Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Business Honor Goes to Wreath Makers

Originally published March 19, 2003

By Jim Buchta, Staff Writer, Star Tribune


John and Chris Mickman transformed the wreath-making talents of their Norwegian grandmother into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

In recognition of the brothers' accomplishment, they were named small business people of the year by the Minnesota office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Grandma Mickman made her first wreath in 1934, but her son, John and Chris' father, snuck off with it and sold it to buy her a Christmas present.

Wreath profits have been buying Mickman gifts ever since. The Mickmans are one of the largest wreath manufacturers in the country.

The Mickman brothers also run a Ham Lake garden center, landscaping business, golf driving range and an irrigation business.

Other Minnesota SBA winners are Gae Veit, Ron Wacks, Jan Jordet, Robert Heck, Patricia Mack and Mary Patricia Riebe.

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