SUCCESS STORIES
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KRISTINA HALL CAD / CAM Dental Technician Renstrom Dental Studio , Inc .
Kristina Hall was a junior at White Bear Lake High School , enrolled in the OJT ( On the Job Training ) vocational program ; every day she would be released from school and take the van to work at Renstrom Dental Studio in
Vadnais Heights . “ My teacher thought it would be a good fit for me , and she was ������������������������������������������ here !”
Today , after working in several different departments and completing many hours of specialized training , Hall is a CAD / CAM ( computer-aided design / computer-aided manufacturing ) Dental Technician . Renstrom Dental Studio , a family-owned business since 1966 , is a full-service lab that works closely with dentists to produce metal free restorations , porcelain veneers and custom implant restorations .
When Hall began working for the company , she says , “ I had no idea such a business existed . I started out ‘ housecleaning ’ in different departments and helping out wherever needed . Then , I learned to paint over metal understructures and build and layer porcelain . The owners , Randy and Rick Renstrom , spent many years teaching me techniques they ’ ve used throughout their careers . They ’ ve challenged me and watched me grow �������������������������������������� family .”
Hall has been in her current position for four years and says , “ Computers are the future of dentistry ; it ’ s a good spot to be in . Designing crowns digitally allows me to be creative . No two teeth are the same ; people have a whole lot of stuff going on in their mouths – different shapes and sizes , different shades – and it ’ s my job to make the crowns as realistic as possible .”
Randy and Rick Renstrom are proud of Hall ’ s growth and accomplishments : “ She ’ s worked hard to advance from ‘ job ’ to ‘ career ,’ and we feel very fortunate to have helped mentor someone from a young age who has developed into a skilled technician .”
LARRY ZACK CEO Fresh Paint
Larry Zack credits a good mentor for shaping his work ethic , which he believes has led to a successful career . In turn , with the well-being and success of his employees in mind , he has modeled good habits and given helpful advice to them . Zack says , “ Sometimes , my employees are experiencing rough times in their lives , and they find it difficult to come to work , so I encourage them to work their struggles out on the job because work is good therapy . The �������������������������������������������� go to work every day and not fail .”
Zack bought Fresh Paint from a friend in 1996 . He trained in “ the painting business ” from the ground up and , over time , transformed it from a seasonal , residential business into a leader in commercial and industrial painting and restoration in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin .
Of Fresh Paint ’ s early days , Zack says , “ Our equipment literally consisted of a few bent ladders and a couple broken sprayers . Today , Fresh Paint is nestled in a beautiful space right here in Vadnais Heights , with all the latest equipment and nearly 30 professionals to meet the needs and expectations of our great clients . Because we employ all our own painters , we are able to share and nurture our company vision and values from day one ,” says Zack . He ’ s proud of the fact that training and promotion from within is something everyone in the company values .
Another source of pride for Zack is “ the fact that we can take on the largest projects the industry offers . We love the variety of projects our clients bring forth as no project is ever the same , but the outcome is always one we are all very proud of .” Some of Fresh Paint ’ s projects include : the Uptown Theater marquee and the KSTP radio tower at the state fairgrounds ; the Calhoun Isle condos , converted from old grain silos ; a 30 ’ x 3 ’ stencil across an entire wall at Schwing America ; and , the recently completed restoration of the Landmark Center atrium .
32 Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile