September-October 2018 by Connect Business Magazine

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CONTENTS

September | October 2018

COVER INTERVIEW

COMPANY PROFILE

Dr. James Hebl

Franklin Rogers Park

Healthy Hometowns

Local Investors Hit Homerun

HOT STARTZ!

New Area Businesses

MANKATO

Artifact - Paint Your Own Pottery

AG FOCUS

Farming is Not A Way of Life, Folks, It's A Business!

Introduction

A Day In The Life

Connecting Back

Entrepreneurial Insight

Connect Network

Bulletin Board

Ask A Professional

Collaboration Connection

Truman’s China House Cafe is a New Model for Collaborative Economic Development Extending Our Reach

Connect Business Magazine Expands into New Territory

Rural Living vs. Rural Business

Connecting Southern Minnesota Business People Since 1994

Sarah Warmka, New Ulm Area Chamber

Jon Jamieson, JP Fitness

Connect Business Magazine www.ConnectBiz.com Channel: Connect Biz TV

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

CIRCULATION

ADVERTISING

Publisher: Concept & Design Incorporated

12,100 for September/October 2018

Call: (507) 232-3463

Editor: Lisa Cownie

Published bimonthly

E-mail: sales@connectbiz.com

Art Director/Staff Photographer: Kris Kathmann

CORRESPONDENCE

Contributing Writers: Xac Dinsmore, Carlienne Frisch, Kerry Hoffman, Mike Lagerquist,

Mailing Address: Connect Business Magazine P.O. Box 176 Nicollet, MN 56074

Production & Circulation : Becky Wagner

Many Languages, One Company, One Voice DEPARTMENTS

Focus on Agribusiness

LinguaOne

FEATURES

MANKATO

Mogwai Cooperative

Information: connectbiz.com/advertising ABOUT CONNECT Locally owned Connect Business Magazine has ‘connected’ southern Minnesota businesses since 1994 through features, interviews, news and advertising.

Printing: Corporate Graphics, N. Mankato

Send editorial correspondence to: editor@connectbiz.com

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Connect Business Magazine is a publication of Concept & Design Incorporated, a graphic design firm offering print design, brand design, illustration and photography. Learn more at conceptanddesign.com.

Cover Photo: Kris Kathmann

Phone: (507) 232-3463

September | October 2018

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We’re focused on your community, your opportunity. For nearly 185 years, Old National has kept our clients and our communities at the heart of every decision we make. We want to exceed your expectations—every time. That means you get the great service of a neighborhood bank and the products and technology of a national one, all within one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. Old National is committed to serving Mankato. From financial-literacy education to our employees’ volunteer efforts, Old National is devoted to being an active partner in the areas we serve. Additionally, we strengthen our communities through numerous sponsorships and grants distributed by the Old National Bank Foundation. You’ll find the same smiling faces in the same convenient locations, and just like Anchor Bank, we’re ready to equip you with the financial tools you need to reach your goals. Visit oldnational.com to learn more.

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INTRODUCTION

Writing Outside the Margins

Lisa Cownie EDITOR

For 24 years, Connect Business Magazine has brought to life the stories of business and community leaders in a nine-county region of southern Minnesota. We’ve discovered, though, the characters and stories that shape our business community don’t recognize county or city borders. Our “region” as we once knew it, now continues to expand...what happens in Mankato impacts New Ulm which can impact Redwood Falls and then on to Marshall...well, you get the drift. Always trying to be the best resource we can be for the business community, Connect Business Magazine is embracing a now sprawling southern Minnesota and are adding to our distribution area. We are adding four more counties to the west in Minnesota and two to the south in Iowa. So with this issue, we welcome new readers! And encourage our faithful to get to know our neighbors to the west and south, read their stories

and continue learning how southern Minnesota is a region to be reckoned with. Businesses and companies in our midst have a worldwide reach. Be sure to check out the story on page 54 which breaks down each new county to help you get ready to learn more in coming issues. Our cover reflects one who also understands the importance of a regional approach, Dr. James Hebl, Southwest Minnesota Regional Vice President for Mayo Clinic Health System. Also featured this issue is a regional destination, Franklin Rogers Park (The Frank) in Mankato and our region’s hometown team, The Moondogs. The team just finished its first season with new local owners and new renovations to The Frank. Also featured, LinguaOne, another local company that recognizes the need for our region to think on a global level. Owner Tessa Donato offers translation and interpretation of hundreds of languages to keep Southern Minnesota in tune with a global business world. Happy reading, and hopefully, learning,

home town

home run Inspiration starts with intention. And Franklin Rogers Ballpark’s success is the result of embracing history, being intentional, and creating an iconic, fierce experience. With ISG President and CEO Chad Surprenant and the firm’s 280+ professionals at the helm, the community can be proud of the Park and its evolution. View the difference. Enjoy the experience. #ISGIngenuityatWork.

Check out what BallPark Digest had to say about Franklin Rogers! bit.ly/BallparkDigestISG

ARCHITECTURE + ENGINEERING + ENVIRONMENTAL + PLANNING

September | October 2018

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Financial Advisor

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Business Snapshot

Sponsored Content

Only The Best for Their Guests

The newly-remodeled AmericInn has been hosting Mankato visitors for over 20 years.

any businesses have come and gone on Stadium Road, but the AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center has managed to thrive for 21 years at its campus location in Mankato. Over the years, the hotel has grown and changed several times. In 1999, twenty rooms were added, and in 2008 a Conference & Event Center was created, along with four extended-stay suites with kitchenettes. Most recently, the AmericInn underwent a million dollar renovation. General Manager Ashley Sprenger is thrilled with the upgrades, and appreciates the positive feedback from guests and the local community. “It’s a lot more modern than the typical AmericInn that has the lodge feel to it.” “We remodeled all of our guestrooms, a little bit of the conference center, our lobby, our pool, and added a meeting room where breakfast used to be.” Ashley is particularly excited about the new breakfast area. “Bringing it out to our lobby was the best decision we made. The old breakfast area was way too small.” The AmericInn hosts many youth and university teams who stay the night for weekend tournaments. “They all come down to breakfast at the same time.” Ashley was determined to design an area that encourages an efficient flow during breakfast. “We have so much more space now.” The new breakfast area allows the AmericInn to offer more options than other hotels. In addition to cereal, juice and pastries, they are now able to offer eggs, breakfast meat,

AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center Sales & Events Manager Taylor Besse and General Manager Ashley Sprenger.

Belgian waffles and pancakes. The entire renovation took more than six months to complete, and Sprenger faced many challenges during that time. “We saved the lobby for last so we would have as little impact on our guests as possible during the renovation.” Sprenger’s commitment to providing “the best for our guest” began eight years ago when she started her career with AmericInn as a housekeeper. The room that was formerly used for breakfast has been remodeled and converted into the Minnesota Room, a flexible space that can be used for corporate meetings and trainings, team gatherings, groom’s dinners, and so much more. Sales & Events Manager, Taylor Besse looks forward to getting creative with this space and all the possibilities it creates. The Conference Center also received a facelift and brand-new AV equipment. Besse

loves the flexibility this space offers. “There is a divider wall down the center so we can create two even galleries when needed. We have two new projectors and wireless microphones. Our screens come out from the ceiling and they can be moved to any side of the room depending on the groups’ needs.” Besse strives to promote the Conference & Event Center throughout the community, attracting new and repeat groups with the modern and flexible spaces she can offer. Besse is committed to paying attention to every little detail, and delights in hosting BNI meetings, Skillpath trainings & seminars, as well as an annual Kwik Trip hiring event. Sprenger and Besse expect the renovation to offer more opportunities to serve the Mankato community. “We’re here for you. If you haven’t been here in awhile, stop in and check us out!”

AMERICINN HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER Location:

240 Stadium Rd, Mankato, MN 56001 Built: 1997 Remodeled: 2018 Phone: 507-345-8011

September | October 2018

By Lisa Cownie Photo by Kris Kathmann

Healthy Hometowns How Mayo Clinic’s Dr. James Hebl works to bring world class healthcare to your hometown. For James Hebl, medicine and a positive patient experience are not only professional pursuits, but are very personal as well. “When I was a sophomore in high school, my youngest brother was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at age 5. I saw the impact diabetes had on not only my brother – but the entire family. The pediatrician caring for my brother was so kind, patient and knowledgeable when describing the condition and what we needed to do as a family. This life event, in addition to my passion for pharmacology and the biologic sciences, played a major role in my decision to enter medicine,” he reflects. But really, he made his mark on the area and the local health care community years before that. On January 1, 1969 the coveted title of New Year’s Baby was bestowed on little James Hebl. Unbeknownst at that time to his parents or the nurses and staff caring for him at Immanuel-St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato, the place where he started life would be the one he would eventually return to in adult life to lead into the future. Although by then both would have different names; his with a Dr. in front of it (1995)...and the hospital adding the name Mayo Clinic (1996).

Southern Minnesota has always been home to Hebl. He attended Kennedy Elementary School in Mankato until third grade when his parents moved the family to Elysian, Minnesota. Hebl graduated from Waterville-Elysian High School in 1987. Then attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, graduating with a B.S. in Natural Science and Psychology in 1991. He received his M.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 1995. After that he attended the Mayo School of Graduated Medical Education in Rochester, Minnesota completing a residency in Anesthesiology and a fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine. And he’s been with Mayo ever since. “I worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester for the first 18 years of my career, including serving as Vice-Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Clinical Practice Chair of Rochester Methodist Hospital. I was happy when I had the opportunity to return home to Mankato to accept my current role of Regional Vice-President, Mayo Clinic Health System. I’ve held that position for two years.” continued > CONNECT Business Magazine

Healthy Hometowns | Mayo Clinic Health Systems’ Dr. James Hebl In his career with Mayo Clinic he has had the opportunity to hone his leadership skills by filling a variety of roles beyond being a physician. For instance, he led a surgical process improvement initiative in Rochester that brought improvements in operating room utilization, teamwork and the patient experience. Mayo leaders have dubbed the initiative under his leadership successful and impactful. Along with real life experience, he brings academic credentials: a combination that is proving to be the right prescription for fostering a stronger presence for research and education within Mayo Clinic Health System. And that’s no small order. Mayo Clinic’s network of hospitals and clinics is massive. The entire system has 60 sites in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. But his experience and knowledge of not only the Mayo Clinic Health System, but his home region gained the confidence of Mayo Clinic leadership. Dr. Hebl has now been tapped to lead our region, which

September | October 2018

In the Southwest Region, Mayo has 3,466 total staff, 222 physicians/advanced practice providers and 3,244 Allied Health Staff. includes six hospitals and 22 clinics in all. Over his nearly two decade career he has seen some impactful changes in the health care industry. “The most impactful change I’ve seen in healthcare over the past 20 years is the ongoing integration of healthcare systems across the nation. Mayo Clinic has been a leader in healthcare integration across the upper Midwest – now serving patients in more than 70 communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Our Mayo Clinic network includes 18 hospitals and 46 clinics across the upper Midwest.” As Regional Vice President for Mayo Clinic Health System his role will be to

further strengthen and integrate Mayo Clinic’s presence throughout Southwest Minnesota. All the while delivering positive outcomes in that integrated experience to patients and communities across the region. That means making sure patients receive the same high quality of care regardless of whether they walk through Mayo Clinic doors in Mankato or Fairmont or Waseca. For this interview, Dr. Hebl said he has a primary goal of transforming the Mankato campus into a premier Mayo Clinic Regional Medical Center for southern Minnesota. Certainly, Mayo is working toward that goal already having made a significant

investment in the community by adding support space, the Andreas Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic Heart Center and the $3.4 million expansion to the Eastridge Clinic that will house a pediatric and adolescent medicine department and soon a new family and child advocacy center. In the Southwest Region, Mayo has 3,466 total staff, 222 physicians/advanced practice providers and 3,244 Allied Health Staff. What could possibly be next? In this interview, he talks about the challenges ahead for the industry in general, Mayo Clinic Health System specifically and the patients they serve.

care unit (ICU). Because of this, I fell in love with anesthesiology. As an anesthesiologist and perioperative physician, I have the opportunity to care for patients from 9-days to 99-years of age. I have the opportunity to care for patients during cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, or a liver transplantation. I have the chance to care for patients before surgery in the Preoperative Clinic, during surgery and after surgery in the intensive care unit. I enjoy caring for women during labor and delivery and helping patients manage acute postoperative pain. The breadth and depth of opportunities is endless.

