ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
1496 Highway 30 Tama, Iowa 52339 www.bigrivertradingcompany.com Table of Contents
1 Introduction 2 Meskwaki Nation History 3 Meskwaki, Inc. Information 3 Big River Trading Company Information 4 Product Information 8 Company Timeline 9 Product Photos 16 Past Press for Big River Trading Company and Meskwaki, Inc. 17 Media Contact Information 17 Key Personnel 19 Logos for Big River Trading Company 20 Contact Information
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com Introduction
Welcome to Big River Trading Company. Located in Tama, Iowa, Big River Trading Company is founded on the vision of making a better future by leading the way as a socially-conscious business by the distribution of premium products to enhance the life of our customers and members of the Meskwaki Nation. We are proud of the entrepreneurs, retailers and manufacturing companies that come together to create economic growth in our community.
“Our goal is to reach out and bring in new business and new revenue,” Carol Guetschow, General Manager
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 1 Meskwaki Nation History
The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, known by the tribal name of Meskwaki Nation, has deep roots in Iowa stemming from the mid 1800’s. The Meskwaki Nation is the only indigenous tribe to Iowa, making it the only federally recognized tribe based in the state. As early Meskwaki leaders had the insight to purchase land, this laid the entrepreneurial framework for what the Tribe has matured into today. Over the years, the Meskwaki Tribe has grown to own more than 8,100 acres in Tama, Marshall and Palo Alto counties in Iowa. The land acquisitions have enabled Meskwaki to diversify their economy.
Economic development started as they kept buying and trading land for revenue. As gaming developed the Tribe, gaming started out as a small bingo hall but has grown into a successful state of the art casino located in Tama, Iowa. The Meskwaki Nation has reinvested casino revenue back into the organization which initiated a $60 million renovation to include two hotel towers. That being said, the Meskwaki Nation knew they had to diversify their revenue and profits from strictly gaming. Enter Meskwaki, Inc.
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 2 Meskwaki, Inc. Information
Meskwaki, Inc. was formed in 2008 for two distinct reasons. The Meskwaki Tribe wanted to add to and diversify from gaming due to an anticipated increase in competition, and to provide more diverse opportunities for tribal members and the local communities. Diversification offers additional opportunities to Tribal members who may not want to go into government or gaming services. The mission of Meskwaki, Inc. is to create diverse, sustainable businesses that are profitable and provide meaningful opportunities to the members of Meskwaki Nation.
Meskwaki, Inc. is comprised of 15 companies: Meskwaki Travel Plaza, Route 30 Diner, Meskwaki Fuels, Woodlands Construction Company, Red Earth Gardens, Red Earth Technologies, Fox Professional Services, Inc., Red Earth Technologies, Red Earth Real Estate Holdings, Timberline Building Supply Company, Meskwaki Cattail Creek Premium Coffee, Renards, Meskwaki Bold Warrior Sauce, Meskwaki Regular Warrior Sauce and Big River Trading Company.
Big River Trading Company Information
Big River Trading Company is the wholesale and retail arm of Meskwaki, Inc. and has two subdivisions; the nicotine and tobacco related products known as Renards and the non-nicotine related product line called Native Brandz.
Native Brandz Products Renards Brand Products • Wild Rice • Cigars • Jams and Jellies • Cigarettes • Barbeque Sauce • E-juice • Coffee • Folding Chairs • T-shirts • Blankets
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 3 Product Information
Renards Cigars
For thousands of years, tobacco has had a sacred purpose for many Native American tribes. It is used for prayer, to show respect, to heal and give spiritual protection. It has been used for many generations as offerings to the spirits, for planting, for gathering food, for healings, and for the Native American Pipe Ceremony.
The Native American Pipe Ceremony is a sacred ritual for connecting physical and spiritual worlds. “The pipe is a link between the earth and the sky.” Nothing is more sacred. The pipe is our prayers in physical form. Smoke becomes our words; it goes out, touches everything, and becomes a part of all there is.
Renards Premium Cigars are for cigar aficionados. Showcased in natural wrappers and blended tobacco from the Dominican Republic, you will immediately sense the rich quality the moment you inhale the amazing aroma. Our humidity-controlled warehouse in Iowa is home to this intriguing lineup of boutique cigars.
Renards Cigarettes
Renards uses the finest U.S. Grade A tobacco sourced from North Carolina & Virginia to produce the highest quality products in the market. Produced by experienced and knowledgeable craftsman. Tribally manufactured in state of the art facilities to provide great smoking satisfaction to the most discerning of tastes. Select from Flavor, Lights, Ultra Lights and Menthol Cartons.
Renards E-juice
If you’re looking for the perfect e-juice blend, you’ve come to the right place. There are so many flavors to choose from; you won’t be able to select just one. Those that try our E-Juice tell us it has become their favorite all day vapes. We are your one stop shop for all of your vaping needs. We’re dedicated to providing high-quality personal vaporizers and more!
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 4 All our eLiquid is manufactured in our laboratory by trained technicians and manufactured in state-of-the-art pharmaceutical grade and inspected facilities. All our ingredients are strictly USA/UK food and pharmaceutical grade.
Red Lake Nation Foods Lake Wild Rice
Our wild rice is grown and cultivated in the lakes of Minnesota.
