Apple Valley resident Robin Peterson benefits from possessing a positive attitude – a vital trait in today’s real estate market. “I don’t look at life with obstacles,” Peterson said. “People say the real estate market has been challenging. We’ve gone into a challenging real estate market and found homes for people and helped people sell homes.” As president of Coldwell Banker Burnet, Peterson oversees the day-to-day operations for the company’s 24 sales offices in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Rochester and Western Wisconsin, as well as managing 1,800 sales associates. Her journey to the top of Coldwell Banker Burnet began where she grew up – Westfield, NJ – 20 miles from New York City. Peterson grew up watching her father operate the family textile business in New York City. He died when she was 16, leaving her to help keep the business going. “I was exposed to the business elements and responsibility at a very young age,” Peterson said. “I reapplied some of what I saw in him. He had an extremely strong work ethic.” Peterson’s mother had a strong influence on developing her positive attitude – a trait she relies heavily on as president. “She always looks for the good in people and always taught me how you seek out positive attributes, and that in turn enriches your life,” Peterson said. That advice has helped make Peterson successful in the real estate world. Robin Peterson, President, Coldwell Banker Burnet
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>>>> A Family Affair-Page 5
2 Women in Business – Thursday, October 27, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
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Linda Radue, Auto Sales What is the best piece of advice you can give someone as they are about to embark on their career (or change careers)? Have a good attitude and a smile each and every day! Choose a career you enjoy! I love meeting new people, and I always treat my customers like family. When my customers are in for service, I always greet them with a hug!
Q: I want to start my own business. What are the first steps I should take? Are there any college courses that will help me get started?
What led you to choose your profession? My husband and I have been driving Volkswagens for over 30 years. My husband is the General Manager here at Burnsville Volkswagen and for years he was trying to get me to come to the show floor to sell. For many years I have heard him talk about how difficult it is to find sales people, like me, that have a passion for what they do. Did you have a mentor that inspired you? If so, what did they teach you? My husband has inspired me. He has taught me the importance of professionalism and enthusiasm for our product. I sold over 300 cars in 2010, and every customer received a hand written note from me thanking them for their time. For my customers that purchase a car, whether it is from me or another local dealership, I send them a congratulatory letter on their new car purchase. What accomplishment are you most proud of professionally? The past two years my new car sales with Volkswagen are among the top in the region. Burnsville Volkswagen is having a record year this year and we just moved into our state of the art facility. What do you most enjoy about your current position? Customers have numerous opportunities to evaluate our performance with things like Google, dealer rater and surveys from Volkswagen. I love receiving letters or comments from these sources that say things like “This was the best buying experience I have ever had, and I have been purchasing cars for over 30 years!� My ultimate goal is to “wow� my customers. One of the greatest compliments I continue to receive is referrals from my customers. Thank you!
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A: If someone is considering college to prepare for starting their own business, there are classes to be on the lookout for, specifically Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. In these classes, students prepare business plans, learn about tax liabilities, and so on. Researching various colleges for one that best suits a person’s needs is important, and asking other successful entrepreneurs about their educational backgrounds is also a good idea. Starting one’s own business is a dream for many people, but serious consideration should certainly be taken, to determine if there is a market for the goods or services that this business would be providing.
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www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, October 27, 2011– Women in Business 3
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
“
My management style is one of involvement, but also one of empowerment. I give permission for everyone to give and receive feedback. It’s a culture that success begets success. Without a strong work ethic, you can’t achieve your ultimate potential or success.
”
Robin Peterson, President Coldwell Banker Burnet
Fulfilling dreams, achieving goals Peterson/From cover BY MATT HANKEY - SUN NEWSAPERS A former middle school English and history teacher on the East Coast, Peterson moved to Minnesota in 1976 when her husband, Fran, was pursuing a job opportunity in the Twin Cities. After some exposure to real estate on the east coast, Peterson launched into the field after meeting the company’s founder – Ralph Burnet – when buying her first home in Eagan in 1976. “He was extremely inspiring and I decided to go into real estate at the point in time,” said Peterson, who has lived in Apple Valley since 1979. She saw the real estate business as one she could advance in, while helping others achieve their home ownership goals. “My belief in helping others grow motivates me,” Peterson said. “I get passionate about our business, but I’m as passionate about seeing people succeed.” She began her career with Coldwell Banker Burnet as a sales associate, and later became branch managers for Bloomington and Eagan, afterwards becoming the director of training for the company. From there, Peterson was the regional vice president and executive vice president before becoming president of the company in 2000, working at its headquarters in Edina. Peterson noted that women comprise roughly half of the upper management positions in the company. “There are no glass ceilings in this company,” Peterson said. “The sky is the limit as long as you want to work hard and be passionate about what you do.” She is an admitted proponent of being a hands-on manager. “My management style is one of involvement, but also one of empowerment,” Peterson said. “I give permission for everyone to give and receive feedback. It’s a culture that success begets success. Without a strong work ethic, you can’t achieve your ultimate potential or success.”
