2 Business
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Business
January 2015
B2B photos by Gary Miller/Photo illustration by Kenzie Blom
5 Under Under 40 By Dan Burdett - dburdett@w
[email protected] ctrib.com
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e have many distinguished, longtime business leaders among us who have made the Willmar area what it is today. But in looking forward, it’s important to acknowledge the future leaders we have here as well. That’s why we decided to start an annual “5 Under 40” issue, of which this is our second. We asked businesses and community members to nominate young
professionals who deserved to professionals be recognized in this issue. The response was once again beyond expectations. Every person nominated would have been worthy of being selected, but since we could only choose five, we had to narrow it down to the top choices. Every one of the five selected received multiple nods. The five featured in this issue represent a wide range of ages and
Nate Hultgren, from left, Jeff Madsen, Matt Stark, Carnie Allex and Jeanne Ashburn
professional fields. Some were born professional and raised in the Willmar area, while others found themselves here by coincidence. But all of them have one important thing in common: They represent the next generation of leaders in the Willmar area. We hope you enjoy reading their stories as much as we have enjoyed working on this issue. (Stories begin on Page 2.)
January 2015
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Carnie Allex Allex
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life at work and home is as good as it gets
Hard work reaps rewards, benefits
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arnie Allex is exactly where she wants to be in life. She’s the director of the pharmacy department at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. It’s a job she loves. She’s a member of the Renville County West School Board, intent to change the district for the better. She’s active in her church, Zion Lutheran, engaged in fundraisers and other events to give a little lit tle back to Danube, the close-knit community 26 miles south of Willmar she and husband, Gene, call home. And she’s a mother of three: two daughters, ages 12 and 6, and a 10-year-old son. “I’m very content with my life,” life, ” Carnie, 39, said during an interview in her second-floor office at the city-owned cit y-owned hospital. Carnie was raised in the flats of Hamlin County, a few miles south of Watertown, South Dakota, on a farmstead home to her father’s hog, cattle and crop operation. At a young age, she showed proficiency in chemistry that led to her studies at South Dakota State Stat e University’s College of Pharmacy in Brookings. Upon graduation in 1999, she moved to the Willmar area and began work at an independent retail pharmacy in Olivia. She joined Rice, a place she interned for a summer while at university, in 2001 as the pharmacy clinic coordinator, working her way up t o pharmacy director within five years. Today, Carnie directs a staff of 18: nine pharmacists and nine pharmacy technicians, and is responsible for overseeing the delivery of medications for patients at Rice Ri ce Memorial Hospital, Rice Care Center and Willmar Regional Cancer Center. This includes working alongside physicians and staff to develop safe practices that keep Rice compliant with all state and federal regulations. She has also been instrumental in implementing enhanced safety mechanisms at the hospital, including automated dispensing systems, safety software for IV pumps, and 24/7 pharmacist review of all medication orders. In 2011, she was one of 31 pharmacists selected from a nationwide pool to participate in the Pharmacy Leadership Institute, sponsored by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation. The ASHP Foundation, headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, was created in 1968, according to its website, with the goal of creating an organization to provide for and engage in scientific research, professional study and the advancement of the science of hospital and institutional pharmacy. Additionally, she has trained several teams on performance improvement initiatives and has been active with budgetary and cost analysis committees. “It’s a great job to be in,” Carnie said. “Granted, there are a variety of challenges when you’re dealing with people’s medications; you’re not in a position to have a bad day. But I work in a supportive system. I feel empowered at work, and I think that speaks for the culture the hospital has in place. I’m lucky that I have great administrative support and a great staff.”
A season season of reflection. reflection. A time time for thanks. thanks. Reflection. Looking back. Looking ahead. Assessing what matters most. At Bremer Bank, we’re grateful for the chance to serve you, and for the opportunities ahead to build closer relationships, stronger businesses and a healthier community. We realize that sometimes, the most important thing we can do is to simply say . . . thank you.
