Businesses seeking donations to benefit Oklahoma tornado victims
A cohort of Milwaukee businesses is raising funds and collecting donated items this week to provide relief to Moore, Okla. residents impacted by a deadly tornado that tore through the region on Monday, May 20.
 
Area businesses banding together include Mixx Night Club, Rusty's Old 50, Pat Oak Manor, Operation locate Our Children, and Jake & T.J. Dohlun Complete Heat Treating.

Donations will be collected through Saturday, June 1. Sought-after donation items include bottled water, cleaning supplies, diapers, baby wipes, nonperishable foods, personal hygiene supplies, dog and cat food, new or gently used clothing and cash contributions.

Organizers of the disaster relief initiative hope to collect enough items to fill a semi-truck.

Drop-off times and locations include:

*Today through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mixx Night Club, located at 906 S. Barclay St. in Milwaukee.
*Today through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Rusty's Old 50, located at 730 Old World 3rd St. in Milwaukee.
*Today through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Pat's Oak Manor, located at 1804 15th Ave. in South Milwaukee.
*Today through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Johnny Mo's, located at 1301 Milwaukee Ave. in South Milwaukee.
*Today through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bootz Saloon & Grill, located at 8950 S. 27th St. in Oak Creek.

For more information about the donation drive, contact Pat James at 414-899-2301 or Chris Schwartz at 414-394-4132.

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LBWN makes final call for business plan competition submissions
Layton Boulevard West Neighbors (LBWN), a nonprofit dedicated to community development, will accept applications for the Silver City Business Plan Competition through tomorrow.
 
The competition, which kicked off in March, will grant one designated entrepreneur the resources and space to open their own shop in a renovated commercial structure located at 3519 W. National Ave. in Milwaukee’s Silver City neighborhood.

“Since we announced the Silver City Business Plan Competition in March, we have seen nearly 20 applications submitted, but we want more,” said LBWN Executive Director Charlotte John-Gomez. “Business ideas submitted so far include cafes, pet boutiques and clothing retailers, but we know there are hundreds of additional great ideas out there and we encourage all interested entrepreneurs to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity.”

The business plan competition has been made possible by a $6 million community initiative to update 24 foreclosed city properties into usable spaces.

On top of the renovated business space, the winning entrepreneur will receive $5,000 in funding to cushion startup costs and up to five months of free rent. Additional technical support will be provided to the selected entrepreneur by LBWN, the Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute (MEI), and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC).

Individuals interested in submitting applications can do so at www.lbwn.org/businessplancompetition. Applicants must include a Letter of Intent with their entry.

After an extensive review process, LBWN and community partners will ask finalists to submit a full proposal by the end of June. The official winner will be announced in August.

Corporate and organizational partners of the Silver City Business Plan Competition include Impact Seven, Wisconsin Redevelopment, WHEDA, Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Foundation, MEI, WWBIC, National Equity Fund, Town Bank, City of Milwaukee, LISC, Federal Home Loan Bank, SchultzWerk Architecture, Inc., Universal Construction Solutions, U.S. Bank, and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.

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Les Paul exhibit receives $28,000 tourism grant
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism will present a Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant exceeding $28,000 to the Waukesha County Museum today to support the museum's Les Paul exhibit slated to open in June.
 
The $28,250 one-time, one-of-a-kind grant exists to boost regional tourism and will broaden the museum's marketing and publicity capabilities for the Les Paul collection, titled "The Les Paul: The Wizard of Waukesha" exhibit.

"The JEM grant is helping us achieve two very important things," said Kirsten Lee Villegas, president and chief executive officer of the museum. "First, we are able to better publicize Waukesha's significant role in making the greater Milwaukee area a national music destination. Second, we're getting the opportunity to share one of the most inspirational stories in the industry – the life of legendary Les Paul."

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism selected the museum as a grant recipient through an application process in which the museum highlighted how the permanent exhibit will draw outsiders to the region.

The Les Paul exhibit will feature a collection of original artifacts belonging to the famed musician and Waukesha native. Showcased items will include guitars, clothing and personal writings.

Museum officials also hope to expand the Les Paul exhibit experience to include supplementary activities and events that will further celebrate Les Paul and his impact on the Waukesha community.

"The Les Paul exhibit is only the beginning of what we envision to be a creative movement that is already burgeoning in the region," Villegas said. "It serves as the foundation to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and persevere in the pursuit of their life goals."

