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FAMILY Owned
& OPERATED
A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
www.flueggeoptical.com • Corner of Hwy. 36 & Main St., Waterford, WI • HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-1 • 534-6090 THE FLUEGGE OPTICAL STORY: We TRULY are a local family owned and operated business conveniently located on the NE corner of Highway 36 and Main Street in Waterford, WI. We have been at this location since 1986. Staffed by the third generation and fourth generation of Fluegge opticians, we are proud to say that we are many things. Such as • The only full service optical store in Racine county • We manufacture all lenses in-house • We are the only optical lab in Wisconsin that manufactures glass lenses • We are the oldest name in the optical lens manufacturing business in Wisconsin and have been making lenses since 1918. We are truly a dedicated eyeglass store. We do not examine eyes or fit contact lenses. We simply make and fit eyewear right and fast. We proudly declare that we are the largest independent eyewear store in Wisconsin with over 5,000 styles of high quality eyewear e.g. Tiffany, Dior, Fendi, Tag Heuer, Polo, Versace, Gucci, Prada, and many more. In addition we have a large and great selection of sunglass brands e.g. Oakley, Maui Jim, Ray Ban, Rudy Project and more. Truly a selection to satisfy the most discriminating taste. If it goes on your face, it should come from our place.
Racine County’s ONLY In-House, Full Service Lab With Glasses Made As Quickly As You Need them
If you are not familiar with us and what we do, simply ask a friend or a neighbor that wears glasses and you’ll find that we have probably done something for them. Or visit us on the web at www.flueggeoptical.com. We have convenient hours; Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have fun music, TVs and jars of our trademark Tootsie Rolls and true desire to take care of you, our customer for your eyeglass needs in a way that others don’t do or forgot how to do. Customer service is not a department here; it’s how we do business. So please, we encourage you to stop by and see for yourself and you will find that in the case with Fluegge Optical, seeing is believing. We look forward to the opportunity! Thank you, The staff at Fluegge’s, AKA “The FLU Crew”
196423
“WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED” Serving the Lakes area for over 20 years. Professional designer on staff. CARPET • VINYL • CERAMIC • NATURAL STONE • HARDWOOD • SANDING & REFINISHING HARDWOOD
VOTED BEST OF WALWORTH COUNTY 2011, 2012 & 2013
438 S. Wright St., | Delavan, WI 53115
262.728.6200 www.fourseasonsflooringinc.com 196114
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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How shopping locally can help you
and your community Today’s consumers have more shopping options at their disposal than they did in years past. Though the Internet may put the world at one’s fingertips, more and more shoppers are discovering that buying locally makes for a superior shopping experience. The benefits associated with shopping locally are many, and the following are just a few reasons why shoppers may want to look no further than their own communities when planning their next shopping excursions. The family owned and operated businesses in this guide are a great place to start when looking for local establishments to frequent. Keeps money in the local economy Locally owned businesses often put a larger share of their revenue back into their communities. Small business owners may be more inclined to employ local residents, giving more people in the community solid employment. Business owners may reach out and support other neighborhood efforts, such as fundraising initiatives for charities and schools. By shopping at local stores, you have a hand in supporting these efforts as well.
Help establish local pride Independent shops contribute to the fabric of a community and what makes it special and unique. Tourists and other visitors will be much more inclined to remember a local shop rather than a big chain in a particular neighborhood. When travelers want to get a feel for a community, they seek out small, local stores that are much more likely to stock a high percentage of locally sourced goods.
a rapport with a local business owner may find that such owners are more inclined to price match or work with loyal customers to find lower prices through suppliers.
Diversify your home and lifestyle Shoppers who prefer more unique styles may find local businesses cater to their needs better than large chain stores. Larger retailers offer the same products to customers regardless of where those customers live, so a person in California may be decorating his or her home with the same furnishings as a person in North Carolina. But local shops tend to produce more unique items that are not available nationwide.
Attract other businesses Private and public sector businesses tend to gravitate around anchor stores. Should a local store be successful, banks, restaurants, salons, and other businesses may move in as well. Shopping locally benefits consumers in various ways, many of which contribute to a healthy local economy.
Promote entrepreneurship Small businesses are an essential element to the country’s economic growth. By shopping locally, consumers are showing their support for this important segment of the national economy.
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Save money When factoring in travel time and the cost of fuel, shopping locally makes more sense than driving to a faraway mall. In addition, repeat customers who establish
FAMILY Owned
& OPERATED
(METRO CREATIVE)
A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC
1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411
Section Editor .......................................................................................Tracy Ouellette Creative/Production Director ...................................................................Sue Z. Lange Advertising Director .........................................................................Vicki Vanderwerff Special Sections advertising .............................................................. Karen Dubinsky For advertising opportunities in our publications, call (262) 725-7701, ext. 134.
Open to the puBlIC no Membership Fee
6515-352nd Ave, new Munster, WI
262-537-4407
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 8-4, Sun 9-4 Visit Our Cash & Carry Outlet Highway 50 & KD, 8 miles east of Lake Geneva
CASH & CArry Office: 262-537-2639 Deli: 262-537-2991 Meat/Butcher: 262-537-2993
Check Our Website For Special Restaurant And Tavern League Member Specials Wholesale Food Service • Bar & Restaurant Distribution • Or Stock You Pantry Cash and Carry • Wholesale Food serviCe Best Bargain speCialties/Meat raFFle headquarters
Best Bargains Inc. Cash and Carry Best Bargains Inc. offers a cash and carry policy for all of our goods. A term coined in World War II, in modern times, this term means you can enjoy lower prices by paying with cash and loading all the goods yourself to take to your home or business. Our policy is simple and straightforward. For large quantity orders for restaurants and other businesses, cash and carry means we do not deliver the goods, but taking them back with you yourself allows you to experience a lower cost. Pick out your cart, shop at your own pace and pay for your purchase as you leave. We do not have a minimum purchase amount for bulk items and do not have to buy a certain amount to receive discounts. All of our products provide you with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Best Bargain Inc. can provide you with wholesale prices rather than retail. While we don’t deliver, our friendly associates can help you locate the best products for your needs and inform you when new items will be shipped to the store. We can also accommodate special orders. 196112
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
The friendly knowledgeable staff at A+ Power Sports includes (front, from left) Kevin Lynn, Kyle Palma, owners Kevin and Barb Nichols, and Nikki Roth; (back row) James Hughes, Brian Church, Julie Peters.
BRUCE HEARD Family Owned & Operated
Family-owned A+ POWER SPORTS
can get you geared up for any season
Many Wisconsin residents consider winter By a bad season. They prefer CORRESPONDENT to avoid the cold, the extra work required by snow and ice, and occasional dangerous conditions on roadways thanks to slush or black ice. For an intrepid faction, however, a winter with snow is exactly what they want. These are the people who dance with joy at the sign of the first flakes drifting in the sky. Their ski wax sits alongside parkas, mittens, gaiters, boots, and snowshoes, gear long in storage. And there are some in this faction who listen avidly to weather reports that promise inches of white stuff, jangling keys in hand, their minds on getting to their favorite trails for a spin in the frosty air. Winter motorsports has steadily increased in popularity since the first patent for a “snow machine” was issued in 1927 to Carl J. Eliason of Sayner. Snowmobiles were greatly improved during the 1950s, and the craze for motorized winter recreation was born. With skis or tracks on the vehicle, however, it became necessary to store it for the majority of the year. Fans looked around for another option. A ride with tires that could carry its passengers across varied terrains in all weather conditions was needed. The first powered roadworthy quadracycle was developed in 1893 by Britain’s Royal Enfield Company as a small road-worthy car. By the 1960s and ’70s, threewheeled all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, were developed for recreational use. Phased out in 1983 because of instability, they were replaced by more stable fourwheelers. These proved excellent little workhorses for farmers and homeowners, and were ideal for recreational use. Hunters favored these ATVs because they could
Janet Deaver- Pack
carry gear to relatively remote locations employing a vehicle having fairly light ecological footprint. The military found many uses for the little devices. Many ice fishermen traded in their snowmobiles for ATVs because of the year-round applications. Studded tires were soon developed, which opened a new venue for four-wheeled ice and snow racing. The ATV became a four-season vehicle with a growing cadre of devotees. According to Dave Newman, president of the Wisconsin Association of Snowmobile Clubs, the snowmobile has not lost that many fans even though ATV ownership has increased. There are many snowmobile and ATV clubs throughout Wisconsin. Some clubs cater to both machines because of shared interests as well as shared trails. “We are maintaining more than 22,000 miles of trails across the state, so it takes a lot of work,” Newman said. A+ Power Sports and Trailer Sales in Elkhorn offers both snowmobiles and ATVs for winter recreational pleasure. The family-owned business services what it sells and offers their customers the best in winter motor vehicles and accessories.
A+ in Elkhorn
A+ Power Sports is located across from the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn. The business was established in 1994. It is owned and run by Kevin and Barb Nichols, who are both passionate fans of all forms of outdoor recreation. By riding ATVs and snowmobiles as a family, Barb continues a tradition begun by her parents. “My mom and dad started a snowmobile club called the Slushmushers in Racine when I was about 2,” she see A+
Power on page 5
BRUCE HEARD Family Owned & Operated
A+ Power Sports has a great selection of accessories for winter motorsports, including excellent helmets that are well padded for both warmth and safety.