This evolutionarily ancient grain has been found in layers of the earth dating back over 12,000 years. In addition to its role as an important food staple for ancestral peoples, it sustained a habitat for fish and waterfowl for thousands of years. The hand cultivation methods used for harvesting wild rice have remained unchanged for centuries.
Red Lake Nation Jams and Jellies
We are dedicated to creating exciting and delicious products with unforgettable flavors. We bring quality products to life for you to enjoy and share with your loved ones every day.
Our complete line of home-style jams, jellies, and spreads are made using quality fruit ingredients. Hand jarred by the Red Lake Nation, the fresh fruit flavors shine through and remind you of simpler times.
Our team is dedicated to creating exciting, delicious, and innovative gourmet products with rich flavor combinations to inspire your culinary adventure. If you enjoy high-quality food in its simplest state, you’ll be captivated by our jams, jellies and spreads.
Savory jams allow people to eat local fruits year-round. Enjoy your favorite hand harvested wild fruit jam or jelly from the Red Lake Nation of Minnesota. Jams and jellies are locally harvested and contain no preservatives or artificial flavors.
Flavors: Blueberry, Grape and Highbush Cranberry.
Meskwaki Warrior Sauce
Meskwaki Warrior Sauce is the perfect sauce to use with chicken, pork, or beef. You can cook with it, use it as a marinade or dipping sauce. Simply add it to your favorite dish. Warrior Sauce is presented in both Bold and Regular flavors. Get ready for a bolt of amazing taste.
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 5 Meskwaki Cattail Creek Premium Coffee
Almost everyone loves a great pot of coffee, and we offer a wide variety of whole bean and ground coffees for every taste, all created to help you brew your perfect cup of joe. From our gourmet custom roasted coffees to more traditional flavors, we have the most aromatic, deep roasted flavors in the region. We roast once weekly to maximize freshness!
Tribal Folding Chairs
Make a beautiful first impression with these Native American-designed folding chairs. Durable, easy to clean folding chairs are covered in rich, vibrant fleece fabric to be a show stopper for your home, event or office.
Meskwaki T-Shirts
Let your team; group or family stand together while standing out in these cool, Native American designed Tees. Strong graphics and colors draw attention to your message. Custom Tees available in larger quantities
Tribal Blankets
Wrap yourself in luxury with these beautiful, plush blankets. Designed in authentic Native American patterns and colors, these reversible, oversized blankets, will cover your home in warmth and style. Additional Meskwaki, Inc. & Subsidiaries
Red Earth Technologies
Red Earth Technologies specializes in helping companies and organizations increase efficiency and make the best possible use of technology so you can take better care of your customers. We provide full hardware; software, and database programming services.
Fox Professional Services
Fox Professional Services (FPS) is the Government Contracting entity of Meskwaki Inc. Using its Native-owned Small Business designation, FPS is chartered to seek out and obtain Department
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 6 of Defense and US State Department contracts in the core areas of Traditional and Agile Project Management frameworks and other administrative services. These contracts encompass both US and international destinations allowing Meskwaki, Inc. to be known as a global provider of services.
Red Earth Real Estate Holdings
Red Earth Real Estate Holdings is a full service, all-encompassing realty and rental properties company. We meet the needs of every type of situation, from full property management, building and remodeling services to facilitate all types of real estate deals for buyers, sellers and renters. Our goals is to ensure that once the agreement is finalized, all parties are pleased with the outcome.
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 7 Company Timeline
2016
• Business planning started for Big River Trading Company and Renards
2017
• Renards Cigars
• Renards Cigarettes
• Renards E-juice
• Renards Chase Clouds Premium e-juice
• Red Lake Nation Foods Lake Wild Rice
• Red Lake Nation Jams and Jellies
• Meskwaki Regular Warrior Sauce
• Meskwaki Bold Warrior Sauce
• Meskwaki Cattail Creek Premium Coffee
• Tribal Folding Chairs
• Meskwaki T-Shirts
• Tribal Blankets
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 8 Product Photos
Renards Cigars
Renards Cigarettes
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 9 Renards E-juice
Renards Chase Clouds Premium E-juice
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 10 Red Lake Nation Foods Lake Wild Rice
Red Lake Nation Jams and Jellies
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 11 Meskwaki Bold Warrior Sauce
Meskwaki Regular Warrior Sauce
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 12 Meskwaki Cattail Creek Premium Coffee
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 13 Tribal Folding Chairs
Meskwaki T-Shirts
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 14 Tribal Blankets
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 15 Past Press for Big River Trading Company and Meskwaki, Inc. http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/604030/Meskwaki--Inc--is-on-fast- track.html?nav=5006 https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/news/business/meskwaki-inc-inspiring-diversification- entrepreneurship-iowa/ http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Meskwaki-looking-for-new-businesses-besides- casino-426014714.html
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 16 Media Contact Information
Carol Guetschow General Manager, Big River Trading Company [email protected]
Brittani Wilson Public Relations Director, Plaid Swan, Inc. [email protected]
Key Personnel
Mark Hubble Chief Executive Officer, Meskwaki, Inc. [email protected]
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 17 Tim Youngbear Warehouse Manager, Big River Trading Company [email protected]
Shawny Randall Sales Assistant and Consultant [email protected]
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 18 Logos
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 19 Contact Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigrivertc/
Website: http://bigrivertradingcompany.com
Mailing Address: 1496 Highway 30, Tama, IA 52339
1496 Highway 30, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrivertradingcompany.com 20