Wine country in east central Illinois?  Sure, why not!  At least that's what Joe and Dawn Taylor said when starting second careers in the Illinois wine industry.  Joe, having been self-employed most of his life, wanted to start something new and Dawn, having always worked for someone else was ready to try something new too.  The result?  Sleepy Creek Vineyards!

Joe and Dawn started the vineyard in 2002 and opened the winery in 2007.  Growing 10 acres of grapes is hard but rewarding work, especially when the efforts result in a enjoyable glass of wine. 

There is no better way to experience wine than right here from the source.  You will often find Joe or Dawn behind the bar or one of the friendly staff pouring complimentary wine tastings.  After your tasting, you can enjoy a glass or bottle of wine, a Goose Island craft beer or soda or a smooth cup of Raven's Brew coffee while browsing the gift shop, the upstairs art gallery or relaxing inside or outside.  Bring a picnic or purchase some of our sausage, cheese and crackers here.  Lastly, if they aren't too busy, they would be happy to show you the winery and talk about the wine making process.  Hope you can join in on the interview!

But for the last 17 years, she has also owned her own business, A to Z Painting in Savoy.

Now her company has been honored as Small Business of the Year at the annual meeting of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.

"Carol and A to Z Painting have gone out of their way to help various organizations around town and help develop a stronger work force coming out of school," said Kevin Yonce of TCT&A Industries, who nominated her for the award.

ZuHone said she started A to Z in 1994 because "I needed something to put me through grad school that was flexible."

At the time, she was pursuing a master's degree in public administration from Governors State University, with an emphasis in education. The university offered classes locally at Parkland College.

In the years since, ZuHone has taught introductory courses in marketing, business and advertising at Parkland.

But she continues to own A to Z Painting.

"At first, I was doing 100 percent of (the painting)," ZuHone said. "Now, I'd say I'm doing 10 percent."

A to Z employs a full-time painter, Chris Stewart, through the year and hires part-time help in summer, when demand for exterior painting is high.

Most of the company's work is residential, but "every once in a while we do a commercial job," she said.

ZuHone had done some painting before opening A to Z. She had worked for Ross Merkle at K&R Painting from May to November of 1994 and started her business in December of that year.

"I learned a lot working for Ross Merkle and just had a knack for it," she said.

It wasn't her first shot at business. She had owned the Baskin-Robbins store at Prospect and Kirby avenues in Champaign from 1986 to 1994.

"I had always wanted to own my own business when I was young, and it was one of those opportunities that fell into my lap," she said.

ZuHone said she had frequented the store, and "it just happened the guy was getting ready to sell it."

But operating a franchise business had limitations, and ZuHone found being the sole proprietor of A to Z easier because she could set her own rules.

The toughest thing about starting the painting business was "learning how to market myself," she said.

"I took some marketing classes at Parkland and some classes to learn about being a business owner," she said.

She also got involved with the Chamber of Commerce and an array of groups and clubs.

"You've got to be out," ZuHone said. "My line is, 'See and be seen.'"

A to Z's biggest single project was painting 120 apartments. But there were also lean times for the business.

"The worst time was when I was constantly struggling to make sure I had enough work for everybody, and people just were not spending," she said.

ZuHone said her painting business peaked about six years ago, and she decided to back off a bit. She said she wants to have free time with family and friends and hopes to become a full-time instructor someday.

ZuHone said business dropped in 2009 as a result of the recession, and she responded by marketing herself more and advertising more.

"Never back off the advertising in this economy," she said. "You just can't."

Business picked up to "unbelievable" levels in 2010, she said, and this year's demand for painting has been "steady — probably the same as last year."

ZuHone, who grew up in Mattoon, came from a business-oriented family. Her father and mother, William and Marlene ZuHone, live in Mattoon, and her father is an oil producer.

Carol ZuHone got her bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1983, majoring in communications and minoring in journalism.

In succeeding years, she was a disc jockey at a Charleston radio station, worked for a caterer in the Mattoon area and worked for Montgomery Ward in Mattoon one Christmas season.

Later, she was a drafter for Architectural Spectrum in Champaign for a year. She has also been a tennis instructor for the Champaign Park District and a grounds keeper for the University of Illinois golf courses.

Married to Jim Fish, ZuHone has been active in the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and in Champaign West Rotary Club.

She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on three houses, two in Champaign County and one in Georgia. She has also given time to Junior Achievement and classes at Central High School.

ZuHone is a big booster of baseball, having served on the board of the Champaign County Colts and as a committee member for the University of Illinois Dugout Club, which supports the UI baseball team.