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C1.indd 1 9/3/19 3:39 PM Celebrating a Century of Business Leadership

The Carlson School has been Minnesota’s premier business school for the past 100 years. As the school celebrates its centennial, it not only looks back at its rich history but also forward to all the possibilities that lie ahead.

Explore the Carlson School’s 100 years of impact at z.umn.edu/Carlson

C2.indd 1 9/4/19 2:34 PM Build something great.

You want to continue to build a student-athlete program that gives players and fans more than just a home ice advantage — like St. Cloud State University, who has produced 35 NHLers, 1 Hobey Baker winner, and decades of loyal fans. To do so, you need passionate leadership, big goals, and JLG Architects. See how the Huskies are changing the game at jlgarchitects.com/SCSUNHC.

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pg 1.indd 1 9/4/19 2:35 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS

October 2019

26 32 39 20

FEATURES TRENDING COMMENTARY

26 | Crave New World 47 | Workforce | Targeting Employee Benefits 6 | Editor’s Note National expansion? Over. Experimenting with concepts? Done. Businesses are offering more benefits, such as backup By Allison Kaplan But look out, Fargo! By Burl Gilyard child care and bigger 401(k) matches, to attract and Forge North is creating an entrepre- retain employees amid the workforce shortage. neurship hub to keep the momen- 32 | Branding Out Loud By Amanda Ostuni tum going beyond Twin Cities Since joining Deluxe Corp. five years ago, chief brand and content Startup Week. officer Amanda Brinkman has emboldened the once-conservative, 50 | Education | The Art and Science of Educating multibillion-dollar company to think outside the branding box. Entrepreneurs 18 | Planting Seeds Now, what’s next? By Tess Allen Higher education offers courses and degree programs By Rajiv Tandon for people launching businesses, but it also connects A needed form of early-stage capi- 39 | On Board for Success entrepreneurs with mentors and incubator spaces. tal emerges for charitable startups. Honoring five of Minnesota’s most outstanding board leaders: By Ingrid Case Jeannine Rivet, Barbara Butts Williams, David Dalvey, Karen 20 | Performing Philanthropy Grabow, and Kathy Roedel. By TCB Staff 54 | NAIOP | Best in Class Properties By Sarah Lutman NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Our state’s three largest noncom- Association, recognizes this year’s top projects mercial music stations are standouts throughout the state of Minnesota. By TCB Staff among their national peers.

22 | Column™ By Aaron Keller It’s time to shift our thinking from charity to impact. 12 16

24 | Working It By Linda L. Holstein To avoid wasting employees’ time, here’s how to effectively manage the ofﬁce meeting.

72 | Open Letter STARTERS | 8–14 By Vance Opperman With gun laws, we’re trying to pre- Calhoun Name Game | Lake Calhoun Concierge | Now that it’s theater sea- vent dividing Americans into dead is gone from the map, but area busi- son, what better way to entertain your or alive. nesses have no consensus on changing VIP clients than with a performance at AMPED UP | 16 their names. one of our world-class venues? How to Navigate Twin Cities Startup The Fine Print | A look at how the Outer Space, For Sale or Lease | Will Week | With nearly 200 events and long-troubled, Minnetonka-based Galaxy Drive-In ever reopen? more than 17,000 expected to attend, Famous Dave’s of America Inc. is faring. you’re going to need a game plan. Networked | Top networking Office Envy | Digi International brings opportunities for October. the innovation process to life in their new ofﬁce space. Retail’s Black Holes | We found the emptiest big-box stores. Rough Waters for the Whitecaps | League problems threaten stability of cover art by Travis Anderson local women’s pro hockey.

TWIN CITIES BUSINESS, Vol. 27, No. 2 © 2019 MSP Communications. The opinions of columnists are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts or artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Telephone 612-339-7571. Fax 612-339-5806. E-mail: [email protected]. TWIN CITIES BUSINESS (ISSN 1072-673X) is published monthly by MSP Communications, 220 S. Sixth St., Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55402-4507. Subscriptions available for $24.95 per year; foreign subscriptions, $169.00 per year. To subscribe or change address, visit tcbmag.com/subscriptions.aspx. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (see DMM 507.1.5.2); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to TWIN CITIES BUSINESS, Subscription Processing, P.O. Box 5846, Harlan, IA 51593.

2 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

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Podcast Top Reads tcbmag.com/byallmeans

{1} Hy-Vee Opens “Fast & Fresh” Store in Lakeville {2} Minneapolis Bans New Drive-Throughs {3} The Cricket Re-Emerges (The scoop behind Lucky “There’s nothing more Cricket’s seven-week closure) caring than being honest with someone. If ENHANCING THE QUALITY {4} you care deeply, how Michael Druskin can you not provide OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Returns to Retail someone with honest {5} feedback?” Developers Deploy $1.5 Million —Rhoda Olsen, Sales Center to Sell Condos board vice chair, Great Clips, on Episode MATCHING AMERICA’S TOP 11 of By All Means CORPORATE EXECUTIVES WITH THE Most Liked on Instagram @tcbmag: While tenant announcements have WORLD’S MOST been slow in coming and construction has hit delays, RESPECTED PUBLIC OARDS the Dayton’s Project is eager to bring back the glory days on Nicollet Mall. A nostalgic sign went up on the building [Aug. 29] and [the following week], developers of the mixed- use project will unveil the ﬁrst of several skyway installations designed to spotlight creative culture in Minneapolis. Proud Sponsor: Breaking News tcbmag.com

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4 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 4.indd 1 9/4/19 9:22 AM SVP/Owned Media Re-imagine Jayne Haugen Olson Publisher Editor in Chief Shelly Elmore Allison Kaplan Want a fresh take on what [email protected] [email protected] your business can be? Work with people who

Executive Editor Adam Platt [email protected] raise the bar on what Trending Editor Liz Fedor [email protected] a bank can be. Associate Editor Tess Allen [email protected] Senior Writer Burl Gilyard [email protected] Digital Editor Dan Niepow [email protected] Digital Associate Editor Amanda Ostuni [email protected] Northern Minnesota Correspondent Gene Rebeck [email protected] Copy Editors Judy Arginteanu [email protected] | Jolene Johnson Editorial Intern Christopher Lemke [email protected]

Design Director Chris Winn [email protected]

Account Director Traci Auger [email protected], 612-336-9214 Senior Account Managers Rian Heaslip [email protected], 612-336-9215 Andrea Shapiro [email protected], 612-336-9211 Marketing Manager Jules Ellis [email protected], 612-373-9584 Event Coordinator Sarah Aulik [email protected], 612-336-9288

MSP Communications CEO & General Counsel SVP, MSP-C Deborah Hopp Vance K. Opperman VP, Finance & Administration CFO Charles F. Thell John Bienias COO Nathaniel Opperman VP, Project Management President Gary Johnson Frank Sisser SVP, Operations Mary Authier VP, Client Strategy SVP, Owned Media Kevin Dunn Jayne Haugen Olson

Credit Manager Dave Gschlecht Network Administrator Senior Accountant Anne McPhillips Steve Swanson Production Manager Tim Dallum Assistant Network Administrator Production Supervisor Paul Marihart Josh Krouze Graphic Designer Joe Mertes Audience Development Director Digital Prepress Group Bea Jaeger > Steve Mathewson Fulﬁ llment Coordinator > Bill Sympson Valerie Asante Senior Web Developer Creative Services David Waters > Katie Shaw E-Newsletter Developer > Janice Hamilton Lauri Loveridge > Joy Wagner

Twin Cities Business is a publication of MSP Communications EDINA . 6600 FRANCE . 952-285-5800 | MPLS . 601 MARQUETTE . 612-746-5050 220 S. 6th St., Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55402-4507 612-339-7571, fax 612-336-9220

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 5

pg 5.indd 1 9/3/19 3:43 PM EDITOR’S NOTE

Strengthening Our Startup Community Forge North is creating an entrepreneurship hub to keep the momentum going beyond Twin Cities Startup Week.

By Allison Kaplan cosystem” is MSP from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the a word that comes up a lot among business leaders plus side, our region has one of the highest five-year in the startup community. Ecolab CEO Doug Baker survival rates for new businesses, at 55 percent. And de- used it onstage at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul at a spite reports about Minnesota’s lack of tech talent, our recent event hosted by economic development group state bests national competitors for workforce strength, Greater MSP. according to Greater MSP. “Big companies start out as small companies,” Now we need to mobilize locally and spread Baker told the entrepreneurial crowd. “Small compa- the word globally. “The initiative not only propels nies count on big companies. It’s an ecosystem, and it’s the hard work of entrepreneurs and innovators who critical we work together if we’re going to be successful create jobs, but also allows a platform to let the world on Earth, and here in Minneapolis and St. Paul.” know about the incredible talent and innovation that Baker is one of those big-company leaders advo- is often overlooked in this region,” says Amy Langer, cating for Forge North, Greater MSP’s new initiative to co-founder of Minneapolis–based executive staffing make the local startup community more cohesive and agency Salo. She joined Baker onstage at the Forge productive. Just look at the calendar for Twin Cities North kick-off event in July. Startup Week (Oct. 9–16) and you’ll see the challenge: Frosch knows we need to break down walls So many organizations and accelerators and incuba- between big business and startups. “There’s growing tors have bubbled up in recent years to support various interest within the corporate executive suites in disrup- aspects of building new enterprises that it can be over- tion and tech innovation and in the new kind of talent whelming to find an entry point. It’s a good problem to their companies are relying on. We need to be more have, no doubt, and we hope TCB’s Startup Week guide intentional about developing the next generation.” on page 16 will help. But bigger picture, Forge North I’d encourage everyone to check out a Startup has created a digital hub at forgenorth.com to connect Week event—bring your staff; take your kids. Make entrepreneurs with the right people and programs at your downtown restaurant reservations early that every stage of development. week—more than 17,000 people are expected to attend Startup Week events, which includes a growing contingency of investors, founders, influencers, and “We need to be more execs coming from out of town. (Keep your eyes peeled for Jane Fonda and Katie Couric, who will be in town intentional about developing for Manova, the global summit on the future of health scheduled in Minneapolis to coincide with Startup the next generation.” Week.) Whether you’re interested in health care, —Peter Frosch, CEO, Greater MSP agriculture, technology, education, or innovation, the breadth of events is exciting, energizing, and, in most cases, open to the public. Now Frosch is thinking about all the weeks that “Time is the most precious commodity when follow. “Startup Week is powerful,” he says. “How do starting a business. We want to increase the speed to you work together the other 51 weeks of the year to connection,” says Greater MSP CEO Peter Frosch, keep the momentum growing? How do we have a who is counting every second. When it comes to new mechanism to keep ideas growing throughout the year? business formation, Minnesota lags behind peer cities That nut helped grow Forge North.” including Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Denver, and Portland, Ore. Minnesotans started 9,336 businesses last year, which was half as many as entrepreneurs started in Boston alone, according to data compiled by Greater

6 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 6.indd 1 9/3/19 3:43 PM Proven legacy. Unlimited potential. Briggs.com/Taft

pg 7.indd 1 9/4/19 2:35 PM 10•2019 Edited by Adam Platt Calhoun Name Game Lake Calhoun is gone from the map, but area businesses have no consensus on changing their names.

ake Calhoun Sailing School changed tacted with a Calhoun name are continuing L its name in 2018 to Minneapolis Sailing to use it. Center. The nonprofi t’s executive director, Granville Lawrence, owner and optom- Ted Salzman, has lived around Bde Maka etrist at Calhoun Vision, says “As a business Ska for 31 years. He became habituated to decision, the name works. I’ve had this its former Calhoun name long before name for 24 years. I’m not eager to change John C. Calhoun’s pro-slavery, anti-Native it unless there’s a groundswell of inter- American views became a topic of heated est. When everybody else is changing the debate in recent years. name, I’ll change the name too.” “I always liked the name in terms of just Although Lawrence opposes Calhoun’s the sound of it,” Salzman says, “because it advocacy of slavery, he says he doesn’t as- had so much of an association, for me, with sociate the namesake with the lake. “When the place and with growing up here.” you have a business, it’s not just a name. Then Salzman learned about John C. It’s who you are. It’s your brand,” Lawrence Calhoun. “It certainly was hard to realize, says. “People who have built up a brand for and frustrating to realize, that, ‘Oh, this is a years, as we have, are somewhat reluctant name that is associated with this person,’” to fl ush it down the toilet.” Salzman says. “It was kind of a shock to fi nd The places that have removed Cal- out what this person stood for.” The deci- houn have gone all-in by making additional sion to change the name didn’t need much changes to their branding. At the Sailing debate among Salzman and the nonprofi t’s Center, the name change complemented a board of directors. larger effort to make sailing more inclusive, The lake’s name changed in early 2018 Salzman says. (pending state Supreme Court action) and When the bike shop Calhoun Cycle nearby streets changed this August, so renamed itself Perennial Cycle, it also business owners near the lake face a deci- changed its logo and color scheme. “I sion: Remove the Calhoun name or stick jumped on it as an opportunity to refresh with its baggage. all the way across the board,” owner Luke So far, most establishments TCB con- Breen says. —Christopher Lemke

THE FINE PRINT 2Q19 revenue: $21.1 million | Increase from 2Q18: 45.3%

2Q19 net income: $1.04 million | Decrease from 2Q18: (-25.3 %) Famous Dave’s: More Meat on the Bones Company-owned stores, 2Q19: 29 | Company-owned stores, 2Q18: 15 Don’t call it a comeback? Long-troubled Famous Dave’s of America Inc., based in Total locations, 2Q19: 136 | Total locations, 2Q18: 150 Minnetonka, offered some surprises in its second-quarter report—most notably Decrease in same-store sales for company-owned stores: | (-0.8 %) that franchisees saw a year-over-year Increase in “to-go” sales at company-owned stores: | 6.8 % increase in same-store sales for only Same-store sales increase for domestic franchisees: | 0.7 % the second time since 2011. Systemwide sales are down, due in large part to fewer Systemwide restaurant sales, 2Q19: $90.6 million total stores. —Burl Gilyard Overall decrease since 2Q18: (-6.8 %)

8 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 8-14.indd 1 9/4/19 3:36 PM Company Digi International | Headquarters Hopkins | Size 65,000 square feet | Designer Studio BV Technology communications company Digi International wanted a workplace that expressed the innovation process. An abstract and lofty goal, but local design ﬁrm Studio BV managed to channel the energy of creation through light and materials, with copper and metal for a high-tech look. The company’s new Hopkins headquarters brings both work processes and products out of the shadows and into full view. That’s in stark contrast to Digi’s former 1980s-style ofﬁce, which Studio BV founder and CEO Betsy Vohs describes as cavernous, underutilized, and dark. “Cultures don’t survive in spaces that don’t let them activate” their potential, Vohs says. The new space utilizes LED OFFICE ENVY lighting with glass walls to pull natural light into meeting spaces, as well as research and development labs. Vohs also saw an opportunity to showcase the company’s technology with a virtual greeter and interactive screens to welcome guests. Vohs says that when products are on display, “I think it becomes more real, and people get more excited when they can see what it means.” —Christopher Lemke

At Digi International you won’t ﬁnd CEO Ron Konezny working in a corner ofﬁce. “Put me in the most interior space with no view,” he told Vohs. “The best views are going to go to R&D and the team; the best spaces are going to go to everyone to collaborate.”

An essential material in electronics, copper represents connectiv- ity in the Digi of- ﬁce, Vohs says. The centerpiece: a ﬂoating copper oval conference room. Says Vohs, “You’re on display, but you’re in this kind of cocoon of warmth.”

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 9

pg 8-14.indd 2 9/4/19 3:36 PM Curtain Up! Now that it’s theater season in the Twin Cities, what better way to entertain your VIP clients than with a performance at one of our world-class venues?

RoughWaters CONCIERGE On Broadway Take your funniest clients to our local Broadway de- for the Whitecaps but of Mean Girls at the Orpheum Theatre. Produced by Lorne Michaels of Saturday Night Live, the hilarious musical comedy follows Cady, a new girl at North Shore League problems threaten stability of local women’s pro hockey. High School who falls in with a pack of frenemies. Oct. 1–13 (including Oct. 3, unofﬁcial Mean Girls Day in the U.S.), hennepintheatretrust.org

n their National Women’s Hockey The NWHL has responded by raising the ILeague debut last season, the Minnesota team salary cap to $150,000, agreeing In the Jungle Whitecaps sold out every home game and to a 50-50 split on revenue from league- For an amusing and high-spirited evening, get tickets to Ride the Cyclone at the intimate Jungle Theater. won the NWHL championship. Though the level sponsorship and media deals, and Directed by award-winning artistic director Sarah Ras- Whitecaps have been around for 15 years, doubling per diems to $20. mussen and hosted by Karnak, a mechanical fortune- their success as professionals may be short- That has not satisfied members of teller, the tragicomedy-meets-musical tells the stories lived. the newly formed Professional Women’s of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir who The five-team NWHL, founded in Hockey Players Association. It means the die in a freak accident on the Cyclone, an amusement park roller coaster. Through Oct. 20, jungletheater.org 2015 and run by Dani Rylan, a 32-year- Whitecaps will be without their top three old ex-collegiate player with scant man- players from last season, former Olym- On Pointe agement or organizational experience, pians Hannah Brandt, Kendall Coyne Impress a balletomane with an invitation to see Swan has been on shaky financial ground since Schofield, and Lee Stecklein. Lake by the Russian Ballet Theatre at the historic State its inception. Its Canadian counterpart, At a team meeting on May 31, the Theatre. Built in 1921, the opulent Italian Renaissance- style theater makes a stunning backdrop for this ele- the CWHL, folded abruptly last spring. rest of the Whitecaps voted to play in gant interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. Cho- The NWHL’s primary revenue source the NWHL’s 2019–20 season, which reographed by Nadezhda Kalinina, the ballet features is investor dollars, followed by ticket opens this month, rather than join the hand-painted sets, hand-sewn costumes, and makeup sales. Last season, its top earner, the PWHPA boycott. “Our fan base, which by Irina Strukova of Crazy Rich Asians fame. Oct. 24, Whitecaps, sold out 10 home games at we built over 15 years, created a profit for hennepintheatretrust.org the 1,200-seat TRIA Rink with tickets the league,” Brodt says. “We’re praying On Stage priced between $18 and $20, grossing our fans will continue to follow us.” For an evening infused with faded Southern charm, see nearly $240,000. The league collects all Several sports economists believe The Glass Menagerie at the Guthrie Theater. Directed revenues from the teams and pays all the league needs a backer such as the by Joseph Haj, Tennessee Williams’ poetic memory expenses, from game day to travel, along NHL, similar to the NBA in its support play stars Jennifer Van Dyck as Amanda Wingfield, an aging Southern debutante trying to maintain her dig- with salaries. of the WNBA, the gold standard among nity during the Great Depression, Remy Auberjonois as The Whitecaps—a nonprofit whose women’s professional sports leagues. “It her aimless son Tom, and Carey Cox as Laura, her un- founder, general manager, and current may be the best option for a women’s married daughter. Through Oct. 27, guthrietheater.org co-coach, Jack Brodt, has never taken a hockey league to get started with the In the Round salary—fill out the roster. Last year, Brodt help of the NHL, which can absorb initial For an only-in-Minneapolis experience, take your out- divvied up $100,000 among the roster’s losses and keep the weaker links going,” of-town clients to Theatre in the Round, one of the 25 players, with salaries ranging from says Joel Maxcy, professor of sport man- Twin Cities’ oldest theater companies. The arena-style $2,000 to $7,000. agement at Drexel University. venue is a fascinating place to watch this beach-blan- Those meager payments have trig- The NHL has pledged $100,000 for ket riff on Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare’s classic tale gered a labor crisis, with the game’s the upcoming season. But officials have of a pair of long-lost twins, complete with a surf-rock soundtrack. Oct. 11–Nov. 3, theatreintheround.org top players from the CWHL and NWHL said as recently as May that the league —Melinda Nelson declaring they will not play until they does not want to subsidize a women’s receive better pay and health benefits. professional league. —John Rosengren

10 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 8-14.indd 3 9/4/19 3:36 PM Celebrating Success! Congratulations to the risk management and insurance professionals of the Minnesota CPCU Society Chapter who have earned the premier Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU®) designation. As a CPCU, you: • Possess invaluable industry knowledge • Empower yourself to better serve clients • Engage in the highest level of ethical behavior

Striving for excellence, CPCUs continuously enhance their organizations, and the CPCU Society helps to support them through continuing education, volunteer leadership opportunities, and requiring adherence to a strict code of ethics.

