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.