Mentor Award JOLENE SAJEC-TIMMERS

can achieve when your heart is in it.”

By Andrea Busche

The Mentor Award is presented to a woman who has acted as an experienced and trusted adviser to those around her.

This year’s winner is entrepreneur and cosmetologist Jolene Sajec-Timmers, who received nominations from her lifelong friend, Dee Myers; her sister, Jessica Matson; former employee, Heather Kolodzeske; and business partner, Raya Horst.

Here are a few of the comments included within these nominations:

“Jolene has shaped my career in every way.”

“She has taught me everything I know.”

“Jolene made me feel not only welcome and at home, but she planted a new seed of excitement and possibility in my mindset.”

“Jolene has shown me there are no limitations to what you

“Jolene’s leadership skills are proven by the enormous growth in her businesses, and respect she has from her colleagues.”

Her businesses

Sajec-Timmers began her career as a certified cosmetologist. She is trained to treat nails, skin, hair, eyelashes and more.

In 2010, she opened her first business, Serenity Spa and Salon in Superior (1705 Tower Ave.). She later added Superior Salon Suites, Twin Ports Laser and Cosmetic, and Posh Affair Boutique to her empire.

Over the years, Sajec-Timmers has mentored many other women, including her own employees. In fact, she is aware of at least seven women who were initially stylists and have since branched out to become independent business owners.

“I always wanted to create a facility where my stylists would have an opportunity to grow,” she said.

Other initiatives

Additionally, Sajec-Timmers has inspired others through her community service. She previously served as an ambassador for the SuperiorDouglas County Area Chamber of Commerce, and also served on the WITC Advisory Board for the School of Cosmetology.

She has been involved with Harbor House Crisis Shelters, March of Dimes, The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA), and many other initiatives. She also required that each of her employees participate in two community events per year.

“It’s important to give back to the community, because the community does so much for us,” she explained.

Education is also very important to her. Sajec-Timmers has continued her training and certifications throughout her career, and has made the same opportunities available for her employees.

She has created a scholarship to help young people succeed. The Serenity Spa and Salon Scholarship was created in 2013 for students entering the barber/cosmetology program at WITC (now Northwood Technical College), with a GPA of 2.5 or better.

Personal

Sajec-Timmers and her husband, Steven, split their time between Solon Springs, Wisconsin, and Florida. They have two sons, Steven, 25, and Trevor, 23, along with two Shih Tzu dogs, Eddie and Esther. In her time off, Sajec-Timmers enjoys kayaking, reading and getting plenty of “beach time.”

Recently, Sajec-Timmers sold three of her four businesses. Her next business venture is a new product line — Vivid Beauty and Wellness — which will specialize in skin care, lashes and teeth-whitening products.

Advice

Sajec-Timmers shared that she has relied on a team of experts to get where she is today.

“For anyone starting a new business, I would refer them to a variety of professionals who helped me,” she explained. “This includes Mike Lattery with the Entrepreneur Fund, Parrish Jones, my attorney, and Jodi Rochon with the Superior Business

Improvement District, among others. It can be hard to build a foundation, and I love referring people to those who have helped me.”

An unexpected honor

Receiving the Mentor Award during the Rosie Awards was a deeply moving experience for Sajec-Timmers.

“It was really emotional,” she said. “I have always wanted to help ‘my girls,’ but you don’t really see it happening when you’re doing it. I often forgot how my work has impacted other stylists, and how they can use it to grow their own businesses.” D

Andrea

WOMEN’S