Advantage Magazine | August 2022

ROCH ESTER A Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Publication

August 2022

Lemonade day a sweet success!

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MEET THE MEMBER Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler

CHAMBER 101 Learn about what the Chamber can do for you at Chamber 101

CHAMBER KICKBALL TOURNAMENT Brush off your gym shoes!

August 2022

What’s Inside 4

Feature Lemonade Day: A Sweet Success

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Meet the Member

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Chamber News

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Community News

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Newsreel

Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler

Advertising Information: Brent Ackerman backerman@RochesterMNChamber.com

Advantage Information and Questions: Katie Becker kbecker@RochesterMNChamber.com

I M A G I N AT I O N I N N O VAT I O N We integrate practicality and sophisticated thinking into every project with design that makes the most of every space.

STAFF Chamber President Ryan Parsons 507-288-1122

Membership Brent Ackerman Development Director 507-424-5666

Public Affairs & Leadership Jonathon Krull Development Director 507-424-5677 Membership Director Tim Shea

507-424-5663

Events & Program Ally Sheehan Director 507-424-5687

Membership Director Kali Aldrich

507-424-5665

Communications Director Katie Becker 507-424-5661

Administrative Assistant Cherie Thurlow 507-288-1122

Director of Operations Cheryl Krage 507-424-5699

2021-2022 CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS Chair of the Board Christy Blade

Treasurer James Kelly

Rochester Post Bulletin, LLC

Individual Member

Vice Chair John Eckerman

Secretary Emily Benner

RSP Architects

Boston Scientific

2021-2022 CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS Santhi Arunachalam

Xylo Technologies Inc.

Lizzy Haywood

People’s Food Cooperative

Dr. Christine Beech*

Copiavia

Doug Holtan

Mayo Clinic

Chad Behnken

Hamilton Real Estate

Marge Kelley

Gillette Pepsi

Dr. Lori Carrell

University of Minnesota - Rochester

Omar Nur

Somali American Social Service Assoc.

Steve Dunn

Taco JED

Sylwia Bujak Oliver

125 Live

Scott Eggert*

Broadway Plaza

David Pederson

Dunlap & Seeger, P.A.

Jessica Eidem

IBM Corporation

Jack Priggen

Cardinal of MN, LTD.

Shawn Fagan

Fagan Studios

Joselyn Raymundo

Rochester Home Infusion

Abel Garcia

Remodeling D.L, LLC

Sharon Schneller

Olmsted Medical Center

Karen Hanson

Home Instead Senior Care

Gwen Stevens

People’s Energy Cooperative

*Denotes at large members of the Executive Committee

VISION

MISSION The Chamber promotes business success which supports a thriving community.

Rochester-area businesses are empowered to succeed in a diverse and collaborative climate.

VALUES As a service organization, the Chamber is committed to conducting our work in accordance with the following values:

Collaboration | Diversity |Innovation Integrity | Proactivity Chamber Advantage USPS 446-900 is published monthly by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce at 220 S Broadway Ste 100 | Rochester, MN 55904 | Phone: 507-288-1122 Periodical Postage paid at Rochester, Minnesota | Annual Subscription: $20 (free to Chamber members) | Christy Blade, Chair of the Board | Editor: Katie Becker Postmaster: Send address changes to: Chamber Advantage, 220 S Broadway Ste 100, Rochester, MN 55904 or email: chamber@rochestermnchamber.com

F Feature

LEMONADE DAY: A SWEET SUCCESS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

By Maura Keller

Lemonade Day, participants follow along in the workbook lessons that help them to make decisions about their business. The money they make is theirs to keep. They can spend their profit, save their profit, and/or share some of their profit with a charity of their choice. “Some might even choose to do a little bit of all three,” Sheehan says.

Young entrepreneurs used their creativity to develop their business plan and brand their lemonade stands.

Today’s entrepreneurs have a lot to be proud

of – and so do the groups that have helped them become the growing force that they are today.

Lemonade Day, a nation-wide experiential learning program, is one example of an effort that teaches local youth entrepreneurial and life skills as they learn how to start their very own business.

Eight-year-old Laina Lessard recently participated in Rochester’s Lemonade Day by establishing her own “COOL” lemonade stand where she decided to sell lemonade, chips, and passed out lemonade scented stickers. “My mom helped with the idea of the lemonade stand – to get a stand, make sure we had the signs, ice, taste testing the lemonade, etc.

