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Newsletter
Networking Event – Special Date for January!
Tuesday, January 9*
4:30-6:30 pm
Groundswell
1340 Thomas Ave
St Paul, MN 55104
groundswellmn.com
Connect with other Local Indie Business owners and Buy Local supporters. Great event to invite a neighboring business or perspective member. Casual and comfortable even for those who don’t like networking. Light appetizers and Cash Bar.
Guests welcome / No RSVP required
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses. Please check our website for upcoming times and locations.
Letter from the President
It was beautiful to celebrate with you all at our Guide Launch and Indie Awards Event last month. We are excited to honor our winners The Bartmann Group, Tech Dump, Golden Fig Fine Foods, Harvey Zuckman, and the Herbivorous Butcher. Thank you for your involvement and leadership in the Twin Cities local business community. Each of you represent what is means to be and buy local and we are proud to call you members.
As our community prepares for the 2018 Super Bowl, it’s important to remember that events like this, while exciting, can also put our community members at risk. This month, we had the honor of connecting with Amanda Koonjbeharry, Administrative Manager for Hennepin County’s No Wrong Door Initiative, about ways to curb sex trafficking in the Twin Cities. While human trafficking is an issue every day of the year, Amanda shares concrete actions individuals and businesses can take leading up to the Super Bowl to help limit exploitation in our community. Please make sure to read more and commit to taking action to address trafficking- today and always.
Is your business offering a holiday promotion? Tweet at us and we’ll share with our networks! Although it’s important to us to support all local indies, we’re offering this only to our members. Would you like to join us or has your membership lapsed? Visit metroiba.com/membership/join. AND if you sign up during the month of December, you’ll receive one extra month free, a MetroIBA tote and our ever-loving holiday appreciation.
Until next time,
Molly Glasgow
Owner, Point Acupressure
President, MetroIBA
Member Spotlight
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KORT Sign Design, an independent, full service, custom sign studio, has been a member of MetroIBA since its inception almost 5 years ago.
Owner Steve Bunnell describes his company as an independent, full service, custom sign studio. The folks at KORT believe that because every business is unique their signs should be too. They take the time to visit the client site to can better understand the situation, limitations, and possibilities. Bunnell enjoys getting to know his clients and their businesses but it also is what allows him to create the perfect expression of their brand -“whether that is simple directional signage, funky vehicle graphics, an illuminated mixed-media monument sign, or anything in between.”
Bunnell says he fully supports the “buy local” movement and loves to eat at local restaurants, shop at specialty stores, and use services from the B2B members as well. “Networking is critical to any business,” he says, and MetroIBA allows us to learn and grow from other Twin Cities businesses.”
“A special shout out to Chris Hanson, CEO & Co-founder of The Data Bank AND past President of MetroIBA. We recently installed a lobby sign in their new space! Thanks Chris!”
According to Bunnell, “at KORT Sign design we are inspired by smart people and interesting businesses, and really want to help them succeed in their “physical space” with creative, effective visual branding. Creating “one of a kind” signage is really exciting, but we also like to find ways to make a big impact on small budgets.”
Why Buy Local?
Why Buy Local? Here’s 4 great reasons starting with you from The Institute for Local Self Reliance’s latest, The Ripple Effect.
This month, we’ve teamed #3 You Strengthen your Local Economy with more from member Mississippi Market Natural Food Co-op.
Checkout this new video from REWIRE about the Co-op and learn how $1 spent at the co-op generates $1.60 in the local economy.
Holiday magic? No the the multiplier effect!
Webinar
Wrapping up the 2017 Tax Year & What’s Ahead
Tuesday Dec 19
10:00am – 11:00am
Presented by Phyllis Burdette, Burdette and Associates.
It’s a challenging December for business owners. What can you do before December 31st to minimize taxes for 2017 and yet plan ahead for 2018?
Webinars are open to all. You do not need to be a member to attend. Webinars are also recorded and available from our website for later viewing.
Sex Trafficking & Super Bowl
While sex trafficking happens 365 days a year, large public events like the Super Bowl may temporarily increase the likelihood for trafficking in a host city. Amanda Koonjbeharry, Admin Manager- No Wrong Door Initiative shared with MetroIBA what we should know to spot the signs of sex trafficking and learn how we can help. We’ve posted the full information on our website, below are top 3 tips to know.
What you should know:
Be aware of both recruitment and trafficking situations.
It is not always safe to interact or intervene with someone you suspect is being trafficked. It can put both you and the victim at risk.
To report suspicious activity or tips to law enforcement, contact Polaris Project at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO“ to 233733.
Minnesota’s 2018 Super Bowl Anti-Sex Trafficking Committee co-chairs Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County are leading the statewide effort to confront the daily reality of sex trafficking and increase awareness of the issue. The committee is working in partnership with more than 40 anti-sex trafficking organizations.
What you can do:
- Work to Reduce the Demand
- Increase Awareness
- Educate Yourself and Others
- Show Your Support
Additionally, visit the Polaris Project to spot the signs of sex trafficking and learn more about how you can help.
