WDSE WDSE KEN: THIS IS IN BUSINESS.

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

WE ARE ON TOWER AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN SUPERIOR IN FRONT OF THE 1909 ARTS BUILDING AND WHAT WAS THE POST OFFICE FOR MANY YEARS AND A LANDMARK IN DOWNTOWN SUPERIOR.

RIGHT NOW IT IS A SUPERIOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT IS A BUSINESS INCUBATOR FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURS LOOKING TO STRETCH THEIR LEGS AND BUSINESS IDEAS AND BEGINNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS THEMSELVES.

BUT THEY GET A LOT OF HELP FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALSO HERE, LIKE THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND SUPERIOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AND ALSO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL FUND.

THEY ALSO GET A BREAK, BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE A PLACE TO START THEIR BUSINESS AND GET THEIR FEET UNDERNEATH THEM BEFORE THEY MOVE INTO THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

IT IS CALLED AN INCUBATOR AND HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE TRANSFERRED THEIR WORK HERE TO OTHER OUTLETS AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT IS OUR TOPIC ON "IN BUSINESS" THIS WEEK.

WE WILL MEET TWO OF THOSE BUSINESSES, ONE OF THEM CELEBRATING THE FIRST WEEK IN BUSINESS.

WE WILL GET TO MEET HER AND HER VERY INTERESTING FRIENDS.

WE WILL ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT ANOTHER BUSINESS, FOXES AND FIREFLIES, A BOOKSTORE OF NEW AND USED BOOKS FOR SALE.

WE WILL ALSO TALK TO SOME OF THE OTHERS THAT ARE HELPING THESE BUSINESSES GET STARTED.

JIM CAESAR WILL BE OUR GUEST FROM THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND KELLY PETERSON WILL BE IN OUR ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION.

IT IS A GREAT NIGHT FOR "IN BUSINESS."

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NOW WHERE DO I MAIL THESE LETTERS?

♪ WELCOME TO "IN BUSINESS."

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

THIS WEEK WE’RE FOCUSING ON BUSINESS INCUBATORS AND HOW THEY’RE HELPING NEW IDEAS TURN INTO REAL BUSINESSES.

AND WE’RE CENTERING THAT LOOK IN SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN, WHERE A GROWING INCUBATOR SPACE IS SUPPORTING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS.

ONE OF THOSE BUSINESSES IS A BOOKSTORE OPERATING INSIDE THE INCUBATOR.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK.

♪ >> THAT IS WHY I LOVE THIS SECTION.

IT IS FULL OF TREASURES YOU WILL NOT FIND IN SOME OF THE BIGGER STORES BECAUSE THESE ARE LOCAL AUTHORS, YOUR NEIGHBORS, FOLKS WHO LIVE IN OUR REGION.

THEY HAVE COOL THINGS TO TALK ABOUT AND SAY THAT YOU’RE GOING TO MISS IF YOU JUST LOOK FOR THE BESTSELLERS LIST.

>> WE ARE IN SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN AT 1401 TOWER AVENUE, THE HISTORIC POST OFFICE BUILDING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH NEW BUSINESSES, OR BUSINESSES THAT EXPANDED RECENTLY, AND IN THIS PARTICULAR BUILDING WE WILL MEET TWO OF THOSE BUSINESSES.

THIS IS MARIA LOCKWOOD, THE PROPRIETOR OF FOXES AND FIREFLIES, THE NEW BOOKSTORE THAT EXPANDED IN THE LOBBY OF WHAT WAS THE OLD POST OFFICE IN DOWNTOWN SUPERIOR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON.

WHAT DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO START A BOOKSTORE?

MARIA: I AM A FORMER REPORTER MYSELF.

I WORKED AT THE SUPERIOR TELEGRAM FOR ALMOST 27 YEARS.

AS PART OF ONE MY STORIES I NEEDED TO LEARN WHAT VENTURE HOME SUPERIOR MEANT.

IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE WISCONSIN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

IT WAS A BUSINESS INCUBATOR, AND I DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT, SO I DECIDED TO UNDERSTAND IT MORE I WOULD APPLY FOR IT.

SO I WENT TO THE APPLICATION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

AT THE END I SAID I HAVE NO BUSINESS PLAN, I JUST THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A BOOKSTORE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND I KNOW YOU WILL NOT PICK ME, BUT THANKS FOR THIS.