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Central Tribune Copyright © Copyright © 2014 West Central Business Busin ess 2Business pa rts of this reser ved. Although some s ome parts All rights rights reserved. tion may ma y be reproduced reproduce d and reprinted, publication publica
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Jeeanne Ashburn J
January 2015
a successful career goes back to lessons of youth
Success in a male-dominated world
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eanne Ashburn is in a good place, navigating an absorbing and successful career as a financial adviser at Edward Jones. Away from the office, she aids her husband, Mitch, a full-time HVAC specialist at Kerkhoven-based Freetly Electric, with promoting and advancing BBQ JEMZ, a catering business he runs on the side from the family’s famil y’s home north of Pennock. And when the Ashburns aren’t immersed in work, they’re humming between the numerous after-school endeavors of their two children: Zac, 15, and Emily, 13, and volunteering as youth leaders at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar, where Jeanne also lends her voice to the choir. While the flurry of exertions may seem like l ike a bottomless grind, Jeanne wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m a doer,” Jeanne, 34, said recently during an interview from her office in the strip mall directly east of Grizzly’s on First Street South in Willmar. “I’ve always found the busier I am, the more I get done. I don’t really know what to do with myself if I’m not
busy. It goes back to my childhood.” Jeanne was born at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, a military station in the English county of Suffolk that hosts United States Air Force personnel. Her father, Doug Kveene, was a career military officer, eventually retiring as a lieutenant li eutenant colonel after a 27-year career, the last decade of which he spent in the Air Force Reserve. “As a military kid, you quickly learn to be focused and driven, to fend for yourself and work hard,” Jeanne said. Married at 18, Jeanne spent a number of years as a daycare mom. In her mid-20s, disenchanted and looking for a change, she enrolled at the University of Phoenix, completing her accounting degree at night through online classes. After entering the Reserve, Doug was hired at Edward Jones. Jeanne made the most of the connection to t o get her foot in the t he door. She’s never looked back. She spent a year working under her father, knocking on doors and building an extensive portfolio of clients through her involvement with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce — which she vice chairs — and BNI, the largest business networking organization in the world. She helped establish the second of the organization’s three Willmar chapters in the early part of the decade. She’s also an active member of Polka Dot Powerhouse, a business and networking company that caters to women, and was recently awarded the company’s award for extraordinary business woman of the year, for 2014. Jeanne says the key to her success in a male-dominated industry — less than one-third of all financial fi nancial advisers in the U.S. are women, according to Forbes, and only 23 percent of t hose women hold the lauded gold standard Certified Financial Planner designation — is her ability to see through her clients’ eyes. “I listen,” she says. “I have to convince my clients I know what I’m doing. I can’t do that if I don’t listen. I put them first. I want my clients to know they have someone looking out for them, that I’m never too busy. If they’re worried about their money and t hey can’t sleep at 2 a.m., I want them to know they can call me, that they have someone working for them. Make that call.” — Profiles by Dan Burdett
January 2015
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Nate Hultgren Hultgren
driven to continue the legacy of his family farm
A love of the farm leads to a success
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s far back as he can remember Nate Hultgren wanted to farm. He grew up on an expansive farmstead a stone’s throw t hrow north of Raymond, roaming and tinkering on land culti vated by three generations of Hultgren men before him. Today, that land is home to Hultgren Farms, a diverse operation that specializes in the production of corn, soybeans, kidney beans, sugar beets, wheat and alfalfa. Nate, 37, is the CEO, working alongside his father, Dwane, 62, and brother, Noah, 34, an agronomy manager, and is also managing partner of Hultgren Holdings LLC, which owns agricultural real estate. The Hultgrens additionally maintain a 25-head stock cow herd on ranch property in Colfax Township, north of Norway Lake. In the 15 years since he came on board, Nate has witnessed the family operation double in size, with greater expansion on the horizon. Nate aspires to duplicate the total acreage of the operation in the next decade: the family cur-
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rently sustains a little more than 5,000 acres. Concerned by what he considers a paradigm shift in how the industry is viewed due to over governance, Nate worries those with an interest in farming will be driven away by fears it’s simply unsustainable. So, he wants to build a network so smaller farms can be part of a conglomerate, where each operation has ownership but receives the benefits of a larger entity. “If I have a vision, it’s that,” he said recently during an interview at the farm. “So many of these smaller farms, I call them tweener farms, just don’t have the resources. You see a lot of guys working another job in town to make ends meet. The farming ultimately becomes secondary.” The Hultgrens are also shareholders in Meadow Star Dairy, owned by Riverview LLP based in Morris. Meadow Star was recently granted a conditional use permit by St. Johns Township to begin construction next spring on an 8,800-animal-unit dairy operation a mile north of the Hultgren farm. The operation, which will employ more than 50 people, will include about 6,000 milking cows. The remaining livestock will be comprised of dry cows and heifers about to calf. “Our growth is a testament to the work done by my father before,” Nate recounted. “This operation is a representatio representation n of our family’s culture. We want an operation that is sustainable so if our children choose to come back, they’ll have the opportunity to come back to a place where they can contribute and be successful.” Nate and his wife, Jaime, have five children between the ages of 3 and 9. They met when Nate was studying finance at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and married upon graduation. Soon thereafter, Nate joined the family operation and Jaime worked for a time as a nurse at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. She now stays home with their children. “The reality is I couldn’t do what I do without an extremely understanding wife,” Nate said. “I love what I do. You can’t farm if you don’t love it. But it also requires a tremendous commitment. “There are times when our children want to be around their dad, and I’m working. That’s hard, and they might not always understand that. But to have their mom there is so important. We’re lucky to have that opportunity, and to be able to raise our family the way we want to.”
