Smart minds pivot to open new doors

Entrepreneurship is an exciting but risky business, even in the best of times.

The past 14 months could reasonably be called one of the most uncertain periods of time that our region has endured, where most of us were stopped for unknown periods of time.

But entrepreneurs are resilient — individuals for whom challenges are exhilarating rather than fearinducing, who respond to change by pivoting, and who see opportunities where others see roadblocks. We saw many entrepreneurs try new things, pivot to new ways in which they reached their customers, and overall found a way to stay in business.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed priorities, disrupted day-to-day activities, forced many to work from home and made us all aware of the fact that we cannot predict the future. Despite that chaos and uncertainty, businesses in Superior and Douglas County have shown resilience and opened new doors that were unknown to them before.

At the Small Business Development Center at the University of WisconsinSuperior, we have been proud to assist our local businesses through this time of uncertainty, assisting them in building a plan, cultivating resources and setting them up for success once this pandemic subsides.

Over the past 14 months, the SBDC assisted more than 800 businesses throughout an eight-county region in Northwestern Wisconsin. Countless hours went in to walk clients through the Paycheck Protection Program, economic impact disaster loans, numerous federal and state programs and, most recently, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

We have seen success, changes and ways in which entrepreneurs pivoted their business to continue reaching their customers and clients. Just like all of us, entrepreneurs in our region were thrown into periods of uncertainty in which they had to navigate uncharted waters. We should be proud of how our communities have supported each other during these times.

Even though this last year has been a period of unknown, many new businesses have started and have shown success. These businesses have shown resilience as they have launched during the pandemic. They launched with a plan in place to meet the demand that they were seeing, but also to support our local communities.

As we approach halfway through 2021, Superior and Douglas County are seeing more growth due in part to these aspiring entrepreneurs. Collaboration between the SBDC and its regional partners — The Development Association, SuperiorDouglas County Chamber of Commerce, Superior Business Improvement District and UWS, among others — allows our region to thrive with resources that benefit our local entrepreneurs.

Moving forward, there is a lot of activity that supports entrepreneurs, and it keeps growing. Biannually, the SBDC holds an eight-week entrepreneurial training program that gives local entrepreneurs the first steps and blueprint to starting their entrepreneurship journey. Many local and established businesses, such as Empire Coffee in Superior and The Atrium in Solon Springs are graduates of this program, along with new businesses, such as Superior Waffles, that will be launching in the next couple months. immediate impacts and challenges. While some businesses were struggling to keep doors open, another organization in the same industry may have seen overly positive results.

The UWS Center for Continuing Education continues to develop innovative programs that meet the needs of lifelong learners and organizations alike. Partnerships with The Development Association have allowed us to launch a “First Steps to Starting a Business,” along with a “First Steps to Starting a Food Products Business,” allowing entrepreneurs from many walks of life to learn about the foundational building blocks that are available to them.

As we start to get back to “normal” and enjoy the summer months, let’s not forget to support our regional entrepreneurs. They are one of the backbones that help our local economy thrive and always need our continued support. We are in an era of growth within Superior and the greater community and look forward to seeing what will happen in the months and years to come.

As we were immersed into what living during a pandemic looked like, many were scared to do anything.

Life, comfort and security were all put on hold.

On a local level, our business community and citizens faced unique impacts as they navigated public health guidance and regulations from federal agencies as well as two different state and local authorities. Our Chamber realized the need for clear and concise information. We opened our communications up to nonmember organizations, and we offered a needed resource by streamlining guidance, financial assistance and information. We never faltered in our advocacy for the tourism and business communities. We had regular and open communication with hundreds of organizations throughout the past year as well as our local, state and federal leadership.

Now for the fun part!

We are very aware that we aren’t through the pandemic yet, but we are starting to see the sun rise on the horizon! The Superior, Douglas County and Twin Ports region is doing much better than many areas. Tourism is a major economic driver throughout the region and is causing a bounceback faster than much of the country.

