New in 2024, the SBA is introducing the monthly Member Spotlight recognition program. Each month, members are invited to nominate a fellow member in good standing to be featured as an “SBA Member Spotlight”. Any member in good standing is eligible to be selected. Nominations will be reviewed and selected by the board.
Members can be nominated via the Google form found here: https://forms.gle/qefCrPycUe9z3Ra58.
The inaugural Member Spotlight is featuring the Dynamic Duo of Margie and Glenn Trembley. The Trembleys have been members of SBA since it resurfaced several years back. We caught up with them recently to learn a little more about them and their business. We hope you enjoy getting to know them a little better and will share in congratulating them on their accomplishments and contributions to the SBA.
Tell us something special about your business:
“Springfield Artworks® and Margie Trembley Chapeaux are working studios and boutique/shop where you can find great decor for your office or home and a selection of pieces for all kinds of gift giving. We are both area artists and specialize in Fused Glass, art classes, original art, and couture hats. The studio also hosts birthday, bridal & engagement parties. Our main products are hand-crafted right here in Springfield.
We bought the Kieck building in 2009 when it was a vacant video store and we named the business Springfield Artworks®. We used the word Springfield in the name to let people know we made a connection with the town of Springfield, Nebraska. We opened for business in November of 2009.”
Margie Trembley Chapeaux was started in 2011 after she fell in love with all things millinery and learned about sources of supplies and professional millinery classes. Prior to being a milliner, she studied and developed proficiency in various other art forms including architectural glass carving, felting, and silk painting on scarves.
Her label has grown to be an internationally recognized millinery label developed right here in Springfield, NE. Margie has had her hats exhibited at MONA (Museum of Nebraska Art) and in Wisconsin in an invitational juried exhibition. She has had two of her hats in two different exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and has had various articles published about her work both in the US and international publications such as HATalk and a French Rivera newspaper. One of her hats appeared in Vogue Online following the Kentucky Oaks. A Vogue photographer recognized the uniqueness of the design and promised that she would do everything to get it in print and she did. That hat was also on the banner of Churchill Downs on the Oaks site for several years, as well as NBC Sports during a live broadcast during the Derby. Her work also was selected as Viewers Choice Online for a millinery contest in Melbourne, Australia. Not only was she sought after to make custom hats for area residents, but her hats were also a favorite at Omaha Fashion Week for several years. She was interviewed on NET Radio and local TV stations and showcased in a feature article in the living section of the Omaha World-Herald.
Margie loves creating something special for her clients, realizing that they want to feel very special for their event.
Who is someone who inspires you?
Glenn: “Brad Walker in North Carolina. He was one of my glass teachers and a successful business owner and glass author.”
Margie: “I’ve had many people who have inspired me from those Shark Tank entrepreneurs to Norm Dobbins, my Architectural Glass carving instructor to Laura Hubka, my first millinery instructor who today provides hats for tea parties in an exclusive Chicago hotel and also a popular theatre in the suburbs of Chicago. In Laura’s case, to see where she was when I started classes, to now with all the exciting millinery projects she has been invited to.”
What has been one of the biggest challenges of your career/ as a business owner?
Glenn: “Determining what to create that will attract regular customers.”
Margie: “That’s a tough one. My biggest challenge is organizing my supplies. As a business owner, I would say that when there are local events that require a hat, not being contacted about creating a special hat for the attendee.”
What is your favorite part of the job?
Glenn: “Opening the kiln and seeing a finished glass creation.”
Margie: “Seeing a client walk out my door with a smile on their face, happy as can be that together, we were able to design and create something that made them proud to wear to a special event.”
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Glenn: “In the ’50s, I was the drummer in a Rock and Roll Band called the “Blazers”.” (Margie adds, “an excellent one!”)
Margie: “I volunteered for a semester at UNO as a conversation partner with businessmen and businesswomen from around the world. There were business people from Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and several other countries. I was in charge of a roundtable during one of the sessions and the subject was, “Do you feel there is discrimination in your country in the business world?” Another project during that time was with a Japanese businessman. He and I interviewed top leaders from various large corporations in Omaha about marketing in the US. Then, the “student” and I made a presentation to the class on differences in the two countries’ marketing processes.”
What do you love about SBA and why would you recommend membership to others?
Glenn: “Members help one another.”
Margie: “It’s great to meet other business owners from Springfield and learn more about their business and recognize how we can help each other succeed in business by sending clients each other’s way.”
Would you recommend membership to others?
Glenn & Margie: “Absolutely- mutual support is necessary in a small business community.”
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Do you have a current SBA member in mind that would be great as a featured Member Spotlight? Nominate them today: https://forms.gle/qefCrPycUe9z3Ra58