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Jeeff Madsen J
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driven to put would-be business owners on the right track
Helping others build their business
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to see this project become a reality. I think it’s going to be great for the area.” Away from work, Jeff, 37, is a single father to a 6-year-old son, Logan, and a 3-year-old daughter, Brooke. “They sure do keep me busy,” he said through a smil e. “But it’s good. They’re my life.” Jeff is also the running backs coach for the Ridgewater College Warriors football team. With practice, film study and away travel, it’s a time-consuming venture: the closest away game during the 2014 season was at St. John’s University, an hour-plus northeast of Willmar. Logan is also active with the team, acting as the ball boy and water boy. “Man, he enjoys riding that bus with the players, bouncing around,” Jeff said. “He just loves it. He’s my little bud. It’s great to see that kind of excitement for him to be a part of something.”
or Jeff Madsen, the best thing about being a consultant is that no two days are ever the same. “It certainly keeps me on my toes, but I love it,” he said. “There’s nothing better than seeing people succeed in some way because you were able to help them. I feel like I can make a difference in their lives. It’s a good feeling.” Owner of Logan Business Consulting Group in Willmar, Jeff focuses on assisting business owners, executives and corporations increase profitability. He also consults with start-ups, providing a comprehensive plan on how to build and market a business from the ground up. It’s a service he wishes he’d sought out when he became a small business owner a decade past, after graduating from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall with a master’s in business administration. “I’m in a position where I can help people avoid some of the little mistakes I made,” Jeff said. Jeff’s clients, sprinkled across a swath of central Minnesota that runs from Willmar through Hutchinson and the outlying metro area, range from one- and two-person operations, to mid-size operations, to large construction companies. “I provide a broad spectrum of services,” he said. “But I ’m basically here to sit down with people, get to know their goals and what they hope to achieve, and guide them from point A to point Z of their business venture.” He is currently involved in the implementation of phase II of the Food HUB in downtown Willmar. Plans for the project would see five tenants operating out of The HUB, located in the Historic 313 Building near The Barn Theatre on Fourth Street. This includes a USDA kitchen where area farmers can preserve food and prepare it for consumers using the latest technology. Three greenhouses would further support farmers, allowing for a year-long growing season to improve the availability of fresh produce to consumers. Other new businesses housed in The HUB include a craft brewhouse and restaurant. More than two dozen jobs are expected to be created by The HUB project. The Foxhole Brewhouse is scheduled to be the first of the five businesses to open. That’s expected to occur sometime in the early part of the new year. “We’ve had some donations and we’re looking at grants, but The HUB is moving along,” Jeff said during an interview at The Goodness Coffee House, a half-block from where The HUB wil l be located. “There are some huge misconceptions and bad information out there about downtown Willmar, and I’m really excited
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January 2015
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Matt Stark
What started in his bedroom, is now a booming design business
Building a business from the ground up
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hen you enter Pro Color Graphics, it’s evident M att Stark isn’t short of work. He operates the business from a dense 800-squarefoot space located at 523 Litchfield Avenue Southeast, each nook crammed with walloping industrial printers spewing out massive sheets of vinyl and gloss paper lined with graphics and logos. While the confines are chockablock, they’re a far cry from the business’ humble beginnings, when Stark would spend his spare time between a job at a local sign shop and homework, designing and trimming decals on an oversized vinyl cutting machine set up in his bedroom at his parents’ Willmar home. “The funny thing is … and most people think I’m nuts … but I didn’t have room for the machine and my bed,” Matt recalled during a recent interview. “ … So I got rid of the bed.” It may have been the chief decision of his life. In a little more than t han a decade, Matt has grown his business into a regional leader in the field. Today, Pro Color Graphics is a full-service design studio, specializing in signage, flyers, catalogs, banners, labels, l ogos, fabric textiles and photography. He has also produced decals and graphics for Onyx Racing Products, a manufacturer of hubs — the gear ratio changing system — on BMX bicycles and a division of Blomkest-based Christianson Systems, Inc. He secures clients through his involvement in the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and BNI, the largest business networking organization in the world. BNI, which has three chapters in Willmar, last year generated 5.4 million milli on referrals worldwide, resulting in $6.5 billion in business for its members, its website states. “It’s remarkable, because the growth has pretty much been through word of mouth and referrals,” Matt said of the more than 50 clients he does business with. “And the work keeps coming.” An amiable sort with a big smile and goosey laugh, the 32-yearold Matt moved with his family from Nebraska to Willmar when he was a fourth-grader. He got into design as a teen and eyed a career in custom car painting when he graduated Ridgewater College in Willmar, where he studied computer arts and completed the Auto Body Program. “I realized there really wasn’t a huge market for it though,” Matt said. “So I went back to what I knew.” He purchased a vinyl printer seven years ago after securing a loan from his mother and has seen his business and inventory grow each year since.
