May 2011
Directions www.twinwest.com
Setting the Standard. Leading the Way.TM
Journeys of Curiosity Meet the Small Business Awards finalists…page 4 Photo courtesy of Sandy Benson Photography on location at Cooper Irish Pub & Restaurant
New Regional Economic Development Initiative—page 3
Let the Grocer Teach You E-mail Marketing—page 15
Meet Representative Debra Hilstrom—page 9
New to the Board of Directors—page 23
President’s Message New Economic Development Initiative Takes Shape The Itasca Project—an employer led alliance addressing regional issues impacting our economy and quality of life—released an April 2010 report that drew three conclusions you should know about as a business leader: 1. ―The Minneapolis-St. Paul region boasts sturdy economic foundations and many unique strengths.‖ 2. ―Several factors prevent the region from attracting, creating, and retaining high-quality jobs.‖ 3. ―Other regions have overcome similar challenges with bold actions to drive job growth and economic development.‖ Based on these conclusions, the Itasca Project Job Growth Taskforce proposed three strategic priorities for the Minneapolis-St. Paul region: 1. ―Address the costs of doing business.‖ 2. ―Develop a vision, strategy, and approach for regional economic development.‖ 3. ―Enhance entrepreneurship and innovation.‖ One of the resulting initiatives correlating with priority number two above is the formation of a new organization currently called the Minneapolis-St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (REDP). REDP—designed to be a value-added resource to all economic development organizations and activities in the region—recently hired Michael Langley as its CEO. Langley is the former CEO of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Conference on Community Development and no stranger to regional economic development. In addition, General Mills’ Kathy Schmidlkofer, previously on loan to the project, was formally hired in an executive role. Your Chamber is eager to see the region’s economic development resources come together and has enjoyed being a part of the Itasca Project conversation. Watch for more details. On a related note, this month’s issue of Directions speaks to priority number three above (fostering entrepreneurship and innovation). On page 4 you’ll learn about the luck, persistence, and forethought of TwinWest’s six Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year finalists. Plan to meet these entrepreneurs at the May 24 Small Business Awards Luncheon!
Bruce Nustad, president TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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...Journeys of Curiosity Meet the Entrepreneur of the Year Candidates TwinWest’s 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year finalists represent established, successful leaders who have proven themselves. The Chamber will recognize all three of these finalists and select one as the Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2011 ―Journeys of Curiosity‖ Small Business Awards Luncheon. In the next few pages, Directions magazine give you a look at each. TwinWest’s Entrepreneur of the Year is a member entrepreneur who has established and maintained a successful business of $100 million or less in annual revenue, and is five or more years old.
George Klauser, CEO Opportunity Partners, Minnetonka Hometown: Milwaukee Favorite business book: Good to Great
Cindy Leines, co-owner
Jeff Peterson, president
C.E.L., Plymouth Hometown: Valley View Farms, ND Favorite lessons-for-life book:
Total Energy Concepts, New Hope Hometown: New Hope Favorite business book:
Gift from the Sea
IACOCCA an Autobiography
Photos courtesy of Sandy Benson Photography on location at Cooper Irish Pub & Restaurant
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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Journeys of Curiosity... Meet the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Candidates TwinWest’s 2011 Emerging Entrepreneur finalists represent the best in innovation and creativity. As the Chamber prepares to celebrate all three of these finalists and recognize one as the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2011 ―Journeys of Curiosity‖ Small Business Awards Luncheon, Directions magazine gives you a look at each. The title of Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year goes to a member entrepreneur who has established a company of $100 million or less in annual revenue, is less than five years old and more than one year old, and displays excellent growth potential.
Gary Aiken, president Tonka Financial Services, Minnetonka Hometown: Hopkins Favorite business book: John Mauldin’s Endgame
Brock Ray, marketing principal
Ann Sangpan, co-founder & CFO
Circadian, Minneapolis Hometown: Washington, D.C. Favorite business book:
Check Engine Express, Minnetonka Hometown: Chicago Favorite business tool:
The Trusted Advisor
The Internet
Photos courtesy of Sandy Benson Photography on location at Cooper Irish Pub & Restaurant
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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...Journeys of Curiosity George Klauser, Opportunity Partners Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist What Klauser enjoys most about being an entrepreneur: It is in my DNA…I really do not know how to think any other way! Klauser on luck: Luck or ―being in the right place at the right time‖ definitely plays a role in business. Earlier this year, I was at a meeting and Kim Keprios from Arc Greater Twin Cities happened to be there. I had met Kim before, and as we chatted I shared with her Opportunity Partners’ certified training program with Dunwoody College of Technology. As a result of our conversation Kim had her staff contact us to discuss our training model. Arc Greater Twin Cities determined that working with us on a retail training program would be the perfect way for them to meet their outcomes. Being in the right place at the right time— that’s luck. Klauser on persistence: When I joined Opportunity Partners as CEO in April 2010, it became clear to me that at a time when many companies and organizations were cutting staff, we needed to invest in our staff. Like other mid-sized companies, we were struggling with the loss of our group health insurance plan and had issues with employee turnover. It became one of my primary goals to get Opportunity Partners back on a group health insurance plan and to commit to a culture of health and wellness for our staff, as well as the people we serve. I’m proud to say we have accomplished this, but it took a lot of persistence and hard work. Klauser on forethought: As a nonprofit organization, we are about 80% government funded, however we know that pool of money is shrinking. I’ve never believed in spending energy in a ―sky is falling‖ mode, but I do believe that we need to be proactive in order to be ready for the future. In our case, we are off-setting anticipated cuts with alternative revenue sources like our contract packaging and assembly operations, as well as our contracted community work teams. We have branched into the dry food packaging business, packing foods like candy and dried fruit, which required investments in equipment and personnel.
