Fox Cities entrepreneur Tom Dunsirn, owner of Sunset Hill Stoneware, found the perfect home for his business in Neenah.
Tom Dunsirn is the owner of Sunset Hill Stoneware in Neenah, which is one of the largest producers of handcrafted mugs in the country. With over 40 employees, a 16,000-square-foot production facility and warehouse, and custom-engineered equipment, the company is an asset to the community.
Dunsirn was born and raised in Neenah, and thought it was the ideal place to stay and open Sunset Hill in 1998. Here’s what he has to say about being an entrepreneur and calling the region home.
Why did you stay in Neenah instead of choosing a different location for your business?
My family has a lot of entrepreneurs in it, and I wanted to be my own boss. I had a friend who taught me about production pottery, and I just ran with it and kept growing. We produce custom stoneware mugs featuring brands and logos. Everything we do is made by hand and starts as a lump of clay.
One thing that made me stay in Neenah is the strong work ethic of the people in the Fox Cities. It’s a great place to raise a family. The community is full of hardworking people, the cost of living is affordable and there’s lots to do outdoors.
What are some of the things that you attribute to your success?
We have great employees, which helps tremendously. I couldn’t do it all by myself. My father is my mentor, engineer, banker and everything else. His leadership is the biggest reason that we’ve stayed in business and have grown throughout the years. We’ve done things from an engineering and safety standpoint that most Fortune 500 companies would be jealous of. The way we operate our facility, the clean air standards, the safety of the equipment and the factory’s cleanliness have all factored into our success, too.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments as a business owner?
We just celebrated 25 years last September, and I think making it to that mark was huge because it’s not easy to run any business – let alone run a business that does everything by hand with no machines. It’s a real milestone for us. Another is the quality products that we produce that are sold in national parks across the United States, beautiful resorts and high-end museums. The customer base is diverse and intriguing. That’s what makes me get up every day and keep going.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Have a solid business plan to be able to adapt, adjust and overcome. Not every day will be the same, so you have to be able to run with it – good or bad – and do it all over again. Have a good team around you. Don’t confuse effort for results. Stay at it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
By Rebecca Treon on August 20, 2024
Livability Magazine
