10/14/2010 - Dakota County Tribune Business Weekly

Page 1

JESSICA HARPER T.W. BUDIG ANDREW MILLER

Eagan medical firm sold to Nordson Corp. 2A Minnesota state candidates debate the issues 7A Security firm offers digital-age solutions 8A

dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz

DATE ##, 2009 OCTOBER 14, 2010

VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 31, NUMBER 33

'DNRWD &RXQW\ 7ULEXQH Since 1884

B

U

S

I

N

E

S

S

w

e

e

k

l

y

Struggling small businesses reach out to SCORE

INSIDE BIZ FORUM

South Metro SCORE is seeing a growing number of clients and class attendees

Hopefully, our next governor and newly elected legislators will realize that a tax increase won’t f ix our state def icit. PHIL KRINKIE 4A

by Jessica Harper DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

When times were good, they were really good for Burnsville-based One2One Marketing. The company grew exponentially, joining the top 5 percent of promotions and marketing firms in the nation. But when the economy took a nose dive, One2One fell with it. “It was tough because Photo by Jessica Harper people don’t realize to adverBob McGovern, SCORE education chair (middle), has been counseling Elaine Grundhauser and Dave tise in bad times,� One2One Thorman of One2One Marketing for the past few months on how to find financing or refinancing options for Marketing President Elaine their business. Grundhauser said. Strapped for cash flow, the South Metro Chapter of SCORE is located company turned to the South at 101 W. Burnsville Parkway. Metro Chapter of SCORE Phone: (952) 890-7020 for help getting a U.S. Small Website: www.score-southmetro.org Business Administration Services are free. loan. Grundhauser is among a about 14.3 percent on average, One2One Vice growing number of smallPresident Dave Thorman said. business owners reaching out By 2009, One2One Marketing was forced to to SCORE, a small-business One2One Marketing is located lay off two of its employees. counseling agency formerly at 2210 E. 117th St. in Burnsville. Grundhauser and Thorman declined to say Phone: (952) 567-2790 known as the Service Corps whether the company is profitable. Website: www.one2onemktg.com of Retired Executives. Annual revenue: between $2 million Assistance from SCORE is helping “Five years ago most of and $5 million One2One Marketing wade through the rough our clients were new busiEmployees: 11 waves, though, Grundhauser said. nesses — today, it’s existing “They do a great job on giving advice and businesses,� said Ken Ahlcounsel in areas I didn’t know to get involved gren, chair of the South Metyears, I wanted to build something team- in,� she said. ro Chapter of SCORE. Like SCORE’s client base, its classes are also SCORE’s overall client base has increased building that respects its clients and has great about 30 percent, from 175 clients in 2009 to customer service,� said Grundhauser, who has growing, said McGovern, SCORE’s educaworked in the industry for more than 30 years. tion chair. 275 in 2010. Attendance has more than doubled over the Grundhauser has been working with “I wanted to make a difference in the marketpast year, from 155 students in 2009 to 363 in SCORE counselor Bob McGovern for several place.� The company’s clients include Cargill, the 2010. months on financing options. Due to the increased demand, South Metro Grundhauser founded One2One Market- state of Minnesota and SuperValu. SCORE added classes in Lakeville. It also ofThe 1990s were a booming time and the ing — a certified woman-owned small business that sells promotional, recognition and market- company grew rapidly, generating between $2 fers classes in Apple Valley and Burnsville, McGovern said. ing products to large and small corporations — million and $5 million in annual revenue. Teaching these classes has been rewarding But when the recession hit, revenues fell 15 in 1995. work, said McGovern, who has been a volunpercent between 2008 and 2010. At the same “Having been in the industry for many See SCORE, Page 48A time, the company’s gross margin dropped

In Brief

One2One

FORUM

Taxation is necessary to pull our state out of its budget woes. The next governor will need to f ind a proper balance. DON HEINZMAN 4A BUSINESS 101

KATHY HUUS

A trained expert, such as a commercial interior designer, can help your business build brand identity. 6A

BEST PRACTICES

Organizations that encourage mavericks will realize the benef its of engaging the world in new ways. JEFF APPELQUIST 6A

&

!""'! !

$

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


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.