Connect Business Magazine

Since 1994: The Magazine for Growing Businesses in Southern Minnesota

Archives for the ‘Hot Startz!’ Category

So. Minn. Skydiving, So. Minn. Surgical, The Picker-Uppers

Sep 2010 • Category: Hot Startz!

Southern Minnesota Skydiving opened for business at Le Sueur Municipal Airport on May 15, 2010.
Dr. William Lee of Blue Earth began seeing potential in developing a niche market in southern Minnesota: Lap-Band surgery for weight loss.
The Picker-Uppers owner, Justin Keech, learned a lot from his mother, Sue Rothmeier, a New Ulm RE/MAX real estate broker.



Cornerstone Pizza & Pasta, Body Healing By Suzanne Kral, Prairie’s Edge Landscapes

Jul 2010 • Category: Hot Startz!

Jim Weber and Joe Leinpz opened Cornerstone Pizza & Pasta at 2 East Minnesota in March.
After graduating from Sleepy Eye Public in 1979, Suzanne Kral first worked in the Army National Guard doing office work, then as a nurse’s aide, a daycare owner, and finally seven years ago as a nurse’s aide again.
For three years, Andy Budahn and Matt Furth (son of former AMPI executive Mark Furth) worked side-by-side in the Twin Cities. In April 2010, the two began Prairie’s Edge Landscapes in New Ulm.



Renew Skin & Laser Center, Jessica Barnett Chiropractic, The Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe

May 2010 • Category: Hot Startz!

Fairmont: Renew Skin & Laser Center – “I’m from Michigan, and we moved here in 1990, when (my husband) Cory and I moved here for his orthopedic practice,” said 49-year-old Rene Welchlin in a telephone interview.

Mankato: Jessica Barnett Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic – “I was born and raised in Mankato, and went to Loyola High School,” said 29-year-old Jessica Barnett in a Connect Business Magazine telephone interview.

Le Sueur: The Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe – Kirk Litynski grew up in St. Peter as a classmate of Jon Davis, part of the Davis family owning Davisco Foods International. This last August, Davis hired his long-time friend to launch and manage The Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe at 719 North Main



Critical Fuel Technology, Mankato Clinic Infusion Center, North Central International

Mar 2010 • Category: Hot Startz!

Madison Lake: Critical Fuel Technoly – When leaving in 2008 as vice president of manufacturing, Terry Treanor had 14 years in at Winland Electronics in Mankato.

Mankato: Mankato Clinic Infusion Center – On April 20, 2009, Mankato Clinic’s Oncology, Hematology, and Infusion Center opened in the lower level of Mankato Clinic at 1230 Main Street in Mankato.

New Ulm: North Central International – At one time, Tom and Dave Fox were the sole owners of Fox Brothers of Sanborn, retailing and servicing medium and heavy trucks in Sanborn, Minnesota.



Railway Bar & Grill, The Splendid Nest, European Antiques

Jan 2010 • Category: Hot Startz!

Sleepy Eye: Railway Bar & Grill – Dan and Sue Helget had their open house for Railway Bar & Grill at 300 First Avenue North about a year ago.

New Ulm: The Splendid Nest – Kathleen Connell recently opened The Splendid Nest at 210 North Minnesota in the former Grand Hotel.

New Ulm: European Antiques – Aini Isaksson was born in Hosko, Finland, and early on with her parents moved to Sweden. In time, she owned a cleaning business there.



Waseca Enews, Red Barn Retreats, Vanderberg Clean

Nov 2009 • Category: Hot Startz!

Waseca: Waseca Enews – Waseca Enews launched on August 11 webcasting print, video, and audio over its WasecaEnews.com website.

Garden City: Red Barn Retreats – Shelley and Marty Leenhouts began Red Barn Retreats on August 22 with a well-attended grand opening.

Mankato: Vanderberg Clean – You could almost say Joshua Vanderberg has cleaning supplies coursing through his veins.