. Richmond St., Appleton 54913. Casablanca Appleton Inc., Juan Alejandro Lopez, 531 W. College Ave., Appleton 54911. Dream Lawn Care and More LLC, Mayra A. Pasayes, 1627 W. Weiland Lane, Appleton 54914. Market For Profits LLC, Alfred John Lautenslager, W6065 Nolan Dr., Appleton 54915. Rebman Plumbing LLC, Brian Allen Rebman, W2559 Ridgefield Court, Appleton 54915. Talk About Me Entertainment Inc., Damien Doran, 103 W. College Ave. Suite 1108, Appleton 54911. All Things Jerky Distributing LLC, Jessica Ellenbecker, 1518 W. Spencer St., Appleton 54914. AJ’s Convenience LLC, Alan J. Goetsch, W2434 Snowberry Dr.,

Appleton 54915. Inkwell Accounting LLC, Patricia E. Tracy, 1407 N. Linwood Ave., Appleton 54914. D Green Earth Landscaping Inc., David Neitzer, W6376 Manitowoc Road, Appleton 54915. High Line Business Park Development Inc., Melvin N. Baeten, 101 Parkway Dr., Combined Locks 54113. Schroeder’s Beef & Dairy LLC, Chad Schroeder, W6684 County Road JJ, Greenville 54944. Kaczmarzyk Farm LLC, Leonard Kaczmarzyk, W9057 School Road, Hortonville 54944. Permanent Cosmetics by Samantha LLC, Samantha Moeller, 229 N. Mill St., Hortonville 54944. Fox Valley Power Wash LLC, Tammi A. Stemick, 1613 Crooks Ave, Kaukauna 54130 Fox Valley Striping LLC, Michael Kavajecz, N2160 Sleepy Hollow Dr., Kaukauna 54130. Elite Appraisal Services LLC, Kimberly Migas, 521 Lemongrass Way, Kaukauna 54130. Custom Machine LLC, Jason J.

Multiple locations. Including your pocket.

Vandenberg, 144 Jefferson Place, Kimberly 54136. AFV Salon LLC, Amy F. Van Grinsven, 417 W. Third St., Kimberly 54136. Seth’s Coffee LLC, Seth William Lenz, 106 E. Main St., Little Chute 54140. Green Acres Dairy LLC, Daniel G. Green, N9116 State Road 55, Seymour 54165.

Winnebago County Decorating For The Rest Of Us! LLC, Jami Lynn Vanderzanden, 9410 Dale Road, Larsen 54947. Valley Eye North LLC, Michael Vrabec, M.D., 255 Lake Road, Menasha 54952. Center Line Transport LLC, James Marlowe, 321 Grandview Ave., Menasha 54952. Creative Edge Media LLC, James Gerard Degroot, 2301 Smoke Tree Road, Neenah 54956. Northwest Storage LLP, Eric J. Grundman, 7326 Sunburst Lane, Neenah 54956. Kroll Vending LLC, Robert Allen Kroll, 133 Meadowview St., Neenah 54956. Elite Drum Rentals LLC, Karl Steven Mueller, 907 Irish Road, #4, Neenah

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NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 39

WHO’S NEWS

MAKE YOUR DREAM REALITY

Moraine Park Technical College is offering opportunities for business entrepreneurs looking for new and innovative ideas or interested in starting their own business. Our free entrepreneurial workshop focuses on: • State of entrepreneurship • Achieving success • Generating ideas • Business plan timelines • Available resources

Workshop Dates and Locations:

August 18 or October 13 — Fond du Lac Campus August 25 or November 10 — West Bend Campus September 8 or December 1 — Beaver Dam Campus

Moraine Park is also offering a six-week Jumpstart Your Business Plan course Thursdays, September 15 — October 20 West Bend Campus 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cost of the course is $500.

To register or for details, contact Jill at jhuizenga@morainepark.edu or 920-924-6537. For more training opportunities, visit morainepark.edu/training.

