According to Tim Cigelske, founder of Milwaukee-based Teecycle.org, the average person has about 27 t-shirts, many of which they don’t wear.

Based on that fact, Cigelske has created a business that benefits both the community and shoppers looking for unique vintage designs.

Cigelske created Teecycle.org in 2008 after seeing advertisements in a magazine for t-shirt companies selling items for $20 to $30.

“I just thought they were charging way too much for t-shirts,” Cigelske said. “I decided that I could take my love for vintage t-shirts, thrift stores and garage sales, and turn it into a website where people could buy the t-shirts they like for minimal cost.”

People from all over the country have begun sending Cigelske their gently used t-shirts that they no longer need. Cigelske also collects shirts from rummage sales and thrift stores in the area as well.

“I started by hitting up as many rummage sales and thrift stores as I could,” he said. “I have found that the real gems come with a personal story behind the shirt that I can later pass on to whoever purchases it.”

The t-shirts are sold at www.teecycle.org for $7 a piece.

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. recently awarded Cigelske a $4,500 grant to assist in the development of Teecycle.org.

“I was attending the SXSW (South by Southwest) web conference in San Antonio a few months ago,” Cigelske said. “Pepsi was running this contest that gave individuals 60 seconds to pitch their business idea, and demonstrate how it was financially viable and would leave a positive impact on the world.”

Cigelske was selected as one of 20 finalists, and was recently chosen as the winner of the $4,500 grant.

“I was actually pleasantly surprised to find out I had won,” Cigelske said.

Other finalist ideas included web-based collaboration tools, social network managing sites, other entrepreneurial sites, and inventions like a kinetic battery charger.

Cigelske plans to use the grant money to expand his printed used t-shirt sales and to invest in some camera equipment to better document the existence of ethical clothing in the community, he said.

Cigelske recently started printing the Teecycle logo on blank used t-shirts and hopes to do other designs in the future.

“I do all my original prints through a local Milwaukee company called Orchard Street Press, they specialize in small order prints, and also use eco-friendly ink,” he said.

Those shirts retail for $18 a piece.

“I don’t turn anything away,” he said. “It actually surprises me sometimes what sells, but it’s really about the supply that creates the demand. A shirt that someone wants to get rid of might be the exact shirt that someone, somewhere else, really wants, that’s the beauty of it.”

Teecycle has shipped shirts as far away as Australia, London and Malaysia.

According to Cigelske, $1 from every t-shirt sold goes to the Milwaukee River Revitalization Foundation, which works to restore the rivers and trails in Milwaukee.

To date, Teecycle has earned over $300 for the organization, which is using it to help fund programs for inner city youth to clean up the trails in the community, Cigelske said.

Click on the image to view a video of Cigelske's interview

Milwaukee-based Smart Choice MRI, an independent MRI clinic that offers any MRI scan for a global flat rate fee of $600, recently announced that it will offer free MRI scans for the entire month of June to individuals in need, that have lost their jobs and have no insurance.

“We saw an opportunity to give back to the communities, and the customers that have supported us,” Eric Haberichter, co-owner of Smart Choice MRI, said. “With the way the economy is, we realized that as layoffs continue, and businesses continue to struggle, our key client base might suddenly find themselves without work and without insurance.”

In order to receive the free MRI scan, patients must have proof of an unemployment claim, and no insurance. They should also have a valid doctor’s order for the exam.

“What we are trying to do is legitimately help people who really honestly need help,” Haberichter said. “This is a unique opportunity for people to come and get the help they need with very limited questioning, without questioning of their income or their ability to pay.”

According to Haberichter, there is a limited supply of no cost MRI scans. Patients wishing to request a no-cost exam should visit the company’s website, www.smartchoicemri.com, and fill out a questionnaire.

Milwaukee Food Tours owner Theresa Nemetz formed the company last May in order to remind people of Milwaukee’s immigrant and ethnic past, she said.

“I really wanted to make sure that people remember the great immigrant and ethnic past of Milwaukee,” Nemetz said. “Plus I was really inspired to form the company because my great-grandparents immigrated to Milwaukee from Santa Flavia, Sicily.”

The company runs two different walking food tours for individuals interested in ‘tasting’ Milwaukee’s history, Nemetz said.