How long have you been in business? FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
My family has By owned and operated Reed Furniture since CONTRIBUTOR 1865. Often, while our customers are at the front counter, they notice our display showing the prior owners. It begins with a picture of my father, Steve, which was taken when he still had a full head of black hair, and it continues for four more generations of owners. The final photo of the founder John Reed was taken in 1865. It is black and white and he wears a stern, serious look on a bearded face. It was, after all, taken before people smiled when they had their picture taken. In fact, to put that date in perspective, 1865 was the year the Civil War ended, there was no speed limit and peanut butter had just been invented. It is a date that often elicits a “guffaw” from customers when after seeing the display of the previous owners they inevitably ask, ‘How long have you been in business?’ I usually answer that question with a very brief overview. However, if you care to read it, the following is a somewhat more detailed answer. Our original store was founded in 1865 by John Reed in Palmyra. Not soon after, in 1871, the store was moved to 41 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn, which is the present location of Friends on the Square. As was often the case, stores of the time did more than just a single specialty item such as furniture. Wallpaper, blinds, carpeting, picture framing, baby carriages, bicycles and even go carts were products we offered in addition to furniture. Then, when Albert J. Reed, John’s son, became involved with the store in the 1870s he expanded further by opening the Reed Funeral Home. Although the funeral home and furniture store were never on the same premises, it was common at the time for the two industries to work together and share resources because they both needed a supply of quality lumber and craftsman. Birdell Reed, AJ’s son, took over in the 1920s. He carried on the work of his predecessors and was responsible for building the new furniture store that opened in 1957 at our still current location of 820 N. Wisconsin Street. When he built the new store he also sold the funeral home, and we became a store that specialized in furniture and carpeting. In 1957 Birdell Reed retired and turned the store over to his two sons, Al and Mike Reed. Throughout the 60s and 70s times were tough because of the war, but we survived by selling quality products at
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Joe Reed
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
The Reed family of Al and Mary Reed (front from left); back row: Jim, Kyle, Steve and Joe Reed are waiting to help you with all your furniture needs. Reed Furniture is at 820 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn. Visit shopreed.com for more information.
an honest price. In the 1980s the economy improved considerably and home construction increased. During that period we were able to expand our showroom and warehouse space. Then, in 1990, we left the carpeting business and transitioned to focusing exclusively on furniture. In 1995 Reed Furniture was voted by the Wisconsin Furniture Association as store of the year for single location stores. It was an honor to receive the award, which we believe speaks to the idea of how we do business, which is by treating both our customers and suppliers with respect. Mike Reed retired in 1991 and Al retired in 1997. They are followed by
Al’s son Steve Reed who began working full time in 1973 at the age of seventeen. He took over the principal buying and managing duties in 1986 and maintains the position to this day. In 1998 the store was victim to a wind shear that tore the roof completely off one half of the building. Thankfully, through the support of the Elkhorn community, the damaged areas were rebuilt and Reed Furniture continues to this day to sell quality furniture for every room in your home. That somewhat lengthy answer to the question, ‘How long have you been in business?’ brings us up to the present day. My name is Joe Reed and along with
my brother Jim we look forward to continuing the business for yet another generation. The furniture business is always changing but we still believe that quality furniture that is built-to-last is worth the investment. It lasts longer, looks better, is more comfortable and will cost less in the long run. We invite you to visit and to give us the chance to demonstrate the products, service and commitment to quality responsible for keeping us in business for as long as we have been. Joe Reed and his brother Jim Reed own Reed Furniture in Elkhorn. See the Reed Furniture ad on Page 15 for more information about the company.
The shop has been a full-service Polaris dealership since 2001. “We’re small enough to be personal, but large enough to have an excellent selection of winter rides,” Barb said, gesturing to the showroom where ATVs are parked handlebar to handlebar, and snowmobiles sit runner to runner. “We cater to all ages, for all seasons.” Nikki Roth, Kevin’s oldest daughter, runs the parts and service desk for the business. “She’s also a specialist at accessorizing ATVs or sleds,” Barb said. The shop is a DNR registration station: staff members are well-versed in Wisconsin regulations, and easily guide
customers through the details. Barb and Kevin keep current lists of the 14 active snowmobile/ATV clubs in the area. “The Walworth County Snowmobile Alliance heads the clubs in the county,” Barb said. “We helped start the youth club, called the Sledheadz Youth Snowmobile Club of Walworth County. It includes riders 12-20 years of age.” Besides having fun together in snowy weather, these groups provide volunteers who manage and maintain local trails as long as snow is on the ground, normally from November through March. A+ also carries the best in cold-weather gear from gauntlets to insulated pants and
parkas. Displays of goggles and helmets line the walls. Marshall Racing, Cold Wave, and Klim are a few of their top brands. Handwarmers and footwarmers worn inside gloves and boots are also available. Visit A+ Power Sports at 622 E. Court Street (Highway 11) east of Elkhorn. Call (262) 723-8822 for additional information or visit the website at www.AplusRide. com for specials, a calendar of events, and pictures of the staff and customers indulging in their passion for winter motorsports. For more information about A+ Power Sports, see the company’s ad on Page 30.
A+ Power from page 4 recalled. “We’ve always been involved in winter motorsports.” Barb’s husband and partner Kevin’s first love while growing up was racing ATVs and dirt bikes. He also rode snowmobiles. Their knowledge of winter vehicles and their zeal for outdoor sports led them to open A+ Power Sports in 1994. The staff members are all avid riders, and enjoy sharing their love of the sport with customers. Treating patrons like family and their dedication to servicing recreational machines has earned A+ repeat business from locals as well as visitors.
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Small business predictions for 2015
Small business owners can easily get caught up in the end of the year madness. But once the new year begins, business owners and entrepreneurs need to refocus and make decisions likely to impact their business in 2015. Before coming to any conclusions, entrepreneurs should be aware of some business revelations uncovered by the Q3 Spark Business Barometer while they plan for the coming months. Women and millennials’ optimism will drive sales: Do you know an entrepreneur who is skyrocketing to the top? Surveys show that there is a good chance that person is a millennial or a woman. The Q3 Spark Business Barometer indicates that millennial and women business owners are seeing improved sales, and tend to be more optimistic about financial conditions and business prospects, as well as the economy, compared to other generations and male counterparts. Entrepreneurs should seek out diverse points of view from their millennial and female counterparts; a new perspective may help tackle a long-standing challenge or identify a new opportunity. SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
A recently released survey indicates the mid-market business segment is nothing shy of bullish for the coming year.
On the upswing
Survey indicates midsize business confidence rising
Good news about the economy: America tops the list in seeking risk, hiring new talent, and recognizing and addressing high turnover as areas of focus for business growth in the coming year. The most confident and healthy sector of the U.S. economy is mid-size business, according to new research from The Sage Group plc. These businesses are comprised of 100 or more employees but fewer than 1,000. The annual Sage Business Index looked at confidence indicators including business growth, exporting, governmental support and risk. In each of the four categories, the United States showed the most optimism, with the highest or second highest scores among all countries surveyed, though it joins other countries in citing government bureaucracy and logistical costs of exporting as common challenges. “According to all indications, the economic forecast for the mid-market is rich with growth opportunity,” said Joe Langner, executive vice president at Sage North America. “We anticipate positive activity in the job market with smart companies focused on hiring, developing and keeping a talented workforce.” With confidence at an all-time high, mid-market companies can leverage this opportunity by putting into practice some basic strategies focused on human
capital as its most important asset.
Make a plan Realistic in its optimism, midsize companies understand that growth, sales and profitability all come from their employees enjoying their roles and performing to the best of their ability. More than half of the companies surveyed say the number of people employed by their business will increase over the next year. With this in mind, having a clear definition of business goals is imperative in identifying and building an effective workforce. Once business goals are defined, take inventory of current employees and determine where you need to build. Visualize what your winning team looks like, then do what it takes to get them. Attract the right talent Sounds simple, but attract the talent you want by offering the positive traits that midsize businesses provide. With 23 percent of mid-market companies planning to hire, the climate is ripe for recruiting smart talent based on those things a company with 100 plus employees inherently provides – a mature culture, good benefits and an historical foundation. That being said, talented candidates are also lured to work for companies
that foster creativity, offer flexibility and provide opportunities to innovate. By investing in infrastructure and technology, mid-market companies are in a position to appeal to the talent that’s right for them.
Retention is a strategy A resounding 76 percent of American mid-market companies anticipate an increase in turnover over the next year. Market conditions such as this are a breeding ground for enthusiastic recruiters seeking to snatch your best talent unless you offer them sound reason to stay. While cash is certainly great and employees will take it, appealing to them on another level wins them over for the long haul. Do they want to train and mentor people? Do they need to work remotely during the summer to accommodate family needs? Benefits such as these require that you know your people’s motivations and shows that you are investing in them. Bottom line: Turnover can be a costly leak in the bucket when you consider the price of lost productivity, recruiting and training. Retaining smart talent is a strategy that’s critical to managing operating costs. For more information, visit www. sage.com/businessindex. (NAPS)
Employees will be better compensated The cost of doing business - and doing it well – will continue to rise in 2015. The good news for workers at local businesses is that employers have a renewed focus on rewarding and growing talented workers. Employees can expect to see higher salaries and better training in 2015. Nearly half (46 percent) of small business owners plan to increase funding for employee salaries, while a third (33 percent) plan to spend more on employee training. Employers that have struggled to win and retain top talent should consider investing more in their training and compensation policies. A relatively small investment can pay dividends in worker productivity. Retirement plans will help attract employees Where are business owners not investing? Retirement plans. Growth of retirement planning adoption has remained static, as only 24 percent of business owners offered this benefit in 2013 and 2014. However, businesses should realize that replacing an employee can often cost more than investing in current talent. Those looking to attract the best employees should consider offering retirement plans to compete with other employers – you can even save some extra money during tax time by implementing a plan before the year ends. Main Street will adapt to Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs recognize that technology can help them streamline their operations, grow their businesses and even cut costs – and they are investing accordingly. According to the survey, nearly a third (29 percent) of small business owners plan to increase spending on hardware and software next year, while 16 percent will invest more in mobile payment technology. Entrepreneurs should consult a technology expert who can advise on the best hardware, software and solution investments that will help grow their business. As the business landscape shifts constantly, business owners should seek out advice from peers and industry experts. Resources are available to provide businesses with valuable insight on the opportunities and challenges affecting the business community. (BPT)
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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Asphalt paving with a purpose Purpose Contracting Asphalt is a family owned and operated local asphalt and concrete contractor. Catering to the unique needs of southeastern Wisconsin, Randy and Sandy Larson are celebrating their 18th year in business. Based in western Racine County, they are quick to credit their growth and success is the result of their core values and what they call the Four Square Business Model. Square No. 1 is safety! Randy, president of Purpose Contracting Asphalt states, “Our valued employees are greatly appreciated. We consider them friends and family of the business. Job site safety is rule No. 1. We have in-place a comprehensive safety manual, safety meetings and seminars, as well as Toolbox Talks that also focus on safety awareness.” Purpose Contracting Asphalt is also a member of ABC (Associated Builders and Contractor, Inc.), which offers a long list of safety services and customized written programs for today’s construction companies who are focused on safety. Square No. 2 is quality workmanship “Commitment to customer satisfaction with quality workmanship as defined by our clients is of great importance to our core values,” said Sandy, vice-president and human resources manager. “We define quality workmanship as the skill of a craft person or artisan. All of our employees are considered craftsmen and held to high standards of quality equal to industry standards,” Sandy added. Square No. 3 eco friendly and environmental awareness Purpose Contracting Asphalt has made a huge commitment to reduce carbon emissions by purchasing the latest equipment that features tier 4 final engines. Every tier 4 final engine is equipped with a combination of proven electronic, fuel, and air components to meet the lowered emission standards, which are being phased in by the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency). The Carlson CP-100 Commercial Paver and Case SV280 Skid-Steer are equipped with the tier 4 final engines. “We are extremely loyal to Case products because they are made right here in Racine County. We also own a Case Roller and a Case 590 Tractor/ Loader/Backhoe,” Randy said. Additionally Purpose Contracting Asphalt exclusively uses PavePro, which is an environmentally safe, 100 percent biodegradable asphalt solvent that meets or exceeds all EPA and RCRA regulations. Did you know? Asphalts’ high recycling rate delivers a cost effective environmental friendly sustainable solution. Square No. 4 hiring practices Randy and Sandy take their roll as a small business employer very seriously. “We try real hard to hire local craftsmen to join our team,” Sandy said. Purpose Contracting Asphalt just debuted an exciting apprenticeship program. The education alternative allows apprentices to “earn while they learn” a skilled trade. The three-year program includes hands-on training in the field as well as classroom objectives. Purpose Contracting Asphalt is an approved trainer with the ABC and their apprenticeship program is accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. For additional information, visit www.purposecontracting.com. See the company’s ad on page 32.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
Randy and Sandy Larson of Purpose Contracting offer 30 years of experience in the asphalt paving industry. The company performs all aspects of asphalt paving, patching, sealcoating and striping. It is also a full service concrete contractor, specializing in colored stamped decorative concrete. Its general property management services include landscape, lawn care maintenance, and snow removal and salting services.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
Chris Stebnitz (from left) is pictured in this 1998 photo with his grandfather Stan Stebnitz, his father Dave Stebnitz, his uncles Gary and Dan Stebnitz and his brother Ryan Stebnitz. Together, the men represent the three generations of the Stebnitz family owning and/or operating Stebnitz Builders in Walworth County. Chris Stebnitz has owned the business since 2005.
