Alumni-Owned Businesses

Laura Bavlnka '14

Designer & Maker
Bavlnka Brand
Milwaukee, WI

Bavlnka Brand provides specialty goods to the free-spirited and socially conscious individual. They specialize in accessories and hand-dyed fabrics. Everything is one of a kind or made in small batches by Laura. She is available for custom design projects by inquiry.

        

Sydney Deutsch '11

Owner
Hyde Park MKE
Milwaukee, WI

Hyde Park sells women's, men and non-binary clothing along with accessories and gifts. They also offer tailoring and dry cleaning services.

        

Kristin Hardwick '21

Fashion Designer/Seamstress
Kristin Hardwick Designs
Delavan, WI

Some of the services her storefront offers includes custom design work, alterations, accessories, and embellishments. So far, in her career, she has been able to display her garments in various shows for events such as the “Go Red for Women” Red Heart Association Fashion Show, “Bridging the Gap” fashion show (which fights for domestic violence), a Maximum Exposure Fashion Show in St. Louis, and most recently NYFW. Kristin also had the recent privilege to intern with well-known designer Garo Sparo from Season 17 of “Project Runway”. she managed to take on and learn different techniques and skills that she will carry throughout the rest of her career.

       

Abby Janiszewski '12

Owner/Designer
Strike Bridal Bar
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee's newest bridal shop serves the cool modern bride. Strike Bridal Bar offers unique collections of gowns and accessories from small-independent designers around the world. Additionally, Strike offers one-of-a-kind custom dresses from in-house label, Abby Lynn Bridal.

        

Kelly Mutsch '05

Owner
EcoEvie Apparel
West Allis, WI

EcoEvie Apparel makes sustainability fun! Their kids' and women's endangered-animal-inspired shirts are made in Milwaukee, WI using 100% post-consumer recycled water bottle fabric. They donate 10% of their profits to animal conservation programs.

        

Kristin Speerschneider '14

Owner/Head Designer
Crimson Star Emporium
Green Bay, WI

Crimson Star Emporium specializes in alternative fashion and costuming, including, but not limited to scalemaille creations. Kristin currently offers custom garment creation services and also sells specialty supplies (worbla, EVA foam, and some leathers) via her secondary business, It Starts From Nothing.

    

Sasha Solana Walton '13

Fashion Designer
House of Solana
Milwaukee, WI

Sasha is a plus-size fashion designer. Along with clothing design (sizes 10 and up), she does alterations and some custom work.

      

Leah Cashaw '18

Artist/Owner
Vadose Orchid Jewelry
Milwaukee, WI

Vadose Orchid Jewelry helps artsy and bold fashionistas stand out in the crowd. Proudly wear one-of-a-kind jewelry that is as unique as you are! Leah makes earrings and necklaces from wood, newspaper, book pages and/ or acrylic paint. She also does custom orders as well! To request custom jewelry, please send her an email.

      

Nan Marshall '03

Owner
Nan Marshall Designs
Viroqua, WI

Nan Marshall makes handmade, one-of-a kind jewelry from metal, gems, stones, fossils, leather, fiber and found objects. Her designs include necklaces, pins, earrings, and bracelets. She loves combining colors and textures to produce unusual combinations. Whenever possible, she includes recycled tin and old jewelry components.

    

Merlyn Scheetz '92

Owner
Merlyn's Magical All Season Holidays
Bismarck, ND

Custom made Beauty and The Beast (Small to Large Glass Domes), dreamcatchers, holiday wreaths, gnomes, antler centerpieces, rose lamps and glass frame centerpieces. Toys such as Transformers, dinosaurs, LED light stuffed animal, LED night lamps, and drones, healing bracelets and more.

Jennifer Schultz '96

Owner
Grey House Creative Market
Wauwatosa, WI

The Grey House Creative Market offers a variety of workshops including wood-sign making, hand knitting, jewelry making and more as well as a cozy bar serving up craft cocktails. Their retail shop features art and gifts from Milwaukee area artists and makers. It's the perfect space to celebrate special events such as showers, bachelorette parties and birthdays.

      

Kathleen Willer '87

Artist/Owner
Kathleen Murphy Willer
Menomonee Falls, WI

Award winning contemporary artist from Wisconsin with over 30 years of professional experience. Original acrylic paintings, murals, commissions and custom work.

    

Alexandra Zens '18

Owner
NEIGHBOR art studio
Milwaukee, WI

NEIGHBOR art studio provides families with children, ages 8 months to 12 years, a space to explore, play, create and get messy. Their classes, workshops and birthday parties focus on open-ended art making and sensory development and encourage positive social engagement amongst peers. In their NEIGHBOR shop, they carry a variety of art supplies, kits and gifts. They believe that art + community = happier humans. 

