Nestled in the hills and valleys of Houston County, Minn., Jake and Holly Wieser are busier than a cowboy in a rabbit roping competition.
They own Outback Ranch, Inc., Outback Entertainment, Jake Wieser Construction, Inc., and WIESER Septic & Excavating, all operating out of one location occupying 210 acres that straddles Sheldon and Yucatan Townships.
The evolution of their business expansion has been a progression dating back more than 35 years.
How they met
Holly was born and raised on a dairy farm in Dorchester, Iowa. When she was a teenager, along with her sister, she bought her first horse and competed in barrel racing and team roping competition. After graduating from high school, she started working for a local saddle maker, building custom saddles and making leather watch bands. In April of 2000, Holly met Jake at a rodeo in Spring Grove, Minn.
Jake, born and raised in La Crescent, Minn., worked alongside his father as he ran his plumbing and excavating business. He also helped out at his grandparents’ dairy farm. He always loved horses, but didn’t get his first horse until he was an adult. After he got his first horse, he competed in speed events and team roping.
Jake and Holly married in October of 2000. Fast-forward to the year 2020, they have six children along with one grandson.
Outback Entertainment
Growing up in La Crescent Jake Wieser always had a passion for music. In high school, friends would ask him if he would play music for their parties. Eventually, that led to Jake working at weddings, as a DJ. And, that led to requests for sound and lights for a few small local bands. He continued to invest in equipment to the extent that he was getting requests for sound and light production for regional and national acts, such as Craig Morgan, Justin Moore, Josh Turner, Little Texas, Blackhawk, Eric Pasley, Parmelee, Rodney Atkins, Jason Michael Carol, High Valley, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Marshal Tucker Band, Scotty McCreey, Jackyl, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin and many more.
Outback Entertainment has taken Jake and his production equipment all over the tri-state area, delivering high quality shows in places like La Crosse, Sparta, Tomah, Rochester, Winona, Caledonia, Rushford, Preston, Northeast Iowa, and every place in between. “We do anything from a small wedding and ceremony to small town gatherings, fundraisers and musical festivals and fairs of over 5,000 people,” offered Holly.
WIESER Septic & Excavating
and Jake Wieser
Construction, Inc.
Jake started his construction career as an apprentice carpenter with a local commercial contractor. He learned the trades through hands-on experience, became a journeyman carpenter, and quickly was promoted to job foreman. In 1989, Jake Wieser Construction, Inc. was born. He went out on his own, providing quality construction services at competitive prices. Jake has grown the business to serve clients in a variety of sectors: small and large residential, commercial, renovations, sewer and water line work, along with excavation.
His interest in construction and excavation may be hereditary. Jake’s father, Len Wieser, started Len Wieser Plumbing in 1964. He helped his father while finishing high school, so learned the ropes at a young age. In 2005, when his father retired, Jake went to school and became a licensed sewer designer, installer, and inspector. He took over his father’s business and renamed it Wieser Septic & Excavating.
Today, Jake, Holly, Wyatt, Easton, and Crew are all a part of the family business.
Holly emphasized, “They offer excavation, septic systems, sewer work, septic inspections, septic designs, waterline work, city water and sewer mains, water line leak repairs, sewer line repairs, building demolition, trucking, dig basements and site work services for jobs of all sizes, residential and commercial.”
Outback Ranch
This equestrian enterprise started out as a horse boarding facility in 1997. With a vision for grander plans, in 2001 they established their first campground for horseback riders. Since then, they’ve expanded to 75 electrical and primitive campsites, three cabins, and 40-plus miles of trails for people to bring their horses and ride.
In 2004, Wiesers added an indoor riding arena with an attached stall barn for boarders and campers.
Holly explained, “After we built it, we had different people ask us if we would host different fundraisers, parties, music festivals and events. We would put plywood down on the sand for a dance floor and set up our sound equipment. As we started doing more events and the arena got used less for horses, the arena went under a massive remodel with the removal of all of the sand from the arena and the 12 box stalls from the attached stall barn. (They) poured concrete, covering the liner steel with burlap and car siding, adding sound channels for noise, double glass doors from the venue to the outdoor and indoor ceremony spaces, a bridal suite and groom’s den, and a new heating and cooling system.”
This year, they will be adding an air chapel, updating the landscape throughout the entire outdoor ceremony space, and improving the indoor ceremony space.
“Outback Ranch has hosted many concerts with national artists like Heidi Newfield (from Trick Pony), Wade Hayes, Michael Martin Murphey, Ray Scott, and many more. They have also hosted many big music festivals such as Yucatan Jam, Boot Camp, Infrasound Music Festival, Galactic Get Down, and SubOctave Music & Arts Festival. Galactic Get Down and SubOctave Music and Arts Festivals have pulled artists and spectators from all over the world. They are both scheduled to return in July of 2020,” Holly shared.
Every year, Jake and Holly are thinking about how they can make the experience better for their guests.
Outback Ranch has become a horseback rider’s paradise. But, it’s not just for horse enthusiasts.
Their cabins, rooms, and campsites have attracted hunters, anglers, snowmobilers, and others exploring the great outdoors.
And, of course, the Outback Ranch has become a wedding ceremony destination.
For couples looking for a country-style wedding, look no further than Outback Ranch. They can be reached at (507) 896-5550 or holly@outbackranch.net. Their website is www.outbackranch.net.
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