Stebnitz Builders –
remodeling homes for generations Stebnitz Builders is a nationally recognized and award-winning remodeling firm based in Elkhorn. Founded in 1972 by Stan Stebnitz the company was purchased by his sons, Dave, Gary and Dan Stebnitz, in 1985. The tradition of family ownership continues in to a third generation as Chris Stebnitz, Dave’s son, became an owner in 2005. When Stan Stebnitz began the business, his focus was on additions and smaller remodeling projects. That tradition of including smaller handyman-type projects along with the larger additions and whole-house remodeling projects continues today as Stebnitz Builders completes projects from a single window replacement to a whole-house remodeling project. Stebnitz Builders ensures that even the smallest of projects are treated with the highest degree of professionalism when Stebnitz Builders is their contractor of choice. Another example of their commitment to professionalism is the five-year warranty they provide their clients. If something does fail after the project is complete, they’ll be back to take care of it. It also shows the confidence they have in their craftsman they have on the projects. They know the project will be done well the first time. Offering great client service is critical to building on the legacy of Stebnitz Builders. Over 43 years, that client service has evolved in to so much more. With the internet, homeowners can gather information on contractors or answers to their home improvement questions at any time of the day. Stebnitz Builders has embraced that opportunity to communicate with their clients, becoming an almost “24/7” home advisor and information funnel for homeowners. From portfolios and blogs they post on their
“
website (www.StebnitzBuilders.com) to sites they maintain on YouTube, Houzz, and LinkedIn and social media sites they engage on like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, Stebnitz Builders is continually listening and providing feedback to homeowners’ needs. In 2014, Stebnitz Builders sought to increase their availability to their clients by moving their headquarters from inside the city of Delavan to the center of Walworth County and the interchange of highways 43 and 67. The new location provides an easier access to their offices from anywhere in Walworth County. The attention Stebnitz Builders gives to ensuring a great experience to their clients has produced accolades and awards throughout the industry. In 2007, Stebnitz Builders was named the International Listening Association Best in Business. More recently, they have been named Best of Walworth County (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), Best of Houzz (2012, 2013 and 2015) and they maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. A more important stat is that 100 percent of their clients say they would recommend Stebnitz Builders to their friends. As times change, Stebnitz Builders does as well. What doesn’t change is their focus on providing that wonderful home improvement experience to their clients. “We all have the same goal every day – to ensure our clients are well-served for years to come,” Chris Stebnitz said. “To me it’s something that’s really special and unique to our industry, that as a team we are continually building on that legacy my family and our team members have been building for 43 years.” For more information about Stebnitz Builders, see the company’s ad on Page 31.
We all have the same goal every day – to ensure our clients are well-served for years to come.” – Chris Stebnitz
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
HERNANDEZ MEXICAN RESTAURANT
PROUD TO BE KUSTOM KITCHEN DESIGNS
212 South 7th Street Delavan, WI 53115
11006 S. 2nd Street Delavan, WI 53115
262-728-6443
262-728-6552
Established
Established
1965
GINNER TREE SERVICE
516 Valencia Drive Delavan, WI 53115
262-903-1415 Established
2009
A.O. BAUER GLASS INC. 1145 E. Geneva St. Delavan, WI 53115
262-728-4262 Established
1958
1988
K&D HEATING AND COOLING
Delavan, WI 53115
262-949-1892
DUTCH MAID CLEANERS
625 E. Wisconsin Street Delavan, WI 53115
262-728-2083 Established
1979
EAST TROY SEPTIC SERVICES Stanley Walter Septic S65 W22240 National Ave. Waukesha, WI 53189 262-642-5364
Established
Established
NIEUWENHUIS BROS., INC
TOYNTON FUNERAL HOME
2007
857 Comus Drive Delavan, WI 53115
1953
262-728-8155
328 Kenosha Street Walworth, WI 53184 262-275-2171
Established
Established
1954
1941
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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FAMILY OWNED BRADLEY’S DEPARTMENT STORE 222 E. Walworth Ave. Delavan, WI 53115
WALWORTH LANES 121 Kenosha Street Walworth, WI 53184 262-275-5565
262-728-3405 Established
Established
COUNTRY ROSE BAKERY CAFE
ARTISTIC FIBERS
1852
19319 Washington St. Union Grove, WI 53182 262-878-5474 Established
1942
324 N. Pine Street Burlington, WI 53105 262-757-0960
PHIL’S ELECTRIC DRAIN SERVICE 702 Delco Drive Clinton, WI 53525 262-724-5188 Established
1996
INNOVATIVE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. W373 Miller Road Burlington, WI 53105 262-642-2332
2005
Established
Established
WESTOSHA FLORAL
NEW TO YOU
SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS INC.
24200 75th Street Salem, WI 53168 262-843-4003 Established
1981
2004
Women’s Consignment Boutique 200 W. Main Street Rochester, WI 262-534-7553 Established
1998
1991
1102 Ann Street Delavan, WI 53115 262-728-3411 Established
2001
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
If you’re like many small businesses owners, professionals and entrepreneurs, you know it pays to advertise. But how do you do that effectively? With digital media added to your marketing options, you now have a host of new opportunities, and new questions. Do online directories, websites, Yahoo, Google and other search engines do a good job reaching your customers? Will Facebook, LinkedIn, and so on really help your business? The bottom line is that no matter how many digital channels and mediums you have, they won’t be effective without a solid marketing plan. Yet, it’s surprising how many local businesses lack one. The problems Consumer behavior underscores the need for well-run and well-planned marketing. Consider these statistics: • More than 60 percent of the time, consumers cannot find the information they are looking for on a website and leave; and • Businesses that nurture their leads (for example, timely follow up with a prospective customer) see up to 45 percent more return on investment (ROI) than those that don’t. Yet, while local business owners know that it’s important to help increase sales, marketing frequently falls by the wayside. Owners say they lack the time, are confused about what’s available or are suspicious of the results. So they simply don’t prioritize marketing. A solution Fortunately, there is online digital marketing help that simplifies marketing and really makes it work for local business owners.
How to help your customers find you
ReachLocal has worked with business owners worldwide for more than a decade to help them reach customers online – and to keep them – using all forms of digital marketing: search engine advertising, web marketing, display advertising, website design and other services. In fact, ReachLocal has tools proven to help businesses get their message to 98 percent of the places where customers are likely to search, surf and socialize – on the web and on mobile devices. Their expertise, combined with their comprehensive digital marketing systems, convert more leads and help their clients get more customers. ReachLocal works with owners to understand their goals, such as how many new customers they need. From there, they work together with business owners to create a marketing plan designed to meet their needs and their budget. The company provides owners with reports and updates on how many leads are coming in and the cost per lead. Not every marketing service does this, but ReachLocal believes it’s essential in helping business owners understand their marketing dollar return on investment. How it works ReachLocal helps local businesses reach, and add customers in three ways: 1. The first is a strong technology platform that works across all channels to ensure clients are in the optimal digital mediums needed to reach their goals. ReachLocal’s technology constantly monitors channels and it knows where consumers are spending time, or not. 2. Next, the company has the industry’s largest and most experienced group of marketing experts to work hand in hand with clients, provide guidance and make sure they’re getting the best results. 3. Finally, ReachLocal incorporates its
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
A small company’s marketing reach may be greater than many entrepreneurs realize. There are web-based tools to help any size business attract customers.
more than a decade’s worth of experience and data from tens of thousands of clients and millions of campaigns into each owner’s campaign. What you get ReachLocal can help local businesses get discovered with search engine advertising and search engine optimization, build their brand awareness with display advertising, remind interested prospects of their businesses through search and site retargeting, and build their Web presence
with social media and Web marketing. Once your company has been discovered, ReachLocal focuses on turning leads into customers. Its automated system includes a smart website, lead management software and a powerful mobile app. Your website helps more visitors contact you because it’s designed to increase conversions from channels including phone calls, emails, and online chats. For more information, go to www. reachlocal.com or call (888) 644-1321.
(NAPS)
Online reviews can benefit shoppers and retailers alike Word-of-mouth has long been an ally of small business. Customers who have positive experiences with a small business often share those experiences with friends, family members and coworkers, and that word-ofmouth can help hardworking small businesses establish themselves in a community. But reviews don’t just benefit small businesses. Consumers are increasingly relying on online review sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor to help them make more informed decisions about where to spend their money. A glowing review can inspire men and women to try new neighborhood eateries or prove helpful as they search for contractors to work on their homes. All types of businesses have been reviewed online, and more and more reviews are being posted by the day. Such information can prove invaluable to prospective customers, but only when reviewers post accurate and detailed accounts of their experiences with a given business.
The following are a few things to keep in mind when writing online reviews. Be accurate and detailed When writing an online review, it’s important that men and women write reviews that are as accurate and detailed as possible. If a business left you with mixed feelings, share those feelings, explaining in detail just what you did and did not like about your experience. Businesses often read online reviews to see which aspects of their business are working and which might need some adjustments, so don’t be afraid to share your honest opinions when composing a review. Don’t write a mean-spirited review Though it’s important to write an honest review, a mean-spirited review will only reflect negatively on its author. Steer clear of making personal and potentially insulting comments about staff members.