I especially liked when the motorcycle came by. I didn’t know that there were a bunch of other motorcycles that would have come if they had seen the signs. Next year we’ll need more signs!” Lessard says.

“We set up in the rain and made sure we had everything. To set up, we put out the lemonade stuff. We focused on the tables, the tablecloths, the

According to Ally Sheehan, City Director for Lemonade Day Rochester and Events and Program Director at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, youth who participate in Lemonade Day learn how to develop a business and experience all the aspects of creating and maintaining that business, such as developing a product, establishing a budget, designing a marketing plan, and much more. This year’s Lemonade Day took place on Saturday, June 11th.

Over 330 young entrepreneurs registered for Lemonade Day. “Participants receive a free entrepreneur workbook and a mentor guide that helps walk them through the process,” Sheehan says. Leading up to

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Members of the community, including members of the Rochester Police Department, supported local stands on Lemonae Day.

August 2022

2022 RESULTS AND I M P A C T

BIG PICTURE

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Registered Kids

STAND STATS Avg. Total Revenue

$212.99

Avg. Profit

$150.87

LOOKING AT LESSONS

120%

100% 80%

60%

40% 20%

0%

Paid Back Investor

Opened a Savings Met their Goal Account

Plan on Participating Next Year

Spent Some

Saved Some

Shared Some

Average Amount Shared

Average Amount Saved

PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS Gender

Ethnicity Male

Female

49% 51%

12% 8%

Grade Caucasian

57%

Hispanic

13%

High (9-12)

9%

Elementary (K-5)

Asian

10% 13%

African American Other

Middle (6-8)

78%

F Feature lemonade, the cooler, and being clean. We were ‘clean’ by wearing gloves and using hand sanitizer.

We put out three signs and a big menu.”

Kids like Lessard learned various skills through this program that correlates back to school work – math, personal financial literacy, reading, speaking, writing, and much more. “They learn key finance terms – budget, capital, credit, debit, depreciation, profit,” Sheehan says.

To help build the excitement for Lemonade Day, a kickoff event was held at Air Insanity where participants could pick up their workbooks, backpacks and shirts.

community. Through the entire process it helps them develop as tomorrow’s future leaders,” VonBank says. “We are always looking for ways to support those around us and stay active, which is one of the reasons we developed our own Hy-Vee KidsFit program, which helps promote healthy living and staying active for kids.”

Hy-Vee is an employee-owned company where many of the leaders and employees that make up the company are promoted from within so the company enjoys being able to help others get opportunities to grow, such as the learning experience from Lemonade Day.

“We also had a ‘Best Tasting Contest’ where 10 participants were able to showcase their stand and lemonade to a panel of judges,” Sheehan says. “It was fun to watch participants get excited as they saw a car pull up to their stand and get out and talk with them about their stand, how they decided to decorate their stand, how they decided on what to sell and their advertising strategies. They put in a lot of work into their stands and it showed,” Sheehan says.

The process of Lemonade Day is also reflected in Hy-Vee’s business structure, which added to the sponsorship being a good fit for the company. “For many individuals, Hy-Vee is their first job and the company helps them along the way to learn about the responsibilities that come with these jobs and different options that are available for them,” VonBank says. “Some go on to develop careers in other fields and we have many that take on opportunities with Hy-Vee that result in long-term careers.”

Brett VonBank, store manager at Hy-Vee Barlow Plaza in Rochester, was a sponsor of this year’s Lemonade Day in Rochester. VonBank says Hy-Vee saw it as a way to help support the Rochester community’s youth through an effective program.

“Lemonade Day provides a great opportunity for individuals to take part in learning how a business works and be socially active in their own

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce plans to continue to build the excitement of entrepreneurship amongst youth in the Rochester Community. “We hope that youth participating in this program walk away with the knowledge of developing financial literacy, marketing skills and the experience of a business planning in a fun and engaging way.”

The Chamber team and community members enjoyed participating in a caravan to various lemonade stands on June 11th.

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August 2022

Committed to the business community.

At Merchants Bank, we’re committed to creating vibrant local economies and helping our customers succeed. It’s who we’ve been for the last 145 years.

We’re ready to be your trusted advisor, your partner, and join you every step of the way as we work toward your business’s financial goals together.

