Forward Janesville - TheReport - First Quarter 2020

JANE: When I get free time, I spend it almost entirely catching up with friends and family. I believe it’s important to connect and really be present—a quick email is not enough. We all go through stuff and I want to be there, really be there. I get energy from that time and those connections. MICK: In my free time, I bike quite a bit. I bike with the Velo club and do the annual MS bike ride with Team CCC. It’s one of the most rewarding things I do each year. This fall I’m meeting an old high school friend for a weeklong ride in the desert. JANE: Balance is always a challenge. Especially these last few years, as we planned and began opening more stores in Michigan. We’ll have five by this time next year. I couldn’t do it without Mick. He helps with everything at home and is an amazing cook. Mick and probiotics are my secret— probiotics fend off every evil thing, I’ve been doubling down! MICK: After leaving Angus Young in the 90s and going out on my own, I enjoyed the freedom of choosing my own projects and having more time. Now, I’m really enjoying the work we’re doing downtown. I think I have semi-retired about four times but I never quite fully get there! HOW DID I GET HERE? s u c c e s s • c h a l l e n g e s • l i f e l e s s o n s • e d u c a t i o n • c a r e e r • f a m i l y • i n s p i r a t i o n s Pay attention to what you need and put it out there in the universe. You might be surprised the things that come to you—people, opportunities, support—as a result. We have experienced a lot of personal growth in the past few years, and we are trying to be more thoughtful and really pay attention. It is powerful. 1 2 3 MICK: We both grew up here. We have two wonderful daughters and two dogs, both named in honor of the Packers! We consider it a luxury to live in this community with our family and lifelong friends. Our kids all grew up together. We have a lot of friends who are pretty similar to us and we lovingly call our kids the G2s, or second generations. JANE: We keep encouraging our G2s to consider coming back to Janesville. We don’t want to push, but we want to keep them engaged … show them what’s new and share how much we have received from living in this wonderful place with people who share our history and roots. We never pictured ourselves living here, but now we can’t imagine anything else. JANE: I like to think of myself as a rule follower and fairly risk averse in general, but I’m really a rule “challenger.” When I see a rule that doesn’t make sense and doesn’t work, I can’t help but break it and do it a different way. I shared that at an event celebrating powerful women while seated between two female supreme court justices, which maybe was not the best place to spotlight my rule-breaking! MICK: When Jane describes herself as risk-averse, I have to laugh. She is definitely someone who challenges the status quo and is not afraid of risk! MICK: Jane and I were high school sweethearts. We just celebrated the 43rd anniversary of our first date. JANE: Mick texted me on the day and it was so wonderful to get this surprising, sweet text—so much of the time we’re texting about what needs to get done next! • { LIFE LESSONS } JANE: I think it’s our duty to support organizations like Forward Janesville. It only works if everyone is supporting it. It’s not just about paying dues, but also about the time and connection. It’s our responsibility. It’s also a great way to meet people and find resources. Mick: I am very honored to be a Forward Janesville Board member. They have accomplished huge things. One of the best things I see going forward is the focus on membership no matter the size. We’re working hard to establish a real connection and help these businesses specifically. JANE BLAIN GILBERTSON AND MICK (MICHAEL) GILBERTSON Time management matters. And that extends beyond work. You have to prioritize your family, spouse and home life first. That might mean working together to take turns making sure things get done. We work a lot at home and at night, but integrating it into our lives works for us. Know that it’s okay not to have the answer, to not know something. Take a pause. Slow down and evaluate. Seek out others who can help you find the answer. We definitely can’t and don’t need to know everything all the time. It’s okay to say you don’t know and to say no when it makes sense for you. • • JANE BLAIN GILBERTSON { EDUCATION } GRADUATED 1983 Miami University, Bachelor of Science, Retail Management • Oxford, Ohio I MICK GILBERTSON { EDUCATION } GRADUATED 1985 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Bachelor of Science, Architecture Milwaukee, Wisconsin 18 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M we X