Fond du Lac • Beaver Dam • West Bend Moraine Park Technical College Is an Equal Opportunity/Access Employer and Educator.

40 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

54956. Old Glory Cafe LLC, Matthew Coenen, 2030C American Dr., Neenah 54956. Hesson Business & Legal Services LLC, Lynn Anthony Hesson, 1197 Skyview Dr., Neenah 54956. S&S Automotive Express LLC, Brent Schmeichel, 631 Roosevelt St., Neenah 54956. Family Fences and More LLC, Michael Brian Wheeler, 320 Abbey Ave., Neenah 54956. Springbrook Tavern LLC, Corey J. Gay, 5521 Springbrook Road, Omro 54963. Crisis Consultants LLC, Larry David Kamholz, 331 Mason St., Oshkosh 54902. Zeus Trucking LLC, Richard W. Fraley, Sr., 347 W. 10th Ave., Oshkosh 54902. Red Rock Kennels LLC, Jake Smazinski, 2946 Shadow Lane, Oshkosh 54901. Milestone Aviation LLC, Tim Lemke, 7325 Jensen Road, Oshkosh 54904. JML Contracting and Maintenance LLC, James M. Lefeber, 7099 Country Club Road, Oshkosh 54902. Angels On The Water, LLC, Elizabeth A. Hartman, 120 Jackson St., Oshkosh 54901. Soy Crazy Candles LLC, Tina Marie Fuhrman, 224 N. Main St., Oshkosh 54901. Foust Farms LLC, Steven Lee Foust, 2888 Clairville Road, Oshkosh 54904. Razor Sharp Improvements LLC, Zachary James Stromske, 6611 State Road 44, Pickett 54964.

Building Permits B2B includes a monthly list of building permits (not to include residential projects) in excess of $400,000. Rolling Meadows Hotel Conference Center, 1155 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac. $1,200,000 for interior alterations to the former nursing home to convert the building into a hotel and conference center. Contractor is Vanguard Contracting. May 4. Community First Credit Union, 2949 Riverview Dr., Howard. $1,483,820 for a 6,705-sq. ft. credit union office. General contractor is Miron Construction Co. of Neenah. May 10. St. Agnes Congregation, 1484 9th St., Green Bay. $1,500,000 for interior alterations to the existing church building. General contractor is Zeise Construction Co. of Green Make12. Your Dream Reality 7471 Bay. May

3.5 x 9.875 Packerland Packing Company, 1330 Lime Kiln Road, Green Bay. $2,319,900 to remodel nearly 18,000-sq. ft. of existing industrial space for a lunch room, locker rooms and restrooms. General contractor is Immel Construction of Green Bay. May 17. Wal-Mart, 1155 W. Winneconne Ave., Neenah. $1,084,019 to remodel the restrooms, grocery department and add a photo lab in the existing store. Contractor is Newco Construction of America. May 18.

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WHO’S NEWS Associated Bank – Neenah, 100 W. Wisconsin Ave., Neenah. $456,202 to renovate the interior of the first floor and the lower level offices. General contractor is J.H. Findorff & Sons Inc. of Madison. May 19. Martin Elementary School, 626 Pinehurst Ave., Green Bay. $884,175 for a 2,050-sq. ft. addition to the existing elementary school building. General contractor is DeLeers Construction of Green Bay. May 20. Bay Square Mall, 2405 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon. $465,300 for a roofing repair project. Contractor is Walsdorf Roofing Co., Inc. of Kiel. Lawrence University, 600 E. College Ave., Appleton. $1,203,717 to remodel the shower rooms in both the Plantz Hall and Trevor Hall dormitories. June 2.

New locations Community Benefit Tree, Inc. moved into an office at 2204 Crooks Ave. in Kaukauna. The charitable organization previously operated from a single desk at Wolfinger Water & Backhoe Service. The organization maintained its phone number of 920.422.1919 and its Web site at www.communitybenefittree.org. Stroke Seat and Dirden Law Office both moved into the Advance Business Center at 2701 Larsen Road in Green Bay.