The first tour covers Brady Street and Old World Third Street, and makes stops at places like Zaffiros, Gloriosos, Usinger's Sausage, the Wisconsin Cheese Mart, and the Spice House. The second takes a walking tour of the Historic Third Ward and stops at the Palms Bistro, Water Buffalo and Tulip.

“We really focus on Italian, German and Irish food,” Nemitz said.

The tours are held every Friday and Saturday, beginning in May and increase in number as the summer goes along. They usually last around 2.5 hours, and participants will learn about Milwaukee’s history and architecture while they enjoy the samples from various restaurants.

According to Nemetz, the demographic of the tours ranges from Milwaukee visitors looking to learn more about Milwaukee, and experience its tourist side, to Milwaukee natives just looking to learn more about the place they live.

More information about Milwaukee Food Tours, and their pricing can be found on their website www.MilwaukeeFoodTours.com

Diversified Insurance Services, in Brookfield, will lead 12 other volunteer organizations for the third year in the clean up of Sherman Park, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee, on Saturday, May 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Volunteers will work to improve the baseball diamond, the tennis and basketball courts. They will also replace wind screens and the backboards, add new bleachers, paint park benches, plant flowers, rake, mulch and do additional clean up around the park.

“Although we engaged in this project for our 25th anniversary of being in business three years ago, over these past three years we’ve been able to attract many neighbors, area businesses and associates to assist us in this worthy activity,” said Jim McCormack, Diversified’s chairman and CEO.

New projects this year include the construction of ten wellness/fitness stands and the purchase of a projector and screen for evening movies. In addition, Diversified will be funding the cost of an on-site activities director.

“The efforts of Diversified Insurance Services and all the volunteers draw more

people from the community to the park. We are fortunate that businesses in our area partner with us,” said Milwaukee County Executive, Scott Walker. “It’s part of what makes us a National Parks Gold Medal award contender.”

Other volunteer organizations in this project include:

• Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee – a service of the Non-Profit Center
• Sherman Park Community Association
• Milwaukee County Parks
• Milwaukee Fire Department
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee – Mary Ryan Branch
• Milwaukee Tennis and Education Foundation
• David J. Frank Landscaping Contractors
• Lowe’s
• Kohl’s Department Stores – A Team
• Girl Scout Troop 1557
• Boy Scout Troop 445
• Felmers Chaney Correctional Center

Name:  Marilyn Vollrath       

Title:  President   

Company: Vollrath Associates, Inc.

Company address:  839 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee, WI  53202
Company web site:  www.vollrathpr.com

Industry:  public and investor relations

Education:  BA degree in journalism from UWM

Family:  Husband, Phil, a partner in the company; daughter Jessica, an account executive with the company; daughter Lauren, a senior at UW-Madison

Hobbies and Interests:  golf, movies, performing arts, wine

Favorite book and/or movie:  “The Wedding Date; humorous romantic movies with happy endings are a great escape.”

Favorite musician/band:  Michael Bublé

Favorite place to visit/vacation:  Caribbean

Favorite local restaurant:  Mason Street Grill   

Words to live by:  “The best things in life aren’t things.”

What is your core philosophy for doing business?  “Keep your promises. Trust is the basis of all successful relationships, in business and everywhere else.”

Who is your role model and why?  “I’ve met and worked with so many smart women with multiple dimensions to their lives. I like to learn from all of them. For fun, a role model that makes you think is Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. She kept her people sharp and gave them experiences they’d never forget.”  

What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?  “At one of my first jobs out of college, my office was in what had been a men’s bathroom, complete with a big swinging door. Just imagine all of the jokes from the men who didn’t know it had been converted to a different use!”

North Shore Bank CEO named to federal government committee

Brookfield-based North Shore Bank today announced that president and CEO James F. McKenna has been selected to serve a two-year term on the Office of Thrift Supervision’s Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee, a newly created panel that advises the OTS on how best to support the country’s mutual institutions. In the role, McKenna will help guide and provide input on the national reorganization of U.S. bank regulations.

OTS is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the primary regulator of federal savings banks in the United States. McKenna is the only Wisconsin banker on the 12-member committee, which will have its first meeting June 9 in Washington, D.C. The group will meet three times a year to consider potential regulatory changes and other steps by OTS and their impact on the health and viability of U.S. mutual savings banks.

