05/27/2010 - Dakota County Tribune Business Weekly

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ERIN JOHNSON TAD JOHNSON JESSICA HARPER

New law aims to protect local businesses 2A A ‘concrete’ idea for innovation 13A War veteran opens children’s store 48A

dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz

DATE27, ##, 2009 MAY 2010

VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 31, NUMBER 13

Dakota County Tribune Since 1884

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Customers urged to buy local

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INSIDE BIZ FORUM

The Minnesota Supreme Court created a new law when deciding to void governor’s unallotment decisions. 4A

Business owners in Burnsville, Rosemount starting new campaigns

TOM WEST BUSINESS 101

Small business owners should never give up their dreams easily when change is all that might be needed to reverse fortunes. CHRISTINE 5A PIGSLEY by Tad Johnson and Jessica Harper

d from f h stemmed another she saw based on the DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE concept of “the 365 acAs small businesses tivities people could do struggle to compete in the in the city of Minneaporecession, many are asklis.� ing consumers to “keep it She liked the conlocal.� cept because the site For many years, groups would feed followers Photos by Rick Orndorf such as business asso- A group of Burnsville business owners is planning to launch a new website in June that with a new activity each ciations and chambers will track area events, such as Art Fete (above), and offer daily deals from local merchants, day. But she said the of commerce have en- such as those in the Heart of the City (right). The Rosemount Business Council plans to website fell short of her couraged shopping lo- use The 3/50 Project as its model to spread its message to consumers to shop locally. expectations because it cally through a variety of wasn’t updated daily. three stores at a tim methods. “We want people to e. t A resurgence of the buy- lothink of where that dollar is going,� Litt cal message has emerged in recent terer said. “Am I sending it to someone in a months in such cities as Burnsville another state or could it be going to the p and Rosemount with individual people who could be coaching my child’s Š t business owners and groups taking team?� VD YL QJ W KH E UL FN D QG the lead. She said it is difficult to change peo P RU WD UV R XU Q DW LR Q LV E XL OW R Q p A group spearheaded by LeAnn ple’s spending habits, especially since so unch m Litterer of Frontier Design plans to launch many people travel throughout the Twin Th J ne ebsite in adad C the website KeepItInBurnsville.com in June. messages connected to the website, Cities every day and may spend money The website will have businesses offering dition to Facebook and Twitter accounts. while commuting or in the city where they a daily deal on a rotating basis, according to Another feature of the website will be a work. Litterer. The deal could range from a certain community calendar where people can list their She said business is also migrating to the inpercentage off products and services to compli- own events from in-store sales to community ternet. mentary gifts for purchases. happenings. “When we go out and do sales calls we get Litterer said she has a few businesses signed The group also plans to host its own events, a lot of people saying they get signs from the on already but is seeking more. including an exposition open to the public for Internet,� Litterer said. “It is about the businesses,� Litterer said. people to discover all the kinds of businesses The Rosemount Business Council, which is “They have to get involved for it to be success- Burnsville has to offer. The fair could be held as a part of the Dakota County Regional Chamful.� early as June. ber of Commerce, is another group working on The concept relies on traffic from local shopThe group has been working on launching a local campaign. pers looking for deals. The website will keep the website for the past six months. “The goal is to help business stay in the See Local, Page 9A consumers informed of the daily deal through Litterer said the idea to create a website

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BEST PRACTICES

KEVIN STIRTZ

Building one’s client list can be as simple as following a few steps by encouraging customer referrals. 5A

CAPITOL COMMERCE

T.W. BUDIG

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DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate selects running mate who once served under Republican governor. 10A

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General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011


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05/27/2010 - Dakota County Tribune Business Weekly by Dakota County Tribune - Issuu