An accurate online review can be a great way for customers to spread the word about local businesses. SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
see Online reviews on page 21
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LAKE GENEVA REGIONAL NEWS Family Owned & Operated
Stinebrink family members from left are: Todd, Ben and Tim, their dad Brett, Mark and his sons, Matt and Dave. Brett and Mark hold a photograph of their late parents, Ed and Ellie Stinebrink, co-owners and co-founders of Stinebrink’s
grocoery stores. Ed, Mark and Brett opened the first Stinebrink grocery store on Dec. 1, 1974. They now have stores in Lake Geneva, Delavan and Kenosha. For more information, see the company’s ad on page 19.
Stinebrink’s celebrates 40th anniversary as a family owned and operated business In December 1974, Ed and Ellie Stinebrink, and their sons Mark (then age 22) and Brett (age 19), opened their first store in Lake Geneva. At that time it was a Super Valu store. Today this remarkable family owns and operates a Piggly Wiggly store in Lake Geneva and Delavan and two stores in Kenosha. All the stores are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Over the course of time they changed their affiliation from Super Valu to Pick ‘n Save and in 2009 they made the move to
Piggly Wiggly and remain with them to this day. The family business today is headed up by Mark and Brett and their families. Mark Stinebrink is the co-owner of the stores in Lake Geneva, Delavan and Kenosha. Brett Stinebrink is co-owner of the stores in Lake Geneva and Delavan. Now the third-generation of Stinebrinks are fully engaged in the family business. Mark and Mary’s sons are Matt, who is the operations manager and co-owner of the
Kenosha store, and David, who is the manager of the Lake Geneva store. Brett and Debbie’s son Todd is the manager of the Delavan Liquor Store. Their son, Ben is the operations manager at the Delavan store and son Tim is Lake Geneva’s assistant manager and Manager of the Delavan Bakery. Obviously with all this growth they rely on more than their family to fulfill their mission to take care of their customers. Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly now employs more than 350 full and part-time employees. This
growth makes them a valued employer in these local communities. When the business first began, it started out with only Ed and Ellie (mom and dad) their two sons, Mark and Brett, and two daughters-in-law, Mary and Debbie, and a hand full of employees. Ed Stinebrink’s checklist for success established in 1974 is still the same quality checklist used in the four locations today: • Keep it full, • Keep it clean, and • Keep the customer happy.
Delavan Lake Boat Shed to add antique auto sales By Vicky Wedig STAFF WRITER
The Delavan Lake Boat Shed plans to add antique care dealer to its repertoire by spring. The Delavan Town Board approved a conditional use permit Jan. 20 to allow antique auto sales and service to the business. The approval must still pass the Walworth County Zoning Agency. Business owner Jamie Jarosz said the Boat Shed does service work on cars and
boats and has always had a couple of cars for sale – mostly customer’s cars. But, he said, the business plans to expand to become an antique car dealer, selling primarily cars from the 1920s and 1930s and some from the ‘40s. “We have a batch of them in stock,” Jarosz said. He said the Boat Shed has 20 to 25 cars in storage between its own collection and customer’s cars and would like to have eight to 10 of them for sale at a time. The
business is working to stock parts for all the Model As to service the cars, Jarosz said. He said the cars sell for $5,000 to $40,000 with an average price in the high teens. He said a market seems to exist for the late-model cars with quite a few people adding to their collections. “It seems to be growing,” he said. Delavan Lake Boat Shed is at 5495 Highway 50 kitty corner from Dairy Queen. The 35-year-old family business
specializes in antique and classic wood boats from the 1920s to the 1960s. Jurosz said the business restores and stores wood boats. It plans to add antique car sales and service within its existing building, he said. The Boat Shed is open seven days a week in spring, summer and fall and plans to begin operating as an antique auto dealer before spring. For more information about the Delavan Lake Boat Shed, see the company’s ad on Page 26.
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Roesing Furniture
Building Family Relationships Since 1902
Browse our new collections from Wisconsin, Amish and American Craftsmen featuring: La-Z-Boy
Symbol Mattress
Riverside furniture
Vaughan Basset
Decor Rest
B&S Amish Woodworks
Door County Amish Dining
Med Lift Lift Chair
Liberty Furniture
Ultra Comfort Lift Chairs
Rowe Furniture
Sunny Design
Simmons Beauty Rest
Best Home Furnishings
& More
Klaussner Upholstery
Country Value Amish
Quality, Style & value Since 1902 29131 EVERGREEN DR., Jct. Hwys. 36 & 20, wAtERFORD (262) 534-3131 • shopRoesing.com 196492
hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.M.-5 p.M.; sat. 9 a.M.-4 p.M., sun. 11 a.M.-3 p.M.
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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Always at your service Daniels Family Funeral Homes & Crematory is there to help
Since our inception in 1929 the Daniels Family Funeral Homes have By been dedicated to providing personalized, CONTRIBUTOR professional, and compassionate services to help lighten your burden and support you through the difficult times that follow the loss of a loved one. We believe that our commitment to families is firmly rooted in our proud history as a family owned business. Our professional staff has years of training and experience supporting families in their time of need. We are proud to guide you through the creation of a service that reflects the individuality of your loved one’s life journey and will assist you in taking your first steps toward healing and recovery. Our recently remodeled facility offers a warm, comfortable family orientated environment with traditional design and tasteful interior décor. Our facilities accommodate all types of funerals and memorials, large and small, public or private. We also have our own onsite crematory and will ensure that your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve. At Daniels Family Funeral Homes & Crematory you can trust in our commitment to place your wishes first and foremost at all times. Craig Hancock is the business manager at Daniels Family Funeral Homes & Crematory. For more information about Daniels Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, see the funeral home’s ad on Page 16.
Craig Hancock
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
Korey Kuehni (pictured) and his wife Jennifer Kuehni own and operate Korey’s Auto Kare in Delavan. See the auto repair shop’s ad on Page 28 for more information.
Korey’s Auto Kare for all your automotive needs
Korey’s Auto Kare opened its doors in November of 2009. It is family owned and operated by Korey and Jennifer Kuehni, long time residents of Delavan. Both Korey and Jennifer graduated from Delavan-Darien High School. Korey attended Universal Technical Institute, graduating with a degree as an automotive/diesel technician and has been working in that field for almost 20 years. Korey has also been a volunteer member of the Delavan Fire Department since 1997. In Korey and Jennifer’s free time they enjoy spending their weekends camping with their son Andrew and their two labs. The staff at Korey’s Auto Kare believes that when working on customer’s vehicles, they
should be proactive instead of reactive. “We believe it is our responsibility to educate and inform the customer of their vehicles needs,” Korey said. “Our goal is to make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and make you aware of potential problems before they cause any further damage and a larger repair bill, or worse, be stranded on the side of the road.” Korey is an ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician who graduated from Universal Technical Institute in auto repair. He started his experience in automotive repair working for independent repair shops gaining experience with all make and model vehicles. For more information, visit www. koreysautokare.com.
WELCOME TO THE CORNERSTONE SHOP & GALLERY The Cornerstone Shop & Gallery’s 10,000-square-foot lifestyle store is designed to spark your creativity and inspire your imagination. Family owned since 1988. For more information about The Cornerstone Shop & Gallery, see the company’s ad on Page 16. SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
~ A family tradition for over 75 years MILLER MOTORS
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Three generations of the Miller Family have been proud to serve Burlington and the surrounding area for over 75 years. MILLER MOTORS THROUGH THE YEARS
Bridge Street location 1954
688 Milwaukee Ave. 1966
75th Anniversary 2014 688 Milwaukee Ave. 1973
2421 Milwaukee Ave. 1981
Stop in and see why Miller Motors is your most trusted car dealer and service center in Burlington!
PRESIDENT
GEORGE PENZEL MANAGER
BYRON REXFORD MANAGER
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
BOB HAISLER MANAGER
JIM KUPCZYK
COM. ACCT. MGR.
TRAVIS HARDER
RON GREINER
KEN HANS0N
SHEILA JOHN
LYN HENRIKSEN
LONNIE LEVANS
STEVE HALBACH
JIM KOTT
MILLER MOTORS 75 A FAMILY TRADITION FOR
1196 Milwaukee Ave. North, Burlington • (262) 763-2466 or (855) 223-7699
www.millermotorsales.com
Years!
RAM
196430
CHRIS MILLER
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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Quality Home FurnisHings Are you looking for furniture that is built to last?
FOR EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOME
We carry a large selection of furniture from quality manufacturers for every room in your home. Whether your lifestyle is casual or formal, classic or contemporary, or somewhere in between, we have something for you. We carry furniture at several price points but always focus on furniture that is built to last and gives you the best value for your dollar. Shown to the left is a King Hickory sofa that is available in over 700 fabrics.
King Hickory Henson Sofa & Chair
Amish Made - unique heirloom quality, solid wood tables & bedroom sets
A real Jack Daniels’ barrel is used for the base of this oak table.
We have over 30 beds on display!
Finding the right mattress is as simple as 1, 2, 3
1 bedMatch Diagnostic Bed
Lie on the bedMATCH test bed for 5 minutes.
When you sleep on a Kingsdown, you’ll feel the difference a smart mattress makes on your quality of sleep, and more importantly, on your quality of life.
Reed Furniture, Inc. 820 N. Wisconsin St. Elkhorn, WI 53121
A hand-planed top gives this solid maple table a rustic look and feel.
in o G
n o g
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
Since 1865
2
Get your custom, color coded recommendation based on 18 measurements.
! w no
3
Find the beds in our showroom that fit your recommendation and your budget!
SPRINg SPRINg
clearance
SALE
15 - 50% OFF IN-STOCK ITEMS
262 • 723 • 2686
Shopreed.com
Mon - Thurs 8:30AM - 6:00PM, Fri 7PM Saturday 9AM - 5PM, Sunday Closed
196254
This two-toned table is made from Elm, which has a unique long grain.
Page 16
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
3rd Generation Family Owned Eric & Sarah Daniels & Family
Jeff & Stacy Werth & Family
Pat & Ric Oberst
Licensed FuneraL director
Licensed FuneraL director
Craig & Marian Hancock & Family
oFFice manager
1422 Main Street Union Grove, WI 53182 (262) 878-1226 www.martinsgarage.com
Matt & Donna Daniels & Family
Business manager
owner & Licensed FuneraL director
Martin Ford
Pathway® Co-op Newspaper Ads from Pekin Insurance Compa Hwy. 45 & CLife • Union Grove, WI 53182 Lars & Alyson Ekornaas & Family Licensed FuneraL director
Mitch Daniels & Family
Marlene (Daniels) Ketterhagen & Family oFFice manager
196459
A Family Phone (262) 878-1241 Tradition www.martinfordsales.com Pathway Co-op Newspaper Ads from Pekin Life Insurance Company ®
Jeanna & David Cole & Family at daniels Family Funeral Homes and crematory we know the importance of family. Being family-owned means respecting family values – compassion, sensitivity, and a commitment to helping other families in their time of sorrow. By making arrangements before the time of need, your family can be relieved of making tough decisions during their time of grievance. we Photo believe in transforming a fond remembrance into a truly meaningful and personal event for you and your family. aPPrentice
Photo
Inspiration for your Lifestyle
A Family Tradition
At (Funeral Home weinformation know the importance of family. Contact us forName) more on funeral Being family-owned means respecting family values – preplanning and prefunding through compassion, sensitivity, and a commitment to helping other families in their time of sorrow. By making arrangements before At (Funeral Home Name) werelieved know the importance of family. the time of need, your family can be of making tough Being family-owned means respecting family values – decisions during their time of grievance. We believe in compassion, sensitivity, and a commitment to helping other transforming afamilies fondinremembrance into truly arrangements meaningfulbefore and their time of sorrow. Byamaking the time of need, your family can be relieved of making tough personal event for you and your family.
