Business Awards Luncheon

2025 Small Business Owners of the Year

Mike and DeNae Hiltner, Great Harvest Bread Company

In 1998, Mike and DeNae Hiltner took a trip to Montana, where they were introduced to Great Harvest Bread Company. They soon learned of available franchise rights in Central Minnesota through an owner in Portland, Wash. With Mike’s passion for baking and a dream of owning a business, it was the perfect opportunity.

Looking to invest in real estate, the Hiltners purchased and remodeled their location, giving it its distinctive barn and silo appearance and the opportunity to lease out half the building, currently to a salon. They opened Great Harvest in January of 2000, initially partnering with the Portland-based franchise until buying them out two years later. Drawn to the franchise’s strong community focus, they embraced its “freedom franchise” model, allowing owners to bake what they want while sharing recipes and ideas. The franchise has a group-buy that requires all locations to use wheat from Montana’s Golden Triangle, milling it onsite daily for consistently high-quality flour. The Hiltner’s bakery quickly became the top-performing location, and Mike spent over 15 years traveling to train other Great Harvest owners.

Mike loves the art and science baking process – turning simple ingredients into something delicious. Every item is made from scratch and by hand and the workdays start early, with dough-mixing beginning at 4:30 a.m. While Mike enjoys the hands-on baking, DeNae thrives in the front of house, working with staff and customers. She jokes that, despite owning a bakery, she doesn’t even bake at home.

Great Harvest started with just six breads and one cookie on the menu but has expanded to eight regular breads, nine regular sweets, and a large variety of other goods. Catering launched in 2015 and has become a major part of the business, often filling four or more large orders for sandwiches and salads per week. Mike and the baking staff experiment with new recipes to meet changing customer trends and seasonal favorites like pumpkin flavors in the fall and honey bunnies at Easter. They even recently relaunched sourdough bread on the menu. Their commitment to fostering a welcoming, family-like environment extends to their staff, often hiring multiple members of the same family or friend groups. Former employees even ask to return to help during busy holiday seasons.

On the rare occasion that they bake a surplus, inventory is carried for one day and then the rest is donated to area nonprofits such as Poor Clare Monastery of Sauk Rapids and Anna Marie’s Alliance, among many others. The Hiltners seldom say no to donating product to area organizations. They’ve given their time and product to many, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, the March of Dimes and St. Cloud State University.

Prioritizing family has always been their goal—they’ve never missed their children’s events and now focus on work-life balance over saving on labor costs. They may eventually sell the bakery and keep the real estate, but for now, they’re embracing the journey.

Committed to the St. Cloud community, the Hiltners give back through donations and volunteer efforts, all while quietly building a successful business known as “your neighborhood bread store.” Their dedication to quality, service, and community involvement over the last 26 years in business has earned Great Harvest Bread Company recognition as the 2025 St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

2024 BUSINESS CENTRAL MARK OF EXCELLENCE:

2025 Family-Owned Business

Doug Dingmann Jr. and Deb Dingmann, Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes

For more than 150 years, the people behind Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes have served generations of families across Central Minnesota with compassion, integrity, and dedication. What began as a small-town funeral service has grown into nine locations across the region, with a business deeply rooted in community tradition while embracing the evolving needs of the families it serves.

The Dingmann family’s legacy dates back to 1909, when John Dingmann operated a hardware store in Clear Lake that also offered funeral services in a chapel above the shop. Over the years, his son, Frunce, expanded the business, carrying on the tradition of care and commitment. Meanwhile, the Tschumperlin family established one of St. Cloud’s earliest funeral homes in 1873, a business that later came under the ownership of Barney Williams after World War II. These two family-run operations eventually merged in 2008, forming Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes.

Now led by fourth-generation siblings Doug Jr. and Deb Dingmann, the company remains committed to providing personalized, meaningful services. With a dedicated staff of 35 full-time employees, the family continues to innovate while honoring its history. The fifth generation is already stepping into the business, ensuring that the tradition of service will carry on for years to come.