In addition, we are wellpositioned to welcome and safely host eager visitors planning to travel before the end of the year. Superior seems to be going through a renaissance of reimagining and redevelopment.

Our corner of the Midwest is breaking out of the stereotypes we have been placed in for decades, and you can almost feel the change and positive energy. We need to stay friendly and welcoming to the new business opportunities knocking on our door. We are seeing new businesses of all types open. Entrepreneurship and expansion opportunities are outpacing the spaces we have to meet demand. We have seen vibrant and creative businesses and developments during a time that was dark for many. There are more new projects on the horizon; in addition, many of our major projects didn’t slow down. This growth and development is laying the foundation and infrastructure to a better future. earlier in the year, owner Ryan Tepsa wasn’t deterred because of daily calls to bring the signature pizza to Superior.

We have all heard the terms “back to normal” or “new normal.” No matter what we call life after the pandemic, we can be sure that it will not be the same as life pre-pandemic. The workforce will continue to be the No. 1 challenge for many of our employers, our employment attraction strategies will need to be creative and flexible. Teleworking and virtual meetings are here to stay.

Online commerce is a needed component for many industries going forward. There is no doubt that consumer, employee, employer and social behavior has changed indefinitely. But one thing is certain: supporting our local economy, businesses and nonprofits has never been more important. Our citizens stepped up to the plate and took care of each other throughout the pandemic thus far. The impact on quality of life and health from the community organizations around us has been clarified during the pandemic.

We are moving forward, but we must continue to be here for our neighbors.

The restaurant offers delivery and curbside pickup, with limited seating in the large lobby. Tepsa said he’s in the midst of hiring more than 30 employees for the Superior Toppers Pizza location. He has 21 employees at the Duluth restaurant. The positions are listed on Indeed, Tepsa said, and will soon be on the corporate website. People can also call the Duluth store, 218-525-4500, for an application.

Toppers Pizza, headquartered in Whitewater, Wisconsin, has more than 75 locations in 16 states, according to the company. Tepsa said the chain’s house pizzas and signature breadsticks set Toppers apart from other pizza parlors, as well as its later hours. The Superior Toppers Pizza will be open until 2 a.m.

And on Oct. 15, Tepsa said, Toppers Pizza will roll out a vegan menu.

Port City Collective

Moving in next to Toppers in the former Community Bank and Trust building was Port City Collective.

The shop offers a variety of hemp products, including a handful of local brands, a house brand and a handful of West Coast brands. In addition to CBD products, Port City Collective will carry tobacco and vape products and a small selection of hand-blown glass.

The business is owned and operated by Colton Allen of Duluth, the owner of the former skate and snowboarding-based clothing business, Common Apparel.

Black Fox Hair Studio

A revelation prompted five-time salon owner Lena Cooper to open her first salon in Superior.

The Black Fox Hair Studio opened after the closure the Boss salon in Duluth. Cooper said things just started to fall into place to open her sixth salon, from renewing her cosmetology license, getting a salon license and fitting in the schedules of Belknap Electric and Belknap Plumbing to make necessary modifications to her new space at 1408 Tower Ave.

Lady Outlaw

Vintage

When Becky Scherf opened Lady Outlaw Vintage last November in the space formerly occupied by Red Mug, there was a chance the popup would close again by April.

“It just ended up working out,” Scherf said recently. The stop continues to offer clothes, shoes, home décor, housewares and kitsch from the 1920s through the 1990s in the lower level of 916 Hammond Ave.

Jamrock Cultural Restaurant

Owner Tony O’Neil has been around for a while as a vendor, and until recently has served his Caribbeaninspired meals out of Average Joe’s in Superior’s North End. That was until January when he opened Jamrock Cultural Restaurant at 1901 Tower Ave.

