54665

Luke Zahm chats with Congressman Ron Kind about COVID -19, the CARES Act, the election and everything in between.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Julie Emslie from WWBIC.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Nicolas Enjalbert, PhD and Bjorn Bergman from Seed Linked. To learn more about Seed Linked please visit www.seedlinked.com

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with 4th-grade entrepreneur Elliot, answers all of his questions and they share a few laughs. This is one of our favorite episodes. Enjoy!

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Enoch Elwell CEO of Co.Starters about his experiences in economic development, as an entrepreneur and as one of the leaders in grass roots economic development and business support.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm welcome Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to the 54665 podcast and ask him about what he loves about Wisconsin, his thoughts about economic development in rural communities, the Wisconsin Idea and who he admires most.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Todd Mandel about servant leadership. Todd is the founder of Building Mighty Communities. https://mightycommunities.com/ Todd will be teaching a 2 part workshop with the Viroqua Chamber Main Street all about servant leadership. For more information visit our Facebook page. https://business.facebook.com/viroqua

Luke Zahm chats with serial entrepreneur Lars Bergan.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm interview Pete Taylor about his business. Pete is the co-owner of Bluedog Cycles and co-founder of Vernon Trails. Enjoy!

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Mark Dennis of the Wisconsin Procurement Institute.

Nora Roughen Schmidt chats with Errin Welty of the WEDC and Julie Emslie of WWBIC about all things KIVA. Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Kiva acts as a micro-lending platform or a place where people who need a loan and people who want to loan money can find and connect with one another.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Anne Katz. Anne is the Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Susan Townsley of Stonehouse Counseling in Viroqua about mental health and how the stress of owning and operating small a small business can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Listen as we unpack root causes, childhood experiences and other things that lead to mental health challenges and how family and loved ones can support the people they love with mental health and depression.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Dave and Jen Tubbin discuss all things related to starting a business, the dynamics of owning a business in a small town, how they got started and how they continue to grow and change. An inspirational story about starting small and loving your work.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Gayle Nielsen owner of Zero Point Hypnosis. Gayle Nielsen is a Hypnotist, Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner, Kundalini Reiki Master and martial artist of over 30 years. With degrees in both Electro-Mechanical Technology and Visual Communications, and a past corporate career in laboratory materials testing and Information Technology, she brings a solid science background to her work in understanding consciousness. She works with clients in private practice and group to access resource states where observable change takes place.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Senator Jennifer Shilling.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Peter Ruud chat with Sue Noble from VEDA.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Lacey Steffes have worked together in community development for several years and the podcast proved to be the perfect opportunity to talk about all of the many hats that Lacey wears as the owner of Spa Serenity, the brains behind many of the most successful events in Baraboo and don't forget the community and economic development, and Greatest Place on Earth product line that she handles in her spare time.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Dan and Jacob Kanis from Nelson Agri-Center. This father-son powerhouse will provide not only the history of Nelson-Agri Center, but what it means to own a business in a small community, the highs and lows, the responsibility of local businesses to their communities, as well as advice for all things related to entrepreneurs and starting a small business.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Tim Murphy and Noelle Kehoe owners of Kickapoo Kind.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt's kids Henry and Willa take over the 54665. Hear what they have to say about living in the driftless.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with LaVonne (Spanky) and Michele Felton owners of Sleepy Hollow Auto.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Ted Parrish owner of Parrish Music about his journey as a business owner, what it means to do business in a small community, the importance of mentor businesses and why he loves the work that he does.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Jess Reed talk about the Historic Temple Theatre's new season, what its like to be an Executive Director in Viroqua.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Max Musicant and Chris DesRoches about their consulting firm in Minneapolis, MN and how they got started. The group also chats about placemaking in corporate and neighborhood settings and how to turn things that you are passionate about into a successful business.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Adam Sonntag Hillsboro City Administrator and Snapper Verbsky owner of Hillsboro Brewing Company about all things Hillsboro WI.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and luke Zahm chat with Eddy Nix. Eddy is the owner of Driftless Books and Music and co-founder of the Wisconsin Roots Music Cooperative.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm host Isthmus Senior Contributor and former Mayor of Madison, WI, David Cieslewicz. The trio talks all things trout economy and small towns as David visits Viroqua and interviews locals for a feature story in Madison's weekly newspaper to be released in June. Plenty of laughs with this crew. Enjoy!