I FILED MY STORY, THEN JIM SEAVER -- CAESAR OF THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SAYS YOU ARE APPROVED.

YOU ARE PART OF THE COHORT THAT WILL GO THROUGH FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I PANICKED BECAUSE I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BUSINESS OTHER THAN WHAT I REPORTED ON.

I SAID TO MY HUSBAND, HONEY, I DID A THING.

HE SAID, IT’S OKAY, LET’S GO FOR IT.

SO I STARTED THE BUSINESS, AND IT WAS SO LUCKY THAT I STARTED IT HERE.

BECAUSE I HAD ALL THE HELP AND SUPPORT I NEEDED FROM THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, TO THE BID, TO THE SMALL BUSINESS TO ELEMENT CENTER, TO THE E FUND.

EVERYONE HERE WAS ABLE TO HELP ME THROUGH THE PROCESS.

THE RESULT WAS WHEEL -- WAS WE OPENED IN AUGUST 2024 AS SUPERIOR TO FIRST.

BOOKSTORE IN YEARS >> YOU HAVE A LOVE OF JOURNALISM THAT FOLLOWS.

TELL ME THE STRUGGLES YOU FACED WHEN YOU DECIDED I WANT A BOOKSTORE, AS AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLER?

>> FIRST OFF WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, WHICH IS AMAZON.

YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE BIG COMPANIES LIKE BARNES & NOBLE.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED, I WAS WORRIED THAT THE OTHER BOOKSTORES IN THE AREA WOULD SEE ME AS COMPETITION, SO I WENT OUT AND STARTED TALKING TO THEM.

EVERY SINGLE PLACE I WENT WAS SO EXCITED FOR ME.

THEY WANTED ME TO JOIN.

THAT WAS ALL THE IMPETUS I NEEDED TO KNOW THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

>> YOU HAVE NEW AND ALSO A WHOLE SERIES OF USED BOOKS TOO.

HOW DOES THAT COMPONENT WORK AND IS THAT A DIFFERENT MODEL THAN SOME OTHER STORES?

SOME ARE ALL USED BOOKS, FOR INSTANCE.

KEN: IT IS SIMILAR TO A SYSTEM THAT A LOT OF BUSINESSES USED.

WE TAKE DONATIONS OF BOOKS SO LONG AS THEY ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE THINK WE CAN FIND THEM A NEW HOME.

AND WE OFFER A SMALL AMOUNT OF IN-STORE CREDIT FOR THOSE BOOKS.

YOU CAN GIVE US ALL THOSE OLD BOOKS AND BRING ONE OR TWO NEW ONES HOME.

KEN: HOW HAS BUSINESS BEEN IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?

MARIA: WONDERFUL.

THE FIRST DAY THAT WE OPENED, WE GOT FLOWERS FROM ZENITH BOOKSTORE RIGHT OVER IN DULUTH.

THAT TELLS YOU HOW WONDERFUL THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN.

BEING DOWNTOWN IN SUPERIOR HAS BEEN A BOON FOR US ALSO.

WE WORK WITH THE OTHER BUSINESSES, WE DO SHOP HOPS, PUNCHCARDS AND ALL OF THE FUN STUFF.

IT IS NICE TO BE PART OF A GROWING SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

KEN: YOUR BUSINESS MODEL HAD TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE BUSINESS MODEL FOR BOOKSELLERS IS YOU’VE GOT ONE AND A HALF MONTHS TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT, AND THAT IS THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

MARIA: WE ALSO -- IN FACT MY BEST DAY WAS NOT DURING THE HOLIDAY, IT WAS INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DATE WHICH HAPPENS AT THE END OF APRIL.

THAT HAS BECOME A BIGGER DAY FOR THE INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS THAN SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY.

KEN: THAT IS A GROWING PART OF THE BUSINESS.

MARIA: AND GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED AND EXCITED ABOUT BOOKS ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME.

KEN: YOU WERE TELLING ME EARLIER THAT YOU HAVE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

WHAT ARE THEY?

MARIA: MY PLAN RIGHT NOW IS TO GROW THE BUSINESS, BUT ADD AS MANY COMMUNITY EVENTS AS WE CAN HANDLE.

