Screw It, Let's Do This

Between raising a family and joining the Badger football community just two years ago, Amy Fickell somehow also has the time to own and operate a barre3 studio in Middleton. Tune in to hear her full …

While on a low calorie diet, Amanda Kroener and her husband Adam set out on a mission to create cocktails free of carbohydrates, sugars and excessive calories. The result was Carbliss, now a fast-gro…

Megan Tucker's journey is far from what you'd expect. With an educational background in theater and drama, years of experience producing reality TV in Los Angeles and finally a return to Madison wher…

Leah and Yasaman met in college and bonded over their shared Middle Eastern backgrounds. Both snack enthusiasts, they dreamed of starting a snack company tailored toward Gen Z and pickle trends onlin…

When she immigrated to the U.S. from Belarus in 2005, Tanya Zhykharevich initially sought work in the restaurant business with the help of a vibrant immigrant community. Little did she know she would…

As a college student in Nashville, Jessica Blakley and her best friend jokingly came up with the idea of teaching cocktails and bartending - despite having no experience themselves. Today, BarBees Ba…

Founded in 1993, Door County Candle Co. has been a Wisconsin staple for years. When she took over the business in 2021, Christiana Trapani made it her mission to give back, and began a philanthropic …

Growing up in La Farge, Wisconsin, Luke Zahm formed a deep connection to food early in life. Surrounded by organic farms and helping his parents in the garden as a kid, Luke understood the importance…

Early in her career, Amanda McCreight worked as an assistant for entrepreneurs Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely, helping to get All Day Running Co. off the ground. Her contributions had such an impact s…

As a college student, Ian Gurfield spent a term abroad in Italy and fell in love with great food. Back home, he pursued this new passion and honed his dough-making skills, all while searching for vib…

Hayden and Julia know how to keep themselves busy. In addition to their respective jobs as a liquor salesman and paralegal, the couple pride themselves on sharing the best hikes, restaurants, and oth…

Drawing on her academic background in education and a family history of fighting oppression, Winnie Karanja founded Represented Collective, a media company that advocates for gender and racial equity…

Tory Miller’s passion for local food can be traced back to his early years flipping burgers at his grandparents’ diner in Racine, Wisconsin. From there, he worked his way through the French Culinary …

Ben Higgins, known for his time on The Bachelor, discovered a profound sense of purpose throughout his years volunteering in Honduras. Guided by his faith and a desire to bolster communities around t…

Samantha Daily spent her early years earning straight A’ss and preparing for a successful career. But a semester spent abroad in Spain during college changed everything. Samantha fell in love and fou…

Marissa Holmes worked a comfortable job at a telecommunications company. Then, just three months before the pandemic, she quit with the intention of starting a soul food takeout restaurant. Despite t…

Shayna Mace boasts years of experience working for and covering small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Madison area. Previously a writer for a local publication and owner of a freelance writing bu…

Years ago, chef Eric Rupert created a new candied pecan - by accident. After sampling it himself and witnessing the popularity of the pecans with family and friends, he knew he had discovered a bold …

Dr. Roank Mehta decided to pursue her idea of adorable anatomical plush toys

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Alitzah Stinson founded Ivory Paper Co in 2018 when she couldn’t find a planner fit to manage her busy life. Fast forward to 2024 and Ivory Paper Co has grown into a multimillion dollar business unde…