My Journey: From Mequon to a Life of Service and Business
I had the privilege of growing up in Mequon, attending Range Line School, Lake Shore School, and Homestead High School from the mid-60s to the late 70s. After high school, I served in the U.S. Navy, an experience that shaped my discipline, expanded my education, and allowed me to travel the world. It was both enlightening and memorable, providing me with a unique book learning and life experience.
During my 15-year Navy career, I traveled to and lived in many places—too many to list—but each added to my personal and professional growth. My final duty station was San Diego, where I decided to settle for many years after leaving the Navy. I made lifelong friendships during my service, and I still keep in touch with many of them today.
Education & Entrepreneurial Path
While in San Diego, I pursued education in various fields:
Medical studies at San Diego State University
Architecture & Construction Management at Mesa College
This led me to establish my first Design/Build Construction Company—American Dream Construction in Coronado, CA.
My Introduction to Rotary
I was introduced to Rotary and joined the Coronado Rotary Club during this time. Lunch meetings in the Crown Room at the Hotel Del Coronado were a fantastic experience, and I initially saw Rotary as a networking opportunity for my business, which it was.
However, my first international service trip changed my perspective. We worked on plumbing and electrical improvements in a small village south of the border, and that experience became my “trigger moment”—the moment I truly became a Rotarian. Since then, Rotary service has been an integral part of my life, including my 13-year involvement with the Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership and the Oliveros Scholarship Fund.
A New Chapter in Wisconsin
In 2001, family health issues prompted me to sell my business in Coronado to an employee (who still runs it today) and return to Wisconsin. Unsure about starting a new business, I quickly realized that working for someone else wasn’t the right fit. So, I launched Home Perfect, a Design/Build Construction & Remodeling firm.
I built a reliable team and completed numerous projects, but in 2008, I faced real-world lessons in economic fluctuations when the building industry took a downturn. Fortunately, my credentials in Building Performance & Healthy Homes Analysis allowed me to pivot into Building Energy & Healthy Homes Assessments. However, this transition was challenging for many of my employees and friends.
Smart Living Today & Wellness Advocacy
Taking my experience in economy-dependent industries to heart, I combined it with my passion for healthy homes and founded Smart Living Today. My mission became clear:
> Enhancing lives by helping people reach their goals.
Through this initiative, I advocate for holistic wellness for individuals and families, working in partnership with The Wellness Company, a more stable economic market. When COVID-19 hit, it validated my decision to shift towards wellness education.
Since then, I’ve sold Home Perfect and now devote my time to educating others, supporting their wellness journeys, and allowing myself more freedom to pursue my personal interests.
Life Beyond Work
My most fulfilling role is being a father and grandfather away from the office.
Family
Taneal (42) – Lives in Greenfield with my two granddaughters, Mila (13) and Ava (11).
Hannah (21) – A UW-Madison student on a biology/medical path, recently completing a semester in Ireland.
Passions & Hobbies
Outside of work, I enjoy:
Pleasure sailing & chartering
Sailboat racing
Stand-up paddleboarding
Scuba diving
Motorcycling
Live music
Volunteering and giving through Rotary, mission work, and wellness education bring me great joy, but nothing compares to the reward of being a father and grandfather.