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Excelsior! Podcast The image behind Excelsior! is a woman with Oculus glasses resting on her head—symbolizing the choice to see the world through someone else’s lens. Excelsior! is a long-form interview podcast designed to challenge the way we connect with our community. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen, and step into the real stories of Twin Cities artists and entrepreneurs—their journeys, struggles, and what drives them. Because community isn’t built from quick impressions—it’s built from understanding. This podcast exists to create that connection. By getting to know the people behind local businesses and art, we can make more intentional choices about who we support. It’s about putting our money into our people—uplifting, strengthening, and investing in the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Twin Cities. Excelsior! is a platform, a perspective shift, and a growing archive of the voices that make this community vibrant. Get to know your community. Be inspired. Support local. |
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Lisa Wichmann Loves Wine!Lisa is a realtor AND the woman behind Perfect Virtual Assistants, where she helps businesses find the right virtual assistant to make life a little easier. We talk about how it all works, answer questions about hiring a VA, and get into Lisa’s journey from working as a server to becoming the boss lady she is today.
I LOVE Lisa! We’ve had so much fun running into each other at business networking events, and she brings that same bright, positive energy to this episode. We laugh a lot, talk about staying positive, not worrying so much, running a business, and so much more. If you’ve ever wondered how a virtual assistant could help your business or just need a little reminder to enjoy life and stop stressing over everything, this episode is for you! |
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I sat down with Leslee Lane Hoyum after meeting her while photographing Lakselaget’s July luncheon, and let me just say… this woman has DONE some things.
Leslee is one of the women behind Lakselaget, a group of Norwegian-American women that was founded in 2002 to bring women together around Norwegian heritage, culture, friendship and community. I showed up to photograph the luncheon thinking I was going to take some pictures, eat some really good Norwegian food and hang out with some Norwegian women.
What I didn’t expect was to discover this whole community that I somehow had no idea existed.
As a Norwegian woman with Norwegian ancestors myself, getting to meet these women and hear their stories made me realize there was a whole part of my heritage I hadn’t really connected with.
And Leslee’s story is pretty incredible. She has spent decades building community and strengthening connections between Minnesota and Norway, with involvement in organizations like Ski for Light, Sons of Norway, Norway House, Mindekirken and the Norwegian-American Historical Association. She has also been recognized for her work with the St. Olav Medal from King Harald V of Norway.
But beyond the accomplishments, I wanted to know what makes Leslee tick.
We talk about Lakselaget, Norwegian heritage, community, the things she’s accomplished over the years, and what it means to keep these traditions and connections alive.
I walked into that luncheon as the photographer and left feeling like I had stumbled into a piece of my own history.
Come hang out with us and meet Leslee.
Leslee is one of the women behind Lakselaget, a group of Norwegian-American women that was founded in 2002 to bring women together around Norwegian heritage, culture, friendship and community. I showed up to photograph the luncheon thinking I was going to take some pictures, eat some really good Norwegian food and hang out with some Norwegian women.
What I didn’t expect was to discover this whole community that I somehow had no idea existed.
As a Norwegian woman with Norwegian ancestors myself, getting to meet these women and hear their stories made me realize there was a whole part of my heritage I hadn’t really connected with.
And Leslee’s story is pretty incredible. She has spent decades building community and strengthening connections between Minnesota and Norway, with involvement in organizations like Ski for Light, Sons of Norway, Norway House, Mindekirken and the Norwegian-American Historical Association. She has also been recognized for her work with the St. Olav Medal from King Harald V of Norway.
But beyond the accomplishments, I wanted to know what makes Leslee tick.
We talk about Lakselaget, Norwegian heritage, community, the things she’s accomplished over the years, and what it means to keep these traditions and connections alive.
I walked into that luncheon as the photographer and left feeling like I had stumbled into a piece of my own history.
Come hang out with us and meet Leslee.