Let’s start from the beginning. Why did you choose anesthesiology? During medical school, I found myself drawn to all types of patients and a variety of medical conditions. I enjoyed caring for newborns, women during labor and delivery and elderly patients undergoing surgery or being cared for in the intensive

You’ve been with Mayo for 18 years now and have certainly climbed the ranks. What do you do in your role now? As Regional Vice-President for Mayo Clinic Health System, Southwest Minnesota Region – I am responsible for six Mayo Clinic hospitals (Mankato, Fairmont,

New Prague, Springfield, St. James, and Waseca) and 22 clinics across southern and southwestern Minnesota. In this role, I am ultimately responsible for the quality, safety and service of the care we provide patients; as well as the finances and strategic growth of the hospitals and clinics throughout the region. While the Mankato hospital is the central “hub” for the entire region, what geographic area is considered your region? The geographic borders of Mayo Clinic Health System-Southwest Minnesota Region include: North to New Prague/Belle Plaine; East to Waseca; South to Fairmont; and West to Springfield/Lamberton. Are there challenges in leading such an expansive and diverse region? Yes, the large geographic area makes it a challenge to personally meet with staff from each site on a regular basis. Although

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Healthy Hometowns | Mayo Clinic Health Systemsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Dr. James Hebl I try to visit each site on a monthly basis (at a minimum), more frequent interactions with staff and local leaders are accomplished using phone- and video-conferencing capabilities. These same modalities are used when connecting with Mayo Clinic colleagues on our Rochester, Arizona or Florida campuses. Technology has made it easier to stay connected within such a large geographic region. What do you feel is the biggest challenge you face in your role? The biggest challenges of every healthcare executive include decreasing reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid despite higher complexities of care, national workforce shortages, government mandates, growing administrative and regulatory burden, and the rising cost of staff, supplies and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the unpredictability of future healthcare models and commercial insurance payment reform presents a constant challenge.

September | October 2018

From a consumer perspective, what is the biggest healthcare challenge today? The biggest challenges for patients include navigating commercial insurance reform and adapting to new models of healthcare such as team-based care, non-clinic based care, and a much more proactive vs. reactive approach to managing chronic medical conditions. As healthcare organizations face national workforce shortages, patients will also find it increasingly difficult to see physicians and specialists in a timely manner. This is particularly true on the east coast of the U.S., where physician shortages are most severe.

States. This is particularly true within rural America. The American Medical Association estimates that the U.S. will have a deficit of 120,000 physicians by the year 2025. This includes both specialists like neurologists, urologists, psychiatrists, etc. as well as primary care physicians, or those physicians practicing family medicine and internal medicine. Unfortunately, this will be an ongoing challenge for healthcare organizations across the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forcing hospitals and clinics to develop alternative practice models that place a greater emphasis on Advanced Practice Providers (e.g., Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants).

Workforce shortage is an issue in almost every industry in our region, is that true for health care in our region as well? What jobs are most in demand? Do you see that correcting? There is currently a significant workforce shortage among physicians and other healthcare professionals across the United

Mayo has expanded its reach in southern Minnesota. Please talk about the importance of Mayo having a presence in our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more rural communities? The Mayo Clinic Pyramid of Care ensures that every patient receives the right care at the right time in the right location

"The Mayo Clinic Pyramid of Care ensures that every patient receives the right care at the right time in the right location – particularly within our rural communities." – particularly within our rural communities. The Pyramid of Care includes three primary components. The first is called the Base-of-the-Pyramid. The base of the pyramid is made-up of rural and small community hospitals and clinics across southern and southwestern Minnesota, including Fairmont, New Prague, St. James, Springfield, and Waseca. The focus of these practices is to provide preventative care, primary care and select specialty care for patients close-to-home. Then we have the Middle-of-the-Pyramid. The mid-portion of the pyramid is made-up

of regional medical centers, like Mayo Clinic in Mankato, that provide advanced medical, specialty and surgical care not available within rural settings. Mayo Clinic patients from rural communities needing a higher level-of-care would be transferred to Mankato for complex procedures, advanced imaging techniques or critical care (ICU) medicine. Finally, we have the Tip-of-the-Pyramid. The tip-of-the-Pyramid is the Destination Medical Center practice in Rochester. The Rochester practice is able to care for the most acutely ill and complex patients –

including complex cardiac surgical care, complex neurosurgical care, bone marrow and solid organ transplants, pediatric and neonatal intensive care services and other highly specialized medical and surgical care. Having the Mayo Clinic Pyramid of Care within our region ensures that every patient receives the right care, at the right time, in the right location. The ability to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients is what differentiates Mayo Clinic as a healthcare provider across southern and southwestern Minnesota. Mayo has expanded not only in locations, but also in services offered. Talk about current services you are expanding in our region? And what is next? Mayo Clinic Health System is currently expanding several service lines, including Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Neurosurgery and Complex Spine Care, Medical Oncology, Pediatric Specialty Care and

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Nurse Midwifery within our Obstetrics practice. One to highlight is Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Mankato has just hired its eighth orthopedic surgeon for the region. These professionals specialize in orthopedic trauma, joint replacement surgery, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, pediatrics and sports medicine. The Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine recently completed a $5 Million expansion of its clinic located on the hospital campus – including an expanded patient waiting area, doubling of exam room space, on-site radiology services, a cast room, and new procedural space. Another practice to highlight is Neurosurgery and Complex Spine Care. The Mayo Clinic Department of Neurosurgery in Mankato recently added two neurosurgeons to their staff specializing in routine and complex spine care and back surgery. Both surgeons recently completed their training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and provide comprehensive spine care in collaboration with our neurologists, physiatrists and pain medicine specialists. Pediatric Specialty Care is another area of growth. Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato recently opened its new Children’s Center on July 2. The new $3.4 Million state-of-the-art facility will serve as the new home for the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Mankato. It will also be the location for pediatric specialty outreach services for specialists from Rochester

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September | October 2018

Dr. Hebl’s wife Heather, also has close ties to the region. “My wife and I will soon be celebrating our 25th Anniversary,” he says. “She is also from the Mankato area, graduating from Mankato East High School and then Mankato State University (as it was known then) with a B.A. In Elementary Education. Together they have three children: Zachary is a Senior at the University of North Dakota majoring in Aerospace and Commercial Aviation; Matthew is a Sophomore at the University of St. Thomas majoring in Business Finance; and Gabriela is a 7th grader at Prairie Winds Middle School in Mankato.

Scrubbing Out When Dr. Hebl is not navigating the complexities of health care, he is navigating travel around the world. “My favorite travel spots include Rome, the Greek Isles, and Asia (Hong Kong),” he says. Other hobbies include spending time with family at the lake and reading.

Mayo Clinic Health Systems’ Dr. James Hebl

"Midwives provide advice, care and support for women and their babies during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and during the early postnatal period." and the new Mankato Family and Child Advocacy Center. The Mankato Family and Child Advocacy Center is a space for law enforcement, child protection, and other social service agencies to meet with children who have been abused or are involved in other legal issues. Finally, I should mention Nurse Midwifery. The Mayo Clinic Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in Mankato recently added two Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) to their staff. Midwives provide advice, care and support for women and their babies during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and during the early postnatal period. The new midwife practice in Mankato is the only OB practice in the area offering care from nationally Certified Nurse Midwives.

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Hebl’s Stats PRIMARY APPOINTMENT • Consultant, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic • Regional Vice-President, Mayo Clinic Health System, Southwest Minnesota Region

ACADEMIC RANK • Professor of Anesthesiology

EDUCATION • Bachelor of Science: Natural Sciences and Psychology, Saint Johns University, Collegeville, Minnesota

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• Medical Degree: University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota • Medical Internship: Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota • Anesthesiology Residency: Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota • Fellowship: Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine

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Healthy Hometowns How does Mayo go about determining when the time is right for additional services, locations, etc.? The expansion of medical and surgical services is dependent on several factors, including patient demand, community demographics, projected market demand, required resources such as equipment and facilities, and infrastructure support.

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"Mayo Clinic is committed to providing high-value care to patients and businesses across southern Minnesota... as well as having immediate access to experts within the Mayo Clinic practice in Rochester â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is ranked the #1 hospital in the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for highly specialized and complex care." What specialty is the fastest growing? The fastest growing specialty within our region is Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine within our region now includes eight orthopedic surgeons and five Advanced Practice Providers (Physician Assistants). These experts specialize in orthopedic trauma, joint replacement, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, pediatrics and sports medicine. We also have a rapidly growing neurosurgical and complex spine practice that cares for patients needing back surgery; as well as a new Certified Nurse Midwife practice within obstetrics.

September | October 2018

Dr. James Hebl

THE ESSENTIALS:

Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato Hospital and Clinic 1025 Marsh Street Mankato, MN 56001 507-625-4031 mayoclinichealthsystem.org

Connect is circulated to 12,000 business leaders in 13 southern Minnesota counties and two northern Iowa counties...what do you want the business community to know about Mayo? Mayo Clinic is committed to providing high-value care to patients and businesses across southern Minnesota. Mayo Clinic is able to differentiate itself by providing comprehensive care to patients as part of an integrated medical practice across the Midwest (i.e., Pyramid of Care; see above). This includes providing expert primary, surgical and subspecialty care locally close-to-home; as well as having immediate access to experts within the Mayo Clinic practice in Rochester â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is ranked the #1 hospital in the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for highly specialized and complex care. What is something you would like to see happen in healthcare in our region. The goals you have in your role is another way to ask this I guess? My primary goal is to transform the Mankato campus into a premier Mayo Clinic Regional Medical Center to serve the patients of southern Minnesota. The roadmap to achieve this includes: continuously improving the quality, safety and service of the care we provide; expanding medical and surgical services available within the region; and modernizing our facilities. This roadmap will provide high-value care to patients across southern Minnesota while being part of a larger integrated Mayo Clinic practice across the Midwest, including having immediate access to experts and resources within the Mayo Clinic practice in Rochester. Editor Lisa Cownie writes from Mankato.

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FEATURE Collaboration Connection

Truman’s China House Cafe is a New Model for Collaborative Economic Development Local and Regional Agencies Come Together to Offer Creative Opportunities to Small Towns and Entrepreneurs The local café has been a staple of the small town landscape as far back as anyone can remember. But with all of the challenges facing small town rural America, keeping these institutions operating or finding people willing and able to invest in these businesses is becoming more and more difficult. Recently, a group of economic development agencies worked together to keep one such business alive in Truman, Minnesota. Truman was facing the closing of its local café and would soon be faced with an empty building and no one to take it over. In a creative and cooperative effort, the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial

Facilitation (RCEF), Mankato; Martin County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) IGNITE, Fairmont; Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Owatonna; Truman Development Corporation, Truman; and other organizations facilitated the sale of the café to Johnny Vuong and his wife Jialing, a Chinese immigrant family, for just $1.00. And China House Café was born! Johnny Vuong came to the United States in the 1980s and settled in the Los Angeles area. He and his wife relocated to Minnesota in 2000. With over 25 years of restaurant and management experience, Vuong was

looking for an opportunity to open his own restaurant. A chance remark to his realtor started a process that eventually allowed him to bring that dream closer to coming true. Assistance with the sale of the building in Truman and the development of the China House Café came from the collaborating organizations in various forms. The Truman Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization, had been running the old Truman Café for the better part of 13 years, leasing it from the owner. However, the individuals involved were no longer able to continue the arrangement,

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leaving the café’s future in question. After the Truman Development Corporation was deeded the property from the original owner, a plan to sell the café and ensure its future began to take shape. Truman Development Corporation Secretary Treasurer Monte Rohman said, “Everything came together at once. The volunteer running the café was no longer able to continue. Then the owner decided to deed the property to the development corporation. And finally, Johnny came along around that same time, expressing interest in the café. So from a timing perspective, it couldn’t have worked out better. Now we had to create the plan to sell the café in a way that the new owner was not overwhelmed with debt on the facility and had a good chance to succeed. We also contributed funds to replace the building’s roof.” The RCEF then stepped in to help coordinate the sale of the café. Bryan Stading, RCEF’s Executive Director and Business Facilitator, served a key role in the effort.

