Work in Progress

Dear Friends,

I recently finished reading the book Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means. I highly recommend giving it a read – the author is a Stanford-trained MD who very much simplifies the path out of chronic disease.

In Good Energy, Dr. Means makes a statement that I find very liberating in regards to the way we think about our bodies. Dr. Means asserts “Your body is NOT a thing, but a process!” Do you realize how freeing that is? Dr. Means MEANS (pun intended) that you are not a stagnant being who is forever in a condition, a disease, a certain weight. Rather, you are a living, breathing, fluctuating process. A “Work in Process,” you could say!

Another way of looking at this: Where you are physically, mentally, and spiritually (WHO you are as a human being) is the sum of all of your thoughts, feelings, and habits (actions).  As humans we try to avoid and resist the only constant in this world – CHANGE.

Her comment is so impactful because it gives YOU control over you. You can change the way you look at a disease, an injury, a relationship…if you think about it differently, then you will most likely act on it differently. These small shifts, as they take hold, become your new habits. Hold them long enough and you will see a tipping point where dramatic change will occur. Folks, this is how we get out of shape! But it is also how we get to a healthier place in all facets: mind, body, and spirit.

While your genetic code plays a role in what you will express – health or disjunction – much, if not most of that expression comes from your EPIGENETICS (a fancy way of saying “lifestyle”). I love the quote “You can never have a happy ending at the end of an unhappy journey.” I would add: “You can never have a healthy outcome from an unhealthy lifestyle.”

Ready to be a “Work in Process?” Here are some action points:

  1. Identify the processes/patterns in your life that are either bogging you down or that you want to improve upon.

  2. Write them down in a list of importance.

  3. Next to each, add a list of 2 to 3 micro-changes you can make in your daily life that could start to affect these bigger processes. Tip: think of actions that take a few minutes, or small shifts to your environment when brainstorming.

  4. NIKE it— yup “Just Do It”. Don’t overthink it, don’t wait for a “perfect time to start” (it’ll never arrive), just pick ONE micro-change and do it. The next week or month, layer that habit with another one from your list. And another. BOOM.

Healthcare has gotten so complicated that it makes us feel we have no control. You actually have more power than you think. Just start small, keep it simple, and most importantly – trust the process!
 

Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means

God Bless,

Dr. Dan

Testimonial

Kurt Bassuener, President of MWS Associates, Inc.

MWS Associates has leased office space in the Business Center since the inception of our company in 2018 and from 2015-2018 with the previous company that I worked for.  The Business Center was the clear choice for us to locate our main office for several reasons: location, cost effectiveness, reliable high-speed internet, services offered and full access to the conference room.  It truly offers everything our company needs to headquarter our business from without the hassle of owning our own office building with the maintenance, yard care and snowplowing that goes along with ownership.  

A major benefit for us is the ability to host in-person and online meetings in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art conference room.  COVID changed many aspects of our business with a major increase in online meetings being one of them.  Many companies struggled with technology issues to host or participate in online meetings with poor audio, video quality, background noise and unprofessional business settings negatively affecting meetings.  The size, layout and quality of the A/V equipment of the conference room now allows us to host annual company-wide in-person meetings as well. Every October we bring our entire staff in from around the country for weeklong meetings and the conference room comfortably allows us to host 20+ people.  The setting also allows us to host on-site meetings with key accounts.  Clients appreciate being able to combine a business trip with bringing their family to enjoy a few extra days to experience all Door County has to offer.

Jeff Bruemmer

Physical Plant

Jeff Bruemmer joined DCEDC in July of 2001. Jeff is responsible for maintaining the DCEDC Business Center, located at 185 East Walnut Street in Sturgeon Bay. Jeff was born and raised in Kewaunee and moved to Sturgeon Bay in 1985.

KATHY LASEE

Accounting and Operations Coordinator

Kathy Lasee is responsible for the organization’s financial operations, as well as the operations of the Business Development Center in Sturgeon Bay. A Door County native, Lasee graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Lasee is a charter member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band and previously worked as a music teaching assistant for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Prior to joining DCEDC in October of 2023, Lasee was the Office Manager of Kevin’s Automotive in Sturgeon Bay. During her professional career, she also worked in the loan office at Baylake Bank (now Nicolet National Bank) in Sturgeon Bay.

DEVIN VANDERTIE

Director of Business Development

Devin Vandertie enjoys working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help foster economic growth in Door County. She is also passionate about helping nurture the next generation of the community’s workforce. Devin has recently earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is involved with Leadership Door County, which brings together professionals from diverse business sectors who are inspired to make a positive impact on the quality of life in Door County. A Door County native, Vandertie cares deeply about cultivating a community that is not only a desirable destination, but also an exceptional place to live and to work. In addition to her recent achievement of a master’s degree, Devin is a graduate of Southern Door High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to joining the DCEDC staff in October of 2023, Vandertie was the Laboratory Assistant Supervisor at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

Michelle Lawrie

Executive Director

Michelle Lawrie has more than twenty years of experience in economic development at regional and local levels. Michelle’s career in Washington, D.C., Arizona and Wisconsin has focused on serving the public interest through economic development, issue advocacy and coalition-building. Michelle began her economic development career at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), in Phoenix, Arizona. After serving in several roles at GPEC, Michelle became the President and CEO of the Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) in western Maricopa County, Arizona. Michelle later also served as Economic Development / Community Development Director for the communities of Goodyear, Arizona and DeForest, Wisconsin. Michelle has extensive experience working in development of strategies and performance measures for communities and organizations, as well as leading teams toward achieving goals desired by communities, businesses and residents. Michelle is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.