Cindy Leines, C.E.L. Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist What Leines enjoys most about being an entrepreneur: Life is never boring! It is truly about meeting new people, helping others find creative solutions and resources, and ultimately helping them succeed that makes being an entrepreneur most rewarding. Leines on luck: I have no Irish in me, but a bit of the ―luck of the Irish‖ has been helpful in maintaining balance in challenging economic times. Having surrounded our company by a group of smart, practical and experienced advisers, we’ve relied on using their collective insight and expertise to help modify our plans for the future. We have identified internal operational changes and creative solutions that had a very positive effect on our company. Our clients expected the same level of high customer service but they, too, were faced with economic changes… so we repackaged services that could be in line with their modified budgets. Leines on persistence: I think most business owners who are still in business would say that the past couple years required an extra dose of persistence. It required looking at how we packaged and priced services while staying true to the high level of customer services that our clients deserve. As owners, both Kari Logan and I reviewed every aspect of business from marketing and sales to operations, staffing and expenses. Every member of our team gave extra effort on all fronts. Leines on forethought: Four years ago we started looking more intensely at the changing world of communications. We sought out various SEO and technology information and experts. It was clear that ―real-time PR‖ (what others call social media) was going to alter the marketing world and like all new tools, social media would need to be implemented in a strategic fashion. More than two years ago we established the Social Media Incubator, a collaboration of seasoned professionals from our company (C.E.L.) and SEO experts Small Business Mavericks. Our Social Media Incubator has attracted media attention and a bank of new clients.
Photos courtesy of Sandy Benson Photography on location at Cooper Irish Pub & Restaurant
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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...Journeys of Curiosity Jeff Peterson, Total Energy Concepts
Gary Aiken, Tonka Financial Services
Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
What Peterson enjoys most about being an entrepreneur: Over the years the freedom of setting my schedule allowed me to never (well maybe once or twice) miss one of my kids sporting events. Many times I was the only fan. Now in these times, I love the ability to think creatively to get things done and find help for my customers. I work from my heart and not from my wallet; this makes a big difference when your customer sees you are doing things for them and not for the paycheck. Peterson on luck: Being in the energy business makes me lucky because every business is looking to lower their energy bills so they turn to businesses like mine. But in one case I happened to walk into a business less than 5 minutes after the CEO was handed his latest electric bill that included a very large increase. We had a nice long talk about energy conservation right then and there. Peterson on persistence: Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a pest when it comes to dealing with people. In a down economy you can choose to sit back and see what happens or you can work twice as hard to make something happen. A positive attitude can do amazing things for your business. My philosophy is ―I wake every morning unemployed, if I don’t make something happen that day, my business could fail.‖ That is my definition of persistence. Peterson on forethought: Recently a utility company in southern Minnesota proposed giving a business a very large increase in their utility costs. In anticipation of this happening I pretty much moved to Southern Minnesota and started to meet with the businesses one at a time to explain and prepare them for this increase. The increase came and many of the businesses had put in measures in place to mitigate the increase. So I not only helped them prepare, but I also helped my own business at the same time.
What Aiken enjoys most about being an entrepreneur: I believe that the most successful entrepreneurs are team builders and do not like combative environments or rigid structures. I enjoy being an agent of change in areas that I’m passionate about, and I continue to see opportunities for improvement not only for the industry and my firm, but for my clients as well. Aiken on luck: Corporate (business) clients are important to a growing financial practice that specializes in retirement plans, but it’s no secret that small businesses have a higher mortality rate and many times a shorter life span than do individual clients. Loss of any one large corporate or individual client is difficult. However, when we lost one large corporate client due to forces beyond anyone’s control, as luck would have it, another came on board to fill the gap, and the firm was able to stabilize quickly. The timing could not have been better for revenue flow; our firm’s client base is also more diversified now. Aiken on persistence: When business gets hard, the best action is to do more of the things that are working. So while others cut back, we made improvements. We invested in more technology and tools, and resources to better serve and deliver on our vision and mission. We added more newsletters, weekly updates and special reports with information relevant to our clients, and more client contact. We partnered with experts giving us a deeper insight toward finding the right solutions for clients. Aiken on forethought: I left the wirehouse (big banking financial services) world and became an independent advisor four weeks after the Dow reached an all-time high. The big banking financial services world was comfortable at that time; it was tempting to ignore the cracks I saw in the infrastructure, but I was ultimately glad I didn’t. A year later, at the end of 2008, we saw the collapse of the financial system. It was perfect timing for me, the new firm, and my clients.
Photos courtesy of Sandy Benson Photography on location at Cooper Irish Pub & Restaurant
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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...Journeys of Curiosity Brock Ray, Circadian Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist What Ray enjoys most about being an entrepreneur: For me, being an entrepreneur is all about building something I can be proud of by doing what I love. Moreover, I appreciate knowing that success or failure is in my hands. If something goes wrong, I have no one to blame but myself. Likewise, when we succeed, it’s because of the exceptional quality of our hard work. Ray on luck: As with any business, we’ve had a certain amount of ―right place, right time‖ luck, where we’ve met clients just as they’ve really needed our services. For example, last spring I met with a new prospect who runs a bartering company. Our discussion didn’t seem to be heading much of anywhere, when he mentioned his intention to propose to his girlfriend, and wondered if I thought he could get any marketing traction out of bartering all of the things they would need for the wedding. That off-hand remark set off a flood of ideas, and the campaign we’ve created for him has been a huge success. Ray on persistence: As a creative agency, we decided to practice what we preach during the recession. Instead of cutting back on marketing promotions, we increased our budget. We bought ads, sponsored events, hosted seminars, and shamelessly passed out Circadian-branded tchotchkes. And all of that effort and expense has paid great dividends. The cumulative effect of those promotions has led quite a few prospects to come knocking. Ray on forethought: One of the smartest things we did when we started the business was to set aside a specific budget for marketing each month. Instead of doing promotions only when a good deal came up or when we thought we had extra money, we planned our marketing budget from the outset. This has given us a much larger presence in the community than you would expect from a business of our size. And that big impression has given prospects the confidence to trust us with their business.
