Learn more about starting and running a business with these outstanding books!
Success Stories!
Dozens of successful businesses in Dane County and southern Wisconsin have completed the business classes offered by Devine Write, LLC. Here are a few of them.
Grace Cheesecakes, LLC
Grace Cheesecake owner Lori Christilaw bakes and sells some of the most mouth-watering cheesecakes this side of heaven!
Although Lori had been self-employed for some time, and took the business class in 2002, it wasn't until 2006 that she made the leap and followed her passion to making cheesecakes. Completing a business plan with the aid of Building Your Business Plan, she was able to secure funding to buy the required supplies and equipment.
Selling every week at the Madison Farmers Market on Saturdays and other farmer's markets around town, she also sells her cheesecakes wholesale to area grocers, including Whole Foods. Shown in the photo are customers lined up at her stand at the 2006 Taste of Madison, where her Chocoholic Cheesecake was named Best Gourmet Dessert!
A graduate of the The Culinary
Institute of America, Lori specializes in dairy-free cheesecakes as well as over 30 varieties of traditional cheesecakes. She invites you to call anytime to order your cheesecake, made with love!
www.GraceCheeseCakes.com
608.516.9888
Madison, Wisconsin
Sensible Computer Solutions (SCS)
Eldon Anderson took the business class in 2004, completed his business plan, and started SCS in Stoughton the next year. SCS Computers offers a variety of products and services, including:
- Spyware/ Adware and virus removal and protection
- PC tune-ups
- Data transfer and backup
- Hardware and software installation
SCS also custom-builds computers using the latest technology, and offers the highest level of personal service. They even make house calls!
1060 W. Main St. #8
Stoughton, WI 53589
873-5134
scs.consulting@charter.net
http://scsconsultingservice.com
Union Street Design, LLC
Jeanne Gomoll, owner of Union Street Design, LLC, attended business class in 2003 after being laid off from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Union Street Design is a small graphic design company, specializing in print, logos, books, posters, brochures, ads, web art, illustrations and maps. Jeanne has over 20 years of experience in the field and is an expert user of high-end graphic software.
Looking for a graphic designer? Union Street Design will guide your project through all stages–from idea generation, marketing concept development, planning, production, all the way through to consultation with printers.
www.unionstreetdesign.com
jg@unionstreetdesign.com
608-246-8857
Madison, Wisconsin
Spa Del Sol
Spa Del Sol is owned and operated by Joette Peterson, a graduate of the business class and determined reader of Building Your Business Plan. Spa Del Sol provides natural nail services such as manicures and pedicures, in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, with no hair perms or dyes, or artificial nail product fumes.
You can also revel in the relaxation of traditional Swedish massage, Chinese Medical massage and acupressure, Reiki, or aromatherapy in our beautiful massage room.
At Spa Del Sol, you don’t need a special occasion to take care of yourself!
2104 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, Wisconsin
608-231-6160
Artist In Residence, LLC
Artist In Residence, LLC, owner Janet Knoeller creates custom specialty painting techniques, providing personalized, in-home consulting for clients who want something special, but aren’t sure what it’s called. Artist In Residence specializes in historic and specialty faux finishes, glazes, and application techniques, such as sunwash blends, stencils, crackles, metallics, and patina restorations. Many finishes are created specifically for each specific client, who gets to fine-tune and “preview” 20x30-inch samples for suitability before application to an entire area. The kitchen shown here was highlighted on HGTV and Madison Magazine.
Janet originally attended business class in 2004 and has been a real champion of Building Your Business and Building Your Business Plan.
1317 Farwell Drive
Madison, WI 53704
608.213.6385
www.ArtistInResidence.net
JanetKn@charter.net
Archive Vintage Art, LLC
Sharon Beckman opened Archive Vintage Art, LLC in the spring of 2007, coincidentally just after taking the Building Your Business class.
Archive specializes in antique 2-dimensional art of all kinds from the 1850s to the 1960s. These are original pieces of art, not modern reproductions. For the framed pieces, most have been painstakingly taken apart and professionally re-matted and re-framed, either in antique or new frames to fit the piece of art. Therefore each piece is truly unique. Recycling at its best.
