Wib 2013

Women

in Business

Inside: • 2 women work to make memory care facility feel like home • An Albert Lea woman balances home and career well

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Page 2• WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A healthy balance between family and career is key Albert Lean Amy Rehnelt has worked at Nancy Vanderwaerdt State Farm Insurance since 1987

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

In most any business, there will be challenges. A State Farm Insurance agent with 26 years of experience and two daughters urges moms struggling to balance work and family to hang in there.

“There will be stressful days,” said Amy Rehnelt of Nancy Vanderwaerdt State Farm Insurance. “Just don’t let them get the best of you.”

Rehnelt, 45, started at the agency, 505 Bridge Ave., in June 1987. Her name was Amy Missling back then.

She applied on the advice of an instructor at Riverland Community College, got the job and in October that year she married her high school sweetheart, Kelvin Rehnelt. The couple had moved to Albert Lea to attend Riverland together.

They graduated in 1986 from

Storden-Jeffers High School in Jeffers in Cottonwood County. The communities are now part of the Red Rock Central School District in Lamberton.

She was from a farm north of Jeffers, and he was from one south of the town.

They attended Riverland because Albert Lea seemed like a big city compared to Jeffers. She graduated in 1987 with a degree that trained her to be a secretary or a travel agent.

“It was nice to have things available to us without being too big,” she said.

She is the daughter of Roger and Eileen Missling, though her father died in 1998. She is the second of three children, with a sister two years older and a brother two years younger.

Amy and Kelvin have two daughters, Sydney, 17, and Rachel, 14.

Amy Rehnelt got her license shortly after she started. She is licensed to sell property/casualty insurance, life insurance and health insurance. She likes life insurance the best.

“When I get to meet with families that truly care about each other and understand the need and the importance of life insurance, that is when I love my job the most,” she said.

“Working with those families to help

them figure out the best plan for them is very satisfying. They leave my office and know that they don’t have to worry about it anymore and can check that off of their list of things to do.”

Technology, rules and regulations often change, along with trends in the industry, all of which push Rehnelt and other agents to stay on top of what’s new. She said she appreciates her co-workers, Jami Johnston and Damaris Talamantes.

Rehnelt’s advice for women in

business is urging them to challenge themselves on the job every day.

“Try to find that healthy balance between your job and your family,” she said.

In her free time, Rehnelt likes to scrapbook, but she doesn’t have much time for it. She makes time to run with a friend, Robbi Woodside, three times a week. She and her husband can be see at school activities involving their daughters, from music to sports.

Tim Engstrom/Albert Lea Tribune

Amy Rehnelt sells health, home and auto insurance, but the No. 1 kind of insurance she sells is life. The sign is right outside her office at Nancy Vanderwaerdt State Farm Insurance.

Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013 • WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Page 3

Hiring tips to help avoid nightmares when getting a nanny Movie nannies might work for a spoonful of sugar, and hugs and kisses, but in the real world nannies — no matter how loving and attentive they are — need to get paid a salary.

When you’re ready to hire a nanny, you can go through the most rigorous background checks, confirm references, interview extensively and hire the caregiver of your dreams — and still find yourself in the middle of a nanny nightmare if you run afoul of tax laws.

“Like most parents, my first thoughts when hiring a nanny were the safety of my children and whether or not the nanny would be a good fit for my family and those things are certainly critical,” said Lori Bolas, SurePayroll director of communications. “Unfortunately, many parents either don’t know about or can get overwhelmed by the regulations that apply to ensure that their nanny’s payroll gets handled correctly, on time and in compliance with state and federal laws.”

Fortunately, payroll services can help take the confusion out of paying your nanny, and ensure he or she gets paid on time and according to the law. Although nanny-hiring goes on year round, many more families may undertake the task as the school year

gets started. Tips for hiring and paying a nanny: • Make a list of nanny must-haves, such as schedule availability, disciplinary practices, experience with multiple kids, etc. Next, create a list of preferences that are negotiable. Setting your priorities before you begin looking for a nanny will help you make the right decision.

• Involve others, including people whose referrals you trust, such as family members, friends, teachers and co-workers. Ask them for help in finding candidates, and don’t forget to involve your kids. Give them a few minutes to meet each nanny candidate during the interview; after all, they’ll be the ones most affected by your choice.

• Remember, you’re entering a business relationship — albeit one of the most important ones in your life.

Keep things professional during the interview and be sure to ask all the tough questions about topics that are important to your family.

• Don’t overlook online resources and professional organizations. Selection services like SitterCity can help you identify and screen appropriate candidates, and the International Nanny Association provides information, advice and a directory on its

website. Be sure to use background checks, which can easily be done online, check multiple references and personally interview every candidate at least once before making a final decision.

