New ownership, small business grant for Uptown Girl

Matthew Day

Staff

May 18, 2026

KAUKAUNA – Kaukauna native and entrepreneur Taylor Hennes said she began working at Closet 612 – a boutique owned by Kristy Stumpf – in 2016, just six months after it opened. 

As The Business News reported in its Sept. 5, 2023 issue, Stumpf later purchased the longtime home of Uptown Cuts, preserving the salon while merging it with her boutique to create Uptown Girl Beauty & Boutique.

Hennes said for her working in the building felt especially meaningful because of its ties to both Kaukauna and her personal history. 

“Growing up here, I knew how important this place was,” she said. “It was always a hair salon when I was growing up. I even got my hair cut here since I was eight years old.” 

Hennes said that connection deepened in 2023, when Stumpf approached her about taking over Uptown Girl as she looked toward retirement.

Though she had grown into a larger role over the years, Hennes said ownership still felt like a big leap.

“I was 28, and it’s hard to feel ready for something like that,” she said. 

But Hennes said Stumpf reassured her that she was capable of taking over because she had already been helping run the business for years.

“So, Jan. 1, 2025, was my first day officially as owner,” she said.

In addition to the financial commitment and wearing “47 hats” as the business’s sole employee (“all of the stylists are independent contractors”), Hennes said she feels a “humbling” sense of responsibility in upholding Uptown Girl as a Kaukauna institution. 

“I really can’t think about it too much, because I think it overwhelmed me a bit, just because I grew up knowing what this place was [from] coming here, and how important it was for all the ladies in the community,” she said. 

Hennes said her approach to ownership has amounted to a combination of carrying forth the torch from Stumpf while also adding her personal touch. 

She said Stumpf is like “a second mom” to her. 

“She babysat me since I was six months old,” she said. “I was in her sons’ weddings – her sons are like my brothers, so it’s really family.”  

Hennes said Stumpf still helps out at Uptown Girl when she can and remains a regular source of advice as she continues building on the foundation the former owner created.

“I want to uphold that legacy, and then slowly make it my own over time, because I feel like [when] businesses are not trying new things, you’re just going to slow down,” she said. “I’m constantly throwing stuff at the wall [and seeing what sticks], but I’m going for a healthy balance of change and continuing the community she built.” 

Hennes said the former owner of Uptown Cuts, Jodi Bruecker, has also remained with the business as a longtime stylist. 

“It’s so helpful having Jodi still here, too,” she said. “She’s a great business brain.” 

Dreaming big 

As part of her efforts to keep Uptown Girl going strong, Hennes said she has continually applied for small business grants. 

“[With a] small business, obviously, there are ups and downs, and you have good years and bad years,” she said. 

After years of Uptown Girl supporting the community with drives for school supplies and shoes for kids, Hennes said she sought her own financial support for the salon/boutique, particularly from the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce.  

She said she had applied for the chamber’s Small Business-Dream Big Award “many times,” but had yet to be selected. 

“I just kind of thought, ‘It’s never going to happen,’” she said. 

When a friend’s disability service, Unseen Abilities, won the grant last year, Hennes said she was encouraged to try one final time. 

“[I thought], ‘Maybe I’ll get it,’” she said, “and sure enough, I got it.” 

Hennes said it was “a great thing” to receive the award – which is sponsored by TDS – and experience the encouragement of others investing in Uptown Girl. 

“It’s very affirming, and makes you feel like you’re on the right path, that other people are buying into what you believe in and what you’re selling,” she said. 

As part of the application, Hennes said she was required to specify how she would invest the $2,500 award. 

“This year, I wanted to invest in our beauty professionals – the stylists, the nail artist, lash artist and aesthetician – because this place doesn’t exist without them,” she said. “So, I am choosing to invest that grant money into the salon side of things.” 

New chairs, lighting and mirrors, Hennes said, are among the primary plans for the upgrades she intends to implement this fall. 

A special anniversary 

Also in the works for Uptown Girl this summer, Hennes said, is a 10th anniversary party for the boutique/salon.

“We’ll be having some sort of bash in July,” she said. 

The anniversary, Hennes said, coincides with her personal milestone of a decade with Uptown Girl. 

For more information on Uptown Girl and for updates on the anniversary, visit uptowngirlbeautyandboutique.com.