BizNews Greater La Crosse with Vicki Markussen

Diane Seyler and Irene Barmore join to discuss La Crosse Sister Cities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leo Bronston, owner of Bronston Chiropractic, which is based in Onalaska, joins. Bronston recently received the Chiropractor of the Year award from the Wisconsin Chiropractors Association. Bronston talks about how his early exposure to the medical field through his mother, a nurse, led him to pursue chiropractic care. He discusses the rigorous educational process and challenges of starting and run...

La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron joins to delve into the pivotal role of leadership, community interaction, and mental wellness in modern policing. Kudron reflects on his journey from Nebraska to Wisconsin, offering insights into his career progression across various roles within law enforcement. He discusses the department's ongoing efforts to foster community engagement, support mental health...

Exploring the rich history, ongoing impact and personal journeys of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.  Joining is Sister Mary Ann Gschwind, discussing the Sister’s origins in Bavaria, their establishment in La Crosse, and notable contributions such as the founding of Viterbo University and St. Francis Hospital (now Mayo Clinic).  Sister Gschwind talks about the community's evolution,...

The Scouts BSA organization is rebranding to Scouting America by 2025 — continuing to welcome both boys and girls, while preserving core principles like the Scout Oath, Scout Law and the pursuit of becoming an Eagle Scout.  Executive Director Joe Carlson talks about how the Gateway Area Council in La Crosse remains unchanged.  Scouting emphasizes service, outdoor activities and leadership with pro...

Morgan Farmer, the executive vice president of Park Bank joins. Morgan tells how his father Doug started Park Bank and his family’s deep roots in the industry, dating back to 1980. Morgan shares insights into the bank's operations — from its expansion and community impact to its specialization in small business financing and residential mortgages. The conversation highlights the importance of loca...

Kevin Ruetten joins, as we explore how he provides services to businesses to connect with employees while having two employers – the Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and Western Technical College. Ruetten develops training programs and finds talent in new ways by connecting individuals working with the Workforce Development partners to employers. Then works with Western Technical Coll...

Imagine what it takes to run a business that is 107 years old. That's Joel House's new job, as he takes over as president of La Crosse Sign Group, with Paul Fuchsel retiring. House, who's also a new dad, joins to talk about how the company values are still front and center. We discuss the operations of the company, which specializes in custom, electrical, and illuminated signage in Wisconsin.  You...

Matt Boshcka, a remarkable serial entrepreneur, who has worn many business hats in the La Crosse area, joins. Boshcka shares his journey from growing up in a humble setting to owning various successful businesses, including Cannabis Depot, Dream Vacations, and a travel foundation for victims of domestic abuse. In this episode, Boshcka discusses his business philosophy, the importance of having exi...

Sarah Burns, owner of Omega Bakery, joins. Sarah shares her journey from being a box mix baker to owning a dedicated gluten-free bakery in Holmen, specializing in allergy-friendly baking. The conversation touches on Sarah's initial health-driven motivation, her progression from home baking to farmers markets, and eventually opening a storefront that now employs 10. Some of her co-workers and stude...

Cheri Haug, owner of Gossamer Wings , joins to share her journey. It went from practicing law to following her creative passions, which Haug to jewelry making and eventually aromatherapy. Haug discusses her business evolution — from craft shows to opening a bead store, and now, a retail shop at the Collective on Main Street in downtown La Crosse. Haug also details her unique service of custom frag...

A bit of a switcheroo, as Vicki is the guest and Rick Solem the host, for a La Crosse Talk segment on WIZM. We discuss my role as interim director and consultant on the Western Workforce Development Board, what the development board does and some of the challenges its facing, including a changing job market and the rapid implementation of A.I.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff LeClaire, President of the Insurance Center (TIC) located in Onalaska joins. Jeff discusses the significant evolution of the company, which started in 1966, and its current focus on serving individuals and companies facing catastrophic health issues and insurance claims. Highlighting TIC's structural changes, mission of perpetual growth, and culture rooted in servant leadership, Jeff shares i...

Katie Walters of Walt's Restaurant and Tavern, and Sean McManus of Savory Creations join to discuss the ins and outs of restaurant etiquette and the elements that contribute to exceptional service. They cover topics such as the importance of communication, the role of ambiance, handling wait times, ensuring consistency in the kitchen, and tips for customers to improve their dining experience. 00:0...

Mike Kreiling, owner of multiple Express Employment Professionals franchises, joins. We discuss the shifting dynamics in employment, including wage inflation and the importance of leadership skills. Kreiling, who lives in La Crosse with his family, helps connect people with jobs at Express Employment Professionals from Winona to Eau Claire and beyond. Kreiling shares insights from his personal jou...

This week, a bit of a highlight reel from past guests. At the end of each episode, we ask, "What makes you passionate about what you do?" Here are their answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes starting a business begins by looking at your children. For Lane and Shannon Peters, the husband-wife team behind Hallmark Homecare, they wanted to provide a learning experience for their children and give back to their community.  The franchise provides caregiver services to seniors, as the two discuss their motivations, including personal family experiences and a desire to teach their...

Estina Hanes’s La Crosse roots run deep.  Despite being a makeup artist at Fashion Week in New York or glamming up socialites in California, La Crosse keeps calling her back.  This Central High School graduate moved away, came back, got recruited to do makeup for the stars, and now flies back to La Crosse when she is done.  On July 8, Hanes opens E-Spa and TLYN Studios in The Village — which is wh...

Colin Luz, a versatile entrepreneur with multiple business ventures, including Copperhead Carts, Holiday Heroes Lights and a new venture called Stoneworks Sign & Monuments, joins. Luz shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, which began in high school and evolved through various business ventures — from a moving company to custom golf carts and holiday lighting services. Emphasizing t...

He caters. He consults. He offers boutique cooking classes. And he joins the show this week. Shawn McManus, owner of Savory Creations. We talk about how Shawn’s love of family gatherings with food, prepared by his grandma and mother, sparked his culinary passion. Shawn’s dietary consulting brought him from California to Gundersen in La Crosse, where he made the connections to pursue the dream of o...

Sarah Fecht, owner of Best Self Leadership , joins to discuss her approach to leadership coaching, the importance of recognizing individual strengths, and the value of emotional intelligence in leadership. Sarah shares insights from her experience in Human Resources and her transition to launching her own business. We also cover strategies for creating high-performing teams and fostering trust wit...

Katie Walters co-owner of Walt's Restaurant and Tavern in Bangor with her husband, Ryan join to talk about launching their new menu June 1 to compliment their expanded craft beer selection, wine selection, and cocktail offerings. Walters also mentions the balance between traditional Wisconsin menu items and new, elevated dishes. Shawn McManus, a consultant, helped in updating the menu to match the...

We continue our conversation with Cate Hollowitsch, the chief marker for Nesnah Ventures in La Crosse, discussing how her expertise became a challenge to do a TED Talk, focusing on the theme of self preservation. It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of what it takes to get on the stage and speak. She provides her journey into speaking, shares insights into the TED Talk application process, th...

Cate Hollowitsch, marketing chief for Nesnah Ventures in La Crosse, joins to talk about how Nesnah turned its sale of Kwik Trip shares, decades ago, into an acquisition and management company. Nesnah has more than 200 employees and a diverse portfolio of companies. It is constantly looking at growing more. Listen and learn about this local hidden gem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Dan Markussen joins the show to talk about sitting next to "that guy" on an airplane. Markussen is a "million miler," a frequent flier, and we talk airline etiquette — taking your shoes off, reclining your seat, who gets the window and other "do's and don'ts." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.