Meet Mount Horeb Podcast

Meet Mount Horeb introduces listeners to the Mount Horeb area in beautiful south central Wisconsin. Hosted by the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce, the podcast interviews local business professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and more. Each episode spotlights a unique part of the Mount Horeb area, highlighting what makes the Mount Horeb area a great place to live, work, visit, and start or grow a business.

Episode #16

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we sit down with Craig Smith, School-to-Career and International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Mount Horeb High School. Craig is leading the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP), which complements and supports the work of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department by providing students with valuable career-focused opportunities. While IBCP is not part of the CTE department, it aligns with its mission to equip students with the skills and experiences they need for success. Craig also introduces the first career pathway within IBCP—healthcare—and shares insights on Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) at the high school. If you're interested in learning how you can get involved, Craig highlights ways the business community can support students and contribute to this important work.

Episode #15

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we sit down with Janis Strutt, co-founder and executive director of Morgan's Caring Connection, a non-profit organization that supports families with special needs dependents. The organization provides a vetted network of resources, educational opportunities, and financial assistance for families with special needs dependents who are looking to get their legal documents in order. This is an incredible resource to have in our own community. You can find out more about services provided and how to give back and support this organization by visiting their website. 

*Note - We recorded this session in September, and so some of the upcoming events mentioned may be passed. Be sure to check out their website for upcoming events supporting Morgan's Caring Connection. 

Website: www.morganscc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/morganscaringconnection

Instagram: www.instagram.com/morganscaringconnection

Call/Text: 608-999-1474 

Contact Us: www.morganscc.org/contact-mcc/ 

Photos Contributed

Episode #14

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we sit down with Laura Erickson, owner of Pinstripe Auto Detailing, a mobile auto detailing business here in Mount Horeb. Her detailing goes above and beyond your normal clean! Jump in and learn about Laura and her passion for her business, her art, and her community!

Website: https://pinstripeautodetai.wixsite.com/pinstripeautodetail

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559745160306 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinstripeautodetailing/

Call/Text: 608-616-9171

Email: pinstripeautodetailingllc@gmail.com

Episode #13

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we sit down with Chad Moore, a senior instructor at Warriors Academy of Martial Arts, located in downtown Mount Horeb. Chad talks about the history of Warriors Academy, what types of classes they offer, their philosophy, and new classes they are bringing into the Dojo. Jump in and learn about this unique business in Mount Horeb!

Website: www.warriorsama.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warriorsama.mthoreb 

Location: 132 E Main Street, Mount Horeb, WI

Episode #12​

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are wrapping up our Meet Your Makers Series with Sarah Botham, founder and president of WiscoBoxes. Sarah talks to us about what goes into designing, curating, and sending beautiful boxes filled with Wisconsin artisan goods. Sarah also talks about how the pandemic exploded her business and led to significant growth, and how they are continuing to navigate sustainable growth while staying true to their brand.

Shop Online:  wiscoboxes.com

Downtown Mount Horeb Office: 305 E Main Street, Mount Horeb, WI

Episode #11

Special Scandihoovian Episode - Meet Three of the Event's Founders: Jane Burns, Dave Hoffman, and Tracy Thompson

Jane Burns, Dave Hoffman, and Tracy Thompson are three of the original founders of Scandihoovian Winter Festival, a family-friendly event that takes place each year on Superbowl Weekend in Mount Horeb, WI. During Scandihoovian, residents and visitors don red pointy hats as they celebrate the town's Scandinavian heritage.

Today, the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce organizes and promotes the event, but for many years it was organized by local residents and business owners who wanted to get the community out to celebrate winter. 

Listen in to our conversation with Jane, Dave, and Tracy and learn about how the event started and how it has evolved over the years. 

Plan your visit to Mount Horeb during Scandihoovian Winter Festival (Feb 9-11, 2024) by visiting trollway.com/scandihoovian-winter-festival. 

Buy your red hat: mounthorebchamber.com/store/scandihoovian-red-hat

Episode #10

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Janelle Holmstrom

Released on 11/6/23 -

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Janelle Holmstrom, owner of Jangle SOAPworks. Janelle raises goats and uses their milk to create handcrafted soaps and other luxurious body products that are filled with local, natural, and organic ingredients, botanicals, pure essential oils, and natural clays. Together with her husband, Janelle purchased a building downtown and is now the owner of Jangle Natural Living, where you can purchase her soaps and body products, among other items. They also own Isaac's Antiques next door, which is a great local antique store on Mount Horeb's Main Street. Learn about how Janelle got started, what her creative process is like, and how she has navigated her journey as a maker and as an entrepreneur. 

Visit:  janglesoapworks.com    janglenaturalliving.com    facebook.com/Isaacsantiques

134 E Main Street, Mount Horeb, WI

Production photos contributed.