A Family Tradition
Daniels Family Funeral Contact us for more information on Homes &andCrematory funeral preplanning prefunding through
decisions during their time of grievance. We believe in transforming a fond remembrance into a truly meaningful and personal event for you and your family.
Fine Tabletop, Linens & Giftware • Home Décor, Furniture & Unique Accents Artisan Products & Original Art • Jewelry, Clothing & Accessories Lake Geneva & Nautical Items • Gifts & Registries for All Occasions Family Owned Since 1988 Stop in to see our latest arrivals for spring and summer. Visit our website for Store News & Special Events throughout the year.
196119
Contact us for more information on
funeral preplanning prefunding through Funeral Homeand Name Schuette-Daniels Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home Name 625 S. Browns LakeAddress Dr., 908 11th Ave., Burlington, WI 53105 Union Grove, WI 53182 Address (262) 763-3434 Phone (262) 878-2011 Phone
® Pathway® fromPathway Pekin Life Company fromInsurance Pekin Life Insurance Company
Top Quality • Real Compassion • Personal Attention • Exceptional Service Top Quality • Real Compassion • Personal Attention • Exceptional Service
Open 7 Days a Week • (262) 248-6988 214 Broad Street, Downtown Lake Geneva, WI Shop online: www.cornerstoneshoppe.com 196121
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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Celebra 10 0 Year ted s In 2014
COMES FULL CIRCLE Gooseberries SPIEGELHOFF’S Fresh Food OPEN Market Opens 1914-1977 2006
· • Spiegelhoff’s open their first store in 1914 • Moved to Chestnut Street location to an increased 3,000 sq. feet in 1920 • Started Homemade Sausage program in 1954 • Started delivering groceries in Burlington • Started program for in house charging of groceries • Barter with customers for those who needed help for food • Carried credit for people who needed help through poor times • Cut meat the way people asked for it • Cut and froze meat for customers as they wanted it • Started to buy produce, eggs, and meat from local farmers to keep the community growing • Started giving to schools, churches, organizations, fall festivals, Smoker events, Cookouts and 1977-1986 SHOP RITE
breakfast fundraisers
•· Moved to new location at old Red
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2006-2015 Opened Gooseberries Fresh Food Market where we strive to offer a culinary food experience and have gone full circle over 100 years Full Service meat department offering cuts to meat as guest desires and cut daily Homemade sausages from 1954 original recipe Buy from local farmers, meat, eggs and produce, wine and flowers Deliver to homes and businesses Offer value with NO card needed Offering homemade salads Offering Boar’s Head Deli meat Offering Certified Angus Beef Offering All Natural, No Injection Pork Offering Amish chicken with no hormones, no injections, no steroids Offering leanest ground beef in town Offering bakery baked on premise Offering decorated cakes on premise Largest selection of wine over 1,600 wines and growing 5% and 10% wine discounts Giving to schools, churches, organizations Catering for any occasion with our Executive Chef and full service catering staff Flowers for any occasion Many long time associates to serve you who have been with us for many years.
•
CELEBRATED
100
Owl building for 10,000 sq feet in 1977 •· Increased the Shop Rite location to 17,000 sq feet as community business demanded ·• Started our custom cut deli and butchers on duty during store hours •· Home deliveries of groceries •· Continued working with schools, churches, organizations for fundraisers •· Homemade salad recipes developed and enhanced •· Homemade Sausage program continued and enhanced ·• Fresh bakery was added •· First in the community to have beer, wine & liquor in grocery store •· Offered to bag groceries and do carryout
•
• •
1986
• Opened a Pick’n Save in
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Burlington with 40,000 sq. feet
• With the new Pick ‘n Save format, things changed so we no longer offered:
2006 SELL PICK ‘N SAVE
No Carryout service, No meat cutters from open to close, No deliveries, No buying local, Needed a card to save money or receive discounts, Very little homemade salads, Started the We Care program that gave over $500,000 to our area, Offered lowest prices in town, Offered truckload sales, Offered yellow tag specials, Warehouse shopping; first to Burlington, Dark store, Offered limited services
1989 Added bagging service and parcel pick up Added more lighting to the store Added square footage totaling: 52,000 · Added Service Meat counter · Added butchers from open to close · Added back homemade salads · Added salad bar · Added Video department 1996 · Remodeled store for all new look · Added community pictures and events of Burlington Added fresh seafood Added Catering services with Executive Chef on premise 1986-2006 2006 PICK ‘N Sold stores to Roundy’s Supermarket
• • • • • • • • •
SAVE
• • • •
NOW PROUDLY LOCATED AT:
690 W. State St.,Burlington, Wis. www.gooseberriesmarket.com
(262) 763-5955 OPEN DAILY • 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
196408
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Your Hometown Funeral Home Since 1923
Mealy Funeral Home
Serving Waterford and surrounding communities with care and compassion for over 90 years John E. Kojis
*Traditional Services with Burial *Cremation with Memorial Services *Pre-Need Specialists *Serving All Faiths
Our First Vehicle
Third Generation Owner Licensed Funeral Director and his dedicated staff
225 West Main Street Waterford WI 53185 (262) 534-2233 www.mealyfuneralhome.com We have 92 years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Families come to us because they know we are sincere about wanting to guide them through their most difficult time and are dedicated to excellence in service. Harry W. and Dena (Hoppe) Mealy began serving families of Waterford from our Main Street location in 1923. Back then it was in conjunction with a furniture business which was phased out in the ‘60’s. Over the years, they along with sons Harry Jr. and Thomas “Spud” and daughter Ione (Mealy) Kojis had been involved with offering compassion and comfort to Ione (Me those in need. Spud as director and Ione operated aly) Koji s the funeral home together until his untimely death in 1978 at the age of 49. It is Spud’s ‘72 Buick Riviera that you see in our advertisements. The funeral home received some major renovations in the 90’s, changing the face of the building and remodeling the chapel. Recently the interior underwent more renovation and redecorating.
Dena & Spud Me aly
Harry W . Mealy with Ha rry Jr.
Ione Kojis continued working with families with the aid of director Ted Hegeman, who has been an integral part of our business since 1984. Ione genuinely loved and cared about people. Like her mother, she attended every social event hosted in Waterford and she was equally loved by the community. She had an astounding memory for names, genealogy, and the history of the town. Declining health forced her into retirement in 2000 which is when her youngest of three sons stepped up to carry on the family name. A commitment to caring has passed down through three generations. Currently John E. Kojis is the third generation of the Mealy Family to operate the funeral home. John has taken his grandfather’s words “Take care of the family’s needs, it is a great reward to comfort others” to heart. John brings a great sense of caring and compassion to his work, striving to make the hardest time in one’s life just a little easier. The Mealy family was brought up on good values, respect, dedication and genuinely caring for their fellow man. It’s how you keep a business going. 196421
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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The STINEBRINK FAMILY Thanks You for Forty Wonderful Years of Business in SE Wisconsin! We are proud to be able to employ over 350 local residents who help us fulfill our mission to take excellent care of our customers.
Established 1974 Your Full Service Grocery Store
A Cut Above the Rest
• Full Deli Department, • In-House Bakery, Custom Party Trays Available Cakes • Fresh Salad and Hot Food Bar • Floral Arrangements and • Produce Delivered Fresh Daily Plants for All Occasions • Full Service Meat Department, • Complete Liquor, Wine & Will Cut To Order Beer Department
OPEN 7 DAY S A WEEK 6 a.m. to 10 p.m .
Delavan
1414 E. Geneva Street in the Shopko Shopping Center
262-728-2638 Stinebrink’s Liquor Store (Next Door) Largest Liquor Store in the Area
262-740-0541
Lake Geneva 100 East Geneva Square in the Geneva Square Shopping Center
262-248-8798
Kenosha 7600 Pershing Blvd.
262-764-1954 Kenosha 2215 80th Street
262-654-6961
195568
4 Great Locations to Serve You Better!
n e e r g o G
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Reducing waste is one of the easiest and most effective ways to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. While men and women can quickly find ways to reduce waste at home, such efforts may require more teamwork at the office, where fellow employees may need some encouragement before they take your efforts to reduce waste seriously. But while you might need to play the role of master motivator to get your colleagues to cut back on waste, such efforts need not be so difficult, thanks in part to the many easy ways to cut back on waste in an office environment. Recycle, recycle, recycle Encourage higher-ups to institute a recycling policy. If you are not the head honcho at work, speak to your boss and encourage him or her to institute an office-wide recycling policy. Office paper can be recycled, as can beverage containers, electronic equipment and batteries.
Store digital records Gone are the days when offices needed ample space to store large filing cabinets containing important documents. Nowadays companies can put that space to better use or downsize to smaller offices thanks to digital storage. Documents no longer need to be printed out and stored in filing cabinets, when it’s far easier to simply store them as digital files backed up on a hard drive or cloud storage. This reduces your office’s paper usage and can even cut back on its energy consumption because rooms no longer must be climatecontrolled and illuminated to store old documents. Use paper more wisely Sometimes office directives or memos must be printed, but such notices that will only circulate internally need not be printed to appear like documents that will be shared with clients or other companies. When circulating internal
Tips on how to reduce waste around the office
memos, first ensure they cannot be emailed. If they can, opt for emailing instead of printing out copies to be left on employees’ desks. If memos or directives must be distributed via printouts, ask that writers of such memos use smaller fonts and print on both sides of a sheet of paper. The smaller font ultimately means less paper consumption, as does printing on both sides of each sheet of paper.