Public Policy Caucus
Watch your email for updates on the time and location of MetroIBA’s Public Policy Caucus.
Committee News
Members, have you set a New Year’s intention to become more involved in MetroIBA? Consider joining a committee for 2018!
MetroIBA’s Education, Marketing/Events, Membershipand Public Policy Committees have openings for members. Commitment levels vary and generally include a monthly meeting. And remember, members are always welcome at meetings – you do not need to be a committee member to attend.
If you have questions, please contact info@metroiba.org | 612.404.0268
Member News
Let’s all go go buy some vinyl!
The Electric Fetus has been hit hard by construction road closures. Hard as in a 20% decrease in business according to thisStarTribue article. Co-owner Aaron Meyering wants you to know that roads to his store are open and he will be planning some events that will encourage shoppers to find their way to his business’ front door.
New locations!
Two MetroIBA members have been on the move. Visit them at their new locations.
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thedatabank, gbc
2288 University Ave. W, Suite 201
St. Paul, MN 55114
Moon Palace Books
3032 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Looking for a location for your business?
Sunrise Banks has a property for lease with immediate availability.
Featuring 5000 square feet, this main floor location is directly on the Greenline and has on-site and overflow parking. See more.
Planet, profit, people
Make sure you watch this Kare11 Inventures piece about Tech Dump. Did you know that 75% of their workforce is made up of down-on-their luck, need-a-second-chance employees? Clearly, they are recycling lives along with electronic waste and well deserving of the 2017 Indie Biz Non-Profit Award.
Congratulations – Our members are the best!
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There’s another reason to celebrate at Tech Dump, and at Bartmann Group and Women Venture. Congrats to Amanda LaGrange, Kim Bartmann, and Kathy Pyle all Women Who Lead 2018 honorees! Minnesota Business magazine’s 2018 Women Who Lead celebrates women who have been shattering glass ceilings, taking the lead in their respective industries and introducing new voices to our business community.
Kind-of-big-deal? Definitely! The Growler magazine honors Electric Fetus, Izzy’s Ice Cream, Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op, and Peace Coffee as 2017 Kind-of-a-Big-Deal Reader’s Choice Award Winners. Cheers!
Who was named Minnesota Business magazine’s Most Likely to Succeed – Retail? Minneapolis Craft Market!
We’re couldn’t be more proud as we share their answer to What has been your biggest accomplishment?
“We won the 2016 Emerging Business Award from the Metro IBA Indie Business Awards and that was such a great early recognition that we were on the right track with what we were trying to do. To be recognized by a network of other independent businesses was a huge honor and helped raise the profile of the market in the Twin Cities.”
MORE-B Business Owners Roundtable
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Join a monthly peer group of MetroIBA member participants to discuss business issues; share concerns, ideas, contacts, and event information; and receive and offer feedback.
Third Tuesday of the month
3:30-4:30 PM
CHESS
33 E Wentworth Ave., Suite 320
West St. Paul
RSVP – host & moderator Carol Keyes
carkey@chess-safety.com
651-481-9787
Micro Networking Lunch
Thursday, Jan 18
11:30– 1:00pm
George Latimer Central Library
Andy Boss Community Room
What’s better than a free lunch? A free lunch AND great networking with other small business owners! Meet peers, business owners who like you, often save the day.
Micros are like Superheroes – a diverse group of uniquely skilled individuals with a passion for what they do who often work alone. Although capable of overcoming impossible odds, everything doesn’t come naturally, sometimes we need help to save the day.
Cost: Complimentary. Be our guest!
Hosted by Jackie Menne . Joule . MB2MB
Hosted at WIN Center + Joule Micro Nation . joulemn.com
RSVP
Get Your Guides
Members – pick up guides at MetroIBA’s office Mondays and Wednesday’s from 10am – 3pm.
2828 University Ave. SE., Suite 150
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Or contact us to make other arrangements info@metroiba.org; 612-404-0268.
Enjoy the benefits of membership in 2017
Membership benefits include:
- Discounts from other member businesses
- Member directory listing on buylocaltwincities.com
- Members only discussion group through list serv
- Expanded online presence through Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
- Free webinars and monthly networking events
- Public policy advocacy/Rapid Response Team
- Free subscription to Minnesota Business Magazine
….and much more
Business memberships begin at only $190/year or $18/month. Choosing the monthly option helps MetroIBA lower our costs by maintaining a consistent cash flow. Monthly payments also reduce administrative costs, and allow us to focus on growing the independent businesses that we represent.
If you have recently received notice that your membership is about to lapse, simply go to buylocaltwincities.com/membership and renew online. Or, you can mail your payment to:
MetroIBA
P.O. Box 40560
St. Paul, MN 55104
Thank you Volunteers
Mary Jo Koplos ~ Postal Dispatch Business Center
Sue Filbin ~ Smiling Dog Design
Carlos Landreau ~ The Landreau Group
Christy Morrell-Stinson ~ iLuma Financial Partners
Interested in volunteering? Contact us.
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