Congratulations to our newest CPCU designees! QRegis Corp (Edina) plans to Mary Anderson Mark Kornmann Carl Jeffrey Ness Carolyn Ingrid State Farm Leitch Insurance Agency BMS Group sell over 3,100 Sneep Lockton Companies company-owned Michael Bins Matthew Maki Jeffrey Nestrud salons as it moves Travelers Ram Mutual Insurance Amica Mutual Insurance Michael Stella to an all-franchise Company Midwest Family Mutual business model. Seth Daggett Eric Olson Ram Mutual Insurance Samuel G. Meyer Hartford Steam Boiler Group Scott Swenson QMerrill Corp. Company American Family Associated Financial Group will relocate. The Maribeth Peggy Howell Kevin software provider Scattarella Roger Trampel California Casualty Montgomery Lockton Companies QBE plans to move its Hays Companies headquarters to Emma Koehn Ashley M. Schrot downtown Min- Liberty Mutual Ryan Nelson Federated Mutual Insurance neapolis after more Grinnell Mutual than 50 years in St. Paul. Special thanks to our 2019 Ad Sponsor Companies Accident Fund Insurance Maguire Agency Moores Insurance SECURA Insurance Q Medtronic Company of America Management, Inc. Companies (Fridley) CEO Omar The Main Street America Ishrak will step Choice Insurance Services Group Northern States Agency SFM Mutual Insurance Company down in 2020 to be COUNTRY Financial Marsh & McLennan Agency Philadelphia Insurance succeeded by EVP Companies State Auto / RTW EMC Insurance Companies Minnesota Independent Geoff Martha. Ishrak Insurance Agents & Brokers Risk Placement Services, Inc. Travelers will remain with the Erickson-Larsen, Inc. Association company as chair- RJR Insurance Agency, Inc. Western National Insurance The Hanover Insurance Group man of the board. Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company R-T Specialty, LLC / RT Willis Towers Watson J. A. Price Agency ProExec QDel Monte (Wal- nut Creek, Calif.) announced it is clos- ing its Sleepy Eye CPCUSociety.org vegetable canning plant, opened in

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 11

pg 8-14.indd 4 9/4/19 3:36 PM Outer Space, For Sale or Lease Will Galaxy Drive-In ever reopen?

he huge neon signs It wasn’t fancy, but it out in a timely fashion,” T of Galaxy Drive-In churned out good food, Schussler says. glow red over Highway 7 especially in its fi nal eight In 2016, frustrated, in St. Louis Park, but there years under owners Alan Schussler closed Galaxy. hasn’t been a burger or and Jayne Wohl, when He rents the drive-in to malt served there in years. it really perfected the photographers and fi lm Now, owner Ste- roadside griddled burger, directors about once a ven Schussler—the man garnering accolades month, but that’s the only behind multimillion-dollar around town. The Wohls income it brings in. restaurant concepts like sold to Schussler in 2009, He’s toyed with the Rainforest Café—is ready citing an inability to fund idea of selling—as recently to give away partial needed renovations. as two years ago to local ownership of it to salvage Schussler poured chef and global TV per- what’s left of his dream. $1.5 million into the shack themed environments, burger purists. Over the sonality Andrew Zimmern, The location has been and parking lot, creating and in that respect, Gal- next six years, Galaxy who ultimately decided his a drive-in restaurant since a meticulously detailed axy was a home run. fl ew through a series of TV commitments would 1951, changing names fi ve 1950s outer-space theme, But it felt entirely operators. “The people not allow him suffi cient times. Its longest stint was replete with statuary different than the decrepit who were operating it for time or attention. (When as the beloved Wagner’s and Jetsons-era sig- Wagner’s and quickly fell me didn’t serve quality we contacted Zimmern, Drive-In starting in 1979. nage. Schussler’s forte is out of the top 10 lists of food, [and] it didn’t come he expressed a renewed

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12 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 8-14.indd 5 9/4/19 3:36 PM NETWORKED October 14–16 Manova Summit interest.) October 10 October 11 Join Chuck Runyon, CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fit- Owning a closed Citizens League Women Mean ness, Doug Baker, Jr., chairman and CEO of Ecolab, restaurant isn’t cheap— Civic Celebration Business James Downing, president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Schussler spends $135,000 Former Minneapolis Join keynote speaker Research Hospital, and other speakers for the 2019 Manova a year maintaining Gal- Mayor Sharon Sayles Keia Isaacson, owner Summit. The conference brings together people from all axy—and he says he does Belton and former U.S. of Lakeside Floor Cov- sectors to discuss global health and wellness. $225 to $750, not want to hang onto it Sen. David Durenberg- erings, and more than Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, Minneapolis, another season, though er will be honored at 1,000 business profes- [email protected], manovasummit.com there’s no evidence the the 2019 Civic Celebra- sionals and community place is being aggres- tion for their promo- leaders committed to sively marketed. Schussler tion of civic action, the economic success says he is willing to give collaboration between of women for the 24th Tim Crothers away up to 50 percent of diverse communities, annual Women Mean his ownership in the land, and continued dedica- Business Luncheon & building, and business to tion to the common Marketplace. Hosted Catharine incentivize the right buyer. good of Minnesota. by WomenVenture, October 28–30 Trebnick Colin Cox, neighbor- The event will bring the day includes lunch, Cyber Security Summit hood association chair for together Minnesotans programming, and a More than 1,000 leaders are expected to attend the Ninth St. Louis Park’s South Oak from diverse back- business vendor mar- Annual Cyber Security Summit, which offers an oppor- Hill, where Galaxy is lo- grounds, political ketplace. 10 a.m., $160, tunity to train with experts on combatting cyber security cated, suggested turning parties, and ideologies. Minneapolis Conven- attacks. Target’s Tim Crothers and Catharine Trebnick, of Galaxy into a tap room or 5:30 p.m., $75 to $200, tion Center, Minne- Dougherty & Co., are event co-chairs and will speak at similar venue more suited Aria, Minneapolis, apolis, 612-224-9564, the summit. 9 a.m., $999, Minneapolis Convention Center, to adult gathering. —Tess 651-293-0575, citizens- womenventure.org 763-548-1309, cybersecuritysummit.org —Tess Allen Allen league.org

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 13

pg 8-14.indd 6 9/4/19 9:28 AM Retail’s Black Holes We found the emptiest big-box stores.

ot many retailers part of the Silver Lake the slate clean. Blooming- Nare building big- Village development built ton–based Doran Cos. has box stores anymore. In in 2004–05 on the site of proposed razing the store some cases, the cavern- the former Apache Plaza to build 470 apartments ous spaces are shuttered, mall. Walmart closed over two phases. Doran becoming headaches for the store in 2014 when has a purchase agree- Doran hopes to demolish looked at it.” property owners and the it opened a new, larger ment with Chicago–based the Walmart this winter. Thorvig says the site’s community. Which local store in Roseville; the Inland Real Estate Group A few months after ownership has been in big-box stores have been 142,610-square-foot space for the site, contingent on the Walmart closed, a fl ux, a roadblock. The city sitting empty the longest? constitutes half of the city approvals. Rainbow Foods in Blaine has fl oated tearing down Local retail real estate center’s retail space. “You’ve got some was shuttered in 2014. the store to redevelop the brokers anecdotally came In an email to Twin great adjacent uses,” says “We’ve had very few edge of what is still called up with two contenders: Cities Business, a me- Evan Doran, senior direc- phone calls on that,” says Rainbow Village center. a former Walmart in dia representative said, tor of development for Erik Thorvig, Blaine’s The ultimate solution St. Anthony and a former “Walmart is … actively Doran Cos. That includes community development could echo the likely fate Rainbow Foods in Blaine. marketing the space for a Cub Foods, which an- director. “I think one of of St. Anthony’s Walmart. Both have been empty for sublease.” Its lease ends in chors the remaining Silver the issues is just the depth “Multifamily housing could more than fi ve years. 2025. But a potential re- Lake Village. If the city of the space has been dif- be an option,” Thorvig The Walmart was development could wipe green-lights the project, fi cult for people that have says. —Burl Gilyard

CONGRATULATIONS OUTSTANDING DIRECTORS!

Fredrikson’s Securities practice group proudly supports Outstanding Directors.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees. • Barbara Butts Williams, PhD for Board Service fredlaw.com with Allina Health • David Dalvey for Board Service with Celcuity • Karen Grabow for Board Service with Fairview Health Services • Jeannine Rivet Lifetime Achievement Honoree • Kathryn Roedel for Board Service with Columbus McKinnon Corp. & Generac Holdings, Inc.

TCB083019

14 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 8-14.indd 7 9/4/19 3:37 PM Waterfront and Residential Properties Throughout the St. Croix River Valley, Extending to Lake Superior & Northwest Wisconsin

ST. CROIX RIVER – DENMARK TWSP. ST. CROIX RIVER – SOMERSET ST. CROIX RIVER – ST. MARYS POINT An estate setting of 17 acres enhances this stunning Last large acreage site on the federally protected St. Beautifully quiet acreage site on the widest portion home overlooking the St. Croix River w/500 ft. of Croix River. 315+ acres with 1350+ ft. of frontage of the river known as Lake St. Croix. The 1.7 acre privately owned river frontage w/dock. Architecturally near Somerset, WI. Land is a combination of open setting offers privacy and more than 160 ft. of designed and built by Vujovich Design, the home prairie, woodland and river bluff, surrounded on 3 perfect sand beach frontage with rare boat house features exceptional use of quality materials and sides by WI DNR land for continued protection and at water’s edge. Rambler styled home is ideal finishing detail to create a warm & inviting environment. for entertaining with easy access to patios and Soaring spaces and intimate areas for conversation or privacy. Development or legacy property buyer has relaxation. Amenities include inground pool & pool been seeking. outdoor spaces and river. Second garage in use as house, pond w/fountain, stone fire pits. Exceptional in heated shop with expansion potential for studio every way! above.

Offered at $2,795,000 Offered at $2,490,000 Offered at $1,550,000

NORTH OAKS LITTLE CARNELIAN – STILLWATER ST. CROIX RIVER – SCANDIA For buyers who are seeking a cut above the norm 6 acres of dense wood envelop this Dale Mulifinger For those who are passionate about nature and fine and appreciate distinctive architecture. This (SALA ARCHITECTS) designed home incorporating all design. This contemporary one level home featuring home, set among towering maples trees, will not the feature for which he is noted to create a beautiful, lineal lines, hugs the bluff in its natural setting. disappoint. Architecturally designed, professionally warm and inviting cottage style home. Cedar and Dramatic entertaining spaces w/viewing tower, decorated, it includes every amenity today’s luxury stone, extensive use of Douglas fir flooring, cabinetry self contained guest apt, outdoor shower, sauna, home buyer demands. Landscaping created for and millwork, cozy space are offered within this two and extensive gallery area for art display. Private shade environment with paver walkways and story with fully finished lower level, indoor sport court, neighborhood w/boat marina on river for residents. fire pit. An exceptional home in a community of two garages, sep auxiliary building with 350 ft. of 90 acres of hiking trails available to residents only outstanding properties. frontage on Little Carnelian 10 min. north of Stillwater. and natural beauty awaits in Cedar Cliff. Offered at $1,950,000 Offered at $1,295,000 Offered at $1,050,000 651-430-7759 www.oflannigan.com

pg 15.indd 1 9/4/19 2:36 PM NEW THIS YEAR Edited by Tess Allen

A larger corporate presence. Target, Cargill, and 3M are all title sponsors this year; the growing list of corporate How to Navigate sponsors includes Microsoft and AWS. ••• Twin Cities Startup Week Mother’s rooms for nursing women will be available With nearly 200 events and more than 17,000 expected to attend, you’re going to need a game plan. at Twin Cities Startup Week city hubs. ••• ith upwards of 200 events, Twin Cities Startup Week cally by topic to make bouncing between happenings easier, If you aren’t usually able to Wcan be both energizing and overwhelming. Now says Reed Robinson, executive director of Beta.MN, the get away from the offi ce, in its sixth year, organizers of the annual innovation and Minneapolis–based business development nonprofi t that man- this might be your year: For entrepreneurship showcase are thinking about ways to help ages Twin Cities Startup Week. the fi rst time, Startup Week the ever-growing base of attendees get the most out of the Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or a corporate straddles a weekend. plethora of panel discussions, pitch events, networking and executive looking for the next big idea, check out these tips to other opportunities around town from Oct. 9 to 16. help you make the most of the programming. For the fi rst time this year, events are grouped geographi- —Amanda Ostuni

HIGHLIGHTS Limited on time? Here are some of our favorite events: TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS (for a full calendar, visit twincitiesstartupweek.com) Simon Okiror, chief marketing ofﬁ cer for Suprabook, a participant in the 2018 Beta.MN showcase, offers this advice to anyone with a startup: Blacks in Technology (BITCon): This three-day event includes discussions and networking. Oct. 9–12, bitcon.tech Get your business pitch down to 20 seconds so you can share it with as many people as possible at events. Food | Ag | Ideas Week Crash the Networks Happy Hour: This free networking event at Finnegans Brew Co. is Be sure to get the contact info of people you meet. Follow up designed to bring people together from all aspects of the with them later. food and ag industry. Oct. 10, foodagideas.com Prioritize happy hours, workshops, and other engagement-focused Minnedemo: A small-format product showcase for tech events over presentations to maximize opportunities to talk to people. companies. Oct. 10, minnedemo.com Consider attending events that may not pertain directly to you, but MEDA Million-Dollar Challenge: This pitch event is the ﬁ nal would be of interest to people you want to meet—for example, step of the minority entrepreneurial competition. Oct. 11, an event aimed at investors. meda.net Between events, stay close to the action by using a downtown co-working Beta.MN: An exhibition-style competition that offers venue where you’re likely to encounter others involved in Startup Week. insight into current innovation and lets entrepreneurs get grassroots feedback. Oct. 14, beta.mn Connect with reporters and media at events.

MN Cup awards ceremony: The grand-prize winners for the granddaddy of annual entrepreneurial competitions will be announced at a reception at UMN. Oct. 14, carlsonschool. umn.edu/mn-cup

B.A. Women x Creative’s Connector: A ﬁ rst-time panel L“Take note of the subject tracks and geographic clusters. To spend discussion event about scaling business for female more of your day at events rather than traveling between them, pick entrepreneurs. Oct. 15, bawomen.com morning and afternoon events in one place, and ﬁ ll in the rest of your day around them.” —Mark Addicks, partner, Manova Techstars Farm to Fork Demo Day: Sponsored by Cargill and Ecolab, this is the capstone event for the food- and ag- L“Attend a balanced mix of both networking ... and learning-based focused startup accelerator program. Oct. 15, techstars.com events.” —Diane Rucker, executive director, University Enterprise Laboratories

Wind-Down Wednesday with UEL: An event geared toward L“Be open to going with the ﬂ ow—you may meet people who draw relaxation, to encourage entrepreneurs to take mental you to events you hadn’t considered.” —Kathy Tunheim, partner, Manova well-being seriously. Features massages, yoga, and more. Oct. 16, uelmn.org L“Go to something you would not normally go to. With so many TIPS FOR ATTENDEES events at low or no cost, this is your opportunity to experiment.” —Lauren Mehler Pradhan, managing director, Grow North MN

16 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

16-AMPUP.indd 1 9/5/19 1:42 PM INDUSTRIES

Metal Fabrication

pg 17.indd 1 9/4/19 2:36 PM PLANTING SEEDS

‘Charitable’ Investing A needed form of early-stage capital emerges for charitable startups.

By Rajiv Tandon

s companies age and using personal savings or borrowing tion or overlap among well-estab- shed employees, the from credit cards. lished sets. In this case, those sets are A continuing success of the Jeff Ochs is a 37-year-old MBA charitable donations, with no fi nan- economy depends on the constant and master of public policy graduate cial return, and for-profi t investments. development of new businesses. The from the University of Minnesota. His Venn Foundation is where charity startup support system mirrors taking entrepreneurial credentials include and investing meet as “charitable healthy seedlings and growing them Breakthrough Twin Cities, a college investments.” The legal name for a into fruit-bearing trees. However, no access and teacher training program; charitable investment is program- organized nurseries exist to sprout a hit party game called Snake Oil, related investment (PRI). those healthy seedlings. Do we want winner of the prestigious Mensa PRIs have been in place since to depend only on accidental sprouts Select award; and Customs Made, a 1969. They can be made to any type for our economic orchard? publishing business that placed in of recipient (nonprofi t, business, In any meeting of a group of the top three of the Impact division government) and can be structured as entrepreneurs, the most common at 2013 Minnesota Cup. Ochs also any fi nancial tool (loans, equity, etc.). lament is lack of early-stage capital. gained investment process experience As long as the investment advances There are no real alternatives to by managing deal fl ow for Gopher the organization’s charitable mission provide even nominal funding at Angels, a local angel investment and makes investments at below- the early stage. Bank loans are out, as network, as well as coordinating Dis- market terms, the possibilities are there are no hard assets to collateral- covery Capital at the U’s department endless. However, outside of a very ize. Moreover, startups are not suitable of Technology Commercialization. small group of foundations such as for, nor are they seeking, venture He is a Sands Family Social Venturing Gates, Ford, Otto Bremer, and McK- capital because they are frustrated Fellow and served on the committee night, PRIs are generally unknown with their crushing requirements drafting Minnesota’s public benefi t and underutilized. Venn has adopted of fast growth. Angel investors have corporation statute. the PRI tool in a novel way to direct transitioned to later and later stages. With this eclectic background, below-market capital to projects and Once a company reaches MVP (mini- Ochs founded Venn Foundation, organizations across all sectors that mum viable product), then some which offers startups below-market- advance charitable goals. This new angel groups will at least consider rate loans—often without collateral. type of capital is based on established them. Before that—nothing, just your The name Venn comes from Venn criteria and fi lls a vital need. bootstraps! Founders often wind up diagrams, which show the intersec- PRIs have a basic advantage over grants: they allow the funds to be used and reused multiple times for impact. The donor gets many tax-deductible bites at the same apple—very smart philanthropy. To date, Venn has received operating seed grants from the Bush Foundation, 3M Foundation, ECMC Foundation, and Jeanne M. Jeff Ochs Voigt Foundation. Venn also received $30,000 in prize money as the 2017 Tandon: In any meeting of a group of entrepreneurs, the MN Cup impact venture winner. most common lament is lack of early-stage capital. It has raised nearly $1.4 million to There are no real alternatives to provide even nominal provide charitable investments. Venn makes it possible and funding at the early stage. easy for any type of donor, not just foundations, to make PRIs with their charitable donations. Any individual

18 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 18-19.indd 1 9/3/19 3:44 PM HEALTH ANSWERS SPONSORED CONTENT Mayo Clinic Q & A: or entity can create a special donor-advised Lower back pain “Venn account,” then rec- ommend that Venn use — treatment and their donations to make PRIs. Venn can combine prevention money from any number of Venn accounts into Dear Mayo Clinic: any one PRI. Financial re- I am 44 and relatively healthy. Two years ago, I hurt turns from PRIs go back my lower back while gardening. I felt a sharp pain and to participating accounts could barely walk. It took about four weeks until it for redeployment into completely healed. Two months ago, I hurt my lower new PRIs or grants. back again — this time while lifting my son. The pain Venn recently made does not seem to be getting better. Is there anything a $151,000 low-interest, I can do to speed the healing process? How can I unsecured loan to Binary prevent this from recurring? Bridge, a local startup building an electronic Answer: Lower back pain episodes are common medical record sys- among adults, with about 80 percent of adults $GGLWLRQDOLQWHUYHQWLRQVWKDWPD\EHQHWSHRSOHZLWK tem for humanitarian experiencing lower back pain at some point during medical missions and WKHLUOLYHV/RZHUEDFNSDLQLVRQHRIWKHWRSYH lower back pain also may include spine mobilization, rural clinics in develop- massage, yoga, acupuncture and low-level laser reasons that individuals seek medical care. In many treatment. Talk with your health care provider about ing countries. Three cases, lower back pain resolves on its own. Most WKH EHQHWV DQG ULVNV RI WKHVH DSSURDFKHV DQG SHRSOH KDYH VLJQLFDQW LPSURYHPHQW LQ WKHLU SDLQ private foundations, whether they may be right for your situation. one business, and seven ZLWKLQGD\VDQGV\PSWRPVXVXDOO\OHYHORDIWHU individuals funded this about 28 days. loan through their Venn Once the pain goes away, take measures to reduce accounts. your risk of future lower back pain episodes. Use Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for lower back pain Ochs calls PRIs the good posture and follow your physical therapist’s to recur. The biggest predictor of developing lower instructions on how to move to ensure proper back “Starship Enterprise” of back pain is having a history of prior lower back pain capital because they can biomechanics. Incorporate back-friendly practices episodes. As many as one-third to one-half of acute into your daily life. For example, use a chair that has go where other capital ORZHU EDFN SDLQ VXHUHUV ZLOO H[SHULHQFH DQRWKHU good back support at work and at home. has not gone before. episode of back pain within a year. A small percentage of those people go on to develop chronic lower back Other early-stage co’s pain. Avoid lifting objects that weigh more than 50 pounds. Venn is funding: When you lift heavy objects, lift from the knees while Asiya | which makes 7RHDVH\RXUSUHVHQWORZHUEDFNSDLQDUHWKHUHDUHD you contract your abdominal muscles, keep your spine modest activewear for straight, and don’t twist your trunk. As you lift, hold Muslim women. number of self-care steps you can take. First, modify the object close to your body. Fair Anita | which your activities to avoid repeated bending, twisting empowers 8,000 mar- or stooping, and don’t lift anything heavier than 5 ginalized women from pounds. Second, consider taking a nonprescription Finally, regular exercise can strengthen your muscles, around the world to SDLQ UHOLHYHU $QWLLQDPPDWRU\ GUXJV VXFK DV which makes it less likely you’ll injure your back. design and create cute, QDSUR[HQDQGLEXSURIHQPD\EHRIEHQHWIRUVKRUW Incorporate at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity ethical, and affordable term use. If over-the-counter medications aren’t products. into your routine each week, and make sure it includes enough, talk to your health care provider. He or she NetZero | which rehar- a proper warmup. Exercise also can help you reach and vests spent grain from may give you a prescription for a muscle relaxant, such maintain a healthy weight. That can protect you from craft breweries to make as cyclobenzaprine, or other medications to reduce future problems, too, as obesity often is associated premium ﬂour. your symptoms. with lower back pain. — Dr. Peter Dorsher, Physical Medicine and Rajiv Tandon is executive Physical therapy is an important part of treatment for Rehabilitation director of the Institute for lower back pain. It may involve using heat and cold Innovators and Entrepre- therapies, massage, stretching, and strengthening neurs and an advocate exercises — especially strengthening the abdominal for the future of entrepre- core muscles. Practicing good posture and proper neurship in Minnesota. body mechanics also can help. Before you start a He facilitates peer groups physical therapy program, consult with a physical WKHUDSLVWWRQGRXWZKLFKDSSURDFKHVDUHEHVWIRU of Minnesota CEOs. you and learn the proper technique. Minneapolis - (833) MAYO-MSP He can be reached at [email protected].