He said, “We came to the conclusion that RCEF would draw up an agreement that would give Johnny and his wife the café for a dollar, but if they closed for any reason within the first 10 years they would sell it right back to the city for a buck.”

Both the sale of the café for one dollar and the 10-year condition made the deal a win-win for all parties. The Vuongs got the chance to establish a business and the Truman Development Corporation had the reassurance and protection it desired.

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CONTINUED: A New Model for Economic Development

The MCEDA IGNITE program assisted the project by providing connections to business consulting services as well as providing funding for the Café’s marketing efforts. According to Brent Schultze, MCEDA Chairman, other economic development organizations and cities can learn from this project and possibly replicate this model. He said, “You certainly have to be willing and a little bit creative when you have opportunities in front of you, but you don’t have to do it all. There are other entities out there with which you can put your heads together to help businesses open in the first place, stay open, grow or whatever the situation may be.” Another key source of funding for the China House Café came with the help of SMIF. Funds to purchase key equipment and inventory were obtained through the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneurial Loan Program from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). In order to receive

“You certainly have to be willing and a little bit creative when you have opportunities in front of you, but you don’t have to do it all. There are other entities out there with which you can put your heads together to help businesses open in the first place, stay open, grow or whatever the situation may be.” such a loan, a qualifying agency like SMIF must administer it. According to Marcia Haley, SBA Lending Director with SMIF, this project was unique and inline with the organization’s goals. She said, “SMIF wants to assist towns in starting or keeping businesses that are important to their area. This can be challenging, especially for smaller towns. We had looked at two programs for this project, one through the Small Business Administration and one through DEED. The DEED loan program was really geared toward this type of project so we pursued

that. The joining of five funding partners plus RCEF all collaborating on how to keep an important business in the small town of Truman was distinctive.” Other contributing organizations included Profinium Bank, Truman, MN, and the City of Truman Economic Development Authority. With the collaborative effort ultimately successful, the China House Café opened on May 19 and serves both Chinese and American cuisine. Vuong is very eager to build his business and looks forward to being an active member of the Truman community.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE

Sarah Warmka

Lisa Cownie EDITOR

There are self-help books, motivational blogs and leadership symposiums to help the business and entrepreneurial-minded make the most of each day to maximize productivity. Connect Business Magazine, though, recognizes we have great resources right in our own communities. So we are going right to local business leaders to give all of you a glimpse into how they manage their days. The goal is that readers may be able to take away little tidbits to incorporate into their own lives to be at their best in and out of the office! It may seem a departure from her original career field as a librarian and archivist, but Sarah Warmka, Marketing Specialist for the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce is loving her new role and her new

hometown of New Ulm. “My husband and I are both from small towns (much smaller than New Ulm). I’m from Eden Valley – near St. Cloud, and Eric’s from Wells – south of Mankato. We lived in St. Cloud for 10 years (college and after), but after we had our son, we were looking for a smaller community with small-town values to raise him in (not St. Cloud). We thought about a lot of different communities, but New Ulm was the winner! It’s about half-way between my family and his. We came to Bock Fest back in 2010 (that was our first experience with New Ulm) and we loved how fun New Ulm was! Fast forward and we moved here in 2014. My husband is a funeral director, and there are openings at funeral homes basically

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everywhere, so we knew we could move pretty much wherever we wanted. Things work out for a reason, I guess, as Eric has worked his way up the ladder here in New Ulm and is now the General Manager of the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes.” Sarah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in history from St. Cloud State University and later a Master of Library and Information Science from University of Southern Mississippi. Today she is the Marketing Specialist at the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. In a nutshell, she handles marketing New Ulm to tourists, and helping to spread the word about what the Chamber is up to which, she’ll tell you, is a LOT! From Bavarian Blast to Oktoberfest to Schell’s Bock Fest..New Ulm and by default Sarah.. keep very busy! Is there a certain thing you do each morning to get ready for the day? At home, I like to workout in the mornings. Just to get it over with! I also like to have

coffee in bed with my husband. At work the first thing I do is make lists and prioritize things. One list is of things that have to get done today, and I have another list of things that can wait but that I need to be mindful of. What is your favorite way to spend the lunch hour? I love that I only live about 6 minutes from work! That allows me to get a lot done on my lunch hour! I’ll do laundry, take the dog for a walk, or even take a quick nap. If you could give one “organizational” tip to other professionals, what would it be? Make lists! This will help you prioritize. I will also say to delegate when possible. And find tools that will help streamline your job. There are so many available today to help all of us be more productive. I would also encourage others to network with and learn from others in their field to get new tips, tricks, and ideas.

What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time with family and friends! And I love to travel! Other ways I relax and recharge include binge-watching Netflix with my husband, working in my garden. Reading with my son is another of my favorite pastimes! What is the one thing you can’t live without? (A thing...not a person.) This may be a boring answer, but this has to be my cell phone!

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During the 2018 season, the renovated Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato has made nearly as many headlines as the final scores of Moondogs games. The team has been playing over .500 baseball, but the ballpark is hitting a homerun with each home game played. Lost somewhere in the box scores is the fact that new ownership took over the Northwoods League team in the off-season, giving the 19-year-old collegiate summer baseball team something it has never had before: local ownership. Chad Surprenant and Kyle Smith are an interesting pairing on the ownership line-up card. Surprenant, CEO and President of ISG, is a Mankato native who grew up eight blocks from the Moondog’s field at Franklin Rogers Park – “The Frank.” He remembers sneaking in through an unlocked gate to practice on the field with neighborhood buddies or his dad, patriarch of the engineering and design firm. ISG now boasts offices in Minneapolis, Des Moines, Storm Lake and Waterloo, Iowa, La Crosse and Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Sioux Falls, in addition to Mankato. He watched the town grow as a youth from his family’s home on North Fifth Street, and today he watches – and

helps guide – its growth from downtown corporate offices at Second and Hickory streets. The sixth-floor conference room gives him a unique perspective on what Mankato has and needs. He uses his personal and professional means to assist in that growth. Surprenant says he’s probably attended two-thirds of the Moondogs home games this season, often with his family or co-workers, and loves the opportunity to improve the amenities his hometown has to offer residents, guests and potential employees. One of his two sons works the camera at games, while his two other kids attend regularly. Smith, with the partnership of family and friends, has turned Tailwind Group into a successful property management, leasing and management group with a high profile beyond the seven-story Profinium Plaza in downtown Mankato. While the Tailwind Group name seems to be everywhere, Smith prefers a role that keeps him at the bottom of the line-up. Despite the building’s prominence on the Mankato landscape, for example, his email signature and business cards still list the much more modest address of their previous offices under Pita Pit on South Front Street. continued >

LOCAL INVESTORS HIT HOMERUN By Mike Lagerquist

Photos by Kris Kathmann

Large city and private investments in baseball park renovations along with local ownership of a minor league team bear dividends beyond the balance sheet.

September | October 2018

Tailwind Group’s Kyle Smith and ISG’s Chad Surprenant are majority owners of the Mankato Moondogs.

CONNECT Business Magazine

LOCAL INVESTORS HIT HOMERUN | Franklin Rogers Park

The view from the seventh-story offices of Tailwind Group is inspiring, taking in views of South Front Street, the area near Cub West that is undergoing development, the bridge across the Minnesota River and South Riverfront Drive. If visitors can take their eyes off the view, they’ll see the corporate offices are sprinkled with helmets from a variety of college football teams. When he meets on a Saturday morning in late July Smith is wearing athletic shorts and shirt emblazoned with the Minnesota State University, Mankato logo. He has attended maybe four games this season, he admits, though

corporate tickets are popular among employees. His attendance numbers may increase as his four children get older, he says. Regarding the Moondogs, he says he is happy to let Surprenant’s comments suffice for them both, saying “he’s dead on.” These two diverse personalities are bullish on Moondogs’ success, both as a feeder team to Major League Baseball and as a business operation. When asked what about the business investment side entered into his decision, Surprenant says flatly, “Nothing; however, I went into it with low expectations.” Although his business expectations were low – he said that breaking even the first season would be considered a success – the emotional dividends have been more than he expected. The smile seen on his face at the public opening of The Frank was that of a kid who went to sleep on Christmas Eve hoping to find a baseball glove or bat under the tree in the morning. Instead, he found a very large box wrapped in orange paper with “Moondogs” ribbon. “Of all the reasons I chose to do this, the pure happiness of being at the park and watching people be happy was underestimated by me,” he says. And doing so while walking the same field on which he played from 1983-88 was overwhelming. Smith is happy to offer opportunities for everyone who attends Moondogs games, from those who fanatically follow the team at home and on the road to those who may attend one game to see what all of the fuss is about.

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TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Timing is everything for a baseball player, and the same can be said for a baseball owner. Around 2004, Jim Schwei of Minneapolis, who owned the Moondogs before the most recent owner, Mark Ogren, approached the City of Mankato with improvements he would like to see made to Franklin Rogers Park. Back then it wasn’t cool enough for its current nickname. ISG was hired by the city to start designing improvements to correct deficiencies and take advantage of opportunities presented through years of neglect. Franklin Rogers Park was built in 1967, and most of the 1,400 seats were contained within the grandstand. The stadium saw upgrades in 2006 with new lights, in 2014 when the grandstand was renovated, and in 2016 when a second part of deck was added. But it still lacked amenities that other parks had.

LOCAL HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK Many local companies were among those who contributed to the $4 million renovation of Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato.

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“The City of Mankato was always taking the position of responsibility for facility ‘needs,’ and the Moondogs were taking the responsibility for facility ‘wants,’” Surprenant says. Because many of the improvements would also benefit other facility users, the new owners immediately sought and received a longer-term lease agreement. Many things had to happen before these renovations could be considered a possibility. With the new Moondogs ownership, which was willing to make a considerable investment, and Mankato able to contribute sales tax proceeds, the improvements roster was expanded.

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Another reality that made the ownership deal attractive for Smith was the expansion of the Northwoods League (NWL), in which the Moondogs play. “I think [league expansion is] maybe a greater vision for the long-term. I think there’s probably a brighter outlook,” Smith says. “So, it’s the ballpark improvement and I think the league’s heading in the right direction.” For the team, Surprenant ranks synthetic turf and the construction of actual locker rooms for both teams as “game changers.” Following a rain delay, he says, the turf can be ready for play as quickly as the players are.

Surprenant ranks synthetic turf and the construction of actual locker rooms for both teams as “game changers.” Following a rain delay, he says, the turf can be ready for play as quickly as the players are. “For the fans, the drastic improvements to the game-time experience are obvious: many more seating options, vantage points, informal elevated berm seating, expanded concessions, a great new Dog Pound, and the brand new largest video board in the NWL measuring in at 20 feet high by 50 feet wide,” he says. The Dog Pound, along with the Dugout Club hospitality area, also include higher-amenity features such as unlimited food and beverages during the game. The Dog Pound down the left-field side holds up to 400 people; beverages and unlimited food during the game come when an additional fee is paid. Another section of bleachers is adjacent. The Dugout Club, which sits atop the dugout on the first-base side, has tables and four chairs that can be reserved for the entire season. The area has its own grill and a private wait staff that provides unlimited food and beverages as standard amenities.

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Further down the first-base line is a berm that curves around the outfield fence, providing more casual family-style seating. A paved walkway provides handicap accessibility to the Dugout Club. “I think [these improvements are] going to carry past the Moondogs,” Smith says. “You’re going to see how many games with Bethany Lutheran College? I think you’re going to start to see some state tournament games there. “Obviously, we’re the largest tenant of the field, but I think the opportunity to use that field is endless,” says Smith. The team averaged 1,129 fans through their first 27 games of 2018, according to

“For the fans, the drastic improvements to the game-time experience are obvious: many more seating options, vantage points, informal elevated berm seating, expanded concessions, a great new Dog Pound, and the brand new largest video board in the NWL ...”