Matt is presently in the t he stages of expanding Pro Color Graphics into the vacant lot next door, adding some 4,000 square feet to the operation. He currently employs one part-timer, but hopes to hire a number of ad designers and a sales person in the next 12 months. “We’re just so busy,” said Matt, who unfailingly unfaili ngly works 60- and 70-hour weeks, “but expanding the business is a pretty exciting process.” Away from work, Matt and his wife, wi fe, Beth, are parents to a 10-week-old daughter. Beth, a nurse by trade, helped Matt build the business, and was a fixture in the office before the couple learned they were expecting. The Starks are also active in the community, particularly with First Covenant Church, where they volunteer as youth leaders for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. “Yeah, there really is no time now for hobbies,” Matt says with a chuckle.
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Highly educated and hard working O
f the more than 5.3 million residents in the state of Minnesota, just over half are under age 40. This includes about 1.3 million children under the age of 18, many of whom are in school from kindergarten through 12th grade. These students are training to become the workforce of the future. Minnesota also has about 1.5 million people aged 18 to 39, many of whom are also enrolled in school or are already in the workforce. This group of entry-level and mid-career workers make a huge contribution to the state’s economy, comprising the largest, most well-educated and hardest-working segment of Minnesota’s workforce. For starters, people in the 25- to 44-year-old age group have the highest educational attainment in the state — which has among the highest educational attainment rates Cameron in the nation — with more than 93 M AC ACHT HT percent being high school graduates Department of and almost 75 percent having some Employment college experience, including nearly 40 percent who have earned a bachand Economic elor’s degree or higher. Development The state’s 18- to 24-year-olds are on the same path, with 43.5 percent having some college experience, and 17.5 percent already earning a college degree. (See Figure 1.) The 25- to 44-year-old age group also has the highest labor force participation rates in the state, with about 88 percent of people currently in the labor force.
This rate has held steady over time, while labor force participation rates have been declining for teens and increasing for older workers. However, the size of the Baby Boom generation is changing the composition of the state’s labor force. As that group has aged over the last decade, the percentage of the workforce in the 45- to 64-year-old age group has increased from 32.5 percent in the first quarter of 2004 to 37.7 percent in the first quarter of 2014, according to data from DEED’s Quarterly Workforce Indicators. In contrast, the state saw a decline in the number and percentage of workers in both the 18- to 24-year-old and the 35- to 44-year-old age groups. But the number and percentage of workers in the 25- to 34-year-old age group increased steadily over the last decade. These highly educated, hard-working residents will continue to strengthen Minnesota’s economy. economy. (See Figure 2.) For more information about Minnesota’s workforce and demographics, go to http:// mn.gov/deed/data/.
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New Members
The MN chamber monthly column can be found on www. willmarareachamber.com.
• Willmar Regional Cancer Center - Teresa Behm 301 Becker Ave. Ave. SE, Willmar • 320-231-4570 Website: www.willmarregionalcancercenter.com • Kevin Sheehan 2209 9th Ave. Ave. SE, Willmar Willmar • 320-212-7336 • Dan’s Diesel & Towing of Willmar - Dan Prahl 1951 48th Ave. Ave. NE, Willmar Willmar • 320-235-0208 Website: www.danstowingwillmar.com • Dan’s Diesel of Sunburg - Dan Prahl 14250 135th Ave. NW, NW, Sunburg • 320-264-5852 Website: www.dansdieselrepair.com • Central Tire & Auto - Jason Hamstad 1512 1st Street SW, SW, Willmar • 320-235-7030 Website: www.carryouttires.com
Corneil – Elkj L to R: Brad Board Chai (2014 WLA Chris�anso Nissen, S Chris�ans (WL
Aldi - 320-235-2496 Nate Larson Electric, LLC – 320-214-0272 L to R: Ryan DeGree, Kristi DeGree, Nate Larson (Owner/Electrician), Laura Larson (Marketing Manager), Eric Spencer Spencer,, Mike Negen, Kelly Gardner and Leo Martinez.