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 19

pg 18-19.indd 2 9/3/19 3:44 PM SPONSORED CONTENT PERFORMING PHILANTHROPY Down to the Hire By Robert Half

Minnesota Music Salary Negotiation: How to Media Excels Navigate in a Candidate’s Market Our state’s three largest noncommercial music stations are standouts among their national peers. By Jim Kwapick of Robert Half By Sarah Lutman Negotiating salary with a candidate can be tricky for employers, especially in today’s highly competitive hiring ecently, music stations rights land mine that requires legal environment. More than ever before, job across public radio knowledge and consultation. VHHNHUVDUHFRQ¿GHQWLQWKHLUEDUJDLQLQJ Rgathered in Philadelphia In a panel on local program- SRZHUVXJJHVWVUHVHDUFKIURPVWDI¿QJ for the first-ever convening of the ming, stations shared ideas and noncomMUSIC Alliance, a new examples of ways music radio can ¿UP5REHUW+DOI,Q0LQQHDSROLVRI cross-format organization of more be an indispensable partner in professionals asked for more pay with than 100 jazz, rock, classical, al- community engagement, in the their last job offer – an 11-point jump from the 2018 survey – which ternative, Americana, eclectic, and health of local music ecosystems, indicates more Minnesotans are speaking up to negotiate the best mixed-format radio stations. and in ensuring that diverse and salary possible. The noncomMUSIC Alliance new music—and the artists who meeting opened with a research create it—are offered exposure and report based on a survey of 85 support to reach new audiences. Before you start the negotiation process, a critical step is to conduct music stations and by aggregating A clear differentiator for research. Establish a salary range and know the market value of the listening data from music stations. public radio music stations is their position you’re hiring for, factoring in years of experience, location and The report shows that 734 public continuous focus on local musi- current demand for the skills required. radio stations feature music as a cians, performances, and music primary or significant part of their and cultural news. Locally, all three The Robert Half 2020 Salary Guides are an ideal starting point, fea- programming, reaching more than of our largest public radio music WXULQJ DYHUDJH VWDUWLQJ VDODU\ UDQJHV IRU PRUH WKDQ SRVLWLRQV 20 million people weekly. (That’s a stations—Jazz88, Classical MPR, DFURVVWKHDFFRXQWLQJ¿QDQFHWHFKQRORJ\DGPLQLVWUDWLYHOHJDODQG bit less than 10 percent of the total and The Current—invest in local number of people listening to radio programming, and help point lis- FUHDWLYH ¿HOGV 1HZ GDWD RQ EHQH¿WV LQFHQWLYHV DQG SHUNV DUH LQ- each week in the U.S.) teners to new local music, concerts cluded, as well. The data can be customized by city and provides These noncommercial and club dates, and ways to engage valuable insights that can help your organization create competitive stations want to exert greater in the cultural community. compensation packages. Robert Half’s Salary Guides have long been influence within public radio, These three organizations considered a leading resource, referenced by the U.S. government in which is dominated by news and (see sidebar) also demonstrate their Occupational Outlook Handbook, as well as media outlets such information stations, and do a that public radio music stations as Fortune, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. Copies of the better job documenting their are evolving from local broad- JXLGHVDUHDYDLODEOHQRZ±WRUHFHLYH\RXUVFDOOXVDW contributions to their local music casters to local cultural hubs, ecosystems. They’ve also decided offering programs and services to work together on policy issues that connect artists, audiences, Successfully negotiating salary with top candidates takes preparation, of mutual concern. and communities. In addition tact and follow-through. A little groundwork and planning of your own The Alliance’s initial focus on to addressing music rights, there can help keep compensation discussions in a realm that works for music rights reflects the complexity are dozens of other ways that both sides. of rights acquisition for noncom- local and national stations might mercial audio producers. Rights collaborate to strengthen their Jim Kwapick is a district president of Robert Half in Minneapolis. for broadcast, streaming, video, community roles. 5REHUW +DOI LV WKH ZRUOG¶V ¿UVW DQG ODUJHVW VSHFLDOL]HG VWDI¿QJ ¿UP podcasts, and live events require This group also could expand The company offers job search services at roberthalf.com. separate clearances and are subject to include partners like the lively to different regulatory and con- community of Low Power FM tractual agreements, making music stations (LPFM), neighborhood presentation in the increasingly and community stations like KFAI complex digital distribution era a (Fresh Air Radio) in Minneapo- lis, nonprofit internet streaming services, and other nonprofit

20 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 20-21.indd 1 9/3/19 3:47 PM Jazz88 (KBEM): Listen on 88.5 FM and stream at jazz88.fm. Founded: 1970 Audience: Largest listening share of any jazz station in the U.S. Ownership: Minneapolis Public School District Revenue: 44 percent from membership; 22 percent from grants; 23 percent from underwriting, including MN DOT, which supports trafﬁc updates; and 11 percent from in-kind donations. Signature programs: Daily content delivered by North High School students. Interviews and music from a range of community partners such as chefs and artists. BBC headlines on the hour. Jazz calendar and live performances like Twin Cities Jazz Fest.

Classical MPR: Listen on 99.5 FM and stream at classicalmpr.org. Founded: 1967 Audience: Slightly larger than Jazz88. Ownership: Minnesota Public Radio Revenue: 51 percent from membership and individual donations; 13 percent from grants; 19 percent from distribution of its programming to other stations; 8 percent from underwriting; and 9 percent from other sources. Signature programs: A focus on educational programming includes the “Classical Kids” internet stream and a program to bring music performances to Minnesota’s schools. Also broadcasts concerts by Minnesota ensembles and produces an annual showcase for high school instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers.

The Current: Listen on 89.3 FM and stream at thecurrent.org. Founded: 2005 Ownership: Minnesota Public Radio Audience: Similar to Classical MPR, but its online stream has sig- niﬁcantly more monthly listeners. Revenue: 51 percent from membership and individual donations; 12 percent from grants; 23 percent from underwriting; 8 percent from events; 6 percent from other sources. Signature programs: In-studio live interviews and recordings with local and touring bands; Rock the Garden summer music festival; broadcast of new music helping launch bands; multiple internet streams featuring local music, a Prince-inspired stream.

music media organizations that tendees. Through this alliance, our together are working to foster local stations, and dozens of other diversity in music and help new stations nationally, want to be sure artists be heard. Try streaming there always will be local and new KRSM in South Minneapolis music in your life—for free. (www.krsmradio.org) to hear how engaging a grassroots, community Sarah Lutman is a St. Paul–based radio service can be. independent consultant and writer “Music is like air, like water, for clients in the cultural, media, it’s something we can’t live with- and philanthropic sectors. out,” said WRTI’s Bill Johnson as he addressed the Music Alliance at-

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 21

pg 20-21.indd 2 9/3/19 3:47 PM COLUMN TM

but here are some of the notable addi- ness, and it should inspire you. The Future of Business tions that stood out to me: “Deliver- In our country, government was It’s time to shift our thinking from charity to impact. ing value to our customers.” “Dealing designed of the people, by the people, fairly and ethically with our suppliers.” and for the people. Currently it’s in By Aaron Keller “Investing in our employees.” “Sup- a strange place—all three of those porting the communities in which we pillars are under question, scrutiny, work.” “Generating long-term value for and sometimes even attack from both am writing from a perch above drafted a new purpose statement that shareholders.” sides of the political spectrum. So an Fifth Avenue in New York City— fundamentally shifts the prevailing Surprised yet? inﬂuential group of executives took it I watching the strolling hominids focus of public companies for the last The last time the Business Round- on themselves to advance the role and with keys and supercomputers walking many decades from “a duty to the table issued a purpose statement was responsibility of business. to their destinations. I happened to be corporation’s stockholders” to using 1997, and customers weren’t even This change has great implications in the city the same day as the Business business for the greater good. mentioned in it. But that’s the least for where the next generation of business Roundtable—a lobbying organization Typically, bad things come out of of what you should be thinking after leaders can take the practice of creating that represents many of the largest meetings that we don’t hear about until reading this new purpose. Is business business. I like to think our community companies in America—convened a after the decisions are made. But this replacing the role of government? Is in Minnesota is more culturally aware “secret” meeting of nearly 200 business time, some of the most powerful CEOs business replacing the role of religion? and capable of moving business in this leaders, including the CEOs of Best in the U.S. are focused on the role busi- Is this an overreach or the future of a new direction. But we need to make an Buy, Land O’Lakes, and 3M. They ness can play, beyond making a proﬁt. more sustainable, responsible role for essential shift in how we think about You can read the radically altered the modern corporation? charity versus impact in the businesses Business Roundtable statement online, Nope, this is the future of busi- we design. Charity is the easy way to

KPMG LLP is pleased to join Twin Cities Business in congratulating the honorees.

Congratulations to %DUEDUD%XWWV:LOOLDPV3K' 'DYLG'DOYH\ .DUHQ*UDERZ -HDQQLQH5LYHW .DWKU\Q5RHGHO

kpmg.com

© 201 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. NDPPS 706799

22 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 22-23.indd 1 9/3/19 3:49 PM Some of the most powerful CEOs in the U.S. are focused on the role business can play, beyond making a proﬁt.

erase wealth guilt. In contrast, impact is set of words and New York City, my just the cabin, but a place where you taking responsibility for the economics signatures by 200 hope is the Busi- can look at your approach to business of your behaviors and earnings. It means leading CEOs so- ness Roundtable and brand building from a distance. See giving a job, essential knowledge, a lidifies this grow- meeting was a the impact you make today and think purpose, or a second chance instead of ing philosophy. leading indicator about the impact you could have. Give a buck to the next person you see on In fact, a of the great change yourself a moment to dream. the street corner with a handwritten business can free coming. And if The Business Roundtable has cardboard sign. And it requires people from poverty and dependence you see a larger purpose for business, given us permission to make the corporations to be more focused on on charity. If you’ve watched the perhaps you could help me focus more changes we know are better for busi- using the resources of business to microlending community, mission- attention on this issue. ness and the communities we serve. improve our communities, rather than driven brands, and those that do good Start by talking with your team Take this moment, and get to work just giving away a percentage of profits. while doing well, you’ve noticed it. about the idea of purpose and the im- dreaming about how to make a larger Now you’re thinking I’m a hippie Now, consider it a competitive advan- pact your business and brand makes in impact on our world. (my father) or a Gen Yer (my daugh- tage in this new marketplace. What your community and in the world. Al- ter). Actually, I’m a realist, an optimist, does it mean to have your business de- low your team to imagine the impact Aaron Keller ([email protected]) a Gen Xer, and an entrepreneur. signed to achieve a purpose not solely you could have by looking closer at is co-founder and managing principal The purpose of business has centered on selling more widgets to your supply chain to source better. Or of Capsule (capsule.us), a Minneapolis been changing for a long time, with widget users for a profit? This can be reconsider how powerful your brand branding agency. He co-authored The Thrivent, Target, and Cargill, three of an even better definition of a sustain- is and what behaviors it motivates Physics of Brand, physicsofbrand.com. our local notables that make doing able competitive advantage. beyond just buying your offering. good part of their mission. This new From this seat in the center of Next, go to a faraway place—not

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OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 23

pg 22-23.indd 2 9/3/19 3:49 PM WORKING IT

www.mplschamber.com/keystone Why Are We Having This Meeting? The Minnesota Keystone Program recognizes To avoid wasting employees’ time, here’s how companies from across the state that give to effectively manage the ofﬁce meeting. back at least two to five percent of their pre-tax earnings to their communities. At this year’s By Linda L. Holstein luncheon we will celebrate this decades long tradition of corporate giving, meet the 2019 Sara Gavin honored company award winners and hear from Weber Shandwick keynote speaker Sara Gavin. President | North America

The Minnesota Keystone Program thanks these sponsors:

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24 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 24-25.indd 1 9/4/19 9:31 AM 33rd Year of Service Sure Stop Floor Safety “your fast and dependable solution to any slippery floors and steps”

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OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 25

pg 24-25.indd 2 9/4/19 9:32 AM Kaskaid Hospitality CEO Kam Talebi.

PHOTOGRAPY BY ELIESA JOHNSON

26 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 26-31.indd 1 9/4/19 9:44 AM NATIONAL EXPANSION? OVER.

EXPERIMENTING WITH CONCEPTS? DONE.

BUT LOOK OUT, FARGO!

By Burl Gilyard

hey don’t have a food truck. They are not chef-driven standing institution in downtown Minneapolis, at the end Tfoodies. Many of their restaurants are in shopping cen- of June. It pledged to make no changes to the iconic bar/ ters and malls, an increasingly tough spot for retailers every- restaurant. where. Their national expansion plans lie in ruin. Numerous “Why wouldn’t you buy Brit’s Pub?” Talebi says. “It’s in concepts outside their core brand have been short-lived. a sector that we’re not in.” He declined to disclose the price Yet Kam Talebi’s Eden Prairie–based Kaskaid Hospitality or terms of the deal. empire is still standing, 12 years after launching the first Crave Talebi says the company’s revenue is now “north of in the Galleria in Edina. Talebi, 50, is CEO. (Brother Keyvan is $80 million.” But is it profitable? He pauses. “A little,” he a partner, while Dave Sincebaugh has been Kaskaid’s COO for says with a smile. a decade. “He’s my right-hand guy,” Talebi says.) Kaskaid has a portfolio of more than a dozen restaurants and, skeptics be When the plot to take over the world ends damned, is continuing to find ways to grow. According to the oft-told legend, the Talebi brothers came In the wake of local and national failures, Kaskaid out of nowhere, with zero experience in the hospitality busi- has refocused its business plan on the Crave brand and is ness, to open Crave and start building a bigger company. expanding, but only in the Midwest. Not exactly. “We lived and learned,” Talebi says. “Not everything is The first mention of the Talebi brothers in the Star going to be a hit.” Tribune was 1996, when they were identified as owners of the Kaskaid opened Crave’s eighth and newest Twin Cities South Beach nightclub in the Minneapolis Warehouse District location last fall, in Maple Grove. Despite national struggles, with partner David Koch. In its day, the three-story club was it has never closed a Twin Cities Crave. very popular. “It was during a time frame when I was actually This month, Kaskaid will also open a Crave in Fargo, on the East Coast,” Talebi says. “I was a passive investor.” N.D., at the West Acres shopping mall. They also plan to The brothers also partnered with Koch on two other open a second event center, Quincy Hall, in northeast Min- ventures, Escape Ultra Lounge and Bellanotte, both located neapolis this winter. Plans call for a new Crave in Rochester on Minneapolis’ Block E during its “entertainment complex” to open in February in the new Hotel Indigo, an overhaul of days. The high-end Bellanotte was known for celebrities and the downtown Holiday Inn. One other, not-so-small detail: pro athletes among its clientele. Escape closed in 2007, In a surprise to many, Kaskaid bought Brit’s Pub, a long- Bellanotte in 2009 after a five-year run.

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 27

pg 26-31.indd 2 9/4/19 9:44 AM Talebi’s previous background easier than it is to successful regional wasn’t in food, but in tech. In the restaurateurs. “Oftentimes, operators 1990s, he was CFO for Prometric, a think ‘I’m very successful in Min- Baltimore–based firm that helped neapolis, I could be successful in this pioneer computerized testing. He later market too.’ Well … maybe,” says Dean started and sold two tech startups. Small, founder and managing partner “I was not a coder,” Talebi says. of Synergy Restaurant Consultants in “I was the business guy behind the Newport Beach, Calif. “You go into a technology and taking it to market.” market where nobody’s heard of you In a way, Kaskaid has functioned before, you’re starting from scratch.” as serial entrepreneurs within one Small is not familiar with Kaskaid company, testing a range of new ideas or Crave but speaks to what he has and concepts. Some are kept, some are seen in the industry over decades: “If fine-tuned, and some—like the com- the restaurants are spread out too far pany’s efforts to take Crave national— geographically, it’s very hard to sup- are scrapped. port them from the home office.” Kaskaid’s national plans were am- bitious and expensive. They opened Open, close, repeat and closed seven Crave locations: Las Beyond Crave, Kaskaid has piloted Vegas; Bethesda, Md.; Omaha; Coral many unsuccessful local concepts: Gables, Fla.; Austin, Texas; Cincinnati; Sopranos, Zio, Boneyard, the revived The Kaskaid Empire and Orlando, Fla. The last of those Figlio, and Avenida Cocina & Bar. were shuttered in 2018. “There was a lot of experiment- Talebi says that there were dif- ing. We lived and learned, and at the 8 metro Crave locations ferent problems in different markets. end of the day, we’re smarter for it,” 2 regional Crave locations, operated under “For certain locations, like Omaha, the Talebi says. “We’re a lot more selec- management agreement lease ran its course and tive in terms of where we decided not to move “It hurts. You and what we pursue for Union Restaurant, on.” really can’t afford growth.” downtown Minneapolis Sarah Baker Hansen, to have failures If there’s a theme who covers food and res- to what didn’t work, one Rev Ultra Lounge, downtown Minneapolis if you have taurants for the Omaha theory posited is that the (same building as Union) small revenues. World-Herald, recalls that The bigger you failed concepts focused Brit’s Pub, downtown Minneapolis Crave opened in a new get, the less it on specific cuisines—Ital- lifestyle center, Midtown hurts. It’s a risky ian, Mexican, Southern— Burger Burger, Mall of America Crossing, in 2010. The business; you’re with which Kaskaid has Omaha location closed little experience. Cowboy Jack’s, Mall of America; owned not always right.” in 2018. “We’re done experi- outright, operated under a license agreement —Phil Roberts, “Crave was one menting,” he says. co-founder, Parasole of the original tenants. One of those ex- Muse Event Center, North Loop, Restaurant Holdings Other restaurants turned periments was trying to Minneapolis over several times. For revive Figlio, an Uptown Crave Catering some time, they had a pretty successful institution for 25 years that closed in brunch,” says Baker Hansen. “It out- 2009. Kaskaid licensed the name from Piggy Bank, Uptown Minneapolis lasted many of the other restaurants.” Edina–based Parasole Restaurant The Florida market was a differ- Holdings. It lasted about two years. Union Depot, downtown St. Paul ent story: “At the end of the day, we do “They were stand-up folks to do Urban Eatery in the Calhoun Beach Club, not go into the right locations … we business with,” says Phil Roberts, Para- Minneapolis (principals) didn’t have our own people evaluat- sole’s co-founder and principal. ing sites,” Talebi says. “We took an Parasole has had its own share of Operates BLVD Kitchen & Bar, ‘A’ concept and put it into ‘C’ and ‘D’ concepts that didn’t pan out. “It hurts. Minnetonka locations.” You really can’t afford to have failures if In some cases, Kaskaid turned you have small revenues,” Roberts says. spaces back to their landlords. But “The bigger you get, the less it hurts. It’s Talebi says Kaskaid was able to coax a risky business; you’re not always right.” some flexibility out of normally Kaskaid has been either extraor- adversarial tenant/landlord situations. dinarily shrewd or lucky in the wake “We’re proactive and we sort of plan of its closures. It seems to have largely around it with our landlords.” avoided being stuck with big, empty National expansion tends to look spaces in the Twin Cities or long-term

28 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 26-31.indd 3 9/4/19 9:44 AM Crave Downtown Crave Twin Cities Minneapolis sous “We’re not chefs. Timeline chef Louis Mendez. We brought the know- how of how to build 2007 businesses.” Galleria, Edina —Kam Talebi, CEO, Kaskaid Hospitality 2009 Shops at West End, St. Louis Park