Stroke Seat moved into one of the manufacturing bays at the business incubator center. It sells unique products to the performance rowing market including customized rowing shells, training aids, team lineup cards and other rowing items. More information is available online at www.strokeseat.com or by calling 920.562.8234. Attorney Angela Dirden opened her practice with a focus on criminal and family law. Her office can be reached by calling 920.412.2655. Hanson Benefits, Inc. moved its offices to 5601 Grande Market Dr., Ste. A in Appleton. The employee benefits brokerage will maintain its existing phone number of 920.955.1040.

Mergers/acquisitions A.R.M.S. (Automated Records Management Systems, Inc.) in De Pere acquired the shredding division of Wausau areabased K-tech Kleening Systems, Inc. With the acquisition, the information management company’s fleet of mobile shredding trucks will service areas of northcentral Wisconsin in addition to its existing service area.

Business honors Awards and honors earned by individuals are listed separately in the Who’s News section of New North B2B. Keller Planners, Architects and Builders of Kaukauna ranked No. 1 in Metal Construction News’ 2011 listing of metal builders for square footage of steel construction in the

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 41

WHO’S NEWS nation. Keller construction projects in 2010 included nearly 1.39 million square feet of steel. Keller also ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in Wisconsin for tons of steel purchased in 2010 with 7,401 tons. The Wisconsin Association of School Councils named the WEA Trust its “Friend of the Year” for 2011. Blue Door Consulting, LLC of Oshkosh was recognized with five gold awards of excellence and one silver award of distinction by the International Academy of the Visual Arts for work it conducted for clients in 2010. The five gold Communicator Awards were presented for work Blue Door conducted for Next Generation Schools, Winnebago County Literacy Council, Oshkosh Downtown Business Improvement District, Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau and for Secura Insurance of Appleton. J. F. Ahern Co. in Fond du Lac was named one of 44 “Healthiest Companies in America” by Interactive Health Solutions. A total of 85 percent of Ahern employees met their health risk assessment goal for 2010, and 77 percent of employee screenings resulted in low risk factor ratings, a 10 percent improvement from 2009 results.

New hires

HiTech Control Systems, Inc. in Green Bay and Neenah hired John Pfeiffer as a project manager. Pfeiffer has a background in engineering, maintenance and construction functions and specializes in business process development, lean practices and process optimization in large scale paper converting industries. Skyline Technologies, Inc. in Appleton hired Jonathon Schultz as a senior portal software engineer. Schultz has 11 years of IT and leadership experience, most recently as lead software programmer focusing on SharePoint architecture and development for West Bend Mutual Insurance. BrightStar of Appleton hired Julie Killeen as its director of business development. In her new role, she is responsible for planning, development and implementation for all home services and staffing. Killeen has held various sales and marketing positions in the health care industry, most recently in skilled nursing facilities. Praxilient, Inc. of Neenah hired Brian Gronski as its business development director. Gronski was previously employed by Wisconsin Public Service Corp. as its regulatory compliance manager.

Teri Ehlinger was hired by Cherney Microbiological Services, Ltd. in Green Bay as its project manager/microbiologist. Ehlinger has 12 years experience focusing on microbiology in fermentation, product development, food safety, quality in food manufacturing and laboratory management.

Miron Construction of Neenah hired Timothy J. Schmidt as a technology support specialist and David Lesandrini as a project manager. Schmidt has 10 years experience in the technology field, most recently as an IT support analyst for a Wisconsin-based insurance company.

RGL Holdings of Green Bay hired Glen Falk as vice president of business development. Falk has 20 years experience in transportation and logistics management, with specific expertise in organizational process redesign, operational execution and product development.

