Meet the Burke Family
Meet the Burke Family
A Q&A with Nick Burke, owner of Go Mini's of Madison!
Can you tell me a bit about your background and how you got started with Go Mini’s?
My entire career was in sales and sales leadership in a variety of different industries. I always had an interest in a moving and storage business, and Go Mini’s had the most competitive differentiators and advantages to rise to the top.
What inspired you to start this business and what sets it apart from others in the industry?
After decades of working in the corporate world, I needed to pursue my dream of running my own business, being my own boss, and having more personal face-to-face interactions with my customers. Go Mini’s is locally owned and operated, provides the best in customer service, and is the only national storage franchise to offer the largest 20’ container available, among other benefits.
How long has your business been operating, and how has it evolved since its inception?
Other than all of the groundwork that occurred beforehand, Go Mini’s of Madison started offering containers for rent in October of 2021. It has been a focus to do something everyday to drive the business forward, whether that is marketing, networking, digital presence, or boots on the ground building relationships in our community.
What are the biggest challenges you've faced as a business owner in this industry?
Portable storage is still a fairly new concept, so helping people realize the value of its convenience is ongoing. Also, Go Mini’s is a brand completely new to South Central Wisconsin, so making sure that we are on everyone’s radar is a focus. In addition, WI winter has impacts here, unlike some other Go Mini’s locations in warmer climates. We’re always here, we’re always on, and always willing to help.
What do you enjoy most about being a business owner, and what keeps you motivated despite the challenges?
I enjoy the variety of duties that the business brings. I wear many hats, from accounting, marketing, social media, etc, but what I enjoy the most is what gets me out of the office and moving around, like assembling containers, managing my lot and inventory, and delivering containers while interacting with customers. It’s especially rewarding to give back to our community. We have been able to support some great non-profit and charitable organizations with our business.
Get to know Nick & Dawn Burke
Coffee or tea (or other)?
Dawn enjoys morning coffee, but Nick doesn’t drink either.
What's your favorite sports team?
I’m a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. I can vividly recall the voices of Steve Stone and Harry Caray on WGN while watching games with my Grandpa when I was little. There’s also nothing like a trip to Wrigley.
Do you have a favorite tradition?
Instead of dealing with retail, we reserve the Friday after Thanksgiving for putting up Christmas decorations. The kids get excited for Kiddie Cocktails and Christmas music as we decorate the house and put up our Christmas tree.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spend time with family. Family vacations, camping on the weekends, or even game and movie nights at home.
What would be your dream vacation?
We prefer trips to anywhere with a beach, but we would like to explore more internationally.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dawn: If there are no consequences (health, weight gain), Mac & Cheese, otherwise, Salmon.
Nick: There isn’t only one thing I could commit to.
Meet the Burke Kids
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Cash: Florida
Ella: In a Mansion with my parents
Cal: Mexico
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Cash: A drummer
Ella: A daycare provider and a nurse
Cal: Football player
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cash: Pizza
Ella: Everything that we eat on Thanksgiving
Cal: Ham sandwich
What's your favorite holiday?
Cash: Christmas
Ella: Christmas
Cal: Christmas
If you had a time machine where would you go?
Cash: To the 80’s, mainly for the music
Ella: To go back and spend time with Great-Grandma before she passed
Cal: To the 90’s, since it seems so long ago
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Cash: I don’t want to change my name
Ella: Sarah or Suzanne
Cal: Max
What is something that makes your family special?
Cash: Owning our own business.
Ella: That we celebrate a lot of holidays with our family
Cal: When we play games together
If you had to pick a theme song to describe you, what would it be?
Cash: Not sure.
Ella: Unstoppable, by Sia
Cal: *Giggles* Crazy Train, by Ozzy
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Cash: To be indestructible
Ella: To fly
Cal: Invisibility