2010 Mall of America, Bloomington leases out of town. When Sopranos closed at the 2011 West End in St. Louis Park, Kaskaid LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis promptly replaced it with Figlio. When Figlio shuttered, they sold off its assets 2015 to another operator for The Loop Bar Woodbury Lakes, Woodbury + Restaurant. After Zio closed, it was replaced with a Cowboy Jack’s owned 2016 by Kaskaid. While the company was Eden Prairie Center, Eden Prairie weighing options for the Avenida space

in Minnetonka, Olive Garden ap- 2017 Rosedale Center, Roseville proached the site’s landlord and is now building a new restaurant there. 2018 Talebi says that Kaskaid has The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, had the resources to ride out bets Maple Grove that didn’t pay off. “Cash ﬂow and previous wins have allowed us to have the endurance to be able to keep the

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 29

pg 26-31.indd 4 9/5/19 9:38 AM CONGRATULATIONS company moving.” important qualities for any restau- Barbara Butts rateur to have. No. 1, he’s a risk- Designed for dining taker, and No. 2, he’s not afraid Crave debuted in 2007 at the to say, ‘This isn’t working.’ ” The Williams, PhD Galleria, Edina’s upscale shopping latter trait speaks to why some of mall. Since then, most Crave loca- its restaurants haven’t lasted long: Executive Dean, External Relations & tions have been in shopping malls Kaskaid will pull the plug rather Partnerships; Dean Emerita, Business or retail centers—Eden Prairie than beating a concept to death. Center, Mall of America, Wood- Spaulding acknowledges that bury Lakes, and Rosedale Center. Crave doesn’t get much love from “We’ve always had a concept that’s foodies. “I think a lot of people in Twin Cities Business been retail-friendly,” Talebi says. the restaurant business are critical 2019 Outstanding Directors Award Crave feels kind of fancy, of Crave. Other chefs can be criti- =ouÆo-u7";ub1;b|_Ãbm-;-|_ but not too fancy. The expan- cal of the food or the approach,” sive menu is largely mainstream she says, but argues that there is a American fare that tries to place for Crave in the market. “It offer something for everybody was designed that way. It wasn’t de- +ou;-7;uv_br-m71ollb|l;m||o;71-omķv;ub1;ķ1ollmb|ķ-m7 with sandwiches, salads, burg- signed to win any culinary awards.” r;or;bmvrbu;v|_ov;-uom7o;-1_7-ĺ);_omou-m7|_-mho=ou ers, flatbreads, some chicken, some seafood—and sushi, a key Crave’s future: regional 0ubm]bm]-v|-m7-u7o=;1;;m1;|o;;u|_bm]o7oĺ component. Talebi says that Crave brand, smaller markets? updates its menu twice a year; For now, there are no plans for this year it added a plant-based any additional Craves in the Twin menu catering to vegans and Cities. When Burger Burger first vegetarians. There’s a kids’ menu. opened at Mall of America, Talebi There are private dining spaces for acknowledges he had “aspira- corporate and other events. tions” of building it into a chain. “We’re not chefs,” Talebi says. But that’s off the boards. “We certainly brought “As we’ve grown the know-how of how “We’ve had our and matured as a to build businesses.” share of punches company, we have a Crave restaurants are that we’ve taken. much smaller foot- big places. Talebi says Have we lost a print for a growth the business model is few battles? Yes. strategy,” Talebi says. based on 250 to 350 We feel like we’re “We’re staying disci- diners. “When you winning the war.” plined and focused look at the mechanics —Kam Talebi, CEO, on what that is.” of the business, the Kaskaid Hospitality Kaskaid is still costs to be able to run looking outside of a Crave and execute its menu, you the Twin Cities for new Crave lo- ultimately do need to be able to cations, but not where you might have more seats to be able to gen- expect. A Crave opened in 2016 erate the revenue it takes to have a in Sioux Falls, S.D., followed by a successful restaurant.” 2017 opening in Sioux City, Iowa. Minneapolis–based Shea They are not your typical Inc., which specializes in res- Craves. One is in a hotel, the other taurant design, has worked on is adjacent to one. Kaskaid doesn’t The Minnesota Landscape nearly every restaurant created by own the restaurants, but instead Arboretum congratulates Kaskaid, still a client. Shea prin- has a management agreement Jeannine Rivet on her Lifetime cipal Tanya Spaulding recalls that with Sioux Falls–based Hegg Achievement Award. Your she and firm founder David Shea Companies Inc., a commercial first met with the Talebi brothers real estate investor. Kaskaid is friends at the Arb are grateful when they had signed a lease at paid a fee to operate the restau- for your the Galleria. rants but doesn’t have the risk of vision and “They really did want to ownership. support. create something that would be a “We provide the brand and multiunit brand,” Spaulding says. we run the restaurant,” Talebi says. She says that Talebi has strong gut “It provides another venue [for] JEANNINE RIVET instincts for the business. growth.” “The thing that I will say Paul Hegg, president and about Kam: He’s got two very CEO of Hegg Cos., says that

30 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 26-31.indd 5 9/4/19 9:44 AM THE SAGA OF 2841 HENNEPIN

veryone wants to be in Uptown, right? Maybe. But not everybody wants to be at 2841 Henne- E pin on the north side of the Midtown Greenway. The Old Chicago beer and pizza chain held down the spot for 19 years, but closed the location in 2013. Kaskaid then leased the space, and its follow-up concept, the Southern-focused Boneyard, lasted less than a year. Boneyard was replaced by a series of unsuccessful sublease ventures: a branch of Salsa a la Salsa (closed 2016), Game Sports Bar (closed 2017), and Lotus Uptown (closed in 2018). Kaskaid’s Piggy Bank is now the ﬁfth restaurant there over the last six years. But if Kaskaid is through experimenting, what explains Piggy Bank, which opened last De- cember? “We had a lease commitment,” says Kam Talebi. “Unfortunately, the space came back to us.” Stuart Chazin, who owns and manages commercial real estate, bought the building in 2010 when Old Chicago was still a tenant. “Kam has been there for over ﬁve years. … They still are the tenant,” Chazin says. Kaskaid signed a 10-year lease for the space. Chazin says Kaskaid are “good people to work with,” adding, “Kam’s a nice guy. Honorable.” Kaskaid is not sitting still on the site. Talebi says he is contemplating adding live music at Piggy Bank.

Minneapolis is a frequent travel us has been great.” destination for his family and that Kaskaid will own its next they would often dine at Crave two restaurants. The West Acres while visiting the Twin Cities. mall in Fargo is locally owned and Hegg thought that it could be a fit operated, with approximately one for the company’s Hilton Garden million square feet of retail space. Inn in Sioux Falls. Crave will be part of a new area When Hegg first pitched called The District at West Acres the idea, Talebi told him that the dedicated to restaurants replacing market was too small. But Hegg the mall’s former Sears store. and a partner flew to the Twin “We are confident that Crave Cities in a private plane to pick up will do well. Many people in our Talebi and COO Sincebaugh to fly market are already familiar with to Sioux Falls for a pitch. “We hit that brand and experience,” says it off,” says Hegg of Talebi. A deal Alissa Adams, senior vice presi- came together. dent of marketing and business Hegg says that the previ- development for West Acres. ous restaurant in the hotel was With the planned openings in generating about $1.5 million per Fargo and Rochester, that will give year in sales. Crave is now doing Crave a total of 12 regional sites. more than $4 million. Hegg calls “The wins have exceeded it a “game-changer” for the hotel. the losses. Have the losses hurt? The Hegg group then acquired Absolutely. Not everything you a Hilton Garden Inn property touch is going to turn into gold,” in Sioux City and added a Crave Talebi says. “We’ve had our share there under similar terms. of punches that we’ve taken. Have “At the end of the day, that we lost a few battles? Yes. We feel revenue is mine. I’ve got a bottom like we’re winning the war.” line to meet, I’ve got investors,” Hegg says. “Kam’s commitment to Burl Gilyard is TCB’s senior writer.

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 31

pg 26-31.indd 6 9/4/19 9:44 AM PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRAVIS ANDERSON

32 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 32-37.indd 1 9/4/19 10:11 AM Branding Out Loud Since joining Deluxe Corp. ﬁve years ago, chief brand and content ofﬁcer Amanda Brinkman has emboldened the once-conservative, multibillion-dollar company to think outside the branding box. Now, what’s next? By Tess Allen

manda Brinkman only breaks for blazer changes—each one a different boldly colored, shoulder-padded display of moxie. This time, it’s royal blue over a crisp, hot-pink button-up. The large board room at Deluxe Corp. in Shoreview has been transformed, for this one sunny May day, into a production studio, and it’s as frenzied as a Hollywood set. The director, the camera crew, the marketing team, and the guests rush about; there’s a sense of urgency in each task. But Brinkman leans against a table in the center, rocked back in her neutral stilettos, cracking jokes with anyone nearby. The whole room orbits around her. As the crew sets up for the next shot, Brinkman’s co-host, reality-TV carpenter Ty Penning- ton, saunters on set, in a white V-neck T-shirt, cargo pants, and black plastic flip-flops that scrape on the thin office carpet as he walks. “Do you have another shirt you want to put over that?” Brinkman asks, her smirk quickly turning to laughter. Everyone within earshot snickers—Pennington included—as cameras turn toward the pair. They have 14 scenes to shoot by 5 p.m. Brinkman hosts the popular Hulu series Small Business Revolution—Main Street, a show that helps revive small-town businesses across the country. Season four debuts Oct. 8, featuring Searcy, Ark. Brinkman spent more than a month in Searcy filming and working with local businesses on everything from marketing strategy to financial advice to design improvements. That’s after a nationwide search for the season’s featured town and businesses that involved hopscotching around the country to conduct interviews and an online public campaign spanning several weeks. After filming wrapped, Brinkman jetted off to Aus- tin, Texas—home to the show’s director—for a full day’s worth of interviews with the winning business owners. She also hosted this season’s owners in the Twin Cites and ar- ranged for them to meet with industry experts, including restauranteur and 2019 James Beard Award-winning chef Ann Kim. Affixed to Brinkman’s well-used carry-on bag is a sticker that says: “Support local.” Small Business Revolution (SBR for short) has attracted more than 5.6 million views and established Brinkman as a personality—someone who’s recognized at the grocery store, a hero to mom-and-pop businesses everywhere. Brinkman is a regular on the speaking circuit, giving keynotes and TED Talks on the importance of supporting local business, emceeing events for women in leadership, and hosting Small Business Revolution PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRAVIS ANDERSON TRAVIS BY PHOTOGRAPHY awards ceremonies. Fielding interview requests about

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 33

pg 32-37.indd 2 9/4/19 10:11 AM Amanda Brinkman and SBR co-host Ty Pennington on set at the Deluxe Corp. headquarters. “[Brinkman] doesn’t just believe in small business, she works hard to make sure the owners believe in themselves,” Pennington says.

SMALL BUSINESS REVOLUTION—MAIN STREET, SEASON 4 Season-opener air date: Oct. 8 Featured town: Searcy, Ark. Where to watch: On Hulu, smallbusinessrevolution.org, or Prime video.

HOW TO ENTER FOR SEASON 5: Nominations for Small Business Revolu- tion—Main Street Season 5 are open Oct. 8–22. To find out more about how to nominate a town, visit smallbusinessrevolution.org. can take almost solutions. The show has The brand whisperer ality of checks, Deluxe knew it either had as much time as succeeded beyond the A career marketer, Brinkman’s resume to turn the spotlight to its other products filming an episode; company’s wildest dreams, includes stints in senior marketing and services or risk obsolescence. But the the program has racked and has established SBR as a roles with Allianz and UnitedHealth company had no idea how to even begin up thousands of media stories, “movement,” Brinkman says, which Group. A big personality since her to retool its deep-rooted legacy. most of which quote Brinkman. encourages support of small businesses college days, she even deejayed for Wi- Deluxe had for years also offered It’s easy to forget that TV host is everywhere. The questions now are how nona State University’s KQAL 89.5 FM. a suite of services aimed at small not her leading role. long does it make sense for Deluxe to She was consulting at General Mills in businesses—everything from payroll Brinkman is the chief brand and continue investing in the series, and does 2013 when Deluxe called and offered services and trademarking to logo content officer of Deluxe, the centenar- the overwhelming success suggest that her an interview for the top spot in its design and web hosting. But less than ian, $2 billion company that built its other companies should rethink the way marketing department. She says she 1 percent of its targeted audience knew name and fortune printing checks. She they allocate their marketing budgets? had the same reaction as everyone else: that five years ago, Brinkman says. dreamt up the TV series to reposition Or: Is the spirited host in her “Wait ... the check company?” “Deluxe wasn’t telling their own Deluxe from outdated check printer bright blue blazer essential to pulling As debit/credit cards and virtual story very well at the time,” says Nancy to modern provider of small business off this sort of branding feat? payment systems overtook the function- Lyons, CEO of Minneapolis digital

Brinkman’s Tips for Out-of-the-Box Marketing

Be honest about your brand Find your unique brand that community? What can you Get buy-in across the entire 1purpose. You should “really 2action. “‘How can you par- do from an advocacy and walk- 3organization. “I spent a lot clearly define, ‘What would the ticipate in your customers’ lives ing-alongside-them perspective? of time at the very beginning ex- world be missing if we weren’t in a way that matters to them?’” Then turn that into brand action, plaining that this is a long-term in business?’ ” Brinkman says. Brinkman asks. “It certainly won’t and practice what you preach.” strategy,” Brinkman says. It has And once you find that, she says, always be a show, but could you to be more than just the market- act on it. Don’t let it become an advocate for them? Participate ing department that understands empty mission statement. in a nonprofit that enables that the value: “Manage those expec- community? Can you celebrate tations on the way in.”

34 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 32-37.indd 3 9/5/19 9:39 AM SMALL BUSINESS REVOLUTION WINNERS, 2016–19

Season 1 Deluxe’s SBR team Wabash, Ind. “One of the things we found interesting in our economic impact talks marketing report was that local business and retail was up 7.4 percent year over strategy for their year. This was a direct result of Small Business Revolution because season winners. we learned that we needed to pay attention to branding.” —Christine Flohr, executive director of tourism, Wabash County and Visitor’s Bureau

Season 2 Bristol Borough, Pa. “The vacancy rate used to be as high as 40 percent. Right now, if you wanted to go to a Realtor and say, ‘I’d like to open a business in downtown,’ there are only two properties available. [SBR] has really had a ripple effect downtown.” —Bill Pezza, president, Raising the Bar economic development organization That runaway success earned team adds just a little bit more of its Season 3 Brinkman the nickname “the brand brand into the show, via a product Alton, Ill. whisperer” by Deluxe vice president of or brand mention, for example. Now “Small Business Revolution has been an incredible accelerator. I can’t public relations Cameron Potts. that there’s a lot of awareness of SBR, explain it. We just took off. It’s like we hit the button and off we went … The downtown area … is basically almost full now. It’s really neat to Actually, her persona and indus- Brinkman thinks it’s time for the com- see us find our way again.” —Brant Walker, mayor of Alton try impact are more like a shout. pany to take a little more credit for it. But never at the expense of the authen- Season4 The evolution ticity or genuineness of the program Searcy, Ark. of the revolution itself, she says. “[The SBR team is] investing so much into educating us—all kinds of SBR SBR investments in us and growing us as business people.” —Catrina The key to ’s success is emphasizing Since has helped Deluxe Mendoza, co-owner of SBR business El Mercado Cavadas, via Harding the authenticity of the stories and not change its brand perception and reach Alumni Magazine letting the show resemble an ad. that initial goal, Brinkman is look- “We feel like if [SBR] was too ing for new ways to utilize the show’s Deluxe-forward, that would be a turn- value. She says the show can begin to off,” Brinkman says. “It’s very much a serve as a vehicle for new messages. strategic play not to have our brand in “We feel like the Small Business Revolu- agency Clockwork, which was recently [for Deluxe] was up.” your face.” She believes a brand doesn’t tion has an opportunity to help us selected as Deluxe’s new partner in Her idea initially began as a year- have to be overt to get its message brand a little bit more across all of our digital strategy. “So I think when long series of photo and video essays across—that viewers who watch even products and services now.” people made up the story, it was really telling the stories of 100 small busi- one episode of SBR easily understand For Season 5—already in the limited to checks.” nesses across the country, in celebra- the Deluxe role. planning stages, with town nomina- Brinkman says that she was up-front tion of a century of enterprise. That Mike Porter, a University of St. tions set to open for two weeks begin- from the start with then-Deluxe CEO Lee quickly snowballed into the current Thomas Opus College of Business pro- ning Oct. 8—that will mean tying in Schram. “[In the interview], I told him, ‘I TV series in which Deluxe (and voting fessor, applauds Deluxe’s restraint. The messaging about Deluxe’s financial want to do something really bold. Do you viewers) choose one small town and format works well, he says, because services offerings, such as data-driven want to do something really bold?’ ” five or six of its small businesses each Deluxe is not pushing their services marketing programs for community He was all for it, she says. year to win a “makeover” from Deluxe directly, but they’ve created an envi- banks and credit unions. The end of “I love taking these disparate valued at $500,000. Deluxe then aids ronment that allows them to highlight each episode in Season 4 points view- brands that either people haven’t heard them with any business needs. In turn, their offerings in a credible manner. ers to Deluxe’s website, where they can of or have different perceptions of, and Deluxe takes some of the credit. “They’re not saying, ‘Nobody else does find a small business resource center proving what the craft of marketing Since the start of SBR, Deluxe this.’ They’re saying, ‘Well, here’s how and in-depth case studies. “But again,” can do,” says Brinkman, 40. Plus, she has earned more than 5.7 billion total Deluxe would support you in doing Brinkman emphasizes, “it’s at the end,” adds with a laugh, “I’m an optimist, so earned media impressions from more this for your business.’ ” keeping it out of the main storyline. I like to say that everywhere from there than 3,600 news stories. Each season, however, the Deluxe Through his lens as a marketing professor, Porter asserts that Deluxe adds value to viewers’ lives through SBR. Even though the viewer isn’t purchasing anything from Deluxe, the Always stay in front of the doing?” she says. “You can have Protect the authenticity of company is educating viewers—many 4organization. Brinkman so many fans internally of it, but 5your plan. It’s typical to want of which are small business owners— admits there are times when even if you have just a couple of to throw your logo on every- for free as it helps the real people in the she could have carried out this people who are questioning it, thing you produce, Brinkman show. So whenever a viewer is ready to principle better: “Remind people that can really erode things. says. Don’t. “I have to have a lot spend money for help, he says, they’ll of the strategy. Why do we do Leverage it with employees at of conversations about why we think of Deluxe first. this? What are we investing in? every available touchpoint.” can’t do that. Because then it’s This format also allows Deluxe What are we seeing as a result of not a show; it’s an infomercial.” to show up organically in the show it? Why is this a good thing to be rather than overtly pushing products

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 35

pg 32-37.indd 4 9/4/19 10:11 AM ing time with the customers. While 1.7 billion. The show engages viewers “I love taking these disparate brands that either people meeting with individual small-busi- by allowing them to vote for the city haven’t heard of or have different perceptions of, and ness owners, Brinkman zeroed in on on each season. proving what the craft of marketing can do.” their passions and tribulations. She That “shows the kind of audience —Amanda Brinkman saw how hard they worked to make that we were able to build,” Potts says, their businesses succeed. “I thought, “one that is much more engaged and ‘Let’s create a movement for these active in wanting to share our videos, and services, further strengthening its Creating a movement small businesses. Let’s do something be online, vote.” authenticity. Despite the show’s continuing popu- good for them and inspire people to By Brinkman’s calculations, Research supports Brinkman’s in- larity, Brinkman still fi elds questions support them.’ ” Deluxe reached 12 times more people stincts. According to the Content Mar- about its effectiveness. “Even my own As a marketing leader who touts with the fi rst season of SBR than it keting Institute, content marketing— dad is like, ‘Cool, your show’s awe- the motto “Doing well by doing good,” would have if it had invested the en- defi ned as online marketing that does some. Is it selling stuff for Deluxe?’ ” Brinkman saw an opportunity for tire production budget in paid adver- not explicitly promote a brand—costs she says. “It’s a natural question.” Deluxe to tie its own success to that of tising. Potts adds that it has actually 62 percent less than more traditional When Brinkman started at its customers. spent less on SBR each year than was outbound marketing and generates Deluxe, she estimates its market- Her team began thinking beyond allocated for year one; the company more than three times as many leads. ing department was being outspent traditional paid advertising to explore declined to disclose production costs Add in video, and content marketing 14-to-one by tech-savvy competitors ways that it could earn media attention for the show. is likely to generate 66 percent more like GoDaddy, ConstantContact, and (publicity that cannot be bought). Since SBR launched in 2015, leads, according to Aberdeen Group, a VistaPrint. Potts estimates that those Instead of using sales num- Deluxe’s annual revenue has increased Boston–based research fi rm. three companies each spend upwards bers, Brinkman and public relations from $1.7 billion to $2 billion. The Brinkman isn’t the only one of $100 million a year on brand aware- VP Potts say they measure growth company doesn’t draw a direct connec- who’s fi gured this out. Market research ness; Deluxe spends “far less than 10 through those “earned media” option between the two events, but clearly, company MarketsandMarkets says that percent of that,” he adds. portunities as well as social media Small Business Revolution hasn’t hurt. the global content marketing industry, “I knew we had to do something impressions (the number of times valued at about $1.96 billion in 2016, really scrappy that would stretch our content is displayed online). Attracting more than was up to $4.12 billion last year, and is spending if we were even going to In SBR’s fi rst year, Brinkman says an audience projected to be worth nearly $10 bil- hope to compete,” Brinkman says. nearly 1,000 news stories covered De- Viewers aren’t the only ones drawn to lion by 2023. She starts any new job by spend- luxe; social media impressions totaled SBR. Deluxe says the show helps attract

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36 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 32-37.indd 5 9/4/19 10:11 AM and retain employees. transformative and so amazing that “We think that will give us more average of 300 to 400 small businesses “I’ve had employees who have I started paying attention,” Nordrum focus and allow us to make better show up each time. been here for 30 years stop me in the says. “It felt like the entire city came investment decisions and accelerate Potts says the team may consider parking lot with tears in their eyes, like, together for this Small Business our organic revenue growth.” expanding those seminars to more ‘I just watched last night’s episode, and Revolution contest.” towns and larger cities. I’m so proud that we’re doing this as So when Nordrum began looking Room to grow “Because of Small Business a company,’ ” Brinkman says. She says for a new job soon thereafter, she looked Many network series don’t get a second Revolution, we now know who Deluxe that almost all of Deluxe’s senior hires to Deluxe. If the company cares enough or a third season. But even as SBR is, and we understand the value of the during her tenure have told her that to help other businesses, she thought, it releases its fourth, Deluxe’s leaders say organization,” Clockwork CEO Lyons SBR played some role in their decision must be a positive place to work. there’s still plenty of room for growth. says. “It’s pretty clear what they stand to come to the company. Now, about two years into her “Every year we learn something for and what they’re interested in. Deluxe’s director of marketing role at the company, she says it’s new about how we do this,” Potts says. They possess this spirit of helpfulness, partnerships Julie Gordon, who also everything she had hoped for, and Adds Brinkman, “I think we’ll keep and their brand story is sort of writing works closely with SBR, says she person- she plans to stay “as long as they’ll doing the show for as long as it keeps itself these days.” ally knows at least half a dozen people have me.” being exciting and different and new.” Brinkman even envisions an SBR who signed on for the same reason. Even Deluxe’s new CEO says The Hulu series may be the bus that crosses the country, helping One of those people is Kortney the show attracted him to the centerpiece of the entire operation, but businesses as it rolls along. Nordrum, Deluxe’s regulatory counsel company. Barry McCarthy, who as- Brinkman says there’s much more to “We certainly recognize that we’re and chief compliance ofﬁ cer. sumed the top spot last November, the Small Business Revolution “move- sitting on the gold standard when it Nordrum, a Red Wing native says he was drawn to Deluxe by its ment” than just the show. She and her comes to branded content and how whose family still lives there, was readiness to undergo a true foun- team have other ideas for sustaining you do it in a really engaging way,” working at the Society of Corporate dational transformation—made momentum. Brinkman says. “We get to keep lever- Compliance and Ethics in Minneapolis obvious in large part by its adoption Not seen on screen, for example, aging and building.” in 2017. At that time, she had never of such a nontraditional marketing are the free, day-long marketing semi- Because, as any good brand- heard of Deluxe. strategy. SBR is helping Deluxe reor- nars that Deluxe holds for the top 10 ing expert knows, a brand’s story is That same year, Red Wing was ganize itself by product—payments, communities in the competition. “We never ﬁ nished; it just evolves with in the running for Season 2’s SBR cloud-based services, promotional kind of take them through the same the seasons. makeover. “What happened in my products, and checks—rather than process that we take the businesses on hometown [during that time] was so by customer type, McCarthy says. the show through,” Brinkman says. An Tess Allen is TCB’s associate editor.

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 37

pg 32-37.indd 6 9/4/19 10:11 AM THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING OUR NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS.

Congratulations, Jeannine Rivet, on your Lifetime Achievement Award and for the inspiration you have provided to all of us at UnitedHealth Group.

pg 38.indd 1 9/4/19 2:44 PM On Board for Success HONORING MINNESOTA’S MOST OUTSTANDING BOARD DIRECTORS. Hair and Makeup by Fatima Olive Fatima by Hair and Makeup Jeannine Rivet David Dalvey Karen Grabow Kathy Roedel Barbara Butts Williams

Some executives thrive on the challenge of steering companies through the success and vitality of our business community, though their impor- change and growth. Those are generally the leaders you want on your tant role is often behind the scenes. TCB’s annual awards recognize indi- board of directors. This year’s recipients of TCB’s Outstanding Direc- viduals who represent the very best in corporate board service. Thanks tors awards lend their professional expertise to many vital Minnesota to those who submitted nominations and to our selection committee, businesses through board leadership. Combined, the five honorees have including Dee Thibodeau, CEO of Charter Solutions, Melodie Rose, served on more than 40 boards in a wide range of fields including health shareholder, Fredrikson & Byron, and Michael Vekich, CEO of Vekich care, education, technology, and finance. These directors are critical to Chartered. —Allison Kaplan, editor in chief

Photography by Eliesa Johnson

2019

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OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 39

pg 39-45.indd 1 9/4/19 1:26 PM For Lifetime Achievement JeannineRivet

BY LIZ FEDOR

eannine Rivet acknowledges: “I am not shy, as you can probably guess.” If she had been shy, she would not have carved out a 28-year career as an executive at UnitedHealth Group, which generated $226 billion in revenue in 2018. She retired from UnitedHealth last summer after working for many years as an executive vice president of the corporation. Throughout her tenure, she served as CEO of Optum, Ingenix, and UnitedHealthcare, three of the company’s businesses. She’s now devoting her time to board service and mentoring business leaders. Her success at UnitedHealth and her reputation as a fully engaged board member translated into numerous invi- tations to join corporate and nonprofit boards. She said yes to several offers, which led to serving on an array of health care, business, academic, cultural organization, and foundation boards. Because of her effective leadership, Twin Cities Business is recogniz- ing Rivet for her lifetime achievement of board service. After 15 years on the board of Schwan Food Co., she now serves on the board of Abiomed Inc., a Massachusetts– based manufacturer of medical implant devices. She chairs the Health Policy and Management Executive Council at Harvard’s School of Public Health. She’s on the board of visitors at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. And she’s on the board of UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. That’s just a sampling of Rivet’s board involvements. At 71, she still has R.I., Rivet couldn’t have imagined were her options “until you got mar- registered nurse diploma in 1968. a passion for board service. She enjoys her ultimate career trajectory, as a ried and had a family.” She began her career as a pedi- ensuring that companies are fiscally business executive and respected She rejected the secretary option atric nurse, went to Boston College responsible and accountable to their board member. In a community with right away. “I thought teaching might for a bachelor’s in nursing, and rather stakeholders, and she says being on French-Canadian roots, she was taught be nice, because I liked math and sci- quickly was put in charge of running for-profit and nonprofit boards “keeps by Catholic nuns in grade school and ence,” she says. But she decided to use the pediatric department in a clinic in my brain thinking and forces me to high school. The nuns outlined her her academic talent to become a nurse. Rhode Island. She recalls, “They gave learn new things.” career choices—a secretary, teacher, “I thought I would work in a hospital me another department that needed Growing up in Woonsocket, or nurse. Rivet says she was told those forever,” Rivet says, who earned her retooling, and the next thing I knew I

40 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 39-45.indd 2 9/4/19 1:26 PM “She’s very good at communicating how important the mission of the organization is and how the gift can make a difference.” —Peter Moe, director, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

executive roles in health services and Sattler says that Rivet worked closely Minnetrista home to host several events, health care insurance. with the board chairman and two including dinners for scientists and visit- In 2001, Rivet, who was then Schwan family members to identify ing directors from other arboretums. CEO of UnitedHealthcare, which strong candidates. Ultimately, the Rivet is a major advocate for administers the corporation’s health board committee recommended increasing the number of women and insurance plans, was recruited to join Dimitrios Smyrnios, a Nestle executive. people of color on boards. the Schwan’s board. She agreed to be “Dimitrios had the right experience As someone who has been “the an independent director for the food and could talk to all levels of the orga- one woman” on a board, Rivet says, “I Board Service company based in Marshall, Minn. nization, board, and family,” Rivet says, frequently speak with women who are She characterizes it as a time of and was able to “position Schwan’s well ready for their next opportunity.” “growing pains” for both the company for growth.” (He remains CEO.) Holly Boehne, a retired chief Abiomed, Inc. (2016–present) and board. Marvin Schwan, the found- During much of her Schwan’s ten- technology officer of Andersen Corp., American Academy of er and veteran CEO, died in 1993, and ure, she was also serving on the board recently was referred to Rivet through the governance and leadership of the of trustees of the Minnesota Landscape a professional colleague because she Nursing, National Advisory business were in transition. She served Arboretum. “Jeannine is the epitome had shared her desire to secure a cor- Council (2018–present) on the Schwan’s board until 2016. of an engaged trustee,” says Peter Moe, porate board seat. “There were family dynamics to arboretum director. Rivet chaired a “I sent Jeannine an email out of Harvard School of Public Health, deal with,” Rivet recalls, and there were multiyear capital campaign that reached the blue,” Boehne says. “I said, ‘I’d love Health Policy and Management some board members who were “good its goal of $60 million. “I don’t think to pick your brain.’ She immediately Executive Council (2001–present) subject matter experts who wanted to we would have had the same results got back to me.” Rivet took her to a manage the business.” On the Schwan’s without Jeannine,” Moe says. luncheon for the Women Corporate Sofia Fund, Advisory Board board and with other companies, Rivet Rivet recalls that when she was Directors organization, and then (2016–present) says, it can be challenging for people to originally enlisted to lead the cam- volunteered to critique the board bi- stay in the board-member lane. “You paign, some people wanted a com- ography and résumé that Boehne was Solutran, Advisory Board want to jump in and fix things,” she mittee of 40 people. “I raised some using to market herself. (2006-present) says, but she emphasizes that boards questions about the efficiency of doing Rivet told Boehne how to punch need to provide guidance and set that,” she says. She told arboretum up her written materials to emphasize UnitedHealthcare Children’s directions, and then allow executives to leadership that she would lead the her accomplishments at Andersen, Foundation (2009–present) manage the companies. campaign under certain conditions, Ecolab, and Pillsbury and coached In her Schwan’s board role, Rivet which included a committee of no her on how to strengthen her elevator University of Minnesota School says, she tried to ask good questions of more than eight to 10 people, meet- pitch for board position interviews. of Nursing Board of Visitors management, gather information, and ings that started and ended on time, “She’s got a crazy amount of (2008–present) always adhere to the business mission, development of specific campaign energy,” Boehne says. “Jeannine gave me objectives, and principles. “When we materials that effectively spotlighted a ton of confidence. She told me, ‘You Minnesota Landscape would get caught up with emotions,” new projects, and careful monitoring are qualified. You are going to be a great Arboretum (2006–2016) she says, she would try to focus the of fundraising goals. board member. You just need to find discussion to “using the facts to help In effect, she brought business the right board.’ ” With her business ex- National Association of make the decisions.” discipline to an organization that she’s perience and Rivet’s coaching, Boehne Manufacturers (2006–2016) Schwan’s general counsel Brian extremely passionate about support- landed a seat on the board of First Sup- Sattler worked with Rivet for 11 years ing. “I had to do it in a way that was ply, a Wisconsin–based company. Schwan Food Co. (2001–2016) of her board service after he became not threatening, but got results,” Rivet “She doesn’t waste time. She cuts the board secretary. He describes says. “People were open [to a new ap- to the chase,” Boehne says. But she em- Minnesota Business Partnership Rivet as “professional,” “prepared,” and proach], and they trusted me because I phasizes the humanity and caring that (2006–2015) “genuine.” knew them.” she observed in Rivet. “You can see the “One of Jeannine’s greatest attri- Moe says that Rivet leads by servant-leadership, you can see why butes was the ability to connect,” Sat- example. “She donates herself first,” people followed her,” Boehne says. tler says, adding that she could “build Moe says. “She’s very good at commu- “I didn’t grow up with very much was managing many of the clinic’s de- the trust bridge among the board, the nicating how important the mission of at all,” Rivet says. She recognizes that partments.” She had a good manager family, and the company.” Rivet says the organization is and how the gift can she had tremendous success on a na- in Rhode Island who recognized her that when she’s serving on a board, she make a difference.” Among the projects tional level in corporate America. But, leadership and administrative talents, brings her personal values of integrity, funded by the capital campaign were a she adds, “My father, until the day he and with that support she decided to compassion, and relationship-building bee and pollinator center, a conserva- died, would introduce me as a nurse.” obtain a master’s in public health from to the role. tory expansion, and a sculpture garden. Now, she says, “If I can help oth- Boston University. That credential, There were several CEOs dur- Rivet’s husband, Warren Herreid ers in their own personal journey, the combined with her growing work ing that period, and when the board II, also is a strong arboretum supporter, mentoring and coaching is a way of responsibilities, positioned her for needed to choose a new CEO in 2013, Moe says, and the couple opened their giving back and paying it forward.”

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 41

pg 39-45.indd 3 9/4/19 1:26 PM For board service to Celcuity Inc. (2014–present) DavidDalvey

BY BURL GILYARD Other Board Service t’s been relatively rare for Min- including IPOs and nesota companies to go public secondary offerings. BiteSquad (2015–2018) in recent years. Plymouth– What drew Ibased biotech firm Celcuity him to Celcuity? Blue Rock Advisors Inc. has been one of the few “Really, 95 (2004–2013) exceptions, completing its initial public percent of my offering in 2017. The IPO grossed $26.2 [initial] decision is Digitiliti (2010–2012) million, before fees, for the company, made on the people. which does not yet have any revenue I’ve known Brian chf Solutions (2005–2010) and effectively remains a startup. for over 20 years. Brian Sullivan is the public face of I watched Brian Health Fitness (2005– Celcuity. He co-founded the company build two success- 2010) in 2012 and has served as its CEO and ful companies to chairman since the company’s inception. nine-figure exits … AppTec Labs (2004–2008) But behind the scenes, David Dalvey is I invest in people a key player. Dalvey is managing general way before I invest August Technology partner with Minneapolis–based Bright- in business plans,” (2003–2006) stone Venture Capital, which invests in Dalvey says. “Brian early-stage technology and life science was just a great Agiliti (2002–2005) companies in a range of industries. bet for a successful When Brightstone invested in Celcu- investment. We were Definity Health ity in 2014, Dalvey joined the board of the first outside (2002–2005) directors. money in the deal.” “I think he has an entrepreneurial Brightstone RocketCHiPs (1997–2000) mind-set, which is important,” Sullivan Venture Partners Nature Vision (1996–1999) says. “He has the right mind-set and and one of Dalvey’s that’s half the battle.” limited partner- Navarre Corporation Celcuity is tapping into the trend ships both invested (1995–1998) toward “personalized medicine.” The in Celcuity’s initial company has developed proprietary cel- $4.7 million fi- lular analysis technology that is designed nancing round. to offer a new type of diagnostic test for “The next thing I’ll look at after expectations would be.” CEO, and help grow the business. cancer patients, with the goal of finding [the people] is ‘What is the problem that Celcuity ultimately raised $21 Dalvey urges boards to avoid the drug therapy that most precisely the business is really trying to solve?’ ” million in private financing prior to groups of director with common expe- matches the biology of their cancer. The Dalvey continues. “The problem that going public; the IPO was effectively its rience and perspective. “You wouldn’t potential market is huge: Cancer ranks Brian was trying to solve was to change fourth round of financing. want to have five investment banker second behind heart disease as the lead- the way or to dramatically improve the “Brian consulted with his direc- types on the board and no industry ing causes of death in the U.S. way cancer is diagnosed and therapies tors on this decision,” Dalvey says. people. You want to make sure that the It’s common for venture investors are prescribed. That’s an incredibly im- “Two of his directors, myself and Dick board is well-rounded.” to land seats on a company’s board. portant problem. The third thing I look Nigon, both have long histories of Sullivan is just grateful to have Dalvey brings deep experience as at is, ‘How big is that market?’ ” working with public companies and Dalvey as both an investor and board an investor and board member for sev- Dalvey is now the longest-serving taking companies public.” member. eral successful startups. The list includes member of the Celcuity board, other Dalvey currently holds director “You want somebody who’s Minneapolis-based Bite Squad, which than its co-founders, Sullivan and Lance positions with four other early-stage sophisticated and able to provide the was sold to Louisiana–based Waitr Laing, chief science officer and vice companies: Minneapolis–based appropriate input [and] advice,” Sul- Holdings Inc. for $323 million in 2019, president. Sullivan says that Dalvey was HomeSpotter, Colorado–based 3DBi- livan says. “Dave’s a very humble guy, Minneapolis–based Definity Health a key advisor as Celcuity weighed op- opsy Inc., Plymouth–based Atavium and pragmatic and sophisticated about Corp., which was sold to UnitedHealth tions for its next round of capital. Inc., and San Jose, Calif.–based CNEX the kind of issues that a startup has to Group for $305 million in 2005, and St. “Just in the dynamic of board inter- Labs Inc. Over the years, Dalvey has address. And has, I think, a good ability Paul–based AppTec Laboratory Services action, I think what you’re really looking served on boards for more than 15 to sort through the potential a com- Inc., which was sold to Shanghai–based for is counsel,” Sullivan says. “Dave was a companies. pany may have and weigh that against WuXi Pharma Tech in 2008 for great person to bounce alternatives off of What makes a good director? For the risks and likelihood of success. $174 million. In his days as an in- … it was great to have Dave as someone Dalvey, it boils down to what a director You want somebody who knows what vestment banker, Dalvey worked on who I could discuss and strategize about can bring to the company to help safe- they’re doing … He’s been involved approximately 40 public offerings, how we would go about it and what our guard the shareholders, support the with some very successful companies.”

42 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 39-45.indd 4 9/4/19 1:26 PM For board service to Fairview Health Services (2010–present) KarenGrabow

BY GENE REBECK

iring a top executive style is calm and collaborative. She is a board’s most listens closely to people, seeking to un- important task. For derstand their capabilities and motiva- HMinneapolis–based tions. If that makes Grabow sound like Fairview Health a licensed psychologist—well, that’s Services, that role was particularly cru- because she is. She has a Ph.D. from cial in 2015. The health system needed the U of M in industrial/organizational stability following CEO Rulon Stacey’s psychology, a discipline that applies departure after just a year on the job. psychological principles and research Meanwhile, Fairview had been in fruit- to the workplace “to build effective, less merger negotiations for several healthy organizations,” she says. years with University of Minnesota Grabow’s career has been a Physicians. The storms and stresses marriage of academic insight and cor- roiling the U.S. health care system porate practicality. While in graduate added up to an unhealthy situation. school, she began working for Min- All these factors put Fairview neapolis–based Personnel Decisions director Karen Grabow, head of the International (PDI), helping client search committee, in the hot seat. For- companies with organizational assess- tunately, the committee quickly found ment and team building. After eight someone who looked like a strong fit: years at PDI, Grabow says, “I started James Hereford, chief operations offi- to feel a little fraudulent. I was giving cer at Palo Alto–based Stanford Health businesspeople advice, but I never was Care. “The committee did a great job one.” Believing she’d be a better con- of identifying that he was really out- sultant if she spent some time inside standing—instantly,” Grabow recalls. a well-run company, she was hired by “Then we spent a lot of time trying to Target Corp. in 1984. Grabow thought lure him here.” she’d work there for a year or so. She Time was something the com- stayed for 17. mittee couldn’t spare. “We didn’t want Grabow joined Target just as the to lose our candidate, who was being Minneapolis–based retailer was enter- considered by others. We had the pres- ing a major growth spurt. One of her sures of the university negotiations in early projects was helping the company the thinking of the rest of the board,” Other the background. We needed to move convince resistant senior leaders of the Hereford says, adding that “she brings Board Service fast.” That wouldn’t be easy. The search value of an HMO-based health insur- people together, especially our board, committee consisted mostly of Fair- ance benefit. Her deep understanding in a way that is incredibly construc- Temple Israel Foundation Board view and U of M physicians, people of organizational psychology helped tive.” For her part, Grabow admires (2019–present) with little spare time of their own. provide a model to address their con- Hereford’s focus on both patient needs “I remember the headhunter cerns and win them over. and metrics-driven insights. She and Fiduciary Counseling Inc. and the head of [Fairview] HR saying, In 2001, Grabow joined Arden her board colleagues are helping him (2016–present) ‘How are we going to get all these Hills–based agricultural cooperative pursue his “transformational” vision people together so quickly?’ And I just Land O’Lakes. During her 13 years as for the $5.3 billion health system, which President, Minnesota said,”—she smacks the dining room a senior vice president and chief HR comprises hospitals, primary care clin- Professionals for Psychology table in her Lake of the Isles home— officer, Grabow helped reorganize ics, senior housing, pharmacies and the Applied at Work (2016–2017) “ ‘We’re going to do it!’ I wrote them all the Land O’Lakes HR function and PreferredOne health plan. and said, ‘I know you have incredibly revamped its consulting group, which “The pressure the [health care] Northside Achievement Zone busy lives. But this is absolutely critical. provides leadership training and industry is under to change the model (2012–present) Please do everything you can.’ ” planning to member co-ops. In 2010, is intellectually thrilling,” she says. That They did. Hereford became Fair- Land O’Lakes’ CEO Chris Policinski, kind of stimulus is part of the fun that Jewish Family and Children’s view president and CEO in Decem- then serving on Fairview’s board, sug- board service provides “I love thinking Service (2011–present) ber 2016. One sign that his arrival is gested Grabow for an open seat. Her about organizations as a whole, and calming the waters: Last year, Fairview leadership in bringing Hereford to what makes them operate effectively,” and the U of M shook hands on an Fairview proved him right. Grabow says. “I love working with Blake School Board of Trustees affiliation agreement that more closely “Karen is very thoughtful and talented leaders and staff. I love being (2008-2010, Chair) integrates services and marketing. discerning about how she asks ques- stimulated by the challenges that con- Even under pressure, Grabow’s tions that advance my thinking and front us as board members.”