Archive carries art from the late 19th century Victorian era, through the Art Deco movement, and into the 1950s and early 1960s. If there is a piece of art that caters to your passion, whether it is maps, nature, beekeeping, literature, sailing, teaching, sewing, theatre, or pulp fiction, to name a few, they likely have it waiting for you.
Archive is now located at 183 Main Street in Stoughton, just above Cheesers.
The Green Owl Cafe
Jennie Capellaro, proprietor of the Green Owl Cafe, worked as hard and as long on a business plan as anyone I know. She completed the business course in 2004 and plowed through the Building Your Business Plan book with the fervor of a lawyer.
Things have since come together, and with her law degree out of the way, she has returned to her passion as owner of the Green Owl Cafe, where she serves vegetarian cuisine for people who love food.
Frustrated by the lack of a good vegetarian restaurant in Madison, Jennie's goal has been to create a dining establishment that everyone, vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores, can all enjoy.
Jennie invites everyone to come and taste her sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees, as well as an excellent selection of beer, wine and cocktails.
The Green Owl Cafe
1970 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI
608-285-5290
www.thegreenowlcafe.com
The Well Tempered Word, LLC
Kafryn W. Lieder, Ph.D., of The Well-Tempered Word, LLC, has been providing scientific and technical writing and editing services to companies and individuals since 2003. She has more than 25 years technical writing experience in the life sciences and law. She has worked with clients across the country, and has helped several companies win Technology Assistance Grants (TAG) from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
Kafryn primarily works with biotech start-up and small companies on:
- Grant applications (federal, state, and foundation) – more than 30; more than 50% funded (more than $6 million in funding)
- Manuscripts (peer-reviewed and trade journal articles) – more than 25; each accepted by the first journal to which it was submitted
- Numerous other technical writing/editing projects (such as scientific posters, PowerPoint presentations, websites)
Kafryn received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry (minor: organic chemistry) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and the Madison Area Business Consultants (MABC).
The Well-Tempered Word, LLC
6906 Tottenham Road
Madison, WI 53711-3965
608.661.7414 (w)
608.513.6907 (cell)
kafryn.lieder@wtword.com
www.wtword.com
Design Forward, LLC
Working as Design Forward, LLC, Sandra Belozercovsky takes an architectural approach to residential interior planning and design.
Whether planning an entire home, its kitchen, bath or just an architectural detail in one of its rooms, Sandra works with the house as a whole, where each part complements and completes the totality. She strives to create Homes where there's a balance between their exterior shapes and interior spaces, with an arrangement of rooms that enhances and eases domestic life, but overall satisfying inside out, and a true reflection of the clients' sense of style and beauty.
Sandra Belozercovsky was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Always fascinated with the arts, humanities, and design, Sandra pursued a career in architecture. She worked at several architectural firms on housing, institutional and recreational projects, and discovered a passion for residential architecture, the pleasures of furniture and object design and the gratifications of working in direct contact with homeowners. She graduated as an Architect from the University of Buenos Aires in 1987, moved to Miami and later to San Francisco, working as an interior designer and specializing in Kitchen and Bath design. She moved to Madison in 2001 where she made her permanent home. Sandra completed the business course in 2004.
Design Forward, LLC
608-442-1110
www.evolutionaryhomedesign.com
European Masonry, LLC
Vladimir Bulat has brought over 20 years of experience as a mason in Eastern and Western Europe to the Madison area as European Masonry, LLC. Working with stone, concrete, and brick, Vladimir can create wonderful and durable walkways, siding, retaining walls, fireplaces, and stonework. If you want truly old-world quality at reasonable prices, check out European Masonry, LLC.
Vladimir has done several projects at my home, including the walkway and front porch stonework pictured here.
608-438-0920
Wanda Marie Sanders
Wanda has always had a love for art. Growing up, she was enamored with period costumes, The Cher Show, and vintage Hollywood. Wanda began drawing starlets, and in turn, designing clothes for them. At the age of twelve, she began making little things to wear, and by sixteen the little things had spouted into full-fledged outfits to be revealed to her friends every weekend.
Continuing to express herself through art and fashion, Wanda attended the prestigious School of The Art Institute of Chicago. The recipient of numerous awards, she was voted best young designer at nineteen at the International Air France Competition. She completed the business course in 2003.
