by Blair Butters | Oct 15, 2020 | Client Features
Today we are excited to introduce you to Steven (Steve) Clausen, owner and operator of Clausen Automotive and P&B Truck Accessories. The Road to Entrepreneurship Fueled by a desire to be self-employed and to use the skills he learned working at Chevrolet, Steve set out to purchase his own shop in 1975. The garage was originally located on Milwaukee Street in Madison, WI. Back then, Steve worked on cars and trucks that had carburetors, points, and plugs. All of these are now things of the past and Clausen Automotive has since transitioned to its current location on Stoughton Road, where the types of cars they work on have also evolved… More on that to come. Next to Clausen Automotive sat a retail shop: P&B Truck Accessories. The shop was owned by a company named Penda, who had originally purchased it from 2 gentlemen by the names of Paris and Burns (where the P&B came from). After a few years in business, Penda decided to stick with manufacturing, so the retail business, which sat in a building adjacent to Clausen Automotive, went up for sale. In January of 1990, Steve and his wife decided it would be the perfect opportunity to expand their business. They bought P&B Truck Accessories, which is now the largest truck accessories store in the city of Madison. Changing Gears: Innovation and Success One of the most poignant aspects of Clausen Automotive and P&B Truck Accessories is that they stay nimble and relevant in the current market by adapting to new challenges and industry upgrades. This is a process Steve has prioritized since his first days...
by Blair Butters | May 27, 2020 | Client Features
A look into the past, present, and future of a successful and dedicated entrepreneur A Look into the Past One decision can change everything, and for Dick Powell, it did. Dick grew up in an entrepreneurial household with a father who worked full-time as a farmer and operated a trucking company as a second business. Dick graduated from Iowa State University with a BS degree in Agriculture. Upon graduation, he accepted a job with Amoco Oil in the fertilizer manufacturing business. While at Amoco, Dick served as the bridge between Amoco and the petroleum marketers who re-sold Amoco petroleum products. Dick thought he was going to be with Amoco for the remainder of his work career. But, his future changed suddenly when he was asked to transfer to Philadelphia. For family reasons and his love of Wisconsin, he decided to leave Amoco without another job lined up. During the 20 years that he worked for Amoco, his interest in being a Jobber, or wholesaler, grew. This interest led him to a small Jobber in Wisconsin (Fletcher Oil Company, a petroleum marketer for Shell petroleum products) that was looking to sell some assets. These included several convenience stores, car repair stations, a bulk motor oil business, HVAC, and bulk distribution to farmers, commercial customers, and dealers. The purchase of assets from Fletcher Oil Company, which he renamed to Wisconsin Petroleum Inc (WPI), was long and challenging. Dick struggled to find a banker to help finance his new business; he went through three rejected proposals before finding a banker who was willing to take the risk with him. The final agreement...
by Blair Butters | Aug 16, 2019 | Client Features
We are excited to introduce the latest monthly addition to our blog: Client Spotlights, where we highlight one of our clients and share their successes and any recent accomplishments. This month, we’re pleased to spotlight Majestic Floors and More, LLC, who are thriving in their new, larger space in Waunakee. The following is a summarized version of an article originally written by Roberta Baumann in the Waunakee Tribune. Read the full article here. “Majestic Flooring and More now has even more. The flooring shop that opened in Waunakee in 2015 at the Village Mall has been in operation since May in its new, larger storefront between Associated Bank and the Dollar Tree. Going from a 2,300-square-foot showroom to a 5,000-square-foot showroom has allowed the company to expand its volume, say its owners, Vic and Michelle Endres. “It allows us to stock more products so they’re readily available for customers who need stuff right away,” Vic said. “We’re also able to show new products.” That includes countertops, tabletops, and custom showers that Majestic Flooring and More can install. … After Majestic Flooring moved to Waunakee from Baraboo in 2015, sales increased immediately. They’ve increased their offerings over time, adding cabinetry, showers and blinds…The new location is more visible than the previous one and has resulted in more. The Endreses say that employing their own installers, rather than hiring out subcontractors, makes the company unique. They have seven employees, all with many years of experience. Vic has more than 30 years in the flooring business. Putting carpet fragments to use, they’ve started their own line of Mighty Kitty Cat Furniture, producing...
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