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PREVIOUS OWNER WANTED TO SELL

Local ownership came about through a solid job of recruiting. “It was really by chance,” Surprenant says of their foray into baseball team ownership. “I was doing our Minneapolis office a favor by saving them a trip to Mankato, so I was meeting with Mark Ogren of Stillwater [previous Moondogs owner] around February 1, 2017, presenting design ideas for the ballpark improvements.” The City of Mankato, owners of Franklin Rogers, had sought out ISG for ideas to improve the 57-year-old ballpark that had CONNECT Business Magazine

LOCAL INVESTORS HIT HOMERUN | Franklin Rogers Park

fallen into disrepair. Still a workhorse for various levels of academic and summer baseball leagues, the park lacked the amenities that would raise it to the next level. Foremost among those amenities were an artificial turf playing surface, concessions and seating options for the fans, and a modern, multi-function scoreboard. After the meeting – where Surprenant says Ogren commented on his apparent passion for baseball and recent business successes – Ogren had the type of proposal you’d expect to see projected on a stadium Jumbotron: “Do you want to buy the Moondogs?” As it turns out, Surprenant wasn’t the only ownership prospect being approached. “Mark and I had done business before previously,” Smith says. Along the way they had talked about the possibility of Smith purchasing the Moondogs. “I’m certain [having worked together was] not the only factor. But Mark’s a great guy and he came back to it and said, ‘Hey, I want to keep this low-key. I don’t want to take this and make a scene over it.’ ” Discussions continued on that low-key basis. “I kind of told Mark, ‘Hey, I think we’re going to pass.’ He even mentioned that he was going to go to talk to Chad, and I said that would be a great fit,” Smith says. Both Smith and Surprenant had concerns that the sports team ownership would be

distracting to their established businesses. Neither had experience in sports operations, and they had clients investing large amounts of money with them for their full attention. Surprenant expects the same dedicated attention from his employees. Surprenant says that’s when relief came from the bullpen. “Around July 1, 2017, Mark came to us with an idea to meet the La Crosse Loggers group, Dan and Ben Kapanke, and Chris Goodell. They are well known in the

Northwoods League as fantastic operators. “Kyle and I traveled with my daughter Ellie to meet them at the ISG La Crosse office. We knew instantly that they were great people.” Adds Smith: “Frankly, knowing and trusting Mark, and then the chance to meet the guys from La Crosse,” sealed the deal. It guaranteed that operations would be handled by experienced professionals, and it removed the distractions that the local owners feared when making the

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Both Smith and Surprenant had concerns that the sports team ownership would be distracting to their established businesses. Neither had experience in sports operations, and they had clients investing large amounts of money with them for their full attention. decision to buy. “My primary reason was as a community asset/quality of life amenity for the area,” Surprenant says. He saw retention of the Moondogs as important, especially following the departure of the Minnesota Vikings training camp and Mankato’s emergence as a regional center. “After I had been approached, I did a little fishing on other potential investors, and while all thought it was a good idea, no one was really wanting to write a check. The point of that is that if we didn’t do it, I am not certain who, if anyone, would.” When asked about the future prospects for Mankato, Smith was hesitant to speculate. “But you look back to what I consider an 18year snapshot since I’ve been here – I came here in ’99 so it’s been almost 20 years – it’s crazy how much this town has changed in 20 years. So, who knows? It’s been fun, and as it continues to grow. I think the options [for Mankato] are endless.”

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AG FOCUS

Farming is Not a Way of Life Folks, it’s a Business! You could only imagine my delight when I was contacted by the publishers of Connect Business Magazine and asked to contribute a regular column and relevant stories for this publication. I’ve been writing for many years. Contributing most of my thoughts to readers from across the Upper Midwest via agricultural publications. Several years ago, after 18 years of column and story writing, I took a break. It just wasn’t any fun to sit in front of the computer and send words from my over-active brain to my fingers on the keyboard. Then Obamacare came into effect. Our dairy-farm family, consisting of two middle-aged adults and two young adults, received one of those lovely letters that so

Gislason & Hunter LLP seeks an associate attorney to join our Southern Minnesota practice. Qualified candidates should have at least one year of experience as well as strong academic credentials and legal research and writing skills. Experience with secured transactions, drainage and water rights, litigation and corporate law a plus. This position provides a motivated attorney with the opportunity to take on substantial responsibility and ownership over individual client matters, while also working with a team on complex issues. Gislason & Hunter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits. For consideration, please send cover letter, resume and law school transcript to: careers@gislason.com

September | October 2018

many of our friends received as well. We were being terminated as a customer. I had to return to the workforce, solely because we needed insurance, and it had to be affordable. I tried several jobs in our community and have finally found the job I believe will be my last. At this point in time, I sell automobiles in our small community of New Ulm. I love the variety and fun it brings to my everyday life. As I tell so many people I meet during the day, “This is the only job that I haven’t gotten into trouble for talking too much.” But I digress. During my previous tenure as a story writer, it was always my goal to share the good news about dairy farming. I was tired of hearing all the hum-drum,

Kerry Hoffman AG CONTRIBUTOR

I-feel-sorry-for-you comments. Dairy farming is treating us well. In fact, most of agricultural-production acquaintances I know enjoy and love the chosen profession they are living. It is a profession. Whether it’s crop production, pork production, dairy production, turkey production…any agricultural production, they all love the business they’re in. And just like any other business, we push through the good years and the bad years. Yes, agricultural production is a business. It’s not “a way of life.” Do you tell any other business owner, “It’s a way of life?” “Hey Bob, how is the (insert type of business here) going? I know, it’s ‘a way of life.’” I doubt it.

Got an agriculture related story idea? Email our correspondent Kerry Hoffman at kahoffman@newulmtel.net

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

We are independent business owners. We invest our time and money into our operations just like any other business owner. We have books to keep, employees to manage and inputs to regulate. Farming isn’t today what it was even 30 years ago. I don’t know too many farmers today who operate in the same way their parents did. All too many times I hear, “Wow, you guys never get a day off.” Well, yes we do. And so do many of our other ag-business friends. It’s hard to find a farm operation these days that does not have some sort of employee help. The business model has changed. And I believe it has changed for the good. In fact, we just returned from a glorious vacation at the lake. My husband, two sons and their two significant others spent seven days floating on the beach, turning our farmer tans into something that resembles a normal suntan pattern. It is my goal to share stories about the agricultural industry with those of you that are not familiar with how farming is a business, not “a way of life.” Being a suburbanite is “a way of life.” I truly believe farming is a critical cog in our nation’s economic gear. If an ag-producer spends just a single dollar on his business, that dollar increases seven-fold in the local economy. The effects of local agriculture industry on our world are far reaching. I have plans of delving into many things that affect the agricultural world, which then affects those that consume our products. I have many other topics circulating in this mind of mine and my fingers are ready to do the typing. I hope to do it in way that will be enlightening to others and share just how important farming is to our region of North America. We do after all, live in the fabulous area called “The Corn Belt.” Look for another column and a story in the next issue of this fine magazine. Until then...May all your sunsets be red. Kerry and her husband Steve own and operate a dairy production business in rural New Ulm. They have two sons that are involved in careers off the home farm, at this time. Joe, 24, and his fiancé Karli, 27, both work in IT at Nuvera. Their younger son Russell, 22, works for Wiese Farms in South Dakota as the official agronomist. Both sons hope to return to the farm when the time is right. Along with Steve and Kerry, one full-time and four part-time co-workers make sure the chores are done every single morning and night. Without their help, we would have a small family and no dairy farm.

Rural Living vs. Rural Business In today’s world there’s a disconnect between the business of agriculture and the need to have agriculture exist in rural areas. Some residents move into agriculturally-zoned areas and find the atmosphere to be less-than-desirable. People dream of moving out to the country to enjoy the fresh, clean air. They want room to roam and possibly have a few animals as well. When they finally get the chance, they find that some of the activities of agricultural businesses in the country aren’t all that pleasant. There is dust when a tractor drives past their home, and even more dust when a semi-tractor delivers feed, or the milk truck picks up a load from the neighboring dairy farmer. The farmers in the area grow valuable crops. Some fields contain sweet corn sent to the canning factory in the nearby small community, or the soybeans hauled to the elevator on the edge of town. That milk in the tanker truck is going to the processing plant at the creamery. One important operation for the area DeLoy and Annette Berkner of rural

Sleepy Eye, Minn. operate a 106-year old family business. Their farm, located along the banks of the Cottonwood River, was settled by the family in 1912 when DeLoy’s grandfather, Stanton “Buck” Berkner, picked the homestead site. DeLoy and Annette and their son Cody, 23, live just down the winding road from that original site. The Berkner’s eldest son, Craig, 30, lives off the farm with his family. Ed, DeLoy’s father, still lives on the original farm. Feeling it was time to increase the size of the operation to accommodate bringing their sons into the business and to improve the bottom line, the Berkners forged ahead on preparing the necessary paperwork. It was a daunting task. The agricultural industry is one of the most highly-regulated industries in the nation. Craig was in charge of working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Brown County Planning and Zoning. They completed the paperwork and triple-checked it. Their permit was approved by the Planning and Zoning Committee and made its way to the desks of the Brown County Commissioners. “I had all the paperwork completed properly,” said Craig.

DeLoy and Annette Berkner of rural Sleepy Eye were in the process of expanding their agricultural business when they were suddenly stopped in their tracks by a few neighbors and signed petition. Pictured (l to r): Craig Berkner, Cody Berkner, DeLoy and Annette Berkner. CONNECT Business Magazine

AG FOCUS But the Brown County Commissioners slammed the gate shut just as the Berkner men were about to start the journey, denying the permit on a 2-3 vote. Area residents, some of whom have just recently moved out to the area, started a petition and garnered more than 40 signatures in opposition to the permit. Dust, noise and traffic were big concerns for those signing the petition. “If people provide feedback, we have to take it into consideration. Safety was my biggest concern,” assured Brown County Commissioner Dave Borchert, who resides in the city of New Ulm and cast one of two dissenting votes. “If they had everything on one site, it would have been a better plan.” Commissioner Scott Windschitl also cast a dissenting vote and cited safety as his number one concern. “I did go out there to the site with Ed Berkner,” Windschitl said. “The hills are blind and you can’t see around some curves. I have covered my bases.” Neighborly concerns The Berkners have assured neighbors and commissioners that traffic levels will not increase. They have applied a treatment to the road in front of neighboring homes, at a cost to themselves of 90 cents per foot. They say that traffic on the road has slowed considerably. The Berkners will have to wait a year to reapply for another conditional use permit.

September | October 2018

The importance of Minnesota beef Minnesota has a hearty beef industry. Our state holds the 10th spot in all beef production nation-wide. The beef industry accounts for $2 billion total sales annually, and 20,380 farms exist. The industry is the second largest livestock sector in the state, and accounts for 23 percent of total agricultural cash receipts. In Minnesota, half of all potential 400,000 steers (castrated bulls) exit our state and are brought to market weight elsewhere. That amounts to a loss of $120 million per year and a potential income for 2,500 families. The beef industry has a multiplier effect of $2.05 of output for every dollar in expenses paid by the farmer. That money goes to other industries such as manufacturing, transportation, trade, service, finance, insurance, real estate and construction. The average beef farm spends just over $269,000 per year which revolves into more than $672,500 generated by one farm in rural Minnesota. In Brown County, there are 39,500 head of steers. The average age of the farm owner is 55.7 years old. The next generation There is a need for the younger generation to start doing the hard labor to keep the farm viable. “All we want to do is eliminate the middle man,” Cody Berkner said. “We would have

the cows which would have calves and then we would finish the calves to an appropriate weight to sell them. We want to be able to work with a contractor that would purchase our grown animals.” Agricultural production is a priority Brown County Commissioner Dennis Potter is staying positive for the Berkners. He is working with the them and encouraging them to work with state and county officials to see what their next step should be. “They need to take time and think things through, to see what their options are.” For now the Berkners are doing just that. They are going to find ways to continue their beef operation – their family business, which is a whole lot larger than it was back in its humble beginnings. They have an entire year to ponder their next move, unless something can be brought to the commissioners showing the Berkners have found another feasible way to increase the size of their business. Both Windschitl and Borchert profess wanting to work with the Berkners to find a solution. Windschitl said, “We need to address the issues with the neighbors. The dust issue still remains.” “We have to keep Brown County’s ag-business strong,” said Borchert. “It’s the number one industry for Brown County. I would like to find a solution.”

