Becky Krueger is now a resident of Lake Country, but has been an admirer and participant in enjoying our lakes her whole life. She grew in Brookfield and spent most of her youth enjoying their pool or her best friend’s lake home in Burlington. This is where her love of water was born.
About 15 years ago she found herself ending a marriage and needing to embark on a new life dream. That dream became living on one of our local lakes. In November 2019, that dream became a reality when she moved to Pewaukee Lake. That first year of living on the lake she found herself wanting to buy some Pewaukee Lake gear, and couldn’t find any good online resources to buy local lake gear. That’s when the idea of creating an online shop for all Lake Country lakes was born. Becky figured there had to be others out there who love their lake, and want to celebrate the memories they make on these lakes with t-shirts, hats, coffee cups, hoodies and more.
In 2021 she launched Lake Country Vibes and it has been an amazing journey she couldn’t have even imagined. She’s met many amazing people along the way, has made strong friendships, and has felt feelings of joy when customers send photos of them wearing lake gear.
About Becky Krueger
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My parents still live in Brookfield, and my Dad, who taught me to water-ski on his shoulders as a 3 year old, turns 80 this year. My mom is an artist and my greatest encourager. I have a sister- she and her family are local Lake Country residents. My brother lives in Florida, but frequents visits to Pewaukee Lake many times in the year. I also have a 1 year old lab, Ralhpie who keeps life fun and exciting. And yes, its impossible to keep that lab out of the lake! Sometimes I catch him just standing in the lake as if he owns it. HA!
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?
My life is a mix of work and fun. I love my jobs, especially operating and growing Lake Country Vibes. I had a wonderful 18-year career with Harley and early in my time there, I received tremendous advice which curated my future career. The advice was “The company is your playground, go everywhere and learn everything.” And that’s exactly what I did. I held roles in retail training, dealer consulting, General Merchandise marketing, motorcycle product development, parts and accessories category management, and customer strategy development. Through my time at Harley, I realized I have a passion for helping business grow and creating cool products. I left Harley in 2018 to pursue a business consulting career. For the last 5 years I have consulted and worked with several different types of businesses. I’ve done this work through consulting agencies, as an independent consultant, and as a hired employee. I currently am the VP of Sales & Marketing for a hardware distributor and custom rolling ladder company in Jackson WI, Custom Service Hardware. I also serve as a business coach for a few clients and am working on a cool non-profit retail start up in Milwaukee.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
People! I love working with people to help grow their businesses. I often have found that when you are a champion for a business owner and become a place for safe business discussion and vulnerability, they will shine and reach goals in stride. Being a champion for my clients, my staff, products and brands is my jam!
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Life has thrown me some curveballs that knocked me off “my plan”. Relinquishing control of “my plan” and letting roadblocks and curveballs become “new plan” creators has been my biggest challenge. Moving to the lake marks the time in my life where I have distinctly shifted away from trying to MAKE my plan happen, and instead LET my plan reveal itself.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part is living fully in endless possibilities and conversations for opportunities.
This is my favorite customer story: “Hey, I was wearing my Pewaukee Lake sweatshirt when traveling home from Florida. In the Florida airport, someone came up to me and said ‘Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin? I used to live in Wisconsin!’ We chatted for a few more moments about Wisconsin and the lake, it made me love my home even more!” This is my website mission coming to life, creating opportunities through products for people to connect on the lakes they love. It gets me all giddy inside when I share that story.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Continuing to grow Lake Country Vibes and having more of the Lake Country community learn of this awesome way to celebrate lake life!
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Just like the advice I got when working at Harley, I would say “the world is your playground, go have fun”. This means, don’t feel like anything is “too big”. My neighbor nudged me to get my site up and running. The mix of her encouragement and my Harley advice is what has guided my efforts, and it has been beyond fulfilling, and of course challenging but totally worth the time and effort!
Becky Krueger & 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!)
One of my favorite things is hearing laughter coming from the lake, or floating by houses and seeing towels hanging from porch railings and lake toys on shorelines. I love that we get to have fun with family and friends on these beautiful lakes, whether physically on the lake, spending time on our beaches, or enjoying a great meal while looking at a lake. We all connect on one common love of lakes regardless of who we are, what we believe, or where we live.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Michele from Lake & Pine Co. on Pewaukee Lake beach. Michele is my first community business friend and wholesale client. She has been a great encourager and partner. Having a “business pal” become a “gal pal” allows us to brainstorm on business ideas and solutions. In my coaching work I firmly believe we all need a “best friend at work” and in my small business life having a pal at a local shop is a great “best friend at work” for me.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Beach House Bistro is my top pick! The food, people, and view can’t be beat!
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Laid-backed, fun-loving, and authentic.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have been a long time motorcycle rider and still own my Harley… although the boat does tend to get more attention since moving to the lake.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Pretty much any and all Jimmy Buffet songs!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My neighbor Tracey. She owns a local bakery and her business coaching makes me better in every job and interaction I have!
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
During the day I would be a sparkling water, because water and life can be more exciting. And I would be a Wisconsin Beer for happy hour, because local flavor always is more fun.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Dolly Parton! I love her endless joy, laughter, and ability to be authentic in all that she does.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To not have a bucket list. I’m more of a make the most of every day and be open to the next adventure vs. needing to get something done or go somewhere.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Sitting with my friends and dogs laughing and enjoying the lake.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Do good work, and don’t be scared!
Where to Find Becky Krueger
Email: lakecountryvibes@gmail.com
Phone: (414) 460-5067
lakecountryvibes.com & @lakecountryvibes
