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 transplant from the East Coast, I quickly fell in love with Wisconsin, especially Door County and the Northwoods. After many weekend getaways exploring up north with my husband, I decided to bring the charm of the quaint little shops we found throughout our travels to Pewaukee Lake.

While managing the vision of Lake and Pine Co. with my husband, I also work full time at a corporate position introducing AI to medical devices. And while I’m always on the go, I can often be found outdoors hiking, kayaking, or just admiring the beauty that surrounds us.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.

My husband and I live in Pewaukee with our two dogs. We love the community and can’t think of a better place to live and have a small business.

Q: What do you love most about what you do?

I love meeting and chatting with our customers. It’s because of their continued support that we are able to live our dream as small business owners.

Q: What is the most rewarding part?

Giving back to the community. As a new business in a very uncertain economy, we seek small ways to give back, while still being able to grow our business. Aligning with other small businesses and makers is one example.

Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?

A future dream of mine is to open a couple of Lake and Pine Co. shops “up north”. A girl can dream, right?

Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?

It’s good life advice, but my biggest piece of advice to anyone wanting to start their own business is to keep your inner “business” circle with people you trust and who genuinely want you to succeed.

Michele Rucci & 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!)

Growing up on the Jersey Shore, I missed being close to water. That’s one of the things that I love about Lake Country. There’s a lake everywhere you go. Now I am a 100% certified lake lover!

Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?

That’s a tough question! I personally like meeting members of Pewaukee Police Department, who support our community by keeping us safe.

Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?

Lake Country is filled with some of the best places, so this is tough. But I can say I gravitate to places with outdoor seating in the summer!

Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?

Supportive, Peaceful, Breathtaking.

For Fun

Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I love to tap dance. I dreamed of being a Radio City Rockette growing up.

Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?

We started selling Jeff Nania’s books in our shop, a local Wisconsin Author. I of course needed to read his series before we did, and I was hooked. I recommend his first book, Figure Eight, as a start. But grab any of them and they are a great read.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?

I once volunteered at a local school as a reading buddy for a year. My buddy and I met every week for the entire school year in the library. I would spend time chatting with her, reading with her and just listening to her stories. At the end of the year, her teacher approached me and said that after every visit, my reading buddy would bounce back into class like a new person. It amazed me how much of an impact you can have in just a short time. That whole experience keeps me inspired and I think about it often.

Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?

A Pina Colada. But out of a coconut, because that usually means you’re on a beach somewhere. And everyone is happy on a beach.

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?

My Dad. He passed away when I was 17 years old. I would love to sit and chat with him now, as an adult, and ask all the questions my 17 year-old self never even thought about back then.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

My dream trip is to visit Svalbard, Norway, a small island close to the North Pole. When not in the tiny village, you have to carry a rifle for Polar Bear protection, but the Northern Lights are amazing and I would love to explore the land via snowmobile.

Q: What makes you the happiest?

Making people laugh. Laughter is the best medicine.

Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?

Live by the Golden Rule, treat others as you want to be treated. We are not perfect humans, but if you can live by this rule the majority of the time, you’re winning.

Where to Find Michele Rucci

Email: lakeandpineco@gmail.com

Phone: (262) 352-6309

www.shoplakeandpine.com / Facebook and Instagram @lakeandpineco