CONNECTING BACK 2013 Five years ago, Pam and Doug DeMarce graced the cover of Connect Business Magazine. The owners of Victory Bowl and the Wow Zone, talked about how the business of bowling is evolving into what they have made the Wow Zone: a complete family entertainment center. Also profiled in this issue were the Civil Ag Group and Mike’s Ag. 2008 In September 2008, our cover story was on the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson. Hugoson earned the top ag position three times during his career, being appointed by three different governors. Also featured were Karla Van Eman of American Way Realty. In her 32 years of selling real estate, she seems to have done a remarkable job bonding and connecting with her clients—in an industry in which the agent-client connection is viewed as the ultimate barometer of success. Henderson-based Closing the Gap was our other profile. 2003 Bob Gallaway, CEO of the $500 million international company Ridley, was on our cover in September 2003. He said landing the cover story was a rare treat for a company that at that time got hardly any press despite being the largest business headquartered in Mankato at that time. Also featured were the Klassen Performance Group of Minnesota Lake and The Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Fairmont. 1998 And two decades ago, our cover featured a man that still makes headlines: Curt Fisher. Also featured were Hybrid Microcircuits of Blue Earth, the maker of what was then considered the world’s smallest hearing aid amplifier. And Haala Industries of Sleepy Eye.

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CONNECT HISTORY The first issue of Connect Business Magazine was published in March of 1994. A total of 151 consecutive issues have been published to date.

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ENTREPRENEURIAL INSIGHT

Entrepreneur/ Adventurer Jon Jamieson Owner, JP Fitness in Mankato

Lisa Cownie EDITOR

Entrepreneurism can be risky business. According to the Small Business Administration, the latest data from third quarter of 2016, shows 2,998 start ups in the state. (Startups are counted when business establishments hire at least one employee for the first time.) But in the same period, 2,948 small businesses closed their doors. In this new section for Connect, we’ll bring you stories of local entrepreneurs. What made them take on the risk, the adventure? Where did they go for help? And how do they plan to survive? We begin with JP Fitness in Mankato. Out of college at the University of Minnesota, Pemberton native Jon Jamieson had not only a passion for personal training, but a passion to establish his own brand in the field and break the mold of what a gym could be in a city like Mankato. He took a few years to develop his skills and learn about the business end of the industry as an assistant manager at a Lifetime Fitness in the Twin Cities. He was enjoying it, but he met a woman, who would eventually become his wife, in Mankato and commuting from Mankato to the Twin Cities was wearing on him. He started thinking, it might be time to go out on his own. He 42

September | October 2018

JP’s Advice to Other Adventurers “First thing I would say is make sure you feel confident and have the experience to handle different situations. One thing that I think I still have to learn to do is not take everything so personally. It’s tough because it is my brand on the wall at the end of day but I can’t let business things affect me personally. Also before you start, do your research. You may know a lot about your profession, but you also have to have a good understanding of business and how to create a profit, how to manage your bottom line.”

started JP Fitness out of his garage in April 2016. His first big challenge: developing a business plan. “It definitely was scary at first,” says Jamieson. “I had to figure out how to structure our appointments, especially because low-cost gyms are pretty saturated in Mankato. So I had to find out how I could fit in to the market here. I had to gain an understanding of Mankato’s market to know what price points to offer. With my model I knew I had to charge something that is obviously higher end but not obnoxious or overcharging. Then I had to figure out how many clients I need in each category to make the business plan work.” Starting in his home he built up a nice list of clients. Armed with that list and a business plan, he knew he was ready for a physical location. And he knew right where he wanted that to be. “Probably one of the first things I said to my wife was ‘If I do this then I want it to be

in the Graif building’. I just knew this was exactly where I wanted to go.” He moved into the Graif building in downtown Mankato in January of 2017. “A couple of times driving back and forth I would stop here. Originally, I noticed Mortenson Construction was in here and I thought shoot..maybe it’s not going to work,” he reflects. “But they ended up leaving so I was excited and that really got me going. At that point I just knew it was meant to be. “Now what do I have to do? How do I build it out? What equipment do I need to get? How can I offer something that is going to give people the experience of a full gym access but still be personalized enough that they are getting the attention they need to reach the goals they want to reach? So many questions.” To help him answer these questions, he took advantage of the free services at the Small Business Development Center.

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

In the 1700s the word entrepreneur entered our vocabulary, meaning adventurer. The meaning has been honed over the centuries and is now widely regarded as one who launches and runs a new business. However, entrepreneurs remain adventurers at heart. Taking on great risks based on an idea or expertise one has developed in hopes of making a profit.

“The SBDC helped me out greatly with setting up social media, developing a Profit and Loss document. They even got me in contact with lenders and helped me get my start up loan. The help from SBDC was huge.” Staying true to his vision, Jamieson was able to differentiate himself from others in the market. “I thought the Mankato market was missing something like this. Even with all the low-cost gyms a lot of people fall through the cracks because they sign up at a low cost but then never use it. We do tend to be more expensive because you are paying for training sessions, paying for people’s time while you are here. But it allows you to get in here, learn the proper way to exercise, and just feel comfortable in a gym. So many come here because they are intimidated in bigger gyms. JP’s is in between so people feel comfortable here. That’s what I was counting on would attract more and more clients.” His hunch was right. Now in his second year, he continues to grow each month. “Business is good! Year over year we have growth every month, especially when you look at last year compared to this year. “We have a good 10 to 12 new members a month. But what is also key is our retention is really high. A lot of people focus on new business coming in but that retention piece is also important. It’s something I didn’t do well at Lifetime that I wanted to focus on in Mankato and that’s been helpful.” Lessons learned over the last couple of years have positioned Jamieson well for the future. “Now we can see where the trends are and we have a good mix of one on one clients and small group training, although that could grow more and is likely where we will see growth in the future. But we have a good core group of members and the oneon-one training has gone exponentially better than I had imagined!” THE ESSENTIALS

JP Fitness

Blethen, Gage & Krause and Berens, Rodenberg & O’Connor is now Blethen Berens The two firms merged July 1, 2018 and are now called Blethen Berens. Both firms have a historical footprint of providing high quality legal services in the Southern Minnesota area.

L E G A L E X C E L L E N C E . P E R S O N A L C O M M I T M E N T.

Name Change

BLETHEN | BERENS 507-233-3900 New Ulm, Minnesota

blethenberens.com

507-345-1166 Mankato, Minnesota

BUSINESS ADVICE THAT WORKS “When it came to gaining exposure for my business, I had no idea where to start. The SBDC helped me optimize my marketing strategy. They also ensured my financial success and allowed me to fill my studio with the equipment I needed. I couldn’t be where I am today without the SBDC.” Jon Jamieson Owner, ACE Certified Personal Trainer JP Fitness, Mankato

Contact the Small Business Development Center to develop a personalized plan myminnesotabusiness.com or call 507-389-8875 MSU Strategic Partnership Center, 424 North Riverfront Drive, Suite 210, Mankato, MN

5 Civic Center Plaza Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-594-9550 Website: jpfitness.com

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and regional support partners. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the program sponsors. Programs are open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the SBDC at 507-389-8875.

CONNECT Business Magazine

HOT STARTZ! New Businesses & Professionals MANKATO

ARTifact – Paint Your Own Pottery

Kim Ruby and Emily Green.

biggest challenge has been the nuts and bolts of starting a business. “Figuring out all of the legal aspects of owning your own business and putting the time into finishing the space was one challenge,” She says. “We also had to learn how to use a kiln!” ARTifact - Paint Your Own Pottery 321 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato 507-351-3111 artifactmankato.com

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September | October 2018

PHOTO: KRIS KATHMANN

Emily Green has a Bachelor’s of Science in History. Kim Ruby has a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. So it makes sense then, that the two friends would open up a unique art shop in the heart of Old Town Mankato. “Neither of us have any training in art or ceramics,” says Emily smiling. “But Kim is from Southern California and they have these type of studios everywhere out there. She would take her kids all of the time. She moved here over ten years ago and always wondered why Mankato didn’t have anything like it. When we met four years ago, we both had a desire to own our own business as a means to have a flexible schedule for our families. And we both thought Mankato could use more family friendly, creative options.” So they opened ARTifact in December 2017. ARTifact will supply pre-fired pottery and related materials in a comfortable, organized and artistically-inspiring environment for parties or individuals. “We also provide idea books and any assistance needed to get the “artist” started. You need only bring your ideas and inspiration to create unique gifts with a personal touch- like a mug with a child’s handprint, a custom photo frame, a bowl for a canine companion or a sweetly sentimental wedding gift,” says Emily. Walk-ins are always welcome at the studios on Riverfront Drive. “We LOVE our location! Our sign has great visibility and we are easy to find. Our block has good parking and our building has great old character,” she says. The concept is starting to gain in popularity, but she admits the

To be considered for HotStartz, tell us about a new business or new professional in the area by emailing editor@connectbiz.com.

MANKATO

PHOTO: KRIS KATHMANN

Mogwai Collaborative The space is cool, the enthusiasm of the director is infectious and the concept behind Mogwai Collaborative is starting to catch on. “We are not your run of the mill rentable office. We are a cool and inspiring atmosphere that you can use to come and work from for a day or monthly fee,” explains Stephanie Braun, director of Mogwai. “Our day passes are $40 or monthly membership is $249 (that breaks down to about $8 a day). Our memberships are month to month so you are never tied down and we are always all inclusive.” Owner Dain Fisher opened Mogwai Collaborative in the lower level of the Hubbard Building in July. Already 10 businesses have become members, the goal is 48. “We aim to provide an innovative, thriving and collaborative environment to meet the needs of the modern entrepreneur in our region,” she explains. “There are many kinds of people who benefit from coworking. I have members that are millennials to retirees who are launching their own side business now. Typically, it breaks down into three categories: millennial, corporate partnerships and freelancers/home office/startups.” When building out the space, Mogwai was mindful of supporting others in Mankato. “We used 17 local businesses to create our space,” says Braun. “So when we say we are here to support local, we literally built our space on that motto. “Also being located inside the Hubbard building gives us easy access to many resources. The Small Business Development Center is one floor above us. We have MSU’s Strategic Partnerships and

Mogwai Collaborative Director Stephanie Braun.

the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Social Butterfly, Bolton & Menk (who have a green screen video production here) Webytor, Pantheon Computers, Mankato Computer Repair (is coming this fall) and Belize Sotheby’s International. So literally you can walk in the door, start working out of Mogwai Collaborative, go upstairs and meet with the SBDC for your business plan, hire your fresh talent from CIE, get your marketing done through Social Butterfly, build your website through Webytor, shoot a commercial on Bolten & Menk’s green screen, have your lunch right outside at the HUB and then book a vacation through Belize Sotheby’s International.” Mogwai Collaborative 424 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato 310-922-1031 mogwaicollaborative.com

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Principal Engineer, Mankato, MN Jason appreciates Bolton & Menk’s focus on client satisfaction, while still providing work/life balance that allows employees to grow careers and enjoy family life. Jason’s work/life balance includes promoting local kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding adventures. We live, work and play where you live, work and play. Bolton-Menk.com

Providing public infrastructure solutions since 1949. CONNECT Business Magazine

By Lisa Cownie Photo by Kris Kathmann

Tessa Donato of Mankato’s

Many Languages, One Company, One Voice

LinguaOne explains how the region’s

language of business is changing rapidly.

