Our city is home to so many incredible businesses and so we asked the founders how they came up with the ideas for their businesses and have shared their responses below.

Tanner Siegfort | Owner of Groove Booking and Professional Musician

I have been a professional musician since I was 18 years old. Being primarily a drummer, or the other half of a duo most times, I realized how important it was to find work myself instead of rely on the artist I was playing for. After booking hundreds of gigs and events myself for a few years, I realized I had the work ethic and communication skills to do it well when most musicians didn’t like that part of the business. Along with that, I quickly realized most employees at the establishments I was performing at didn’t want to handle booking music, or didn’t have the time and gladly gave me that duty once I started my company. Read more>>

Lauren Weber | Special Education Teacher

I decided to start my own business after years of experience with working with students that needed specialized instruction and accommodations, both in my professional life and my personal life. In the school system, I was part of a team of professionals creating Individualized Education Plans for students, and often the team would recommend the student needed one hour of occupational therapy, one hour of speech therapy, one hour of reading, one hour of math, etc. I thought, “Is there a way to deliver everything these students need more effectively and efficiently? How could I weave aspects of all these therapies into my own comprehensive approach to individualized student instruction?” Two years ago, I did just that and created Silver Lining Education. What was clear to me throughout my years of teaching and raising my own children that when allowing extra time, providing understanding, and presenting the material in an individualized and meaningful way, all students can build the confidence and love for learning. Read more>>

Heather Wiest | Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Yoga Teacher

Love Serve Inspire LLC Holistic Yoga and Wellness Services has evolved over decades of serving my family and community, as well as working through my own personal healing journey. As a stress release from my social work career, I discovered and fell in love with yoga. I quickly experienced the life changing benefits of a consistent yoga practice to my physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, and desired to share the love with others. My heart for learning and exploration continues to shift and refine my yoga teaching, private practice and business. In 2015, while in meditation, I remember clearly receiving the words, LOVE SERVE INSPIRE. “But through love, serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) Yes, this is my mission and life purpose! I created a website, blog, audio meditations etc., and then felt called to establish Love Serve Inspire LLC in 2018. EXPANSION began 2018. ADVENTURE filled 2019. EMBRACE captured 2020. When asking God for my theme word for 2021, He clearly gave me ARISE. Anticipate Revelation It’s time Seek the higher gifts Emerge I hope to be made new by every revelation given to me. May I passionately arise and share these gifts as I continue to Love Serve and Inspire my family and community. Read more>>

Kaycie Laughlin | Raw Food Chef & Mother

La Luna Superfoods was created to allow people to enjoy nutrient rich treats without sacrificing taste. Our foods are always gluten-free, refined sugar-free, vegan and organic – made with whole, simple ingredients that nourish your body. All of our food offerings are kid approved too! As a mom, keeping snacks on hand for my kids that are nutrient dense, filling and delicious is a necessity. Read more>>

Paige Tonz | Girl Athlete Mentor

The reason I wanted to mentor girl athletes was because confidence was something I struggled with as an athlete growing up and even in college too. I was terrible at moving through and past my failures. I rode the waves of the ups and downs. I didn’t truly believe in myself or feel confident. I wanted that so badly. But, the self doubt just continued to overcome me. I didn’t actually feel real confidence until my senior year of college because I started to think differently. I went into my senior year play college softball with a new mindset. I told myself that I was going to have fun, do my best, and whatever happens, happens. What that meant to me was that I was going to finally let go of the results and just play. For me! I knew working on your mindset was key to success as an athlete, as a girl, as a woman, and in life! I knew I had to teach girls that came after me how to start thinking differently so they could step into their confidence. Read more>>