Katie Oilschlager never thought she'd own a business. Now, she owns Wisconsin's largest indoor canine education, exercise and sports complex, and is a proud graduate of the Packers Mentor-Protégé program.

Her company, Think Pawsitive, LLC, located in Waukesha, Wis., provides a variety of services to dogs and their owners to help them live happy, healthy and enjoyable lives together.

Oilschlager's love for animals started at a young age. At 9 years old, she joined a local 4-H program, where she learned about animal care and training. When Oilschlager found herself looking to establish a career after one year as an active member of the Air National Guard, it was a no-brainer to pursue a future that allowed her to work with animals.

Oilschlager started out as a dog groomer, working for grooming shops, but soon decided to venture off and rent her own space in a veterinary clinic – her first taste of entrepreneurship.

Teaching dogs how to behave on the grooming table, and to be comfortable being handled, developed her interest in animal behavior. It was in 2007 that, after participating in programs and internships related to that field, Oilschlager took a leap of faith.

"I decided that grooming was fun, but I wanted to be able to go ahead and communicate and share a bigger piece with the dogs, so that's how I got into dog training. So, I sold (the grooming) business and started Think Pawsitive out of my home."

After one of Oilschlager's dogs suffered an injury, she started to look for opportunities to provide canine conditioning as a way to prevent injuries while training. "That's what then really got me interested in growing Think Pawsitive, and providing clients with not only the education piece, but the exercise piece, too."

In 2009, Oilschlager began to look for a building to rent where she could install an indoor swimming pool for dogs.

"Most of it has evolved along the way based on experiences with my own dogs or with client dogs that have added services or made me look for educational pieces to help Think Pawsitive grow," Oilschlager explained.

Think Pawsitive's facility now features several large training rooms that hold over 65 classes each week and offer a variety of workshops and seminars. It houses a canine water treadmill, along with a swim center and a 41-foot-by-21-foot pool for dock diving, endurance training, rehabilitation and interactive play. Additionally, an 8,500-square-foot, artificially turfed arena hosts approximately 40 canine sports or activities each year, drawing hundreds of competitors, spectators and dog enthusiasts from around the Midwest.

Always looking for ways to grow and strengthen her business, Oilschlager sought out coaching programs, leading her to the Packers Mentor-Protégé program.

The program matches established mentor companies that can provide technical, managerial, financial or other guidance with protégés seeking to improve their competitive standing. The partnerships aim to foster business growth, economic development and job creation in Wisconsin.

"I was in another coaching program, and someone had recommended the Packers Mentor-Protégé program, and how much mentors gave back and coached you through your experiences versus more material-based," Oilschlager said. "I thought, 'Wow, this is a great fit for me.' Kinda where my business is going, I've done a lot of the homework on creating systems and (organizational) charts and setting up my financials, but now what do I do with all of this stuff? And be able to grow the business and problem-solve some of the things I'm dealing with in the business that's not your ordinary, cookie-cutter things."

Upon applying and being accepted into the program, Oilschlager was paired with Tara Carr, director of the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center. The SBDC – a federally funded program – offers "no cost, confidential counseling to people who either want to start a business, have a business or could possibly be trying to retire or create a succession plan for the next phase of their life," said Carr.

With Carr's professional experience and understanding of the Mentor-Protégé program from her more than three years of involvement, the two were able to work on several aspects of Think Pawsitive during their time together.

"With Katie, she was already an established business (owner), and has a very strong business, so spending time with her, it was really refining what her business plan was and how she's going to get there," Carr said. "So that growth was really about managing finances, it was about understanding her revenue streams and her cash flow and controlling some of her costs. We worked on things like pricing, really focusing on the products and services that she offers. And so, if she is going to offer a discount on a product or a training, that it was very strategic, and she could afford to do it and it made sense to do it."

For Oilschlager, the biggest help Carr provided was leadership advice. Oilschlager admitted that before participating in the program, she had trouble delegating tasks to her staff and letting them see projects through until the end on their own. Carr's mentorship helped her "get out of their way, meet with them, let them have the position and hold them accountable for that."

In March, this year's participants gathered at Lambeau Field to celebrate the 13th year of pairing established mentor companies with growing protégé companies and the impact it has on communities across Wisconsin. In the 13 years of the program, more than 422 full- and part-time jobs have been created across the 140 protégé companies in 46 different Wisconsin communities. Additionally, participants have increased their annual revenue by a combined $105.9 million.

"The Green Bay Packers' Mentor-Protégé Program exemplifies how a sports franchise can drive significant economic impact beyond the playing field," said Anna Steinfest, who administers the program and serves as President/CEO of AFF Research, LLC, a supplier diversity consulting firm in Green Bay. "Leveraging their unique status as the only community-owned NFL team, the Packers have created a powerful initiative that pairs emerging businesses with experienced mentors, fostering innovation and growth in Wisconsin's business landscape.

"This program not only equips small businesses, particularly those owned by underrepresented groups, with essential tools and networks for success but also strengthens the entire regional economy."

Both Carr and Oilschlager were honored for their work in the program, taking home Most Valuable Mentor and Most Valuable Protégé, respectively.

"I was really surprised," Carr said. "We have such a great mentor team… There's just so many great people. It was great that my mentees from last year and this year were both chosen for Mentee of the Year. But it was still a surprise to me. I was very humbled by it, but also very grateful and happy to do whatever I can do to help build the economy and contribute to job creation and help retain the businesses that we do have. So, for me, it's much more about the mission, but it's always nice to be appreciated," she said.

Oilschlager added, "I was not prepared and shocked! But I was completely honored. I worked a lot personally on myself. Everyone in the program was working hard. I was honored and thrilled to have that and I'm just very grateful for it. I was not expecting it to come, but I did do a lot of work and my team was happy. My team has really helped bring on those challenges and work through those challenges, and I'm grateful for it."

Oilschlager recommends participating in the Packers Mentor-Protégé program to any business owner.

"I highly recommend the program. Obviously, what you put into it is what you're going to get out of it. The mentors are there and go overboard – in a good way – to help you be successful. They are truly all passionate, and if they don't know the answer they are willing to find a resource within their community to help you," Oilschlager said.

The Packers Mentor-Protégé program is seeking mentors and protégés alike. Established businesses looking for a way to give back are encouraged to apply as mentors, while emerging businesses looking to grow and develop are encouraged to apply as protégés. All application forms can be found here.