іGracias por ser nuestro cliente! Macmiil, Mahadsanid Business no longer takes place in a monolinguistic world. “The United States is sorely behind all other countries when it comes to linguistic advancement,” explains Tessa Donato, founder of Mankato-based LinguaOne. “Approximately 60-75% of the world’s population speaks, at least, two languages. Throughout Europe, it is not uncommon for people to know four to six languages. This facilitates traveling around the world with ease, networking, business dealings and cultural growth and mutual respect. The United States places less value on teaching world languages, which will eventually make it more difficult for us to do commerce, travel, and connect with people.” As an example, she cites a recent experience she had while on a family vacation in London, England. “We bought our kids some pastries at a nearby café,” she recalls. “The woman assisting the customer before us spoke French. Then, she turned to us and spoke English. Then, she turned to her co-worker and spoke German. My son, Johann, got the point she was multilingual, and he switches to Spanish and says, ‘Hola.’ Without a wink, she turned to him and replied, ‘Hola, cómo estás?’ Tremendous! She was fluid upon each linguistic transition all within 46

September | October 2018

a matter of less than five minutes. It was quite lovely, and I nearly had tears in my eyes. So, imagine how many customers you can reach effectively and within their comfort level, and provide them with the care that they are in need. Makes for a very loyal client!” With a rapidly diversifying workforce, in order to be successful businesses must learn to embrace new cultures. That starts with embracing new ways to communicate. It’s happening not only around the world, but right here in our corner of it: southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. “In our region, the need stems primarily from what I refer to as the Three S’s: Spanish, Somali and Sign Language (American Sign Language),” she explains. “But embedded in our communities are so many others like Arabic, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. But what is emerging here and what is really changing is the need for more languages of lesser diffusion...that means they are rare, like tribal languages. One country alone can represent over 50 languages. A little quiz I like to give people is, ‘How many languages do you think exists in the world?’. You would be surprised how many say, ‘100, or 200’. They are astounded when they find out that our world has more than 6,700 languages. So, when we are working with people needing and using language services, we consider many different factors, for instance, what part of the country are continued >

CONNECT Business Magazine

Many Languages, One Company, One Voice | they from, what is their social class, what is their education level, how many years have they lived in the U.S., what is their gender? Just to name a few.” Donato formed LinguaOne 15 years ago. She started it knowing that one day there would be need for mainstream translation and interpretation services. LinguaOne focuses on interpretation and translation, from one language to another. She says the two are often confused. She clarifies Interpretation is the oral transmission from one language to another. Translation is the written transmission of the language from one to another. She has access to more than 10,000 qualified interpreters and translators nationwide. Services are delivered via three modes: in-person, telephonic and video in over 300 languages, including American Sign Language by certified and qualified interpreters. In fact, her translation services are executed by American Translator’s Association certified translators delivering translations within 24 to 48 hours. She maintains that of the thousands of ways a business venture can fail, most can be traced back to miscommunication. So combatting that should be a part of any modern-day business plan. “I would like to reference Maslow. He created the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,” she explains. “The bottom of the pyramid of needs is food, water and safety. Yet, communication is quite fundamental, and should really be on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs too. Without these basic needs, poor communication, misunderstandings cause delays in work productivity, and difficulties in work civility. More and more our cultures and language are intertwined and cannot be extracted from themselves. It takes a professional with this level of expertise to facilitate communication, because most of our misunderstandings are due to concepts that do not exist in each other’s cultures. For example, the idea of life insurance. When you are living day to day, and you have food on the table, a roof over your head, and you are not living in fear of

September | October 2018

LinguaOne

being killed, you probably are not going to be too interested in life insurance due to the fact that you are living! Life insurance is not a benefit in a lot of countries, let alone accessible and affordable. However, life insurance is a very important benefit that people who are not from the U.S. need to know and take advantage of to protect their families.”

“When I’m consulting I take a look at what is going to bring value to the company. So if I know that the main population a business is targeting doesn’t tend to read their own language, then we need to find a different way to send the message.” The services Donato provides through LinguaOne, are becoming increasingly crucial to the way we do business in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. In this region, a majority of her work is with business, education, health care, and legal services, and she says her services are becoming increasingly necessary to Human Resource Departments in a variety of industries. “Really as our workforce diversifies, companies should get a service like LinguaOne on board early for proactive purposes. For instance, we can help with onboarding meeting and written materials, or any important documents that might need translating,

Beautiful Floors

What’s A Polygot?

for a

Tessa Donato: “I wanted to share that most of our interpreters speak three languages or more. I have one interpreter that speaks five languages, and another that speaks and writes nine. When a person is multilingual of this nature, they are called a ‘polygot’.”

especially if it is a document that requires a signature. This makes it a legal document between both parties,” she says. “When I’m consulting I take a look at what is going to bring value to the company. So if I know that the main population a business is targeting doesn’t tend to read their own language, then we need to find a different way to send the message. Maybe using a lot of visual could be the method. That’s an important thing for a business to understand. Sometimes a lot of effort goes into trying to write the message but if it’s not the way they are used to receiving it, then the message will be lost or misunderstood. Culture plays a big role. And gender plays a role, too. In some cultures, one gender may have little or no education so that’s a factor to keep in mind. Know your audience.”

“I think a lot of people think interpretation and translation are just words but that is not correct. You have to consider the context, consider any kind of nuance, politics and economics of the time.” Donato is passionate about making sure people know that translation and interpretation are more than just listening to a bunch of words in one language and finding the same word in another language. She explains there are nuances and sensitivity in the way details are communicated to different groups. If ideas, concepts and details can’t be communicated properly, it leads to confusion and that can lead to problems for your business. “I think a lot of people think interpretation and translation are just words but that is not correct. You have to consider the context, consider any kind of nuance, politics and economics of the time. All of those elements shift people’s meaning and what they are trying to convey. Body language is important as well as tone of voice. Many people think that they can Google Translate an isolated word or phrase and be done! However, translation is much more complex than that.” she says.

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Many Languages, One Company, One Voice

Jay Weir

Mike Donohoe

The James R. Weir Insurance Agency has merged with Arthur J. Gallagher, one of the worlds largest insurance brokers. We both

It’s a passion that began for her long ago. Donato fell in love with Spanish the first time she heard it on her elementary school playground in Madelia. She knew then and there that language would be a part of her life’s journey. She studied Spanish and American Sign Language eventually graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato. The springboard to LinguaOne came after her job as a bilingual financial worker with Blue Earth County. “People kept asking me for referrals for other languages,” she explains. “For instance, someone asked me at that time for a Vietnamese interpreter. I would say ‘well I know of one but I don’t know their credentials and I’m not comfortable necessarily recommending them’. So as people kept asking, I decided I might as well try to branch out and find interpreters and translators I could verify.” She started by building her network, which meant doing some networking of her own. “I traveled around to conferences and joined industry organizations taking on leadership roles. It helped me learn more in-depth about interpreting and translation and that’s what I bring to my business.” Today, her network consists of 30 plus local employees that she stresses she is grateful for their talent and dedication to the field and community. In any given year, she may contract over the 12 months with 250 interpreters and translators from around the world. She ensures all are professional, qualified and proficient. “The most important role of an interpreter is to facilitate direct communication. When I think of that on a quick, superficial level, it sounds easy. However, when you put it in the context of someone being ill, it is not. For instance, when a person is in pain, or doesn’t have the understanding of what our healthcare system is like, or has never been in a hospital, this can produce a level of

share the same philosophical commitment that puts our clients first and now we can offer our clients a greater level of specialized insurance and risk management insurance expertise. The merger represents the coming together of two well known companies to better enhance our client relationships.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Phone: 507-387-3433 208 N Broad Street | Mankato, MN 56001 3600 American Blvd. West, Suite 500 Bloomington, MN 55431

September | October 2018

Training Is Key A Cross-Cultural Communications licensed trainer provides high quality training for LinguaOne interpreters using the International Community Interpreter Curriculum which covers five modules: Introduction to Community Interpreting, Interpreting Protocol and Skills, Strategic Mediation, Professional Identity, and The Role of the Community Interpreter. In order to become a qualified interpreter, interpreters need to pass an exam with an 80% or higher score, a terminology test, and participate in an Oral Proficiency Interview. Additionally, LinguaOne offers Medical Terminology training and training to prepare for the national certification exams.

LinguaOne

Dress in Comfort, anxiety, and fear,” she explains. “These elements interfere with direct communication in many ways. For example, if I am in great pain, I cannot express in much detail the specifics of pain such as where the pain is, an idea of why I am in pain, and words that describe pain such as pulsating, stabbing, pinching, and burning. I may not even know that pain has such detail, I just know that I am in pain. However, in order for a medical doctor to treat pain and get to the root cause, they need to have specific details in order

The Science Behind the Linguistics Donato says aside from communicating, learning more than one language has other benefits, too. “There are amazing benefits to being bi-,tri-, or multilingual. The cognitive benefits are phenomenal. Multilingual-speaking people have the ability to resolve problems, retain a higher level or information, concentrate better and longer, relationships are flexible, interactive and fluid. In other words, it is easier for us to get along with someone that we do not know. Being multilingual has health benefits such as obtaining friendships across cultural borders, and preventing diseases such as Alzheimer’s!” And she says, the earlier you start, the better. “I think it is important to understand some brain science here. As infants, we are born with over quadrillion brain cells. Each brain cell has over 10,000 abilities to connect with other brain cells. When these cellular brain cells ignite, you have supported that infant’s learning. From there, it is like exercising, as long as you exercise that connection, the child will retain what s/he has learned. However, if NO connection has been made, then those cells DIE and we have completely lost learning opportunities. This is called, ‘pruning’. Unfortunately, pruning happens very early in life around the age of five. Children have the capacity to learn multiple languages at the same time! So you can see how important it is to introduce other languages early on rather than wait until ninth or tenth grade.”

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to treat us optimally. “Or here is another example, I may be working with a lawyer that uses judicial, legal, law enforcement, and insurance terms. Again, these are not a lay person’s way of speaking for anyone, let alone someone who may be an immigrant, refugee or migrant. I need to work with the immigrant’s level of understanding which is derived from their life experiences and their education level, possible level of trauma if any and fuse the level of education and experience that a lawyer has.” Donato says her business didn’t really “take off ” until 2012, but she is proud that LinguaOne has never had a year in the red. Which is an enormous feat since most small businesses fail within five years of commencement. “Even though over the years there have been lots of peaks and valleys in the economy, we have stayed stable,” she says. “It speaks to my financial gift and ability to negotiate that I didn’t realize I had until I started my own business!” According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Donato says her industry expects 18% growth in Translators and Interpreters over the next few years. She cautions businesses to make sure the person they use is certified and credible. LinguaOne provides training to bilingual staff so that they are better prepared to perform linguistic functions on the job. “There is the danger of ‘false fluency’. Where a person self-declares that they are proficient in both languages and cultures, yet the person has little to no education, training, nor is tested for their ability. Most cases, these persons acting as interpreters are ad hoc, meaning, they are bilingual, but not professionals who continue to develop their linguistic skills, and uphold a code of conduct,” she says. It’s not all business though for Donato and LinguaOne. “One of the fun things we get to do is translate adoption papers,” she smiles. “I hear good stories about that and it brings me joy. Another time we had a customer that found an old letter in her attic that was written in old German. Truly it was from ions ago! It was an elderly woman that had found the letter in her attic while cleaning. I asked her to scan it and send it to me. Well, she mailed it to me, the original! So I was nervous about that. (She laughs) I had it translated and she was just so happy. She took it to her family reunion and read it out loud. “That was unique because I had to do a lot of research to find that person. It’s not like your typical German translator knows old German. But the search was fun and we ended up finding a professor. She was wonderful.” Currently, LinguaOne has two offices, one in Mankato and another in Orlando, Florida. LinguaOne's future goals are to establish offices internationally in Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Editor Lisa Cownie writes from Mankato.