 

    

Jess Coenen '06, '14

CEO & Founder
La Belle Creative
Milwaukee, WI

A bespoke marketing boutique that provides business strategy, branding, website design, social media management and SEO expertise to clients across the U.S.

    

Shelly Dretzka '95

Owner/Strategic Business Partner
aHRrow, LLC
Mukwonago, WI

Shelly is a tactical and strategic human resource professional with over 20 years of experience directing and executing HR vision, strategy and administration. She moves organizations forward by continuously improving policies, programs and procedures in the areas of tactical day-to-day HR support. If you do not have an on-site HR professional or if your HR professional resigns or takes a leave of absence, aHRrow, LLC can fill the gap until a permanent hire is made or they return. aHRrow, LLC can also provide support when you require an outside resource to lead or contribute to business planning initiatives involving human capital.

        

Christy Cooper Librizzi '98

Owner
Synergy Ventures, LLC
Wauwatosa, WI

With a primary focus on the real estate industry, Christy can provide set-up and support for QuickBooks Online bookkeeping, consult with you on rehab projects, property management, and investing. Christy can provide property walk-through, scope of work details for projects, eviction services, and so much more. Christy is a licensed Realtor with access to the MLS and a vast network of investors in the Milwaukee area.

       

Traci Singleton '15

Business Accountant/Personal Financial Consultant
TLA Financial Services, LLC
Greater Milwaukee, WI

TLA Financial Services offers accounting and consulting services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. As a financial partner, they co-manage, perform and/or consult with businesses. They're invested in relationships with their clients and in ensuring financially skilled businesses. More importantly, they want to strengthen the community through supportive and compassionate financial services.

  

Beth Klein '10

Licensed Therapist
Firefly Counseling
Saint Paul, MN

firefly Counseling offers online and in-person therapy for women who want to break through what’s holding them back.

     

Margaret Paur '84

Owner/Instructor
Hillside Farm, LLC
Richfield, WI

Hillside Farm is a full horseback riding school. They are members of the United States Pony Clubs, the United States Polo Association, and the United States Equestrian Association. Also, they are home to two interscholastic polo teams and one interscholastic equestrian team.

        

Lisa Wick Hansen '82

President/Owner
Robert Wick Agency, Inc
Wauwatosa, WI

Lisa is the third-generation owner of Robert Wick Agency, Inc, which is the first female-owned agency of Unisource Insurance Associates. They specialize in home, car, business insurance and represent over 20 insurance companies, such as West Bend Mutual, Erie Insurance, Badger Mutual, Society Insurance, Progressive, Kemper, and many others. Their office is less than 2 miles from the beautiful Mount Mary campus, and they have over 30 licensed agents on staff.

  

Margaret Martinez Dierickx '13

Business Director/Designer
The Answer To Remodeling, LLC
Milwaukee, WI

The Answer To Remodeling is the solution to your home remodeling and repair needs. They specialize in bathroom and kitchen remodels, finishing basements, drywalling, electrical work, and deck repair.

   

Melinda Poull '82

Owner
StudioLux LLC
Milwaukee, WI

With over 30 years of experience in interior design and furniture, Melinda is a master of the turn key experience for her clients. StudioLUX provides a complete design package from initial concept, space planning, finish selection and specification, furniture selection and specification, to procurement of furnishings, artwork and accessories.

LEED Green Associate
Professional member of ASID
Wisconsin Registered Interior Designer
NCIDQ Certified

 

Tina Raasch-Prost '99

Owner/Office Environment Designer
TRP Design Group, LLC
Menomonee Falls, WI

Designing an office can be an overwhelming process, which is made even more challenging with COVID-19. Working with small business decision makers and solo entrepreneurs, Tina takes away the overwhelming. She provides her clients with curated options. They select the furniture and finishes to create an office environment uniquely their own. TRP Design Group, LLC is an independent interior design studio creating office environments at work or home that inspire productivity and communicate company culture. Contact Tina for more information using the links below.

        

Yvonne Densow '14

Business Owner
VonD Nutrition Coach

Nutritional coaching that is individualized to the client. It involves incorporating small, stackable habit changes into their current lifestyle. Services included are monthly packages of weekly coach meetings, recipe/meal prep guidance, and mindset tips.

       

Sara Flitter '20

Registered Dietitian & Intuitive Eating Coach
Sara Flitter Nutrition

I help moms smash their scales and break the diet cycle so they can find food freedom and body acceptance after years of failed diets. I offer individual coaching in a 12 week program called Moms Against Diets, where my clients unlearn diet culture messaging, relearn intuitive eating skills, and return to their inner wisdom and self-trust.

