Women Today

This month Women magazine visits Green Bay's Broadway for its Women Who Inspire feature. The business district has a distinct style and the business owners and employees on this street create its popular appeal. Here's what Mary White of Vita Rawstaurant and Body 360 had to say:

Why did you choose Broadway? First and foremost, for me, the reason for undertaking the opening of a business was divine inspiration. I credit God with everything Body 360 and Vita have accomplished. I am only the messenger.
I chose Broadway more than 10 years ago for Body 360 because there were only two other businesses here at the time and On Broadway was in its infancy.
I lived down here before any of the current businesses were here and saw the potential this area had.
It was not the safest place at the time, but I am a huge risk taker. I knew in time that this was going to be the place I wanted to be, and that Green Bay was going to find this the place to come to for one-of-a-kind services and retail.
I opened Body 360 10 years ago and watched this area grow for the better. When Vita was envisioned this was a perfect union.

What do you enjoy about being a business owner? I enjoy being a business owner because I do not have to answer to anyone but myself. I can be as creative as I want and dictate my own schedule.
It allows me the time to treat each of my clients according to their specific needs. I love the privacy Body 360 offers to my clients. It is very private and personal.
Vita also is a very welcoming place. It is small and intimate.
I wanted people to feel welcome and at home in both places, and I feel I have accomplished that from all of the feedback over time and from my longstanding clientele.

What advice do you have for women interested in business ownership? Trust your instincts. Women are gifted with this wonderful trait but often do not listen to it.
If you have a dream that is coming from the heart and is based on truth and honesty and you are doing good for humanity, you will never fail.
Trust in your drive and do not give up the driver’s seat under any circumstances. Take risks and take them often. You will never grow if you don't.
Be grateful for the struggles and hard times because that is when we learn who we really are. Those times make the good times so much sweeter.
If your business does not succeed by others’ standards, do not let anyone tell you that you are a failure. Sometimes what others call failure is just the stepping stone to greater things.
Take a risk, jump the fence and never look back.

Mary White
Vita Rawstaurant and Body 360

Gina Nytes, Kaukauna branch manager for Citizens Bank, brings us this week's financial tip:

Before you tie the knot, it’s important to discuss your finances with your significant other. Here are some tips to help you and your significant other start your new life off on the right foot:
• Determine what your partner’s spending habits and saving philosophies are along with what they want to achieve financially. Make sure that you are both on the same page or at least have similar views. By getting everything out in the open, your communication regarding money will be easier in the future.
• As you venture towards starting your new life together, create a workable budget. This allows for both you and your significant other to know what is coming in, what you need to spend to cover expenses and how much money is left over.
• Cut spending whenever possible. One way to get ahead financially and build wealth is to live below your means. Talk with your significant other to determine how you both will make minor sacrifices to help build a savings that can be used in the future for a down payment or as an emergency fund.
• Set financial goals as a couple. Money saved or spent should be planned as a couple. Any debt held by one partner should be considered the other partners and paid down accordingly. Other goals such as buying a house, car and vacations should be planned together as a team.
• Keep communication open. Talking regularly with your partner about finances is extremely important. Pick a time that is convenient for the both of you to sit down and discuss financial matters, goals, upcoming expenses and saving strategies as well as reviewing what you’ve accomplished.
These are just a few financial tips for those soon to be newlyweds. Following them will help to ensure your marriage gets off on the right path.

This month Women magazine visits Green Bay's Broadway for its Women Who Inspire feature. The business district has a distinct style because of the business owners and employees on this street who give it creative appeal. Here's what Jan Oettinger of Cup O Joy had to say:

What do you like about being on Broadway? The Cup O Joy has been on Broadway for 20 years now, so we've benefited from the “new life” that has come to the Broadway District.
It's exciting to see the creative business owners who put their ideas into action here.
There is a sense of partnership that is unique to Broadway and we've watched the evolution and the coming of age of this partnership model.
The Cup O Joy hosts concerts every Friday and Saturday night, so it's our hope that the hundreds of people who attend each weekend will find a unique restaurant or shopping opportunity just down the street from us.

