SUBMITTED PHOTO

By day they’re known as Alexis Hanson, Carson Halloway, and Jeremiah Pierson. But at dinner time, they’re the Super Heroes of the Dinner Table. These Bluff Creek third graders are on board to encourage families to eat more meals together.

By Unsie Zuege

It was such a good idea the first time around, the kids at Bluff Creek Elementary Schools decided to do it again, this time as their school-wide service project.

 PHOTOS BY UNSIE ZUEGE

Their skills are complementary and the result is a thriving business that’s growing despite a depressed economy. From left, co-owners Kathryn Paradise, Robin Robey, and Melissa Hanson.

By Unsie Zuege

They got in on the ground floor.

Literally.

   Job: Stylist and co-owner of Salon SPAtoria 

   Background: I grew up in Northeast Minneapolis, attended DeLaSalle High School, studied cosmetology at Minneapolis Vocational, interned under Bob Cummings at Scissor Circus in Uptown. Married my high school sweetheart. Moved my business from Uptown to a salon in Excelsior where I met my business partners, Melissa Hanson and Robin Robey. Opened Salon SPAtoria in September 2004. Now we’re expanding Salon SPatoria!

 
   Job: Hair stylist, co-owner Salon SPAtoria

   Background: Small town girl from large family.  Hair stylist for 25 years; before that cashier in grocery store.  Enjoy doing hair and makeup. I am a product junkie and like to have as much fun as possible.

   Family: Husband Patrick and a very spoiled cat Spaz.  One of 7 children; love and respect all of my siblings.  Auntie of 24, great aunt of 16 and godmother of four wonderful children.

   Job: Nail technician and co-owner Salon SPAtoria

   Background: I followed in my Mom's footsteps to work in the salon industry. With my family’s encouragement and support, I launched my career right out of high school. At 28, I pursued my dream of owning a salon with my two fabulous business partners.

   Family: Husband Matt, son Caleb and daughter Addyson.

   Motto: Do what you love, love what you do and don't ever compromise your true self.

Linda McNulty    

In the early 90s, I was employed at a school for learning and emotionally disabled children. It was a special place for children with disabilities to learn in a nurturing, therapeutic, and educational environment. We worked to maintain a protective atmosphere, while preparing children who could mainstream to regular school to do so.

 Photo by Unsie Zuege

Carolyn Luehmann and family pet Ruby in the expansive updated kitchen and dining room of her Eden Prairie home.

BY Unsie Zuege

All three homeowners came to the same conclusion.

Why go through the headache of buying a different house, only to inherit similar space and function issues? Why build new, only to discover that you’ve simply got new space and function issues?

 Submitted Photo

Butch and Liz Sprenger and their company Destiny Homes, Chanhassen, were recently named 2010 Remodelers of the Year. Below, they share their thoughts on the remodeling process.

   Butch Sprenger doesn’t pull punches.

   He’s pretty honest about what a home remodel comes down to.

   “You have to cater to the women,” he said. “For us, 80 percent of the sale is driven by the women and the men pay for it.

   SDI of Eden Prairie did the extensive remodeling of Jenny Emery-Bock's Dell neighborhood home. The 1980s boxy 2-story got architechtural details and a modern open plan design.

PHOTO by Unsie Zuege

 
 All Minnesota homeowners can benefit from NARI MN at every stage of the remodeling process, says Michelle Byers of Structural Dimensions, Inc. (SDI).