Apple Valley resident Robin Peterson has been the president of Coldwell Banker Burnet since 2000. “I see life as a series of growth experiences,” Peterson said. “I fell in love with the career of real estate because it helps people grow themselves and helps change lifestyles.” (Photo by Matthew Hankey – Sun Newspapers) As president, Peterson has helped implement a home resource center for the company. The center has a concierge service and a call center, which helps both real estate shoppers and company sales associates. One center feature allows customers to call the company when they have a question or need with their home and a sales associate can then recommend a business specific to their needs. Peterson said the customer feedback has been excellent regarding the home resource center. “In addition, people come through our website and can ask questions in real time
about their real estate needs,” Peterson said. Peterson has also overseen the creation of the company’s transaction management system, which contains all customer closing documents – accessed by customers with a username and password. Peterson said she has worked to make business easier for both her employees and the clients they serve. “I have a belief that you have to try different things that are consumer-based and also for our sales associates,” she said. “If 51 percent of them work, you’ll still be in business.” Peterson derives inspiration from numer-
ous places, but cites her family as one of the strongest. Her job duties often overlap with important dates such as holidays – days she would rather be with her family. But, she involves her family in her work life and said that is a key for anyone’s success, not just her own. On one Mother’s Day, she was working an open house and her husband and two children came through the home’s front door and surprised her with balloons and flowers. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “My children have been able to grow up seeing me live my passion,” Peterson said. “They’ve been so supportive of my career.” CMYK
4 Women in Business – Thursday, October 27, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com
L •i •f •e
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Celebrating 25 years in business As founder and president of Kusske Financial Management Inc., Mary specializes in assisting retirees and pre-retirees with sorting out their financial issues. She likes to tell her clients, “If you want to work for the rest of your life, that’s your business. If you don’t, that’s our business.” Mary’s advice to people entering a new career is to have passion about what you want to do. Your work should be an extension of yourself and reflect your values and your character. “Kusske Financial Management is a family based practice. We treat all our clients like we would like our family treated. We are interested in your parents, as well as your children and your grandchildren. The greatest compliment we get from our clients is that they have retired and are enjoying their life after work. Without our support and guidance, they didn’t think they would have been able to do all that they do.” Mary is a regular public speaker, giving at least 20 educational workshops about basic financial concepts each year. She volunteers
her time at local schools to share her expertise with young people. She also enjoys working with women, because they do not have the same skill set that men do when it comes to understanding their finances. The majority of women wait until a crisis hits before they figure out they need help. As an Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor, Mary is well versed in the complicated issues associated with Traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), 457 and public employee pension plans. Mary has served as the investment advisor to several different trusts over the past 25 years. She provides a conservative, researched approach towards investing along with the ability to understand the needs of the beneficiary. Mary and her team have over 40 years of combined experience assisting clients sort out their finances. They are committed to helping people avoid mistakes that may jeopardize their financial future. Kusske Financial Management Inc. offers solutions based on competent, independent advice.
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Many women reach their 50s and 60s and decide the adventure of a new challenge is simply too hard to resist. Oftentimes, this new challenge comes in the form of a second career. Though the United States Department of Labor notes it’s difficult to pinpoint how many career changes the average worker undergoes during his or lifetime, career coaches typically say women will undergo between three and seven career changes during their lifetime. Of course, such estimates no doubt include career changes at the onset of a one’s professional life, when many people are not precisely sure what they want to do for a living. For older workers, the uncertainty lies less in what they want to do and more in if they can pull it off. For those who have already decided what they want to do, consider the following tips to help ensure that dream becomes a reality.
