By Deb Kroon
Review Staff Writer
Lisa Kruger and her daughter Brooke Echter can take just about anything and make it into some form of art. This past spring, Lisa and Brooke decided to combine their talents and started their own company-Northern Accents-a touch of Minnesota. Lisa and her husband Ryan live in Adrian with the two younger children, Drake (13) and Jordan (8). Brooke lives in Wilmont, and Payton, the second oldest presently lives in Omaha. Lisa is employed full-time with Prairie Holding Group in Worthington, and Brooke has just started as manger of Anytime Fitness in Worthington. “It is my dream,” explained Lisa, “to open my own store. With the help of Brooke, Payton, my parents Terry and Bonnie Gregg, and of course Drake and Jordan (Ryan helps when he can), I think we have a great business, offering many types of gift items.
Lisa is a graphic designer by trade and has been developing websites for people and companies for a number of years on her own time. She does these side jobs, including her crafts, on nights and weekends, when not involved with Drake and Jordan. All of this keeps Lisa very busy. “Northern Accents has become a family venture,” Lisa explained. “Everyone helps. Dad is retired from 40+ years in the construction industry and loves to work with wood. He’s pretty amazing,” she said. “He loves to make furniture as well as smaller things. I have some of his pieces here in the house. He made our earring display rack. He also makes the frames for our art pieces. Anytime we need something, we say “hey dad.” He has decided to open his own business, and he calls it “Hey Dad,” she said with a smile. So appropriate! In Lisa’s dining room sits a log cabin Terry has built for Drake. The detail is amazing, and it can actually be played with!
Sitting in Lisa’s craft room, complete with her computer, a heat transfer machine, wood and other items used in making the gifts they sell, we looked at samples of the different products they offer. “We can do lots of things from mesh-deco wreaths (Brooke’s specialty), leather earrings, pillows, t-shirts, wood signs, car and wall decals, mugs, glasses, the list goes on. They can personalize anything for you or make something of their own design. Lisa makes her designs on the computer and then they are put onto the media you choose.
Lisa’s mom Bonnie came up with a great keep-sake after Lisa’s grandfather passed away. She took one of his button up shirts and made it into an apron. “Whenever I wear it, I feel like Grandpa’s arms are around me,” said Lisa. They have an assortment of aprons that are made up, or you can bring in a shirt for your own personal keep-sake.
Northern Accents just participated in their first show at the Dayton House in Worthington in early November. Lisa showed me some of the items they had taken over to sell. She had outdoor signs, a wide assortment of framed signs, personalized Yeti mugs, Christmas ornaments, wreaths, essential oil bracelets, t-shirts, wooden taco holders, unique bowl holders, the list goes on. They have placed some of their earrings in Closet to Closet in Adrian, Ace Hardware in Worthington and Grace Boutique ( a used closing and furniture store in Sibley, IA). Lisa also told me she plans to do classes in the future. I am sure she will have no problem filling the classes.
If you are in need of a special gift, personalized or not, check out Northern Accents. Besides the wide variety of gifts for you, they also offer logos, business cards, brochures, flyers, ads and website construction for your business or organization. You can contact Lisa or Brooke through e-mail at northernaccentsmn@gmail.com; on facebook – facebook.com/northernaccentsmn; or their website northernaccentsmn.com. They are also on instagram. They can definitely create something for all of your needs, both personal and business!