• Discuss wages and base your offer on the nanny’s level of experience and what other nannies in your area are getting. Federal law requires nannies must get at least minimum wage, and they may be entitled to overtime.

• Prepare paperwork to ensure you can avoid tax penalties. You’ll need a 1040-ES, a signature-ready Schedule H, the annual 1040 and a W-2. If you pay a seasonal nanny more than $1,000 per quarter or $1,800 per year, you’ll probably need to pay the “Nanny Tax,” which includes Social Security, Medicare and federal unemployment tax, or FUTA. • Set up payroll for your nanny, and plan to pay him or her by either direct deposit or check. You’ll need to make provisions to pay Social Security, Medicare, FUTA and other payroll taxes, including any state or local taxes that may apply. Track tax deductions, medical benefits and other insurance. Remember, mistakes can

cost you: failing to pay the IRS nanny taxes can lead to back taxes, penalties, interest and fines of up to $25,000.

An online payroll provider can help you stay on the right side of the law by managing the pay, tax and filing tasks for your nanny.

“Your nanny will be one of the most important people in your family’s lives,” Bolas said. “It’s important to start off on the right foot with good communication and ensuring payroll tasks go smoothly.”

Thanks

to all the women working at Mrs. Gerry's.

Each of you are an important part of our team.

We salute and are proud of our

working women at St. Johns!

You’ll find a home in our community www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org 901 Luther Place Albert Lea 507-373-8226

Page 4 • WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013

By Jason Schoonover

A pawsh lifestyle

news@albertleatribune.com

AUSTIN — One-by-one, Emily Gossman lifted each of Gracie’s four paws, gingerly curling them upward to run a trimmer across the bottoms of its paws.

“Good girl,” Gossman told the teddy bear mix after each paw.

Across the room, Honey, a poodle, watched from a tub as Beanie Mayotte, Gossman’s mother, ran a blow drier across the poodle’s fur. A third dog sauntered around the floor of the shop waiting to be picked up by its owner. The three dogs are all regulars at Pawsh Styling Spaw & Boutique.

Gossman, 31, has owned Pawsh Styling since 2006. But her love of dogs is much more than a job, it’s a lifelong passion.

‘My best buddy’

Gossman’s puppy love started when her parents got Cocoa, a small mix from a nearby farm, when Gossman was 4.

“She just kind of became my best

buddy,” she said. “I would sit down and read to her.”

Gossman remembers playing with her dogs, giving them baths and putting bows in their hair as a child, so grooming was a natural step.

“I wanted to work with dogs, and I wanted to make them feel good,” she said.

Gossman said she was the bleeding heart of her family and remembers taking home strays. That’s carried over to her adult life, as Gossman and her husband, Joe, share their farm north of Dexter with their four dogs — a Rottweiler, a pit bull, a yellow lab and a cocker mix. All are rescues.

“I have a special place in my heart for any rescue dog,” Gossman said.

While most peg Gossman as the one who gets her husband to cave and accept a new dog, she said her husband is more than just a willing participant.

“He’s worse than I am when it comes to dogs,” she said with a laugh.

Gossman described herself and Joe as homebodies who don’t much like

Recognizing the Professional women at Americana Insurance Group & their Excellence to the insurance industry.

Nancy Vaale, Dorothy Paulsen Blum, Lori Bagley, Lauren Nelson, Suzanne Dickson, Jennie Hoyt

www.americanainsurance.com (507) 377-2000

Eric Johnson/Albert Lea Tribune

Emily Gossman talks about how she got into grooming and her love for dogs at her grooming business Pawsh Stylings in Austin. the bar scene. The two married last year and have no children, but she

said her dogs are “just like my kids.”

When she and Joe travel, Mayotte

babysits the “grand dogs,” and Gossman will call for the pooches during trips.

“She always talks to her dogs,” Mayotte said.

Gossman is an avid reader, noting she’ll read almost anything, especially dog-focused books like “Marley and Me.” As she did as a child, Gossman still reads to her dogs, and she sheepishly admitted she often sings to the dogs in her shop, adding she has a “horrible voice” that has been heard more than once by customers picking up their dogs.

Pawsh

Despite her love for dogs, Gossman didn’t set out to work with them. She just wanted a job she could enjoy while still making a living. After working at a similar grooming spa, she eventually started taking dog grooming classes.

Though some groomers are self-taught, Gossman took a year of schooling in Brooklyn Center to gain hands-on experience and learn standard styles.