THE ESSENTIALS

LinguaOne, Inc. 100 Warren Street, Suite 323, Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-351-8787 Website: linguaone.com 52

September | October 2018

FEATURE

Extending Our Reach

Carlienne Frisch CONTRIBUTOR

For the past 24 years, Connect Business Magazine has provided a connection among business owners and decision makers in nine southern Minnesota counties. With our September 2018 issue, which you are reading, we extend our network of business connections to four southwestern Minnesota Counties–Lyon, Redwood, Cottonwood and Jackson, as well as two counties in northern Iowa–Dickinson and Emmet. We welcome readers and businesses in these counties and look forward to introducing them to you and to one another in upcoming Connect issues with the usual in-depth feature stories. As we do so, we will continue to bring you business profiles from the nine counties we have been privileged to serve since 1994. The rich soils of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa make agriculture an important part in each county’s economy, so it’s not surprising that ag-related manufacturing and retail businesses are an integral part of the area. Industries and retail businesses in the six counties are, however, many and varied, and tourism plays a part, too. In fact, tourism is the most important industry in Dickinson County, Iowa. To introduce our readers to the business communities in southwestern Minnesota and northern Iowa, we looked at statistics. We talked with Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development directors, and of course, we heard from some of the people in the trenches – business owners and decision makers like you. Among the things we learned is that the residents of these counties want to attract (or keep) young people who will bring new energy and ideas to their business sectors. 54

September | October 2018

LYON COUNTY, MINNESOTA Lyon County, which was platted in 1872, was named for the first Union general to be killed in the Civil War, Nathaniel Lyon. The 2010 census showed a county population of 13,680. The county covers 722 square miles, of which 715 are land. Lyon County includes 10 cities, 20 townships and four unincorporated communities. Marshall, the Lyon County seat, is the headquarters of the Schwan Food Company, a privately-owned company that is the county’s largest employer, hiring about 1,100 people. The company sells frozen foods, including not only Schwan’s brand, but also Red Baron, Freschetta, Tony’s, Mrs. Smith’s, Edwards and Larry’s, through home delivery, to grocery stores and by mail. A medical facility, Avera, is Marshall’s second largest employer, with about 600 employees, followed by U.S. Bank and Southwest Minnesota State University. Marshall is also the site of Exelon Wind’s Marshall Wind Project. “We have a reputation for economic vitality,” points out Tara Onken, Marshall’s Economic Development Director. “In 2016, Marshall was Number 27 in Newsmap’s Fifty Best Small Towns in America, and WCCO-TV voted Marshall’s Red Baron Arena and Expo as the best hockey rink in Minnesota. We boast many amenities of a larger city without all the hassle. We have lots of community parks and bike trails.” Business owner Jennifer Johnson agrees. Johnson co-owns Marshall Ace Hardware, a third generation business that employs 55 people. She described the local business climate as “steady,” explaining, “We’re building houses and need more contractors.

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Connect Business Magazine Expands into New Territory

manager for 13 years, said the boutique has become a destination location for shoppers from other communities. She explains, “With 100,000 square feet, a 30-year history with the furniture store, and no other clothing store here, we thought, ‘Why not?’” Revier says she enjoys reading about other service businesses in the region and what specialty they provide. Closer to home, she says, “I love when people ask what else there is to see and do here and where to eat.”

Downtown Marshall

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

It’s a good economy at this time. “In reading about business, I’d like to learn how to attract new employees to southwestern Minnesota,” Johnson says, “and to read about what’s going on in the rest of the state.” REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA Founded in 1862 near the confluence of the Redwood River and the Minnesota River, Redwood County showed a population of 16,059 in the 2010 census. The county covers 882 square miles, all but three being land. Redwood Falls, the county seat, is one of 15 cities. There are two unincorporated communities and two townships. One major employer in Redwood Falls is Daktronics, which employs 200 people in the manufacture of video displays, scoreboards, digital billboards and dynamic message signs. Redwood Area Hospital, which also employs nearly 200 people, provides comprehensive care for patients from several counties. The prairies of Redwood County, which now produce corn and soybeans, gained national attention in the television series “Little House on the Prairie,” which fictionalized the semi-autobiographical books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Ingalls family’s dugout site, just 1.5 miles north of the community of Walnut Grove, brings visitors from across the world. Between 5,000 and 10,000 people (depending on the weather) attend the historical pageant held each summer. By mid-July this year, Ingalls fans from 49 states, several Canadian provinces and 30 other countries had visited Walnut Grove. Redwood County also boasts the Gilfillan Estate, which, for the past 24 years, has been the site of Farmfest, one of the largest farm shows in the Midwest. Over three days each summer, Farmfest attracts approximately 30,000 visitors to the Gilfillan Estate, according to Anne Johnson, the director of Redwood Area Chamber and Tourism. Another area employer is the Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, just across the river from Redwood Falls, in Renville County. The enterprise, operated by the Lower Sioux Indian Community (part of the Mdewakankton Band of Dakota), provides employment for more than 700 people in the area, Johnson said. The University of Minnesota’s Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton employs about 25 people for research on corn, soybeans and small grains. In Redwood Falls, Megan Revier, manager of A&W Furniture and Laney Lu’s Boutique, which employ 40 people, describes herself as “a home-town girl who returned.” Revier, who has been the

COTTONWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA Cottonwood County, established in May 1857, was named for the Cottonwood River and the abundance of the cottonwood trees growing on its banks. The 2010 census showed a population of 11,687. Of the county’s 649 square miles, 639 are land. The county includes watersheds of both the Minnesota River and the Des Moines River. Windom, the Cottonwood County seat, was named for William Windom, a U.S. senator from Minnesota (1881-1883) and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under three presidents. The most significant industries are the Toro plant, which employs up to 750 people, and Fast Sprayers, with 200 to 300 employees. But it’s the charm of this small city that is most noteworthy, according to Anna Smith, the executive director of the Windom Chamber of Commerce.

“You don’t get the taste of [Windom] driving through on Highway 60. The Square, which is only one block off the highway, has about 15 various restaurants.” “Windom is unique,” Smith says. “You don’t get the taste of it driving through on Highway 60. The Square, which is only one block off the highway, has about 15 various restaurants. Near the courthouse are a few retail shops, making it a pretty downtown.” One of the restaurants, the River City Eatery, is owned by 35-yearold Mari Harries, who grew up in Windom and is passionate about keeping the community vital. “I want to show young people–anyone, really–that you don’t have to leave rural Minnesota to be successful,” Harries says. “I love to take traditional Midwestern or Minnesota recipes and make them unique, fresh and modern, approachable but different. I do a lot of research into digital marketing. I want to learn more about marketing and attracting travelers and visitors to Southwestern Minnesota. The more traffic, the better.” In the northern part of Cottonwood County, visitors are drawn to the Jeffers Petroglyphs, near the community of Jeffers. Exhibits at the interpretive center explain the pre-European rock carvings and provide trail information. Visitors can examine images that Native Americans recorded on south-facing rocks. The petroglyphs are on the National Register of Historic Places. JACKSON COUNTY, MINNESOTA Located on Interstate 90, the city of Jackson is the county seat of Jackson County, which was founded in 1857. The county was named for Henry Jackson, who served in the Minnesota Territorial CONNECT Business Magazine

CONTINUED: Extending Our Reach

AGCO’s Intivity Center in Jackson.

Jay Mulso, the Visitor's services manager, says, “The Intivity Center, where innovation meets productivity, is part of the AGCO manufacturing plant at 202 Industrial Parkway,” Mulso said. “We get 3,000 to 4,000 visitors a year. A lot of them are dealers and potential customers, but we get some families coming off the interstate.” Other industries include Hitch Doc, a manufacturer of trailer hitches, and Ametek TSE, a privately-held company that partners with top medical device manufacturers internationally to design and manufacture technology solutions for clinical use. Jackson’s major businesses also include Dupont Pioneer Hi-Bred International, which develops corn and soybean hybrids, Crystal Valley, a farm supply and grain marketing cooperative, New Fashion Pork, a producer of pork in seven states, and Erickson Trucks and Parts. Mulso sees Jackson as an excellent place to do business because, he said, “It’s a very progressive, forward-looking town that has a lot of community involvement.” DICKINSON COUNTY, IOWA Dickinson County, Iowa was organized in 1857 and named in honor of Daniel S. Dickinson, a New York politician who was con56

September | October 2018

Tanya Johnson owns Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge in Spirit Lake.

sidered as a possible vice-presidential candidate on Abraham Lincoln’s slate in 1864. The 2010 census indicated a population of 16,667 in the county. Of the county’s 404 square miles, 381 are land, with 23 square miles of water. The county’s 10 cities include Spirit Lake, which is the county seat, Arnold’s Park, home to recently renovated Arnolds Park Amusement Park and the Maritime Museum, Okoboji and one unincorporated community. Tourism is the county’s foremost industry, according to Blain Andera, executive director of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Dickinson County boasts the popular vacation destinations of West Okoboji Lake, East Okoboji Lake and Spirit Lake. The three lakes attract visitors to boating, water skiing, wake surfing, wake boarding, paddle boarding and kayaking. The Okoboji Yacht Club offers sailing opportunities and holds multiple regional regattas, as well as national competitions. For fishing enthusiasts, there’s walleye, bass, musky, bluegill and perch. The area also boasts a large number of quality recreational trails used by walkers and bicyclists. Tanya Johnson, owner of Kabele’s Trading Post and Lodge in Spirit Lake, said, “Because fishing is an activity for anybody at any age, we get a lot of customers from several hours away. I like that we’re a small town, but in the summer we get a lot of tourism and meet new people. In the winter, ice fishing is very good, so we’re also very busy then.” Although known for its many recreational opportunities, the area boasts a substantial manufacturing base, according to Kiley Miller, the president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. Spirit Lake City Administrator, Gregg Owens, said the area benefits from employers of many sizes producing a variety of products, all with national and international demand. The companies include Spirit Lake-based Indian Motor Cycles (a division of Polaris Industries), Rosenboom Machine and Tool, Inc. (a manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders), and Pure Fishing (which produces fishing tackle), U.S. Power Train (producing new and remanufactured drive train components for domestic and foreign vehicles) and BrownMed (specialized medical products). Rembrandt Foods located its corporate offices in Spirit Lake. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs chose Spirit Lake as the location for a new regional medical center and outpatient clinic. Now nearing completion, it is intended to serve veterans from areas of Iowa and Minnesota. One of two industrial parks in Spirit Lake, the Lakes Business Park, is located on the west side of the community. An 80-acre park

PHOTOS: SUBMITTED

House of Representatives, and who was a co-founder, with Parsons K. Johnson, of the city of Mankato in Blue Earth County. Of Jackson County’s 719 square miles, 703 are land. Jackson County includes six cities, 20 townships and seven unincorporated communities. The estimated 2016 census was 9,900. The city of Jackson’s location at the junction of Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 71 provides a substantial boon for manufacturing and tourism. Chamber of Commerce Director Sharon Hennings says, “We love I-90 because it provides for efficient shipping for our manufacturing facilities. From the viewpoint of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, we also benefit. Because I-90 crosses the state, we capture visitors from both the east and west. Jackson is a great stop for motorcyclists going to Sturgis, S.D. After connecting with I-90, Highway 71 goes south to the Okoboji recreation area and, in the other direction, all the way to northern Minnesota. Jackson is a good place to stop, coming from any direction.” The city of Jackson is the home of several nationally-known manufacturing and processing companies. One is AGCO Jackson Operations, which manufactures complex, custom-configured agricultural machines, including tractors and application equipment, and which offers visitors an interpretive museum called the Intivity Center.

dedicated to commercial and industrial ventures, it has wetlands and natural areas spread among business properties. Across town is the East Lake Industrial Park, a 130-acre development site just 1.5 miles from downtown Spirit Lake, currently home to a FedEx distribution center. Owens pointed out that the downtown area of Spirit Lake has seen a resurgence, with an influx of new business and a major increase in new construction and remodeling activity. EMMET COUNTY, IOWA Emmet County, located in the Des Moines River Valley, was founded in 1851. It was named for Irish patriot Robert Emmet, who was hanged in 1803, at age 25, for high treason against the British king. Covering an area of 408 square miles, Emmet County has 401.4 square miles of land and 6.6 square miles of water. The 2010 population was 10,302. The county’s six cities include Armstrong, Dolliver, Estherville, Gruver, Ringsted and Wallingford. There are eight unincorporated communities and 12 townships. Industry reflects the county’s agricultural base. Several food processing plants call Estherville home. They include Redwood

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“The art of industrial development has changed over the years as the individual entrepreneur receives more attention. In Estherville, we connect entrepreneurs with the innovative resources necessary to accelerate the next generation of dynamic Estherville businesses.” Farms Meat Processing, which processes pork, and two companies involved in egg processing, Daybreak Foods and Estherville Foods. Central Byproducts, a part of Farmers Union Industries of Redwood Falls, Minn., provides a full-service rendering company operating in three facilities that process a variety of livestock feed. Estherville’s largest employer, GKN Wheel, employs 300 people in the manufacture of wheels for industry and agriculture, according to Lyle Hevern, executive director of the Estherville Area Partnership for Growth. Another significant employer is Art-Way Manufacturing, which produces a variety of agricultural equipment. Hevern said, “The art of industrial development has changed over the years as the individual entrepreneur receives more attention. In Estherville, we connect entrepreneurs with the innovative resources necessary to accelerate the next generation of dynamic Estherville businesses.” Ruter also sees a bright future for Estherville, saying, “There are a lot of opportunities for young professionals in our community. As business people are retiring, there are many opportunities for a young person to move into an enterprise at a medium to high level. “We’ve had quite a renaissance in downtown Estherville,” Ruter said, “with specialty shops, new restaurants, coffee shops and a small arts-and-crafts co-op. A local contractor has begun building 10 homes on spec because we need housing stock to attract new employees.”