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 43

pg 39-45.indd 5 9/5/19 12:52 PM For board service to Columbus McKinnon Corp. (2017–present), Generac Holdings (2016–present), and Jones Family of Companies (2016–present). KathyRoedel

BY GENE REBECK

obert Dixon chuckles At all three companies, she has brought as he recalls the time her extensive business experience and Kathy Roedel joined a deep understanding of how boards the board of Generac run and how they can help a company’s Holdings, a Wiscon- management team do its best work. Rsin–based manufacturer of backup “I’m very attracted to mid-cap home generators. “At the end of the companies,” Roedel says. “You can onboarding process,” Dixon says, “she make an impact on a small-cap or came up to me and said, ‘You know, I mid-cap board.” With her background, think this could be done better.’ ” she particularly looks for companies Dixon wasn’t offended. As chair with strong products and growth of Generac’s nominating and gov- prospects as well as “smart, creative, ernance committee, Dixon brought energetic people to work with,” both Roedel to the board in late 2016. One on the board and in management. of her selling points was her collegial All three companies Roedel serves manner. “I knew she’d work well also have been undergoing major with the rest of the board and with transitions. Jones Cos., for instance, management,” he says. Dixon also had has been a family business for three been impressed with her executive generations, but no fourth-generation experience, including more than 20 member has joined the business. To years at General Electric (mostly with meet the challenges of a changing its Milwaukee–based Healthcare unit) company and changing marketplace, and 11 years in top management at Jones has been “moving away from Minneapolis–based Sleep Number. paternalism and more toward a truly “Kathy was particularly interesting in professionally run organization,” ex- terms of her detailed understanding of ecutive chairman Ralph Jones III says. manufacturing, global supply chains, With her experience in both lean enterprise, [and] Six Sigma,” operations and marketing, Roedel has Dixon says. been helpful in several ways, Jones So when Roedel made her sug- notes. Mattresses are one product sec- gestion, Dixon replied, “You know, tor Jones sells to. “Kathy understands you’re probably right.” On working that industry—its dynamics and the with Dixon, he says, “she benchmarked customer base that we serve,” Jones says. Other other boards, what they do, how they Having worked directly with the Sleep extensive experience transforming Board Service bring people on, do they have a men- Number board, Roedel also helped businesses. So far, Roedel says, Davis toring system, what kinds of materi- Jones set up more formal governance has built a solid operating system and International Sleep als are available.” The outcome was a practices, including risk management profitability is improving. stronger onboarding system—“and it and establishing the type of information Columbus McKinnon also has Products Association (2012–2016) really was a result of her identifying the directors need from the top executives. had to reengineer some long-estab- subject.” Last year, Jones Family of Com- lished practices. Mark Morelli, who During Morelli’s tenure, Co- When she retired from Sleep panies began to face some significant became president and CEO in 2017, lumbus McKinnon has posted nine Number in 2016, Roedel, who lives challenges on both the top and bottom has been repositioning the 144-year- straight quarters of earnings growth. in Minneapolis, began a new career lines, Roedel says. At the same time, old company for growth by simplify- Generac, meanwhile, has been growing as a board director. In addition to the business’s longtime CEO was ing operations and shedding under- its core business under CEO Aaron Generac, she serves on the boards of leaving. The board spent some time performing units. Jagdfeld while adding home energy- New York–based Columbus McKin- considering the specifications the new Roedel’s mindset is very custom- use monitoring technology and smart non Corp., which provides mate- CEO needed during a time of real er-focused, Morelli says. At the same batteries to its product mix. rial handling products and services to market changes, she says. They needed time, he adds, her operations experi- By no means does Roedel take commercial and industrial end-user someone “who was tough as nails and ence has helped the management team credit for these achievements. “It’s been markets, and Tennessee–based Jones could do what needed to be done” craft an operational strategy that ad- the collaboration of the board with Family of Companies, which supplies while still respecting the family and dresses, “how we better deliver to our the management team to make things yarns and nonwoven materials like its heritage. Last November, the board customers, and also how we improve happen,” she says. “I’m proud of the ac- mattress padding to several industries. hired Charles Davis, an executive with our cost structure.” complishments we’ve made together.”

44 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 39-45.indd 6 9/5/19 12:52 PM For service to Allina Health Systems (2015–present) Barbara Butts Williams, Ph.D.

BY SUZY FRISCH

t’s not unusual for Barbara based Capella Other Butts Williams to sit quietly University since during presentations and 2002 in a variety Board Service discussions. When she’s ready of leadership I Metropolitan Economic to talk, others scoot forward in roles—including their chairs, sit up, and pay attention. dean of the School Development Association “Barbara is an exceptional of Business and (MEDA) listener, and she really tries to Technology and ( 2010–present, Chair) deeply understand issues,” says Dr. dean of the School Penny Wheeler. The CEO of Allina of Education. They Minnesota Sports Health Systems often sees Williams’ unite her interest Facilities Authority expertise and influence in action in helping adult (2012–present, Vice chair) during board meetings. “When she learners get the asks questions, they always get to the education and deeper issues involved: What cultural tools they need Current advisory board implications will a decision have and to advance their how will employees be affected? How careers. service includes: will it line up with what you’re try- In her ing to do strategically? She’s always current role as Minnesota Vikings connecting to the larger picture, and executive dean Women Advisory Board that’s one of her greatest strengths.” of external It happened recently as the Min- relationships and Minneapolis/St. Paul neapolis–based health system negoti- partnerships, Wil- Business Journal liams focuses on ated a contract with a specialty physi- Women’s Leadership cians’ group. While others focused on how best Capella Council the transactional components, Wil- can give back to the community. liams dove into questions about how The Wilder Foundation this partnership would affect Allina’s The job gives her relationships with similar physicians’ an opportu- groups and other goals like providing nity to tap into consistent care systemwide. her substantial “What I love about Barbara is knowledge of that she challenges us, which we really Minnesota and its want our board members to do, but in challenges, strengths, and resources tion and leadership development. She joined boards like the Minnesota the most supportive way. She’s been a to solve problems and improve Then she held positions in leadership Sports Facilities Authority to cham- model for servant leadership,” Wheeler people’s lives. development, talent management, pion equity, entrepreneurship, supplier says. “We say, ‘Never forget who you It suits her mission to help education, and sales and marketing for diversity, and economic development are serving and why.’ She understands others reach their full potential, The St. Paul Cos. and Wilson Learning. for all. that from the business side, and how whether through teaching, research, or With curiosity and a drive to contrib- “I’m always interested in giving you align people with our mission and expertise in technology and organiza- ute at work and in the community, back and contributing in any way I support them.” tional development. “I’m doing a lot Williams has devoted significant effort can,” Williams says. “The whole part of Williams joined the Allina board of work focused on corporate social to board leadership throughout her ca- who I am is represented in the boards in 2015, and currently serves as vice responsibility as it relates to commu- reer. She believes that these dual tracks I’ve served on and contributed to.” chair of the human resources commit- nity involvement, and that has been help her do well in both lanes. She In all of her board work, Wil- tee. She’s been a sought-after board a wonderful alignment with my per- says she enjoys a kind of yin and yang: liams says she tries to share best prac- member for a wide range of institu- sonal values,” Williams says. “I leverage diving into the details and day-to-day tices from different industries while tions and organizations over the past the capabilities of Capella back to the operations of her job, contrasted with helping organizations establish and 35 years. On top of her vast experience community and guide resources in the analyzing a wider scope of issues facing maintain strong leaders. at the intersection of business, educa- right direction. That has been really an organization. “I have a reputation of being an tion, and community affairs, Williams powerful and fulfilling.” Williams wanted to be an Allina engaged board member who wants to is known as the kind of advisor who It’s a fitting role for someone who director because of her concern about contribute, who learns fast and jumps goes deep into the heart of issues and has always blended career, leadership, community health disparities and an in,” Williams says. “I think I have been helps leaders understand the broad and service. Williams moved to the interest in health care that dates to her able to bring a fresh perspective be- impact of their decisions. Twin Cities in the early 1980s to join early job as a training director for the cause I’m not sitting in their environ- She’s worked at Minneapolis– Control Data leading executive educa- Pennsylvania Department of Health. ment every day.”

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 45

pg 39-45.indd 7 9/4/19 1:26 PM Thinking about your business is a big part of ours.

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RSM US LLP is the U.S. member ﬁrm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting ﬁrms. Visit rsmus.com/aboutus for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International.

pg 46.indd 1 9/4/19 2:45 PM TRENDING WORKFORCE

Targeting Employee Beneﬁts Businesses are offering more beneﬁts, such as backup child care and bigger 401(k) matches, to attract and retain employees amid the workforce shortage. By Amanda Ostuni

and retain workers.” Today’s companies are providing ben- igh employee turnover With an unemployment rate of efits that go well beyond health care to and a paucity of job ap- 3.4 percent and a labor force partici- secure key talent. plicants are among the pation rate of 70 percent, what can Advances in the traditional health challenges that Minnesota Minnesota employers do to find the care benefit space are still unfolding. employers recently shared workers they need? For example, companies are offering with the Federal Reserve One major response: Be more more options for employee health care Bank of Minneapolis. creative about the benefits they’re plans to cater to different employee Those labor trends, offering. Companies are introducing needs and budgets. In addition to included in a July report new benefits, expanding the definition general health and dental coverage, from the regional Fed of- of employee benefits, and giving work- some companies, including Blooming- fice, also were documented ers more choices to customize their ton–based salon giant Great Clips, are in August by the Min- benefit packages. adding vision plans. nesota Department of Employment and “Given that the competition for Businesses also are taking steps Economic Development (DEED). talent is so steep, doing things differ- to help employees access mental “Minnesota’s unemployment ently and differentiating your organi- health services. Some companies rate remains low, and the labor force zation is the name of the game,” says are providing on-site counseling. participation rate remains high,” Deborah Schultz, director of the Total Richfield–based retailer Best Buy is DEED Commissioner Steve Grove Rewards division of MRA, a Midwest training supervisors to recognize pos- says in a statement. “This continues to employers’ organization that provides sible warning signs of mental health suggest that the state’s labor force is at human resources and other services. concerns in employees. Best Buy also or near capacity, and businesses will No longer is a benefits package has launched a campaign to erase the continue to find it challenging to hire just a standard perk to go with a salary. stigma of mental health difficulties.

Section supported by

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 47

pg 47-49.indd 1 9/4/19 10:15 AM TRENDING WORKFORCE

Compared with benefit packages emphasizes; the company had a turn- to the company because I had it Last year, Best Buy introduced from several years ago, benefits from over rate of about 10 percent in 2018, through my spouse’s former company,” backup child care. Through the today’s employers address multiple which, she says, is “wonderful in this says Jared Nypen, vice president of care@work program with Care.com, needs, such as life stressors in employ- environment and in manufacturing.” talent at Great Clips. “When that went employees can use the benefit up to ees’ personal lives, which can affect away and I went to try to find my own 10 days a year, at a $10 per day co-pay, work performance. Consequently, Time and money identity theft protection, it was really for emergency child care during work companies are doing more to help UMC shares profits with its employees, expensive. So being able to offer that hours. workers address financial challenges, and companies that operate similar for Great Clips employees just made a Minneapolis–based law firm care for family members, and juggle profit-sharing programs, including lot of sense to me.” Fredrikson & Byron P.A. has offered work-life scheduling. Delta Air Lines, have an advantage in Great Clips is considering the backup child care through the com- competing for workers. addition of pet insurance to its pany Bright Horizons for a few years, Valuable education benefits Alan Benson, assistant professor benefit offerings, which Schultz says says Leigh-Erin Irons, an attorney with Education costs are the source of con- in the Department of Work and Orga- also would save some money for its the firm. siderable financial stress. To attract and nizations at the University of Minne- employees. Target announced its version of a retain educated employees, businesses sota’s Carlson School of Management, Schultz labels these “concierge” backup care offering earlier this year: 20 are sharing the cost of training and says employees also care deeply about benefits, or offerings that extend con- days a year for child care or elder care. education. For example, some compa- retirement benefits. venience to employees by giving them On top of that, Target introduced paid nies offer advanced degree funding or Businesses routinely offer 401(k) one fewer thing to manage themselves. family leave—days that are supplemen- other professional development sup- plans, which in many cases have Colleen Flaherty Manchester, Ben- tal to standard sick and vacation days, port, which allows people to move up which an employee can use within their companies. Young workers to care for a partner, child, or often are carrying major student debt, parent. so some businesses are providing Best Buy also comple- student loan payment assistance or “The competition for ments backup child care refinancing options. with what it calls paid care- Best Buy, Great Clips, and talent is so steep ... giver leave. Monticello–based manufacturer Ultra “Whether it’s an Machining Co. (UMC) offer tuition differentiating your employee caring for their reimbursement or assistance; some children or their parents, businesses are extending an education organization is the name of the definition of a loved one benefit to include spouses or children. is really broad here,” says That’s what UMC did with the game.” Charles Montreuil, senior scholarships. Under its program, UMC —Deborah Schultz, MRA director of Total Rewards vice president of human re- offers annual scholarships to employ- sources at Best Buy. “And to ees’ children and grandchildren age be able to take care of loved 24 and younger. A maximum of 10 replaced defined benefit plans (when son’s colleague at the Carlson School of ones at a critical time has become an recipients per year each receive a schol- companies pay a guaranteed retire- Management, adds that removing items incredible part of our portfolio.” arship of up to $500. They’re chosen ment benefit based on employee pay from employees’ to-do lists benefits In August, Best Buy introduced based on academic achievements and and years of service). both the company and its workers. a surrogacy benefit. Best Buy will demonstrated leadership, among other “That [guaranteed retirement ben- Firms offer certain benefits to provide up to $14,080 in financial sup- criteria. efit] turns out to be really expensive,” enhance employee productivity, says port to help cover expenses incurred “We are a second-generation Benson says. “Employers are going to Manchester, an associate professor. “If by intended parents, including fees, family-owned business, so we really felt try to structure their benefits package to there is financial stress that’s taking screening costs, and travel. it was important to continue to maintain get the most bang for their buck.” away from [someone’s] ability to focus Also for the sake of fami- that connection with our employees’ Some companies have increased on the job, then what can the employer lies, companies are expanding the children,” says Jaci Dukowitz, UMC’s their 401(k) match ceilings, Schultz do to mitigate that?” If someone has traditional benefit of parental leave. chief operating officer. She says the busi- says, while others have opened up a good health care plan through their Fathers are getting more—or in ness places a premium on the program 401(k) benefits to seasonal employees employer, they aren’t worrying about some cases, their first-ever—time “to continue to foster good educational and contract workers. paying medical bills when they should off; mothers are eligible for paid time investments and make sure we’re looking Beyond providing new financial be concentrating on their work. off instead of unpaid leave and more out for [employees’] families.” benefits, some businesses are helping time away overall. Such personal-benefit programs their employees save time and avoid All in the family According to the Families and help attract employees, even if UMC hassles. Such is the case with a benefit Another source of stress that employ- Work Institute’s 2016 National Study of can’t compete on salary with big- that Great Clips added last year: iden- ers are seeking to alleviate is the care of Employers, only 10 percent of recorded ger companies, Dukowitz says. The tity theft protection. employees’ family members—children, U.S. companies were offering fully paid program also helps with retention, she “This is actually an idea I brought elders, or employees themselves. maternity leave. The Family Medical

48 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 47-49.indd 2 9/4/19 10:15 AM Thinking about your business Leave Act, passed in 1993, calls for 12 valuable resources for attracting and the values of the new workforce. weeks of unpaid leave only for the retaining employees. Benson says Whether these values, like work-life is a big part primary caretaker of a newborn. they’re even gaining ground on sal- fl exibility and social conscious- In contrast, Fredrikson & Byron ary in terms of share of overall com- ness, stem from the desires of a new of ours. offers 16 weeks of paid leave for birth pensation. What’s more, employers generation of workers or other new parents and 10 weeks of paid leave are beginning to choose the benefi ts workforce participants, they are for nonbirth/adoptive parents, Irons they offer based on the company becoming the norm for the entire says. “We’re listening to the market in culture they want to support and labor market, Feder says. When the terms of what we might do to help the people they want to hire. last of the traditionalists of the older make employees’ work and family As Feder says, it’s about the workforce exit, the universality of obligations integrate,” she adds. company’s brand. the holistic benefi ts approach will “Your brand is who you are, fi rmly take hold, she believes. Fun and fi tness what you stand for, how you go Simultaneously, other circum- The focus on work-life integration about doing business, your values,” stances that have contributed to this extends beyond the scope of fam- Feder says. evolution in benefi ts also remain, ily. Employees want to have a life Family-friendly policies attract including economic pressures. outside of work, and they want to a certain kind of employee; educa- The U of M’s Manchester cites stay fi t. tion benefi ts often entice people who growing student debt as a factor in Since time for physical fi tness value learning. Those who want to companies creating education sup- can be hard to schedule around save money may place a premium on port benefi ts, including subsidies to long work days, companies have companies that provide high 401(k) retire student loans. brought work and fi tness together. matches, while companies that offer “It’s defi nitely based on In some cases, Schultz notes, this paid time off for volunteering attract circumstances,” Manchester says. means introducing on-site fi tness altruistic people. “You see this ebb and fl ow with the centers, self-defense classes, health “It’s knowing your workforce, interaction of the tight labor mar- PUT OUR TAILORED INSIGHTS club memberships or discounts, and knowing the people and skills you’re ket. If the labor market was fl at, you TO WORK FOR YOU. more. Nypen says Great Clips offers looking to attract and taking those probably wouldn’t see this much on-site yoga and sculpt and burn into consideration as you’re making innovation in the benefi t space.” To make confident decisions classes. Hillary Feder, an employee those decisions [on benefi ts pack- The relationship between em- about the future, middle market engagement expert who founded ages],” Schultz says. ployers and employees has become leaders need a different kind the consulting fi rm Ask Hillary’s, The new holistic and culture- less transactional. “I think employ- of advisor. One who starts by creates fi tness competitions and minded approach to benefi ts stems ers are trying to move the needle on understanding where you want other programs for companies. from a technology-driven change bringing your whole self to work,” to go and then brings the ideas When it comes to life outside in the work environment, and from Manchester says, “whether that’s and insights of an experienced of work, it’s about giving employees an increasingly diverse workforce— validating you as a pet owner or global team to help get you there. time to live life. across generations, gender, ethnicity, validating you as someone who has In fact, Montreuil says when and other characteristics. dependent-care responsibilities.” Experience the power of Best Buy conducted a survey of its People are working more col- There is still room for changes being understood. employees in 2018, half of the 7,000 laboratively, Feder says. The idea of in the benefi ts space, she notes, and Experience RSM. open-ended question responses work culture is relatively new, and the innovations that have come out were about more time off. In re- with the introduction of comput- of today’s circumstances might well rsmus.com sponse to the survey, Best Buy now ers, human roles are now more stick around. gives part-time employees 16 hours knowledge-based. Feder says this Nypen says that’s the case at of paid time off annually. means humans, rather than tools and Great Clips. Fredrikson & Byron creates equipment, are a company’s most “If the labor market gets less work-life fl exibility by allowing important and hard-to-replace asset. tight, we’re certainly not going to attorneys to work reduced hours. “So what are you doing to take take benefi ts away, because we care Irons says 51 percent of the fi rm’s care of them? What are you doing to deeply about our employees,” Nypen attorneys take advantage of it, make work engaging, make it invit- says. “How we structure benefi ts is whether to care for family or to ing, to build camaraderie?” Feder defi nitely important to our strategy pursue nonwork interests. says. “So much has changed. You and how we get our share of talent. need to change how you do things We would be doing what’s best for Benefi ts refl ect culture to keep people engaged, [so employ- our employees.” As the portfolio of benefi ts has ees] want to be at your company.” evolved, so has the importance of What it takes to keep people Amanda Ostuni is the digital associ- benefi t packages, which are seen as motivated now is partly based on ate editor of Twin Cities Business. Visit rsmus.com/aboutus for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International.

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 49

pg 47-49.indd 3 9/4/19 10:15 AM TRENDING EDUCATION

THE ART & SCIENCE OF Educating ENTREPRENEURS

Higher education offers courses and degree programs for people launching businesses, but it also connects entrepreneurs with mentors and incubator spaces.