Pawsh Styling, located in a converted laundry room in Mayotte’s basement at 2003 18th Ave. SW., doesn’t look like a typical dog grooming business. There are a few kennels, but the dogs are rarely locked up. Gossman tries to keep her space comfortable for the dogs.

“They’re different here, because it’s a home environment,” Gossman said. “It doesn’t have the noise or the smells of a vet or a kennel, not that those places are bad.”

Mayotte started working as her daughter’s assistant after retirement. She bathes, blow dries and brushes most of the dogs, so Gossman can focus on trimming and other grooming styles.

Many haircuts keep with the breed’s standard. However, some pet owners want to try something different, whether it’s a nontraditional trimming or something as bold as a mohawk or lion’s mane. Gossman will even decorate a dog’s nails with a special dog polish. At the end, each is given a bandana or bow.

Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013 • WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Page 5

When she first started, many people would bring their dogs in once a year, but people have learned they should get them groomed more often.

“People are so willing to go the extra mile for their dogs,” she said. “They’re family.”

While most dogs come for a trimming every four to six weeks, others like Gracie and Honey come more often.

Because Gracie has seasonal allergies, she is shaved down more often and receives a medication treatment. As a poodle, Honey comes every other week for trimmings and care, because poodles require much grooming.

“Any type of dog like that can get matted up real quick,” Gossman said.

Nowadays, she has come to find the dogs she groomed as puppies are coming back as full-fledged dogs. Like her lovable pooches, Gossman has grown into her own as a successful dog groomer.

We’re Your Local Partner In Business Providing financial solutions for business owners since 1906 - with the local decision process you deserve. www.securitybankmn.com Albert Lea • 437 Bridge • 373-1481 Member Emmons • 201 Main St • 297-5461 FDIC

Emily Gossman grooms Grace at her business Pawsh Stylings.

Exmark • Stihl Husqvarna

See Sue at

M&S

Outdoor Equipment Emily Gossman grooms Grace at her business Pawsh Stylings.

519 Prospect Avenue • Albert Lea, (507) 377-7705

Page 6• WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Making it feel like home Two women are directors at Prairie Senior Cottages

By Kelli Lageson

kelli.lageson@albertleatribune.com

Two women have taken charge of Prairie Senior Cottages and continue to work to make it feel like home for all those who live there.

Julie Wood-Lobb is the director at Prairie Senior Cottages off Highway 13 in Albert Lea. Wood-Lobb has her master’s degree in social work. She is helped by Nicole Broskoff, who is assistant director and a nurse. Broskoff is a native Albert Lean, and WoodLobb hails from Waseca. Together their main goal is to create a home for residents.

“Not that we don’t have our challenges, but we like to have fun,” Wood-Lobb said.

Prairie Senior Cottages provides a home for people with memory problems. The home recently opened in April, and Wood-Lobb said it was built specifically to house memory care patients.

Wood-Lobb said the home has no long hallways that lead to doors or other dead ends, because if someone doesn’t remember where they are these features can add stress. The hallways at Prairie Senior Cottages are circular, and Wood-Lobb said some

Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea Tribune

Julie Wood-Lobb, left, and Nicole Broskoff pose near a fireplace at Prairie Senior Cottages. people find it calming to wander the continuous halls.

She thinks its important for residents to have a purpose and feel useful. Staff don’t make residents help, but many residents volunteer to help with dishes or cook or sweep the floor.

“It’s a great way for them to stay connected,” Wood-Lobb said.

Prairie Senior Cottages is split into two halves, with each feeling like a separate small home.

There are individual rooms, then there is a large, open common area with a kitchen, dining area and living room for residents to share.

Wood-Lobb said there’s a science to all of that as well. When residents can see, smell and hear a meal being made they are more likely to feel at home than if food is cooked somewhere else and brought to them. Meals are served family-style around small tables, and residents can choose when to wake up and eat breakfast.

Wood-Lobb enjoys getting to know residents and said staff are much like family to all those who live there.

“What I like about memory care is that it’s like a puzzle,” Wood-Lobb said. “Something is driving what they do.”

She gave the example of a resident who wouldn’t eat until every other person had been served, so she asked him why he did that and found out he had been in the restaurant business all his life. Now they let him help serve because he enjoys it.

“You have to be in their world,” Wood-Lobb said. “It doesn’t do any good to get mad or tell them it’s silly.”

Going along with the residents wishes helps them stay calm. Many think they need to go for a drive or do a farm chore like getting the cows, and Wood-Lobb said the staff help them through these anxieties.

“What I like about memory care is that it’s like a puzzle.

