We’re happy to present Adam Rhodee, a third generation business owner and lifelong resident of Oconomowoc. The Rhodees are a legacy family in the Oconomowoc area. They are known to be active in the community as well as volunteers and business owners. In 2022, Rhodee’s Floral and Greenhouse, celebrated their 100th anniversary. In true Rhodee style, they put an ad in the local paper and invited the whole town to a big party!
Adam lost his father, Ken, in 2009, but not before he was named Oconomowoc Citizen of the Year in 2004. Ken was most known for his tireless support of the iconic Oconomowoc American Legion Band. The bandshell at the city beach is named in his honor.
Adam Graduated from OHS in 1995 where he carried on the musical tradition in his family by participating in the Wind Symphony as a percussionist and by marching in the legion band with his family in the summers. He attended the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management and business marketing with a human resources minor. After college graduation, he returned home in 2000 to help his father run Rhodee Florist and Greenhouse. In addition, he started A. Rhodee Landscape as his own business. He still runs both businesses to this day.
Adam’s Volunteer Spirit
Adam has the Rhodee Family volunteerism spirit. He presents the most incredible lighted boat floats for the annual Oconomowoc Light up the Lake event, held on Lac Labelle each year during Festival Week. His crowd pleasing floats were impossible to top, so after several years of winning the first prize for best float, Adam and his crew were presented with a lifelong honorary 1st place trophy. Adam was quoted as saying, “Growing up I was expected to work in the greenhouse, deliver flowers, participate in Oconomowoc Legion Band Concerts and Parades, and represent my family name with pride.” Well, we think he has done just that and will continue to carry on the legacy of his family for years to come.
About Adam Rhodee
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am very blessed to have two sons, a daughter, and a very loving supportive wife in my life.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
As a member of the community I try to help out. My time or products from our business are actively donated, whenever the opportunity arises. I employ the youth that is our future in this community, and set a positive example whether it is building a boat parade float for thousands to enjoy, or donating replacement flowers to beautify the community.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love that I get to work in a flexible environment ,whether it is outside on a job in spring, summer or fall, or in a greenhouse in January, and that I get to interact with customers that make up this community.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
I think the biggest challenge is being content with what you have and being able to stay the course knowing that you can grow any business and over come hard times.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
Getting positive feedback from customers and gratification from accomplishments on projects and jobs is great. I enjoy making people smile and laugh.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Successfully raising my children in this wonderful amazing community is on the top of the list. I also want to continue to maintain my family’s reputation with pride and continue to find ways to support the community that has supported our business for so many years.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
You don’t have to be the smartest or the strongest or the best, but you have to have a strong heart, positive outlook and outgoing personality to persevere and accomplish your goals, especially when people want to pull you back and say those goals aren’t attainable.
Adam Rhodee & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
My favorite things in this community are the lakes, parks, the band shell and all of the old school tradition that exists here. Just driving around you can see people walking around the lakes, enjoying food downtown and sitting at the classic band shell. I am a little biased about that since my family name is on it! The people here spread the feeling of a positive community environment.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
My father, Ken Rhodee. He came from nothing and knew very little about flowers, but built a thriving business. The heart and soul of the Oconomowoc Legion Band, he really was a driving force in keeping it alive. He became a resource for many, many people in this community to count on. My dad taught me to do unto others as you want done to you. He taught me to reach out and help people who need it, and to keep an open mind when problem solving. There are always many ways to approach problems.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Not really! I will rotate restaurants and I am not a coffee drinker. I do enjoy the morning banter at Herr’s Mobil, one of the only family owned gas stations left in this community.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Beautiful, Giving, Supportive.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
As a child and young teenager I got to sneak away from the greenhouse and was a competitive sailor on Lac La Belle.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
My favorite song is Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. Life has ups and downs, but at the end of the day it is up to me to stay true to myself and to “Do it My Way!”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family, My wife, My Children.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
I’d be “Kiddie Cocktail”. Everyone has enjoyed one of those in their life!
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
My great friend, Chad Oschmann… and ask him “why”?
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d like to make it back to Hawaii with my family. I was fortunate to go with my father, mother and family before he passed and see Pearl Harbor and Maui. It would be nice for my children to be able to do that with me and appreciate it like I did with my dad.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Being around positive people that like to laugh and have a good time sharing stories and creating fun memories.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
The future is going to be determined in time. Don’t get caught up in what’s to come. Live life in the present. Time flies fast enough.
Where to Find Adam Rhodee
Phone: (262) 567-4229