Wanda has worked not only in fashion, but also in the film industry with directors such as Spike Lee, showing the world her flair and construction ability. From years of experience and listening to the woes of women who have a hard time finding garments that fit in the right places, Wanda created and sells a line of clothes that flatter and accentuate the curves of a woman. With her eclectic style, she mixes the past and the present, infusing each piece with a love of art and Hollywood glam to create a unique blend of detail, structure, funk and flair, with plenty of Vavoom.
Luma Light Healing, LLC
Candace Luma Suarez opened the doors to her private energy healing practice, Luma Light Healing, in June of 2006. Through her own deep physical, emotional and spiritual healing, she was led to complete coursework in Soul Directed Energy Healing, and to obtain a ministerial license through Inner Focus, a nondenominational New Thought Christian Church.
Luma Light Healing is dedicated to providing soul seeking, open-minded individuals with alternative mental and physical health care via the effective, safe and loving technique of Soul Directed Energy Healing. Through this process, challenging patterns and structures are released via the light of your soul. Luma Light Healing genuinely supports clients on their healing path.
Candace, who completed the the Building Your Business class in Stoughton in 2007, combines her skills as an energy healer with her years of experience as a psychotherapist, and guides you on a journey to your soul, where you can find peace, clarity, self-acceptance, a connection to yourself and to God, a transformation of your present challenges and a greater sense of your life’s purpose.
608.225.7158
www.lumalighthealing.com
lumalight@tds.net
Charisma Spa and Salon
Sally Midthun's Charisma Spa and Salon provides not only complete hair salon services, but also massage therapy, facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing services. Sally recently moved the Spa to a new location in Stoughton, which allowed her and her team to add tanning and couples massages to their list of services.
A stylist since for over 20 years, and a massage therapist for over 10, Sally has owned Charisma since 2002, the same year she took the business class.
1050 W. Main St., Suite 2
Stoughton, WI 53589
608.873.5606
Robert Brewer and Associates, LLC
Robert Brewer provides professional accounting services to small businesses and individuals in west-central Dane County. Specializing in tax returns for foreign residents, Bob prides himself on not only being able to help with bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes, but also by consulting and explaining to his clients how to increase profits through cost control and tax strategies.
Bob took the business course in 2004 and since then he has lent his expertise and assistance to the class, as well. He has been a big fan of Building Your Business Plan, which he has provided to some of his clients. Bob is an active volunteer, helping out with several non-profit associations.
1210 North Gammon Road
Middleton, WI 53562
608-831-0409 (w)
608-628-8171 (c)
rbrewer@chorus.net
Gardens of Goodness
Gardens of Goodness is Barb & Jim Lindemann's small, certified organic fruit and vegetable farm of just outside Madison, on the SW corner of McFarland. Their farm overlooks Lake Waubesa and our state capitol in the distance. They have enjoyed their neighbors, the scenery, and tranquility here for nearly twenty years, and have worked hard to improve the health of the soil and trees. Jim took the business class in 2004.
Gardens of Goodness specializes in certified organic, fresh, picked vegetables, herbs, and fruit. Their fruit includes more than forty varieties of apples, cherries, peaches, and quince. Most of their apple varieties are old fashioned or "antique." They are rare and make the best cider.
Their orchard is unique in the area - it is certified organic. They use no harmful chemicals and a have a genuine commitment to maintain the best growing environment possible. Barb & Jim are proud of their extensive investment to offer genuine good organic fruit.
4259 Mahoney Road
McFarland, WI 53558
608-838-6797
gardens@gogoodness.com
www.gogoodness.com/
Isadex Corporation
ISADEX Corporation was formed as a natural progression of brands developed over the years. These include:
- Miller By Design - a web hosting and applications development company
- VolunteerFIRST - an online volunteer registration including RingBells.org
- RentQuest.com - an online community of apartment listings and rental housing information as listed by property managers and owners.
Lynn Miller, co-owner of Isadex, and her son Adam attended the Building Your Business class in Stoughton in 2007.
ISADEX Corporation
100 Business Park Circle, Suite 109
Stoughton, WI 53589
Phone: 608-877-0050
info@isadex.com
www.isadex.com
If you have been associated with the Building Your Business class, or have used either of the Building Your Business books, and would like to be listed here, contact Devine Write, LLC.