By Ingrid Case

ella Lam got her first big break Mankato chapter of 1 Million Cups, wanted to meet them because they’re in the business world when she a nationwide entrepreneur peer-edu- also a couple who grew something was just a college student with a cation program started in 2012 by the from small to big,” Cariveau says. craving for cookies. Kansas City, Mo.–based Ewing Marion Lam and Olson got a meeting “I went vegan and Kauffman Foundation. At monthly with the Bastians within a week. “Angie gluten-free in my sopho- 1 Million Cups meetings, two present- gave them great advice on getting more year of college, and ers each spend six minutes talking into Hy-Vee, and Hy-Vee in Lakeville there weren’t any vegan about their companies, which have to gave them a spot where they sold out,” or gluten-free baking be less than five years old. Cariveau says. “They were really smart mixes at the supermarket. After the presentations, attend- about gathering an informal group of That spawned my idea,” ees can ask questions, offer feedback, advisors around them.” says Lam, who was then suggest connections, or volunteer help. Minnesota’s institutions of higher a student majoring in The Mankato chapter meets at Manka- learning offer a variety of bachelor’s, public health at Min- to State’s Small Business Development master’s, and even doctoral degrees in nesota State University, Center; other chapters are active in business, marketing, finance, and other Mankato. What if she and St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, subjects connected with starting and her boyfriend, psychology Rochester, Willmar, and Winona. running a business. But area entrepre- major Myles Olson, “1 Million Cups was a practice neurs might not need to earn a four- invented baking mixes place for pitching to the judges at the year degree to pursue their passions that they and other vegans Big Ideas Challenge,” Lam says. “It really full time or develop an energizing side could enjoy? boosted our confidence. People liked hustle. Freestanding courses, certificate Minnesota State Mankato holds the food and saw what we saw, as far as offerings, and programs that connect an annual Big Ideas Challenge, a Shark where we wanted to take our company.” would-be business owners with feed- Tank-style competition where winners The students made valuable back and expert advice might be the in various divisions get cash prizes to connections, too. Yvonne Cariveau, right fit for an entrepreneur who wants help them develop their businesses. director of Mankato State’s Center to launch a venture. Lam and Olson decided to enter. First, for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Coconut Whisk Value of short courses baking mixes though, they thought they’d get some connected Lam and Olson with Angie grew out of an advice from people who know more and Dan Bastian, who started Angie’s Mankato State offers a minor in entre- entrepreneur about business than they do. BoomChickaPop. “They just happen to preneurship, and continuing education program in The pair’s next stop was the be old friends of mine. Bella and Myles students can take classes in finance, Mankato.

50 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 50-52.indd 1 9/4/19 10:54 AM leadership, project management, or cepts for students and faculty, coaching Cup sponsors. A similar contest, Grow marketing, although the school doesn’t them through the process of fi nding North, launched two and a half years offer a certifi cate in any of those out if there’s a ‘there’ there.” ago and is specifi cally aimed at sup- topics. (Cariveau says that certifi cate Carlson uses the Minnesota Cup, porting food and agriculture startups. programs are under discussion.) Bella Lam and Myles Olson its much bigger answer to Mankato Golden Valley–based General Mills Other Minnesota educational State’s Big Ideas Challenge, to help is the sponsor. Startup Week, which institutions offer more structured students, of course, but students from entrepreneurs kick the tires. Teams of happens every autumn at Carlson, small business programs. The a variety of university departments hopeful business-starters enter this gives big companies a chance to check University of Minnesota’s Carlson also take Carlson’s innovation and annual competition, present their out startup and early-stage companies, School of Management, for instance, entrepreneurship courses, which are plans, get mentoring, and compete for and gives the little guys a place to make provides executive education classes, available in person and online. $500,000 in cash prizes. “It’s open to any connections and recruit talent. mostly in three-day blocks. “We offer “We’ve put in a lot of effort over Minnesota–based business that has less fi nance for nonfi nance people, creating the past six to eight years around help- than $1 million in annual revenue, and Real-world experience high-performance teams, which can ing people from a variety of depart- we’ve had top startups compete,” Stavig Undergraduate and graduate students be 90 percent of the battle, and other ments commercialize their technology,” says. “We had 1,000 entrepreneurs sign earn degrees at the University of St. leadership and innovation classes. Stavig says. “Quite often those result in up this year and sponsorships from Thomas’s Opus College of Business Those can help round out a person’s the University of Minnesota Offi ce of most of the big companies in town.” and Schulze School of Entrepreneur- background,” says John Stavig, director Technology Commercialization form- The contest is a free resource ship. Students and alumni also are eli- of Carlson’s Gary S. Holmes Center for ing a company, but it can also result in for entrepreneurs, whether they win gible for the gBETA program through Entrepreneurship. a company that doesn’t use university cash or not, and a chance for them to the startup accelerator gener8tor, The school has full-time MBA resources. We help test early-stage con- get their ideas in front of Minnesota which partners with St. Thomas.

OCTOBER 2019 NONPROFIT EVENT CALENDAR

Nov. 2

CONGRATULATIONS Dec. 14 BARBARA BUTTS WILLIAMS from the minnesota vikings and

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need,” Beech says. “They need to know about funding a startup, so we brought in people who know about loans, grants, and venture capital. We’ve talk- ed about inventing a business model, navigating challenges, leveraging your business style,” Beech says. The forum alternates formats, offering a panel discussion one month and a workshop on the same topic in the next. In east central Minnesota, Pine City Technical and Community Col- lege goes one better, offering incuba- Carleen Kerttula Christine Beech Diane Paterson tor program participants up to 8,000 square feet of industrial space. It’s currently occupied by EZ Electrical The program, which takes no this a success,” she says. “I don’t want be more female and African-American, System Solutions, a contract manu- more than five teams at a time, is free them spending their money so it goes and they are all over the map in terms facturer for the electrical construc- but selective. “It’s very structured,” says away and never comes back.” of the businesses they end up starting.” tion industry. Carleen Kerttula, associate dean of Participants learn about succes- Capella offers certificates for “We get reduced rent for three graduate programs and strategic out- sion planning, risk assessment, funding students who have completed a and a half years, starting at $3,200 a reach. “You don’t pick and choose— strategies, loans and leases, and the bachelor’s or master’s degree. “A third month,” says EZ president Glenn you commit to an experience designed complications of partnership. “Most of of Americans have a side hustle, and Liubakka. Later, an extra fee is de- by gener8tor.” the startup capital comes from personal plenty of those people are at Capella,” signed to encourage incubator tenants Those who don’t qualify for gen- savings, family, and friends, but people Hoff says. All the coursework is online, to move out and make room for new er8tor or don’t want to use the accel- need to be careful with the terminol- so students can do it wherever and program participants. erator can still enroll in classes through ogy. ‘Uncle Joe really believes in me, so whenever it works best for them. “There’s been a lot of opportunity St. Thomas’s executive education I’ll give him part ownership.’ But how for business mentorship,” Liubakka program. “You can take a single class or much of a vote does Uncle Joe get? Is Partnerships with business says, of his time in the incubator. “An a series to a certificate or mini-MBA,” he a partner? What percentage of the All schools offer learning through attorney did some pro bono work for Kerttula says. “A mini-MBA gives you business does he own? How will the ar- courses; some provide physical loca- our business structure and operating marketing, finance, and the language rangement dissolve?” Paterson says. tions to help new businesses grow. agreement. The college had a plastics of business and helps you figure out Smart Start classes typically have In Winona, St. Mary’s University program and a printer, so we printed how to apply it to your business. Or around 20 attendees. At the end, three of Minnesota has started a downtown some 3D prototypes there.” Now the you can get a certificate from executive to five of them go forward, meeting co-working space called the Garage, company, founded in 2015, is on the education that means you’ve done a for free with one of nine staff business in partnership with the city, cham- brink of a product launch, with sales project or passed a test.” consultants. “We also get a lot of calls ber of commerce, and Winona State channels and two regional distributors With an undergraduate degree, from existing businesses that have hit University. “We’ve started offering ready to go. students can also take a series of up to a plateau. If they reach out for help, sessions there on design thinking and As for Lam and Olson, they four St. Thomas graduate classes. “You they really want that help and benefit ideation,” says Christine Beech, execu- perfected their recipes and won the get more depth and a certificate as from meetings with our consultants,” tive director of the Kabara Institute for 2018 agriculture division of the Big well,” Kerttula says. Paterson says. Entrepreneurial Studies at St. Mary’s. Ideas Challenge with their pancake Entrepreneurs who care less about St. Thomas also houses Legal “People who are entrepreneurs often mix, chocolate muffin mix, and mixes credentials and more about advice Corps, a pro bono law clinic that spe- have a background in something else, for Snickerdoodle and chocolate chip can attend Smart Start for Business, a cializes in transaction law. Its Inventor’s and they might not know much about cookies. “We won $3,000 and used that three-hour workshop through Opus Assistance Program and advice clinic structuring a business. We started of- to grow the business,” Lam says. College of Business’ Small Business give entrepreneurs free expert opinions fering that to them, and they love it.” Now their company, Coconut Development Center. The center has a on a variety of topics. At St. Mary’s Rochester campus, Whisk, also sells mixes for sugar-free variety of other seminars and work- Many colleges and universities of- the university has teamed up with the pancakes and chocolate mug cake. shops, as well as advice from entre- fer classes online, which makes it easy Rochester Area Economic Development Lam and Olson sell their products preneurs on staff. “It’s a great place for for entrepreneurs to fit them into their Group to create the Women Entrepre- online and in multiple stores, includ- people who know something but not schedules. Minneapolis–based Capella neur Forum, hosted on campus. From ing Hy-Vee, Lakewinds Food Co-op, everything,” Kerttula says. University’s business model consists the first event in January, the free events and Seward Community Co-op. Diane Paterson, associate director of providing online classes. “Capella have played to full houses. “It was a Since mid-2018, their gross sales have of the Small Business Development students are mostly working full time,” mini-college course in the span of a exceeded $60,000. Center, says that Smart Start for Busi- says Jennifer Hoff, vice president for morning,” says participant and presenter ness exists in part to talk participants portfolio strategy at Strategic Educa- Bethany von Steinbergs, founder of Ingrid Case is a Twin Cities–based free- out of following their entrepreneurial tion, Capella’s parent company, which Flourish Consulting in Rochester. lance journalist who writes about busi- instincts. If this happens, “I consider is based in Herndon, Va. “They tend to “We asked people what they nesses for TCB and other publications.

52 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

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2019 NAIOP AWARDS

Best in Class Properties NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, recognizes this year’s top projects throughout the state of Minnesota.

Compiled by TCB Staff

umerous distinctive projects were developed in the past year are in Minneapolis, four are in St. Paul, and one is in Rochester. N across Minnesota, with 44 projects being nominated for special The judges evaluated the buildings on project development, awards. The Minnesota Chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate function and design, architectural integrity, market feasibility, sustainable Development Association, selected 16 projects as Awards of Excellence attributes, and unique project challenges. The winning properties, winners. Seven of the winning projects are located in the suburbs, four announced at a September event, are proﬁled on the following pages.

54 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

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RECOGNIZINGof EXCELLENCEf IN MINNESOTA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AwardsAAaAwaAwwarwaardsrddds ExcellenceEExxcex ellellllenlleenencen eWe WWiWinWnnWnWinnersnersnners s

InterContinental Minneapolis/ Northern Stacks VII Vomela Beacon Bluff Business Center St. Paul Airport Hotel Industrial - Bulk Distribution Industrial Build-to-Suit Light Industrial – High Finish Hospitality Entered by: Hyde Development Entered by: Entered by: The Opus Group Entered by: PCL Construction R.J. Ryan Construction, Inc.

Zvago Cooperative at Minnesota Drive Medical East End Arbor Lakes 10500 St. Anthony Park Campus Mixed Use Light Industrial – Low Finish Multi-Family (1-5 stories) Medical Ofﬁce Entered by: Entered by: Duke Realty Entered by: OneTwoOne Entered by: Frauenshuh, Inc. ESG Architecture & Design Development

365 Nicollet Prime Therapeutics MoZaic East Minnetonka Corporate Campus Multi-Family (6+ stories) Ofﬁce Build-to-Suit Ofﬁce Multi-Tenant Renovated / Building Entered by: The Opus Group Entered by: United Properties Entered by: The Ackerberg Group Entered by: bdh+young

Lora Applewood Pointe of Champlin Winslow Capital Management One Discovery Square Repositioned / New Use at Mississippi Crossings Renovated / Tenant Improvement Special Purpose Entered by: Senior Housing Entered by: NELSON Entered by: Mortenson ESG Architecture & Design Entered by: United Properties

SIGNATURE SPONSORS MEDIA PARTNER

pg 55.indd 1 9/4/19 2:46 PM CONGRATULATIONS Osborn370 TRENDING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination

Financing Partner Bridgewater Bank 952-893-6868 bwbmn.com

CONGRATULATIONS

The 428 on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination INTERCONTINENTAL Developer + Broker for Owner Electrical Contractor + Design Build MINNEAPOLIS–ST. PAUL AIRPORT HOTEL Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. Ace Electrical 651-290-8890 763-694-8800 Category: Hospitality cres-inc.com aceelectrical.net Location: 5009 Glumack Dr., St. Paul Owner: Graves Hospitality Developer: Graves Hospitality General Contractor: PCL Construction Architect: RSP Architects Interior Designer: Horwitz, Inc. Congratulations Size: 255,000 square feet Park Nicollet Specialty Center

VOMELA Category: Industrial, Build-to-Suit Location: 845 Minnehaha Ave. E., St. Paul Owner: The Vomela Companies Developer: N/A General Contractor: R.J. Ryan Construction, Inc. Architect: Lampert Architects, Pope Architects Interior Designer: N/A Size: 300,200 square feet

This project, built entirely with union labor, involved the redevelopment of a former 3M site. Vomela, based in St. Paul since 1947, is rapidly growing and its leadership wanted to bring its operation into one facility. The large building project allowed the company to consolidate its administrative functions, design and production services, and customer service of- on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination ferings. Most of the exterior consists of insulated precast wall panels. The formerly empty parcel now houses a facility with 180 jobs, and there is room for workforce expansion. The building incorporates high-perform- Architect General Contractor ing wall and roof insulation and a solar array. 292 Design Group RJM Construction 612-767-3773 952-837-8600 292designgroup.com rjmconstruction.com

56 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

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This five-star hotel links directly to the Minneapolis–St. Paul Interna- tional Airport. The team of RSP Architects, PCL Construction, and Graves Hospitality built a hotel its members described as blending “international flair with Midwest style.” The 12-story hotel includes 291 guest rooms, a full-service spa, restaurants, a rooftop observation bar, Northern Stacks VII and a coffee bar. It also features a TSA checkpoint for guests flying out of the Twin Cities. It provides 13 meeting spaces to accommodate a variety of events. In a nod to Minnesota roots, the hotel incorporates Kasota Stone and Cold Spring Granite flooring products. on your 2019 NAIOP Award of Excellence

Owner + Developer Hyde Development hyde-development.com

Architect + Interior Designer Mohagen Hansen Architecture | Interiors 952-426-7400 mohagenhansen.com

Financing Partner First National Bank of Omaha 952-449-5171 www.fnbo.com

Landscape + Irrigation Installation Midwest Landscapes 763-241-1320 midwestlandscapes.com

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NORTHERN STACKS VII Category: Industrial, Bulk Distribution Location: 60 51st Way, Fridley Owner: Northern Stacks VII LLC, a joint venture of Hyde Development and Mortenson Properties Developer: Hyde Development General Contractor: M.A. Mortenson Company Architect: Mohagen Hansen Interior Designer: Mohagen Hansen Size: 200,000 square feet

This structure is the ﬁ nal newly constructed industrial building in a planned business park with 1.7 million square feet. This project entailed redevelopment of a former superfund site. Before construction was CONGRATULATIONS completed, this speculative project was 100 percent leased. The building features a bold modern design and incorporates extensive glass on the Financing Partner front. There is a 135-foot deep truck court, and separate entrances for MoZaic East First National Bank of Omaha cars and trucks. The location offers access to bus lines, a commuter train, on your 2019 NAIOP Award of Excellence 952-449-5171 and regional bike trails. The project’s sustainable attributes include exten- www.fnbo.com sive natural light, a white roof, and native prairie landscaping.

Congratulations!

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www.gpmlaw.com

58 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 54-71.indd 4 9/4/19 2:49 PM Congratulations

BEACON BLUFF BUSINESS CENTER Category: Light Industrial, High Finish Loden SV Location: 955 Wells St., St. Paul Owner: Opus Development Company, LLC on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination Developer: Opus Development Company, LLC Developer Developer Design Services General Contractor: Opus Design Build, LLC Architect: Opus AE Group, LLC Greco Eagle Ridge Partners, LLC BKV Group Interior Designer: Opus AE Group, LLC 612-630-2450 612-843-2236 612-339-3752 Size: 86,632 square feet choosegreco.com bkvgroup.com

For more than 10 years, the St. Paul Port Authority led a drive to clean up and transform the former site of 3M’s headquarters. Opus bought the property from the Port Authority, which now houses a speculative industrial development that provides ofﬁ ce and warehouse spaces. Terracon and Dynamic Sheetmetal were the ﬁ rst two tenants in the structure, which features an exposed aggregate precast exterior with contrasting tones and banding. The building has 10 docks and three drive-in doors and a 24-foot clearance height, which address the logistics needs of tenants.

ARBOR LAKES 10500 Category: Light Industrial, Low Finish Location: 10500 Fountains Dr., Maple Grove Owner: Duke Realty Corp. Developer: Duke Realty Corp. General Contractor: Duke Construction Architect: Harris Architects Interior Designer: N/A Size: 262,820 square feet

This building was the fi rst to be completed as part of a larger city of Maple Grove plan to redevelop 50 acres of a reclaimed gravel mining area. Tax-increment fi nancing was approved for this project for public improvements of roads and utilities. The building incorporates high-fi nish attributes that include clerestory windows, stone accents, and metal panel sun shades. This speculative development was supported to attract busi- on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination ness development and high-quality jobs. The building was constructed with energy-effi cient precast wall panels, and the clerestory glass allows for General Contractor Financing Partner natural daylighting in the warehouse space. Kraus-Anderson First National Bank of Omaha 507-226-8690 952-449-5171 krausanderson.com www.fnbo.com

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 59

pg 54-71.indd 5 9/4/19 2:49 PM CONGRATULATIONS TRENDING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE KA Block

Owner, Developer and General Contractor On your 2019 NAIOP Kraus-Anderson Awards of Excellence 612-332-7281 Nomination krausanderson.com MINNESOTA DRIVE MEDICAL CAMPUS Category: Medical Ofﬁ ce Location: 4100 Minnesota Dr., Edina CONGRATULATIONS Owner: Frauenshuh Inc. Developer: Frauenshuh Inc. General Contractor: RJM Construction, LLC Architect: Sperides Reiners Architects Inc. Interior Designer: Sperides Reiners Architects Inc. Size: 70,366 square feet

This project was constructed to meet the specifi c needs of Twin Cities Ulysses Medical Building Orthopedics. The medical building includes space for prosthetics, orthot- on your 2019 NAIOP Owner + Developer ics, a clinic, and other uses. It has an ambulatory surgery center, which is MSP Commercial built for eye surgeries. It contains a two-story fi eld house space for physi- Awards of Excellence 651-287-8888 cal therapy activities, including basketball, dance, and lifting weights. The Nomination mspcommercial.net medical campus was designed to meet the city of Edina’s goals of increasing density while supporting intentional and thoughtful development. This project received grants to fund environmental cleanup of a landfi ll that included extensive materials containing asbestos. CONGRATULATIONS

The Nordic on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination

Architect, Civil Engineer, General Contractor Landscape Architect, and Surveyor RJM Construction LHB, Inc. 952-837-8600 612-338-2029 rjmconstruction.com LHBcorp.com

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EAST END Category: Mixed Use Location: 240 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis Owner: Sherman Associates Developer: Sherman Associates General Contractor: Frana Companies Architect: ESG Architecture & Design One Discovery Square Interior Designer: ESG Architecture & Design Size: 297,686 square feet on your 2019 NAIOP Award of Excellence

This luxury mixed-use development is located in downtown Minne- Architect of Record + Interior Designer Mechanical + Electrical Engineer apolis near U.S. Bank Stadium. The project added 180 apartments, a RSP Architects Michaud Cooley Erickson sandwich shop, a coffee shop, and the ﬁ rst Trader’s Joe’s to Minne- 612-677-7100 612-339-4941 apolis. This urban campus project is owned and operated by Sher- rsparch.com michaudcooley.com man Associates. The project’s social epicenter is a 10,000 square-foot outdoor terrace, which includes a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and dining area, outdoor movie theater, game lawn, and ﬁ repit. Resi- dents of the complex can subscribe to power generated by a solar garden. All of the apartment units include smart home technology. CONGRATULATIONS ZVAGO COOPERATIVE AT ST. ANTHONY PARK Category: Multi-Family (1 to 5 stories) Location: 2265 W. Luther Place, St. Paul Owner: Zvago Cooperative at St. Anthony Park Developer: OneTwoOne Development, LLC General Contractor: Frana Companies Inc. Architect: Kaas Wilson Architects Interior Designer: bdh+young interiors|architecture Size: 112,951 square feet