"The Les Paul: The Wizard of Waukesha" exhibit will open on Sunday, June 9, at 11 a.m. Museum admission costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and older, and $5 for college students with IDs and teenagers between ages 13 and 17. Kids ages six to 12 can gain entry into the museum for $4, and kids age five and under are admitted for free. Museum members are also admitted for free.

For more information about the Les Paul exhibit or to purchase tickets, visit www.lespaulexperience.org.

The Waukesha County Museum is located at 101 W. Main St. in Waukesha.

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Johnsonville unveils new sausage flavors
Sheboygan Falls-based Johnsonville Sausage LLC has unveiled two new smoked-cooked sausage flavors for the 2013 grilling season.
 
Pepper Jack Cheese and Mushroom & Swiss Cheese are the two new sausage varieties that will be available nationwide in select grocery stores through Labor Day.

Both products are made with only premium cuts of pork and are gluten free. Unlike many fully-cooked sausage products, the Johnsonville products are made with no fillers.

"Bringing flavorful, unique smoked-cooked sausage varieties is something our customers have come to expect from Johnsonville, and we're pleased to bring these new and fun, limited-time offer flavors for the 2013 grilling season," said Chris O'Toole, Johnsonville senior brand manager. "These special blends include ingredients that are visible in the sausage and are sure to complement the Johnsonville line of smoked-cooked sausage products."

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Jones to retire from Siebert Lutheran Foundation
After 20 years of serving as president and chief executive officer of the Siebert Lutheran Foundation of Brookfield, Wis., Ron Jones has announced that he will be retiring later this year.
 
Under his direction, the foundation distributed close to $60 million in grants to Lutheran projects and programs for Wisconsin-based Lutheran organizations, while still growing the foundation’s fund assets from $52 million to $92 million.

During Jones’ tenure, many of the foundation’s significant grants were aimed at relieving the burden of poverty in Milwaukee through various programs administered by Lutheran churches, including a $1 million grant to Hope Christian Schools of Milwaukee.

Prior to his joining the Siebert Lutheran Foundation, Jones was the vice president in charge of support and professional services at Elmbrook Hospital for 14 years.

Knute Jacobson, chairman of the board of the foundation, said, “The long-term effects of the many contributions, ideas, developments, management, and insights that Ron Jones brought to the Siebert Lutheran Foundation are immeasurable. Under his guidance, the foundation has flourished.  He has been an inspiration to all of us, and we wish him well in his upcoming retirement.”

Siebert Lutheran Foundation was founded in 1954 with funds from Albert F. Siebert who also began Milwaukee Electric Tool Company in 1924. Jones has been the third president of the foundation since its inception.

A search for his successor has begun.

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Milwaukee leads region in population growth
The City of Milwaukee’s population increased by 3,749 residents to 598,916, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
 
According to Census Burea data, the city population grew significantly until around 1960 when it peaked at 741,000. Then the city’s population dropped dramatically during the 1970s. Since 2000 the city’s population has plateaued at just under 600,000.

Other communities in southeastearn Wisconsin with significant population gains since 2010, according to the Census Bureau, include:

- Kenosha, up 800 to 100,150
- Wauwatosa, up 609 to 47,068
- Franklin, up 593 to 36,083
- Oak Creek, up 411 to 34,908
- Pewaukee (city of), up 397 to 13,610
- West Bend, up 374 to 31,540
- Greenfield, up 294 to 37,072
- West Allis, up 292 to 60,732
- Pleasant Prairie, up 278 to 20,027
- Greendale, up 271 to 14,325
- Muskego, up 244 to 24,407
- Waukesha, up 204 to 70,920
- Menomonee Falls, up 169 to 35,802
- Mequon, up 117 to 23,225
- Port Washington, up 115 to 11,365
- Oconomowoc, up 114 to 15,888
- New Berlin, up 113 to 39,703
- Sussex, up 110 to 10,633.
- Whitewater, up 106 to 14,505

The most significant population declines from 2010-12 in southeastern Wisconsin occurred in Racine, where the population fell 487 to 78,303, and in Sheboygan, where the population fell 315 to 49,210.

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Lindenberg buys stake in sports memorabilia firm
Legends of the Field, a Wisconsin-based sports memorabilia and marketing company, announced on Tuesday that Lindy Enterprises, owned by Jim Lindenberg, has bought a majority interest in the company and will serve as its president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board.
 