“The invitation to serve on this influential committee is a testament to the strength of North Shore Bank and its reputation and continued growth even in these challenging economic times,” McKenna said. “I talk and work with people involved in the banking industry every day – not just bankers, but regulators, educators, consumers and others, particularly in the Midwest, who have important stakes in this industry and its future. I am honored to take what I’ve learned from all of these people and help Wisconsin’s economic voice be heard in Washington, particularly at this important and dynamic time in the nation’s banking industry.”

BizTimes Media adds VP of sales

Milwaukee-based BizTimes Media LLC, the publisher of BizTimes Milwaukee and BizTimes.com, announced recently that Tom Gaertner will be hired as vice president of sales.

Gaertner has extensive experience in media, marketing and advertising within the greater Milwaukee market. He most recently served as vice president of client development for Pewaukee-based Platypus Advertising +Design. He also previously served as vice president of the midwest region for Time Warner Cable Media Sales. His other experiences include sales management for FM 96.5 WKLH and Channel 12 WISN-TV.  “Tom’s track record speaks for itself," said Dan Meyer, president of BizTimes media and publisher of BizTimes Milwaukee and BizTimes.com. "He has had tremendous success for many years in this market and he understands the importance and impact of traditional media and new media. We are fortunate to have him join us to serve our customers and to continue to build on the success we have realized from the past 14 plus years.”

Founded in 1995, BizTimes Media is a business to business media company, providing news, trends, operational strategies, and educational and awards events for the owners, presidents and other top executives of southeastern Wisconsin’s leading companies. Gaertner will oversee the print, online and event sponsorship sales for the business magazine- BizTimes Milwaukee, and BizTimes.com- including BizTimes Daily and four weekly e-newsletters.

Lu promoted to president and COO of The Novo Group

Milwaukee-based The Novo Group announced that Cindy Lu has been promoted to president and chief operating officer.

"I am delighted to announce that Cindy Lu has been promoted to the position of President," said Mike Harris, co-founder and Chairman of the Novo Group. "Cindy has been a strong leader for Novo since we started the firm together in 2003. Under her guidance, I know Novo will continue to be a successful growth company,"

Prior to starting Novo, Lu had her own recruiting firm and she also spent five years helping Parson Group grow into the fastest growing privately held firm the Inc. 500 List.

"I am excited about what the future holds for Novo," said Lu. "We have a talented and committed team of professional recruiters who genuinely have the clients' best interest in mind every day. Our range of customized talent solutions can scale up or down to meet our clients' needs and the value based pricing structure is a bonus in this kind of economic environment" said Lu.

Novo also announced that Paul Stewart and Paul Sweeney have joined the company's board of directors. Stewart and Sweeney are principals in PS Capital, a private equity firm in Milwaukee.

"Both Pauls bring us many years of prudent business management and they really understand how to carefully manage all the elements of building a company. We are very fortunate to have them as board members for Novo," said Harris.

Insurance

Chad Mydlowski has joined Integrated Risk Solutions, Pewaukee, as senior OCIP safety consultant.

Legal Services

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee recently announced that Patricia Hutter, a partner in the firm's corporate services practice, has been named to the Milwaukee Ballet board of directors. The firm also welcomed Jessica Van Bommel to its health law group.

Robert Habush of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., Milwaukee, was recently named one of the most preeminent lawyers in the country by Best Lawyers in America, the oldest lawyer-rating publication in the United States. For the first time, Best Lawyers honored the most distinguished attorneys in Milwaukee, and Habush was selected by his peers as Milwaukee’s Personal Injury Litigator of the Year.

Professional Services

Rochelle Dressman, CPP has joined Pak-Rite, Ltd / PR Case, Milwaukee, as a sales engineer. Rochelle comes to Pak-Rite with 11 years of experience in the reusable packaging industry. She is also a certified packaging professional through the Institute of Packaging Professionals.

Technology

MasterLink Corp., Menomonee Falls, recently promoted Joan Bridge to president. Bridge was formerly vice president of sales. She has 25 years of management and sales experience.

“Recessions come and go, but this economic downturn has left a mark in Wisconsin that will prove much harder to erase. Simply put, many of the jobs that have been lost won't be coming back.”

~Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council

Read the full Milwaukee BizBlog: Wisconsin’s Challenge: Filling the job loss gap once the recession ends