Fir
Sleep Center of Willmar, LLC – 320-441-2104 L to R: Dawn Stahl, Mitch Neal, Jim Rudnick, Dr. Marty Janning (MD, DABSM, Sleep Specialist), Jarad Ripperger (RPSGT, RST, Director) , Lynn Gauer, Brittney Odens and Tom Amberg.
Pictured: WLACC Ambas sadors, Willmar City Offi cials and staff celebrated Aldi’s Grand Opening on December 11th, 2014..
Ribbon Cutting D ll r
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To join the Ch www.willmara Bundle Up and click on B
dvocate and promote the ide business community”
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January 15th, 2015 F R E E D o o F o o d ! 5 – 7 p.m. r P r i iz e s ! Willmar Conference Center
n : u t o s s o i s m t t ’ D o n s
Jennie-O Turkey Store – 50+ years Chamber leadership presents Jennie-O Turkey Store staff with their Membership Milestones recogni�on award.
er Insurance Agency – 0+ years anson (2014 WLACC ), Bradley Pederson C Chair Elect), Chad , Tom Corneil, Rollie ra Benne�, Becky n and Ken Warner CC President)
West Central Tribune – 50+ Years Chamber leadership presents West Central Tribune staff with their Membership Milestones recogni�on award.
ership ation ter
mber go to reachamber.com ndle-Up plan.
January 2015 **Reminder** No Connec�ons in January. Happy Holidays and see you again in February! A full schedule of all Chamber Connec�ons, complete with addresses can be found at www.willmarareachamber.com
u p g n - u s i g m e • G a m e m b e r r s h i p p s e w • N e e w m e m b n n g • R e o r k i n t w e N •
Stay for the bean bag tournament afterwards!
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anuary 2015
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Get involved Make the most of your Chamber Chamber in 2015 I
n these ever-changing times with the economy, some members might look out at an uncertain future and mistakenly make a decision that they can’t afford their Chamber membership. The “tough” business, as well as the opportunistic ones looking for more business, more network support and more advocacy on their behalf, know their Chamber membership is critical. When times are tough, the tough get going … to their Chamber of Commerce. You may ask, how do I know what’s going on? Call our Chamber staff. We are available to answer questions, direct you to community resources and receive your feedback. Don’t miss weekly updates with the Chamber e-News and read the Chamber newsletter in this Business 2 Business publication, published the second to the last Wednesday of every month to keep you informed; or visit our website at www.willmarareachamber.com. Members Supporting Members. Utilize the Chamber’s Online Membership Directory and do business with other Chamber members. It helps to do business locally and support your fellow business people. With more than 575 other Willmar Lakes Area businesses involved in the Chamber, we can help find those who Ken can fill your needs. See the information below on our accomplish ARNER NER W AR ments in 2014. Willmar Lakes Show up. In addition to supporting fellow members, another Area Chamber Chamber first step is to get involved and “show up” at Chamber activities of Commerce President and events of your choice. Choose a legislative forum, a Chamber Connection, or any other special event, just to name a few. Our events strive to provide great information, as well as networking opportunities. Volunteer. All members are encouraged to serve on one of the Chamber’s committees or task forces. Some meet monthly year-round, while others only meet on an as-needed basis to plan and execute events and special projects. There are also opportunities throughout the year to assist with a task for a specific event. Please say “yes” when you are asked to participate as a volunteer. Share your thoughts. You can also become involved by sharing your thoughts on various projects the Chamber undertakes and on issues important to your business. Your input is important to improving the Willmar Lakes Area 001091607r1
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Chamber of Commerce and the annual business plan. No time for personal involvement? We realize many of you are incredibly busy with your own businesses. When you’re “minding the store,” the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is working on your behalf to keep you informed about what’s happening at the state Capitol and city hall to make the business climate stronger. We provide up-to-date information, business news and opportunities to promote your business. Make the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce a priority. Take a look at your business priorities … be sure that your Willmar Lakes Area Chamber membership is among them. You will get out of your membership many times over what you put into it. To learn more about networking opportunities, ways to get involved and the various committees of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber contact the Chamber at 235-0300. We invite you to make 2015 your year to get involved! Just a reminder of what we accomplished in 2014: * More than 575 members (90 new members in the last two years and a membership retention rate of 92.50 percent) * Continuing education of ChamberMaster. We are seeing more and more businesses utilizing Hot Deals, the Community Calendar, Job Openings and more. Through 2014 we averaged 2,400 visits per month and nearly 8,600 page views per month. * Continued popular networking events like Chamber Connections (39 hosted), Business After Hours (8 hosted), Golf Classic (more than 140 golfers), Aggie Open (more than 135 golfers) and a sold out crowd of 420 people attended the fifth annual Red Carpet Event featuring The Little River Band. * We dove into local issues — our forte — making our members aware of issues and actively represented our members’ interest in the political, social and economic development environment. * Continued to add and expand our list of committees and educational opportunities including “ACA Heath Education Series,”,Microsoft Community Connections, participation participation with the Vision 2040 Steering Committee and the CEO Program. * Collaborated with local partners and organizations on programs and events like Walk the Corridor, the Highway 12 Initiative, Vision 2040 and the BR&E survey.