Catch the Hometown Business Connection on KEYC News 12! KEYC News 12 and Connect Business Magazine bring you the stories of area local businesses and how they impact Southern Minnesota. • First Wednesday of the month on KEYC News 12 at 6 • Repeats Thursday on KEYC News 12 Midday • See all previous episodes on keyc.com

Carlienne Frisch writes from Mankato.

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BULLETIN BOARD Local Chamber and Economic Development News City of Fairmont

Check Out What’s Happening In Your ! y t i n u m m o C

Linsey Preuss: Fairmont is honored to be chosen by First Children’s Finance to participate in the Rural Child Care Innovation Program. This program will address the challenges of child care in the Fairmont area. Child care has become a rural economic development issue as it affects low and middle income families, which also affects businesses hungry for working adults. Fairmont is excited to work towards a child care solution for our community and our businesses alike.

Greater Mankato Growth Rosi Back: Join us for the 2018 Tour of Manufacturing on Thursday, October 4 from 9 am to 3 pm and “Job Seeker” Saturday, October 6 from 9 am to 1 pm. This event is like a “Parade of Homes” that is FREE to students, job seekers and the public. Community members will be able to stop by for a self-guided or guided tour of any of the participating manufacturers.

Lake Crystal Area Chamber

Blue Earth Chamber Cindy Lyon: Blue Earth has had a giant summer full of events and happenings: Art in the Park, Giant Days, Quilt & Carver’s Expo, REV, CEDA, a mission to revive buildings on Main referred to as the “3 Sisters” and more. September 14 and 15 is the annual City Wide Garage Sale; November 3 is the W.O.W. Expo and November 9 is our Holiday Sampler “roundabout.” The new “Giant Welcome Center & Giant Memorabilia Museum” occupancy is set for October 1 with grand-giant opening late fall!

Visit Fairmont Stephanie Busiahn: We are excited to host the 2018 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Invitational, September 7-9 at the Martin County Fairgrounds and the Fairmont Trap Club. Approximately 800 youth gather for this event to compete in shooting sports of all kinds. We want to welcome all the contestants, their families and their instructors to our community and we invite them to explore all that our area has to offer through our website, VisitFairmontMN.com!

Fairmont Area Chamber Benjamin Landsteiner: For the past 15 years, the Business Education Committee of the Fairmont Area Chamber has hosted an annual Teacher Recognition Banquet to welcome new teachers to our community and honor those who have achieved twenty-five years of service to our district. This year’s event will be held in late October. Residents and businesses use this as an opportunity to meet area educators and to thank them for their service by sponsoring their meal or providing gifts.

Julie Reed: Lake Crystal invites our car enthusiasts to our final evening of Cruz ‘IN Lake Crystal on September 13. The fall city wide garage sale will be held on September 7 and 8. Maps and handouts will be available to all “sale go-ers”, beginning the Thursday prior, online and at many local businesses. We also look forward to the many guests that will enter town for the upcoming October 7 Mankato River Ramble. The Lake Crystal 42 mile loop is a favorite to many.

Le Sueur Area Chamber Judy Boyland: Welcome new business and Chamber member B-Fierce Nutrition Smoothie & Juice Bar. The 8th Annual Le Sueur County Senior Expo will be held on Thursday, October 18 at the Le Sueur Henderson/High School Commons Area. The Senior Expo is a day of fun, education, and entertainment for senior citizens. If you are interested in becoming a vendor and sharing information about your organization with our local seniors, please contact the Chamber office in Le Sueur at 507-665-2501.

Madelia Area Chamber Karla Angus: The city is gearing up for the Younger Brothers History Fest on Saturday, September 15 at the Watona Park and Watonwan County Historical Center in Madelia. Explore Madelia’s history and heritage with Historic Trolley Tours, Golf Round Up, Robbers on the Run/Walk, Classic Car & Antique Show and much more. Go to visitmadelia.com for a full listing. Madelia's new business and Chamber member, Prairie Pride Quilts, will be opening in September.

New Ulm Area Chamber Sarah Warmka: The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Ideation Consulting and Red Dragon Gaming as new members! Network New Ulm, the Chamber’s leadership program, CONNECT Business Magazine

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begins in September with a full class. September and October events include HermannFest (September 8), Modenschau Fashion Show (September 20), New Ulm Area Wedding Show (October 7) and Oktoberfest (October 5-6 and 12-13).

Nicollet Chamber

Sleepy Eye EDA

Alesia Slater: Welcome back all school staff and teachers! We have some great events coming up for the fall: the Scarecrow Contest at NPS, Trunk or Treat open to the public, date to be determined. Fall Garage Sales will be held Sept 21 and 22. Crusin’ on Pine and 99 will continue every other Thursday through Thursday, October 4. New for the month of November will be Small Business Saturday. Follow us at nicollet.org for all details about our events.

Kurk Kramer: I recently spent three days with Ron Drake, a downtown revitalization consultant and author of the book “Flip This Town”. We spent time during his three day stay meeting with Main Street property owners, realtors, and local bankers. There were over 200 people in attendance for Ron's community presentation with a lot of good participation and enthusiasm shown by those in attendance. There currently is a renewed interest in Sleepy Eye in the revitalization of our downtown district!

Region Nine Development Comm.

Waseca Area Chamber

Nicole Griensewic Mickelson: Region Nine is launching a Feast! Smart Start program in south central Minnesota. This program will help build resources for creating a sustainable and resilient food economy by providing training to local food entrepreneurs. Participants will leave the one-year program with tangible skills and a driven plan to continue growth with their business. Learn more at rndc.org/feastsmartstart.

Small Business Development Center Julie Nelson: In addition to one-on-one customized and confidential consulting, SBDC’s core services include seminars and training geared to the needs of business. View our training calendar and register by visiting myminnesotabusiness.com; click on Training & Events.

St. James Area Chamber Joe McCabe: Blackhawk Machine Shop was sold to Maverick Enterprises LLC; the Opera House Restoration Project received a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society; the former Dueber’s building is being converted into a sports and indoor soccer store. The American Legion recently joined the Chamber. Proceeds from the 15th Annual St. James Golf Invitational benefitted the School District 840 Foundation, St. James Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.

St. James EDA Jamie Scheffer: Come to St. James and experience our “just pawsome” new dog park! Bring your dog and make a day of it at Unleashed Dog Park. This park is located on the northeast edge of town and is not your average dog park. This spacious park has over two acres of wooded and grassy play area, perfect for enjoying a game of fetch.

St. Peter Area Chamber Ed Lee: St. Peter is home to the free outdoor music with Rock Bend Folk Fest on September 8 and 9 and Oktoberfest on September 28 and 29. Shop-hopping with Girls Night Out will be October 4. 60

St. Peter will launch “Holiday Fun” in October to celebrate the holiday shopping season. Watch for a calendar of events, holiday open houses and specials that go through December.

September | October 2018

Staff: The Waseca Chamber Executive Board recognizes Kim Foels for her many years of service to this community and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

Waseca Economic Development Gary Sandholm: After closing on December 31, 2017, the Quad Graphics plant has been sold! 786,000 sq. ft. of opportunity with rail access awaits only a mile from Highway 14. Full details are not available at press time, but this is a very good piece of news for the Waseca community. Stay tuned as this and other things develop.

Discover Waseca Tourism Gary Sandholm: August 30 starts the Sesquicentennial celebration with four days of activities and fun with a talent show, 5k, golf, fireworks on Clear Lake, and much more. The 31st Annual Waseca Marching Classic takes to the streets and competition fields on September 22. The Sinister Forest returns October 20, 21, 27 and 28 at Maplewood Park. Prepare to be scared!

Winnebago City Council Jean Anderson: Construction will continue through early October on the 7.6 miles of Highway 169 between Blue Earth and Winnebago. Lighting is also being installed at the intersections of Highway 169 with County Road 6 and County Road 10. During construction, motorists will experience lane restrictions and flagging operations as work is done under traffic. Local businesses will continue to be open.

Wells Area Chamber Beth Anderson: Local elections are around the corner, plan to attend the political forum sponsored and moderated by the WACC. Businesses and the downtown will be filled with fun, tricks & treats when we host our annual Trick or Treating Downtown on October 31! Plans for Wells Does it Bright are in the works for later this fall – remember to shop local!

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ASK A PROFESSIONAL

How Can A Small Business Keep Its Data Secure In 2018? There seems to be a new data breach, vulnerability, ransomware, or IT related lawsuit nearly every day. How can a small business keep up with this constantly changing landscape? The cloud has introduced some convenience, and even cost savings, but it has also introduced new security challenges. While this is by no means a comprehensive or complete guide to addressing every possible security threat, there are some standard practices that address most of them. It is a minefield out there, let’s see what we can do about it. Before we can discuss solutions, we must first discuss where these threats come from. Some of the most common paths to data loss are email, malicious web-sites, phishing (tricking users into releasing credentials, money, or confidential information), and security vulnerabilities in servers, computers, and network equipment. Another often overlooked threat is physical security, such as locks and cameras. A breach in any of these areas can lead to the release or loss of important data, which can pose both a financial and legal threat to your company.

expired, or insufficiently licensed, may provide little or no security protection. Antivirus (AV) software with behavioral analysis is your next layer. Modern AV programs do more than just look to a list of known viruses and try to stop them. They will analyze the behavior of the system to identify things that act like malicious software, even if it has never been seen before.

“While products are important, your users are your biggest threat. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help. Password complexity and rotation policies are important, though not perfect. Passwords can still be compromised, even if they are strong and frequently changed. Multi-factor authentication is a simple solution to this problem, and should be used on any internet accessible resources.” The first item, and probably the one you hear the most about, is on the product and software side. Data security involves multiple layers of defense, as no one product is perfect or impenetrable. A firewall should be considered your first line of defense. However, a firewall that is out of date, misconfigured, 62

September | October 2018

The AV that comes free with Microsoft Windows has come a long way, but it has no centralized management or reporting features to allow you to identify the who, what, when, where, and how of threats that have come into your organization. While many AV programs and firewalls can do a

Xac Dinsmore COO, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

lot to protect people from malicious emails, a dedicated mail security system is also recommended. Such systems will block known spammers, malicious links, and infected attachments. Keeping these emails out of the inbox is a lot better than hoping to stop them if someone clicks on it. The final, and in some ways, most important layer, is backups. If all else fails, and you are compromised, with good backups you will be able to get your business up and running in short order. Hybrid backup solutions are strongly recommended as cloud only or local only backups both come with drawbacks. A local only backup does not protect you from loss of data due to physical theft, fire, tornado, plumbing leak, or some other environmental factor. Cloud only backups tend to be slow to restore from, causing unnecessary downtime if you need to recover your data. Ideally, your backups run to a local destination first, and then get replicated to the cloud for both high speed access, and protection from environmental factors. If you primarily store your data in the cloud, backups are still of importance, though the approach may be different. While products are important, your users are your biggest threat. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help. Pass-