I WANT TO GET PEOPLE IN THE DOOR PLAYING CHESS AND CHECKERS, COMING INTO LISTEN TO AUTHORS.

WE HAVE A POET COMING TOMORROW NIGHT THAT WILL BE DOING A WORKSHOP AND A READING.

I WANT TO BRING IN WRITERS, READERS, ARTISTS, AND GET THEM CONNECTED.

KEN: MARIA LOCKWOOD IS THE ENTREPRENEUR THAT STARTED A BRAND-NEW BOOKSTORE IN DOWNTOWN SUPERIOR CALLED FOXES AND FIREFLIES.

WHERE DOES THAT NAME COME FROM?

MARIA: I WANTED SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY NORTHWARDS.

FOXES ARE EVERYWHERE UP HERE.

WE HAVE A FAMILY LIVING IN BILLINGS PARK I AM SURE RIGHT NOW.

FOXES ARE ALSO IN LITERATURE.

EVERY TIME YOU OPEN A BOOK, THE FOX IS THE SMART ONE, THE ONE READING THE BOOKS.

THEY ARE THE CUNNING ONE.

I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE PERFECT FOR A BOOKSTORE.

I THOUGHT ABOUT A SUMMER’S DAY WHEN YOU SEE THAT FIRST FIREFLY, AND IT IS A BURST OF MAGIC.

FINDING THAT BOOK AND JUMPING INTO IT IS LIKE A BURST OF MAGIC FOR ME.

KEN: YOU HAVE BEEN A LONG-TIME READER.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE JUMP INTO THEIR BOOKS AND ENJOY?

MARIA: THE BEST FEELING IS WHEN I AM SITTING AT THE TILL AND I HEAR SOMEBODY GASP, THEY HAVE THAT BOOK.

THEY ARE SO EXCITED.

I GET MORE EXCITED EVERY TIME THAT HAPPENS.

KEN: AAS YO -- AS YOU LOOK TO THE FUTURE, DO YOU WANT TO EXPAND BEYOND THIS SPACE?

MARIA: I DO HAVE TO EXPAND EVENTUALLY BECAUSE I AM IN A STARTER SPACE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER HAS DONE FOR US, THEY OFFER INCUBATOR SPACES FOR BUSINESSES.

ALL OF THEM STARTED IN A SMALL BUSINESS SETTING LIKE THIS.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY QUITE AS MUCH RENT, AND MAY HELP YOU TO GROW TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN MOVE OUT, THEN SOMEONE ELSE WILL COME IN HERE.

KEN: WE WILL BE VISITING WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED YOU IN OUR UPCOMING SEGMENT ON "IN BUSINESS" THIS WEEK.

WE ARE TALKING TO MARIA LOCKWOOD, THE PROUD OWNER OF FOXES AND FIREFLIES.

WE ARE IN DOWNTOWN SUPERIOR IN YOUR BRAND-NEW START.

MARIA: THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

KEN: THIS WEEK WE ARE DISCUSSING HOW A BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND RELATED SERVICES CAN HELP NEW BUSINESSES GET STARTED AND GROW.

IN THIS CASE, THE SURFACES AND NEW BUSINESSES FOUND A HOME IN SUPERIOR WITH THE REPURCHASING OF THE 1909 FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S.

POST OFFICE LOCATED ON TOWER AVENUE.

THE CONCEPT OF BRINGING TOGETHER DIFFERENT AGENCIES FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROVIDING SPACE FOR NEW BUSINESSES TO GET STARTED BEGAN CIRCULATING ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.

JOINING US TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS IS JIM CAESAR.

HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUPERIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND CENTERS.

THEY ARE THE ENTITY THAT OWNS THE OLD POST OFFICE, NOW THE SUPERIOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER, AND SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR SPACES.

ALSO WITH US IN THE STUDIO IS KELLY PETERSON.

SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUPERIOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, REFERRED TO AS B.I.D.

HER ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1989 AND WAS FORMED TO SUSTAIN, PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE MORE THAN 300 BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICT.

HERE IS A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT.

THE SUPERIOR B.I.D.

IS THE LARGEST BY SIZE OF ANY BUSINESS AND PREVENT DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

IT ENCOMPASSES THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND STRETCHES ALONG BELKNAP STREET TO HILL AVENUE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

JIM, WHAT IS THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND CENTERS DO THAT HELPS CREATE NEW BUSINESSES?

