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WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022
2022 Women of Achievement nominees in Business AbbiePack
Abbie leads the Intern Program teaching business to youth, developing and encouraging entrepreneurship by providing hiring opportunities to local high schools and community colleges, giving students firsthand experience learning professional skills and what it takes to run a busi- ness. Her keen business acumen makes this downtown busi- ness a destination with great local identity. Abbie can take on big tasks and makes them look easy. She is a working mother who also volunteers and runs the School Store at the high school to help raise money for the Booster Club. She is president of the Booster Club. Abbie has the propensity for connecting the community, enhancing and amplifying the culture of it to make it more enriched, and generating new ideas to create character and diversity. “Someone with such influence and leadership ability, yet a personality of someone just ‘behind the scenes’ is worth acknowledging and is most definitely someone con- sidered to be a Woman of Achievement,” Anderson wrote.
Nominator: Christine Anderson
Abbie Pack manages and has been with Hirschfeld’s for over 15 years. “She recognizes and cherishes what she does,” nominator Christine Anderson said. Anderson describes Abbie as “a humble, self-effacing Woman of Achievement that I find impossible not to con- sider successful. She will not toot her own horn, but I can confidently shine a light on her influence of leadership to business and our community. “She says, ‘I like my work — small business allows you to make an impact on the community and you can make a difference,’ which I honestly believe she does.” “Work for people, not just your products” is Abbie’s state of mind, and the relationships she cultivates along with her vested inter- est in the community doing well demonstrate that. Abbie has been responsible for growth and diversification of the business including an expansion of the store and cre- ating two other venues: Harbor Lights and Venue304. “There has always been a vibrant energy in the store and Abbie remembers everyone’s names,” Anderson said.
Laura Sedlacek
not just Lincoln and Omaha,” Keenan wrote. “With Laura’s background and work ethic, we were awarded one store and opened in late November 2013, one of the first Dunkin’s to open in Nebraska.” From the opening of Dunkin’, the store has always been a top five store in revenue in the four-state area, and one of the most successful stores in almost all categories in the country, according to Curtis Roberts, past director of Dunkin’ for the western United States. “While North Platte is a great town for commerce, with a strategic location on the interstate, it would not have hap- pened without her leadership and vision,” Keenan said. “Early on we were offered to be the franchisee of the en- tire state of South Dakota for Dunkin’,” he said. “Laura made a decision she just wanted to serve the community of North Platte. This is just one more reason for her to be con- sidered for the 2022 Women of Achievement.” Laura has a work ethic that is second to none. For the first three years Dunkin’ was open, Laura had a second job. This required her to get up about 3 a.m. to deliver The Telegraph to carriers, and then make sure the store was open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nominator: DanKeenan
Laura Sedlacek is manager and part owner of Dunkin’ in North Platte. She is very committed to North Platte and the surrounding area, says her business partner, Dan Keenan. She has held countless fundraisers for various groups, do- nating a portion of profits from Dunkin’s Tuesday sales to worthy causes. She is a big promoter of Cops on the Roof, a fundraiser for Special Olympics. The North Platte store has raised more money than any other store in her district, Keenan said. She has provided outstanding leadership at her store and contributed her knowledge and experience to help oth- er ownership groups throughout her district, making her store a success and the Dunkin’ brand a very economical enterprise in her four-state district. Also, Laura has con- tributed countless time and energy to other local endeavors, donating her time, money and product for the benefit of the community. “In 2013, Laura met with Corporate Dunkin’ in Kansas City and requested to reopen Dunkin in North Platte and
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