Enterprising Women: Why Mount Mary women have what it takes to succeed as entrepreneurs
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business and being your own boss, it turns out you’re not the only one. Self-employment ranks third on the list of employers of Mount Mary alumnae.
Here are just a handful of the Mount Mary alumnae who have established their own business. Read about their company, story, and advice for future entrepreneurs.
Independent designer striving for ultimate efficiency
Tina Raasch-Prost '99
Company: TRP Design Group
Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
Tina’s story: Tina is the owner of TRP Design Group, an independent interior design firm. Tina applies her expertise to help her client businesses increase efficiency as well help them become more aesthetically in line with their brands.
She specializes on spaces like lobbies, conference rooms and break areas, and focuses on how they can foster collaboration, brand, and professionalism. “While your business might be classified as small, there is nothing small about it,” she said. Through her education at Mount Mary, she was able to meet invaluable mentors that helped prepare her for the work she does today.
Advice to other entrepreneurs: “If you have an idea that you cannot get out of your head and cannot be accomplished through being an employee, then go for your dream and make it happen.”
Tackling the challenge: how Sydney's business tests her motivation
Sydney Deutsch, ’11
Company:Hyde Park MKE
Location: Wauwatosa, Wis.
Sydney’s story: Sydney is the owner of Hyde Park MKE, an apparel, accessories, home, dry cleaning, and tailoring business. Deutsch believes that starting your own business tests a person’s motivation, and it has helped hone and develop her critical thinking skills.
“You are making all your decisions for yourself, even ones that don’t have anything to do with the product you are selling,” she said. Guided by the sagely advice of her grandfather and great uncle, who owned the business before her, Deutsch strives to continue learning and finding new opportunities.
Advice to other entrepreneurs: “Do as much as research as possible and also be brave.”
Every single detail counts: Lisa's motto for running her business
Lisa Grudzielanek, ‘02
Company:Your Tasty Life, LLC
Location: Brookfield, Wis.
Lisa’s Story: Lisa Grudzilanek is the owner of Your Tasty Life, a weight loss and healthy lifestyles company. She credits her Mount Mary education for instilling a sense of the value of her perspectives and ideas. As a business owner, she knows that she is ultimately responsible for even the smallest detail, all while keeping up with the constant changes in her field.
Advice to other entrepreneurs: “Being proactive with a sound business plan is a key to success.”
Everything you accomplish is yours
Rachael Cabral-Guevara, ‘00
Company:Nurse Practitioner Health Services, LLC
Location: Appleton, Wis.
Rachael’s Story: Rachael Cabral-Guevara is the owner of Nurse Practitioner Health Services LLC, a direct healthcare provider designed to provide low cost healthcare without many of the hassles found with large healthcare systems.
For Cabral-Guevara, business ownership is all about self-fulfillment -- everything you accomplish is yours. When starting her clinic, she worried if others would trust her with their healthcare needs rather than larger health care systems. Nonetheless, her business has steadily grown over the last one and a half years.
Advice to other entrepreneurs: “Stopping doubting yourself.”
Bridal business quadruples in size
Roxanne Schatz, ‘74
Company:Amelishan Bridal
Location: Hubertus, Wis.
Roxanne’s story: After an 18-year career as a teacher, Roxanne Schatz decided to venture into the bridal business. She started small, with a 2,000 square-foot retail space, and expanded gradually. Over the course of two decades, the company grew to quadruple in size and become the largest privately owned bridal salon in metro Milwaukee.
Amelishan offers both a retail store and an extensive online presence. Although she carries a large inventory of gowns for weddings and other special occasions, in her shop Roxanne focuses on customer service and a boutique-like setting – “a bridal shop is a destination,” she said.
Advice to other entrepreneurs: “Invest in your business, work hard, do your research and grow strategically. And above all, chart your own path.”
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