Meet the Locals: Joe and Kim Paulson

By Heather Rule

Joe and Kim Paulson love living and working in the Wadena community. They’re grateful to be part of a place with that small-town feel that Kim said many people crave.

The Paulsons lived in Wadena when they were first married – Joe grew up in Wadena – then relocated to Albertville in the Twin Cities metro area before returning to Wadena about three years ago. Along with having friends and family in Wadena, the Paulsons wanted a place where people like parents, families, teachers and businesses were “truly invested everywhere in the community,” Kim said.

Wadena stood out to them.

“Everybody’s just involved and together, working together to make things go,” Kim said.

Joe has worked in construction since he was a teenager and owns Top Gun Construction, a small residential construction company. His business works on new house framing for builders. Joe is also a general contractor. It was a job offer that resulted in the move to Albertville, where he eventually decided to start his own business.

Kim also started Top Gun Inflatables, renting indoor and outdoor inflatables for events in Wadena and surrounding areas, a couple of years ago. The family rented inflatables a lot when they lived in Albertville but found that there weren’t many options to do so when they moved to Wadena. With the encouragement of her kids, Kim started the business. Summer of 2024 was busy, and they also helped with events throughout the school year and for city and church events.

The Paulsons have three children in first, fifth and seventh grade. Joe enjoys the opportunities to do things in the community with his children that he did as a kid, like being part of the local baseball program.

“I never thought I’d raise my kids in my hometown, but just now that we’re here, I’m happy that we’re doing that,” Joe said. “It’s just awesome to see them thriving in the school system, having so much fun.”

The family is always out at various events, supporting local restaurants and businesses. They attend lots of high school sporting events, with Joe adding that “sports are probably one of the biggest parts of our lives.”

They love seeing everyone in the community invested in the schools and businesses, too.

“We’re very busy,” Kim said. “Sometimes we should probably be home more than we are. But we love it all, and so do our kids.”