To be an entrepreneur is to be bold — to follow a passion and turn it into a brand, a business, a lifestyle. It can be risky. It takes dedication, long hours, and a clear vision.
Four UW-Stout alums and entrepreneurs recently shared their visions, along with some fun facts about their businesses:
- Rex Meikle, owner of Door Born in Door County
- Taryn Neeser Menne and Renee Neeser, owners of T and Nae Flower Farm in Hugo, Minnesota
- James and Jenna Adams, owners of TCS Studio in Uptown Minneapolis
- Danielle Goss, KUL MOCKS founder and CEO
Door Born
Where do the best summers live? According to Rex Meikle, the answer is easily Door County, Wisconsin.
Door Born is an outdoor lifestyle clothing brand built to capture the natural beauty, sophistication and charm of the Midwest. For Meikle, Door Born isn’t just a brand – it’s a tribute to the Midwest’s rugged beauty and a call to embrace the adventure waiting right outside your door.
Five peaceful locations and experiences that most inspire the brand:
- Whitefish Dunes State Park, particularly on warm days in early spring.
- Kayaking through Geisel Creek to Dunes Lake in the fall when waterfowl begin to migrate.
- Snorkeling in Little Sturgeon Bay while spearfishing for yellow perch.
- Biking the trails in Peninsula State Park.
- Sitting at School House Beach on Washington Island, where the water is crystal clear and the white rocks are soft to the touch.
Meikle is a 2023 technology education alum with a sustainability minor. He co-founded Door Born in 2020, with fellow alum Jake Cater, owner of Cater Create, LLC.
T and Nae Flower Farm
Sisters, besties, business partners, and third-generation farmers, Taryn Neeser Menne and Renee Neeser are building family and community while making sure flowers feel affordable and accessible to everyone.
T and Nae Flower Farm T and Nae Flower Farm, founded in 2020, specializes in bringing fresh cut flowers to the community through seasonal markets, flower subscriptions, and custom florals for weddings and events.
Five favorite flowers commonly grown in their two-acre garden:
- Dahlias
- Gladiolas
- Snapdragons
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
“These flowers are relatively easy to grow and great for someone wanting to start their own cutting garden. Flowers can elevate any occasion and brighten any day,” said Taryn, a 2009 retail management alum.
TCS Studio
Roller-skating is liberating and is a great return on investment that can give back over an entire lifetime. Bringing the hobby and performance art back to the heart of their city, James and Jenna Adams, a 2011 psychology alum, co-own TCS Studio.
TCS Studio is the home of Twin Cities Skaters, founded by James, and is a unique boutique roller rink and skate training facility with a modernized touch and nostalgic qualities. It serves all demographics of people within the community, with services like roller-skate classes, private parties, themed public skate sessions, personal training, programming for youth, merchandise, music and more.
Five steps to build your confidence to roller-skate:
- Focus on your balance, stability and core strength.
- Practice frequently to build muscle memory.
- Be mindful of your body movement patterns and posture.
- Bend your knees and look up and level as you transfer your weight side to side.
- Find good vibes to allow your spirit to move and express freely.
Bonus tip: Having your own pair of wheels allows you to grow and fit to your leather, practice more frequently, and customize your skate style and appearance.
KUL MOCKS
With health and wellness in mind, Danielle Goss is redefining the social drinking experience with her award-winning canned craft mocktails – KUL MOCKS.
KUL MOCKS are low-calorie, low-sugar, mixed with coconut water, and infused with spirit notes for a classic cocktail vibe. They’re the No. 1 fastest-growing mocktail in the U.S. at Walmart and are available from several other retailers across the country.
What’s her favorite mocktail recipe, perfect for any occasion?
“It depends on my mood,” said Goss, KUL MOCKS founder and CEO. “But if it’s Taco Tuesday, I immediately grab our Classic Margarita and pour it over ice in a margarita glass with a salted rim. So easy, so good and only 25 calories. It never fails me.”
Goss, a registered dietitian and 2013 dietetics alum, received UW-Stout’s inaugural Trailblazer Alumni Award in 2023.
