Meet some of Madison’s veteran-owned businesses

Nearly 10,000 veterans live in Madison. A diverse group of individuals who contribute to the community in myriad ways. The nation is celebrating and honoring all those who served on his Friday, November 11th.

She-nanigans fly fishing
She-nanigans Fly Fishing offers a variety of services including private lessons, group instruction, and guided trips to destinations. She-nanigans aims to “demystify” fly fishing for those interested in learning, especially women, families, people with disabilities, youth, or those with little or no access to outdoor recreational activities. We provide opportunities for people who have little or no chance to touch.

She-nanigans owner and founder Tina Murray served in the Army in the late 70’s and early 80’s as part of the first group of women to train alongside men at Fort McClellan, Alabama. After she was honorably discharged and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her technical college in the Madison area, Murray spent 28 years at the Madison Metropolitan School District, specializing in experiential and environmental education.

“Reconnecting with nature lowers blood pressure, releases happy hormones, improves health, reduces anxiety, and contributes to overall well-being,” says Murray. “I wanted to go further, especially for women who want these elements in their lives.”

Murray is one of two women and the only veteran licensed fly fishing guide in Wisconsin.

She-nanigans Fly Fishing, 920-345-6556, shenanigansflyfishing.com

Operation Heal
Operation HEEL (Heal & Empower Every Life) focuses on a holistic approach to healing, recovery and stress management, offering “Animal Assisted Therapy for Humans and Dog Training and Coaching, Trauma Nursing practice based on Marshall-based Operation HEEL specializes in military children’s services, animal-assisted interventions in public and private settings, and dog training classes.

Operation HEEL was founded in 2016 as a collaboration between two veteran sisters Cindy Brosig and Nancy Lester. Brosig has been stationed around the world from 1995 until 2004 when she served as a Registered Nurse in the United States Air Force Nursing Corps. Lester is currently on active duty in the United States Air Force and recently returned from a tour in Turkey. Lester has degrees in veterinary medicine and public health, she takes care of military dogs and monitors public health for the Air Force. The sisters were inspired to launch Operation HEEL after seeing firsthand the toll that military service could take on their families.

“I truly enjoy continuing to serve my country through supporting the health and wellness of both military and non-military community families and their beloved dogs,” Brosig said. , the best medicine and treatment is that the dog already shares space with an individual or family.”

In 2016, Brosig received the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Female Veteran of the Year Award for her service to her members and community. “Our service proved necessary,” she says.

Operation HEEL, 1570 Traut Rd, Marshall, 608-239-5671, ofeel.com/

spark spice
Spark Spices is a Madison-based artisanal spice company that sells handcrafted, unique spice blends that “taste the palate.” Blends include Burger Jazz, Smoking Glory, and Tangy Snap. Spark sells all of its spice bundles, drink mixes, and a variety of dry his rubs and condiments on its online store, local market At summer and fall holiday fairs.

Spark Spices founders Mike and Karen Wendt are two veterans who met while stationed in Hawaii in 1977. Six months after he retired in 2014, Mike became restless and missed frequent human interactions. With his 35 years of meat industry expertise at Tyson Foods, Mike set out to create a company that would offer his blends of artisanal spices unlike those found in stores.

“We are family owned and operated. Blending, packaging, shipping, marketing, everything is done by someone in the family,” says Karen Wendt.

Spark Spices, 715-321-1350, sparkspices.com/

mojo home interior
Mojo Home Interiors is the “dynamic interior design and remodeling duo” of business partners Maria Kovach and Jodie Amerell. Based in Monona, Mojo offers interior design development services, space planning, cabinet design, product specifications, and project management services for remodeling projects.

Mojo co-owner Maria Kovach served nine years as a Command and Control Specialist in the United States Air Force, with two international tours. After her stint, she worked in Madison, where she worked as an interior designer in her college, where she attended a design program and certified remodeling projects. .

“We’ve mastered the art of seeing the big picture while paying attention to details,” Kovach says. “We are a one-stop shop for mastering design projects from start to finish.”

Mojo Home Interiors, 6328 Monona Drive, Monona, 608-513-0309, mojohomeinteriors.com/

Photo courtesy of Mojo Home Interiors and Maria Kovach

Photo courtesy of Mojo Home Interiors and Maria Kovach

Other Madison-Area Veteran-Owned Businesses

Cayley’s Garden Early Child Care and Education, 1293 N Sherman Ave, 608-709-1755, kayleesgarden.com/

race to the board game of fate, 820 W Wingla Dr.. #259072, 608-333-7775, racetodestiny.com/

Evolve your massage 1777 W. Main Street, Sun Prairie, 608-478-5762, evolvemassagellc.com/

JDog junk removal and hauling, 844-438-5364jdogjunkremoval.com/locations/wisconsin/madison-junk-removal/

Schreiner Family Chiropractic, 901 Kimball Ln, Verona, 608-848-0058, schreinerchropractic.com/

Restoration Cider Co., Ltd. 507-383-5150, restorecider.com/

D3 Consulting, 608-217-4979, d3consulting.cpa/

Simply Weddings Planning & Design, 537 W Main Street, Suite 205, Sun Prairie, 608-512-8475, Simplyweddingsllc.com/

badger honor flight, 608-616-0243, Badgerhonorflight.org/

warrior song, PO Box 8805, Madison, WI 53708, Warriorsongs.org/

If you know of another great veteran-owned business in Madison to add to our list, please send us a note at editorial@madisonmagazine.com.