BizNews Greater La Crosse with Vicki Markussen

Understanding debt, running a business, cell phone etiquette and even shaking hands — these are all skills needed to be successful in life. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin is teaching these skills in our schools with help from more than 120 volunteers.  Regional Director Susan Peterson joins to discuss the organization, its impact on students from elementary to college age, the evolution of their...

From fitness to guiding small businesses, powered by women, Stephanie Ross, co-owner of Sister Circle, joins. Ross is an entrepreneur, community leader and a realtor. She and her sister, Cathryn, run Sister Circle, which helps guide and coach women small business owners. We explore Ross’ entrepreneurial ventures, challenges faced, growth and transition into focusing on business education and coach...

Being vulnerable is opening doors for many of our local, largest business employers with Jim Naleid’s group Epic 21 — which stands for Executive Peers in Conference: 21st Century Leadership. In this episode, Jim talks about his journey from financial advising to a retirement career coaching this group of leaders. The group has championed Junior Achievement and now brings speakers in for the greate...

Shobi Zietlow, owner of Referral Staffing Solutions, joins to share her journey of entrepreneurship — starting from humble origins to building her business. Zietlow discusses her upbringing, challenges in managing Referral Staffing, seeking professional development programs and her commitment to giving back to the community. Zietlow also talks of rebranding, celebrating 10 years in business, and h...

Joe Ruskey, the owner of Dependable Solutions, an IT company, joins to discuss the latest protections you should have in place for your data. While you think it may not be vulnerable or valuable, imagine what you may have to pay if your photos, health information, or passwords get held hostage. Ruskey talks about how his business has grown, after moving from Chicago to Prairie du Chien, then expan...

A high school passion for dance has turned into a career for West Salem native, Michelle Malone. When she figured out the marketing business she started wasn't enough, Malone opened I&E Dance Studio in La Crosse six months later. Now she's running both this studio where adults can get back into dance or take lessons for the first time, plus Collective Marketing . She joins to talk about the co...

Joe Katchever, owner, brewmaster, and founder of Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse joins, as they're about to celebrate 25 years in business with the Feb. 17 Winter Ball. We discuss Katchever's Pearl Street Brewery journey — from its inception in Colorado to the basement of the Bodega and now at its current location. Katchever also discusses the challenges he faced to get here, the brewery's event...

Artificial Intelligence is all the buzz, as nearly every software takes on an A.I. component. Schools are discussing how to detect if a student or the computer wrote a paper. Non-artists have A.I. creating pictures they describe. Even podcasts like this one uses A.I. to remove “ums” and “ahs.” And everyone is worried, ‘Will I be replaced by A.I.?’ So, we talked with local A.I. expert Rodney Holum,...

Oh look, someone is teaching public speaking — a lot of people's No. 1 worst fear. But Jon Reiner isn't just a public speaking coach, he's also a pastor, and wears both hats proudly. On Sundays, you may listen to him at First Free Church in Onalaska. Other days, he’s traveling the world, teaching others how to create a story around their product. Here, he talks of how a pastor became a sought-afte...

It was a social media buzz for companies last year when more than 700 high school students came to an event called Build My Future, at the La Crosse Area Builders Association, promoting all jobs in the trades — not just construction. Every booth was interactive — from removing tires to operating a backhoe. Joining the podcast to preview this year’s Build My Future event are Andy Olson of River Cit...

Tom Miskowski, owner of Kitchen Solvers — a kitchen remodeling company — joins the show. We discuss his journey from being a corporate CEO to becoming a franchise owner and now a cabinetmaker. He talks about the benefits of owning a franchise and how Kitchen Solvers helps franchisees with systems and support. Tom also explains the services offered by Kitchen Solvers of La Crosse, such as kitchen r...

Phanat Lor joins to discuss her journey as a second language teacher, who started her own business called Crafted Copy.  She offers copywriting and resume writing services. We talk about how Phanat ventured into writing and how she helps individuals identify their skills and apply them to their resumes. We also discuss the importance of confidence, communication, and continuous learning in the job...