Kimberly-based Capital Credit Union hired Tim Barthel as its vice president of member services. Barthel was previously assistant vice president and branch manager at the Shawano location of CoVantage Credit Union.

Falk

Pfeiffer

Schultz

Killeen

Barthel

Kobishop

Petersen

Tamke

Tennie

Brinkman

Meyer-Koller

Borchard

42 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

www.newnorthb2b.com

WHO’S NEWS Coalesce Marketing & Design, Inc. in Appleton hired Jason Kobishop as a graphic designer. Kobishop previously worked as a web designer for DealerFire in Oshkosh. FulfillNet, Inc. in Green Bay hired Jodi Petersen as its director of IT and Brad Tamke as its senior architect of IT. Petersen has a background in IT, strategic planning, process engineering and project management. Tamke has held a variety of IT roles within fulfillment and customer service. Habitat For Humanity of Fond du Lac County hired Kelly Tennie as its administrative and financial assistant. Tennie is responsible for coordinating volunteers for the agency. Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership hired Buckley Brinkman as its executive director and chief executive officer. Brinkman has more than 25 years of manufacturing leadership, having led companies ranging from $5 million to more than $4 billion in sales. He is credited with reviving the North American operations of the world’s largest playing card company, leading the turnaround of a prominent trade bindery, and catalyzing the profit turnaround of a recycled paperboard mill. He’s a previous recipient of the Turnaround of the Year award for his work as chief operating officer at Minneapolis-based Manchester Companies, a medical device manufacturer. Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin hired Anne Strauch as its program coordinator for Circles of Support, in which she coordinates volunteers in the Appleton, Green Bay, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh areas who provide recently released prisoners with a support network. Strauch previously worked for the Appleton Police Department in community engagement. In 2009, she was named the Wisconsin Professional Volunteer Administrator of the Year. Deb Meyer-Koller was hired by The Karma Group in Howard as a senior account executive. Meyer-Koller has 17 years experience in marketing. Avastone Technologies in Little Chute hired Greg Borchard as its director of business development and Russ Langel as a software solutions architect. Borchard was most recently director of business development with the Revere Group in Chicago and has 20 years experience in the information technology industry. Heartland Business Systems in Little Chute hired Tom Maloney as a senior sales consultant;

Darren Carlson and Richard Ensminger as senior consulting engineers; and Wesley Jordan, David Rosener, Alex Cerier, Kevin Schmidt, Evan Cole and Joseph Gasperich as consulting engineers. Maloney has 32 years of sales experience, most recently with Tushaus Computer Services. Heartland Label Printers in Little Chute hired Chris Armstrong as its safety coordinator and Scott Hamilton as a maintenance technician. Hamilton has more than 30 years of technician experience.

Java

Water-Right, Inc. in Appleton hired Luke Java as its sales manager. Java has more than 30 years experience in the water treatment industry, most recently as regional sales manager for Pentair Residential Filtration. Vogelsang

Promotions Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company in Neenah promoted Carol P. Sanders to senior vice president. Sanders will continue to serve as chief financial officer and corporate treasurer, roles she has held since 2004. She also leads the company’s project management, product management, business planning, business analysis and facilities management functions.

Watzlawick

St. Mary Central High School in Menasha promoted Scott Werfal as its athletics and activities director. He will step down from his assistant coach role with the St. Mary Central High School varsity football team. Werfal has been the physical education and health teacher at St. John’s School in Little Chute. ImproMed, LLC in Oshkosh promoted Jeremy Lancour from director of conversions to director of technical services, Chad Goding to software engineer, and Gwen Grosskopf to technical writer. Lancour is responsible for the technical support department including support technicians and analysts. Goding previously served as a customer support representative and is responsible for developing new software features, maintaining existing software, and constructing code. Grosskopf previously served as a customer support technician is responsible for creating and maintaining technical materials such as configuration guides, help text, training material and other documentation. First National Bank-Fox Valley promoted the following staff members: Timothy Vogelsang, from assistant vice president to vice president of commercial banking; Melissa Watzlawick, from assistant vice president to vice president of retail