What have you been doing to make it in this economy? Cup O Joy is a perfect fit for people struggling with the poor economy because we do not charge admission for our shows.
It's a smoke- and alcohol-free environment where folks can enjoy all styles of music in a family atmosphere.
Artists come from all over the country and folks come from all over the state to see the shows.
Cup O Joy runs on volunteers and donations, so we understand the financial challenges facing people today.

Who would you love to see walk into your business? I'm always surprised by who shows up for the shows.
An interesting trend has developed over the past years, where guys have been bringing their dates out to see their favorite artist and then using the occasion to make a proposal of marriage.

Jan Oettinger, manager/coordinator
Cup O Joy

Women magazine visits Green Bay's Broadway this month for its Women Who Inspire feature. The business owners and employees on this street give the business district a distinct appeal. Here's what Jeri Olm of Yikes! Salon had to say:

What made you choose Broadway as the location for your business? I've always been drawn to older sections of cities because of their character and energy. Broadway seemed like a perfect mix of interesting people and businesses.

What do you like about being on Broadway? We all work as a team in order to make our events a success. The friendships and camaraderie are an essential part of everything that we do.
All the business owners meet regularly to ensure that our district stays vital and exciting.

What do you enjoy about being a business owner? It is constantly changing and evolving. The challenge of keeping the business current is extremely satisfying.
The ability to do things with my daughter at any time is also very important to me.

What have you been doing to make it in this economy? Our business has actually grown in spite of the difficult economy. I believe that hiring a superior team is the key to success.
My staff of stylists and sales people are constantly striving to give the best customer service possible.
Without quality people behind me, my business would never do as well as it has.

If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be? I wouldn't change a thing, as the opportunity to help people look and feel better about themselves is extremely satisfying.

What made you decide to become a business owner? It seemed like a very natural thing as my family owned and ran many businesses.
We were always taught the true value of not only money, but independence.
When I was unhappy in my job, I decided that the only way to work someplace where I would be satisfied would be to start my own business.

Jeri Olm
Yikes! Salon

Women magazine visits Green Bay's Broadway this month for its Women Who Inspire feature. The business owners and employees on this street give the business district its distinctive style. Here's what Sandi Walch of M&I Bank downtown had to say:

What do you like about being on Broadway? The economic redevelopment of the downtown area is very exciting. I also like the fact that I am downtown and not in a mall, and the partnership of the business owners working together.
I also enjoy events on Broadway that bring our community together.
My overall experience with the Broadway district is being a part of a group of focused people coming together to provide a creative destination for the community to work and play.
This kind of commitment from our business owners is what has made Broadway a success.

What made you choose Broadway? My banking career started in the ‘70s in downtown Green Bay. I worked at many Green Bay area branch locations and in 2004 took the opportunity to come back downtown.
I love how the Broadway District has been redeveloped and the uniqueness of the business mix. On Broadway Inc., a Wisconsin Main Street program, was very instrumental in developing the Broadway District to what it is today.
With the ideas and enthusiasm of the business owners, the events on Broadway make us a destination.
On Broadway Inc. was awarded the Great American Main Street Award in 2009, and this is an honor that will stay with our district forever.

What advice do you have for women looking into business ownership? You need a passion for what you are doing, but that is not enough to survive.
You need to be present and involved in your business and your community. You need a business plan that you review at least monthly.
You also need to understand and read your financials monthly, if not weekly, and you need enthusiasm and a positive attitude to succeed.

What have you been doing to make it in this economy? I have had to cut back on my spending habits just like everyone else.
I'm analyzing which needs are important and no longer purchasing what I think I deserve. This has been a wake-up call to build a better nest egg for the future.

Sandi Walch, vice president/manager
M&I Bank downtown