SURGE: Recent Episodes
CREATE Portage County
Surge leverages the power of community to turn ideas into up-and-running businesses! Four distinct challenges guide participants through the start-up process, earning them the support they need in the next round.
Surge is sponsored by Prevail Bank and supported by the Small Business Development Center, CAP Services, and many community partners.
Surge: Which idea will prevail?
Wausau Mama creator Cheryl Wolken elaborates on a book idea that showcases the love we feel for our Central Wisconsin communities. Support Cheryl and find a new set of features to explore in our ruralplex!
Good ideas cultivate good ideas. Surge alumnus Ashley Schroeder, founder of The Garden, generated relationships through her launch that are now responsible for a new event venue in Plover, Wisconsin. Jared Nagel shares the ambience of The Enchanted Woods, an urban escape to mystique.
Some say that great ideas are grown in dark times. Felysity Niles shares the business model for her plant care business that encourages her community to grow through their tough times. Niles Greenery will provide house plants, plant consultations, and a new avenue for healing.
Curt Andres has some serious know-how. Along his career as an auto tech, he pursued plenty of further education, and used his deep tool chest to create several apps to help his industry. Check out how Agri-Energy Research is simplifying work flows for folx!
Angie Cain has stepped up to coordinate the growth of a unique Children's Museum in Mauston - a small city in Juneau County. Her team is flourishing, creating hope and a needed resource for her community.
Jeff Rice, co-owner of Origin Family Homebuilders, is launching a new home care service in North Central Wisconsin. Keeper Uppers will put homeowners at ease knowing that their most valuable investment is well taken care of.
To close out round 2 of Surge 2021, we give a small recap of our participants and release details on the next rounds.
Marion Schneider is courageous and keen on seeking out wondrous experiences. She's combining her love for wonder and joy with her skills and experiences to bring a resource to Central Wisconsin: the Fun-a-Dome
Zach Strenger is hoping to elevate the craft cocktail scene in Central Wisconsin through pre-batched cocktails. Canned, kegged, you name it - Copper & Pines is planning to make cocktails at the ready.
Ashley Schroeder is devoted to supporting the wellness community and is excited to open a new opportunity for Central Wisconsin residents. She's prepared to help people offload responsibility and stress in The Garden, a comprehensive wellness community.
Amy Boelk is opening up opportunities in the outdoors for women of all ages. Years of experience leading expeditions, she's prepared to empower more of our community to seek out an adventure.
Tiffany has a lot of heart and soul to share with Central Wisconsin, and she's looking forward to doing it in a new way. She'll be launching Central Coffee & Smoothie, an eco-minded coffee and smoothie location on the east side of Stevens Point.
Jamie White has been growing Evangel Naturals since 2019 into a company that brings a sense of luxury through their lotions, lip balms, and other products. Her company utilizes sustainable packaging and an incentive program that gives back to the community.
Ravi and their team are planning to launch an art supply store to provide Central Wisconsin artists with higher-level materials, especially ones that can't be found locally.
Jon Gottman is combining years of mountain bike experience and his degree to launch himself into a groundbreaking form of creativity: trail building. Through Dynamic Trailworx, Jon hopes to inspire happiness on the unique, healthy trails he builds.
Cindy has an array of experiences in the healthcare industry. In her current role, she's witnessing an incredible employment vacancy rate in the industry. Her business idea has the potential to bring the industry closer together and resolve that problem.
David Derus is a clinical psychologist with a passion for athletics and performance. He's launching a coaching service that will help others' elevate their performance in their industry. From athletics to music, business, and other sectors, Midwest Peak Performance is ready to help our community strive for better.
Matt and Ryan are helping our community members protect their assets by offering domain monitoring services, removing phising and business email compromise risks.
A group of community members have banded together to establish a justice-driven community bookshop in Central Wisconsin.
Sollita and Nick have transformed their home business in their second year and are looking forward to creating a thriving, family and community-focused atmosphere in their next step.
Brian is facilitating more connections to local businesses by establishing an independent e-commerce database that highlights only locally-owned businesses.
Sally Schmidt is making play more accessible for neurodiverse youth and their families in Central Wisconsin.
Samuel hopes to fill an entertainment gap in Central Wisconsin and connect gamers in the process.
David Coleman is bringing a new rhythm to Stevens Point and is hoping to uplift youth who are looking to produce their own music.
Trevor is making the last mile of product delivery less dependent on fossil fuels through Curbwise, LLC.
Ann Vang is inspired to share a broad range of flavors with the community, and to uplift as many marginalized community members as possible along the way.
Megan hopes to make home maintenance in northern communities much safer with a unique, homecooked idea.
There's only one way to describe Gina: a beacon of joy. Her business is making the adrenaline rush of triathlons more attainable and comfortable for the novice triathlete. Meet Gina, founder of Ciao Bella Athletics, a company producing stylish and comfortable triathlon kits for people of all body types.