When you work with us, you become part of the Merchants Bank family.

Let’s get started.

Jarett Jones

Market President

Loans subject to approval.

Member FDIC

Katie Lund

Commercial Banker

Nick Pederson

Commercial Banker

(507) 282-7535 | 1600 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester (507) 535-1520 | 3586 55th Street NW, Rochester merchantsbank.com

M Meet the Member

MEET THE MEMBER: HIGHT & RANDALL, PERSONAL JEWELER Jewelry has played an

Barbara and Randy, co-owners of Hight and important role in human life Randall, Personal Jeweler, opened their store in for thousands of years. History Rochester in 1995. tells us that many ancient civilizations valued jewelry and used different pieces to convey different messages.

Jewelry is just as important today, with a variey of jewelry pieces being worn to enhance a look, express your creativity, and more. The jewelry experts at Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler, know how important jewelry is, and offer a variety of unique pieces to fit your needs.

Q: Tell us more about Hight

& Randall, Personal Jeweler.

What does it offer to the Rochester region?

A: Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler is a full-service fine jewelry store, providing a memorable jewelry buying experience through transparency and confidence in each purchase.

Our commitment to our guests is to hand select the diamonds and gemstones for quality and beauty. Additionally, a very important part of the customer experience is being fully educated about their jewels, as well as the manufacture of the mounting and setting of the piece. That education doesn’t only apply to newly purchased jewelry, but also the maintenance and repair of existing jewelry items.

Q: How did it start for Hight & Randall, Personal

Jeweler?

A: Randy and I are co-owners of Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler. For over 10 years, I traveled for the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and DeBeers, the diamond cartel; during that time I met

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Randy who had a fine jewelry store in Edina, MN. We connected and opened the store in Rochester, my hometown, in 1995. Our store became a recognized member of the American Gem Society (AGS) with a certified laboratory and the region’s only Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA), which aligns with our commitment of education and consumer awareness.

Q: Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler became a

member of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce in 1996. What do you find valuable in your membership to the organization?

A: Hight & Randall became a member of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce in 1996, and we have found meaningful support in the benefits ranging from the ribbon cutting ceremonies to the member directory that widens our customer reach by over 5,000. Throughout our 26 years of membership, the Chamber continues to make a concerted effort in their support of Rochester’s small businesses, and we are pleased to be a member of this organization.

August 2022

Meet the Member M Q: What is a unique fact people should know about Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler?

A: Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler believes in supporting a number of non-profit organizations throughout the Rochester region. We received the “Philanthropic Organization Award” for 2021 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. We are honored and humbled by this recognition.

Visit Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler at 3273 19th St. NW, Suite 1, Rochester, MN or visit them online at www.personaljeweler.com to learn more.

Q: What is the outlook for your business and

industry?

A: Diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry have always been the perfect gift of love, and that will not change. Jewelry is an extension of who you are: honoring your past, celebrating the present, and dreaming of the future. It’s your personal story.

Ahead is a very bright future in all areas of the jewelry business, especially with estate jewelry, custom design, and appraisal. We look forward to the opportunity to continue being a professional part of the jewelry industry and our Rochester community for years to come.

Hight & Randall, Personal Jeweler is recognized member of the American Gem Society (AGS) with a certified laboratory and the region’s only Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA)

August 2022

Advantage Magazine | 9

C Chamber News

CHAMBER KICKBALL TOURNAMENT - A KICKIN’ GOOD TIME! EVENT SPONSORS Presenting Sponsor

Get your kicking foot ready! The Rochester Area

Chamber is excited to bring a Kickball Tournament to our event lineup! Join us this September for a friendly game of Kickball amongst other business leaders. This event is a great opportunity for the Chamber members and their staff to get out of the office and enjoy a fun day of networking, building relations, and team bonding, all while playing a friendly game of kickball!

Dugout Sponsor

Assemble a team of 10 players, or come with a few and we will create a team for you! Single elimination, all skill levels welcome. Awards will be presented to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Best Dressed Team.

Brush off our gym shoes and get ready for a kicking good time with the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Community. Space is limited so get your team registered today!