JIM: WE START WITH NEW STARTUPS, HELPING OR DIRECTING THEM TO GET A BUSINESS PLAN TOGETHER, HELPING THEM TO FIND SITE LOCATIONS.

COULD BE OUR BUILDING, OR COULD BE BUILDING OUTSIDE OF OUR BUSINESS INCUBATORS.

WE ALSO ASSIST WITH SECURING FINANCING.

WE HAVE A SMALL MICRO LOAN PROGRAM OF OUR OWN.

WE ALSO MANAGE THE DOUGLAS COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND.

WITHIN OUR BUSINESS INCUBATORS, WE PROVIDE LOW-COST SPACE.

IT IS ALL INCLUSIVE.

THEY PAY ONE RENT.

IT IS BELOW MARKET RATE.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THAT IS UTILITIES, WIRELESS INTERNET, AND THERE IS NO COMMON AREA CHARGES.

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET STARTED AND UP ON THEIR FEET WITH LOCAL STRUCTURE.

IT ISN’T LIKE WE CHARGE X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS PER SQUARE FOOT.

WE LOOK AT THEIR BUSINESS PLAN AND FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS AND DETERMINE WHAT FITS INTO THEIR COST STRUCTURE SO THAT THEY CAN START OUT AND BECOME PROFITABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

KEN: TELL ME ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WENT INTO TURNING A HISTORIC BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN SUPERIOR ON TOWER AVENUE, THE OLD POST OFFICE AND FEDERAL BUILDING, INTO THE SUPERIOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER.

JIM: WE PARTNERED WITH UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR AND UW SYSTEM TO DEVELOP VENTURE HOME SUPERIOR, WHICH IS A BUSINESS INCUBATION PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS US AND CONNECTS US WITH STATEWIDE RESOURCES.

WE WENT DOWN TO WHERE THE PILOT PROJECT WAS RUNNING AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DETERMINE FROM THAT HIS THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPACE.

WE LOOKED AT THE OLD POST OFFICE INITIALLY TO LEASE IT FOR THIS PROGRAM.

WITH THE INFORMATION FROM EAU CLAIRE THAT WE NEEDED MORE SPACE.

WHAT GREW OUT OF THAT WAS THIS IDEA OF DEVELOPING A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SO WE BROUGHT THE SUPERIOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN, THE ENTREPRENEUR FUND, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN UWS IS ALSO THERE.

WE HAVE THE FIRST AMERICAN CAPITAL CORPORATION AND MIDWEST BUSINESS CAPITAL COMPANY AS WELL.

AS WELL AS OUR OWN LOAN FUNDS THAT WE OPERATE AND MANAGE.

KEN: KELLY PETERSON IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF THE SUPERIOR B.I.D., BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.

AM I CORRECT IN THE CITY AND YOU HELP BUSINESSES NOT ONLY GET STARTED, BUT GROW AND FLOURISH?

KELLY: LIKE JIM SAID, THE BUILDING IS A ONE-STOP SHOP.

WE ALL WORK TOGETHER CLOSELY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, THE CITY, CHAMBER.

WHEN A BUSINESS IS LOOKING TO START A BUSINESS, WE MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TOOLS TO DO EXACTLY THAT, FROM SITE LOCATION AND THEN FINDING WAYS WE CAN SUPPORT THEM.

WHEN A BUSINESS IS LOCATED IN THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER THEM SOME FACADE GRANTS AND STAKEHOLDER GRANTS, JUST WAYS TO HELP NOT JUST IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESS, BUT HELP IMPROVE THE LOOK OF THE AREA TOO.

THERE IS EXTRA MAINTENANCE AND PLANTINGS AND STUFF.

IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN AN TOWER AVENUE IN THE WINTER WITH THE PRETTY LIGHTS, IT IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

WE OFFER RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS.

WE HAVE A WOMEN IN BUSINESS GROUP THAT MEETS MONTHLY TOO.

OUR GOAL FOR THE BUSINESSES, LIKE MARIA WAS TALKING ABOUT IN THE INTERVIEW, WORK TOGETHER.

OUR MOTTO IS COLLABORATION, NOT COMPETITION.

WE ARE HERE HELPING PEOPLE HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE AS CUSTOMERS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS ALIKE.

