“….super-easy to work with, listened, and did not force opinions on us unless asked. Working with MSM Design was very easy, they are very knowledgeable..."
Shortly after moving to Waunakee in 2005, I took a no-look leap off a very high cliff and started MSM Design Group with next to no contacts in the Dane County area. A few dependable builders and clients jumped aboard early-on, adding confidence and traction, and the momentum continued to build due to an unwavering reliance on the traits instilled in me by my parents: Faith, honesty, integrity, and old fashioned hard work. Today I am surrounded by a talented group of design & business associates who share those same values, and we've earned an amazing builder base and steady stream of excellent clients who appreciate things done the right way. I vehemently disagree with "yesterday & cheapest" expectations, it's my belief that a properly designed home requires a diligent process that cannot be synonymous with "ASAP". Outside of work I'll forever fail to acknowledge that I'm getting older, so my hobbies remain what they've always been; playing/coaching sports and being on the water. Having grown up on the lake and purchasing a ski boat at 16 before having a vehicle to pull it, it's no surprise that boating, skiing and fishing remain my greatest loves. Any time spent on the water near home, Lake Havasu, or our family cabin in Presque Isle is my heaven.
I have had the pleasure of working with MSM for the past 8 years, but I had fully integrated into the organization as the Executive Assistant in 2022, and transitioned to MSM's Operations Manager in 2023. I have been involved in different scales for many years, and have also completed my Bachelor's in Social Work and Sociology through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I am a Certified Social Worker for the state of Wisconsin, and have my Master's degree in Christian Counseling. I dedicate my time towards continuous learning and growth with MSM, and as a mother to a very busy infant daughter! My husband and I enjoy hiking, attending our church and glorifying God, and raising our family. At MSM Design, you can expect me to be your point-of-contact for the flow of your design work, along with any questions you have along the way. Aside from client experience, I head our marketing, along with any website updates, creative projects, and administrative work. With my extensive time in the organization, I can confidently say that the expertise, experience, and quality of your design work with Heath is unmatched!
Being Heath's mother, I've been working with him since his date of birth in one way or another. We share some creative talents and mutual exasperations. While Heath was honing his remarkable skills for home design, I was entrenched in the auto business with my husband, Bud, who founded A-F Motors in 1965 and loved his business until his death in 2007, just after I published a book in 2005. We worshipped together, worked together, traveled to faraway places, hunted South Dakota pheasants, caught Canadian walleyes, enjoyed animals, gardening and yard work, and all the challenges and joys of dedication to our very large and well-knit, blended family. I'm now semi-retired to enjoyment of home and family, church work, sewing, knitting, gardening, yard work, my one remaining horse and dog, and helping Heath with his ambition to provide the best and most creative services to the clients of MSM Design.
I started working for MSM Design in August of 2013, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with my Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies. Prior to that, I managed Lucky's Bar in Madison for 3 years, along with various other bartending jobs that supported me through college. I graduated from MATC with an Associates of Science in Architectural Technologies in 2011 before continuing my education at UW-M. I currently spend my days working with Marten Building & Design, which is owned by a very close friend and associate of MSM Design, Randy Marten. The ability for frequent design and construction collaborations between MSM and Marten Building helps all of us stay on top of our game. My hobbies include playing lots of sports including golf, softball, and volleyball. I enjoy traveling to see my brother in Hawaii and also to various friends scattered around the US. I am excited that someday soon I might be able to rescue a dog of my own. I also enjoy spending time at my family's land hunting, fishing & hiking around the hills of Southwest Wisconsin.
Riggins began overseeing all operations at MSM Design the moment he first stepped foot into the home office back in October of 2021. Whether eating sticks, running through mud and water, chasing squirrels, or rolling in animal poop, Riggins always has a smile on his face and is ready to please. While he hasn't dipped his paws into designing homes yet, he's been dreaming of doing it while sleeping most of every work day. In his spare time (all the time?), Riggz enjoys a good swim, any time on the boat, meeting new friends, playing endlessly with his best friend Moxie, eating anything he finds, chasing insects, playing sports, and watching TV with the family. We are so blessed to have this wonderful guy on our team!!!
"....I have had the pleasure of working with Heath Follen and MSM Design on numerous occasions. During which time, they have provided (us) with excellent support in the (design) field. Our company strives to set ourselves apart from all other custom construction companies and we feel Heath and his Team has helped us make that possible. Whenever our in-house design team gets backed up to the point of needing additional assistance, I do not hesitate to reach out to Heath, knowing he will provide drawings that meet the high level of detail and professionalism that we hold ourselves to. He and his Team's work has been exceptional, always detailed and complete and of the highest quality. They are prompt, courteous and hardworking. They are not afraid to go the extra mile if they are asked. I can and do confidently recommend Heath and MSM Design as a solid and reliable supplier, and an expert in their field...."