Episode #9

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Robyn & Stan Kitson

Released on 10/30/23 -

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Robyn & Stan Kitson, co-owners of Driftless Chocolates, a chocolate shop located in downtown Mount Horeb. Driftless Chocolates produces single-origin, hand-made fine chocolates using locally sourced ingredients. You can purchase their chocolates at their retail space, at farmers' markets and pop-up shops in and around the area, and you can order online and have them shipped. If you haven't tried their Wisconsin Supper Club Classic Collection, featuring a delicious Brandy Old Fashioned, Brandy Alexander, Pink Squirrel, Grasshopper, and more, you need to come to downtown Mount Horeb and have a taste!

Visit:  driftlesschocolates.com

209 E Main Street, Mount Horeb, WI

(in the Skal Public House mall)

Episode #8

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Tisha Brown

Released on 10/23/23 -

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Tisha Brown, owner/baker of Tisha's Delicious Bakery. Tisha bakes delicious gluten- and dairy-free products out of her home kitchen and sells them directly to customers through online orders, at local farmers markets, and at pop-up shops in partnership with other local businesses.

If you have ever tried to find delicious gluten-free bread or pastries, you'll understand how hard it can be to find items that are comparable to typical recipes in taste and quality. Tisha goes above and beyond and creates home-baked goods that are even better than traditional recipes.

Learn about Tisha's baking and entrepreneurial journey and find out even more about her business on this episode of Meet Mount Horeb.

*Note - We mention the Mount Horeb Farmers Market in this episode. We recorded this episode during the summer. Please check their website for a year-round event calendar. 

Visit:  tishasdeliciousbakery.com

Mount Horeb, WI

Photos contributed.

Episode #7

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Mills Botham

Released on 10/9/23 -

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Mills Botham, co-owner/operator and COO of Botham Vineyards & Winery. Botham Vineyards & Winery has been producing regionally distinctive Wisconsin wines of international acclaim since 1989, and as Mills shares, he grew up on the land and has been helping his mother and father, Sarah and Peter Botham, with various tasks his whole life. Now, as an adult, he has returned to the winery and is now learning everything from production to retail sales to event management and more. He walks us through a season of wine-making, what it takes to produce Wisconsin's best wine, what Mills has learned along the way, and more, in this episode of Meet Mount Horeb. 

Visit:  bothamvineyards.com

Botham Vineyards & Winery, 8180 Langberry Rd, Barneveld

Photos contributed.

Episode #6

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Lindsey Yoder

Released on 10/2/23 -

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Lindsey Yoder, co-owner of Sign Art Studio, a full-serve sign company right here in Mount Horeb. Lindsey talks to us about the company's history, how her husband and co-owner Dan Yoder got his start, and what sets their comany apart from other sign makers.

Visit:  makesignsnotwar.com

Sign Art Studio, 325 W Front St, Mount Horeb

Photos contributed.

Episode #5

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Linda Winther

Released on 9/25/23 -

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Linda Winther, owner of SIFT & Winnow, a jewelry studio and boutique shop located on Main Street, right in downtown Mount Horeb. Linda talks to us about her background as a local maker, how her creative process evolved over time, and what led her to open her shop on Main Street. 

Visit:  siftandwinnow.com  

SIFT & Winnow, 110 E Main St, Mount Horeb

Episode #4

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Kelly Leschisin

Released on 9/18/23 - In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Kelly Leschisin, co-owner of Forward Apparel and KELLA Design, along with KELLA, a boutique shop located on Main Street, right in downtown Mount Horeb. Kelly talks to us about her businesses, which she co-owns with her husband Joe, about their creative process, how their pieces go from idea to production, and how they turned their passion and creativity into a Main Street shop that celebrates makers from around Wisconsin. 

Visit:   forwardapparel.co    kelladesign.com    madebykella.com  

KELLA, 118 E Main St, Suite 1, Mount Horeb

Episode #3

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Erin Ulrich

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are continuing our Meet Your Makers Series with Erin Ulrich, owner of Telsaan Tea, located on Main Street, right in downtown Mount Horeb. Erin talks to us about her business, what her creative process is like, and what's she's learned over the years as a small business owner. 

Visit: www.telsaan.com

Telsaan Tea, 108 E Main St, Mount Horeb

Episode #2

Meet Your Makers Series - Meet Bill Lorenz

In this episode of Meet Mount Horeb, we are kicking off our Meet Your Makers Series with Bill Lorenz, owner of Black Knight Artisans, located in downtown Mount Horeb. Bill makes custom works using wood and acrylic - everything from pieces of furniture to jewelry boxes, charcuterie boards, keychains, and more. 

Visit: www.blackknightartisans.com

Episode #1

Meet Mary Ann Bellazzini

In this inaugural episode of Meet Mount Horeb, sponsored by the Business Advocacy Committee, we meet Mary Ann Bellazzini, a local business owner running for the Supervisor Seat #1 in the Town of Blue Mounds, a community that borders Mount Horeb and is home to several members of the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Director Rachel LaCasse-Ford talks to Mary Ann about her experience as a small business owner in the area and what she would being to the role.

Note: Travis Gudgeon is also running for this seat and declined to participate in this podcast.