This 49-unit cooperative housing community was built on land that had been part of the Luther Semi- nary campus. It was in the planning stages for years to ensure that the project would refl ect the community’s values and fi t within the current neighborhood. on your 2019 NAIOP All 49 units were sold before ground was broken for construction, and there is a long waiting list for units. Award of Excellence Amenity spaces support social interactions that are organized and organic. While the housing unit design Developer, Design-Builder, Interior Designer, Construction Consultants is modern, surrounding buildings were studied so Architect and Structural Engineer of Record EBI Consulting their details and warmth could be refl ected in the The Opus Group 781-273-2500 952-656-4444 ebiconsulting.com new construction. opus-group.com

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 61

pg 54-71.indd 7 9/4/19 2:49 PM CONGRATULATIONS TRENDING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 365 NICOLLET Category: Multi-Family (6 or more stories) Location: 365 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis Owner: AIGGRE Ritz Block Architect Investor LLC Developer: Opus Development Co. LLC General Contractor: Opus Design Build LLC Architect: Opus AE Group LLC Interior Designer: Opus AE Group LLC CONGRATULATIONS Size: 708,000 square feet

This 30-story luxury development in downtown Minneapolis includes 370 housing units and 9,500 square feet of retail space on the ground level. To emphasize the building’s geometry, it has a simple color palette of primarily white and charcoal. The exterior’s distinctive architecture features large glass elevations and a dynamic pattern of balconies. The apartment ﬂ oor plans range from alcove units to three-bedroom penthouse suites. The apartments have ﬂ oor-to-ceiling windows, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. 365 Nicollet Interior Architect offers many amenities, including a spa and relaxation room, golf simula- Vomela Pope Architects tor, sports lounge, pet spa, pool, and hot tub. on your 2019 NAIOP 651-642-9200 Award of Excellence popearch.com

PRIME THERAPEUTICS Category: Ofﬁ ce Build-to-Suit Congratulations Location: 2900 Ames Crossing Road, Eagan Owner: Artis REIT Developer: United Properties General Contractor: R.J. Ryan Construction Architect: HGA Architects Interior Designer: HGA Architects Size: 411,000 square feet

United Properties worked with Prime Therapeutics to consolidate four of its Minnesota offi ces into one location. The result is an offi ce complex with fl exible, light-fi lled spaces. The design of the conference room and meeting areas promotes internal mobility and collaboration. To support a high quality of life for employees, the facility includes a fully-equipped fi tness center, outdoor walking paths, full-service cafeteria and Caribou Coffee, and an expan- sive dining area and deck. The fi ve-story building, which has open stairways, is home to about 2,000 employees. Work- spaces are structured Architect + Interior Designer General Contractor in formal and informal settings. RSP Architects PCL Construction 612-677-7100 952-882-9600 rsparch.com pcl.com

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Fraser Woodbury on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination

MOZAIC EAST Architect + Interior Designer General Contractor Mechanical, Electrical Pope Architects Kraus-Anderson and Plumbing Engineer Category: Offi ce Multi-Tenant 651-642-9200 612-332-7281 Emanuelson-Podas, Inc. Location: 1330 Lagoon Ave., popearch.com krausanderson.com 952-930-0050 Minneapolis epinc.com Owner: Ackerberg, Olympus Ventures Developer: Ackerberg General Contractor: The Opus Group Architect: The Opus Group Interior Designer: The Opus Group, E. Christian Design Size: 220,000 square feet Congratulations This speculative offi ce development in the Uptown area of Min- Park Village Repositioning neapolis consists of about 200,000 square feet within eight stories. It was designed from the perspective of achieving a unique, urban, and hip vibe of function and beauty. The offi ce space has tall ceilings and on your 2019 NAOIP Awards of Excellence Nomination great views, and every offi ce fl oor has at least two outdoor patios. Art was added to the exterior columns and at both building entrances. The building’s iridescent skin changes color as people move around it. MoZaic East is paired along with the MoZaic West development and the MoZaic Art Park.

Architect General Contractor Pope Architects RJM Construction 651-642-9200 952-837-8600 popearch.com rjmconstruction.com

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 63

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General Contractor On your 2019 NAIOP RJM Construction 952-837-8600 Award of Excellence rjmconstruction.com CONGRATULATIONS Kickernick

on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination Architect + Interior Designer Studio BV 651-335-3455 studio-b-v.com Congratulations

MINNETONKA CORPORATE CAMPUS Category: Renovated, Building Wagner SprayTech Location: 12701 Whitewater Dr., Minnetonka Owner: Ryan Companies, Atwater Group on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination Developer: Ryan Companies General Contractor: Greiner Construction, Ryan Companies Architect: bdh+young Architect + Interior Designer General Contractor Mechanical + Electrical Interior Designer: bdh+young Consulting Engineers Pope Architects JE Dunn Construction Size: 23,665 square feet 651-642-9200 952-830-9000 Dunham Associates popearch.com jedunn.com 612-465-7550 dunhameng.com

64 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 54-71.indd 10 9/4/19 2:50 PM Congratulations

Zvago Cooperative at St. Anthony Park on your 2019 NAIOP Award of Excellence

Developer Architect Financing Partner OneTwoOne Development, LLC Kaas Wilson Architects Dougherty Mortgage, LLC 952-206-2006 612-879-6000 612-317-2100 zvagoliving.com kaaswilson.com doughertymortgage.com

Congratulations

Prior to the renovation, this offi ce site did not include any amenities. The project involved converting underused storage space into a plaza that features a fi tness center, bike storage, training room, and lounge space. A Voyage Healthcare Clinic hole was cut into the fl oor to create an open staircase that connects the offi ce space to the amenity plaza. Natural light now fi lters from skylights on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination down to the lower-level amenity area. To complete the project, workers needed to relocate mechanical, electrical, and phone systems. To attract Architect + Interior Designer General Contractor Owner + Developer and retain tenants, this business center was rejuvenated to enhance employee satisfaction. Mohagen Hansen Architecture | RJM Construction MSP Commercial Interiors 952-837-8600 651-287-8888 952-426-7400 rjmconstruction.com mspcommercial.net mohagenhansen.com

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 65

pg 54-71.indd 11 9/4/19 2:50 PM CONGRATULATIONS TRENDING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Orchards of Minnetonka WINSLOW CAPITAL MANAGEMENT Category: Renovated, Tenant Improvement Senior Living Location: 80 8th St. S., Minneapolis Owner: Winslow Capital Management on your 2019 NAIOP Developer: N/A Awards of Excellence General Contractor: Gardner Builders Nomination Architect: NELSON Developer, Design-Builder, Architect Interior Designer: NELSON and Structural Engineer of Record Size: 24,777 square feet The Opus Group 952-656-4444 opus-group.com CONGRATULATIONS

General Contractor

Congratulations The Pillars of Mankato on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination

Financing Partner General Contractor Architect Dougherty Funding LLC Greystone Construction Kaas Wilson Architects 612-317-2000 952-496-2227 612-879-6000 doughertyfunding.com greystoneconstruction.com kaaswilson.com

66 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 54-71.indd 12 9/4/19 2:50 PM Congratulations Winslow, a growth equity investment fi rm, wanted an updated work- space that would better refl ect its brand identity and serve the needs of its employees and clients. NELSON developed a modern and open offi ce layout with a sophisticated and clean palette that emphasizes high Beacon Bluff Business Center ceilings and an art collection. An extensive use of glass provides increased sightlines. The welcoming reception area and adjacent conference center are doubling as a grand entertainment area for special events and all- company meetings. The greatest challenge was ensuring that Winslow’s desire for a gallery-like art space worked with the overall design.

on your 2019 NAIOP Award of Excellence

Developer, Design-Builder, Architect and Financing Partner Structural Engineer of Record First National Bank of Omaha The Opus Group 952-449-5171 952-656-4444 www.fnbo.com opus-group.com Congratulations

LORA Category: Repositioned, New Use Location: 402 Main St. S., Stillwater Owner: Elevage Development Group LLC Developer: Elevage Development Group LLC General Contractor: Zeman Construction Architect: ESG Architecture & Design Interior Designer: ESG Architecture & Design Size: 30,140 square feet

The Lora project entailed repurposing the former Joseph Wolf Brewery block. Designers ﬁ gured out a way to transform four dilapidated buildings into a 40-room boutique hotel, restaurant, bar, and café. The name Lora North Star Sheets references a river siren named Lorelei who was part of German and Scan- dinavian folklore. The ultimate design features airy and modern spaces while retaining aspects of the buildings’ historic character. Original walls, on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination ﬂ oors, and archways are paired with contemporary elements. The project team says the Lora “provides a whimsical journey through space, engaging Developer, Design-Builder, Architect and Landscape + guests by evoking memories of timeless childhood fairy tales.” Structural Engineer of Record Irrigation Installation The Opus Group Midwest Landscapes 952-656-4444 763-241-1320 opus-group.com midwestlandscapes.com

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 67

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APPLEWOOD POINTE OF CHAMPLIN AT MISSISSIPPI CROSSINGS Category: Senior Housing Location: 345 E. River Entry, Champlin Owner: Applewood Pointe Cooperative of Champlin at Mississippi Crossings Join us October 23 at McNamara Alumni Developer: United Properties Center as we honor outside directors Residential LLC Weis Builders for their dedication and exceptional work General Contractor: Architect: JSSH Architects in the course of their board service. Interior Designer: Laurie Pearson Size: 221,954 square feet

HONOREES Residents moved into this housing cooperative community in the spring of 2019. Located along the Mississippi River, all the homes were sold prior to completion of construction. Homes range Barbara Butts Williams, PhD in size from 1,232 to 1,847 square feet, with all homes including two for Board Service with Allina Health bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a covered balcony. Larger homes may

David Dalvey for Board Service with Celcuity

Karen Grabow for Board Service with Fairview Health Services

Jeannine Rivet Lifetime Achievement

Kathryn Roedel for Board Service with Columbus McKinnon Corp. & Generac Holdings, Inc.

VIP table packages and tickets available: tcbmag.com/events

GOLD SPONSORS

PROMOTIONAL PARTNER

VENUE PARTNER

68 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 54-71.indd 14 9/4/19 2:50 PM CONGRATULATIONS

include an additional den or sunroom. Common areas include a great room, library, ﬁ tness center, and arts and crafts room. This project is part of a major redevelopment plan along the Hwy. 169 corridor that’s been undertaken by the city of Champlin. North Loop Parking on your 2019 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Nomination

Architect Financing Partner UrbanWorks Architecture, LLC Wings Financial Credit Union 612-455-3100 952-997-8567 ONE DISCOVERY urban-works.com wingsﬁnancial.com SQUARE Category: Special Purpose Location: 202 4th St. SW, Rochester Owner: Mortenson Developer: Mortenson General Contractor: Mortenson Architect: RSP + HOK Interior Designer: RSP + HOK Size: 93,000 square feet

This bio- and life-science lab and offi ce building was conceived with two purposes. Local and Mayo Clinic leaders want to retain startup companies and homegrown talent. They also want to open the market to third-party collaborators of Mayo Clinic. One Discovery Square houses 12 tenants, Can’t Afford the North Loop? including the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota– We have everything downtown has but with free parking Rochester, and Epic Systems Corp. It provides startup, early phase, and Office Suites up to 8,000 square feet established companies the opportunity to collaborate in the development of the next wave of technologies and therapies. Collaboration spaces are located throughout the building to bring together practitioners, educators, Winsor Office Plaza researchers, and innovators. 1935 Country Road B2 West In handy, friendly Roseville—only 10 minutes from both downtown Minneapolis & St. Paul!

Represented by Ann Stahley / 651-248-6946 / [email protected]

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 69

pg 54-71.indd 15 9/5/19 2:11 PM TRENDING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

NAIOP Nominees for WELLSFARGOPRESENTS 2019 Excellence Awards

Sixteen NAIOP awards were given to outstanding projects this year. An awards ceremony was scheduled for September 25 in Minneapolis. Twenty-eight other projects were recognized as nominees. Here are the nominees by category:

HOSPITALITY Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District, Minneapolis The Hilton–Downtown Rochester, Rochester Midas Station, Brooklyn Park

INDUSTRIAL, BUILD-TO-SUIT Arbor Lakes 10501–Illume Candle, Maple Grove North Star Sheets, Cottage Grove

INDUSTRIAL, BULK DISTRIBUTION Highcrest II & III, Roseville

MEDICAL OFFICE OCTOBER CityPlace Medical, Woodbury Park Nicollet Specialty Center, St. Louis Park AM–PM Ulysses Medical Building, Blaine McNamara Alumni Center MIXED USE University of Minnesota KA Block, Minneapolis MULTI-FAMILY (1 TO 5 STORIES) Loden SV, Shoreview The Reserve at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove

MULTI-FAMILY (6 OR MORE STORIES) Avidor Edina, Edina BETHFORD OFFICE MULTI-TENANT The Nordic, Minneapolis President and Chief Executive Oﬃcer RENOVATED, BUILDING AT&T Tower Renovation, Minneapolis Land O’Lakes, Inc. Kickernick, Minneapolis

RENOVATED, TENANT IMPROVEMENT PCL Construction Minneapolis Ofﬁce, Edina Wagner SprayTech, Plymouth For more information and to register visit: REPOSITIONED, NEW USE Energy Management Collaborative, Plymouth z.umn.edu/stTuesday The 428, St. Paul Osborn370, St. Paul Park Village Repositioning, St. Louis Park Voyage HealthCare Clinic, Crystal

SENIOR HOUSING Applewood Pointe of Eagan, Eagan Orchards of Minnetonka Senior Living, Minnetonka The Pillars of Mankato, Mankato

PRESENTEDBY SPECIAL PURPOSE Fraser Woodbury, Woodbury North Loop Parking, Minneapolis

70 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 54-71.indd 16 9/4/19 2:50 PM NAIOP President’s Award

atricia “Patty” Gnetz, senior vice president of U.S. Bank Com- mercial Real Estate, is the winner of the 2019 NAIOP Min- P nesota President’s Award. It is NAIOP’s highest honor, and the winner is selected by chapter leaders from a field of candidates nominated by members. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Patty professionally as well as serving together on the NAIOP board,” says Brandon Champeau, Join us as we celebrate these NAIOP Minnesota president, in a prepared statement. “She represents our industry with outstanding outstanding family businesses. leadership, advocacy, and mentorship. Her story and career accomplishments, initially as a WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 young entrepreneur and then HYATT REGENCY HOTEL as a respected executive, are an inspiration.” In her U.S. Bank role, 5:30 pm | Networking Reception Gnetz has underwritten and 6:30 pm | Welcome & Dinner closed more than $1 billion in commercial real estate loans. 7:20 pm | Awards Program She manages a $500 million real 9:00 pm | Event Concludes estate portfolio. She’s working on the construction financing HONOREES FINALISTS for United Properties’ RBC Gateway project. Scheduled Dalco Enterprises, Inc. IdentiSys, Inc. to be completed in 2021, the Highland Bank Industrial Louvers, Inc. 37-story tower project is being Patricia “Patty” Gnetz built at 250 Nicollet Mall in King Technology Lee Plumbing & Heating downtown Minneapolis. Lloyd’s Construction Star Bank She also was involved in the construction financing of the new Services Kraus-Anderson headquarters and apartments and the United Proper- Truck Writers, Inc. Lubrication ties’ Nordic project—all built in Minneapolis. Before she joined U.S. Technologies, Inc. Bank in 2004, Gnetz was the president and owner of Nicollet Financial Corp., a commercial real estate brokerage company based in Minneapolis. VIP table packages available at The President’s Award recognizes contributions to the industry, tcbmag.com/MFBA19 association, and the broader community. Throughout her tenure as a NAIOP member, Gnetz was a highly engaged leader. She volunteered as a mentor to young and new NAIOP members, she chaired the Educa- tion Committee, and she served multiple terms on the chapter’s board of PRESENTED BY directors. In the Twin Cities–area community, Gnetz is serving with or was involved with Catholic Charities Family Shelter, Urban Land Institute Market Council, Feed My Starving Children, Minnesota Multi Housing Association, South St. Paul Educational Foundation, Gilda’s Club Twin GOLD SPONSORS Cities, and West St. Paul Planning Commission.

RECEPTION SPONSOR

OCTOBER 2019 | TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 71

pg 54-71.indd 17 9/4/19 2:51 PM OPEN LETTER

Duck and Cover

To: The Honorable Mitchell McConnell The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Senate Majority Leader Speaker of the House U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.

Dear Political Leaders: enacted? Certainly, universal back- shells (so to hunt migratory fowl). All You are both older than I am and prob- ground checks and gun registration are prohibited by current federal law. ably older than most of our readers. should be required. In Minnesota, Nor do any of these laws infringe on Consequently, you grew up at a time Christian Oberender acquired an arse- constitutionally protected states’ rights. when public school students practiced nal of 13 guns including an AK-47 and By the same token, assault-style rifles “duck and cover” during school time. a .50 caliber Desert Eagle. In 2013, he can be outlawed as they were for 10 Public schools held regular (often man- left a note addressed to his dead mother, years, prior to 2005. datory) air-raid drills, where students detailing plans to kill people and stating Regardless of the restrictions placed were instructed to duck down beneath that “the monster want out.” Oberender on guns, there is the social context of their desks and cover their heads with had murdered his mother with a shot- mass shootings. They seem to occur in their arms as protection against nuclear gun when he was 14 and had a complex clusters. Some sociologists have referred attack from the USSR. While the ef- mental health history. Further tragedy to this as social contagion. Radical right- ficacy of this defense was, thankfully, was averted by a Carver County deputy, wing and white nationalist ideology never tested, it did provide a great deal got a tip from a private citizen 18 years spread on social media has clearly had Vance Opperman of material for comedians and satirists. after his initial commitment. A manda- an impact. The manifesto left by the It is no laughing matter that today’s tory database of this sort of data would shooter involved with the El Paso shoot- students have learned how to hide from have raised a “red flag.” ing quoted almost verbatim from recent a potential shooter—often called “lock- Red flag laws now exist in 17 states Fox News commentary about migrant down” drills. These drills have become (though not in Minnesota). These laws “invasions.” Words matter, particularly to We should be a routine part of students’ lives in the 20 generally allow family members to unstable individuals seeking social vali- careful not to make years since the Columbine High School petition the courts directly for orders to dation. The recent trend of not naming this discussion shootings. Some parents also equip confiscate weapons from relatives. New shooters in mass shootings is helpful. It their students with armor-protected York now allow teachers as well as fam- would be more helpful if political leader- a political one backpacks. All of us experience enhanced ily members to petition the court for ship in this country were uniform in dividing Americans security measures at public gatherings. such protective orders. All of these laws, decrying inflammatory and particularly into pro-Trump These efforts are meant to keep us safe. to be effective, should cover the entire racially tinged statements. But from whom? FBI data and country and include due process pro- We should be careful not to make or anti-Trump, criminology studies indicate the a com- tection for the individual who is subject this discussion a political one dividing Democratic, or mon profile of a mass shooter is a white to these orders. Society regulates other Americans into pro-Trump or anti- Republican camps. man, frequently enraged, influenced by activities for public safety reasons—not Trump, Democratic, or Republican white extremist ideologies, and armed everyone is allowed to drive a car and camps. What we’re really trying to do is What we’re really with semi-automatic or assault-style many people lose their required license to prevent dividing Americans into dead trying to do is to weapons. There is a lot we do not yet to drive—all subject to due process or alive. It’s an overworked cliché, but re- prevent dividing understand about this phenomenon. But protection, and all constitutional. We sponsible adults, including political lead- we know enough to take reasonable steps have a similar right to be protected ers, should be able to exercise judgment. Americans into to protect ourselves. from people who should not be allowed It is way past the time when leadership in dead or alive. Reasonable protective steps to have firearms. this country faces this issue squarely and should start with the realization that But shooters also must have the quits employing duck and cover. this cannot be solved by a piecemeal means to carry out their plans. The state-by-state approach. The city of Dayton gunman had a drum magazine Dayton had banned assault-style that could carry up to 100 rounds of Sincerely yours, weapons. The Dayton, Ohio, gunman ammunition. He was able to kill nine legally bought his assault-style weapon people and injure 27 others in less than Vance K. Opperman online and had it shipped from Texas 30 seconds. Magazine capacity should A gun owner to a gun store in Ohio. Again, interstate be regulated. There is no constitutional commerce being what it is, and online infirmity in prohibiting people from Vance K. Opperman purchasing being commonplace, a purchasing or owning totally automat- ([email protected]) piecemeal approach to gun safety will ic weapons, “street sweeper” shotguns, is owner and CEO of MSP be ineffective unless federal laws apply. or semiautomatic shotguns with a Communications, which publishes But which federal laws should be magazine capacity of more than three Twin Cities Business.

72 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS | OCTOBER 2019

pg 72.indd 2 9/4/19 3:09 PM Monday, October 14th Join us at McNamara Alumni Center as we celebrate MN Cup's 15th Anniversary and award over $500,000 in prize money to Minnesota's most promising start-ups. To register and learn more visit mncup.org | @minnesotacup Thank you to our generous lead sponsors, who make all MN Cup's programming possible.

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