Ann Sangpan, Check Engine Express Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist What Sangpan enjoys most about being an entrepreneur: I love seeing the progression of a company that starts off as just an idea, to how the company grows and matures. Sangpan on luck: Our original plan for expanding our business involved adding a second shop in a new location. Because of the recession, two businesses in our building are going through some significant downsizing. The space they will be vacating this year has been offered to us by our landlord. The luck of having selected this particular building for our first shop and the recession has made it possible for us to double our size with very little additional purchases in equipment. Sangpan on persistence: Both my business partner and I have been persistent each and every day since we started this business. Our business success is not based on landing a large contract with a megacustomer, but landing new customers each and every week. It’s getting a new customer because we struck up a conversation with someone at the grocery store, or while on jury duty (yes I did get a new customer that way!). It’s making every customer happy each and every time they do business with us. Persistence has to be a constant practice for us, especially while competing in this economy. Sangpan on forethought: Four years ago when we were evaluating what type of business to start, we believed our economy was headed in a downward spiral with high unemployment. We started a new business in the worst recession of our lifetime, but we knew the auto repair business would flourish in this economic climate. With people reluctant to spend money on a new car, there would be opportunity for more maintenance and repair business. At the same time, we decided our clientele would be business people like ourselves, who may be cautious about their spending in an uncertain market, but would weather the recession better than most other market segments. Our forecasts were right on all fronts.
Photos courtesy of Sandy Benson Photography on location at Cooper Irish Pub & Restaurant
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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Profile Minnesota Representative Debra Hilstrom (DFL), District 46B Name: Debra Hilstrom Year Elected: 2006 Term: 6th District: House District 46B Contact: tel. (651) 296-3709, e-mail rep.debra.hilstrom@house.mn Home: Brooklyn Center Education: B.A., Sociology, University of Minnesota; J.D., William Mitchell College of Law Family: Husband, Joel; Children, Stephanie, Jeremy Committees: House Deputy Minority Leader; Civil Law; Judiciary Policy & Finance; Rules & Legislative Administration What have been your key priorities and initiatives while serving in the Legislature? My first priority is and always has been the residents of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park in District 46B. To this end, over the years I have successfully carried legislation to benefit our area schools; to revitalize our area business community; and to improve both mass transit and roads in our community. In addition, I have been in the forefront of crime prevention efforts to keep our communities safe. What legislative initiatives do you support that would help stimulate job growth and the economy? We need to hold the line on property taxes so small businesses are not driven from the state. Legislative Republican proposals to slash local government aid (LGA) will result in a $1.3 billion property tax increase over the next four years—which would be detrimental to small businesses since 36% of all business taxes in Minnesota are in the form of property taxes. It is important that we maintain state funding for education, infrastructure, and public services— investments which help to make Minnesota an attractive place to live, work, and do business. A
narrow focus on taxation overlooks the benefits that businesses derive from public investments. For all the talk about how North and South Dakota are luring Minnesota businesses, we have yet to see a mass exodus from Minnesota’s high quality of life to these low service, low amenity states. Why is the business community important to you? Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. We need to back efforts to promote a vibrant economy that can grow jobs, and we must invest in a quality education system that produces a well-trained workforce to fill jobs in the business community so we can compete in our 21st century global economy. What is something that stands out about your district that people may not know? My district is made up of the entire City of Brooklyn Center and three precincts in the southeast portion of Brooklyn Park. The bulk of my legislative district has become a ―majority minority‖ district. As the March 17 Star Tribune reported, ―Brooklyn Center is now believed to be the first metro city with a majority (51%) of residents from minority groups.‖ Brooklyn Center just celebrated its 100th birthday. With a 2010 census population of 75,781, Brooklyn Park is the 6th largest city in the state, just behind Bloomington. What has been most frustrating for you during this Legislative session? The new Republican majority in both the House and Senate, rather than use traditional fiscal analysis methods from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, has sought questionable numbers from outside private sources—and refused to provide documentation of this outside analysis--and built these calculations into their budget bills. The failure of the majority party to use real numbers means that their state budget bills are out of balance by over $1 billion.
This is simply unacceptable and a dereliction of duty on their part, which will make the final budget balancing process even more difficult. Name an issue you've worked on that has had considerable bipartisan support. As the former Chair of the House Public Safety Committee, I was able to either personally author or steer a variety of excellent public safety bills into law with broad bi-partisan support. What was the last book you read that you'd recommend to our members? ―All Rise: The Remarkable Journey of Alan Page,‖ by Bill McGrane. It is about Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, the former Minnesota Viking who has worked to send 5,000 students to college. What is your favorite Minnesota activity or landmark and why? Our Minnesota state park system is a crown jewel for our state. The 66 state parks offer a wide variety of activities to appeal to a wide range of interests. What is something from your past or present that people would be surprised to know about you? While serving in the Legislature I went back to school and got my law degree. Link | Rep. Debra Hillstrom’s Legislative Biography
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Legislative Latest TwinWest’s Judy Johnson Before the Redistricting Committee In April, TwinWest’s government affairs director, Judy Johnson, testified before the state House Redistricting Committee relating to the TwinWest as a region. Johnson’s testimony appears below. ―Thank you madam chair and committee members. My name is Judy Johnson and I serve as the director of government affairs for the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce represents 900 members from a variety of businesses and industries, ranging from nationally and internationally renowned corporations and industrially driven manufacturers, to home-based businesses and companies involved in service and professional sectors. Our Chamber covers 10 suburban cities in the west metro region of the Twin Cities. According to 2009 and 2010 Met Council data, TwinWest’s jobs and population data look like this: Plymouth - population 70,576; jobs 46,756 Minnetonka - population 49,743; jobs 46,176 St. Louis Park - population 45,250; jobs 39,653
Golden Valley - population 20,371; jobs 33,068 Brooklyn Park - population 75,781, jobs 24,476 Brooklyn Center - population 30,104; jobs 11,704 New Hope - population 20, 339; jobs 11,123 Hopkins - population 17,571; jobs 10,396 Crystal - population 22,151; jobs 4,036 Medicine Lake - population 371; jobs 8
Transportation corridors play a large role in the linkage of job centers.
TwinWest region total— population 352,276; jobs 227,396
I-394 drives job centers from Minneapolis, through St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, and Minnetonka.
For comparison: Minneapolis – population 382,578; jobs 281,521 St. Paul – population 285,068; jobs 176,505 In our many years of Grow Minnesota visits and conversations with business owners and business leaders, we know that economic and jobs centers within our region are driven by many factors. They include proximity to the urban core, multimodal transportation systems, proximity to rail lines and air transportation, and a skilled workforce aligned with the needs of job providers. The TwinWest region plays a strong role in Minnesota’s economic engine.
On the northern edge of our region, I694 and Highway 610 connect job centers from Brooklyn Park to Maple Grove and beyond. I-494 from Eden Prairie through Minnetonka and Plymouth, to Maple Grove connects major commercial/office, industrial, and retail centers.
Highways 100 and 169 drive economic development and redevelopment within the communities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Hopkins, Plymouth, Minnetonka, New Hope, and beyond. Future plans for Southwest Light Rail Transit from Minneapolis through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka to Eden Prairie, focus on economic centers and future job creation. The proposed Southwest LRT line will serve over 240,000 jobs and will connect the regions top job center, downtown Minneapolis, with the region’s sixth largest job center, Opus/Golden Triangle in
Minnetonka. It is apparent that job centers align solidly along these major transportation and transit corridors. While several of TwinWest’s inner ring suburbs and fully developed cities have seen stagnation or a slight drop in population, economic redevelopment opportunities have become heightened along major transportation corridors. In addition, third tier suburbs such as Plymouth and Brooklyn Park, are seeing population growth and are poised for continued economic development activity as the economy recovers. This completes my prepared testimony. Thank you, madam chair and committee members for the opportunity to testify before you today.‖ Link | judy@twinwest.com
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Small Business Awards “Journeys of Curiosity” Small Business Awards Luncheon May 24 On May 24, celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit, see the Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year finalists, meet TwinWest Foundation High School scholarship award recipients and donors, and hear Irish restaurant entrepreneur Kieran Folliard at the 2011 Small Business Awards Luncheon. WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro returns as the event’s emcee.
For more information, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.twinwest.com/sbawards or call (763) 450-2220. Tickets: $45/members; $55 nonmember; $400 table of ten.
photo: WCCO
Small Business Awards Luncheon Tuesday, May 24, 2011 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place *TwinWest Foundation scholarship reception to be held prior to the luncheon.
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Link | www.twinwest.com/sbawards photo: Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal
Keynote speaker Kieran Folliard, restaurant entrepreneur
Silver Sponsor
Emcee Frank Vascellaro, WCCO In-kind Sponsors Swank Audio Visuals - Audio Visual Quality Resource Group - Awards Fuzzy Duck Design - Design Gleason Printing Inc. - Print Master Communications - Video Sign-A-Rama - Signage Paeonia Floral - Floral Star Tribune - Media
Blanski Peter Kronlage & Zoch, P.A. CPAs Cass Screw Machine Products Cummings, Keegan & Co., P.L.L.P. DS&B, Ltd. Duke Realty Corp. Executive Suites of Minnesota Financial Concepts, Inc. LarsonAllen LLP Larson Records Management Liberty Diversified International Next Stage Business Radio Network Opportunity Partners Voyager Bank Xcel Energy
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Thank You Member Leaders Make Small Business Recognition Meaningful TwinWest has a rich history of recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit during the month of May. A strong team of members put together the Small Business Awards Luncheon, seek award nominations, select the Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists, and award scholarships to future entrepreneurs.
Awards Nominations Taskforce:
These members make it meaningful:
Small Business Awards Taskforce
Small Business Awards Luncheon Committee Co-chair Steve Wise, Cass Screw Machine Products Co-chair Jon Thompson, Opportunity Partners Mike Anderson, QuarterTon Productions, Inc. Nathan Brandenburg, Skjold Parrington Business Attorneys Rick Kaufman, Owl Bookkeeping and CFO Services Caroline Melberg, Small Business Mavericks Anne Sumangil, Rasmussen College Wayne Teig, CREST, LLC Commercial Real Estate Strategies Eddie Ulrich, Fuzzy Duck Design
Chair Sarah Kaelberer, Business & Estate Advisers, Inc. Matt Schadow, AmeriStar Agency, Inc. Greg Rye, R & R Business Development Company Lee Tyree, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Chair Scott Plum, Minnesota Sales Institute Vice chair Patricia Thoele Kelly Basham, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group Thomas Heller, Soulo Communications Pamela Ostrom, Lynx Leadership Joe Reilly, Payroll Control Systems Mike Sowada, VISI Incorporated Glen Townsend
TwinWest Foundation High School Scholarship Committee: Charlie Jacobson, Liberty Diversified International, chair Lisa Riskedahl, Liberty Diversified International Jason Besler, Schechter Dokken Kanter CPAs Jeremy Day, Grainger Industrial Supply To become involved in a TwinWest committee or taskforce, contact TwinWest at (763) 450-2220.
TwinWest Emerging Leaders Council: Join the Team Please join the TwinWest Emerging Leaders on Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 a.m. at Panera Bread (12967 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305) for the next Emerging Leaders Council meeting. The TwinWest Emerging Leaders Council functions like a board of directors that oversees the planning and execution of Emerging Leaders' events. We'll discuss what's ahead for the Emerging Leaders in the coming weeks and months as we look forward to our summer programming. Come on out and join the conversation.
