11/9/2012 9:31:00 AM
Iowa County Area Entrepreneurs of the Year awarded
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The Iowa County Area Economic Development Corporation (ICAE-DC) is proud to announce its first group of local business leaders chosen as Iowa County Area Entrepreneurs of the Year. The awards are being presented in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 12-18, 2012.
Rick Terrien, Executive Director, says that the ICAEDC Board of Directors chose this year's five winners as representatives of the diverse and exciting entrepreneurs and business leaders that call Iowa County home.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Week website, this is the world's largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.
The celebration of Global Entrepreneurship week is about unleashing ideas and doing what it takes to bring them to life-spotting opportunities, taking risks, solving problems, being creative, building connections and learning from both failure and success. It is about thinking big and making one's mark on the world-doing good while doing well at the same time.
Terrien says that Iowa County is home to some of the best entrepreneurs in the world, as represented by the distinguished recipients of the 2012 Iowa County Area Entrepreneurs of the Year.
The ICAEDC celebrates this year's winners and welcomes new entrepreneurs to opportunities across Iowa County.
"This year's award winners highlight both established and new businesses popping up all over Iowa County," Terrien says. "This is an exciting time to be an entrepreneur, and Iowa County is a great place to grow new businesses."
As the ICAEDC slogan says, "Iowa County, Wisconsin. Come Grow With Us." The 2012 Iowa County Area Entrepreneurs of the Year are:
Johnston Gallery and Brewery Pottery
Owners: Tom and Diana Johnston
Opened in 1989 in Mineral Point, Johnston Gallery carries the work of Tom and Diana Johnston as well as the work of 200 regional and national artists whose diverse styles are represented in a wide range of media. Pieces are chosen for their originality, strong design and lasting appeal.
In 1991, Tom and Diana opened a second gallery in the 1850 brewery on Shake Rag Street which also serves as their home and studio. Brewery Pottery offers a behind the scenes look into a working pottery studio as well a gallery which offers their work. It includes their pottery, painting and mixed media and the work of 100 artists, many whom are local. http://www.johnstongall-ery.com/
Sielaff Corporation
Owners: Ulrich, Alex and Jason Sielaff
Sielaff Corporation manufactures stainless steel residential furniture. The company has two plant locations-a 30,000 square foot manufacturing building in Mineral Point and a 13,000 square foot warehouse in Dodgeville. Sielaff has 65 employees. The company sells its design, engineering and manufacturing services to several large retailers and other furniture manufacturers in the US.
Sielaff is a family business that started In Ulrich's basement in Madison in 1985 and moved to Mineral Point in 2001. Ulrich Sielaff is the CEO. The operation is run by his son Alex along with his brother Jason who specializes on product design and manufacturing technology.
The company is known for its unique stainless steel welding and finishing capabilities and for its outstanding quality work. Ulrich and his sons are very proud of their skilled and dedicated local work force and are proud to have a business that has kept its manufacturing here in Iowa County and in the US. http://ww-w.sielaffcorp.com/contact.html
Walnut Hollow
Owners: Dave Ladd, Sandy Bartelt, Chris Ladd.
In 1972, Dodgeville resident Dave Ladd was inspired by his wife Nancy's unique decoupage art made from crosscut pieces of wood from the family tree farm. Dave immediately saw the potential these pieces of wood might have in the craft industry. After attending a trade show in Chicago and returning with $25,000 in orders, he began production of the company's first product, Walnut Country Rounds.
Forty years later, Walnut Hollow has grown from a small, family-owned shop in Dodgeville to an internationally renowned wood manufacturer offering a wide array of wood surfaces, tools, and accessories for the art, craft, and DIY industries. Their products can be found worldwide as well as on their website.
Since Dave's retirement, new ideas and diversification of the product line continue. With the help of dedicated, creative, and hard-working employees, his daughter, Sandy, and son, Chris, are now leading the company. In addition to craft products, Walnut Hollow also offers a line of high-quality products for the professional taxidermist and recently launched a new web site, www.thewood-photo.com which uses an innovative and revolutionary new process to embed personal photos and other images onto an array of wood surfaces.
Walnut Hollow is proud of their commitment to quality and the protection of natural resources. They take great pride in producing Made in the USA wood products using processes that encourage respect for the environment and the community. www.walnuthollow.com.
Kristin Mitchell Design (KMD)
Owner: Kristin Mitchell
KMD is a graphic design boutique based in Mineral Point. Their clients range from small start-ups to major corporations. The KMD team brings strong design talents, great turnaround time, high standards, work ethic and integrity to each project and client relationship.
Their mission is to provide quality design with small town service and attention from concept to completion. KMD's book publishing division, Little Creek Press, also hosts the Southwest Wisconsin Book Festival, which will take place November 24th in Mineral Point.
Kristin brings over 20 years of experience in art direction and graphic design. KMD celebrated 15 years in business in the summer of 2012. http://kristinmitchelldesign.com/
Bob's Bitchin' BBQ
Owners: Bob and Judy Page
In July of 2011, Bob's Bitchin' BBQ Sauces became a reality. Started as a part time business, it continued to grow throughout the year, and in July of this year, the 7th sauce was added to their signature sauce lineup.
About that time, Bob and Judy started planning their newest venture which became a reality on November 1st of this year....Bob's Bitchin' BBQ - The Restaurant. It is a full service restaurant that they hope will help revitalize downtown Dodgeville and meet the community's need of a quality place to eat, featuring traditional southern BBQ along with soups, salads and sandwiches. Search Facebook: Bobs-Bitchin-BBQ
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