Over the decades, funeral traditions have evolved, and Williams Dingmann has adapted to meet those changes. Today, approximately 60 percent of families opt for cremation over traditional burial services. Recognizing this shift, the family invested in their own crematorium and launched a sister company, Cremations A Simple Way, offering affordable, no-service cremation options. They have also remodeled their St. Cloud location to reflect changing preferences, replacing casket rooms with smaller displays and expanded gathering spaces.

While the industry has changed dramatically, their mission remains the same: to provide comfort and guidance during life’s most difficult moments. Whether it’s a simple cremation or a full-service funeral, Williams Dingmann is there to help families honor their loved ones in a way that feels right for them.

Beyond their business, the Dingmanns are deeply involved in the Central Minnesota community. Doug spent 25 years as a volunteer firefighter in Sauk Rapids, and the family actively supports the Knights of Columbus, church groups, and other local organizations. They also provide assistance to families who are unable to afford funeral services, ensuring that no one is turned away in their time of need.

As Williams Dingmann looks to the future, expansion remains an option, though hiring new professionals is a growing challenge. The University of Minnesota remains the state’s only school offering a mortuary science degree, and Williams Dingmann has taken an active role in supporting students through mentorship and tuition assistance in hopes of strengthening the industry’s future workforce.

They continue to be a pillar of support in Central Minnesota, carrying forward a legacy that spans five generations through growth and compassion. That is why Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes has been named the 2025 Business Central Mark of Excellence: Family-Owned Business of the Year presented by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

2025 Entrepreneurial Success Award

Jim Beck and John Malikowski, Modern Barnyard

Jim Beck and John Malikowski have always fostered an entrepreneurial spirit. Their journey truly began as co-owners of Blooming Creations. A floral and gift shop located in St. Cloud, they co-owned the business for 11 years before selling it in 2014. After taking a brief break from business ownership, they discovered their next venture while watching the HGTV show Flea Market Flip, where the cast would search and refurbish antique furniture. That idea led to the creation of Modern Barnyard. Realizing a need for quaility unqiue home decor in Central Minnesota, they launched a business that combines refurbished furniture with new home decor to offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

Determined to own rather than rent their business space, they purchased two adjacent buildings – a former auto shop and a fish house workshop – on the west St. Cloud. Despite needing a lot of renovation, the prime location on County Road 75 was worth it. In 2017, Modern Barnyard opened its doors. The store quickly gained a following, and Jim and John developed an innovative booth rental model, allowing independent home decor sellers to showcase their products. Sellers price their own items, Modern Barnyard facilitates the sales, and in return, sellers contribute by working in the store and promoting it on social media. Today, the store has 12 vendor booths, accounting for about 10 percent of its retail space.

As business grew, Jim and John considered opening a second location but ultimately decided to expand their current space instead. In 2023, they completed a major expansion, adding 5,000 square feet of retail, workshop, and storage space, bringing the store’s total footprint to 12,000 square feet. They also renovated and expanded their parking lot to accommodate increased customer traffic.

Like all business owners, they have faced challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they adapted by offering private shopping experiences, expanding their online store, and developing gift box packages. In late 2023, their busiest season was disrupted when a bridge closure in front of their store led to a large drop in sales. Despite extensive marketing efforts, it was a tough period, but they persevered, relying on their strong customer base and creativity to push through.

Beyond their business success, Jim and John are deeply committed to giving back to the community. They support several local organizations, including the American Cancer Society, INDY Foundation, Anna Marie’s Alliance, and the Tri-County Humane Society. Their passion for both business and community engagement has made Modern Barnyard a standout in the St. Cloud area.

Modern Barnyard co-owners Jim Beck and John Malikowski have not only built and sold a successful business in Blooming Creations, but they have also created another thriving business that has become a regional destination for home decor and furniture, blending creativity with entrepreneurial resilience. Their passion for their loyal customers and the Central Minnesota community along with their successful growth over the years has earned Modern Barnyard the 2025 St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Success Award.