Dispose of electronics properly Energy and resources are needed to manufacture new products, but offices can help conserve energy and preserve those resources by donating or recycling eligible electronics. Regulations may now be in place that dictate how certain electronics should be disposed of. Ensure your office is following these guidelines. Failing to do so may be criminal, and it’s certainly harmful to the environment. And before discarding any older electronics, first determine if they can be donated or recycled. Start an employee carpooling program You and your fellow employees likely drive to work, and everyone driving their own cars to work wastes a considerable amount of fuel, while all of those cars on the road can be harmful to air quality. Speak with fellow employees who live near you about starting a carpooling program. Such arrangements save each member of the carpool money on fuel, and if your community has commuter lanes for cars that include two or more people, then you might shave a substantial amount of time off your daily commutes as well. Going green at the office is a great way to benefit the environment on a much grander scale than you might be able to in your private life. Speak with your bosses and coworkers about taking steps to reduce the collective carbon footprint of your office. (METRO CREATIVE)
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
Storing files digitally instead of in bulky file cabinets can reduce waste around the office.
ADAPTABILITY IMPORTANT IN THE WORKPLACE Employee turnover, downsizing, an economy in flux, and many other factors contribute to the ever-changing face of business. While men and women might once have hoped to grow old with a company, today’s workers are more inclined to switch jobs several times before they retire. Companies routinely evolve to serve their customers, a learning process that will include some trial and error. Companies should be willing to try new strategies as they adapt to ever-changing markets. Workers who are flexible and able
to adapt to adjustments in the workplace are among the most desirable employees. What defines adaptability varies depending on the profession, but taking the time to learn how to accommodate the needs of bosses and other workers can be a great way for men and women to ensure their long-term success.
Recognize the likelihood of change Professional environments are fluid, and employees who resist change may find their employers deem them expendable. Employees must recognize that change
is part of the business world and must go with the flow to maintain their good standing with employers.
Look for benefits A willingness to be flexible can benefit employees just as much as it benefits employers. Employees may find that a flexible schedule or the ability to telecommute presents new opportunities that can make life easier. Keep lines of communication open Many men and women like working
for companies that are willing to try new things. Keep lines of communication with supervisors open to ensure your ideas are heard, and encourage subordinates to offer their ideas at every turn. Don’t equate flexibility with being a pushover Flexibility should not go so far that an employee feels taken advantage of. As companies change, the process is best if it involves give and take on the part of employees and their employers.
(METRO CREATIVE)
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Page 21
Networking tips for working professionals Networking plays an integral role in professional growth. Men and women who can nurture relationships within their fields are more likely to be in tune with what’s going on in their professions, and a network of fellow professionals can help men and women advance their careers. Networking often falls by the wayside for today’s busy professionals, many of whom simply can’t find the time in their hectic schedules to foster relationships with professional colleagues. But the benefits of networking are numerous, and it behooves men and women to make an effort to build and maintain strong professional networks.
Recognize the benefits
Networking not only benefits individuals but also the companies those individuals own or work for. While many people view networking as a means to one day finding a new job, networking is much more than that. When you foster a professional relationship, the other person in that relationship will be quick to think of you when they need a given service or are asked for a referral. That can benefit business owners’ bottom lines, but even men and women who don’t own a business can benefit, as their bosses will no doubt recognize the role they played in bringing in new business.
Make it a priority
Once professionals recognize that networking is about more than just building a web of contacts who can help them find their next job, they can begin to prioritize networking so it can help them in their existing jobs. Make an effort to keep in touch with current and previous clients and any other contacts made over the years. Something as simple as an email to catch up or an inquiry to see if there’s anything fellow professionals need will help you stay on their minds, which can
help you bring in new business or learn about new opportunities down the road. Maintaining and building a professional network does not always require a lot of work, as even seemingly small gestures can pay big dividends if men and women prioritize such efforts.
Revisit your network
A network is only beneficial if it remains current. Keep track of the professionals in your network so you know when and where to reach them should you need to do so. A professional networking site such as LinkedIn is a great way to stay on top of what your network is up to, and such a site also is a valuable tool when you want to update your network with any new information about yourself. Revisit your network a few times each year, updating with any new information so you aren’t left scrambling for email addresses or phone numbers when the time comes to get back in touch with your contacts.
Use it properly
You can likely name a few of your fellow professionals who only seem to contact you when they want something. You don’t want to earn a similar reputation among your own contacts, so don’t forget to make periodic contact with your colleagues even when you don’t need anything. A simple email to catch up and to offer some unsolicited help if any is needed can be enough to prevent you from earning a reputation as a me-first contact and put you in a positive light that can benefit you throughout your career. Networking can easily be seen in a negative light. But professionals who network the right way will find that their efforts pay dividends for themselves, their companies and even their professional colleagues.
(METRO CREATIVE)
Online review from page 10 Readers tend to consider mean-spirited reviews with a large grain of salt, and many even dismiss such reviews as personal vendettas written by irrational consumers or even competitors hoping to make the business look bad. In addition, the business itself will likely dismiss a mean-spirited review without addressing any of your legitimate concerns. If you had a bad experience, explain what went wrong but do so rationally and without malice.
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When done correctly, networking can benefit businesses, their employees and even those employees’ contacts.
Don’t write a novel Online reviews should be detailed but concise. Fellow consumers don’t need to know what led you to a certain business, especially if it takes you 1,000 words to explain your journey. Share only those things you would want to know about a business if you were perusing an online review site, keeping your past experiences and long-winded explanations to yourself. Men and women who rely on online
reviews tend to skip lengthy reviews, so don’t waste your time writing a review that’s overly wordy. Avoid offering alternatives The purpose of writing an online review is to review a given business and not to point potential readers in the direction of that business’ competitors. Reviews that do the latter tend to read as though they were written by a competitor, which can make readers skeptical of the author’s intentions. Readers don’t click on a review about an Italian restaurant to learn about the new Indian restaurant around the corner, so avoid mentioning other businesses. Online review sites often are great resources for consumers looking to patronize local businesses, and such resources are even more valuable when review writers take the time to compose careful, concise and accurate reviews.
(METRO CREATIVE)
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Proudly Owned by the Draper Family since 1971!
‘We’ve got you covered’ since Four Seasons Flooring in Delavan
ith nes w ring a L 8 • 1 tic scoling a m o t au er Bowling p m u • B smic Bow • Co irthday & es • B ny Parti a Comp draisers • Fun
Check us out Faceb ook an on do our w ebsite n !
TOWNE & COUNTRY LANES 264 S. Pine St., Burlington • 763-7333
www.towneandcountrylanes.com 196432
Four Seasons Flooring, in Delavan, continues to combine an inspiring and innovative selection of flooring options with the very best in service. From exploring the advantages of various options, to considering interior design, and through to installation, the “seasoned” staff at Four Seasons have a knack for taking what for many is a daunting task, and making it an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The vision, dedication and commitment to customer satisfaction of owner, Delavan native, Tim Gramly and his staff are the cornerstones that have continued to fuel their success. “Referrals from previous customers continue to be our biggest source of new business,” advises Tim. Four Seasons Flooring carries carpets, vinyls, hardwoods, laminates, tile, ceramic, cork and bamboo – all of which are offering increasing choices in eco-friendly materials and other innovations that offer durability, stain resistance, increased visual appeal and versatility. According to Linda Kreye, Sales & Design Associate with more than 20 years experience, “In all of our lines we try to offer options to customers they won’t find
1992
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Four Seasons Flooring in Delavan has all your flooring needs covered.
everywhere else. We do a lot of Market Research to bring exceptional quality options to our clients.” Four Seasons Flooring is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment by calling (262) 728-6200. For a sneak peek and additional information, visit their website at www. fourseasonsflooringinc.com. For more information about Four Seasons Flooring, see the company’s ad on Page 2.
Bumper to Bumper has been a family owned business since 1981. At that time, Claude and Barbara Lois owned it. Ken Lois has worked for bumper to Bumper since 1983. He worked for his brother for a total of 22 years. In February of 2005 Ken and his wife Penni bought the store. Ken has a total of 32 years automotive experience, customer service experience and knowledge. This year we (Ken and Penni) will be celebrating 10 years of our ownership of Bumper to Bumper. Our employees John, Nick, Clay, Steve, Bryce and Bob come with years of automotive experience. Bumper to Bumper – has all your parts needs for cars, trucks, agriculture, industrial, recreational vehicles and small engines. Service has been the key to our success.
701 N. Pine Street, Burlington (262) 763-9184 Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.autoparts2020.com 196425
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
On the cutting edge
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Changes in technology can present opportunity for small and midsize businesses Thanks to new technology, it’s an exciting time for small and midsize businesses. That’s because many are finding that increased access to new technology – such as cloud and mobile solutions – can provide access to services that were never within their reach before, helping them grow and be more productive. They are also finding that using old or outdated technology can hinder a company’s ability to do business in a number of ways – from security risks and compliance issues to not being able to implement even modest changes or updates in software, all of which can significantly hamper a company’s ability to be successful and competitive. A shift in technology The beginning of one era in technology often means the end or phasing out of another. For example, to accommodate the shift toward modern technology used by a growing number of small and midsize businesses, Microsoft will end support for Windows Server 2003 on July 14. This means that security patches and updates will no longer be available after this period, resulting in a less stable and less secure technological infrastructure if no action is taken. However, the good news is that a variety of easy-to-integrate options are available for those ready to upgrade, including Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud platform. Cloud solutions such as Azure are designed to provide small and midsize businesses with the ability to scale up or down to take advantage of opportunities or cut costs, all based on their needs. Numerous benefits Many small and midsize businesses report that moving to a cloud platform like Azure provides a range of benefits – including increased backup capacity,
enhanced disaster recovery capabilities, consistent compliance with regulatory demands and access to the most modern applications. These benefits can help small and midsize businesses move faster, reduce costs and, ultimately, be more productive. Backup – Today’s businesses generate more data than ever before. The cloud offers reliable and economical backup for data for businesses of any size, and it even automatically replicates data to help guard against unexpected hardware failures. Disaster recovery – Backup is a great solution to protect your business from data deletion and corruption – but it isn’t the only important factor when it comes to data. Disaster recovery with Azure means your company’s data and applications will be replicated in the cloud and accessible at any time should anything happen to your physical location. Compliance – With data security comes legal and regulatory requirements. With cloud platforms like Azure, your security software will be continually updated, making it easy for your business to ensure it remains compliant with unique industry requirements. Modern applications – The cloud provides the infrastructure, platform and custom-made solutions in one place, rather than having to cobble solutions together piece by piece. This helps make it possible for small or mid-size companies to spend less time troubleshooting IT issues and more time on activities that will drive the business forward. Now is the time to plan your transition – and Microsoft is here to help. For more information, please visit www.microsoft. com/en-us/server-cloud/products/windowsserver-2003. To find a Microsoft partner in your area to assist in your cloud transition, visit www.pinpoint.microsoft.com. (NAPS)
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By embracing more modern, up-to-date technologies, small and midsize businesses are able to innovate in a way that allows them to outpace the competition.
