My name is Amy Goodden. I have a BA in History from the University of South Florida and worked in the legal field in Tampa, FL for several years. In 1998, I moved to Mukwonago, WI with my husband of 32 years and two children where we added another son and and raised our family. We have been active members of our community through support of our children’s schools, sports, and music endeavors, as well as being small business owners since 2003. For several years we owned and operated a local sporting goods store; I worked in the online division. Our store sponsored many local teams and fundraising efforts through golf outings. In 2006, we opened a local music retail store in Mukwonago that offers band and orchestra rentals, lessons and instrument and accessories sales. This has been a particularly rewarding experience for me for the past decade, as I am privileged to watch musicians of every age grow and develop their skills.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to a wonderful, kind, hard-working man for nearly 32 years. We have one daughter who is a senior staff attorney for the GAO in Washington, D.C., a son who is a recording engineer, and our youngest son is a student at UW Madison, getting his BA in Piano Performance with a focus on jazz studies.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Working in the legal field, I intended to go to law school, however decided it was best for our family to stay at home with my children until they were in school full time. I absolutely love running our music store for the past ten years, as it has given my so many opportunities to connect with local schools, musicians, and artists in our community. I have also enjoyed supporting worthy causes such as Guitars for Vets.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I enjoy Fork in the Road and Antigua Real very much.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Mukwonago for 23 years and worked for our local businesses for almost that long.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
That’s a tough one because there are so many talented, generous people who I have had the pleasure of meeting. I feel extremely blessed and thankful to be part of such a resourceful, supportive community like Mukwonago.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I am a history nerd, so every trip we taken integrates history in some way. I think our next trip will be to Greece and surrounding islands.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My husband and I enjoy historical documentaries and thriller/suspense films. A good comedy is always a welcome escape as well.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I tell people to be their authentic selves, live according to their principles, and always try to consider the greater good when making decisions.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to travel to Albuquerque, NM for the Hot Air Balloon Festival in October.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Hmm… another tough one. Depends on my mood, but love Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Radio Head, The National, Guster…. You get the point…
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I love that The Music Cafe is located in a historical building that was once Charlie’s Shake Shop! Love hearing stories about her business and all of the local history in Mukwonago. In fact, one of the first things we did when we moved to Mukwonago was visit the local history museum.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
So many…. but one person who I have long admired is Nelson Mandela because in spite of all that he suffered, he still promoted diplomatic conflict resolution based upon forgiveness.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that we come together to make decisions that benefit the young people in our community, like the referendum for the high school renovations.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I think I will still be running The Music Cafe, and trying to do my part to contribute to our community.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I enjoy being creative, and my dream skill would be to learn how to blow glass and dance… not at the same time, of course.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Wales, U.K. is probably one of the most beautiful countries that I have ever visited.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I enjoy Autumn – just wish it would last longer. Favorite holiday would likely be Thanksgiving.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
When people set aside their difference to work toward a common goal is likely to earn my 10 out of 10 rating.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Usually our students who deal with all sorts of challenges but never give up inspire me to be better.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Two of my favorite smells are fresh cut grass and pepper. Weird, I know.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Respite, Love
