In Business Madison

Carrie Rodamaker said she just “fell into” her role as executive director of Taliesin Preservation, the nonprofit steward of Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic estate here. But after 24 years with the organization — working her way from gift shop assistant manager to the top spot — the famed property has become something of a home to her.

Taliesin, meaning “shining brow” in a nod to Wright’s Welsh heritage, is the famed architect’s 800-acre estate.

Rodamaker grew up not far from Spring Green, outside of Cross Plains, and shifted from a nearly decade-long medical career in Madison to work closer to her roots. Over her tenure, the Taliesin property has seen a substantial tourism increase and, in 2019, joined seven other Frank Lloyd Wright locations on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The group of Wright properties is among just 26 such designees in the United States.

Visitors at Taliesin can tour Wright’s 37,000-square-foot home, school and studio — with structures from nearly every decade of the architect’s career from 1890-1950. There is also a gift shop and restaurant, and weekend workshops on photography, painting and design. Taliesin also hosts lectures and events at its theater.

While Rodamaker is proud of the public awareness growing around Taliesin and the steps being taken to restore the property, she said there is plenty more on her to-do list to ensure the estate is well cared for, grows its number of visitors and its history is preserved.

Full story:

On-the-job experience catapulted Carrie Rodamaker to the top spot at Taliesin Preservation Rodamaker's work is just beginning

On Madison’s far north side, at the tail end of Hoepker Road and tucked behind a stand of tall trees is a delightful surprise for flower lovers: A field of dahlias in nearly every shade of the rainbow.

It’s the home of Cher's Garden, a family operation run by Cher Yang, which offers 180 varieties of the popular blooms that inspire rabid fandom from some — including Yang herself.

When she started growing dahlias, “I bought three to four varieties and then I just keep buying more and more every year,” Yang said. “When you get into it, you feel like you get addicted to your flowers.”

More on our site:

Agritourism in full bloom at Cher’s Garden Cher’s Garden offers 180 varieties of dahlias in nearly every shade of the rainbow

26-year-old Cassidy Winkler started Revel Method Pilates to bring boutique modern Pilates studios to her home state. She said she sought to offer the optimal level of challenge and opportunities for empowerment to both her clients and staff.

Since its official establishment in 2024, Revel has grown to include three locations across southern Wisconsin, in Madison, Monona and Lake Geneva. By next year, Winkler said that number will double.

“(Pilates) should be hard, but it shouldn’t (make) you feel like you’re just punishing yourself for an hour and you don’t want to go back,” she said. “(At Revel) we offer levels for every exercise. Our instructors are taught to get everyone moving, and then give them a modification or amplification.”

Photos: Valerie Rose Visuals.

“The family’s excited, especially because granddad meant a lot to everybody, and he was really the patriarch,” Grandad's Farm Stop founder Patrick Randolph said. “It's scary, it's a lot, it's stressful, but you know, we're gonna get it done. People will be surprised how many vegetables you can actually buy fresh, local, in the non-growing seasons.”

A sneak peek at an upcoming story we have in our October issue. We've been following Grandad's Farm Stop (3802 Mineral Point Road, Madison) for some months, even attending its soft opening, and we can't wait to share the story and photos of Madison's first-ever farm stop!

In Business Madison celebrated its annual Exec Connect on Wednesday night at Blackhawk Country Club. The networking event brought together business and community leaders from Wisconsin’s Capital Region and also honored the 2026 Power 100. Thanks to everyone who attended — it was a wonderful evening! And it wouldn’t have been possible without support from our generous partners: UMB Bank Executive Agenda and McClone Insurance. Photos by Valerie Rose Visuals — Valerie Hill

At month’s end, Madison will welcome more than 50,000 guests from nearly 90 countries to the 59th annual World Dairy Expo, a signature event that brought $31.8 million in local economic benefits last year.

The expo runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 at the Alliant Energy Center, with preshow events from Sept. 25 through Sept. 28 as cattle exhibitors move in. Last year’s event housed over 2,600 of the best dairy cattle in North America.

It is a showcase for dairy producers to experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show and virtual farm tours. Seminars, meetings and discussions will highlight the industry’s latest technological advancements and potential solutions to global price pressures caused by trade wars — and geopolitical wars.

The World Dairy Expo returns for its 59th year At month’s end, Madison will welcome more than 50,000 guests from nearly 90 countries

A privately funded renovation could bring a permanent stage and back-of-house buildings to Breese Stevens Field.

Big Top Events, the operator of Breese, is proposing the renovation to upgrade the concert experience as part of a 21-year use agreement.

According to a statement, Breese has hosted over 50 national musical acts since 2015, including Willie Nelson and Weezer.

The renovations aim to keep promoting Breese as the place for professional soccer, national concerts and community events.

But first, the renovation will need to go through an approval process with the city of Madison’s Board of Park Commissioners on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Big Top Events proposes privately funded renovation of Breese Stevens Field The renovation would add a permanent stage and back-of-house buildings

Geoffrey the Giraffe and co. have made a comeback, opening its first standalone store in Madison since Toys R Us shuttered its stores in 2018.

Toys R Us opens new store in West Towne Mall It’s the first standalone Toys R Us in Madison since the company closed up shop in 2018

Meet Carrie Sanders! As CEO of Hope Community Capital LLC, Carrie helps organizations navigate real estate development and funding to advance their missions. She’s passionate about connecting people and resources to improve the community.

Learn more about IB Madison's Professional of the Month: https://ibmadison.com/professional-of-the-month-carrie-sanders

From the time he announced MGE’s commitment to net-zero carbon electricity, MGE’s Jeff Keebler has said new technologies — in addition to investments in wind, solar and battery storage — would be needed to reach that goal by 2050.

That announcement was made in 2019, and less than one decade later, Madison Gas and Electric believes it could have an enabling technology in the form of fusion energy.

In what is being characterized by the companies as a first-of-its-kind investment, Realta Fusion and Madison Gas and Electric have announced they will explore the possibility of jointly developing a 200 megawatt fusion energy power plant in Wisconsin by the 2030s.

The next-generation carbon-free energy technology would also advance MGE’s goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050.

Continue reading: https://ibmadison.com/realta-mge-announce-plans-to-develop-fusion-energy-power-plant/

Story by Joe Vanden Plas
Photograph by Elliot Claveau, Realta Fusion