The Change-Makers: stories that inspire

Janis Quinlan

My ex-husband I purchased this sport’s bar named Jethro’s. We decided to rename it to Quinny’s Sports Pub. Made it through Covid, but our marriage did not. We divorced in 2022, and I retained ownership of Quinny’s. I decided in the Spring of 2022 to put on an addition. After 10 months, I had to fire the builder. They were doing illegal things. Read more>>

Stephani Atkins

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a writer. Before I knew my letters, I scribbled stories in a notebook, gibberish that only I could understand but that I loved to pretend to read. Life, however, always got in the way of my writing. I consistently prioritized family and friends over my own creative endeavors. Read more>>

Julia Lashay Israel

I became a licensed real estate agent at 18 years old. By 19, I bought my first home, and by 23, I owned six properties and ran my own property management company. But when the housing market collapsed in 2008, I lost almost everything – my tenants, my income, and eventually all but one of those homes. Read more>>

Gretchen Carlson-Laundry

In February of 2022, my entire life changed. After more than 22 years in local government, I had a serious work accident that left me with a brain injury and PTSD. I suddenly found myself unable to drive, unable to look at screens for long, and needing a walking stick just to get around. Read more>>

Kaytee Crawford IBCLC, CD, CPE, DBB, LC

I’ve wanted to be a lactation consultant since my first baby was little back in 2011. Like many new parents, I was navigating unfamiliar terrain — learning as I went, and realizing how much compassionate, evidence-based support can change an experience. Read more>>

MJ Hill-Adams

The story of how Trentquility began is a little unconventional. At 52, I found myself a pivotal place in my life, adjusting to the end of a 22-year marriage and a recent divorce. I kept thinking… ‘What’s next?’ ‘What now?’ It was my daughter who encouraged me to focus my energy on something I truly love. Read more>>

Olivia Jones

It started about 8 years ago, I became very interested in making everything from scratch. Instead of buying food with so many ingredients, a lot that most don’t even know what it is, I began to make it all. Sourdough was in that list and it began to snowball from there. Read more>>

Michael Johnson

I began in 2023 when a friend of mine asked me if I could be a DJ for her Daughter’s wedding. At the time I was NOT a DJ, but 0nly someone who was highly organized and experienced enough by not only loving music but having that outgoing personality to play music in front of people to get them to dance. Read more>>

Maureen Smith

Oye! My name is Maureen Ashley Smith! But I go by Mo, or Momo. I got the name ‘The Crimson Princess’ because of my use of reds as accents in a lot of my art. I am a local to La Crosse area! I wasn’t born here, nor in Wisconsin, I am originally from Laredo, Texas. Read more>>

Renee Barnett

I started as a receptionist at the salon in 2010. I was a junior in high school, and I had been getting my hair done there my whole life – since my first haircut at a year old. As I neared the end of high school, I decided to go to cosmetology school. Once I got my license, I started doing hair in 2013. Read more>>

Mayme Barber

Barber Graphics started in 1981 as a Graphic Design Studio specializing in logos and design layouts for printed goods. In 1984, the garment screen printing department was added, along with more staff, and purchased the brick and mortar building on main street of Virginia, MN where we are still located. Read more>>

Elizabeth Sitter

I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always surrounded by animals — dogs, rabbits, and all sorts of little critters who were part of the family. I loved caring for them, learning about them, and even as a kid, I knew I wanted to help animals live better, healthier lives. Read more>>

Bill Cronin

The idea came together in early 2018, ultimately leading to our first taproom opening in November 2019. We operated in that space for the first five years, leading to our January 2025 move to our current, much larger space one block north of the original. The brewery story is similar to many … Read more>>

Seann Dikkers

I’m married to my wife of 33 years Stephanie, have two adult kids and one grandchild. I’m the executive director of Portals, a new project-based learning tool, and Pastor of Calvary Chapel White Bear. I’ve been in education and ministry since college and research curriculum and instructional design. I come from a family of educators. Read more>>

Joe Voth

I had wanted to be a professional musician since I was eight years old, but progress came slowly. In college, I worked a summer job as a gas meter inspector, and I hated it. While it was nice to be outdoors, the early mornings, long commutes, and endless hours of walking dulled my artistically wired brain. Read more>>

Samantha (Sam) Neumann

I spent most of my life in rural northern Minnesota and was one of those kids who had no idea about what I wanted to do when I grew up. Despite this, when I had the opportunity to attend college in Duluth as a junior in high school, I jumped at it. Read more>>

Sierra Vokaty

Arch Party Pop started as a small creative idea that grew out of my love for bringing people together and making moments feel special. What began with me decorating for family and friends quickly turned into a business when people started asking for custom balloon arches and event setups. Read more>>