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04/06/2010 - 7:30am - 9:30am
April 2009 Newsletter
Welcome New Members!
Ability Communications and Training
1941 Yorkshire Ave.
Saint Paul, MN
651-699-3333
Exceptional writing and editing for Web sites, newsletter and trade journal articles, brochures, bios, resumes, business letters, etc.
www.abilitycomm.com
All Seasons Cleaners (3 locations)
6924 Bass Lake Road
Crystal, MN
763-533-3492
2234 Carter Ave.
Saint Paul, MN
651-644-8300
494 and Bass Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN
763-551-7934
Environmentally certified dry cleaning and laundry
www.allseasonscleaners.com
ANCO Associates
2517 34th Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN
612-605-4676
A private consultancy specializing in planning, project development and management services for commercial and industrial clients.
www.ancoinc.com
Anodyne Coffee Shop
4301 Nicollet Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN
612-824-4300
Neighborhood café with fresh cooked food. Great coffees, teas and pastries.
anodynecoffeehouse.com
Butter Bakery Café
3544 Grand Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN
612-521-7401
Dessert, Café, Bakery.
Community Shares
1619 Dayton Ave.
St. Paul, MN
651-647-0440
We select, connect, train and support organizations who produce measurable impact in their communities.
www.communitysharesmn.org
CPR-Twin Cities
1941 Yorkshire Ave.
St. Paul, MN
651-699-3333
American Red Cross instruction and certification in CPR, AED, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens, with small class sizes.
www.cpr-twincities.com
Farnham Financial Services
651-271-1205
Provides accounting, bookkeeping and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. Over two decades of experience in the accounting and technology field.
www.farnhamfinancialservices.com
Glad Creations
3400 Bloomington Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN
612-724-1079
Quilt shop in south Minneapolis, fabrics, for making quilts and other items, as well as quilting books and notions. Also teaches quilting related classes.
Higher Standards, Inc.
2801 East Cliff Road
Burnsville, MN
612-229-8808
Payment solutions with integrity
www.merchantaccountstandard.com
Ingebretsen's
1601 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN
612-729-9333
An old world marketplace of fine Scandinavian gifts, food, needlework and clothing...since 1921.
May Day Cafe
3440 Bloomington Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN
612-729-5627
Neighborhood coffeeshop in the heart of Powderhorn Park, featuring fresh soups, salsds, burritos, pastries and more.
The Little Wine Shoppe
2236 Carter Ave. South
Saint Paul, MN
651-645-5178
Neighborhood wine and fine spirits shop in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood..
Time Plus Payroll
651-264-1933
Payroll Service
www.timeplus.com
And New Board Members!
Chris Green is a financial consultant with AXA Advisors. He works to help families and independent businesses evaluate retirement planning options to determine how best to accomplish their financial goals. He has been with AXA Advisors since October of 2006. Prior to coming on with AXA, Chris lived in Spokane, WA where he is from. He finished his bachelors degree in Business Administration with a focus on Finance in 2006. While finishing college, he managed his family's restaurant, Piccolo's Market, which they owned for over 25 years.
Chris lives in Minneapolis with his new wife, Rachel and dog, Marley. Chris says, "I am really excited to get to know other MetroIBA members and see the organization grow, as well as do what I can to help make the Twin Cities a great place to own a business."
Suzann Eisenberg Murray is a founding partner of the Dendros Group, LLC, a dynamic St. Paul-based consulting firm providing capacity building, executive transition management, and strategic planning and leadership to nonprofit, government and private corporations. Suzann is also a founding director of a social innovations incubator, GoodWork, Inc.
Suzann has 18 years of experience in nonprofit organizations as a senior program director, executive director, trainer, and board member. Prior to entering the non-profit field, she spent 17 years in the private sector serving as a corporate trainer, senior level manager and business owner of a public relations and communications firm.
Suzann works closely with Boards of Directors providing training, mentoring, strategic planning, executive search and serving as Interim Executive Director of organizations when needed.
Suzann resides in St. Paul. She is committed to building resilient communities by developing local business and social solutions that will provide long-term sustainability for our children, families and elders. Her interests and hobbies include reading, exercise, gardening, cooking, and entertaining. A widow for several years, she also volunteers time and energy to supporting others in grief and life transitions.
For more information about Suzann and Dendros visit: www.dendros.com.
Upcoming Events
May Networking Event
Tuesday, May 5, 7:30-9:30 am
Linden Hills Coop
2813 West 43rd Street
Minneapolis, MN
612-922-1159
Teach In
April 22 at 6:30, Panel presentation on Small Business Survival Strategies for the Economic Downturn, at Warners Stellian Corporate Headquarters at Dale and Topping streets in St. Paul.
Keith Covart's Electric Fetus has prospered even as the music industry has failed to keep up with technological changes from LPs to digital downloads. Melanee Meegan, is the Advertising and Marketing Coordinator at Peace Coffee, the Minneapolis-based Fair Trade coffee company that sells nationwide. Melanee and her team have elevated their product beyond a mere commodity by focusing both on improving the lives of the farmers who grow their beans, and reaching out to consumers in innovative ways. Jeff Warner and his family-owned Warners' Stellian have managed to stay among the top sellers in a super competitive national household appliance industry, even while the housing market has languished. Jennifer Pritchett, owner of the Smitten Kitten and recipient of the Business of the Year Award from T. C. Quorum Community will discuss how her advocacy and education efforts help her business to connect with consumers at a time when many are cutting back on discretionary purchases. Marge Christiansen, a representative of SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business," a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, an organization of retired business executives.
