Thursday, March 27, 2014
March 2014 Newsletter
Please join us for our
2014 Annual Meeting:
March 19, 2014
6-9 PM
Open Arms of Minnesota
2500 Bloomington Avenue
Minneapolis, 55404
http://www.openarmsmn.org/
With special guest, new
Minneapolis Mayor
Betsy Hodges
$20 Members, $30 Nonmembers
Open Arms of MN is a nonprofit member of MetroIBA and provides nutritious meals for those in our community living with chronic illnesses. You will be able to experience their architectural gem of a building in South Minneapolis, enjoy a tour of their state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, and delight in the the delectable menu prepared exclusively for MetroIBA by the Open Arms chefs.
Special thanks to Peace Coffee, Summit Brewing Company, and Famiglia Meschini Wines for donating beverages and libations.
Register now at buylocaltwincities.com/events
and don't miss this chance to:
~Meet fellow members
~Hear about 2013 successes
~Find out what’s coming up in 2014
~Learn the results of our recent board election
Meet Your Legislators
at our Tuesday, April 1 Networking Event!
W.A. Frost and Company
374 Selby Avenue, St. Paul 55102
(651) 224-5715
www.wafrost.com
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses around the cities. Please check our website for upcoming times and locations.
Guests welcome / Cash bar / No RSVP required
Letter From The President
In less than two months, representatives from other independent business alliances from around the country will be gathering in Minneapolis. The AMIBA (American Independent Business Alliance) conference provides us a rare opportunity to meet and learn from others passionate about the buy local movement.
A number of the workshops from May 9-11 will specifically focus on issues and challenges facing small businesses. The agenda is full of other interesting sessions and all are open to MetroIBA members at special half-day and full-day rates; an early bird rate for full conference registration is available through the end of this month.
Our past president, Jeff Warner, attended the last conference in Louisville two years ago with Executive Director, Mary Hamel. About the conference, Jeff said, “I have attended so many business conferences that I can compare my latest experience to . . . and I am pleased to give the AMIBA conference high marks.”
I encourage you to review the agenda now and register to attend all or part of the conference. There is something of value in the program for everyone and we can only benefit from engaging with others visiting our community. I hope you will join me!
Remembering Horst
Horst Rechelbacher
1941-2014
It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of one of our members, Mr. Horst Rechelbacher. Horst was an artist, entrepreneur, visionary and pioneer in the safe cosmetics movement. We were proud and grateful to have him as a supporter of our alliance. One year ago, he was both host and speaker for our Annual Meeting atIntelligent Nutrients in Minneapolis. His only request in doing so was that we provide guests with an entirely organic spread. His dedication to the environment and sustainable business practices was an inspiration.
According to MetroIBA member, Lynn Gordon, "In many ways Horst was a 'founder' of French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. He was an inspiration, a mentor and a dear friend. Horst saw the world the way it should be as a more spiritual and healthy universe and I have strived to make my own business worthy of this model. Most people don't know that the original French Meadow Bakery & Cafe opened in the Aveda Institute in 1988. Horst built this both to help French Meadow in its own mission of creating organic and healing food, but also to teach his students that his philosophy extended well beyond their classes. Horst was remarkable and will be missed."
Our condolences go out to his daughter Nicole, son Peter and wife, Kiran.
Enjoy the benefits of membership in 2014
Business memberships are still just $150/year ($50 for each additional storefront). If you prefer, you can opt to pay $15 per month. This new option is a great way to maintain that consistent cash flow, and it helps us reduce administrative costs associated with tracking renewals.
If you have recently received notice that your membership is about to lapse, simply go to buylocaltwincities.com/join and renew online. Or, you can mail payment to:
MetroIBA
2190 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Membership benefits include:
Receive a packet with discounts to other member businesses
Be listed on our member directory
Join our members only list serv discussion group
Expand your online presence through Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
Attend free webinars and monthly networking events
….and much more
Register/ Become a Sponsor Now for AMIBA Conference in Minneapolis. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Registration is now open for the 2014 American Independent Business Alliance Conference will be held May 8-11 at The Radisson Plaza Hotel in minneapolis. Receive your MetroIBA member discount through March 31st. One day/ evening social tickets also available at http://www.amiba.net.
Show your indie pride by becoming a sponsor of the conference. Following are the available sponsorship levels. Please contact mary@metroiba.org for more information on additional ways you can get involved.
Nokomis $750
Be our guest (with a guest of your own) at our
pre-conference social
Single-day conference entry to day of your choice
Listing in program and on conference website
Opportunity to include an item in conference totebag
Harriet $1250
One complimentary conference registration (or single day attendance for two)
Business card ad in conference program
Company banner in main conference room or inclusion on video screen rotation
Opportunity to include an item in conference tote bag
Button ad on conference website and on MetroIBA website
Minnetonka $2500
Two complimentary conference registrations
Display table space for company material throughout conference (may be staffed)
Quarter-page ad in conference program
Company banner in main conference room or inclusion on video screen rotation
Opportunity to include an item in conference tote bag
Banner ad on conference website and on MetroIBA website
Exclusive sponsor of one of the conference events, with opportunity to greet attendees​
Member News
A New Market for Printz
WCCO television recently reported on the success thatPrintz customers have had with the company's promotional postcard offerings. You may view the video of the February 20th newscast here.
