Alumni Businesses
Rangers love to support and uplift fellow alumni, and celebrate the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of our alumni community. To make that support easier, and to promote small businesses, we’ve created an alumni-owned business directory. This directory is provided as a service to encourage networking and the support of alumni-owned and affiliated businesses.
Are you an alumni business owner or know of a business that should be highlighted? Nominate today!
Highlighted Alumni Owned Businesses
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Martha Nicks '01
Navigator Career Solutions, LLC
How did your UW-Parkside experience prepare you for your career?
My time at UW-Parkside prepared me for my career today by opening up a whole new world of experiences for me. I was able to meet many students and faculty who challenged my thinking and shaped my perspective. Also, participating in leadership opportunities such as Parkside Activities Board (PAB) and Student Government Committee enabled me to learn more about myself, what I wanted in a career, and strategies to get there. One of the most pivotal experiences for me was working in what was called the Advising and Testing Office as a paraprofessional. It was during my time there that launched my career as a Career Development Professional. -
Gary Schneeberger '86
Founder and President, ROAR, Inc.
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
As editor of the student newspaper (then called the Ranger) in ’86-’87, I fell in love with journalism and leadership. My newspaper career (which morphed into my current public-relations career) and the thrill I get when mentoring others were born on Wood Road.
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Carena Novak '17
Owner and Founder, Liebe Luna Boutique
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
UW - Parkside really impacted my life. I have made life-long friends throughout those years. I met my husband through our Theatre Arts department who is absolutely amazing and has supported me on my journey. Fun Fact: We got married in Dublin, Ireland in a castle!
When it comes to my profession, I honestly wasn't sure what my path would be after graduating. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree with having majored in Theatre Arts (minors in German and International Studies). I always knew I wanted to stay connected with artists and to start something for myself from scratch. I just didn't know it would be this business until a few years later. The theatre department really prepared me when it came to connecting with individuals, being confident in my work as well as myself, and teaching me various life-long skils that I still use to this day.
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Gil Atanasoff '99
Owner/Executive Director, Senior Helpers
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
UW Parkside gave me the opportunity to interview on site with my first post-graduate employer, Harley-Davidson. I also met my significant other for the first time in a UW Parkside class we shared together.
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Loreal Patterson '11
Founder, Shea Butter & Intuition
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
I believe my experience at UW-Parkside prepared me for the world after college. I studied the field of Communication and I use it in my professional and personal life every day. My communication skills allow me to connect with different audiences and speak in ways where I can meet them where they are. Additionally, I had multiple jobs while being an undergraduate student. They prepared me to
work hard, be organized, stay disciplined, and have ambition. Additionally, college also challenged everything that I thought I knew about myself. While yes – learning took place within the classroom, my most valuable lessons were learned outside the class space where I had the opportunity to decide who I wanted to be, how I wanted to show up in those spaces, and what those decisions meant for me moving forward. In essence, I was learning to fly.
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Greg Fischer '10
Co-Founder, Burn Pit BBQ
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
My current business partner, Ben Kreple, and I met at Parkside. We’ve remained good friends since and have worked closely to launch our business in 2020.
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Jennie Payes '11
Owner, Senior Helpers Racine
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
The well-rounded course offerings through the Business Management major really prepared me for life after college. I actually had our daughter in the middle of a semester while going to Parkside and was back to classes within 2 weeks because I didn’t want to miss out!
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Sarah Nichols '09
Director, InterConnections, S.C.
How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?
UW-Parkside was a big part of my life for many years; as a part-time student, my degree took twice as long to complete. At the time I graduated, I had been going to Parkside for a 1/3 of my life! Parkside prepared me for Graduate school work and gave me the foundation I needed to succeed in furthering my academic endeavors.
Alumni Businesses
RWB
Jason Boesel '02
