Friday, April 19, 2013
April 2013 Newsletter
May Networking Event
Tuesday, May 7 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Hosted by Snyder Gislason Frasier LLC
Old Spaghetti Factory
233 Park Ave (Park & Washington)
Minneapolis
612.341.0949
www.osf.com
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses around the cities. Please checkbuylocaltwincities.com for upcoming times and locations. No RSVP required. Guests welcome.
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Enjoy the benefits of membership!
Business memberships start at just $150. Go to buylocaltwincities.com and click on the JOIN button. You can renew your membership there too!
Receive a packet with discounts to other member businesses
Be listed in our online member directory
Join our members’ only listserv discussion group
Expand your online presence through Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
Attend free monthly networking events
Reduced rate on educational webinars
….and much more
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Retailers Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, May 14 from 9:00am to 10:30am
Warners' Stellian Corporate Headquarters
550 Atwater Circle
St. Paul, MN 55103
The Education Committee, chaired by Deanna Wiener of Cardinal Realty, will be facilitating a Retailers Roundtable Discussion.
Are you a retailer interested in sharing best practices? Looking for referrals on professional services? Need help with managing staff? Confused by all the social media options? This is the event for you.
Please join the conversation and discuss opportunities, challenges ,and best practices with other successful independent business owners over coffee and pastries.
Members: $10
Nonmembers: $15
Register at buylocaltwincities.com/events.
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Thank you Jesse!
The MetroIBA Board says farewell to founder and longtime board member Jesse Mortenson with faith that, as an active member, Jesse will continue to shape and influence the growth of our organization.
As a Macalester student in 2005, Jesse formed the St. Paul Green Party’s “Small is Beautiful” Committee. The group researched and promoted policies like a retail “size cap” ordinance which would promote locally owned, independent businesses as the core of a vital local economy.
Along with committee member David Unowsky, Jesse’s group partnered with Grand Avenue neighbors and businesses to hold the inaugural meeting of what was to become MetroIBA at Macalester College. The meeting, featuring AMIBA founder Jeff Milchen, attracted over 100 local businesses keen on establishing a Buy Local organization in the Twin Cities.
A year later and still a student, Jesse threw his hat in the ring to represent legislative district 64B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Jesse’s campaign, which focused on legislative initiatives to support locally owned independents, was heralded by supporters and opponents alike. Jesse helped raise the profile of MetroIBA and moved its issues into the mainstream.
As for his business experience, Jesse started his web-design company, IDC WebDev, before college and continued to operate it part-time while a student. In 2007, he formed Super Mega Design with two partners. Jesse recently sold the business to his partner and is now working at Headwaters Software, providing educational testing for paramedics and emergency medical technicians. “It’s a great company doing important work,” said Jesse of his new position, where he works with a staff of 15.
Asked for his advice for the board, Jesse was enthusiastic about Board President Harvey Zuckman’s efforts to focus the board’s energy. “There is definitely a lot that can be accomplished just by continuing to raise the level of productivity and professionalism on the board and in our committees,” Jesse said.
As a long-time chair of the policy committee and the coordinator of MetroIBA’s first policy caucus, Jesse said, “Certainly the success in the last couple of years engaging with elected officials has been very positive. As MetroIBA earns more credibility and access to elected officials and government decision-making, it will be our challenge to continually build up our own agenda and start to constructively engage those elected officials about doing more for the local economy.”
Jesse is a realist. “It's important to get lip service from politicians,” he said, “but it's more important to take the next step that moves our ideas and reforms up the agenda. That may mean developing local pockets of members who are willing to put time into lobbying. It may mean connecting with our citizen members to show up at rallies to broaden our visibility. It may first mean members educating each other about what a bold agenda for a strong local economy really looks like. And those conversations aren't always easy.”
Jesse issued a challenge to MetroIBA: “to look for initiatives that might bring our growth to an exponential curve. We've been steadily growing at a linear rate for a couple years now. But we're far from being a ubiquitous, visible presence in the community for residents or for elected officials. Ubiquity as the voice for the local economy should be the goal.”
“In Austin, Texas, there was a high profile political fight pitting a Borders Bookstore-anchored development against a treasured local business district,” he said. “Austin’s IBA emerged victorious and legendary.” In Salt Lake City, Utah, a Buy Local campaign led by lots of the hippest independent retailers has successfully attracted shoppers.
Jesse believes that MetroIBA needs to build our capacity to get the kind of growth that will help to fundamentally shift shoppers’ thinking to “LOCAL FIRST,” and similarly shift government’s attention to local businesses. Having a visible branded presence in great shops throughout the Twin Cities and suburbs is one way. Another might be having a municipal policy committee in both cities that actively formulates an agenda and responds to issues, so that every city councilmember hears from our members as MetroIBA at least once a quarter.
No matter what, it was Jesse’s passion for local business and his insight and intelligence about how to promote it that brought MetroIBA its present success. We thank him for his dedicated service and look forward to the ways in which he’ll continue to guide us as an active member.
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Celebrate Your Independents 2013!
We are excited to launch the 4th annual Celebrate Your Independents, brought to you by MetroIBA. The goals are to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses and to drive traffic to participating indie retailers.