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Members Welcome New Members Benihana 850 Louisiana Avenue Golden Valley, MN 55426 Amy Brinkworth RESTAURANTS Brehm, Michael - Welsh Companies 4350 Baker Road, Suite 400 Minnetonka, MN 55391 Michael Brehm REAL ESTATE SERVICES REAL ESTATE-COMMERCIAL Express Employment Professionals 3021 Harbor Lane, Suite 209 Plymouth, MN 55447 Kelly LaMotte EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTORSTEMPORARY ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Fair and Square Remodeling LLC 210 Dean Avenue East Champlin, MN 55316 Mike Otto REMODELING CONTRACTORS GLOBAL ONE COMMERCIAL IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Suite 900 Minneapolis, MN 55402 Mark Globus REAL ESTATE-COMMERCIAL LEASING OFFICE RENTALS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT REAL ESTATE-DEVELOPERS Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota - Hopkins 1025 Hill Street Hopkins, MN 55343 Lisa Ritter RETAIL STORE
Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota - Minnetonka 13820 Wayzata Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55305 Karen Saaf RETAIL STORE Green, Bob - New York Life 3600 Minnesota Drive Edina, MN 55435 Bob Green INSURANCE John A. Halpern & Associates 500 Plymouth Building, 12 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 John Halpern COLLECTIONS ATTORNEYS Heartland Technology Alliance P.O. Box 93591 Des Moines, IA 50393 John Stineman NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Immo Systems 6600 City West Parkway, Suite 207 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Alexandra About MARKETING Knight Law Firm LLC 5415 Opportunity Court Minnetonka, MN 55343 Patrick Knight ATTORNEYS M. A. Williams Auctions P.O. Box 27295 Golden Valley, MN 555427 Michelle Williams AUCTIONS
Messerli & Kramer, P.A. 100 South Fifth Street, Suite 1400 Minneapolis, MN 55402 Joshua A. Hasko ATTORNEYS Millner, Jacob - JCRC 12 North 12th Street, Suite 214 Minneapolis, MN 55403 Jacob Millner NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Minnesota School of Business - Brooklyn Center 5910 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 Tad Dunham SCHOOLS & COLLEGES Nationwide Group 3410 Winnetka Avenue North New Hope, MN 55427 Ellis Gottlieb PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STORAGE FACILITIES Orange Tree Employment Screening 7275 Ohms Lane Minneapolis, MN 55439 Monica Higgins EMPLOYMENT SCREENING Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc. 7841 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100 St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Todd Pernsteiner ADVERTISING EVENT PRODUCTION & LOGISTICS Smartbox of Minnesota 2136 Ford Parkway, Suite 253 St. Paul, MN 55116 Stephanie Fixell STORAGE FACILITIES MOVERS
Studio 120 2155 Niagara Lane North Plymouth, MN 55447 Anne Vidmar AUDIO/FILM, VIDEO & FILM PRODUCTION
Sun Country Airlines - Corporate Services Department 1300 Mendota Heights Road Mendota Heights, MN 55120 Kelsey Dodson-Smith AIRLINES The Cellular Connection #822 3432 County Road 101 Minnetonka, MN 55345 Michael Loch CELLULAR PHONES-SALES, SERVICE & SOFTWARE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Chamber Champions Thank you to this champions for referring new members to TwinWest. Dannette Coleman, Medica Dan Goldman, Twin Realty Investment Co. Alex Levin, ThermoDynamo Productions Chuck Slocum, The Williston Group Chris Tiedeman, Weber Johnson Public Affairs, LLC If you know someone whose business would benefit from membership, contact TwinWest’s Jacqui Sauter at (763) 450-2228, or jacqui@twinwest.com. When your new member joins we’ll issue you $35 in TwinWest credit.
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Members Nathan Brandenburg, May Superstar!
Renewing Members
Nate Brandenburg of Skjold Parrington Business Attorneys is TwinWest's May 2011 Volunteer Superstar! Nate has played a very active role here at TwinWest, serving on the Emerging Leaders Council, the TwinWest Political Action Committee Board of Directors, the TwinWest Government Affairs Committee, and the 2010 and 2011 Small Business Awards Luncheon Committee. During his tenure on the Emerging Leaders Council, Nate has been one of the "go to guys" when it comes to steering the program and planning events. He has also been a great fundraiser for the TwinWest PAC and an active volunteer with the TwinWest Capitol Action Network. Nate has also been hard at work planning and promoting our 2011 Small Business Awards celebration later this month, including securing Frank Vascellaro as emcee two years in a row. Thank you Nate!
25+ years General Office Products Golden Valley Golf and Country Club Highland Bank Latuff's Pizzeria Liberty Diversified International 20-24 years Coldwell Banker Burnet - Plymouth Deli Double McLaughlin-Gormley-King Co. Texas Terrace Care Center Wipfli, LLP 15-19 years A.C. Carlson Coldwell Banker Burnet - Wayzata Courey, Kosanda & Zimmer, P.A. Crystal Shopping Center Dolliff Insurance Jurgensen, Stanley F. CPA Ltd Private Bank Minnesota Target Commercial Interiors Thal, Steven
10-14 years Business Bank Hays Companies 5-9 years Buffalo Wild Wings - Plymouth Girl Scout Council of Minnesota and Wisco Hasling, Chris - Northwestern Mutual Hennepin Commissioner Stenglein Kraus-Anderson Companies Medica Viking Trophies 1-4 years CenturyLink - Golden Valley Daniel K. Duffy Architects, Inc. Invisik Corporation National American University ReachLocal U.S. Energy Wellington Management, Inc. University of Phoenix
100 Members in 100 Days; $4,000 for Area Member Foodshelves The TwinWest Board of Directors announced in March that it is leading an effort to grow the Chamber by 100 Members in 100 Days. In addition to strengthening the business community and growing TwinWest, we will donate $4,000 to area member foodshelves on behalf of the business community once we reach our new member goal on July 8 . Contact TwinWest if you are interested in joining one of three organized membership teams, or participate on your own by introducing a prospective member to TwinWest. Our membership initiative to grow in today's increasingly confident economy and support our local foodshelves runs through July 8. Link | www.twinwest.com/100 TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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Success TwinWest Practical Advice from Small Business Mavericks By Caroline Melberg How To Promote Your Business In 2011 When it comes to promoting a small business, you have to prepare for changes. Marketing today is a far cry different than it was in 1950, or 1980, or even in 2000. Here are some of the most effective strategies for promoting a business in 2011. Search engine optimization – First, build a website. Make sure it is optimized to receive search engine traffic. Start a blog – Search engines like consistent fresh content. Update your blog daily. It’s the best search engine marketing money can buy. Pay per click advertising – For a quick response, spend your money on PPC. Article marketing – Article marketing is not dead. It’s different than it was ten years ago, but articles still are a good traffic source. Social bookmarking – Bookmark and share all of your content at two or three social bookmarking sites daily. Social networking – Pick two or three social networks and be active
Let The Grocer Teach You E-mail Marketing on those networks about an hour every day. Fifteen minutes at each social network will do wonders for your business. Press releases – Write and publish a press release online every time your company does something remarkable. Claim your business – If you are a local business, claim your business in each of the search engine’s local business directories. Is this hard? No. It might be time consuming, but that’s why you hire a professional marketing company to help you promote your business online so that you can leverage your time and the best marketing strategies of the day. Anything you do more than this is gravy.