Bedor

Kruck

Burgett

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 43

WHO’S NEWS

Candee

VanStraten

Feltz

Zierler

Better Business Bureau New Members

Businesses accredited through the Northeast Wisconsin office during May 2011 Albright Driving School LLC, Marinette Barr Inc., Oshkosh Bastian Concrete Construction LLC, Larsen Black Otter Supper Club, Hortonville Brook’s Services, Sheboygan Cason & Associates LLC, Berlin Concrete Curb Creations LLC, Green Bay Countryside Animal Hospital, Waupaca CR Structures Group Incorporated, Menasha CraftMasters Flooring, Appleton Davis Concrete, Sheboygan Falls Exotic Auto Restylers LLC, Howards Grove Exterior Construction Specialists LLC, Neenah Extreme Exteriors, Gillett Finnel Landscape and Lawn Service LLC, Denmark G.M. Bentley Designs Fine Hand Engraving, Ellison Bay Great Lakes Orthotics, Appleton Infiniti of the Fox Valley, Appleton Jim Heller Construction LLC, Neenah Kane’s Roofing and Construction, Neenah Landscape MDs Inc., Green Bay Martin’s Remodeling LLC, Neenah Metz Contracting, Greenville MINI of the Fox Valley, Appleton Paul M. Feit DDS, S.C., Sturgeon Bay Personnel Connection, Green Bay QuarryStone Solid Surface, Oshkosh Ridge Walkers Roofing & Siding, Neenah Rusk Refrigeration, Kaukauna Schmidt’s American, Hortonville Sunnypoint Landscape LLC, Egg Harbor Top Hat Chimney Sweep, Shawano TVC Electric LLC, Larsen Ultimate Rides Inc., Appleton United Service Agency Inc., Waupaca Zoomalata Magic, Appleton

44 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

banking; Karri Bedor, from assistant vice president to vice president of mortgage banking; David Kruck, from commercial banker to assistant vice president of commercial banking; and JoAnn Burgett to branch manager of the bank’s Oshkosh office. Vogelsang joined the bank in 2008. He will continue to work with business customers, specializing in Small Business Administration lending and treasury management. Watzlawick joined FNB in 2009, and manages the personal bankers at the Neenah, Appleton and Menasha locations. Bedor joined the bank in 2006. She manages loan originators and loan servicing operations. Kruck joined First National Bank in 2006. Burgett has 39 years of banking experience and has previously served as a branch manager at other Fox Cities banks. Marian University in Fond du Lac promoted Kate Candee to vice president for mission and retention. In this position, Candee is the administrative officer who supports the fulfillment of the mission and core values of the university and the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes. She will also work to develop policies, programs and procedures related to student success. Candee has been employed at Marian for 20 years, most recently as the executive director of the Office of Learning, Engagement and Retention. Clifton Gunderson LLP named Jason Feltz as a partner in the firm’s Oshkosh office. Feltz, a certified public accountant, has 13 years of public accounting experience and specializes in tax services for corporations, partnerships and high-wealth individuals with an emphasis in the manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries. Baker Tilly named Chris VanStraten as a partner in the firm’s Appleton office. VanStraten, a certified public accountant, has experience assisting clients in the professional services and retail sectors. He specializes in providing tax, accounting, valuation, compensation consulting, controllership, financial planning, and business advisory services to business executives. VanStraten is also the Wisconsin Firm Leader for Baker Tilly’s health care practice.

Individual awards Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton presented its 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award to Alan Zierler, president and CEO of Capital Credit Union in Kimberly. Zierler graduated from FVTC with an associate degree in accounting and then immediately began his career at Capital as a management trainee. During his professional career, Zierler earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He’s been in the role as president and CEO for 23 years.