 

   

Kate Peterson '19

Registered Dietitian/Online Nutrition Coach
Kate Peterson Nutrition

Kate is a registered dietitian and online nutrition coach with the goal of helping you ditch the diets, eat real food and find your confidence! She works with people just like you to find balanced and simple relationships with food, whether that's by improving your ability to cook for yourself or by helping you listen to you body to make more mindful choices about food. Through nutrition coaching, she helps you find joy in eating and confidence in your ability to make food choices that fit your lifestyle.

        

Bridgett Wilder '18

Owner/Nutrition Consultant
Perseverance Health and Wellness Coaching
Milwaukee, WI

Weight loss specialist, life coach and author, Bridgett offers corporate and community wellness programs.

    

Brittany Woodard '12

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Lake Country Nutrition Counseling
Oconomowoc, WI

Brittany is a registered dietitian nutritionist who provides nutrition therapy to those struggling with eating disorders. She offers individual and group sessions and works with adults, adolescents and children recovering from eating disorders.

     

Linda Zuern Nikcevich '78

Publisher
Bobolin Media
Kailua, HI

After a 20-year career in the graphic arts industry, Linda is thrilled to be part of the publishing world, helping to bring her husband's children's book writing to life. Utilizing freelance creative writing, illustrating and graphic arts coordination, the dreams of Bobolin Media are coming true. "The Moon with the Crooked Smile," "I Want to Catch the Clouds," "I Love Clouds," "I Went to the Zoo to See Woo" and "Ben's Zipper" can be found at your favorite book seller. Self-book publishing services are available.

        

Marissa Anderson '22

Co-Founder
The Doll House Supply
Milwaukee, WI

We are a young innovative beauty supply business that offers the best hair and beauty products. You can shop from the beauty supply vending machine located at Southridge mall or shop online at Thedollhousesupply.com

        

Melyssa Bauer '00

Co-Owner/Buyer
The Flannel Fox
Wauwatosa, WI

The Flannel Fox is a den of urban north woods apparel and home accents. They sell women's and men's clothing and accessories, small furniture, home accents and gifts. They offer personal shopping, curbside pickup and private shop events.

      

Jennifer (Breuer) Beutin '98

Owner
Origami Owl
San Tan Valley, AZ

Tell your story through charms! Personalized gifts for yourself... or those you love! Personalized jewelry and inscribable gifts... sure to be cherished for years to come.

 

  

Kate DeCleene Huber '01 '03

Owner
Lake 33, LLC
Zionsville, IN

Ready for the demands of everyday life, our Touch Wristlet & Touch Wallet provide use of your touchscreen without the need to take out your phone, including selecting your side buttons and keeping on your hard case.

Our Cot Bedding provides a standard size cot with bed linens just like home! Starts as a messenger bag with shoulder strap and unfolds into complete bed set. Includes fitted, quilted, foam sheet, blanket and PrimaLoft pillow with removable case. Great for the lake cottage, preschool, camping or heading to see the grandparents. All made in the USA.

   

Raquel DeHoyos '96

Chef/Owner
La Bodega Del Cuervo
Laredo, TX

La Bodega del Cuervo is an online health and specialty gourmet food store and an allergy friendly home bakery.

      

Judy Nolan '78

Owner/Maker
JNOriginals Classic Crochet
Urbandale, IA

JNOriginals features classic crocheted accessories for ladies, designed and crocheted by Judy since 2007. Handmade products include button cowls, ascot scarves, boot cuffs, fingerless gloves, ear warmers and jewelry.

      

Mary Seramur '69

Owner & Custom Jewelry Designer
East Towne Jewelers
Mequon, WI

For over 36 years, Mary has created and repurposed jewelry in her store, along with doing trusted repairs. She has a good selection of ready-to-wear pieces in all price ranges. Every day, she uses skills learned from her art teachers at Mount Mary.

          

Renee Hitt '85

Owner
Merle Norman Brookfield
Brookfield, WI

Merle Norman Brookfield is your local source for Merle Norman cosmetics. Renee's family has owned and operated the Brookfield franchise since 1989. They also offer spa services.

This year, Merle Norman is celebrating 90 years of empowering women to achieve their beauty goals and be independent businesswomen. Their goal is to help you become the best version of YOU!

    

Linda Sherman '73

Partner/Travel Specialist
Dream Vacations
Sebring, FL

Dreams Vacations is a full-service travel agency. Here at home, they can book that flight to Hawaii, cruise to Alaska, ski lodge in Utah or cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Internationally, they can arrange that Caribbean cruise, trek to Machu Picchu, European river cruise or whatever destination is on your bucket list. They deliver a complete package including car rentals, hotels and sightseeing excursions. Using a travel agent is a cost-effective way to get the best value. Let them take care of the details and help you enjoy your dream vacation.