We are excited to introduce Andy Cervenka, a lifelong Wisconsinite who has resided in Lake Country for the last 7 years. After Andy and his wife decided to plant their roots here, he made the decision to leave a good career to start his own business here locally. His mission is to help local business communities grow and thrive while making an impact not only on local businesses, but business owners as well. And his driving force? His wife and kids, who are the center of his life.
We hope you enjoy reading more about Andy Cervenka, his mission in Lake Country, and his journey that landed him here.
About Andy Cervenka
I am originally from a small town in northern WI, Butternut. After high school I attended WITC in Rice Lake, WI for Automotive Technician and spent the next 16 years associated with the automotive industry. From 2012 up until 2022 I worked as a Territory Sales Manager for CURT Mfg. out of Eau Claire, where I serviced 7 states in the Midwest. During that time I lived in La Crosse, where I met my now wife. Then, we moved to Waukesha and now have been in Oconomowoc for the last 7 years and counting.
I have 2 beautiful boys, Andrew Jr., 4 years, and Harlan, 10 months. When I learned that my wife was pregnant with Harlan I made the decision to leave my career on the road, as I was spending 3-4 nights every week in hotels, and I needed and wanted to be home every night to spend time with my family.
July of 2022 I put my resume together and started the hunt for the next step in my career. After weeding through hundreds of offerings for Outside Sales Rep that I was being bombarded with, I spotted one offer that jumped out at me, J Galt, which had the added bonus of being able to start my own business, Lake Country Consulting Associates, with their resources backing as a jumping off point to start building my business consulting practice.
Learning more about the company, culture, and services provided at J Galt and what it means to small businesses, I knew I had to be a part of it. I feel fortunate to have made it through the hiring process to join this great cause of helping small business owners with cash-flow and managing growth. As a Regional Managing Partner with J Galt, I am free to work within the U.S. and start my practice wherever I should choose.
As a lifelong Wisconsinite I have focused my efforts in and around our great state, and the Lake Country area, hence the name of my business. In particular because this is where my wife and I have planted roots for our children to grow, and I want to help the local business communities grow and thrive, too, so my boys have opportunities at things that I didn’t have coming from a town of 400 people in the middle of nowhere.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the youngest of 5 children- Josie, Mary, Mandi, Jon and myself. We have spread out across the state, Eau Claire, Green Bay area, Racine, and Oconomowoc for myself. My mother lives in Eau Claire as well, and my father is still back in the Butternut area. My wife, Jordan, and I started dating in 2013 and in 2017 we were married at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. I love my boys so very much, I can’t imagine not being a father. It is fitting we named our first Andrew, as he is the spitting image of myself and my shadow. Little Harlan is the light of our household, there isn’t a minute during the day he is not smiling or giggling at something Andrew has done. At 10 months it is fun to see his own little personality starting to develop.
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?
I jumped the gun and wrote it all out in the intro paragraph.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
The impact it can have on a business that is struggling with growth or even struggling with cash-flow means the most. If I can help a business owner thrive and remove the stress of the business finances from their life, that means a lot to me.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Making the decision to leave a long career with a very strong company to start my own business.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
Working from, or in and around, my home allows me to see my wife and kids every day.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Our family goal is to find our forever home somewhere in the Lake Country area. We’d be happy with any of the cities that comprise it.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Reach out to me. I enjoy what I do, meeting people and building relationships along the way to gain new friends and acquaintances.
Andy Cervenka & 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!)
We have a younger family we so love all the lakes, parks, beaches, phenomenal dining options, and shops. On a nice weekend you will probably find us somewhere outside. This area has so many accommodations for outdoor activities!
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Jim “Skip” with Paragon Marketing. He has built a successful business in the area and is continually giving back to the community.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
The list is too long! But I would have to say that top of the list is Fishbone’s in Delafield. I love Cajun cuisine!
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Beautiful, fun, and welcoming.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
On our honeymoon in Hawaii, January of 2018, our last day there was the day that someone set off the alert system “accidentally”. At 8 am our phones lit up like Christmas trees “Ballistic Missel Incoming, seek shelter immediately, this in not a drill”. Fortunately enough it, of course, turned out to be an accident.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
The movie “Almost Hero’s” starring Chris Farley and Matthew Perry. Anytime I put it on it always gives me a good laugh even if I am not fully paying attention to it.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and kids.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
It’s a toss up between a Brandy Old Fashioned sweet or a Bourbon Old Fashioned.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
It’s broad, but travel. Travel the U.S. and the world to see the amazing sites to see.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Spending quality time with my wife and kids.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Those that bet on themselves and work hard have the greatest rewards returned.
Where to Find Andy Cervenka
Email: acervenka87@gmail.com
Phone: (715) 663-0404
Website: www.jgalt.io/acervenka
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcervenka