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 Time: 11:00am-5:00pm Location: McQuillan Fields , 1655 Marion Rd. SE, Rochester, MN Admission: $30 per individual $300 per team (10 players)

Register here: https://bit.ly/3AZadpp 10 | Advantage Magazine

August 2022

Chamber News C

Are you a new member of the Rochester Area

Chamber of Commerce, or a long-time member needing a refresh? Join us at our Chamber 101 event at the Heartland Gun Club and Range on Wednesday, August 17th. This event will help educate you on your membership and highlight the resources and tools that we provide to help you meet your business goals and objectives! Snacks, refreshments, and door prizes will be provided.

Heartland Gun Club and Range offers 12 luxury shooting lanes, a full retail selection, comprehensive classes, private event spaces, and a variety of different memberships.

Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm Location: Heartland Gun Club and Range, 5105 Commercial Dr. SW, Rochester, MN Admission: Free, registration required

Register here: https://bit.ly/3R840gC

Start your weekend with the Chamber team! The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring back Chamber Weekend Kickoff!

We welcome members to join us for a free lunch and connection with other fellow members. The Chamber will be grilling and serving lunch from 11:30am-1:00pm at the Saint Mary’s University Rochester Campus.

Quantities are limited and registration is requested and greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Saint Mary’s University Rochester Campus, Gillette Pepsi - Rochester, and Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe for their partnership and support of the Chamber Weekend Kickoff.

Date: Friday, August 26, 2022 Time: 11:30am-1:00pm Location: Saint Mary’s University Rochester Campus, 2900 19th St. NW, Rochester, MN Admission: Free, registration required

Register here: https://bit.ly/3bUguIO SPONSORED BY

August 2022

Advantage Magazine | 11

C Chamber News

4NtNhUAL

A

hosted by

PREMIER BANK

MUSIC FOOD FUN Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce

hosted by

hosted by

Join us for Business After Hours (BAH), a monthly

AM Espresso is a monthly Networking PLUS event

Premier Bank is a family owned bank with global reach. They hire, serve, and give back to individuals and organizations in their communities.

Come join fellow Chamber and community members to expand your network, promote your business, and enjoy delicious breakfast refreshments.

For September, you are invited to Gillette Pepsi Rochester.

networking function which brings professionals together to network and build valuable business relationships. Enjoy delicious food and drinks while connecting with a variety of businesses and organizations operating in the greater Rochester area. This event is a great opportunity to increase your organization’s visibility and generate productive business leads.

Come and connect, expand your network, and build community at the Premier Bank Block Party!

Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2022 Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm Location: Premier Bank Rochester Downtown, 421 1st Ave. SW, Rochester, MN Admission: Free, registration required

Register here: https://bit.ly/3nECpX0

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brought to you by the Chamber. Come join fellow Chamber and community members to expand your network, promote your business, and enjoy delicious breakfast refreshments. We believe there is value for all in building a supportive business community. As the local economy shifts towards recovery, it is more important than ever to interact with each other to share ideas and best practices.

Date: Friday, September 23, 2022 Time: 7:30am-9:00am Location: Gillette Pepsi Rochester, 3393 Commercial Dr. SW, Rochester, MN Admission: Free, registration required

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Rjvy2W

August 2022

Community News C

RST WELCOMES TAILWIND CONCESSIONS

John Reed, Executive Director of RST, joins the Chamber for a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Tailwind Concessions on July 20th.

Passengers at Rochester International Airport can

now enjoy an enhanced customer experience with convenient and delicious new food, beverage, and gift shop in partnership with Tailwind Concessions.

RST hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration on Wednesday, July 20 at 12:00 p.m. to officially welcome the organization to the community.

“We first began working with Tailwind Concessions at a very challenging time during the height of the pandemic in 2020. The team at Tailwind Concessions has been remarkable with their steadfast approach to serve the needs of customers starting with a soft launch of service with our inaugural flights with Sun Country last year,” said John Reed, executive director. “As our industry continues to recover, we’ve appreciated Tailwind Concessions commitment and overall partnership not only with RST but with the greater region. As a national leader in airport concessions, Tailwind Concessions has brought jobs to the community and enhances the overall airport experience. We are thrilled to officially welcome Tailwind Concessions to the community and thank them for their partnership.”

breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a full-service bar offering. The restaurant offers convenient and quick “grab and go” offerings to a more leisurely fast casual hot meal options. Menu offerings include high-quality ingredients, healthy food options that consider the medical needs, dietary restrictions, and cultural needs of travelers. Retail concessions include a wide range of items offering travel necessities and accessories, jewelry, post/greeting cards, magazines/books, health and beauty items, novelties and gifts, clothing, and children’s toys.

In addition to the remodeled restaurant location an expanded concession and retail area has also been added to Gates 1, 4 and 5 offering even more hospitality options for travelers before boarding a flight or departing the airport.

Concessions operating hours are 5:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 30 minutes before the first departing flight, up until the last flight departs. “Since 2005, Tailwinds has been providing delicious food and beverages to airports across the country. Our goal is to help make RST a pleasurable experience and we are excited to be a part of this dynamic and growing community,” said Jess Backhaus, Chief Operating Officer at Tailwind Concessions.

The 3,655 sq. ft. newly remodeled restaurant features an open and well-lit design for easily accessible

August 2022

Advantage Magazine | 13

C Community News

MAYO CLINIC RANKED NO. 1 HOSPITAL IN NATION The U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll features 20 hospitals across the country with the highest combined overall scores in 15 medical and surgical specialties, and 20 common procedures and conditions. Hospitals are measured on factors such as survival, patient experience, nurse staffing, advanced technology, patient services and reputation with other specialists. Hospitals also are ranked regionally within states and major metro areas.

Mayo Clinic has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in the nation for the seventh consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022–2023 “Best Hospitals” rankings.

U.S. News & World Report first published state rankings in 2012, with Mayo Clinic in Rochester ranked No. 1 in Minnesota since the beginning. This year marks a decade that Mayo Clinic in Arizona has ranked No. 1 in the state, while Mayo Clinic in Florida has ranked No. 1 in the state of Florida for six of the past seven years.

“We’re proud to again be recognized as the No. 1 hospital in the nation,” says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., Mayo Clinic’s president and CEO. “This honor underscores the incredible commitment of our staff to deliver the highest standard of care to our patients each and every day. Our staff are truly at the heart of this achievement.”

“This recognition is a testament to our staff’s deep commitment to delivering care with exceptionally high quality, safety and experience,” says Sean Dowdy, M.D., Mayo Clinic’s chief value officer. “More than any other year, I am particularly proud of the perseverance, expertise, attention to detail and empathy of our staff that is responsible for our category-of-one performance, as supported by our consistent No. 1 ranking.”

Mayo Clinic’s global destination for hope and healing began as a single physician medical practice in 1864. Today, Mayo Clinic’s mission remains steadfast, with more than 74,000 staff members providing expert, compassionate care to more than 1.4 million patients from every state and 140 countries each year.

Mayo Clinic in Arizona has again been ranked on the “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll list – the sixth consecutive year that Mayo Clinic in Arizona has been named a top-20 hospital in the nation. Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has been recognized as a “Best Regional Hospital” in northwestern Wisconsin and Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota, has been recognized as a “Best Regional Hospital” in southern Minnesota.

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August 2022

Community News C

ROCHESTER NAMED IN TOP 100 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN U.S LIST changed since the beginning of the pandemic.

Since March 2020, more than 42% of the U.S. population has either moved or considered moving.

This year, Livability partnered with Movoto by OJO to offer readers guidance for the next step in their journey – to determine the type of housing available in the ranked cities and at what price.

This year’s ranking of the Top 100 Best Places to Live took all of these factors into consideration and when combined, these points offer a snapshot of how affordability and amenities are the top priorities for remote workers.

Rochester has been named one of the 2021 Top

Home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN is a small but mighty city with a thriving downtown scene, tons of professional networking opportunities and lots of family-friendly activities to keep little ones busy.

100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com, outpacing more than 1,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 1 million in this data-driven ranking.

“This year’s list is a testament to loving where you live, in a time where more of us than ever can live anywhere we want,” says Cara Sanders, Livability. com managing editor. “These past two years have shown us how important it is that the places we live meet our needs and offer up affordability, opportunity and plenty of amenities. If we can work from anywhere, then these 100 cities are places you would want to live and make remote workers’ needs a top priority.”

The 2021 rankings were guided by an exclusive remote working study conducted by Livability.com in partnership with Ipsos. More than 1,000 adults aged 18 and up from across the country were surveyed to determine which livability characteristics they value in their future communities. Respondents were asked if they could work from anywhere, which factors would be most heavily considered when choosing to relocate and how housing needs and priorities have

August 2022

Advantage Magazine | 15

C Community News

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A RECESSION…JUST IN CASE

By Dean Swanson, volunteer Certified SCORE Mentor and former SCORE Chapter Chair, District Director, and Regional Vice President for the North West Region

Some people predict a recession is coming,

while others dismiss the notion since the nation is essentially at full employment. But many small business owners are worried a recession is looming. According to the latest Small Business Recovery Report, issued last week by Kabbage from American Express, 83% of small business owners are concerned a recession is coming soon. But entrepreneurs tend to be optimistic, and in that vein, 80% are confident they can withstand it.

Rieva Lesonsky, one of SCORE’s content partners and president and CEO of GrowBiz Media, a custom content and media company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship, wrote a great blog on this topic. I share that with you in this column.

examining your accounts receivable and payable right now. What’s your monthly cash flow today?

Are there invoices that are past due? If so, call those customers and try to collect now.

Interestingly, the business owners are so confident they can withstand a recession because they survived the COVID-19 pandemic. They say the pandemic “helped them find a greater sense of resilience and preparedness to be successful in the future, despite economic turbulence.”

Due to inflation, it’s likely you’re spending more than you typically do. Look for areas where you can cut back now before you’re forced to. One area that business owners often overlook is subscriptions and dues. Are you paying for publications or newsletters your rarely read? Are you a dues-paying member of organizations that you never interact with? Are you paying for technology apps you rarely use?

Due to inflationary pressures, many of the businesses surveyed have already raised their prices, so they’re in a stronger financial position in case a recession comes, but many are still struggling with supply chain disruptions.

Cash Flow is King.

As I was doing the research for this blog, I came across an interview I did with my pal Steve Strauss about surviving a recession—in 2009! And what I said then is still relevant today. While cash flow is always king, it becomes more paramount during recessions because customers and clients often pay you later than usual. Net 30 becomes net 60 in a hurry.

It’s critical for you to keep your cash flowing. Start by

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Keeping your overhead spending low during a recession will make a significant impact. Are you still operating remotely? This is a smart way to keep costs low. Spend your money wisely. Use credit cards that offer cash back or other relevant rewards.

To read more, visit SCORE’s website at https://bit.ly/3lC7k6d

August 2022

Community News C

CITY OF ROCHESTER SHARES SURVEY RESULTS

The National Research Center (NRC) and City

teammates will share Rochester’s results of the 2022 National Community Survey (NCS) and National Business Survey (NBS). This is the second community survey Rochester has done, the first being in 2018.

However, this is the first time the City worked with the NRC, which has assisted both cities and counties with this type of work across the country for over 20 years. The NBS is new for Rochester and also conducted by the NRC. The findings from both surveys will be shared at the August 1 City Council Study Session.

“We would like to thank all the community members who participated in the Community Survey or the Business Survey. Your participation helps the City of Rochester because it provides data to prioritize evidenced based decision-making,” shares City Administrator Alison Zelms. “The opportunity to compare our results to other similar communities also allows us to see where we are doing well and what opportunities we have for improvement.”

5,500 residences in Rochester were randomly selected and invited to participate in the statistically significant survey. In total, 828 responses were received. The NCS provides more than 500 comparison communities across the nation, which represent opinions of more than 50 million residents.

Key findings from the Rochester survey include: • • • • •

Residents enjoy a positive quality of life and strong sense of safety in Rochester.

Rochester’s economy and employment opportunities are an asset to the community.

Rochester’s parks and recreational offerings are highly valued by residents.

Feedback strongly reflects a value in receiving many City services virtually/digitally.

Rochester compares very well with similar communities that participate in the survey nationally.

August 2022

•

Rochester has opportunities to consider amenities for resident experience, visitor experience, housing affordability, and yard waste

In an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, an analysis of the data identified statistically significance differences across the demographic categories. These items included: •

• •

•

Generally acting in the best interest of the community – 68% for those having lived in Rochester 5 years or less, 54% for those having lived in Rochester 6-10 year and 43% for those having lived in Rochester 11+ years Voted in your most recent local election – 84% for Home Owners vs 63% for Renters In-person visits to City facilities (e.g. City Hall, Library, Development Services and Infrastructure Center, Rochester Public Utilities) – 69% for NonWhite Alone vs 53% for White Alone Employment Opportunities – 73% for White Alone vs 48% for Non-White Alone

The National Business Survey was an opt-in opportunity and over 230 businesses participated.

The key insights from that survey included: 1. Majority of businesses in Rochester feel positively about business climate in the City.

2. Only half of owners/managers gave excellent or good ratings to the city as a place to visit, meaning there is an opportunity to improve visitor experience.

3. City services related to transportation ranked well, but there is an opportunity for the relationship between businesses and the City to improve.

The City of Rochester is planning to conduct both the National Community Survey and National Business Survey every two years.

Advantage Magazine | 17

N Newsreel

NEWSREEL Updates from the Chamber member community.

Think Bank Appoints Nate Boyer as CFO

New Hire at Merchants Bank

Dr. Jessica Garcia Recieves Promotion

Think Bank appoints new VP-Controller

Think Bank promoted Nate Boyer to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Nate is an experienced business strategist and people leader who has been with Think since 2008. In his new role as CFO, Nate will develop and lead financial and investment practices that maintain Think’s strong financial position and generate growth for the bank and its customers.

Catherine “Cat” Breet has been named SVP/ Chief Human Resource Officer for Merchants Bank, succeeding Beth Ede who retired in July.

Cat spent the last 16 years running her own career guidance and HR consulting company. She joins the Company’s Executive Leadership Team and is looking forward to contributing to the tradition and culture of the organization. Learn more at merchantsbank.com.

Dr. Jessica Garcia has been promoted to Clinical Program Supervisor for Family Service Rochester’s Outpatient Therapy team. Dr. Garcia joined FSR in August 2021 and has been providing therapy and psychological testing in our outpatient therapy program. She will continue to practice in her role as Clinical Program Supervisor.

Think Bank promoted Jason Kanz to Vice President/Controller in June. Jason is an experienced accountant, tax strategist and people leader who has been with Think since 2004. In his new role as VP/ Controller, Jason will manage and direct Think’s accounting and financial practices and records, ensuring a strong financial position for the bank and its customers.

Pinske Joins Family Service Rochester

New Hires at KIMT News 3

Betsy Bayerkohler Promoted

New RN at Home Instead

Jennifer Pinske, CFRE, joins Family Service Rochester as the Director of Community Engagement with the responsibility to grow its fundraising activities, strengthen, broaden, and diversify its revenue, and increase volunteers and community awareness.

Dan Clouse (left) has joined KIMT News 3 as News Director in Rochester, MN. Dan is returning to KIMT News 3. He was an anchor/reporter for KIMT News 3 back in the mid 90’s. KIMT is excited to have Sara Knox (right) return as a meteorologist to complete the Storm Team 3 team!

Betsy Bayerkohler has worked with Home Instead for over 6 years, and recently accepted the position of Operations Manager. Betsy’s experience as a manager and leader have prepared her well to deliver on her main goal: to ensure that both Staff and CAREGivers have the tools they need to deliver the highest quality service to seniors in our community.

Home Instead is pleased to announce the new hire of Rita Gillmore, RN. Rita has over 35+ years experience, and previously worked with the Geriatric population at the Homestead, River Bend, and Recover Health. We feel her knowledge and compassionate nature will be a great addition to our team - and an essential team member to best serve our clients and caregivers.

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August 2022

Event Lineup E

CALENDAR of EVENTS

AUGUST 05

AM Espresso PossAbilities

Date: Friday, August 5 Time: 7:30am-9:00am Location: 1808 3rd Ave. SE, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

16

Businesss After Hours Premier Bank Block Party

Date: Tuesday, August 16 Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm Location: 421 1st Ave. SW, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

17

Chamber 101 - Heartland Gun Club & Range

Date: Wednesday, August 17 Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm Location: 5105 Commercial Dr. SW, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

19

Women’s Roundtable

Date: Friday, August 19 Time: 7:30am-9:00am Location: TBD FREE - Registration required

August 2022

25

WE Forum - Emotional Intelligence

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Date: Thursday, August 25 Time: 8:00am-9:00am Location: 2900 19th St. NW, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

Date: Thursday, September 22 Time: 11:00am-5:00pm Location: 1655 Marion Rd. SE, Rochester, MN $300 per team of 10, $30 individual

25

Hospitality 1st Roundtable

23

Chamber Kickball Tournament

AM Espresso - Gillette Pepsi Rochester

Date: Thursday, August 25 Time: 9:45am-11:00am Location: 30 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

Date: Friday, September 23 Time: 7:30am-9:00am Location: 3393 Commercial Dr. SW, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

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29

Chamber Weekend Kickoff

WE Forum - Who is Your Customer?

Date: Friday, August 26 Time: 11:30am-1:00pm Location: 2900 19th St. NW, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

Date: Thursday, September 29 Time: 8:00am-9:00am Location: 2900 19th St. NW, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

SEPTEMBER 16 Women’s Roundtable

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Date: Friday, September 16 Time: 7:30am-9:00am Location: 220 S Broadway Ave. Suite 100, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

Businesss After Hours - ISG

Date: Thursday, September 29 Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm Location: 30 3rd St. SE, Rochester, MN FREE - Registration required

Advantage Magazine | 19

W Welcome

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER! Introducing our newest members.

All Braids & Hair Care

Marine Credit Union

DeCook Landscaping

Red Cow

AT&T

Oertli and Pleschourt LLP

Fair Winds Consulting

DeCook Excavating

Travel Leaders

Rochester Greeters

Level Up Courses

Berkshire Village

Lola Oloye (507) 512-0475 1700 Broadway Ave. N, Suite 132, Rochester, MN www.allbraidsandhaircare.com

Sam Prigge (507) 361-1595 6262 Salem Rd. SW, Rochester, MN www.decooklandscaping.com

Dakota Woodard (507) 258-5855 430 Crossroads Dr. SW, Rochester, MN www.att.com

Kristi Ackley (320) 298-2901 PO Box 6001, Rochester, MN www.fairwindsmn.com

Amy Wright (507) 281-1014 3135 Superior Dr. NW, Suite A, Rochester, MN www.tvlleaders.com

Jeff Custer (612) 720-7967 Rochester, MN www.levelupcourses.co

Charlie Dery (507) 312-7510 811 Monitor St., La Crosse, WI www.marinecu.com

Michael Giacomini (952) 237-5378 217 14th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN www.redcowmn.com

Ben Oertli (507)288-6650 5105 Highway 52 N, Rochester, MN www.oertliandpleschourt.com

Evan Rausch (507) 361-2536 821 Country Club Rd. SE, Rochester, MN www.decookexcavating.com

Kathy Johnson (507) 282-9970 1508 2nd Ave. NE, Rochester, MN www.rochestergreeters.com

Michelle Steel (507) 517-4481 1258 17th Ave. NW, Rochester, MN www.berkshirerochesterapts.com

Do you know of a business that has recently opened in Rochester? Are you connected to a business-owner looking to expand their network? Then a Chamber membership is right for them!

Please contact chamber@rochestermnchamber.com with any referrals.

20 | Advantage Magazine

August 2022

Ribbon Cuttings R

Ribbon Cuttings

Congratulations to the following members on their successful Ribbon Cuttings!

TJ’s DJ & Photography

TJ’s DJ & Photography celebrated their new Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting on June 8th. Owner, Moses Pecinovsky, cut the ribbon.

1011 West Center St. #2, Rochester, MN www.tjdjphoto.com

Nautical Bowls

Nautical Bowls celebrated their Grand Opening and new Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting on June 9th. General Manager, Josh Guhl, cut the ribbon.

230 20th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN www.nauticalbowls.com

The Battleground

The Pines Clubhouse

1802 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN www.thebattlegroundmn.com

4871 Pines View Pl. NW, Rochester, MN www.pinesrochester.com

Healent Acupuncture

LC’s Venue

2660 Superior Dr. NW, Suite 103. Rochester, MN www.healentacupuncture.com

310 Broadway Ave. S, Rochester, MN www.lcsvenue.com

The Battleground celebrated their new Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting on June 10th.

Owner, Brad Vigesaa, cut the ribbon.

Healent Acupuncture celebrated their new Grand Opening Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting on June 16th. Owner, Seth Woodson, cut the ribbon.

August 2022

The Pines celebrated the Grand Opening of their new clubhouse with a ribbon cutting on June 15th.

LC’s Venue celebrated their Grand Opening and new Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting on June 7th. Owners, Leah Driscoll and Cassie Fenstra, cut the ribbon.

Advantage Magazine | 21

Periodical Postage

220 South Broadway, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904 507-288-1122 www.RochesterMNChamber.com

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