What can a grocer possibly know about e-mail marketing? Everyone needs groceries. It’s not like you have to sell the benefits of eating, right? While it’s technically true that groceries are something that everyone has to buy, it’s also true that they have plenty of choices in where to get their groceries. They don’t have to get them from one place over another. And that’s why marketing is important. It’s about positioning your company above the competition. E-mail marketing is one strategy for making that happen. One grocer is using e-mail marketing and getting a 55% open rate on its e-mails. That’s phenomenal! One particularly telling comment in the Constant Contact interview is the answer to the very last question. I love this answer: ―Don’t use it just to sell; use it to inform. Use it to build a
Caroline Melberg relationship. Once you start down the road of a hard sell, that’s when you start losing folks because it’s not information that they want — they want information they can use that will make their lives easier.‖ That’s clearly the answer of someone who understands e-mail marketing. It’s not about selling your product. It’s about building a relationship with your customers. Give them rock solid information they can use and they will open your e-mails, read them, and call you when they have a need for your services.
Link | Read more advice daily on the Small Business Mavericks blog Link | E-mail Caroline Melberg
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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May Business Expos May 19 Overtime Expo at Northland Inn
May Anytime Expo at anytimeexpo.com
Network at TwinWest’s Overtime Expo featuring exhibitors and complimentary appetizers at Northland Inn Brooklyn Park. This expo traditionally attracts 250 area business leaders and is free to attend.
TwinWest hosts the Twin Cities’ first online business expo May 1-31!
TwinWest membership is not required to attend. Guests and nonmembers welcome. No need to RSVP. Exhibitor list as of April 29: Anthem College; The Business Bank; Cbeyond; Citizens Independent Bank; Comcast; DJD Exteriors, Inc.; Edinburgh USA by Lancer Catering; First National Bank; Foliage Design Systems; GoldenCare USA, Inc.; HealthSource of Plymouth; Herzing University; Marco, Inc. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal; Northland Inn; Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc.; Professional Travel Service, Sandler Training; Schechter Dokken Kanter CPAs; SCORE; Shred-N-Go; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; Smartbox of Minnesota; Star Tribune Media Company; Studio 120; TDS; TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Woody’s Grille Overtime Expo at Northland Inn Thursday, May 19 4:30—6:30 p.m. Northland Inn, 7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park
Visit www.anytimeexpo.com any time of day or night to attend the Anytime Expo. It’s free to attend, easy to navigate, and exhibits include interactive components including youtube videos, banners, and documents. If you want to learn more about an exhibitor, simply ―drop your card‖ in their virtual fishbowl. You’ve been to traditional business expos, now give TwinWest’s online expo a try.
Sponsored by:
Exhibitor list as of April 29: Cass Screw Machine Products; Choices Psychotherapy, Ltd.; Crown Marking, Inc.; First National Bank; Fuzzy Duck Design; Golden Living Center; Herzing University; Mary Kay Cosmetics; Medica; Next State Business Radio; Northland Inn; Paradise Charter Cruises; Payroll Control Systems; Rainbow Pest Experts; Renters Warehouse; Rush Creek Golf Club; SCORE; TDS; TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Woody’s Grille. Link | www.anytimeexpo.com
Link | Overtime Expo event information
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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Community Map Village Profile to produce 2011-2012 TwinWest Community Map The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that sales for its upcoming community map are now underway. The 5,000 maps are on target to print late this fall and set to be distributed in and around the Chamber service area. The full-color, glossy community map will continue with TwinWest’s tradition of producing a street-level community map showing local points of interest (schools, parks, water features, landmarks, tourist attractions, etc.). TwinWest has selected Village Profile® as the publisher of our 2011-2012 Official Community Street Map. Benefits of the map include: It is published to support our local economy and encourage the use of member services. Thousand of copies are distributed in print. The contents are linked to the Village Profile Community Profile Network. Advertisers will be accessible 24/7 online via mobile phone. An iPhone and Andriod smartphone application is available for qualified advertisers. Advertising rates are reasonable with no-cost ad copy/design available. At TwinWest, we believe the Village Profile system to be one of the most advanced publishing media technologies available to us. Consider supporting this publication and engage fellow members and the community with your promotional message. For more information contact our Village Profile sales representative, Al Schmidt, at the TwinWest office at (763) 450-2225.
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
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Member Orientation Thank you new members introduced to TwinWest at April’s Member Orientation TwinWest hosts Member Orientation every month on the first Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., at the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce office in Plymouth.
Left to right: Christopher Loftus, Gurstel Chargo, PA; Norman Taple, Gurstel Chargo, PA; Bridget Sullivan, Gurstel Chargo, PA; Marc Kruger, Gurstel Chargo, PA; John Halpern, John A. Halpern & Associates.