Elections/appointments Women in Management Inc. – Oshkosh Chapter elected the following board executives for its 2011-2012 fiscal year: Cathy Huybers, Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, president; Kimberly Iley, of Roberts, Ritschke & Tyczkowski, LTD, president elect; Kathy Hanson, EAA, vice president; Connie Drexler, 44 Degrees North Advertising & Design, secretary; and Barb Schrage, Schrage Financial, treasurer.

www.newnorthb2b.com

BUSINESS CALENDAR Business calendar For more events, log on to www.thenewnorthevents.com. July 14 Personal Brand 2.0, a networking seminar sponsored by Current, Green Bay’s young professionals organization, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Presenter Dana VanDenHeuvel of The MarketingSavant Group will teach participants to use online tools to excel in their current job, break out on their own or find a new job. For more information or to register, contact Brian at 920.593.3408 or bjohnson@titletown.org.

Advertiser’s Index Anthem www.anthem.com............................................................ 23 Aurora Health Care www.aurorahealthcare.org. ................................. 37 Bank First National www.bankfirstnational.com.................................. 39 Bank Mutual www.bankmutual.com................................................ 14 Bella Vita Ristorante www.copperleafhotel.com. ................................ 28 Bouwer Printing and Mailing www.bouwerprintingandmailing.com.......... 34 Bridgewood Resort Hotel www.bridgewoodresorthotel.com. .................. 29 Brooklyn Grill www.brooklyngrill.com............................................... 29 CitizensFirst Credit Union www.citizensfirst.com . .............................. 8

July 14 Women in Management – Oshkosh Chapter monthly meeting, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Sure’s Banquet Hall, 3125 S. Washburn St. in Oshkosh. Program includes the Mentor of the Year Award presentation. For more information or to register, go online to www.wimiwi.org or contact Nicole at braytonbb@ ntd.net or 920.267.0300. September 13-14 21st Annual Worksite Wellness Conference, presented by the Wellness Council of America-Wisconsin, at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay. Pre-Conference Summit on Sept. 13 followed by the conference on Sept. 14. For more information, call 414.291.9355 or go online to www.wellnesscouncilwi.org.

Coming to B2B in August Intergenerational Training A Boomer, an Xer and a Millenial walk into a training room. Tips to help make the best possible punch line for your company’s training efforts.

Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. www.dkattorneys.com..................................... 5 Digiprint www.digiprint.biz............................................................ 41 Epiphany Law www.epiphanylaw.com. ............................................ 48 Fast Signs www.fastsigns.com....................................................... 45 First Business Bank www.firstbusiness.com. .................................... 21 First Weber Group/Schwab Realty www.firstweber.com....................... 9 Guident Business Solutions www.guidentbusinesssolutions.com.............. 7 Heavy Critters www.heavycritters.com............................................. 28 Keller Inc. www.kellerbuilds.com ................................................... 35 Leach Amphitheater www.leachamphitheater.com. ............................. 28 Moraine Park Technical College www.morainepark.edu..................... 40 National Exchange Bank & Trust www.nebwi.com............................. 2 Network Health Plan www.networkhealth.com . ................................ 47 NEW Building & Construction Trades Council www.newbt.org.......... 20 Organization Development Consultants www.OD-consultants.com.............. 36 Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitoshkosh.com. .............. 29 Oshkosh Live at Lunch www.oshkoshchamber.com....................................... 34 Outagamie County Regional Airport www.atwairport.com. .... 11, 13, 15 R. J. Albright Inc. www.rjalbright.com. ........................................... 29 Sadoff & Rudoy Industries www.sadoff.com................................... 10 Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. www.stifel.com . ......................................... 36 Thome Benefit Solutions www.thomebenefitsolutions.com.................... 39 UWO College of Business www.mba.uwosh.edu.............................. 46 Waterfest www.waterfest.org......................................................... 36 WI Dept. of Transportation www.dot.state.wi.us............................... 12 Winnebago County Solid Waste Management www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste/container-rental-program. ..................... 29

NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011 l 45

KEY STATISTICS Per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

$3.62 June 12 $3.73 June 5 $3.83 May 29 $4.04 June 19, 2010 $ 2.65 June 19

May

$387.1 billion

0.2% from April

7.7%

from May 2010

Source: New North B2B observations

May

Appleton Fond du Lac Green Bay Neenah Oshkosh Wisconsin

(2007 = 100)

560,000

May

93.0

3.5%

0.1%

from April

3.4%

from May 2010 May

from May 2010 (Manufacturers and trade)

April

0.2%

$1,498 billion

0.8%

from April

from March

from May 2010

from April 2010

12.5%

10.6%

April Mar. April ‘10

8.7% 9.1% 8.0% 8.8% 10.0% 10.8% 8.8% 9.4% 7.2% 7.8% 7.4% 8.1%

10.6% 10.1% 11.7% 10.5% 8.5% 8.7%

Prices for small businesses using less than 20,000 therms. Listed price is per therm.

$0.773 May $0.746 June 2010 $0.738 June

Source: Integrys Energy (Numbers above 50 mean expansion. Numbers below 50 mean contraction.)

May April

53.5 60.4

If there are indicators you’d like to see in this space, contact our office at 920.237.0254 or email info@newnorthb2b.com.

Are you ready to be a Business Titan? In this economy, good just isn’t good enough. To be a Business Titan, you have to be the best. That’s where an MBA from UW Oshkosh comes in. No matter what your business, an Oshkosh MBA makes you one of the elite members of a 3,400-member alumni network that reads like a who’s who of business in the Fox Valley and the New North. Quality — Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by less than 10 percent of business programs worldwide. Flexibility — All required classes held onsite in Oshkosh and Green Bay and online. You set the pace and the location for your degree. Competition is fierce, and Business Titans are armed for battle.

Find out how to apply today: www.mba.uwosh.edu or call (800) 633-1430. UW Oshkosh 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh 46 l NEW NORTH B2B l JULY 2011

Diana Buechel (MBA ‘06) VP Personal Lines Underwriting SECURA Insurance Companies

MBA Graduate Education Center 333 Main Street, Green Bay www.newnorthb2b.com

Expect More From a Health Plan One of an employer’s greatest assets is its employees, and the health and well-being of those employees is an important priority. Network Health Plan understands. We work with you and your agent to develop the perfect health insurance solutions, tailored for your specific business needs.

Network Health Plan is different. • We’re locally owned and operated and understand the needs of Northeast Wisconsin businesses. • When you or your employees need us, we are responsive, quickly getting the answers you need. • Our members have access to top-rated doctors, clinics and hospitals. • We help our clients build cultures of healthy living by offering health and wellness program options that reward plan participants for their healthy activities and behaviors. To find out more about Network Health Plan’s superior service and custom benefit plans, contact your insurance agent or our sales department at (800) 276-8004.

1570 Midway Place | Menasha, WI

www.NetworkHealth.com

HMO plans underwritten by Network Health Plan. POS plans underwritten by Network Health Insurance Corporation, or underwritten by Network Health Insurance Corporation and Network Health Plan. Self-funded HMO and POS plans administered by Network Health Plan.

Kathryn Blom Attorney at Law

Ryan Plisch Attorney at Law

Melissa DeVantier Attorney at Law

A Boutique Law Firm Business Law | Estate Planning | Litigation

You run your business… we’ll worry about the details. 920-996-0000

www.EpiphanyLaw.com 4211 N. Lightning Drive | Appleton, WI 54913

Kevin Eismann Attorney at Law

Valerie Revnew Attorney at Law

• Employment Law • Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation • Business Acquisitions and Sales • Debt and Equity Financing • Franchising • Asset Protection • Intellectual Property • Contracts • Real Estate • Construction Law • Succession Planning • Business/Entity Formation • Non-Profit Entity Formation • Estate Planning