Fear VS Love

Dear Friends,

There are really only two reasons people present to us seeking help.

Fear and Love

Those are the only 2 motivators that exist and each one plays a role. When we first bought our practice in 1993, I was out to dinner with my in-laws and their dear friends the Millers. I remember Joe asking me how I felt about the move. I replied it was pretty scary because I was 25 and just took on a huge amount of debt. (In my head, I knew I had no idea what I was doing and when I look back now – I can see that I was right! HA!)  I was expecting some tips on how to navigate my obvious inexperience but instead I received a very poignant pep talk.

“Fear is a great motivator.”

At first I thought, ‘That’s it? That’s the advice?’ But looking back almost 30 years later, it has stuck with me.

When people present with health issues, they are fearful that it will either stay as it is or worsen. The pain and/or lack of function usually drive them to seek help.  

A professor in chiropractic school once said, “Be cautious on how quickly you take someone out of pain.” That comment didn’t exhibit much empathy until I started helping people manage their health care. His point was, if you remove the pain to quick they may lose their motivation when the symptoms are better but the underlying cause persists.  

Don’t worry, we try to get you out of pain as quick as we can but I do understand and appreciate his thinking. We try to win people over with the “love” aspect of motivation.

This is the motivation that gives you the realization that there is always a healthier YOU available. Your current state is what gives you the opportunity to strive for that state of health.  

On my bike ride yesterday I rode up on a person running and it ended up being a 70 year old friend from my Ironman training days. He was always a great motivator to me- not because of fear but because of love. I loved the way he exhibited his health and fitness. He is 16 years older than me and I could barely keep up with him. I always looked at it like he had 16 more years of training experience 🙂 He is ageless because of the love for the pursuit of improvement.

We need both types of motivation.  Fear needs to come along and kick us in the ass once in a while. But fear is a poor long term motivator. Love motivates much stronger long term. Embrace your fears with love and they will melt away.

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.