KEN: GOING BACK TO THAT STATEMENT ABOUT COOPERATION, NOT COMPETITION, I SUPPOSE A LOT OF WHAT YOU DO ALSO HAS A FOCUS OF INVIGORATING AND ENCOURAGING DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.

KELLY: THAT IS THE MOST FUN PART OF MY JOB, GETTING TO KNOW THE BUSINESSES AND HOW I CAN HELP PROMOTE THEM, IF THERE IS AREAS THEY NEED ASSISTANCE WITH, IF IT IS FINANCIAL OR IF THEY NEED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, OR JUST TO BE CONNECTED TO DIFFERENT GROUPS, THAT IS WHAT I AM HERE FOR.

YOU ARE IN THE BUILDING AND WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.

WE ARE HANDS-ON.

SOMEBODY IS STRUGGLING OR HAVING PROBLEMS, WE ARE THERE TO HELP SUPPORT THEM IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

A LOT OF IT IS FINDING THOSE RESOURCES THAT ARE BEST FOR THAT.

KEN: WE WERE PROFILING TWO BUSINESSES IN THE INCUBATOR.

ONE WAS FOXES AND FIREFLIES.

THERE WAS AN INTERESTING IS THIS IN THE BASEMENT.

WHAT SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BUILDING THAT GOT THEM STARTED?

JIM: AS MARIA INDICATED, SHE CAME THROUGH OUR FIRST COHORT WITH THE VENTURE HOME SUPERIOR.

AND WORKING WITH THAT, UNDERSTANDING WHAT SHE NEEDED IN A BOOKSTORE, AND BEING AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE, SHE DID NOT REQUIRE A LOT OF SPACE.

WE HAD THIS SPACE AVAILABLE IN OUR BEST.

-- IN OUR VESTIBULE.

I LIKE TO CALL THAT BOOKSTORE COZY.

THIS SPACE WORKED WELL.

WE HELPED HER NAVIGATE THROUGH A BUSINESS LOAN THROUGH THE DOUGLAS COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR HER OPERATIONS, BUYING INVENTORY.

AND ALSO SOME GUIDANCE ALONG THE WAY.

WE LIKE TO SAY WE ARE DOWN IN THE TRENCHES, WORKING WITH THESE BUSINESSES, CONTINUING TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND UPDATES OF THEIR BUSINESS PLAN AND SUCH.

KELLY: I WAS GOING TO SAY, ONE OF THE ADDITIONAL THINGS IS THE BEAUTIFUL SIGNS THEY HAVE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING FOR FOXES AND FIREFLIES, THAT WE PROVIDED GRANTS FOR THE SIGNAGE TOO, SO PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

JIM: SARAH’S SERPENTARIUM, WE MET WITH HER, WENT THROUGH THE PLAN.

IT WAS SOMEWHAT OF AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS, JUST WAS NOT ANY BRICK-AND-MORTAR AT THE TIME.

WE LOOKED AT THEIR FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS AND THE SPACES THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE END OF THE COSTS THEY WOULD HAVE TO INCUR.

WE KNEW THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT GOING TO WORK.

WE HAD SPACE AVAILABLE.

WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO HER AT A VERY AFFORDABLE PRICE TO GET STARTED.

BUT AGAIN, IT WAS THAT COLLABORATION.

WE DO THE MASSAGE AND OF THE BUSINESS PLANS WITH THEM, AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM SOME HURT THINGS AND SAY WHERE YOU ARE SET RIGHT NOW IS NOT GOING TO WORK, BUT HERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT WORK.

KEN: JIM CEASER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND CENTERS AND SUPERIOR.

KELLY PETERSON IS HTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUPERIOR IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.

THIS IS WHERE YOU GET TO TELL WHAT IS COMING UP.

KELLY: SO MANY THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE OUR KICKOFF FOR OUR SUPERIOR DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET, WHICH IS IN THE 1200 BLOCK OF BANKS AVENUE.

THAT BEGINS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY AND GOES THROUGH OCTOBER.

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WE PARTNER WITH THE DOUGLAS COUNTY FORMERS IS ISSUED -- FARMERS ASSOCIATION FOR PRODUCE.

ANY OTHER KIND OF FOOD IS AVAILABLE TOO.