Something is driving what they do.” — Julie Wood-Lobb

Prairie Senior Cottages has two separate sides. Each has a living room, like the one above, a kitchen and dining area and resident rooms.

“I always say they’re looking for a feeling,” Wood-Lobb said. “But if you give them peace in that moment they will feel comfortable.”

Keeping the residents busy and engaged is important to Wood-Lobb and Broskoff. Broskoff said even if a resident can just stand alongside a staff member who’s cooking, that they enjoy the interaction. Short trips to the hardware store, grocery store or a walk in the nearby Shoff Park are popular, too. And plain old talking is always fun, both women agreed.

“We love their stories,” Broskoff said.

Broskoff enjoys bringing her children to visit, too, and they like to chat with the residents. Wood-Lobb said she encourages all staff members to help create the home-like environment. She calls all the staff caregivers. Some have medical training, and others do not. Every person working there helps with cooking, laundry and cleaning.

“The people who work here say it doesn’t feel like work,” Wood-Lobb said.

Fun is a major goal for Wood-Lobb, and she thinks having fun makes Prairie Senior Cottages feel like home more than anything else.

“One of the last cognitive things to go is humor,” Wood-Lobb said. “And maybe later they can’t tell us they played bingo, but they know they had fun.”

Both Broskoff and Wood-Lobb said they enjoy working with their residents, learning from them and spending time together.

“There’s always a way to connect with people,” Wood-Lobb said. “As a social worker I’m not trying to fix them or teach them a new way of making decisions; we just get to enjoy them.”

Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013 • WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Page 7

Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea Tribune

Angie Drescher plays a game with residents at Prairie Senior Cottages. Everyone holds a fly swatter and bats a balloon around to keep it from hitting the ground.

Page 8 • WOMEN IN BUSINESS • Albert Lea Tribune • Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Part-time jobs may be the new normal in the U.S. job market

The unemployment rate has edged lower as the nation slowly recovers from the economic crash of 2009 but unemployment is still a concern for many Americans. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent in August 2013, a small change over the past few months. That means there are still 11.3 million people without a job.

The data reveals that 7.9 million people have filled part-time positions, to make ends meet. Many people are signing up to work several part-time jobs in lieu of a full-time position.

It seems as though part-time jobs have become the new normal for U.S. workers.

“Part-time and temporary positions have been the trend for a long time,” said Jason Rinsky, National Director of Career Services at the Brown Mackie College system of schools. “At the beginning of the recession, it was a way not to lay people off. Employers reduced workers to part-time hours to keep them employed. It made sense to keep the talent and resources available to them.”

“At first glance, there are obvious drawbacks to replacing one full-time job with several part-time positions,” said Grace Klinefelter, business and organizational leadership program chair at Argosy University, Washington, D.C. “Perhaps the most troubling shortcoming is the unavailability of health insurance through part-time work.

“It can become expensive to get sick with or without health insurance coverage. People without coverage don’t know what to do,” continues Klinefelter.

This sobering reality prompts many Americans to turn to part-time and temporary employment options. In so doing, they discover unexpected opportunities including scheduling work shifts. Those who typically work from nine to five on weekdays may appreciate the flexible hours afforded by part-time work.

Younger workers tend to like the freedom of flexible hours; older employees often find more time available to care for their children — or an aging parent — with different work hours. It’s also possible to reduce daycare costs by tag-teaming childcare responsibilities between spouses.

Approaching the new normal with a positive attitude can help people adjust.

“Don’t eschew a part-time job even though it may not be an ideal vehicle,” said Rinsky. “In terms of advantages,

it gives you a foot in the door of a potential permanent employer. It can be a good way to sharpen skills and develop new ones.”

With ever-changing technology, active engagement in the workforce is a good way to stay up to date. Taking on part-time work also eliminates employment gaps on your resume, which can be uncomfortable to explain during an interview.

“Think of it as an opportunity to expand your network,” said Klinefelter. “People with several jobs get more exposure than those who are in a fulltime position with one employer. Do your best on the job; show them what you can do. When there is a full-time opening, you want them to think of you.”

There are money-making alternatives to going into the office every day.

Some have turned to their hobbies to bring in extra income in the midst of the restrictive job market.

“Many people have a creative side and an eye for an entrepreneurial

experience,” said Klinefelter. “If you have a creative idea and a fire under you, part-time work gives you more time to put it together and set it up.

This is difficult to do with a 40-hour work week.”

Check out the magic of the next issue of

NOW Available

Call 379-3421 to subscribe

The new normal of reduced work hours can open doors to fresh ventures that you may not otherwise consider. It helps to be prepared for change and to be flexible about what directions your skills can take you.