SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI — The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Green Bay aim to provide a wide range of services, resources, and expertise to encourage entrepreneurial opportunities in Sheboygan County, including hospitality businesses that make Sheboygan County a unique destination for visitors and residents alike.
With the help of the SCEDC and SBDC, Joshua Lundgren-Dolan and Kelli Scharff expanded Velvet Sheep Farms to include a bed and breakfast. Located at a century old farmhouse at 1681 Garton Rd. in Sheboygan, their bed and breakfast allows each guest to get a taste of the rich and rewarding lifestyle a small farm can provide.
The mission of Velvet Sheep Farms is to create a thriving property centered around and in support of the sheep and animals that constitute it. Velvet Sheep Farms currently offers a bed and breakfast experience, tours, and a wide range of unique wool products.
Scharff said, “While the sheep farm is the nucleus of the brand by its very nature, there are so many different things Velvet Sheep Farms has to offer. Consequently, as the property is improved so too is the capacity expanded and the overall guest experience enriched.”
The SCEDC, with its extensive business experience and resources, was able to assist Lundgren-Dolan and Scharff in seeing their vision through for Velvet Sheep Farms Bed and Breakfast, while also assisting with the fundamentals of launching a business.
“It is so wonderful that we found the SCEDC as a resource and have had the opportunity to learn and grow so much as a business under the SCEDC’s tutelage,” Lundgren-Dolan said. “It is so empowering to learn from those who have been there before and know what knowledge is critical for success. I would definitely point anyone looking to make their dreams a reality in the direction of Ray York and the SCEDC when they begin their undertaking”
Looking ahead, Lundgren-Dolan and Scharff have many long-terms goals for Velvet Sheep Farms, including repairing and redeveloping the old wooden barn on-site, continuing to improve Velvet Sheep Farms’ grounds, and growing its woolen goods business.
Lundgren-Dolan and Scharff are working hard to incorporate their idea for Velvet Sheep Farms into the local community and the rich heritage of the area. They hope that by expanding and developing their bed and breakfast, they can preserve the community’s traditions and welcome anyone interested in learning more about the culture that surrounds Velvet Sheep Farms.
“Velvet Sheep Farms really is dependent upon the overall ecosystem of the local community, and of course is directly entwined with strong economic vitality. It is reliant on the myriad of events and activities Sheboygan County offers to draw people in who are seeking a place to stay or explore. Afterall, it’s the vibrant culture of the community that makes people seek out the area and ultimately choose to stay at a place like Velvet Sheep Farms,” Lundgren-Dolan said.
To learn more about the Velvet Sheep Farms, visit www.VelvetSheepFarms.com or email VelvetSheepFarms@gmail.com. For more information about the SCEDC’s entrepreneurial services, call (920) 452-2479 or email Ray York at York@sheboygancountyedc.com.
The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is a public-private partnership leading economic, community, and workforce development efforts in Sheboygan County to improve the well-being and long-term prosperity of businesses, residents, and communities. Through technical assistance, the SCEDC leverages a variety of tools to encourage business growth, startups, investment, skill development, and talent attraction. By applying the appropriate resources, the SCEDC helps fulfill Sheboygan County’s growing economic and business needs.