THEN WE GO TO MUSIC DAY IN JUNE AND SIDEWALK SALES IN JULY 23 THROUGH 25.

KEN: THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

KELLY PETERSON IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUPERIOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.

JIM CAESAR IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AND CENTERS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON "IN BUSINESS."

THIS IS A BUSINESS-ORIENTED PROGRAM, SO BEFORE OUR NEXT SEGMENT, HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT SOME BUSINESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE REGION.

NEW WILDFIRE RELIEF FUNDING IS COMING TO BRIMSON AND NORTH SHORE COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD.

A TOTAL OF $350,000 WILL SUPPORT LOCAL RECOVERY EFFORTS, INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY RECENT WILDFIRES.

THE FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH AEOA AND THE LAKE COUNTY HRA AND EDA.

DULUTH’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS LAUNCHING FIRST STREET GROWTH GRANTS TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION.

THE PROGRAM OFFERS SMALL GRANTS FOR STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENTS, CLEANUP, SIGNAGE, AND PLACEMAKING PROJECTS AIMED AT BOOSTING ACTIVITY ALONG THE CORRIDOR.

A $3 MILLION SHORELINE PROTECTION PROJECT AT DULUTH’S LAKE SUPERIOR MARITIME VISITOR CENTER IN CANAL PARK IS NOW COMPLETE.

THE IMPROVEMENTS STRENGTHEN EROSION CONTROL WHILE MAINTAINING PUBLIC ACCESS ALONG THE LAKEWALK.

A REOPENING CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 4.

NEXT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT A NEW BUSINESS TRYING TO SLITHER THEIR WAY INTO SUCCESS.

SARAH IS THE OWNER OF SERPENTARIUM.

WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT OF THE FORMER SUPERIOR POST OFFICE, KIND OF A BUSINESS INCUBATOR, AND A NEW BUSINESS, THE SERPENTARIUM, IS YOUR NEW ENTERPRISE.

YOU WILL INTRODUCE US FIRST, THIS IS ECHO THE GET-GO -- THE GEKKO?

>> SHE WAS SURRENDERED TO THE SERPENTARIUM BECAUSE HER OWNERS HAD A CHANGE OF LIFE CIRCUMSTANCE.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WHO OWN EXOTIC PETS NEED EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR THEM AND THAT WAS THE CASE FOR ECHO.

KEN: ECHO IS POPULAR, I UNDERSTAND.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS.

CRESTED GECKOS CAN BE JUMPY, BUT ECHO HAS GOTTEN USED TO THE EDUCATION SEEN.

A BIG PART OF MY JOB IS UNDERSTANDING WHICH ANIMALS ARE SAFE TO HANDLE, AND ECHO IS ONE OF THOSE PERFECT ANIMALS THAT GOES TO THE LIBRARY WITH ME IN CLASSROOMS, AND SHE IS EXCELLENT FOR KIDS TO WORK WITH.

KEN: THIS IS A NEW VENTURE, BUT YOU HAVE GREAT EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST IN EXOTIC CREATURES, REPTILES IN PARTICULAR.

>> I STARTED WORKING WITH EXOTIC ANIMALS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER.

I NEEDED SOMETHING TO DO, SO I LOOKED FOR A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AND STARTED AT THE LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO.

I DISCOVERED QUICKLY IT IS REALLY MY THING.

STRONG INTEREST.

I STARTED WORKING IN THEIR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND MOVED ON TO WORKING AT HAWK RIDGE, THEN EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED A LOVE FOR REPTILES.

THAT IS HOW I GOT INTO THIS.

KEN: LET’S MEET ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YETI IS AN ALBINO CORN SNAKE.

CORN SNAKES ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY SURRENDERED SPECIES OF SNAKES WE GET AT THE SERPENTARIUM, OFTENTIMES BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE GET THEM, THEY ARE REALLY SMALL, REALLY CUTE, THEN THEY DON’T REALIZE THEY OFTENTIMES LIVE 15 OR MORE YEARS.

KEN: SARAH’S SERPENTARIUM.

THEIR MOTTO IS CURIOSITY, CREATURES AND CONNECTIONS.

JUST HAD THEIR FIRST BIG OPENING WEEKEND.

IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.

WHAT DID PEOPLE TELL YOU ABOUT THE STORE?

