Grace Bruins engages with Chad Schultz, the owner of Innovative Signs in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Unveiling the multifaceted world of signage, Chad elaborates on how signs act as a silent salesman and the diverse services offered by Innovative Signs.

From large format digital printing to outdoor electrical signs and managing installations, Chad shares his journey from finance graduate to successful entrepreneur. This episode provides practical insights into navigating business challenges with resilience and strategies for fostering a collaborative work culture that's built to last.

Listen in to discover how Chad’s leadership and innovative approach drive not just the success of his signage business, but also empower his team to see the big picture—one sign at a time.

Episode Highlights:

07:04 - What's nice about our product with the printing side is that we can be a an annual sponsor and donate all the signage. So, as an example, Commercial Association of Realtors is an association we're a part of and we look at the entire year for what they have coming up for programs. And we'll donate at their events they need like a registration sign, a banner behind the podium, a podium sign, or if it's a golf outing, the golf outing signs that–this whole sponsored by, this tee box sponsored by–so we'll donate all that and we'll become a gold level sponsor. And then for that, we go to all the events and we meet people as a sponsor. And that's been how we've done it for a long time.

16:19 - I'm also looking for ways to make my business more valuable, and that is, in essence, eliminating me. So that's where I hired a business development person to eliminate that side of things. So I was getting to the point where if I had someone doing business development, then I'm just running the company. If I ever wanted to sell it, then it's more valuable because the business isn't just me. The business operates on its own. It's sufficient or efficient.

24:09 - One of our values is integrity, and it's live above the line. So you can live below the line and blame somebody else or hide it, but that's not going to help us long term. Something that drives me crazy is when somebody does something but doesn't tell anybody what the next step is.

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Grace Bruins sits down with Pete Rettler, the dynamic campus dean of Moraine Park Technical College in West Bend. Pete shares insights into the transformative changes happening at Moraine Park and how these developments are equipping the future workforce with essential skills.

They discuss the impact of a $55 million referendum that led to significant infrastructural improvements, highlighting the expanding opportunities in advanced manufacturing and healthcare training. Pete also shares his perspective on the evolving perception of two-year degrees and the growing interest in technical education among young students and adult learners alike.

Learn the importance of embracing change and discovering opportunities in technical education when you tune in. For listeners interested in exploring more, visit morainepark.edu to learn about Moraine Park Technical College's programs and offerings.

Episode Highlights:

08:26 - Parents want their kids to go to college. They don't want them to go to tech school. So I always push people to say we're a two-year college. If you want to choose, we've got articulation agreements with just about everybody. We recently signed 50 some with UWM. So if you want to continue your education, move on then. But I would say the only thing that pushes people now to four-year degrees or pushes students is parents.

14:09 - With the new center now, that's all moving back to campus. Those students now will get the same services that when they're in Jackson, we can't give them all the student life activities and everything. Free meals that we can do at the campus.

17:30 - UWM has bent over backwards for us, and we see them as a real partner. The plan is to have a presence on our campus in West Bend where there could be a university center. I'll say there will be a university center where we're looking at different degrees right now. So two-year degree at Moraine Park in A, B, or C, transfer, and now we can go face to face if that's what the student chooses at the West Bend campus getting UWM credit. So we're looking at 2026 to start some of those classes. We're looking in the area of IT and Business and other areas.

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This episode is a compilation full of the insights and inspiration for small business owners from Small Business Owners Community Conference and Awards held last October 16 & 17, 2024 at the Miller High Life Theatre in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hosted by Grace Bruins, the episode features an incredible panel of guests sharing their wisdom.

Key Takeaways:

Build Your Tribe: Talmar Anderson highlighted the importance of having a supportive community of peers for business owners. Your team is not your emotional support system—seek out masterminds, accelerators, and coaching to build those valuable connections.

Trust Your Instincts: Sara Deacon drew an interesting analogy with butterfly feet, reminding us that trusting our gut feelings can guide us to make the right business decisions. It's crucial to tap into that 6th sense to find your path and opportunities.

Adapt and Move Forward: Nikki Lee discussed resilience by drawing inspiration from kangaroos and hippos. Instead of focusing on the past, small business owners should look forward and keep moving, just like kangaroos. And like hippos, even if things seem tough on the surface, keep pushing and running towards your goals.

Personal Healing for Business Success: Christine Welch, founder of Clarity Collab, talks about overcoming psychological blocks and transforming personal and professional trauma. Christine shares insights from her journey, including her new initiative, IGNITE-Women of Integrity, and offers advice on business ownership, delegating tasks, and focusing on strengths.

Creativity and Trust in Business: Kimberlee Grob talks about blending creativity with commerce in the floral industry. She shares her journey, crafting personalized arrangements that capture emotions and celebrations, while also offering valuable insights on customer trust, navigating challenges, and building loyalty through exceptional service.

Mastering Business Pitches: Precious Williams, founder of Perfect Pitch Group, talks about her journey from overcoming challenges as a plus-sized African-American woman in business to becoming an international speaker and corporate sales trainer. Precious shares her powerful insights on defining your narrative, authentic self-presentation, and creating unforgettable pitches. She offers actionable advice on positioning, packaging, and pitching to help entrepreneurs amplify their message and stand out in competitive markets.

Making Women's Voices Heard: Sharon Ringier, editor-in-chief of Possible Woman Magazine and host of a new podcast, discusses about the power of visibility and voice for women in business. Sharon shares how the magazine, originally a one-time project, became a global platform for women to share their stories without the pressure to “sell.” She also talk about her podcast’s mission to empower women entrepreneurs, focusing on storytelling, overcoming self-doubt, and prioritizing impact over sales.

Listen now to the unique perspectives from our amazing guests. Let's empower each other and grow stronger together!

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