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May 2017 Newsletter
Networking Event
Come see our new MetroIBA office space at member business WorkAround
Tuesday, June 6
4:30-6:30 pm
WorkAround
2828 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis
Guests welcome / No RSVP requiredNetworking 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
What do you want tomorrow to look like? Who will help take you there?
As people and business owners, we can spend a lot of time reacting and responding to what is going on in the world around us, what our customers want, and what the changing market may require, but how often do we get (or allow ourselves) to look towards the future? Not just the next steps or next projects we would like to take on, but if we would like our work to carry on past us, what this continued presence might look like, and who would offer that leadership.
Some of us did this during the beginning stages of creating our business and some of us find that future to be undefined musings that we never quite get to concretely shape. If succession planning is something that you would like to explore more, make sure to attend this month’s Small Business Series sponsored by Hellmuth and Johnson PLLC.
On a policy level, it’s important that we keep an eye towards pursuing initiatives that have the potential to positively impact local businesses for years to come, in addition to responding to current issues. We currently have the opportunity to shape the small business office being launched by the City of Minneapolis. This idea was not only something that came directly out of our work, but has the potential to change how business owners can access permit and bidding processes as well as navigate City policies through a direct line of communication. Please share your feedback on what you would like to see this office do and what resources the city could provide for businesses, new and existing.
Want to help MetroIBA look towards the future, too? Consider getting involved in one of our committees and taking on a leadership role within the organization.
Until next time,
Molly Glasgow
Owner, Point Acupressure
President, MetroIBA
May Webinar
Wage and Hour Issues for Small Businesses
Tuesday, May 16 9:30am
This timely presentation will include minimum wage laws, issues with tipped employees, overtime, wage deductions, prevailing wages, wage enforcement and best practices. Jason Raether, attorney at Hellmuth & Johnson, will be the presenter. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation, employment law, and labor issues. Leveraging management experience gained prior to law school along with his work as a judicial law clerk, he brings to clients a keen understanding of legal issues, business objectives, and the value of applying a fresh perspective to every challenge. Jason particularly enjoys working with small businesses because he understands the personal sacrifice and passion required to succeed in a competitive marketplace.
Registration is free but required. Signup on the MetroIBA website!
May Small Business Education Series
Your Business: Transition and Succession Planning Starts Today, Are You Ready?
Thursday, May 25 7:30-9:00 am
Hellmuth & Johnson
8050 West 78th Street in Edina
Learn about how to start and maintain your business for later sale, pricing your business for sale and knowing what you need. The seminar will include information on how your business entity makes a difference and who likely buyers really are. And, learn about transition and succession planning – it’s a Team Sport! Earl Cohen, attorney at Hellmuth & Johnson, focuses his practice in broad areas of estate, business, asset protection planning, and estate administration. Earl regularly provides clients with business succession and asset protection strategies as part of their estate and business plans. He also serves as counsel and advisor to a wide variety of businesses including new and emerging businesses.
This free training includes continental breakfast.
Space is limited, register today.
Buy Local Guide and Directory
Marketing in tandem with other locally owned businesses brings benefits to everyone and shares the commitment to the community. MetroIBA is again partnering with Minnesota Women’s Press and Tiger Oak for upcoming publications.
MN Women’s Press – the July section of the magazine is devoted to the buy local movement and will include the yearly Guide. And, for every member that advertises, MetroIBA will receive a donation. Email Kathy Magnuson or call 651-646-3968, ext. 309 for details. Contact Kathy by June 10!
Tiger Oak – will be producing the yearly Directory. Every active MetroIBA member will be listed in the Directory. Additional, larger ads are available for purchase. These Directories are popular, convenient, and go like hotcakes! Email Jim Younger or call 612-548-3874 for details.
Let’s let the community know Buy Local is here to stay!
Sharing Resources
Both the Hennepin County and Ramsey County libraries have an innovation lab for use by library cardholders. These labs include equipment (computers, sewing machines, cameras, 3-D printers, and more) that can be used after orientation. Check with your local library for more information.
MetroIBA Committee Members at Work for YOU!
Brett Buckner,
OneMN, Chair of the
Public Policy Committee needs your help. The PPC is looking for input on two items: issues for a candidate’s forum, and issues for next year’s legislative session. Add your voice to your fellow members’ in this year’s survey. Look for the email from April 27th, follow the link and add your voice. Thanks!
Michael Frasier,
Rubric Legal, Chair of the
Education Committee is looking for your participation. This month we have a special educational series on succession planning. Nothing says future like worrying about who will take over your business. Hear Earl Cohen,
Hellmuth & Johnson, talk about pricing, transitioning, buyers, and more, on May 25th, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., 8050 West 78th Street, Edina. See you there!
Julie Novak,
BankCherokee, Chair of the
Membership Committee wants you to help ready your Independent Business Alliance for next fall. We need to get members, engage members, and ensure our membership directory is full to bursting with local indies around the metropolitan area. Let’s show the Twin Cities area how forward thinking we are by proclaiming loud and clear about our members!
Look What We Did!
We played a lead role in pushing the City of Minneapolis to create a Small Business Office that will be a resource for established businesses and those just getting started that are looking. From help in navigating city processes to connecting people with resources that can help their business grow, we see great opportunities for this new office to help.
We’d like to get your thoughts on what you’d like to see from this newly forming office. Please fill out this
short survey and us know!
What resources would you like to see from Minneapolis? How can the city help you? Feel free to suggest changes to existing programs or entirely new ideas of how the city can support the small business community. All ideas are welcome!
Pride booth!
MetroIBA will have a booth at the Pride weekend again this year, June 24 and 25, from 10 am to 6 pm. We need volunteers. Email the office to sign up now! Bring your friends!
Member News
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal announced the great news that Software for Good won a MSPBJEureka Innovation Award for their intern program. – Congrats!
A huge shout out to these MetroIBA member business who were awarded in the City Pages 2017 Best-of polling:
Best of Minneapolis:
Readers’ Choice:
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
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
Interested in volunteering? Contact us.