Refreshments provided by Warners' Stellian and Peace Coffee.
Living Green Expo
Please stop by and visit our booth at the Living Green Expo, May 2nd and 3rd at the MN State Fair Grounds. This is a free event and is open from 10:00-6:00 Saturday and 10:00 -5:00 Sunday.
Supporting locally owned businesses is more than an economic issue, it is an environmental issue as well. As a whole, local stores make better use of existing structures, reducing sprawl. Vibrant downtowns encourage walking and alternatives to automobile traffic. Buying locally produced goods also reduces the amount of pollution caused by transporting goods across the country.
Expo Marketing Manager, Pamela McCurdy points out that "The Living Green Expo is different from other trade shows because it is a community event." The emphasis on community and the environment make it a natural fit for MetroIBA to get our message out.
Hope to see you there!
Member Spotlight
Minnesota Premier Publications
MPP has established itself as a statewide resource through its diverse collection of trustworthy publications including the Southwest Journal, Downtown Journal, Minnesota Parent and Minnesota Good Age.
With 19 years of business under their belts, they've learned that the effectiveness of local newspapers, magazines and websites is directly linked to its relevancy and value to the reader. Without the reader, the advertiser doesn't see the return on investment, without the advertiser, the local mom, resident, worker, senior, etc. is missing a resource of valuable information.
All four of their publications and websites are FREE to the reader, which means they depend on locally owned businesses to support the paper who, in turn, depend on readers to support their businesses. Adam Boyadjis, Sr. Ad Sales Rep says, "Every day we are reminded of the challenges, goals, and successes of small business owners and their customers. There is tremendous value to what these independent merchants bring to our communities, and we are very grateful for their continued support."
Thank you to these advertisers who are also members of MetroIBA!
- Bibelot
- Birch Clothing
- Butter Bakery and Café
- Electric Fetus
- First Tech Computer
- The Green Goober
- Linden Hills Natural Home
- Linden Hills Co-op
- Warners' Stellian
- Wedge Co-op
- Wonderment
For more information,
call Adam Boyadjis
612.436.5083
www.mnpubs.com
2009 Annual Meeting
The 2009 Annual Meeting was a huge success, hosted by Weinblatt & Gaylord, Attorneys at Law in the beautiful Boulevard Room at the Kellogg Square Building in Downtown St. Paul. A delicious spread of food was provided by Cathy Hauser of Amore Coffee, and Suzanne Weinstein of Coastal Seafoods. Wine was donated by Jeff Huff of The Little Wine Shoppe. Thank you Cathy, Suzanne and Jeff!
BuyLocalMN.Com
Did you know you can edit and maintain your buylocalmn.com site? One feature of the site is you can upload your company's logo to highlight your business. If you have a user name, don't forget to update information to your site as it changes. Business hours may change in the summer, so make sure your information is current. To learn more about maintaining your own listing, contact Mary Hamel at 651-387-0738 or mary@metroiba.org
Keep in touch! Please let us know if your e-mail address, or any other contact information changes so you can stay informed. Also, don't forget to sign up for our member list serv. Go to www.metroiba.org and click on the "member discuss."
Thank you Jeff Sommers
As some of you know, Jeff Somers term on the board has ended. Jeff brought to the board not only representation of the Marshall Avenue business node, but his expertise on membership and educational value to members. As you may recall, Jeff brought Zing Train to our organization. This event was our biggest event to date and many of our members left wanting more. Thanks Jeff for your service, your ideas, and your level head. Even though you are no longer serving on the board, we know your passion for locally owned businesses will still be present. See you for ice cream!
Honors
MetroIBA Board Member Michele Cromer - Poire received the prestigious "Doc Chopp" Award at the Grand Avenue Business Association (GABA) Annual Meeting March 12. The "Doc Chopp" award was named after St. Paul Dentist, Doctor Chopp for his work to revitalize Grand Avenue 30 years ago. This award is given to those who have worked tirelessly for many years to make what we all know as Grand Ave. Michele co-owns the Red Balloon Bookstore, she served on the GABA board for many years and helped with many of Grand Avenue's events. We are proud to have her experience on our board....CONGRATULATIONS MICHELE!
President of Mill City Music, and founding MetroIBA board member, John Kolstad, "AKA Papa John," recently testified on behalf of small business property tax relief at the Capitol.
John has consistently exemplified our mission through acts of educating the public about the importance of independent businesses and giving a voice to small, independent businesses at the Capitol. One point that John emphasized to law makers is that small businesses provide over 50% of employment in the USA, and create over 90% of the new jobs in Minnesota. There are 550,000 small businesses in Minnesota!
John deftly pointed out, "Clearly, small business is the economic engine of Minnesota...I am here today because small business is severely stressed, through no fault of their own. Revenues are down sharply while costs are rising. You've heard about business too big to fail. I think that small business is the only business too big to fail. Government needs to help small business. Because Small Business is Big Business."
Thanks to Representative Davnie for bringing forth the bill to lighten the burden of property tax for small businesses.
Thanks John for all you hard work for MetroIBA!
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