Meet Mary Beth Berns— a lifelong Oconomowoc resident, 40+ year hairstylist, and powerhouse business coach who’s spent decades helping women turn passion into profit. As the former co-owner of the iconic Craig Berns Salon Spa, Mary Beth has always had an eye for beauty and a mind for business. Today, she brings that same sharp strategy and no-nonsense coaching style to women entrepreneurs ready to get unstuck, grow smarter, and move forward with confidence. Whether it’s untangling your numbers, building multiple income streams, or even writing your first book, Mary Beth is the clarity and momentum you didn’t know you needed.
About Mary Beth Berns
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Married 40+ years to Craig Berns, three successful daughters and 6 grandchildren. I consider myself very lucky.
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?
MBB Coaching. I coach Women Small Business owners but I believe less is more. I do not strive to sell too many sessions, only what is needed. Also, I am a big believer in multiple streams of income and I now teach a course in self-publishing. Every women entrepreneur should self publish a book! It’s amazing how many doors will open from there. I also believe in giving back always. One the of the ways I do that now is by offering a complimentary business strategy session to anyone women entrepreneur. This is a full 60 minute session where we can work on any current challenge.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I LOVE women in business, women entrepreneurs, startups, levelups, challenges, all of it. I really love people.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Overcoming life’s obstacles both personal and professional is never easy. My faith and my friends helped me every step, still do.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
The amount of people I love and respect. I always wanted to belong when I was a child and I have been honored with countless relationships in my lifetime.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
To live longer, travel more, love deeper, and keep learning.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Act brave. You need to tell yourself you can create what you dream of. Whether you believe it or not, keep telling yourself you can until you do.
Mary Beth Berns & 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!)
I love Oconomowoc, and Lake Country. I love living in a community where I have seen people grow up. My children all live within 45 minutes of here. We have beauty all around us. Sometimes I think we are so used to enjoying our seasons, our lakes, our friends, we forget just how blessed we are.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Oh boy, I have had the opportunity to work with and come alongside so many women entrepreneurs in all my years. Our small businesses make our community greater by adding jobs, by contributing back into the community both financially and with donated time. It makes it hard to choose one person. If I do choose, I would choose to highlight Teresa Spencer, the owner of Soulfire Art Studio in Delafield. Teresa employs and guides young people, continually creates a space where families and friends can create beauty together, contributes to Delafield and the surrounding community, and always has a smile on her face. Teresa reminds me of all the great things that women small business owners do and are.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I call foul here because we have so many amazing coffee shops that I work in every week. Some of my fav’s are Inclusion Coffee, Blue Collar, Mama D’s, Roots, Birch and Banyon, they are all simply perfect.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
You belong here.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be shy.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Business books all the way. Best ever- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. This is the customer service revolution we all need to strive for.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jesus. Daily.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
I would like to say water but I might have to say Spotted Cow.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Three people I have vowed I will meet on a flight sometime- Talyor Swift because she is a marketing master, Ed Sheeran because his songs cause me to reflect and be grateful, and Bruce Springsteen, because he is still one cute guy after all these years.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
The Manitou Incline in Colorado Springs. Coming the end of June this year. 2780 steps up Pikes Peak. Watch for pictures!
Q: What makes you the happiest?
My life. I cannot believe how happy I am and how fortunate I am. Added to say and also, that I am still breathing.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Take time to dream. Know your dreams are within your reach as long as you love and include others.
Where to Find Mary Beth Berns
Email: mbberns@gmail.com
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
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