Be Patient Aside from being qualified, the most important thing a person changing careers can be is patient. A successful career change does not happen overnight. Some career changes might require returning to school. Others might not require a new degree, but might require an established professional start from the bottom up. Whatever the situation, it’s best to remain patient. If your new career is worth pursuing, be patient enough to see it through.
Network Networking is often seen as an opportunity to advance within your own industry. However, networking can be just as valuable when changing careers. People within your network might be able to introduce you
to new contacts outside of your industry. These contacts, even if they don’t have a job to offer, can often provide valuable insight into the industry you’re attempting to enter.
Volunteer If your second career is going to be a complete 180 from your current field, it might help to volunteer and gain some experience before beginning a job search. Volunteering can prove beneficial in many ways. First and foremost, it provides potentially valuable experience you likely don’t have, and that experience may help down the road when you begin looking for a fulltime position. Another benefit to volunteering is it can provide a genuine look into the industry. This will either strengthen your desire to enter this new field or might encourage you to think more deeply about your pending career change if the field isn’t quite what you thought it was going to be. Finally, volunteering can be a great way to get your foot in the door. Should a position open up, a company is much more likely to consider the man or woman who has been volunteering at the firm than someone they don’t know.
Be Flexible In today’s job market, the flexible candidates are more likely to be successful. When changing careers, be as flexible as possible. Determine if relocation is a viable option, and assess your financial situation to determine how much financial flexibility you have. Career changes often come at the expense of a smaller salary. If your financial situation does not allow for a reduction in salary, now might not be the right time to change careers.
www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, October 27, 2011– Women in Business 5
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
A FAMILY AFFAIR Vong learned banquet business at an early age
Born and raised in Burnsville, 23-year-old Regina Vong was raised in a family business environment and attributes her upbringing for her own small business ownership venture. Vong opened her facility in April 2011. (Submitted photo)
At the young age of 7, she was helping the family business, so it stands to reason that now as an adult she is in business for herself. BY MICHAEL RICCI – SUN NEWSPAPERS Born and raised in Burnsville, 23-yearold Regina Vong opened Royal Banquet & Ballroom, 12750 Nicollet Ave. S., Burnsville, in April. Her business, located in the Heart of the City, is designed to provide an elegant and luxurious banquet facility without the high costs, especially to certain segments of society.
According to Vong, the fact that she is now an adult and owns her own business was a fact that was practically predetermined, at least in her family. “My parents were moguls. They kind of paved the way for Asian businesses in St. Paul,” Vong said. Vong’s parents owned five of seven businesses in a small mini-mall in St. Paul, which was home to an Asian grocery store, jewelry store, and a restaurant among others. It was here that Vong witnessed the hard work by her parents, even at a very young age just after starting elementary school. “I was there everyday, doing my homework in the office,” Vong said, which later led to her realization that she too would someday run a business. “It literally was when I was 7 years old.” Family Affair
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6 Women in Business – Thursday, October 27, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
Learning business from ground up Family Affair/From previous In fact, it was at this age when Vong began assisting her family run there businesses. “I was old enough to be more involved,” Vong said, she performed such duties as a cashier, a server and as a jewelry sales representative. But at that age, Vong didn’t consider the challenges that come with business ownership, including challenges that should not exist. Having been born and raised in Burnsville, Vong said she was surprised at some of the difficulty she had opening Royal Banquet & Ballroom. According to Vong, challenges she encountered had to do with the fact she is female, young and Asian, saying because of these factors she believes she has been prejudged without a chance to demonstrate her abilities.
“
My parents were moguls. They kind of paved the way for Asian businesses in St. Paul.- Regina Vong
“Unfortunately I did experience it a lot, in this community where I was born and raised” Vong said about subtle forms of discrimination. “It’s just another hurdle. Instead of dwelling on it, you take it as a learning experience and move on.” With a noticeable tone of surprise in her voice, Vong said, “I was caught off guard that it happened here in Burnsville. It definitely exists in the community.” Largely due to the strong influence she had from her parents, Vong turned a negative into a positive, using these challenges as motivating factors in her own business
endeavor. “I can do this,” she said of her attitude when confronted with any obstacle. Vong spoke proudly of what Royal Banquet & Ballroom offers to its clients, citing the niche market she caters to in more ways than one. Citing her affinity for that which is creative, Vong said she used her flair for decorating and design to create an elegant and luxurious atmosphere for her clients to hold weddings, birthdays, corporate events, birthdays, graduations and fundraisers. “I have a big imagination,” Vong said.
