Women Today

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