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