Legends of the Field specializes in sports memorabilia, game-used collectibles, player appearances, custom gallery, signings, canvases, custom framing and charity fundraising.

Legends is the third-largest sports memorabilia dealer in the United States and the largest in Wisconsin.

The company’s corporate office and distribution center is located in Hartland with retail stores in Delafield, Mequon and Greenfield. Legends of the Field is Wisconsin’s exclusive home for Ryan Braun and Clay Matthews memorabilia.

Lindenberg owns Lindy Enterprises, which specializes in small business consulting, and JML Holdings, a property management company of commercial and residential properties in the Lake Country area. He also is co-owner of NX Level, a sports performance training facility in Waukesha. He previously owned World Class Wire and Cable, which he sold in 2008. He was also the owner and president of the Milwaukee Wave and Wave of Hope, which he recently sold to Sue Black.

“I see a great team, a solid foundation, dedicated loyal employees, and a company with a great reputation. Sports is a multi-billion dollar industry and this is an amazing opportunity with incredible growth potential,” Lindenberg said.

Lindenberg said Legends plans to open more stores and will seek acquisitions within the industry to continue that growth.

Joe Palmisano, founder of Legends, said, “Jim Lindenberg is a well-known entrepreneur and has a very successful track record of growing businesses. Jim is well-respected and has a large network. I am excited about Jim leading Legends to another level and providing a strong foothold to the future.”

Co-owner Jason Sarchet, son-in-law of former Milwaukee Brewer Jim Gantner, will continue to serve the company as general manager.

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Gitomer column debuts at BizTimes.com
Best-selling author, columnist and speaker Jeffrey Gitomer made his debut at www.biztimes.com this week.
 
The website began carrying Gitomer’s popular “Sales Moves” column about the sales profession.
 
Gitomer is the author of 12 best-selling books, including “The Sales Bible” and “The Little Red Book of Selling” He just published two new sales books “Win Now!” and “The Sale Re-Defined.”

He gives more than 150 training programs and annual sales meetings for companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Deloitte & Touche, Milliken, Time Warner, Siemens, Sony, Federal Express, NationsBank and Sprint.

His syndicated column is carried in more than 70 business publications throughout the United States and internationally.

To read his debut column for BizTimes, click here.

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Bubbler Quote of the Week

"We have about 6 million young people playing Pop Warner flag football, about 1.2 million playing in high school, about 75,000 playing in college and about 1,800 that's currently playing in the National Football League. I know this partnership is between GE and the NFL, but whatever their findings are, there's going to be a trickle-down effect to eventually go down to colleges and high school and Pop Warner."
~Dr. George Koonce Jr., who played in the NFL from 1992 to 2000 and now works at Marquette
Read the entire BizTimes Milwaukee cover story by Dan Shafer: First and goal.

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BizTimes Bubbler Executive of the Week: Susan Haise

Susan Haise, Owner/CEO, Neroli Salon & Spa/The Institute of Beauty and Wellness, Aveda Beauty School (IBW)
Company address: 327 East St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53202  
**Neroli also has locations in Brookfield, Bayshore and East Side
Website: www.nerolispa.com
Industry: Beauty and Wellness
Number of employees: 283 (Neroli = 198 | IBW = 52 | Administrative/Corporate = 33)
Family: Husband – Peter | Children – Jordan (6) and Maya (3)

What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?

“After 20 years at 325 E. Chicago in the Historic Third Ward, we moved our original downtown Neroli Salon & Spa location two blocks north to the first floor of the Aveda Building at 327 E. St. Paul Ave. I purchased the Aveda Building in 2010 and prior to last month it was solely occupied by our corporate office and Aveda Beauty School, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness. To have all of us in one building and the opportunity to provide a more luxurious environment for our Neroli Downtown guests is the smartest decision made so far in 2013.”
 
What’s new at your company?

“Ayurveda (pronounced aa-yer-vay-da). It is an ancient holistic system of healing that strives to create balance in body, mind and spirit. Today’s spa guest needs a place to heal and focus on themselves. Our answer to that need is bringing Ayurvedic Practitioners into our Neroli spa facilities to offer an elevated level of holistic services to guests. We will also start an Ayurveda program at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness this fall for those looking to study the craft.”  

Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?

“Absolutely. We are always looking to hire good people and host weekly career events. This year we plan to invest in the maintenance of our facilities as we want all of our 1,000+ guests each week between four locations to continue to have a five-star salon and spa experience.”
 
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?

“Navigating the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) as providing quality health care options to my team is important to me. We put a team together three months ago to ensure we are educated to the best of our ability on the topic as I foresee tough decisions ahead for all companies that provide health care benefits.”   
                           
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?

“While our industry has many trends, I would say the most impactful to our business is gel polish for manicures and pedicures. It’s the perfect option for active individuals who don’t want to spend their time worry about smudging or chipping.”

Do you have a business mantra?

“Love what you do and with whom you do it.”
 
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?

“There is not one individual or industry that I look up to; rather I continually search for CEOs who can move the mark in their line of business and see how their best practices relate to my business. Fast Company is one of my favorite go-to publications for this topic.”
 
What was the best advice you ever received?

“Years ago a former business partner, Erik Knudsen, told me to always be open to sharing what your best practices are as it will always come back to you. While it took about five years for me to fully understand those words, it is now common practice.”

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?

“Recently we purchased a Toyota Prius and wrapped it in multiple beauty images to create the ‘Aveda IBW Mobile’ to promote our beauty school. The reaction I have received when driving it is truly the most entertaining to date in my career. Be on the lookout as it will be on the streets of Milwaukee all summer long!”
 
What do you like to do in your free time?

“Being a wife and mother of two little ones, I am continually on the go and cherish the time I spend with them. Outside of that, any day I can travel the world is a great day. I love to experience people, watching them live their lives on their terms. The memories and knowledge that I have gained is a gift.”

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Bubbler Calendar

*Sunday, June 2, United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) Ride for the Arts will offer ambitious cyclists an opportunity to bike across the Hoan Bridge to raise funds for UPAF’s support of regional arts groups. A number of bike routes are offered during the event, including 5-, 12-, 25-, 50- and 75-mile rides. Each ride starts and ends at the south gate of the Summerfest Grounds at the intersection of Polk Street and Harbor Drive. The 50- and 75-mile bike routes will begin at 7 a.m. with the other routes following in sequence. Registration on the day of the ride will be available beginning at 6 a.m. Registration fees cost $45 for adults in advance and $50 on Sunday; $35 for kids in advance and $40 on Sunday; and $115 for families in advance and $120 on Sunday. For more information about the ride, ride festivities, sponsors, registration and fundraising details, visit http://events.upaf.org/ride. 

*Sunday, June 2, the young professional organization Newaukee will present a wine, cheese and sausage tasting in partnership with Vino 100 and MilwaukeeHome. The tasting will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Vino 100, 219 E. Erie St. in Milwaukee. Attendees will take home a custom etched MilwaukeeHome wine glass and will also have access to special extended hours at MilwaukeeHome’s 159 N. Jackson St. location. Cost is $35 for individuals and $65 for couples. Space is limited. For more information or to reserve a spot, visit http://newaukee.com/events/upcoming-event. 

*Thursday, June 6, Target Free First Thursday will grant free admission to visitors at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. in Milwaukee. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the first Thursday of each month, courtesy of Target. For more information, visit http://mam.org/calendar/events/.

*Thursday, June 6, BizTimes Media will partner with the Waukesha County Business Alliance to present the annual Top 10 Businesses of the Year Awards, which recognize regional companies for financial growth, excellence in customer service and employee relations, and a commitment to the community. Award winners will be honored at a luncheon scheduled to run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Rd. in Pewaukee. The luncheon will include a panel of representatives from each of the winning companies. Cost to attend the luncheon for Alliance members is $45 per person or $450 for a corporate table of 10. Non-members can attend for $65 or $650 for a corporate table of 10. For more information on the awards or to register for the luncheon, visit www.biztimes.com/top10.

*Monday, June 3 through Sunday, June 9, the Milwaukee Brewers are scheduled to play home games at Miller Park, 1 Brewers Way in Milwaukee. On Monday and Tuesday, they will face the Oakland Athletics at 7:10 p.m.; on Wednesday they will face the Oakland Athletics at 1:10 p.m.; on Thursday and Friday they will take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:10 p.m.; on Friday they will take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:15 p.m.; and on Sunday they will face the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:10 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com.

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