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Translation please? Using translation services in Willmar I
n our city, the need for translation services has grown since Willmar has seen increasing population diversity during recent decades. Also, local companies dealing with foreign markets such as Relco or Nova-Tech Engineering are in need of these kinds of services in order to reach out to their clientele. It is crucial for Willmar that everyone can communicate with each other, interact and learn from different cultures in order to bring the community together and build a more unified future for our town. Translation services in Willmar range from text translation, interpretation and cultural learning. Text translation is the translation of written words, from advertising to legal documents. Interpretation, on the other hand, is the translation of spoken words, and is usually done face-to-face. It can be used in business meetings, schools, employee conferences or others. Both require highly skilled people, usually native speakers, and Manon sometimes a good translator isn’t necessarily a good interpreter CLAUX as the latter requires excellent communication skills. Local companies in Willmar who deal with clients from various NeXt countries, such as Nova-Tech Engineering, have used translation Marketing from their own employees speaking fluently a second language, Committee or freelance translators, often primarily used in the country needed for interpretation, and then for translating documents. You can also find a few businesses in our city that provide those services. I interviewed Abdirizak “Zack” Mahboub, who moved to the United States in 1981, and in 2012 he and his wife, Sahra Gure, founded West Central Interpreting Services (WCIS), LLC in Willmar.
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The company offers translation and interpreting in multiple languages such as Arabic, Somali, Swahili (spoken in Kenya), Italian and more. Mahboub says his translation business includes many services such as political ads and processing legal documents for the hospital. West Central Interpreting also works with Kandiyohi County, education, hospitals, housing HRA or lawyers for interpreting. In addition, WCIS provides a course called “Cultural Competency Training,” which is a half-day training aimed to businesses which desire to bridge the gap between modern societies (occidental cultures) and traditional communities (Asian, South American Hispanic and African cultures). It covers topics such as cultural norms and religion, immigrants/refugee settlements in the United States, economic push-pull factors and family structures. Mahboub and Gure hope to bridge the gap between newer immigrants’ communities with local population in Willmar in order to “help the whole community function better, creating opportunities to learn from one another and enrich our lives now and for future generations.” Mahboub is also part of the Willmar Vision 2040 group.