In the building formerly occupied by Pak’s Green Corner and Kenny Wong’s Oriental Express, O’Neil is able to serve in house or carryout customers meals inspired by his grandmother, Dorothy Reece.

Stop N Go Pizza

For owners Keith White and Jamar Kirk, the secret is in the signature sauces created by White, who does most of the cooking at Stop N Go Pizza, 1908 Tower Ave.

The business partners seized on the opportunity to run a family business to serve appetizers, pizza, calzones and sandwiches for people to enjoy at home. The distinct sauces, including sweet chili pineapple, hot buffalo, barbecue, lemon pepper, parmesan garlic and sweet onion jerk, provide the flare and are whipped up by White.

Lift Bridge Bagels Entrepreneur Lexy Land launched Lift Bridge Bagels in midDecember under the umbrella of her mug cake business, On Grace and 93rd. She’s been selling and shipping mug cake mixes since July. The idea to start a bagel bakery began a few years ago during a trip to New Zealand with her husband. They found a shop, Beam Me Up Bagels, with amazing bagels, and have been trying to find a comparable bagel spot stateside.

Finding nothing she liked locally, Land decided to make her own.

Every week, Land bakes up to 25 dozen bagels, depending on the number of orders. Her staple flavors are plain, cinnamon sugar, Asiago cheese and everything (topped with a blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced onion, minced garlic and a flakey sea salt).

Visit the On Grace and 93rd website to order bagels or mug cake mixes or learn more about the business.

Northern Oral Surgery and Implant Center

A patient backlog, making room for a new doctor and an expiring lease all played a role in Northern Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons opening its newest office in Superior.

Northern Oral Surgery and Implant Center at 503 Belknap St., opened Monday through Thursday in March. By July, the surgeons plan to provide care in Superior five days a week.

The clinic specials in dental implants, bone grafting, facial trauma, jaw surgery and tooth extractions among other procedures.

The practice got its start in the late 1980s or early 1990s in Duluth when now retired surgeon, Dr. Chuck Babst struck out on his own.

Dr. Duncan Puffer, now the senior partner, joined Northern Oral in 1994. Dr. Marty Espe joined in 1998, followed by Dr. Peter Mayer in 2005 and Dr. Tim Morse in 2013. Dr. Benjamin Heggestad is the latest addition.

Dolce Vita

A bit of good luck and a long family history in the food service with origins in Macedonia came together to launch Dolce Vita in South Superior.

The new eatery at 5802 Tower Ave., opened in April.

Owner Zudi Maksutoski, a native of Macedonia, offers steaks, pastas and special European dishes on special nights, all made from scratch and locally sourced.

Lady Meg’s Cakes

When the pandemic hit, Meghan Gobel, a behavioral analyst with the state of Minnesota, decided to launch Lady Meg’s Cakes from the commercial kitchen at the Superior Business Development Center.

“I kind of do a lot of cheesecakes and pies lately,” Gobel said. Desserts have long been a tradition in her family and a focal point of family meals and celebrations, and those are the kinds of deserts she makes. She doesn’t make wedding cakes.

“I want to keep it fun,” Gobel said. “I don’t want it to become overwhelming.”

While she doesn’t have a menu per se, she said she’s always loved baking and is willing to give anything a try. So, around her full-time work schedule, she’s offering sweet treats at LadyMegsCakes on Facebook.

Happy Daze Infusionz

Happy Daze Infusionz is a hemp bakery operating in the commercial kitchen at the Superior Business Development Center that makes edible treats for the cannabis connoisseur.

Owner Emily Morrow said with the pandemic, it seemed like a good time to launch the business in March. Her products are available to the age 21 and older crowd through CDB retailers like Ignite and the Super Smoke Shop in Superior as week as other shops in the region. She also sells her products online at happydazeinfusionz. com, at popups and farmers market, and is searching for more vendors.

Morrow said her goal is to normalize hemp, which is an important natural plant that, unlike alcohol, has never killed anyone.