To garner media attention and increase participation, we will have a drawing for $1,250 in gift cards with two lucky winners (assuming at least 25 participating businesses again). Last year we attracted some great media attention and hope to do the same again this year. Thanks to media sponsors AM950 and the Minnesota Women’s Press for donating advertising. To participate as a retailer or shopper in 2013, email info@metroiba.org.
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Annual Meeting Highlights
Photos courtesy of Satori Photography
Board President Harvey Zuckman introducing our host, Horst Rechelbacher
Guests from The Bibelot Shops and Park Midway Bank mingling before the program
Thank to Intelligent Nutrients, no one went home empty handed!
L-R: Jon Schumacher, Mary Hamel, Tara Liebergen, Maggie Miley, Josh Becerra and Vanessa Carrera
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Wet Paint’s Beth Bergman Elected to the Art Materials Industry Hall of Fame
Beth Bergman, a founding member of MetroIBA, will be recognized for her leadership in business, arts advocacy, and the art materials industry when the International Art Materials Association inducts her into its Hall of Fame. The honor takes place at the association’s annual conference and trade show, Art Materials World, which is held this year in Minneapolis on May 1–3.
Bergman owns and operates Wet Paint on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue. She has grown the business over 29 years to become one of the most known and respected independent art supply retailers in North America. An artist herself, Bergman was a founding member of the WARM Gallery. She actively supports other artists and arts organizations, including the Minnesota Museum of American Art, where she has served on the board.
“It’s easy for all of us to look at small businesses and think of them as ‘just local,’” Bergman says. “In reality, small business owners sometimes have the most direct relationships with a global network of suppliers and customers, which is one reason they can do so much to enrich their neighborhoods and communities.”
Wet Paint stocks 35,000 creative products and is a regular stop for manufacturers from around the world, who come to discuss new products and trends in art making with Bergman and her staff. The store has become a hub for the Twin Cities’ arts community, but also for visiting artists and, through online sales, for artists across the country and abroad.
“This Hall of Fame induction is Beth’s peers in the industry saying, ‘This woman has done an outstanding job,’” says Reggie Hall, executive director of the North Carolina–based International Art Materials Association. “Beth is highly regarded across the industry,” Hall says. “She’s very knowledgeable and more than happy to share that knowledge with anyone.”
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MN GOES GREEN
Don’t miss the chance to come to the first annual MN GOES GREEN experience, where everyone can meet the region’s top experts, touch and feel the newest eco-friendly products and services, and discover new ways to implement sustainable practices at home and work for a greener today…and tomorrow! It’s FREE on Saturday, May 18 from 9am until 6pm at the new Union Depot in downtown St. Paul.
Are you creative? Bring your coolest repurposed item and enter the on-site contest for a chance to win prizes!
Take advantage of a professional alteration service and ideas for clothing reuse from CounterCouture and Sol Inspirations, as well as fashion exhibits from the Textile Center and University of Minnesota School of Design!
Bring your broken or malfunctioning household items, jewelry, appliances, plants, or personal computers for FREE assistance from Fixity, the Free Geek network, and the St. Paul Farmers’ Market.
Want to get around town more efficiently? Experience the latest in fuel-efficient transportation from Metro Transit, Nice Ride MN and the electric car association.
From eco-friendly products, wearables and services to hands-on demonstrations, MN GOES GREEN offers it all in one cool place! Delicious, locally-sourced food and beverages will also be available.
MetroIBA members can sign up now and receive $50 off booth space.
Organized by MetroIBA member, Scott Mayer
For more info: 612-666-3046 or info@mngoesgreen.com
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Need an extra hand this summer?
Consider hiring a STEP-UP Achieve intern! STEP-UP Achieve is part of the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP summer jobs program led by AchieveMpls. These Minneapolis youth are diverse, trained, motivated and eager to work hard and get experience in a professional job. They will work hard and contribute to your business this summer, and it feels great to know that you are helping a young person gain valuable skills to get their start towards a career. Many youth are interested in learning about business and entrepreneurship.
It can cost under $1000 to hire an intern for the summer and STEP-UP staff are actively recruiting more employers for this summer to meet their goal of placing over 800 youth in meaningful summer internships. Join over 150+ local employers who already hire STEP-UP Achieve interns and make a difference for thousands of Minneapolis youth. For more information, contact Kevin Murray at kmurray@achievempls.org or visit www.achievempls.org/stepupachieve.
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Thank you Volunteers
Aimee Gonzalez, MNCOME
Mary Jo Kopolos, Postal Dispatch Business Center
Holly Larsen, Emerge Community Development
Paula Luxenberg, Newsletter Editor
Michele Slifer, Directory Content Editor
In addition to our regular volunteers, there are so many members who contribute to the success of our alliance through donations, board or committee service, and recruiting help. Thank you all!
Thank You Sustaining Members
Intelligent Nutrients
Minnesota Premier Publications
Summit Brewing
Welcome New Members
Burdette Knoll
Go Buy Local
MAYER
Nokomis Hardware
Satori Photography
Ward 6
Thank You Renewing Members
AchieveMpls
Clintron X
Robertson Law
Twin Cities Media Alliance
Thank You Citizen Members
Senator Jim Carlson
Gordon Hanson
©2013 MetroIBA, 2190 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.
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