Mobile tools and an e-commerce strategy can help your bottom line Online shopping and credit card spending are increasing. How can local businesses, like yours, and entrepreneurs capitalize on these trends to maximize sales and boost bottom lines? Enhancing your e-commerce strategy and leveraging the latest mobile sales tools are great places to start. Capital One Spark Business offers tips and tools to help small businesses grow and save, including: • Embrace mobile technology to maximize sales and save cash. New pointof-sale technologies make it easy and
affordable to accept credit card payments and market your business more effectively. For example, Spark Pay offers a simple pricing plan with no contract necessary and enables businesses to send customized offers and promotions to shoppers for free. • Simplify your online shopping cart process and optimize your landing pages. Did you know that 68.06 percent of online shopping carts are abandoned? Give the customer plenty of choices by offering as many payment methods as possible. For smaller businesses competing with online giants, cart simplification technologies can
be critical. You’ll also want to make sure your landing pages are fully optimized to meet all your customers’ needs. The last thing you want to do is increase your bounce rate and waste your marketing efforts. • Invest in new marketing methods and focus on your online capabilities. Small business owners are already expressing a desire to do this. According to the Capital One Spark Business Barometer, 18 percent indicated that, besides attracting and retaining new customers, their most popular business goals are improving
advertising and marketing tactics and streamlining expenses. E-commerce solutions can help them achieve both goals. • When it comes to business expenses, use credit card programs that offer reporting and cash management tools, plus rewards to help increase margins. Capital One Spark Business Cards make earning and redeeming rewards easy, with no: rewards expiration; travel blackout dates; limit on the amount of cash you can earn; redemption tiers; and the list goes on.
(BPT)
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
The Speiglehoffs at your service
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
Three generations of the Speigelhoff family from Gooseberries in Burlington celebrated 100 years in business in 2014. Pictured front from left are: Cassie Spiegelhoff, Mike Spiegelhoff, Paul Spiegelhoff, Dave Spiegelhoff, Marion
Spiegelhoff; middle row: Justin Spiegelhoff, Steve Spiegelhoff, Donna Martin, Abby Galstad; back row: Lyndsey Martin. For more information, see the Spieglehoff Gooseberries’ ad on Page 17.
Miller-Reesman Funeral Home is owned and operated by Glen and Rebecca Miller. Glen graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2000 with a degree in Funeral Science. Rebecca graduated from Marquette University in 1999 with a degree in Psychology and Criminology and Law Studies. Their paths crossed at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office where Rebecca was working as a Forensic Investigator and Glen was working as the transporter for the Racine County Medical Examiner. One thing led to another, as they do, and they decided to go into business for themselves. Glen was a life-long resident of Union Grove prior to graduating and he felt a strong pull to move back home. As their family has grown, with three children now, so has the business. This couple started a small funeral home from scratch and it has grown exponentially since its inception in 2007. They see this success as being due to the fact that they see this work as a calling and feel that being able to provide solace to the grieving is a privilege and not a job. Glen and Rebecca have tried hard to keep their prices at or below the national average so that families are not placed in a financial hardship while they are experiencing emotional heartbreak. Doing all of the work themselves at first, they have added staff including an apprentice funeral director and several amazing part time employees who really do it all. The acquisition of Kasuboski, Haas, and Dahl Funeral Home in Racine (where Glen worked during his apprenticeship), an arrangement office in Burlington, and a major expansion to more than double the size of their Union Grove Chapel, have all added to their reputation.
620 15th Ave. Union Grove, WI 53182 (262) 878-2500
232 Madison St. Burlington, WI 53105 (262) 763-2500
www.miller-reesman.com
Burlington Location Hours: Monday-Friday 10-2, Also by appt.
The staff at Miller-Reesman works to personalize each service to a family’s needs and wants. They add little touches to bring in the personality of the deceased loved one, from personalized memorial cards and video tributes to dressing up as Super Heroes when necessary! Special services are provided for our Military Veterans as well, including the exclusive “Hero’s Honor Hearse” and military cards and books for the family. Come and meet these fine folks and see how nice they really are! Plan to attend their Grand Opening celebration later this Spring.
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Many people have ideas that could be great but they fail to take action. Entrepreneurs arise when they fix the gap between a problem and a solution. Business owners make things happen.
In the know
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SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING A BUSINESS People start businesses every day. Life is full of opportunities, and pursuing the American Dream of business ownership is one of them. But ask yourself – do you personally have what it takes to run a business? “When you start a business, your head, heart and gut need to be in it,” said Diane Emo, author and former small-business owner, now with Coverall North America, Inc. “I believe a lot of people have what it takes but something holds them back.” Despite the fear factor, people are doing it. According to the May 2014 Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, 84 percent of small-business owners said they would do it over again. Key reasons included independence, pride and flexibility. Key challenges were finding customers, managing cash flow, and financing. Do you have what it takes to start a business? Ask yourself seven serious questions: Are my dreams bigger than my fears? Many people have ideas that could be great but they fail to take action. Entrepreneurs arise when they fix the gap between a problem and a solution – even if the rest of us could not see the need
… Facebook, Google and Spanx. Taking no action is safe and familiar. Taking action and starting a business is risky and unknown. Business owners make things happen. “Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, and your actions louder than your words.” Am I a perfectionist? When you’re running a business, perfect rarely happens. You will have to take actions and make decisions without knowing all the facts – always moving forward and being smart. No one has a crystal ball. Overanalyzing can result in perpetual dreaming.
Do I expect pay for every hour worked? Employees look at money as pay for hours worked. Business owners view money as profit. They see their business as an investment, not a job. For example, if an employee makes $20 an hour and works eight hours, that’s $160, right? But what if you own a restaurant? Your profit depends on how many people you served, what they ordered, labor, advertising, overhead. Business owners look at eight hours as opportunity to create profit. Do I need steady cash flow?
While many of us like to believe we are risk takers, be honest with yourself about your tolerance for erratic income. When cash flow is steady, you can count on revenue coming in and expenses paid out. But when your business has negative cash flow, the financial and emotional stress can shut you down. Run through “what if” scenarios and create a realistic business plan that matches your skill set, risk profile and personal life. What if your cash doesn’t cover your expenses? What if you aren’t able to find customers as quickly as you thought? What if customers don’t pay on time? Plan your safety net now.
Can I sell? Do you like to sell? A lot of people say no. They may have a negative perception of people who sell for a living, or are afraid of rejection. When you’re proud of your business, you will want to tell everyone about it. Selling is about building relationships and delivering what you promise. If you don’t sell, you don’t grow. Do I take criticism personally? It’s human nature to protect our ego. So when your customer calls to complain, there are things you might want to say (use your imagination), but only if you
plan to lose a customer. If criticism kills you emotionally, then you’ll need to think seriously about how you will react to customers. Pointing fingers at others and playing the blame game won’t work. You know what they say about pointing a finger at someone else? There are three fingers pointing right back at you. As a business owner, change your mind-set from “He’s wrong and I don’t need to take this from him” to “This is a business problem that I need to solve.” It’s not personal – it’s business.
Am I willing to give up my free time? When you’re the boss you have a lot of flexibility, but the responsibilities and financial importance of success are greater. As a business owner you will need to make sacrifices and work hard to maintain personal relationships, a healthy lifestyle and a reasonable balance between work demands and real life. Become an expert at quick prioritization, decision making and delegation. Always focus on what’s most important. Since 1985, Coverall has helped more than 8,000 people become independent franchised business owners. To learn more, visit www.coverall.com/ownyourfuture.
(NAPS)
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Roger Palmen 2nd Generation Family Owned & Operated Since 1991
Chico’s LLC Since 1982
SALES, PARTS & SERVICE
Mike Ciecko Owner
COME SEE WHAT CHICO’S HAS TO OFFER! • Trailers • Mowers • Snowplows • Salters • Snowblowers
• Log Splitters • Chain Saws • Leaf Blowers • Trimmers
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm Saturday 8 am to noon • Closed Sunday
Chico’s LLC 196415
22841 Durand Ave. KANSASVILLE (262) 878-2096 • chicostrucks.com
36
10 Minutes from Downtown Burlington
45
75 11
Chico’s LLC
11
196416
• Boat & Antique Car Restoration • Complete Refinishing • Service & Repair • Winter / Summer Storage (Inside & Outside) • Pick-up / Delivery • Detailing • Inboard Sales & Service
262-728-5438
www.delavanlakeboatshed.com 5495 State Rd. 50 - Delavan, WI 53115 196118
Simple ways to connect with your customers FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Establishing and maintaining a lasting connection with customers is a goal for businesses big and small. Nowadays, accomplishing that goal is easier than ever before, as businesses can take advantage of the Internet and social media to keep in touch with their customers and keep those customers abreast of sales or special offers. But as effortless as it can seem to maintain a connection with customers, establishing the initial connection that makes customers want to bring their business to you time and again can be more difficult. While a great product or service is at the core of every successful business, savvy business owners know the value of connecting with their customers on a deeper level. The following are some simple ways businesses big and small can connect with their customers. Share your history Sharing the history of your business is a simple yet effective way to establish a personal connection with your customers, many of whom may enjoy learning how your business started, especially if you overcame difficult odds before ultimately becoming successful. Sharing the history of a business that has withstood the test of time also inspires customer confidence, as many consumers correctly feel that a company that has been around a long time must be doing something right to keep its doors open. Share your story on the company website, whether it’s the first thing customers see on your homepage or under its own tab labeled “Our Story” or “About Us.” A story also can be shared via social media outlets. Survey the troops Surveys are another valuable tool you can use to engage and connect with customers. Surveys allow businesses to learn what’s working and what’s not working
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with regard to pleasing their customers, and customers will appreciate that you value their feedback and want to know how you can make their experiences more enjoyable. Surveys can be administered in person when customers visit your store. In such instances, ask customers to return the surveys on their next visit. Surveys also can be administered via email or social media platforms. When designing the surveys, include a section for comments where customers can include any suggestions or concerns they did not have a chance to address when completing the original survey. Promptly respond to feedback Customers willing to take the time to email a business to share their experiences or provide feedback, be it positive or negative, appreciate when those businesses respond in a timely fashion. A timely response to such feedback indicates that your business values its customers and their input. When responding to negative feedback, investigate any incidents or problems before responding so you are in a better position to address the customer’s concerns. Make it personal Whenever possible, personally respond to new customers to thank them for their business and encourage them to return. As valuable as online customer surveys can be to your business, responding personally to survey participants, customers or others who provide feedback, be it through a personal card or note sent via the mail or a personal message sent through social media, is a great way to foster a lasting and positive relationship with clients and customers, many of whom will likely spread the word about your thoughtful gesture to friends and family members. (METRO CREATIVE)
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Be responsive to your customers to ensure repeat business and positive word-of-mouth reviews.