A New Turret for Castle Building and Remodeling
Former MetroIBA board member Loren Schirber, who is one of the owners of member company Castle Building & Remodeling, recently announced they have acquired Natural Built Home (NBH) - the area’s leading retailer of environmentally friendly home finishes. The company’s mission is to make green building products readily accessible to homeowners, contractors, architects, and interior designers. NBH strives to keep these high quality products affordable so sustainable practices can easily be adopted. The NBH showroom at 4020 Minnehaha Avenue South, in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis, is staffed with interior designers and trade professionals ready to help with home improvement projects of all sizes.
Each product found at Natural Built Home must pass through a strict quality and values criteria focusing on: Health, Sustainability, Resource/Energy Conservation, Durability, and Location of Production.
We are proud to feature earth friendly cabinets, countertops, flooring, hardware, paint/stain/finishes, and insulation made right in the in the USA. Stop by the Natural Built Home showroom to see these beautiful products in person.
A New Home for Postal Dispatch Business Center
Postal Dispatch Business Center, located in Bloomington's Normandale Village Shopping Center, announces its move to a larger space within the same center. Just down the hall from the location they opened in October of 2005, the new space offers Postal Dispatch extra room for their expanding digital printing business and a redesigned area for customers who wish to ship packages, mail letters, make photocopies, shop for greeting cards, or work with a graphic designer on special projects.
A grand re-opening celebration is planned for Monday, March 17 and will include a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., St. Patrick’s Day treats all day, and prize drawings at 5 p.m. for Normandale Village merchant gift certificates.
What’s In It For Me: Pros and Cons of Hiring a Sub-Contractor vs. an Employee
Part 3 of 3 in a series from guest columnist, Hilary Bullock, Metro Payroll
Your business growing, just as you hoped it would. Now you are facing the very real fact that you, as one individual, can only accomplish so much in the course of a day. So now, the question you face is this: should you hire an independent contractor, or an employee? Lets look at the pros and cons from the perspective of you – the employer.
Hiring an Employee – The Pros
Work Flow: Knowing that employees are dedicated to your company makes planning and forecasting much simpler. The time and head space required to juggle one or more Independent Contractors to finish your projects on time may be a challenge that, in the end, isn’t worth the money you save.
Flexibility: Hiring an employee gives you the opportunity to develop skills and talents that can benefit your employees and your organization giving you, the employer more flexibility within your workforce.
Commitment: The commitment you show to your employees, including compensation, training and development creates loyalty in your workforce.Dedicated workers can often improve and increase productivity.
Hiring an Independent Contractor – The Pros
Help When You Need It: One advantage you have when hiring an Independent Contractor is that you have more flexibility. You hire as needed and during slow times, keep your costs in line. You can also hire for specific, targeted or specialized skills.
Reduce Your Overhead: This is one of the most attractive reasons for hiring an Independent Contractor – reduced expenses. The hourly rate you pay may be higher than that of an employee, but you’ll avoid payroll taxes and benefits and feel less pressure to generate the revenue you’d need to cover the costs of an employee.
Health Benefits: Paying for health benefits can be a burden for any small business. According to theNational Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, conducted annually by Mercer in 2013 health benefits averaged $10,779 per employee. This figure includes both employer and employee contributions for medical, dental and other health coverage.
Hiring an Employee – The Cons
Are You Ready To Be a Manager? Many business owners discover that the more people they employ, the less time they spend doing the things they love best. A larger staff means more involvement with management issues, training and quality control. For some this is a natural progression while for others, it diminishes the passion they felt at the start. This is an important consideration in relation to long-term sustainability and professional fulfillment.
Increased Overhead: If your business and staff are growing, this can mean you incur additional expenses beyond payroll. You may need to purchase equipment, furnishings, and/or move into a larger space. If your employees are driving as part of their workday, you will also have mileage expenses to consider.
Hiring an Independent Contractor – The Cons
Penalties: Of all potential drawbacks to hiring an Independent Contractor, this is the most serious. As per my previous article, an error in classification (employee vs. Independent Contractor) can incur significant financial penalties.
Control: As the title suggests, Independent Contractors are, by nature (and law) Independent.They have control of their schedules, may have additional projects and clients vying for their time, and in many ways have control over the work they do. You’ll want to ask yourself if this works for your company, and for you as an entrepreneur. For many of us, myself included, letting go of control can be difficult.
In conclusion, there is no right or wrong answer. There are many factors to consider including the nature of the work you require, the legalities of employee vs. Independent Contractor, plus financial projections and profitability. Be sure to apply what you know about yourself as an entrepreneur to the equation. Hopefully this information will make your decision-making process a little easier.
Metro Payroll is a family-owned, local provider of outsourcing solutions for payroll and scheduling, and a proud member of MetroIBA.
Thank you Volunteers
Hilary Bullock~Metro Payroll
Kelsey Campion~Traditions Classic Home Furnishings
Andrew Hine~Photography
Nicki Jones~Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul
Mary Jo Koplos~Postal Dispatch Business Center
Welcome New Members
Mosaic Cafe
Hotel 340
MitreBox Framing Studio
St. Paul Athletic Club
Skylark Dry Cleaning
University Club
of St. Paul
W.A. Frost & Company
A Special THANKS!
to our Sustaining Members
Minnesota PremierePublications
Thank You Renewing Members
deZinnia
Ginko Coffeehouse
Izzy's Ice Cream
Minneapolis Happening Magazine
Mosaic on a Stick
Northeast Contemporary Services
Rebel Ink Baby
Regla De Oro Gallery
St. Paul Saints
The American Jewish World News
Victorian Designs Cleaning Services
©2014 MetroIBA, 2190 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.
Member AMIBA - Member ASBC
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