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Tom Weston of Citizens First Bank in Viroqua about banking and small business and the relationship between banking and the community.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm discuss all things human resources with Kay Starr, a human resources professional with Vernon Memorial Healthcare for more than 30 years! Get tips for best practices when hiring, the importance of an employee manual, best interview questions and plenty of laughs!

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Todd Mandel of Building Mighty Communities about all things grants. PLEASE BE ADVISED - We recorded this episode while testing some remote recording software. At times the audio quality is challenging and the episode ends abruptly...however, the content is so good, that we decided to use this episode anyway! We are thrilled to be testing new and innovative ways to bring entrepreneurs and small business owners quality information. Thanks for listening!

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Bree, Eric, and Larkin of B&E's Trees. B&E's Trees was founded in 2011 when Bree and Eric of B&E's fell head over heels for a small corner of land in Southwest Wisconsin. Since then they have grown in partnership with Central Waters Brewing Company, and are now aging their delectable syrup in bourbon barrels.The resulting bourbon barrel aged maple syrup is rich, complex, and incredibly delicious. From a wild dream to an off-grid, delicious reality, B&E invite you to join them and taste the adventure!

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with radio personality Tim Eddy.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Jessica Hooper and Randy Skinner of The Bon Ton Millinery Apartments.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Aaron Reimler of Couleecap.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Jaali Parrish. Jaali is a fiber artist specializing in needle felting and the creation of unique dollies and strange creatures. In 2016, Jaali opened Jaali's Dollies through the Viroqua Chamber Main Street Pop-up Program.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with City of Viroqua Mayor Karen Mischel.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt chats with Matthias Minnig owner of Mac Help.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm sit down with Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. Mandela Barnes serves as Wisconsin’s 45th Lieutenant Governor. He was elected on November 8, 2018 and sworn into office on January 7, 2019. He is the first African-American to serve as a Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin, and the second African-American to ever hold statewide office. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Mandela is the son of a public-school teacher and a United Auto Workers member, to whom he credits much of his success. He grew up attending Milwaukee Public Schools and is an alumnus of Alabama A&M University. He worked for various political campaigns and in the office of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, eventually becoming an organizer for Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope, a Milwaukee-based interfaith coalition that advocates social justice. Mandela also worked for the State Innovation Exchange, a national progressive public policy organization. In 2012, at the age of 25, Mandela was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he served two two-year terms. His tenure in the State Assembly included serving as Chair of the Legislature’s Black and Latino Caucus and becoming a recognized leader on progressive economic policies and gun violence prevention legislation. As Lieutenant Governor, Mandela will continue to fight for solutions that invest in opportunities and fairness for every child, person, and family in Wisconsin, regardless of zip code.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Laura Hrubes owner of Viroqua Baking Co. and 2018 Viroqua Pop-up Shop participant about becoming an entrepreneur.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm interview Eugene Gabrysiak owner of Mister G’s in Viroqua and Richland Center. Mr. G talks about owning a cornerstone business in a small community, what it is like to own a business and how the world of retail in rural communities has changed since he opened in Richland Center in 1969.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Becca Cooke owner of Red's Mercantile. Becca was born and raised in Eau Claire - she grew up on a dairy and beef farm right outside of town. While studying marketing and public relations at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, Becca worked at a housing and workforce development nonprofit and waitressed. After college, she went on to work for Haberman Media and Marketing in new business development pitching new clients, etc. Started working in politics to be closer to her passions and make a change on a macro level vs. micro level. She held posts on congressional races in Minnesota, Michigan, and Colorado and then moved to California as finance director for Congressman Raul Ruiz raising $3.4 million in his successful re-election. In 2015, after Ruiz won Becca moved back home to be closer to family and slower pace of life. Once back in Eau Claire, she started a fundraising consulting firm advising US Senate, Congressional and State races across the country. Eau Claire was seeing a huge revitalization at that time and Becca wanted to be a part of that energy. She quit taking new clients in the Fall of 2017 to start Red's Mercantile with a desire to support independent brands. They have stayed true to their mission of carrying only made in America goods, but the shop itself has become this gathering space for women and a hotbed for activism - much more than a place that sells "stuff".

