Introduction The history of O&H Danish Bakery is more than just a story of a business; it is a timeline of Danish immigration, the evolution of the iconic Kringle, and four generations of the Olesen family in Racine, Wisconsin. Over seventy-five years old growing and "Founded in Wisconsin". The Journey of the Kringle: From Medieval Roots to Wisconsin's State Pastry The Kringle's origins trace back to the Middle Ages within the Roman Catholic Church, where it started as a si

The Founding (1918–1920s) Twin Disc was founded in September 1918 in Racine, Wisconsin, by P.H. Batten, Arthur B. Modine, and inventor Thomas Fawick. They developed a dual-disc clutch for farm tractors, solving the common issue of clutch failure and offering the durability needed in American agriculture. This innovation attracted major clients like the Wallis Tractor Company and Minneapolis Steel & Machinery. The "Twin Disc" clutch effectively replaced unreliable "cone clutch

SC Johnson HQ, Racine, WI Established in 1886 in Racine, Wisconsin, SC Johnson has evolved from a modest flooring enterprise into a global leader in household products. Under the stewardship of five generations of family leadership, the company is distinguished for its innovation, dedication to sustainability, and renowned brands such as Raid, Glade, OFF!, Windex, and Drano. With a heritage of pioneering employee benefits, international expansion, and a commitment to environm

From a modest 1840s workshop in Racine, Wisconsin, to the cutting edge of autonomous "precision farming," the story of J.I. Case is a defining chapter in the history of global industry. Founded by the tireless Jerome Increase Case, the company didn't just manufacture threshing machines; it mechanized the American dream, moving the agricultural world from manual labor to steam-powered dominance and, eventually, to the sophisticated digital ecosystems of CNH Industrial . This

The Industrial Crucible: A Comprehensive Socioeconomic and Business History of Racine, Wisconsin Racine, Wisconsin, where the Root River converges with Lake Michigan, exemplifies the evolution of American industry. Historically referred to as the "Belle City" and the "Machine Shop of the World," Racine's strategic location enabled its growth as a crucial port in the Midwestern wheat trade, eventually becoming a hub for mechanical innovation and consumer chemicals. The Foundat

Emeritus Professors Alan C. Filley and Robert Pricer, who taught entrepreneurship at the Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin - Madison for many decades, consistently emphasized the critical importance for small businesses and non-profits to identify their "DOMAIN" to increase their chances of success. This blog post will explore the significance of taking the necessary steps to identify, develop, and execute on their domain. "Mastering Your Business Domain":

The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), which came into effect on July 4, 2025, shakes up the rules for Qualified Small Business Stock...

(Next in our series on Founded in Wisconsin is a brief introduction on the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin which is city number three in...

Introduction Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, Beloit College stands as a testament to the enduring power of liberal arts education....

As mentioned in previous posts, stock options have the advantages and disadvantages. Another alternative is the use of 'Phantom Stock'...

Stock options have been a popular compensation strategy used by young companies for several decades. While there are many advantages to...

Stock options remain a widely favored method of incentive compensation in the startup and early-stage company realm, serving as a way to...

In the 1980s and beyond, stock options gained immense popularity as an effective method for startup companies to offer incentive...

Famous Silicon Valley investor, entrepreneur, etc. Paul Graham wrote an a recent essay on Founder Mode of Management that has received a...

In advising with early-stage firms, a constant concern by founders, employees, and students is the equity program made available to them....

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have a varied history in terms of popularity in corporate ownership structures. These plans aim to...

Firms also employ another tactic to boost productivity and profitability, which involves implementing Employee Stock Ownership Plans...

When considering financial metrics like ROE and ROAI, organizations focus on improving profitability through company-wide programs such...

Recall the DuPont Formula can be deconstructed into several components: ROE = (1-T) x (ROAI + (Leverage*(ROAI - Cost of Debt)) where T =...

In the initial article of this series, we delved into a unique perspective on analyzing Return on Equity (ROE) and the DuPont Formula,...