Compassion a key part of wig business

Stacey Nellen-Kolze, owner of Nell’s Wigs and Boutique in Green Bay(wwwnellswigsboutique.com), has a business that is equal parts passion and compassion.

In 2007, Nellen-Kolze returned to Green Bay with her husband after spending six years touring with Broadway productions. The couple worked behind the scenes, and Nellen-Kolze, who said she never liked to be front and center, specialized in makeup and wigs. It was a natural transition, and she rented a chair at a local salon to specialize in wigs and salon services.

“I started working out of the chair and sold one wig and then another until I found the niche of working with women who had cancer,” she said.  “After about a year and a half, my business had grown so much that I needed a private space.”

With limited business experience, she was excited to hear about E-Hub in Green Bay, a partner of Green Bay SCORE, that provides entrepreneurial training.  She met with Mark Burwell, the program director, and he encouraged her to proceed.  Nellen-Kolze felt overwhelmed when she looked at all of the components of running a business, but Burwell helped along the way.

In 2009 with an eye on growth, she felt ready to take E-Hub’s entrepreneur series, "Stepping Up to New Opportunities," where she would learn how to write a business plan, manage a business, innovative thinking and business ethics. 

“I could finally understand the business plan because of the experience gained in my first few years," Nellen-Kolze said. "I learned the ins and outs of how important each aspect of your business is. You need key people like a lawyer and accountant. If you don’t have this, you aren’t going to have a successful business.”

In addition to E-Hub, she sought help with the financial projections from Chuck Brys of the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center. This combination of resources led to networking with others.

“I met so many people who were willing to pass along their experience and help for free," she said. "I can’t say how important that is when you’re starting a business. I’m blown away by the people who are willing to help if you’re willing to ask for it.” 

Seeing how others were willing to give back led her to embrace the same ethic. Because her business helps women who are undergoing hair loss due to medical necessity or who are looking for post-breast surgery items, she and her staff give countless hours to local cancer support groups such as Prevea’s Runway for Life, Families of Children With Cancer and the Ovarian Cancer Community Outreach. 

“In the early stages, it was about getting our name out in the community," Nellen-Kolze said. "Now, we want to do as much as we can to help. When someone says they never heard about us, I think it’s good because they haven’t needed us.”

Those who have needed Nell’s Wigs and Boutique are responsible for the growth of the business. Nellen-Kolze said that she listened to customers and added what they asked for so they didn’t have to make multiple stops. By 2011, she had outgrown the first location and expanded to a larger space on Webster Avenue.

The business now includes wig consultations, mastectomy recovery care garments and post-surgery items. They are Medicare accredited. And, as her mission statement promises, the licensed staff provides individual attention and compassion to meet each client’s unique needs. All services are offered in a professional, personable and discreet setting.  Encouragement is part of everything they do.

“I just listen,” Nellen-Kolze said. “We all take time and don’t rush through something — that person is our focus. There are many emotional stories, but it’s also very heartwarming when a guest comes back in and says that her scans are all clear.  Or, I see them in public and know they’re doing well.”

Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.