Driftless Makers Podcast

The Platteville Business Incubator is more than a building, it is a community.  The Driftless Makers podcast helps deliver bite-sized business mentorship and education broadcasts. Are you someone we should interview - let us know at ED@pbii.org.

Join us in person at the Incubator or at our satellite events in Richland County and Green County for live Driftless Makers Mashups.

We're driving success in the Driftless region through entrepreneurial mentorship and education. Created in partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Prosperity Southwest and the Platteville Business Incubator.

The Journey of Joe Schwarte: From Unplanned Beginnings to Custom Furniture Excellence -- DMP10

Effortless is one way to describe Joe's furniture creations. Artistic is another. A custom furniture builder for the last few decades, Joe's work is in homes across the United States and it has been featured in Architectural Digest and Fine Woodworking. Joseph Schwarte Custom Furniture is art you can sit on.
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Illustrating a Life: A Conversation with John Craig -- DMP9

John Craig was an early adopter of the Drifltess Region, having bought a farm near Soliders Grove in the 1970s while he maintained his steady commercial work in commercial illustration and design in the recording industry and national publications. John took his early love of art and balanced a commerical career while maintaining his artistic eye.
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Innovating Natural Tanning: The Journey of Driftless Tannery -- DMP8

Bethany Emond Storm and Danielle Dockery of Drifltess Tannery are blazing new trails. They are one of a handful of tanneries in the United States that are producing high quality hides without the traditional harmful chemicals. Learn about their vision and their challenges in their Driftless grown success story.
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Cultivating Agritourism Success: The Vesperman Farms Story -- DMP7

Meet Kyle Vesperman, the driving force behind Vesperman Farms, in this engaging episode of the Driftless Makers podcast. Host Kate Koziol takes you on a journey through Kyle's remarkable story, from transforming a simple pumpkin patch into a thriving agritourism hotspot in Lancaster, Wisconsin.
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An Interview with John Patakos: The Beginning of Updraft Brewery -- DMP6

Updraft Brewery is a decade in the making and will be a new must-see spot when visiting the Driftless Region. John Patakos and his partners are bringing beer and building community in downtown Platteville. Check out his new brewpub and meet him at the Driftless Makers Market September 27 at the Platteville Business Incubator.
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What can Wisconsin SBDC Do for You? -- DMP5

Nora Roughen-Schmidt, from the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center, talks about the host of services SBDC provides. If you're looking to start your own business or have one already, but feel disconnected from resources, this is the episode for you. Learn all about the opportunities of owning a small business in the Driftless Region of Southwest Wisconsin!
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WWBIC Small Business Financial and Development Resources -- DMP4

Mara Keyes, a Regional Director at the Wisconsin Women in Business Corporation, shares the support services that offers including classes, coaches and loan programs.
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Partnerships, Retirement and Christmas Trees: Engineered Success -- DMP3

Scott Chyko, former president of Delta 3 and now a semi-retired engineering consultant talks about founding and growing a business, working with partners, proudest moments and Christmas trees. Learn how he downshifted into semi-retirement and what still gets him up in the morning.
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Platteville Entrepreneur and Athlete, Jen Schweigert -- DMP2

Jen Schweigert, entrepreneur, small business consultant, personal trainer, road runner and triathlete shares her backstory including her expertise in starting a franchise business and building her first business. Jen is crushing in on all fronts - such as placing second in the world in Super Sprint at the World Triathlon World Championships this past year in Abu Dhabi. Amazing!
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Welcome to the Driftless Makers Podcast. -- DMP1

The podcast features interviews with business owners from across Southwest Wisconsin, sharing their hacks and backstories on their road to success. Get the backstory on host Kate Koziol and what to expect from this podcast series.
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