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But due to her life experience, Vong said Royal Banquet & Ballroom offers a little more. “For our generation in the Asian community, there are not a lot of modern facilities with Asian catering,” she said, adding that her facility is sensitive to the special needs of people who were otherwise restricted from fully performing ceremonies associated with different cultures. “Some ceremonies are not the typical dinner reception,” Vong said. “Some ceremonies require more extensive blessings. We can provide a space that meets the majority of cultural needs.” Since opening in April, Vong said she has hosted more than 3,000 people who have never been to Burnsville or who were new to the area. “For a first year business, I think we are doing very well,” Vong said.
Low Thyroid Many people live their lives suffering from low thyroid symptoms. This is especially true for females. Thyroid hormones control all your metabolism, and when thyroid hormones are low they cause all the cells in your body and mind to slow down. These symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, sweet cravings, depression, sluggish thinking, thinning hair or hair loss, and cold hands and feet. Even when taking thyroid medication, many people continue to suffer from the symptoms of having low thyroid. There are six patterns of thyroid dysfunction and only one of them responds well to thyroid medication. That is why so many have been disappointed in their results. Dr. Phil Gilman DC FMA FASBE, a published thyroid researcher and chiropractor, is holding a seminar to discuss low thyroid symptoms. His research shows that while blood tests are valuable in evaluating thyroid dysfunction, often the basic tests are inadequate in finding the underlying causes of low thyroid symptoms. It will be held on Tuesday, November 1st at 6:30 PM. Please call 651-681-8199 to reserve a seat today!
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www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, October 27, 2011– Women in Business 7
Score big with credit Whether you’re in the beginning stages of starting up your own business or looking to manage your current business’ credit more efficiently, it’s always important to stay on top of your finances. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is advising business owners to follow a few simple steps to ensure the financial health of their business. As your business starts to grow, it’s important to build a good credit record that’s separate from your personal credit record. Getting credit in your business’ name can help you qualify for lower rates on loans and leases, and can help protect your personal credit record — which could suffer if you have too much business debt. “It’s never too early to start to establish a separate credit record for your business, even if your business is still in its very early stages,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “Keeping your business cards separate helps with record-keeping — and many credit card companies provide special spending reports that can tie in with your accounting software and make it easier to keep track of your business expenses at tax time.” The BBB recommends following these simple steps to manage your business’ credit: Establish a consistent identity. Always use the same business name, address and phone number from the beginning, so it will be easy for the credit reporting agencies to keep your records in one file. Consider incorporating to legally establish a business identity that is separate from your personal identity. Open your first accounts. Get a separate checking account for your business. Also open an account with an office supply firm or other supplier that reports the transactions
to business credit reporting agencies. Make small charges and pay them immediately — before the invoice even arrives (unlike personal credit scores, you’ll get extra credit for paying before the due date). Provide key documentation. Lenders will generally ask for your business’ tax records and earnings statements for the past few years so they can see how much you have earned in the past. And they may also ask for a business plan so they can assess your potential for future earnings. They are often interested in looking at your cash flow in relation to expenses and your total debt in relation to your earnings. Provide all of this documentation along with explanations to present the strongest case, especially if you have irregular earnings throughout the year, to prove to lenders that you expect to earn enough money to pay your bills in the future. Apply for a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet, one of the major business credit reporting agencies (go to www.dnb.com). It usually takes 30 days to establish a DUNS number, or you can pay extra for an expedited account. Then make sure that the companies where you have trade accounts are reporting the information about your ontime payments to Dun & Bradstreet. It’s also a good idea to provide extra information about your business for your credit file. This is where potential lenders and others will find out about your business and the likelihood that you’ll make on-time payments for your loans, equipment leases and office leases, which will affect the terms and rates. After you have a DUNS number, open a few more trade accounts with other companies that send information to the credit-reporting agencies, make small charges, and pay those bills early, too.
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8 Women in Business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday, October 27, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.MinnLocal.com
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I would like to honor all of the women at Sun Media for their dedication and professionalism. All of your team members and our over 1 Million readers appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to deliver the best local news and information to the communities we serve.
Thank you! Jeffrey Coolman, Publisher CMYK