What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
There are many advantages in working for a family business but one of the more challenging aspects is making your own mark on it. I want to wake up every day with passion for my work, and while carrying on my parents’ legacy is an honor, I needed to put my own stamp on it. Another challenge in taking over a family business is earning the trust of your staff, clients, and community. I’ll be the first to say that I would judge someone in my position of a second-generation family business owner. While my parents had me start as an after-school and sports teacher my first few years in the business, I knew I still needed to do more to earn my place. I could take over the business and just maintain what my parents had built, but I know if we’re coasting, we’re most likely going downhill. My goal is to be a leader that members of our community can trust has their best interests in mind, strives to serve their needs, and bravely grow the school for the right reasons.
The most rewarding part of my job is simple, as it’s a desire that burns deep inside of me. I am passionate about giving kids, families, and teachers a supportive environment to thrive in and reach their fullest potential.
Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
I am a huge Simon Sinek fan, specifically his mission of “Starting With Why.” Sinek motivated me to think deeper, and to go beyond the surface level when I was brainstorming and researching ideas for our new elementary school. Rather than think about “what” I wanted to do (start a school) or “how” I wanted to do that (programming, hiring, etc.), “starting with why” went deeper. “Why” do I want to start a school — really, what gets me out of bed in the morning. I have spent months/years crafting that answer and am excited to pour that into our school and bring it to life at Hickory Hill!
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Creating the Hickory Hill Elementary Program. Starting an elementary school has been a dream of mine for years and I have the opportunity not only to do it, but to do it in a way that benefits our community. I have researched, toured, and interviewed successful schools throughout the country to compile what I saw was truly essential in developing the whole child and inspiring the community that surrounds them. I have also recently brought on community growth to the school with the addition of a parent advisory committee, family fun events that are free and open to the public, and new career opportunities to our Madison area.
Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
I would tell myself to slow down and soak in each moment in your life, as it goes incredibly fast. Each day is full of amazing moments, even when it doesn’t seem like it. For my situation, I am blessed with the opportunity to see my parents, siblings, and kids every day for 8 hours each day. The busyness of work can distract me, and I sometimes forget that my folks are just right down the hall. I try not to take this for granted but it’s something I certainly do.
I’d also tell myself to travel more. After getting married and having three kids, our big traveling weekends consist of Kalahari water parks and the Tanger Outlet Mall.
What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
Madison is the perfect mix of being a big city with a small-town atmosphere. Madison offers so many opportunities for activities and entertainment from the Farmers’ Market on the Capitol Square, to football games at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturdays. While at these large events in our big city, it never feels too big. Whether I bump into someone I know or start up a conversation with people around me, the small-town feel is present, which I think is very cool.
I just love living in Badger country! I may not be the biggest fan of cold weather and snow, but I fully embrace the great culture of community in the area.
Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I love playing and writing music. After graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 2006, I had a great desire to start a band. Given our college-aged market of fans, I wanted to provide Madison with more downtown entertainment than binge drinking and bar hopping. Thus, I started a local band in Madison called Pearl Snap Saturday. We grew from playing shows in my parent’s garage to playing regularly at downtown Madison establishments and throughout the Midwest. My greatest achievements were having the opportunity to play at the Memorial Union Terrace, the Majestic Theater, and throughout State Street bar establishments to fulfill my hope to offer an alternative to binge drinking. Our band was also nominated for a Madison Area Music Award for original material and recorded three professional studio albums.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I love music and am a sucker for catchy melodies. Growing up, my car stereo would often be blasting the biggest MTV stars of the early 2000s. I’m talking the candy popper: Britney Spears, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, Sum 41, and so on. With three young kids, we still blast catchy pop artists of today like Taylor Swift and Jonas Brothers.
While I’m likely a lousy actor, I also secretly want to play the role of Joseph in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The music and story have held a piece of my heart since my sister performed in the play at our local church.
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