Left to right: Stephanie Fixell, Smartbox of Minnesota; Amie Engels, Cardinal Stritch University; Diane Erickson , PRISM; Bob Green, New York Life; Michael Brehm, Welsh Companies; Ron Esau.
TwinWest’s Member Orientation sessions are sponsored by:
Left to right: Benjamin Court, Messerli & Kramer, P.A.; Joshua A. Hasko, Messerli & Kramer, P.A.; Kelly LaMotte, Express Employment Professionals; Cliff Hanson, Accord Benefit Resources, Inc.. TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Member Orientation is a great opportunity to get to know your Chamber and better understand your involvement options. To discuss specific membership opportunities, contact TwinWest’s community and member engagement director, Chris Kirwan, at (763) 450-2223. Link | May Member Orientation Session: May 4
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Snapshots
Link | www.twinwest.com/photos
Medina Golf & Country Club Overtime
Ribbon Cutting at The Cellular Connection
Business Day at the Capitol
RMC West Metro Training Center Showcase TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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May Calendar... May 1-31 Anytime Expo | link Exclusively online at www.anytimeexpo.com Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: No cost to attend.
Thursday, May 5 St. Louis Park Business Council | link 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Wolfe Lake Professional Center, 5000 36th Street, St. Louis Park Investment: No cost to attend.
Visit www.anytimeexpo.com any time day or night to attend the Anytime Expo. It’s free to attend, easy to navigate, and exhibits include interactive components like youtube videos, banners, and documents. Make sure to drop your card in the virtual fish bowls.
The Saint Louis Park Business Council is for business and civic leaders who want to have a voice in local government and grassroots issues.
To get there: www.anytimeexpo.com. Wednesday, May 4 Member Orientation | link 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. TwinWest office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: No cost to attend Find out about everything the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce has to offer and maximize your membership. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane, just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right.
To get there: Take Highway 100 to Highway 7. Turn left on Highway 7. Turn right on Belt Line Boulevard. Citizens Independent Bank is located in the Wolfe Lake Professional Center. Thursday, May 5 Power Partners Networking | link 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. TwinWest office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: $75/year. Pre-registration required. Power Partners is a networking program that helps members exchange business leads and build relationships. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right.
Friday, May 6 Network Connections Networking Group | link 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. TwinWest office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: $75/year. Pre-registration required. Network Connections meets twice a month (the first Friday and third Thursday of each month at the TwinWest office), but practices referral exchanges each and every day. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right. Monday, May 9 Ribbon Cutting at WestHeath/Mosaic Giving Garden | link 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. WestHealth, 2805 Campus Drive, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 577-7130 Investment: No cost to attend. Join TwinWest's Ambassadors and help celebrate the opening of a cooperative "Giving Garden", with produce going to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners' food shelf. To get there: From Highway 55 heading west, turn right at County Road 61 before 494. Turn left on Campus Drive.
Wednesday, May 11 Ribbon Cutting at Panera Bread— Brooklyn Center | link 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Panera Bread, 6064 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center Host tel. (763) 651-1000 Investment: No cost to attend. Celebrate the grand re-opening of Brooklyn Center’s Panera Bread with TwinWest’s Ambassadors. To get there: Take Highway 100 north and turn left 57th Avenue North/Bass Lake Road. Turn right at Shingle Creek Drive. Thursday, May 12 Morning Networking at Citizens Independent Bank—Hopkins | link 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Citizens Independent Bank, 10901 Excelsior Boulevard , Hopkins Host tel. (952) 935-3333 Investment: No cost to attend. Meet your business neighbors and network with community leaders at Citizens Independent Bank in Hopkins. This informal no-cost networking event is held in partnership with the Hopkins Business and Civic Association. To get there: Go south on 169 to Excelsior Boulevard. Take a right on Excelsior and keep to the right at fork. Follow Downtown Signs and make a u-turn at 17th Avenue South.
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...May Calendar Thursday, May 12 Member Talk: For Members, By Members | link 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. TwinWest office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: No cost to attend. .
Join TwinWest for this informal problem-solving and networking session about any issue affecting your business. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right. Friday, May 13 Legislative Breakfast: Talking Taxes | link 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place, 1500 Park Place Boulevard Host tel. (952) 542-8600 Investment: Members $30; Nonmembers $40. Panel features: Sen. Julianne Ortman, Chair of the Senate Taxes Committee; Representative Paul Marquart, Member of the House Taxes Committee; Mark Haveman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association. To get there: From I-394 take the Park Place/Xenia exit. Go south on Park Place Boulevard, and then turn right on 16th.
Tuesday, May 17 TwinWest Prospective Member Forum: Your Questions Answered | link 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. TwinWest Chamber of Commerce office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: No cost to attend. TwinWest invites you to a one-hour forum to learn how to grow your network and improve the business climate through your local chamber of commerce. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. Wednesday, May 18 Government Affairs Committee Meeting | link 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. TwinWest Chamber of Commerce office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: No cost to attend. Discuss public policy issues impacting the business community. All members are welcome to participate. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane, just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right.
Wednesday, May 18 Emerging Leaders “On the Fast Track” Luncheon: Golf Outing | link 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. Brookview Golf Course, 200 Brookview Parkway, Golden Valley Host tel. (763) 732-4100 Investment: Investment: $25 to attend. Please join the TwinWest Emerging Leaders for an afternoon golf outing at the Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley. We’ll be teeing off on the front nine at 2:54 p.m. so please make sure to arrive a few minuntes early for registration. To get there: Take Highway 55 to Winnetka. Go south on Winnetka and take a right on Brookview Parkway. Thursday, May 19 Crystal/New Hope Business Council | link 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Liberty Diversified International, 5600 North Highway 169, New Hope Host tel. (763) 536-6600 Investment: No cost to attend. The Crystal/New Hope Business Council is for business and civic leaders who want to have a voice in local government and grassroots issues.
