The ladies of Lake Minnetonka, Waconia, and Victoria came together at this year’s City Lifestyle Women & Wine event hosted at Schram Vineyards. Women business leaders from Lake Minnetonka Lifestyle and our sister publication, Waconia City Lifestyle, mixed and mingled for an evening filled with meaningful conversation, connection, and, of course, great wine. Between sips and plenty of laughter, we had the opportunity to learn more about this remarkable group of women, their journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the passion that drives them as entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Torri Schneider, Assistant Manager at Gunderson's Jewelers:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“My favorite spot in the community is 6Smith. They have the best food, best view, and a great vibe.”
To whom do you credit your success? Who was a mentor to you as an entrepreneur?
“My family is long-time entrepreneurs. My mother, my grandfather, and my great-grandmother all owned a business. I was allowed to be whatever I wanted to be, but it made sense to me to follow that same entrepreneurial path. I fell into jewelry, and it became my passion.”
Missi Davis, Owner of Bella on the Bay
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“Where don’t we like to hang out?! Depends on the activity. For shopping, Amore & Fede is my go-to. I can’t tell you how many times Brittany has clothed me — she dresses me all the time. Foodwise, Coalition is a favorite for lunch, Vagabondo for dinner, and Licks for ice cream. Their turtle ice cream is the best.”
Can you share a defining moment that shaped your path as an entrepreneur?
“Covid. We had to get creative. For us, it was challenging once we were allowed to bring people back in, and had to ensure both our clients and staff felt safe. In our industry, we saw a massive boom post-Covid, and now, years later, it's normalizing a lot, and our industry is seeing big dips from that initial post-Covid surge. We’re constantly adjusting and reinventing both on the business side and to better serve our clients.”
Brianna Erickson, Owner and Founder of Framed Reverie:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“Typically, coffee shops. I love 318 Cafe, The Lobby, Caribou. Those are my hangout spots because, for one, I can be caffeinated, which we love, and two, I can meet people, and there’s a camaraderie and community that you can engage in or just be in where I can focus and do work as a solopreneur.”
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
“I heard a quote recently: ‘Ready is a decision, not a feeling.’ And it resonates. Being a little over a year and a half in as an entrepreneur, I’m really internalizing that. When I heard that quote, I said, ‘Yes!’”
Maud Duggan, CEO & Designer of Union Place Home Systems + Interior Design:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“I’ve turned into a bit of a gym rat and love going to LifeTime Fitness. Yoga was my initial passion, but I’ve had a lot of fun discovering other classes with my husband and lots of friends. We go almost every day!“
To whom do you credit your success? Who was a mentor to you as an entrepreneur?
“My business was founded by my mother, and she was quite a trailblazer. As a single parent, she was brave, starting something on her own back when you couldn’t get a Visa card because all the credit was in her husband’s name, and banks wouldn’t give her a loan. She’s always been a cheerleader for me.”
Michelle King, Founder and CEO of Positive Presence Global:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“Maynards. Any of the local restaurants, really, with my husband or my team, where you can see water and just chill and relax. When there’s chaos inside, you have to surround yourself with calm outside.”
When it comes to your business, what is a word or phrase you live by?
“Positivity. Of course. The phrase is, “Positivity can only spread when it is present. I put that together, and then it became my company name. The world around you is created by the world within you, and if you’re at peace, positive, being proactive, doing self-care, being calm and respectful and operating from that place, that is what the world brings back to you, and that’s what we do at Positive Presence.”
Denise Loehr, Owner of Lakeshore Interiors:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“Trivia at The Narrows and at Heartbreakers in Chaska. I also love meeting up with my girlfriends to play Mahjong in the traditional style. I have my own set too. I always love playing games.”
Can you share a defining moment that shaped your path as an entrepreneur?
“Not necessarily a single moment. I’ve always been in the spirit of 'just do it' and 'just go for it.' I’ve had this trust in myself that I can be an entrepreneur and can make it happen. And sometimes, you do just have to make it happen, roll with the punches, and not overthink it.”
Carolyn Manhatton, Owner of Excelsior Paint & Design Carpet One Floor & Home:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“I love hanging out in the Commons around the fire pits, getting warm and cozy on a cool night.”
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
“Look around and find what you love. Then find what other people love about what you love and help them achieve it. You want to make sure there is also a market for what you want to do. And if you do it well, people will come to you — it doesn’t matter whether it’s accounting or design or selling homes. And also, don’t give up. Be good and ethical; there are no shortcuts.”
Sarah Slater, Owner of Balanced Kids MN:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“I’m at my happiest when I'm baking in the sun on a boat out on the lake.”
When it comes to your business, what is a word or phrase you live by?
“Accessibility. Everything with Balanced Kids is about making healthcare easier and more convenient by eliminating the barriers, whether that’s driving, fear around the clinic, costs, or waiting at the doctor's. With Balanced Kids, it’s all about direct services between me and the patient. There are no insurance markups, and you’re calling or texting me directly, not a random nurse who doesn’t know you. It’s all about building that relationship between the patient and provider.”
Debbie Slusar, Owner of Amore & Fede, and Brittany Slusar:
Where do you like to hang out in the community, and why?
“Everywhere. We love Maynards and Coalition. They’re two of our favorites. We love being outdoors by the lake at Maynards, and Coalition is our neighbor across the street, where it’s like a Cheers situation — we know and love all the staff and bartenders. Layline in the summertime for the quiet patio and great food, and for morning coffee, we love Vagabondo. Of course, sitting on the rail and people watching at Haaskels in the summer is also a favorite spot.”
Can you share a defining moment that shaped your path as an entrepreneur?
“When I was asked by two other women at Amore & Fede to be the money manager, which then morphed into owning the store on my own. That was almost 19 years ago,” says Debbie. “We’ve grown so much in the community since then.”
Brittany, Debbie’s daughter, shares, “I started 15 years ago at Amore & Fede, and I was in a transition in my life at the time, and joining in seemed like a really good opportunity. I have a knack for clothing and a knack for people, so it was a great fit. We work well together and balance each other as a mother-daughter duo. And whenever my mom wants to retire, she’ll pass the store on to me and help me to take the lead.”
I heard a quote recently: ‘Ready is a decision, not a feeling.’ And it resonates.
I’ve had this trust in myself that I can be an entrepreneur and can make it happen. And sometimes, you do just have to make it happen, roll with the punches, and not overthink it.