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BUSINESS CALENDAR Chamber Connections 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
January No Chamber Connections in January
Government meetings Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners Jan. 6: 9 6: 9 a.m., Health and Human Services Building, 2200 23rd St. N.W., Willmar; note time time change. Jan. 20: 10 20: 10 a.m., Health and Human Services Building, 2200 23rd St. N.W., Willmar Feb. 3: 10 3: 10 a.m., Health and Human Services Building, 2200 23rd St. N.W., Willmar Feb. 17: 10 17: 10 a.m., Health and Human Services Building, 2200 23rd St. N.W., Willmar Rice Memorial Hospital Board of Directors room, 301 Dec. 17: 5:30 p.m., hospital board room, Becker Ave. S.W., Willmar 301 Jan. 21: 5:30 p.m., hospital board room, 301 Becker Ave. S.W., Willmar Feb. 18: 5:30 p.m., hospital board room, 301 Becker Ave. S.W., Willmar Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Joint Operating Board Jan. 8: 11 8: 11 a.m., EDC board room, 333 Litchfield Ave. S.W., Suite 100, Willmar Feb. 12: 11 12: 11 a.m., EDC board room, 333 Litchfield Ave. S.W., Suite 100, Willmar Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Joint Powers Board Jan. 22: 11:30 a.m., EDC board room, 333 Litchfield Ave. S.W., Suite 100, Willmar Willmar City Council Jan. 12: 7 p.m., Council Chambers, MUC, 700 Litchfield Ave S.W., Willmar Jan. 20: 7 p.m., Council Chambers, MUC, 700 Litchfield Ave S.W., Willmar Feb. 2: : 7 p.m., Council Chambers, MUC, 700 Litchfield Ave S.W., Willmar Feb. 17: 7 p.m., Council Chambers, MUC, 700 Litchfield Ave S.W., Willmar Willmar School Board Jan.12: 4:30 p.m., WEAC Board Room, 611 Fifth St. S.W., Willmar
Jan. 26: 4:30 p.m., WEAC Board Room, 611 Fifth St. S.W., Willmar Feb. 9: 6 p.m., WEAC Board Room, 611 Fifth St. S.W., Willmar Atwater City Council Jan. 7: 7 7: 7 p.m., City Hall, 322 Atlantic Ave., Atwater Feb. 4: 7 4: 7 p.m., City Hall, 322 Atlantic Ave., Atwater New London City Council Dec. 17: 5:30 17: 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London Jan. 7: 5:30 7: 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London Jan. 21: 5:30 21: 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London Feb. 4: 5:30 4: 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London Feb. 18: 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London New London Economic Development Authority Jan. 14: 4:30 14: 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London Feb. 11: 4:30 11: 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 20 First Ave. S.W., New London Spicer City Council Jan. 6: 5:30 p.m., City Council meeting room, 217 Hillcrest Ave., Spicer Jan. 20: 5:30 20: 5:30 p.m., City Council meeting room, 217 Hillcrest Ave., Spicer Feb. 3: 5:30 p.m., City Council meeting room, 217 Hillcrest Ave., Spicer Feb. 17: 5:30 p.m., City Council meeting room, 217 Hillcrest Ave., Spicer Spicer Economic Development Authority Jan. 20: 7 20: 7 a.m., City Council meeting r oom, 217 Hillcrest Ave., Spicer Feb. 17: 7 17: 7 a.m., City Council meeting room, 217 Hillcrest Ave., Spicer
——— B2B will publish upcoming busi ness-related meetings, classes or sem inars monthly. Calendar information will be listed two months out; email information to
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BUSINESS BUZZ In the two years since the first award, Rice has taken significant steps to improve its performance even further. Net days in accounts receivable was reduced by 10-plus 10-p lus days, the most of any organization surveyed last year. Rice also increased its point of service collections by 0.8 percent of net revenue, also the largest increase among all organizations that submitted an application. The revenue that the hospital writes off due to denied claims comprises less than half of a percent of net revenue, which was also in the top quartile of organizations surveyed.
Willmar’s former tech coordinator starts his own business WILLMAR WILLMA R –– After 14 years with wit h the city of Willmar, Mark Boeschen decided it was time to try something new. So he started Firebytes LLC, a computer repair, integration and web development firm that serves business and residential customers. Boeschen, 31, started working for the city of Willmar in 2000, when he was still in high school. He worked there part-time through college and then full-time as a technician. He was the city’s information technology coordinator from 2006 until 2014. “Being in the same place for 14 years, you need to decide whether you’re going to stick it out or do something different,” he said. “It was not an easy decision.” Boeschen He gave up the security of steady paychecks and benefits seven months ago for a chance to do something different. His family “supported me 100 percent” in the move from city hall to a small home office full of computers and monitors. He and his wife, Amy, have three sons. Boeschen said he has no regrets about his time with the city, which gave him work while he was in school and a full-time job straight out of college. He als o has no regrets with his decision. “If I didn’t do it now, I don’t know if I would have been able to do it later,” he said. Boeschen’s description of what his business can do is broad — “everything under the sun.” His work with the city gave him experience with large networks, and he can provide networking help for businesses that don’t have in-house technology employees. He can help businesses improve their work flow, too. Residential customers can turn to him for help with a household network or any other problems they encounter. Working with home customers is rewarding, he said. “I like to help them see they can do things they didn’t know they could.” To contact Boeschen, visit www.firebytes.com or call 320-403-2420.
