ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
1494 305th Street Tama, Iowa 52339 www.bigrtc.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 18 Past Press for Big River Trading Company and Meskwaki, Inc. 19 Media Contact Information 20 Key Personnel 21 Logos for Big River Trading Company 22 Contact Information
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.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
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.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.
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.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 10 companies: Meskwaki Travel Plaza, Route 30 Diner, Meskwaki Fuels, Woodlands Construction Company, Red Earth Gardens, Red Earth Technologies, Fox Professional Services, Inc., Red Earth Real Estate Holdings, Timberline Building Supply Company, 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.
Renards Brand Products Native Brandz Products • Cigars • Wild Rice • Cigarettes • Jams and jellies • Barbeque sauce Outagami • Coffee • E-juice • T-shirts • Blankets
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.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 and Virginia to produce the highest quality products on the market. Produced by experienced and knowledgeable craftsman and tribally manufactured in state of the art facilities, these cigarettes provide great smoking satisfaction to the most discerning of tastes. Select from Flavor, Lights, Ultra Lights and Menthol Cartons.
Outagami 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’re dedicated to providing high-quality personal vaporizers.
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 4 In addition to offering more than 30 vape flavors, we have three signature flavors:
• Hubble Bubble: a bubblegum flavored vape with an explosion of watermelon. This flavor is inspired by Meskwaki, Inc. CEO, Mark Hubble.
• Peculiar: this flavor is for those who may think they are too weird to explain or too unconventional for words. The flavor has a hint of sweet berry crunch.
• No Dice: this flavor is for those who love fast, action-filled days and smooth, mellow nights. No Dice gives a clean roll of flavor across your taste buds with an orange burst of flavor and a smooth melon infusion. All our e-liquid is manufactured in our laboratory by trained technicians and manufactured in state-of-the-art, pharmaceutical grade and inspected facilities. All 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.
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 5 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.
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. Cattail Creek is roasted weekly to maximize freshness.
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.
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 6 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 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.
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 7 Company Timeline
2016
• Business planning started for Big River Trading Company and Renards
2017
• Renards Cigars
• Renards Cigarettes
• Outagami 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
• Meskwaki T-Shirts
• Tribal Blankets
2018
• New Distribution Center Built
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 8 Product Photos
Renards Cigars
Renards Cigarettes
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 9 Outagami Convenience Flavor E-juice
Outagami Premium E-juice
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 10 Outagami T-shirts
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 11 Outagami Hats
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 12 Red Lake Nation Foods Lake Wild Rice
Red Lake Nation Jams and Jellies
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 13 Meskwaki Bold Warrior Sauce
Meskwaki Regular Warrior Sauce
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 14 Meskwaki Cattail Creek Premium Coffee
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 15 Meskwaki T-Shirts
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 16 Tribal Blankets
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 17 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 http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/604849/Big-River-Trading-Company-- Creating-sustainable-businesses.html?nav=5000 https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2017/10/12/future-generations- mind-iowas-meskwaki-tribe-looks-diversify-business-profile/719558001/
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 18 Media Contact Information
Carol Guetschow General Manager, Big River Trading Company [email protected]
Betsy McCloskey Partner, Plaid Swan, Inc. [email protected]
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 19 Key Personnel
Mark Hubble Chief Executive Officer, Meskwaki, Inc. [email protected]
Tim Youngbear Warehouse Manager, Big River Trading Company [email protected]
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 20 Logos
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 21 Contact Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigrivertc/
Website: http://bigrtc.com
Mailing Address: 1494 305th Street, Tama, IA 52339
1494 305th Street, Tama, Iowa 52339 | www.bigrtc.com 22