Ways to attract today’s tech-savvy consumers Perhaps the top trend affecting businesses today is the accelerated adoption of digital technology by consumers. In fact, two-thirds of Americans own smartphones, spending 60 hours per week consuming content on them. Having modern technology can be a business differentiator. Upgraded technology sharpens your competitive edge in ways you may not have considered. Here are four proven ways to attract new customers and stay relevant in today’s digital age. Invest in technology Investing in your future success often means being current with the latest
technology. In fact, customers expect it. Sixty-two percent of consumers said they are likely to become a repeat customer of a business that uses modern technology. There is a myth that enterprisegrade technology requires a significant investment. The reality is that today’s cloud-based technology is much more agile and flexible, oftentimes requiring much less investment and downtime due to potential on-premise hardware issues. Adapt to a mobile-first world With the prevalence of smartphones and the demand to be always connected, businesses need to adopt a mobile-first, cloud-first technology strategy. Consistent, up-to-date technology lets businesses optimize responsiveness
and maintain a customer service edge. The experience for employees becomes seamless, so they can be more productive and focus on important tasks. When employees can work across multiple platforms, studies have shown, there’s a 30 to 40 percent increase in productivity. Embrace security basics Consumers expect their information to be secure. When it comes to cyber attacks, no business is too small to be targeted, and sometimes, the biggest threats aren’t from hackers, phishers or viruses. They’re from everyday, lax business habits and accidents such as losing devices, choosing weak passwords, and e-mailing sensitive data and files.
With a business technology suite such as Office 365, up-to-date spam and virus protection is built in to protect your important business information.
Build long-term relationships Winning customers today means staying connected. Savvy small businesses use cloud-based communications tools such as Microsoft Lync and OneDrive to connect, coordinate and collaborate with customers, suppliers and employees through the latest cloudoptimized devices. In a Forrester study, 65 percent of small businesses that use smartphones to do business do so to collaborate with colleagues during customer interactions.
(NAPS)
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Your Southern Lakes Area Diamond Source for 27 years
348 N. Pine St. Burlington, WI 53105 (262) 763-8685
for Every Occasion...
HOURS: Tues., Thurs., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Family owned Since 1987 Steve & Julie Nelson
324 S. Pine St., Burlington • 763-9385
196304
Korey’s Auto Kare Best of Walworth County! When it comes to auto repair, you want to know you’re getting a fair price and guaranteed results. That’s why more customers trust us to handle their automotive repair and maintenance needs. We’ve built our reputation on providing honest, reliable, quality service at a fair price. Make your appointment for a FREE multipoint inspection today, and get to know us.
Korey Kuehni, Proprietor/ Technician
Locally Owned & Operated
1st Place Auto Service 3 Years Running! Visit us online at www.koreysautokare.com 416 S. 7th Street • Delavan, WI 53115
262-728-2886 Hours M-F 8 am to 5 pm
195526
196424
Burlington Dairy Queen
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
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Is a line of credit right for your business?
From time to time, your small business may face revenue swings, prompting you to borrow money to meet your short-term cash and working capital needs. One option is to secure a business line of credit. The Small Business Administration defines a line of credit as a loan given by a financial institution to finance short-term current capital needs, such as inventory purchases or operating expenses. “A line of credit is a useful tool for businesses with regular expenses, like paying employees or restocking inventory,” says Jim Salmon, vice president of business services at Navy Federal Credit Union. “It can be tricky deciding whether a line of credit is the right tool for your company, so we help our business members weigh the pros and cons before making the financial decision that’s right for them.”
PROS
The main benefit of a line of credit is that it acts as a safety net for your business, Salmon says. “It acts like working capital and makes funds available for your business while you wait for payments on accounts receivable,” he explains. “You can rest easy knowing your employees will get paid even with unpredictable, temporary cash flow slowdowns or problems.” A line of credit is also a means of leverage to help kick-start business growth. “Having the funds for extra inventory for a seasonal push can be tough for a small business,” Salmon says. “The line of credit could permit for that additional purchase of stock and allow you to be more opportunistic.” A less obvious benefit is that it can strengthen your relationship with your financial institution. Making payments on time and abiding by the arrangements associated with its use shows viability of your company and character of management. Should you decide to expand your business, a strong relationship with your financial institution will help you gain future acquisitions faster.
CONS
Salmon warns that a line of credit can be easy to misuse and “can get you into trouble.” “As a business owner, you want to monitor how much you access your credit line. Most are variably priced, meaning the rate can change quickly,” he says. Salmon also points out that just like a credit card, you should make the required payments, or your rate could increase sharply. In addition, owners should be aware of any added requirements that might be associated with having access to the line. For example, quarterly accounts receivable reporting and financial requirements regarding liquidity and reporting are common. “Owners should ask themselves if they are ready and willing to commit to such oversight,” he says. Having a line of credit means there is onrecord indication of how responsible you are with managing or mismanaging your money. “It will count in the grand scheme of potential credit and be incorporated in any future decisions with your financial institution,” Salmon explains. If you’re interested in obtaining a line of credit for your business, talk to your financial institution about your options. Each institution has its own criteria for obtaining a line of credit, such as twoyears-in-business minimum or collateral. Salmon adds that sometimes, “a small business is able to secure a line of credit with the collateral being the assets of the business or personal assets if need (BPT) be.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO Family Owned & Operated
When employees are more engaged in their work and company, they are more productive and satisfied with what they’re doing every day. This leads to better employee retention and trains workers to lead your company into the future.
Keep Millennial employees from leaving with better engagement practices
The Millennial generation encompasses the employees who will be tomorrow’s leaders in America’s companies. In just 10 years, they’ll make up 75 percent of the workforce. This generation of college graduates – buried under student-loan debt and entry-level income – is looking for ways to engage in the workplace and climb out of the recession that has plagued its members in recent years. Businesses bringing Millennials into their offices should look for ways to increase their employee engagement to make them more valuable members of the company. Research conducted by MSW ARS Research and commissioned by Dale Carnegie Training discovered Millennials have different expectations from older generations. “Millennials are the future of our companies, and are not entering a company like their parents did or anticipating they’ll stay at that company for their entire working career,” says Jean-Louis Van Doorne, senior vice president at Dale Carnegie Training. “They are hard workers who’ve been hit with many economic roadblocks, and they want to become engaged in their careers. Companies may need to adjust some practices to help encourage this engagement.” The research found Millennials find functional and emotional attributes in the office workplace big drivers of engagement, but many companies aren’t delivering. Here’s what small business owners and human resources departments can do to create a change in the workplace for better Millennial engagement: Improve communication The gossip mill is not necessarily a good thing to encourage, and it will run rampant in your company if you don’t have good communication about what’s happening from the top down. In smaller companies, you can create quarterly meetings to share information, and at larger companies, newsletters and departmental meetings
will help. Encourage your employees to ask questions. Promote an open-door policy with all management. And above all, only provide information that is accurate and true. If a question is asked and the answer isn’t known, say so. Encourage growth opportunities Millennials are interested in making their way up the career ladder quickly, and many will jump companies if they find it in their best interest. Since you’ve put a lot of effort into training them to perform perfectly for your company, it might be in your best interest to encourage them to stay around. Encourage your management team to discuss with Millennials on your staff their career goals, and identify direct paths they can take to grow in the company. Get to know your workers For many generations, the attitude has been to not ask personal questions of employees, but instead to let employees tell their stories if they wish. Millennials would like their managers and coworkers to be interested in them, not just as an employee, but as a complete person. These employees want to know that their supervisor cares about their personal life and understands how it affects the work they do for the company. Your company might want to look into ways of getting to know each other, especially outside of the job. Consider hosting an annual family event like a picnic so coworkers can meet spouses and children. Create a monthly newsletter that features some stories about big life changes, like workers buying houses or starting families. To learn more about the Dale Carnegie research, visit www.dalecarnegie.com/employee-engagement and download the free whitepaper.
(BPT)
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
A+ POWER SPORTS & VICTORY 622 E. COURT ST. - HWY 11 ELKHORN, WI www.AplusRide.com (262) 723-8822 RESTRICTIONS: Offers good on new and unregistered units purchased between 3/1/15-4/30/15. *On select models. See your dealer for details. Rates as low as 2.99% for 36 months. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Fixed APR of 2.99%, 6.99%, or 10.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Offer effective on all new and unused 2008-2015 Polaris® ATV, RANGER®, and RZR® models purchased from a participating Polaris dealer between 3/1/2015 and 4/30/2015. Offer subject to change without notice. An example of monthly payments required on a 36-month term at 2.99% is $29.08 per $1,000 financed. An example of monthly payments required on a 36-month term at 6.99% APR is $30.87 per $1,000 financed. See participating retailers for complete details and conditions. WARNING: Polaris® off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended to on-road use. Drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2015 Polaris Industries Inc. 196413
Text:DEALER MESSAGING FIRST LINE. Text:DEALER MESSAGING SECOND LINE. Text:DEALER MESSAGING THIRD LINE. Text:DEALER MESSAGING FOURTH LINE.
Serving Walworth County for 20 years!
A+ POWER SPORTS & VICTORY 622 E COURT ST - HWY 11 ELKHORN, WI
ballet • pointe • jazz • tap • hip hop • modern lyrical • voice • guitar • piano • tiny two’s
Specializing in Pre-ballet Classes
Full Curriculum for Children & Adults Beginning thru Advanced Levels Available Children’s Birthday Parties Available • Dance wear Boutique
Register Online for Classes Now!
1013 Ann Street • Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3017
www.dancefactoryinc.com
Classes Open Monday thru Saturday
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43 YEARS FLY BY WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN!
Any one of our thousands of happy clients will tell you, listening is the cornerstone to every remodeling project we complete. Whether you’re considering a design-build renovation or a simple home maintenance issue, we’re here, ready to listen.
StebnitzBuilders.com 800.410.8027
43 YEARS 1972-2015 196120
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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS 2015
Purpose Contracting Asphalt & Concrete
COMMERCIAL
TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS
RESIDENTIAL
TIRED OF CLEARING SNOW OFF A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY
ASPHALT PAVING PATCHING DRIVEWAYS PARKING LOTS DRIVEWAY APPROACH GARAGE APPROACH HOT TAR CRACK SEALING
MAKE YOUR DREAM A REALITY
CONCRETE SPRING SPECIAL
10% OFF Must be presented at time of estimate. Limit one coupon per customer. Valid with this coupon only. Not valid with any other offers. No cash value, expires 5-31-2015
DRIVEWAYS PATIOS WALKWAYS COLORED STAMPED CURBING DUMPSTER PADS LOADING DOCKS
CALL TODAY 414-305-9005 Please Visit our Website at: www.purposecontracting.com
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