>> WAS EXCITED TO HEAR PEOPLE THOUGHT THE SPACE WAS INVITING, OPEN AND WELCOMING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSOCIATE REPTILES WITH DARK SPACES AND CAVES, AND WHEN THEY CAME HERE, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE ANIMALS UP CLOSE AND IN A BRIGHT, FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE MADE PEOPLE FEEL AT HOME.

KEN: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

>> OWNING MY OWN BUSINESS HAS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE FOR A LONG TIME.

I COME FROM A FAMILY OF ENTREPRENEURS, SO I AM ONE IN A LINE OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE FINALLY ACCOMPLISHED THIS.

I FEEL LIKE THE POSSIBILITIES ARE HUGE.

THE COMMUNITY IN SUPERIOR HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE.

I HAVE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY EVERYONE SHOWING UP FOR THE BUSINESS AND I THINK IT WILL GET BETTER AND BETTER.

KEN: THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POSSIBILITIES FOR GROWTH AS YOU LOOK DOWN THE ROAD?

>> ONE OF THE BIG IMPORTANT THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO OUR CALENDAR IS EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS.

CLASSES FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET INTO OWNING REPTILES, ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE THAT OWN PETS THAT MAY NEED HELP WITH HUSBANDRY OR CARE, AND MAKING SURE THEY CAN HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED TO GIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE TO MY PET.

KEN: WHETHER THEY ARE A DOG OR A CAT, WE DID STORIES WITH ANIMAL ALLIES, LIFE CHANGES AND SITUATIONS CHANGE.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE A RESCUE REPTILE?

>> PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO ME THROUGH MY WEBSITE IF THEY NEED HELP FOR A NEW HOME OR WOULD LIKE TO SURRENDER THEIR EXOTIC PET.

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE I WOULD LIKE, TO HELP PEOPLE KEEP THEIR PET BUT SOMETIMES THAT CIRCUMSTANCE DOES NOT WORK OUT.

WE ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT ANIMALS THAT NEED NEW HOMES.

ONCE THEY ARE CLEARED BY A VETERINARIAN WE PUT THEM UP FOR ADOPTION.

THAT PROGRAM WILL BE OPENING UP IN SUMMER OF 2026, WHICH WILL ALLOW MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE READY TO ADOPT A NEW PET TO MEET SOME ANIMALS THAT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THEIR FAMILY.

KEN: WHAT DO YOU FIND AS ONE OF THE REASONS PEOPLE HAVE TO DONATE, OR IN THIS CASE RISKY AN ANIMAL TO YOU?

>> A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE SURRENDER ANIMALS BECAUSE THEY GOT INTO IT AND ARE MAY BE OVER THERE HAD.

A LOT OF TIMES EXOTIC ANIMALS REQUIRE SPECIFIC CARE, AND SOMETIMES THAT IS INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE.

IMPULSE PURCHASES SOMETIMES HAPPEN.

THESE ANIMALS ARE INTERESTING AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE PURCHASE THEM WITHOUT REALIZING IT IS A MUCH MORE LONG-TERM COMMITMENT THAN I THOUGHT.

SOMETIMES THAT ANIMAL MIGHT NEED MORE CARE THAN THEY CAN PROVIDE, OR A HIGHER LEVEL OF SKILL.

I LIKE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE, BUT SOMETIMES AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY COME TO US.

KEN: SARAH IS THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF SARAH’S SERPENTARIUM HERE IN SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH THE, I’M KIND OF -- WITH YOU, I’M KIND OF A JIM STAFFORD GUY, I DON’T LIKE SPIDERS AND SNAKES.

THAT’S A SONG FROM YEARS AGO, LOOK IT UP.

I DID ENJOY OUR MEETING TODAY.

THANK YOU.

THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

I WISH SARAH THE BEST OF LUCK, BUT I DON’T LIKE SPIDERS AND SNAKES.

IF, YOU MISSED ANY PART OF TONIGHT’S SHOW YOU CAN ALWAYS WATCH IT AT PBSNORTH.ORG OR LISTEN ON MONDAYS AT 5:30PM ON AT 1033.

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FUTURE STORY ON IN BUSINESS, WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, EMAIL US AT ASK@PBSNORTH.ORG.

THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING AND UNTIL NEXT TIME, LET’S TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

♪