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Chad Moeller, of Anytime Fitness Viroqua and Chad Moeller Fitness, about everything from finding a work-life balance to building a following and fad diets. Chad started as a personal trainer in 1997. He has helped 1000′s of people reach their health and fitness goals for over 20 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Human Performance, and multiple national certifications designations and awards, Chad strives to enhance the lives of the people by communicating the truths and dispelling the myths of the vast topics encompassing the health and fitness field. Chad has worked with elite athletes, executives, moms, and kids to achieve the pinnacle of success within their chosen endeavors. Throughout his career, Chad has written articles on health and fitness topics including nutrition, strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and has appeared in national publications. Chad is also a best selling author on the topic of Fitness Mindset.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Carolyn Zick about best practices for social media. Carolyn Zick has been a social media user since the days of Xanga blogs before Myspace and Facebook. She began her professional journey in social media in 2015, when she founded Bad Axe Enterprises, LLC. The company focuses on online marketing and technology solutions for small businesses. In early 2018, she took on the role of Director of Communications at Bank of Cashton. Whether working with small businesses through Bad Axe Enterprises or Bank of Cashton, Carolyn loves the challenge of providing useful marketing skills for any industry.

This week on 54665, Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm interview Joy Vietinghoff owner of Accounting and Tax Service in Viroqua. Listeners will hear about best practices for businesses when keeping records as well as navigating the new tax laws.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Joe Lawniczak about ADA compliance. Learn what's required of you and what resources are available. Joe has been the Downtown Design Specialist with Wisconsin Main Street since 2001. He works daily with building owners, city officials, and stakeholders in Main Street communities throughout Wisconsin, preserving and restoring historic building facades, providing preservation and design education, and establishing local preservation tools such as design guidelines, design review, ordinances, etc. Since 2001, he has completed over 1,300 renderings for businesses and property owners throughout Wisconsin and the United States. He has been a featured speaker and/or provided hands-on design services for several other statewide organizations in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He has been actively involved with the National Main Street Center (NMSC), serving on various committee and leadership panels. He has been one of the key planners for the annual Main Street Architects and Designers meetings since 2005, and has been a featured writer for various NMSC publications, including Main Street News, Main Street Now, and Revitalizing Main Street. He has also written feature articles for Wisconsin Main Street, the University of Wisconsin, and various local organizations on design-related topics. In addition, he serves on the Scenic Byways Advisory Council for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and is a former member of the Public Policy Committee for the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation. Prior to Wisconsin Main Street, Lawniczak worked for 12 years at the architectural firm of Berners-Schober Associates in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm discuss all things Wiso Pop! and Sparkle with founder Austin Ashley. This episode covers a wide range of topics from the origins of Wisco Pop! and running a business with your spouse to safe words and Luke's obsession with word clouds.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Darrin Wasniewski of the WEDC about strategic doing for non-profits. This one is full of valuable info whether you're in the non-profit world or not. Darrin Wasniewski is the Downtown Development Program Manager for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. In his role, he works to assist historic commercial districts in their revitalization efforts. Prior to joining WEDC’s Downtown Development team, Darrin served as Executive Director of Main Street Orrville in Orrville, OH.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt, Luke Zahm and special guest Errin Welty of the WEDC attempt to give 20 tips in 5 minutes. You'll want to listen to this one a couple times. SPOILER ALERT: There are more than 20 tips. Errin Welty is a Downtown Development Account Manager with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and works with businesses and property owners in Main Street and Connect Communities across the state. Errin’s background is in downtown revitalization, small business development, market analysis and real estate development with work in six states and communities of all sizes.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm chat with Julie Emslie about WWBIC (Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation). WWBIC is a statewide non-profit that’s mission centers around providing resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Within that, their primary focus is in assisting those who lack access. The specific resources they provide typically fall into 3 buckets: education, 1-on-1 consulting, and lending –which is their cornerstone piece. Julie has spent the past 10 years working in community and economic development, both internationally and here in the states. Her forte is in rural development, and currently, in her role at WWBIC, that emphasis is in supporting small business development and entrepreneurship. Julie has a Masters in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks through the Peace Corps Masters International program. You can learn more about WWBIC by visiting www.wwbic.com or reach out to Julie at jemslie@wwbic.com

Nora Roughen-Schmidt welcomes back attorney Emily Ruud for 10 legal tips in 20 minutes.