Thursday, May 19 Network Connections Networking Group | link 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. TwinWest office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: $75/year. Pre-registration required. Network Connections meets twice a month (the first Friday and third Thursday of each month at the TwinWest office), but practices referral exchanges each and every day. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right. Thursday, May 19 Power Partners Networking | link 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. TwinWest office, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth Host tel. (763) 450-2220 Investment: $75/year. Pre-registration required. Power Partners is a networking program that helps members exchange business leads, provides business advice and builds relationships. To get there: Go west on Highway 55. Take a left a Revere Lane just after Highway 169. Turn right onto the frontage road. TwinWest is on the right.
To get there: Take Highway 169 North to the 49th Avenue North exit and turn right. Turn left on to Independence Avenue North.
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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...May Calendar Thursday, May 19 Overtime Expo at Northland Inn | link 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Northland Inn, 7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park Host tel. (763) 536-8300 Investment: No cost to attend.
Tuesday, May 24 Small Business Awards Luncheon | link 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place, 1500 Park Place Boulevard Host tel. (952) 542-8600 Investment: $45/members; $55/nonmembers, includes lunch.
Network at TwinWest’s Overtime Expo featuring 30 exhibitors and complimentary appetizers at Northland Inn Brooklyn Park.
Honor the entrepreneurial spirit, meet the Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year finalists, and hear Irish restaurant entrepreneur Kieran Folliard.
To get there: From Highway 169 going north, take the 694/94 exit, then take exit 30 (Boone Avenue). Take a sharp right on Boone Avenue North, then a left on to Northland Drive. Tuesday, May 24 Foundation Scholarship Reception | link 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place, 1500 Park Place Boulevard Host tel. (952) 542-8600 Investment: No cost to attend.
To get there: From I-394 take the Park Place/Xenia exit. Go south on Park Place Boulevard, and then turn right on 16th.
Wednesday, May 25 Business Showcase at Success Computer Consulting | link 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Success Computer Consulting, 5000 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 625, Golden Valley Host tel. (763) 593-3000 Investment: No cost to attend, includes light lunch. Enjoy great networking and an introduction to Success Computer Consulting. This lunchtime TwinWest event is held in partnership with Brunberg Blatt and Company, CPAs. To get there: From I-394 take the Park Place/Xenia exit. Go north on Xenia. Turn right on Golden Hills Drive. Success Computer Consulting is in the Colonnade building, 6th floor.
Plan Ahead TwinWest Political Action Committee PACnic 2011 June 7, 5:30 p.m. Link | more information
Register for Events To register for any TwinWest event: Online | www.twinwest.com/events E-mail | info@twinwest.com Call | (763) 450-2220
Post Your Events Post your events for free on TwinWest’s online member and community event calendar. Link | www.twinwest.com/yourevent
Meet TwinWest Foundation scholarship award winners and donors. To get there: From I-394 take the Park Place/Xenia exit. Go south on Park Place Boulevard, and then turn right on 16th.
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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Board & Leadership Welcome New Board Members
Seeking Board Nominations
The TwinWest Board of Directors recently filled two vacated Board seats. Congratulations to Samantha Metcalf, LarsonAllen LLP, and Bob Schlichte, Grand Casino Mille Lacs & Hinckley on their appointments to the TwinWest Board.
The Board Development Committees of both the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce and the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation are seeking Board of Director nominees. Chamber Board members serve up to two two-year terms beginning October 1. Foundation Board members serve up to two three-year terms beginning October 1. To nominate an individual, contact Bruce Nustad at (763) 450-2222 or via e-mail at bruce@twinwest.com. Nominations are due May 10. Link | View the Chamber Board of Directors position description Link | View the Foundation Board of Directors position description
Samantha Metcalf, LarsonAllen, LLP
Bob Schlichte, Grand Casino Mille Lacs & Hinckley
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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Board & Leadership TwinWest Board of Directors Executive Committee Dannette Coleman, Medica, Chair Greg Korstad, Larkin Hoffman Attorneys, Chair-elect Nathan Agre, Blanski Peter Kronlage & Zoch, P.A. CPAs, Treasurer Steve Wise, Cass Screw Machine Products, Past Chair Bruce Nustad, TwinWest, President Directors Becky Bakken, Citizens Independent Bank Mike Corbin, General Mills Tom Harmening, City of St. Louis Park Annette Hruby, Costco Rick Kaufman, Owl Bookkeeping and CFO Services Michael Lehmann, Ferguson Enterprises Ron Leino, Liberty Carton, Co., an LDI Company Luke Litteken, CenterPoint Energy Samantha Metcalf, LarsonAllen LLP Pamela Muldoon, Next Stage Business/ Next Stage Business Radio Tim Raymond, Voyager Bank Matt Schadow, AmeriStar Agency, Inc. Bob Schlichte, Grand Casino Mille Lacs & Hinckley Mike Sowada, VISI Jon Thompson, Opportunity Partners Beth Ulrich, Fuzzy Duck Design
TwinWest Staff
Contact Us
Bruce Nustad, President Judy Johnson, Government Affairs Director Jacqui Sauter, Regional Sales Director Chris Kirwan, Member & Community Engagement Director Dan Thorp, Administrative Assistant
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170 Plymouth, MN 55441 Phone | (763) 450-2220 Fax | (763) 450-2221 Link | www.twinwest.com
TwinWest Partners
Follow Us
Loretta Kenney-Lillejord, Owl Bookkeeping & CFO Services, Accounting Victoria Marley, Signature Events Representative
Flickr | www.flickr.com Twitter | www.twitter.com Facebook | www.facebook.com LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com YouTube | www.youtube.com
TwinWest Directions magazine is published electronically ten times a year by the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170, Plymouth, MN 55441, phone (763) 450-2220. Annual subscription rate of $40 is included in a TwinWest membership investment. TwinWest serves the communities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Medicine Lake, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, St. Louis Park, and the surrounding areas.
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Directions—May 2011
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