FULL ESTEEM AHEAD:
Discover the Untold Story of Joe Balthazor
Hard Work. Hustle. Heart.
Joe’s story will change how you see success.
Ever wonder how a farm kid from Wisconsin becomes a powerhouse entrepreneur?
In Full Esteem Ahead: The Joe Balthazor Story, you’ll follow him from the dusty lanes of a small‑town farm to becoming a respected industry leader. This 80+ year journey proves that grit, grace, and community can rewrite any story. Born the eldest of eight, he shouldered responsibility early—working to help his family, carving a path with calloused hands and an unshakable belief in better days ahead. Along the way, anxiety and low self‑esteem tested his resolve, yet friendship, mentorship, and sheer perseverance turned challenges into chapters of growth.
As a father of eight—six children and two beloved stepchildren—and a proud grandparent to many, he built a legacy rooted in love and example. Marathon finish lines became symbols of endurance; public service as an alderman reflected a life lived for others. In business, he rose to prominence in building‑materials wholesale distribution, ultimately selling his company to form an ESOP—sharing success with those who helped create it. It’s a true rags‑to‑riches arc, powered not by luck alone but by relentless hard work, humility, and the courage to keep going when the road turned steep.
Readers will find themselves cheering through setbacks and savoring triumphs, taking away practical wisdom on leadership, resilience, and the quiet strength of showing up—day after day. If you’re seeking a story that leaves you motivated to tackle your own next mile, this book delivers: honest, heart‑forward, and utterly energizing. Pick it up, and let it remind you that extraordinary lives are forged from ordinary beginnings—one determined step at a time.
Pick up this biography today and discover what it really takes to turn hard work into a legacy.
About the Authors
Jack Henke
Jack co-founded Henke & Associates, Inc. in 1987 with his father, the late Bill Henke. Today, he provides senior-level strategic guidance and top-tier creative direction for clients across a wide range of industries. A strong conceptual thinker, Jack is experienced in every phase of the strategic and creative process — from brand development and marketing strategy to concepting, writing, and refining final copy for video, broadcast, print, social, and digital media.
Jack has earned national awards for writing, producing, and directing radio commercials. But the recognition he values most is the long-standing loyalty of his clients and the growth of their businesses.
Beyond agency work, Jack is a published author and long-time local columnist. His humor writing and keen eye for the character of Cedarburg have made him one of the community’s most recognizable storytellers. He brings that same sharp insight and perspective to building and strengthening brands.
Books Co-Authored by Jack Include:
- This Might Be a Dumb Question but … How Does Money Work?
with Joe Fazio, CEO & Co-founder of Commerce State Bank - The Bentley Family History – Seven Generations Since 1848
with Thomas H. Bentley III - Port Washington State Bank – Putting Communities First Since 189
with Steve, Mark, & James Schowalter - Full Esteem Ahead – The Joe Balthazor Story
with Joe Balthazor - Cedarburg Authors’ Circle: Volume 1 (A collaborative collection)
Books Authored by Jack Include:
- Cedarblurbs: Insights & Hindsights from Cedarburg — A collection of humorous, insightful columns from 2002–2015
- Cedarblurbs 2.0 — columns from 2015–2019
- Guardian Devil — a humorous novel
Jack also co-hosts The Jack Henke Show, a humor-driven podcast available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.
Joe Balthazor
O. Joseph Balthazor grew up on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin. His life is full of successes, mistakes, achievements, and, most of all, self-discovery.
Joe has been in the trenches of the company he founded, Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc., from the beginning. He pulled laminate in the early days, fabricated Corian® to specification, and now continues to vision it’s future.
Avid Packer fan, Brewer fan & Marquette Basketball fan, mediocre golfer, and devoted family man—husband, father of six, stepfather of 2, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Joe Balthazor
O. Joseph Balthazor grew up on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin. His life is full of successes, mistakes, achievements, and, most of all, self-discovery.
Joe has been in the trenches of the company he founded, Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc., from the beginning. He pulled laminate in the early days, fabricated Corian® to specification, and now continues to vision it’s future.
Avid Packer fan, Brewer fan & Marquette Basketball fan, mediocre golfer, and devoted family man—husband, father of six, stepfather of 2, grandfather and great-grandfather.