Each Friday, for nearly a year now, you’ve heard BizCast talk to local leaders. And, if you reached the end of each podcast, you'll know there's a common closer question: "What makes you passionate about what you do?" As we enter the time of New Year's Resolutions, here are some ideas to help you find your passion in 2024 — a compilation of answers to that question. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Paul Borsheim, one of the owners of Borton Construction, joins to talk about building industry challenges, the keys to their growth and having a philosophical mindset, including the rewards of coaching freshmen boys basketball. Borsheim got his start working for one construction company, which led to breaking off into Borton Construction. We also discuss how he’s learned to use development project...

One industry not having trouble growing is solar energy. Olson Solar Energy began in 2017 when two brothers from Holmen heard solar panel installation was a hot industry. Six year later they have gone from zero to 60 employees. Olson consultant Keith Molzahn joins to talk about the benefits and incentives of solar panels, the technological advancements in the field, how solar panels work, the fina...

What began as a casual way to improve baseball and softball players during the pandemic has become a regional destination. Garage Ball just reopened in its new Highway Z location on Brice Prairie. Owner Brian Meeter joins to talk about how interest in the indoor batting cages took off, demand grew for other services and how they’re ensuring this facility stays in demand. See omnystudio.com/listene...

Many businesses hit a point where they need to grow. They’ve either saved up for years, asked friends and relatives to help, or they got bank funding. What banks can't finance, a company out of Minneapolis called Hill Capital just might. That's their specialty. Come learn how business can get connected and thrive with Hill Capital owner Patrick Donahue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Phil Humphrey, the owner of 608 Brewing Company in La Crosse joins to discuss how they started, have grown and the effects of the pandemic, plus the challenges of operating in the ever-evolving craft beer industry. Humphrey also discusses the exciting future of the company, including the plan to open a new location in Holmen, as well as how proposed brewing laws in Wisconsin could affect the busin...

Pepsi is celebrating 125 years as a beverage company. Along with that, Gillette Pepsi has been alongside Pepsi for more than 80 years. While delivering product to stores remains the same, the amount of products they now carry means soda is a small fraction. Megan Howard, Vice President of Human Resources talks how they are working extra hard to keep their people happy. See omnystudio.com/listener...

What causes someone to leave most of her possessions in California and move back home to La Crosse? Faith, literally. Faith Anderson dreamed of owning a cafe. She moved home with no plan but, with a great friend, three months later, she finds herself co-owner and manager of Bluebird Bakery & Cafe. Listen to how the company grew to the point of adding a drive through in Onalaska and how a group...

Brian Meeter has only been with the La Crescent Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism for six months, but he already knows what makes it special. The new executive director joins to talk about life on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River. Meeter discusses the campaign La Crescent is launching to draw in more people and promoting walkability to restaurants, new businesses starting up, attra...

Talking to Judson Steinback, co-owner of Coulee Region Ecoscapes, reveals a very deep individual — from his Waldorf teaching days to a very sick child to being a musician to knowing native plants, how they grow, and how to minimize harm through landscaping. Oh, and he’s also a world-record canoeist, and don’t get him talking about fishing. In this podcast you’ll learn how to handle plants, grass a...

Many businesses would be envious of the budget Haleigh Doyle has, as head of marketing at Explore La Crosse - also known as the La Crosse Convention and Visitors Bureau or the tourism bureau. The more successful she is, the greater her budget. She gets to attract people for our birding, our outdoor activities, our festivals and more. From printed tourism guides to sharing visitors' Instagram posts...

Oh the things you can see in Holmen! Village President Patrick Barlow joined to talk about how their plan for growth years ago is paying off, as homes continue to be built. And, with them, businesses follow. Barlow discusses where all this growth is going, the infrastructure needs, how it is getting paid for and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a local grocery store in 1920 to a regional manufacturer of sausage, hotdogs and more, Bakalars Sausage owner Mike Bakalars gives us an inside scoop on how the sausage gets made. Bakalars is growing through acquisition — taking on more markets and products and expanding distribution. Learn more about La Crosse-based Bakalars and the snap they give to any Minnesota Vikings. See omnystudio.com/...