NeXt announces 2015 leadership WILLMAR — The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce affiliate neXt announces their 2015 leaderTwo new businesses have opened in Southeast Will- ship team. They are Jeanne Ashburn, Chamber board liaimar in recent weeks, including this Taco Bell and ALDI. son, Edward Jones; Jay Halliday, chair, Nova-Tech Engineering; Jared Voge, chair-elect, Bolton & Menk GlenOaks names new administrator Inc.; Melissa Sorenson, social/education committee NEW LONDON — Grace Living Community of Glenchair, Jennie-O Turkey Store; and Sara Goebel, marOaks in New London recently named Jim Ingersoll its keting committee chair, Marcus Construction. administrator. Grace Living Community of GlenOaks is a Social/education committee members are co-chairs nonprofit organization on comprised of a 58-unit nursing home, Gretchen Otness, CTI Ministries, and Kristen Pierce, 12-unit assisted living and 35 independent living units. Kandiyohi County Attorney’s Office; Travis Steffensen, Ingersoll graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in business administration and received licen- Westberg Eischens; Erin Daniels, Snap Fitness; Amy sure for nursing home administration from the University of Mortensen, Heritage Bank; and Debbie Strommer, Bremer Bank. Minnesota. Marketing committee members are co-chairs Sam Ingersoll has more than 20 years of long-term care expeAakre, Heartland Community Action Agency Inc., rience in campus settings. He has operated Christian campuses in Starbuck, Austin and Renville and also worked with and Mark Klema, Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Manon Claux, Nova-Tech Engineering; Andrew Soderlund and Cody veterans in Minneapolis. Welsh, both from Christianson & Associates; and Melissa Straus, Clifford Nystrom and Chris Kveene, all Rice first U.S. hospital to twice from Heritage Bank. B2B photo by Dan Burdett
win revenue cycle award
WILLMAR — Rice Memorial Hospital has received a Revenue Cycle Performance Award from Health Business Insights, citing the hospital for excellence and ongoing improvement in its revenue cycle. It was the second time Rice has been honored by Health Business Insights for its revenue cycle performance and the first time a health organization in the U.S. has received the award twice. Rice first earned the award in 2012.
B2B publishes news about businesses in the region and their employees monthly. Topics such as the launch of a new business, a change in ownership or management, a new location or a sig nificant expansion are welcome, welcome, as well as announce ments about employees who have earned significant promotions. Photos may be submitted as well. well. Email information and photos to
[email protected].
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January 2015
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The w The w imp imp at work is is aliv aliv e and w and w ell Research conducted by The CEO Project uggests the individuals who lead companies should spend their time differently han how most are currently spending it. If you want to understand why our business is not as sucessful as you would like it to be, or want to know why you truggle, consider this: few wners know what specific actions are required for their ompany to grow. Many owners become trapped by the eeming mirage of growing revenue; or deal constantly with poor cash flow, struggle to maintain or increase profits or, build a business around the idea of just paying minimal taxes. For the sake of argument let me define success as building a more valuable company. Successful owners don’t spend their time growing revenue, minimizing taxes or improving cash flow. hat they do is focus on one thing to increase the alue of the company: picking the right business and profit model. The marketplace decides the costly lessons about ho will win and who will not, but some influence is possible by designing (or redesigning) a business correctly and modifying it as conditions change.
hat are the elements f a great business? The first is that demand exists or can be created. The demand must consistently exceed supply. ithout a steady stream of customers, the enterprise ill likely fail. Second, it helps to sell something that customers love. Third, the business needs to have recurr ing rev-
By Ken Keller
enue and fourth, that it is a non discretionary service. It is possible to have a successful business that does not rely on always chasing new customers to grow revenue, but instead by focusing on turning a transaction into a relationship (or a customer into a client) that provides recurring revenue is more appealing because this improves cash flow and provides business stability. Fifth, the business must develop a sustainable competitive advantage that is difficult to duplicate. This is a basic of marketing that many owners have never learned. Not understanding this essential item is the root cause of many unstable businesses.
Sixth, the economic characteristics of the business have to be right; positive cash flow; products priced profitably and a favorable return on investment. The common element through these six items is that the owner is required to work on, and not in, their business. But rather than focus on these critical issues that will help the business succeed, how do some owners chose to spend their time and energy? You might think that owners who don’t work on their business would rather work in their business, but you might be wrong. Most owners avoid the tough things in their own businesses until they are forced to take action. Even then, some keep their heads stuck in the sand. Instead they choose to deal with the mundane, the trivial, those things of little or no consequence. The decisions that are made are the easy ones, rather than the hard ones that really need to be made for the continued success of the company. In December 2014, the Wimp at Work is alive and doing well. The business they own, maybe not. Ken Keller is a syndicated business columnist focused on the leadership needs of small and midsize closely held companies. Contact him at
[email protected]. Keller’s column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of this publication.
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