Jo Ellen Madden

My favorite part of Town Square is the PEOPLE. I find such joy in working with incredible volunteers and bringing the people together for all sorts of fun and enriching activities.

Jo Ellen grew up in a small town similar to Green Lake called Stockton, IL. Along with three brothers, she was raised in a very musical environment, leading to chasing her passion as a piano teacher/choir director after leaving corporate life to begin a family. She studied music and business at Illinois Wesleyan and has always enjoyed the creative and organizational sides of life. Upon marrying her sweet husband Sean in 1988, they began visiting his parents in Green Lake, eventually leading to building their home in 2004. In 2009, with neighbor friends, Mary Jo Johnson and Mary Rowley created the Downtown Green Lake Renewal Project, which merged with Town Square in 2015.  

“My favorite part of Town Square is the PEOPLE. I find such joy in working with incredible volunteers and bringing the people together for all sorts of fun and enriching activities.”  

As part of this networking and knowing how vital entrepreneurs are to our community, Jo Ellen jumped into being a mentor through Town Square’s Business Solutions, sharing her knowledge of marketing. Town Square’s Business Solutions works with entrepreneurs, service providers, capital connections, and other resources to launch new businesses and grow existing companies that will create sustainable jobs.  

One of Jo Ellens, biggest successes has been working with a local photographer, Jeremy Stibb. 

Jeremy and I have been friends for a long time, and when he began showing me his photography, I was super impressed. He had thought about a photography business but needed guidance. He registered for Town Square Business Solutions, and he has steadily worked through the program with me.

Jeremy will be exhibiting his work and launching JSTIBB PHOTOGRAPHY on Friday, August 7, in the Town Square Lobby Artist Reception from 5-6 p.m. Here is your chance to find a piece of Green Lake to take home with you!  


Town Square Business Solutions

Have you dreamed of starting your own business or would like to take your current business to the next level? Are you a successful business person who would like to mentor a new or existing business? Visit Town Square Business Solutions for more information.