November, 2018 - Connect Business Magazine

November 1, 2018December 12, 2018 Lisa Cownie

Wu Lin, Tokyo Sushi & Hibachi

According to an old Chinese proverb, “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” The life of Wu Lin, born in Fuzhou, China 34 years ago, certainly reflects that teaching. From learning the art of sushi, to learning English, to learning how to run a business: Lin says his constant yearning for learning got him where is today. Where he is today, is a long, long way from his birthplace. For Lin that single step was discovering his true passion in the kitchen: sushi. A passion that led him on a journey from China to Japan and eventually the United States.

Feature Story

November 1, 2018December 11, 2018 Lisa Cownie

Ballman Roofing & Coating

The materials and tools needed to build or replace a roof may seem basic: an underlayment, shingles, roofing nails, a nail gun and roofing knife. But it’s the tools you can’t see that Mark Ballman really believes makes a difference in his company. “The typical roofer has had some type of tough situation in their life,” says Ballman. “But most have got a good soul and a big heart.”

Feature Story

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 Carlienne Frisch

Marshall Ace Home & Hardware

As the oldest of three children in the family, Jennifer (Fox) Johnson was 15 when she began her career at what is now Ace Home & Hardware in Marshall, Minnesota. “One evening, my father, Ray Fox, told me I was going to the store with him the next day and to be ready to learn the hardware business,” she explains.

Hot Startz!

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 Lisa Cownie

Inspire Health & Wellness

Diet and weight loss centers seem to pop up daily, but as Tina McClain watched this happening, she could see a few things that could be done better. “I want to offer people an affordable diet/wellness plan along with the family grab and bake at-home meals to complete what I feel teaches people healthy living without the large yearly fees or initial fees,” she explains.

Hot Startz!

November 1, 2018December 12, 2018 Lisa Cownie

The Retz 227

The city of New Ulm can boast many unique opportunities: Herman the German, The Grand Center for the Arts, Schell’s Brewery and now its own speakeasy. What is a speakeasy? According to the Urban Dictionary, Speakeasies are inspired by the hidden spots to get a drink during the Prohibition in the 1920s.

Hot Startz!

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 Lisa Cownie

Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping, Mankato

Jeremy and Jacque Whiteford met each other while attending college at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The two became partners in life, getting married, but didn’t know at the time they would also become partners in business.

Business Snapshot (Sponsored)

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 Connect Business Magazine

The Canopy Group Insurance Agency

The Canopy group was named the 2018 Agency of the Year by the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association, and for good reason. In recent years, The Canopy Group has quadrupled in size. Six years ago they had two carriers with a million dollars of premium per year. Today, they have over a million dollars of premium per year with more than 10 carriers.

Entrepreneurial Insight

November 1, 2018December 11, 2018 Lisa Cownie

Nathan Stolt, Tech Connect Plus

For Nathan Stolt, being a successful entrepreneur means knowing how to use mistakes to identify your strengths. It means asking questions of those that came before you. And it means offering a helping hand to others. “We’ve been fortunate because we get to meet a lot of other small businesses of all types,” says Stolt. “We get to interact with so many different types so we can start introducing them to each other which is fantastic to see.”

A Day in the Life

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 Lisa Cownie

Kathy Sanger

Twenty three years ago, Kathy Sanger was a new college graduate working as an evening admissions representative at Rasmussen College. Today, she leads the campus in Mankato that now serves more than 700 students. She has filled a variety of roles in her tenure at Rasmussen including Admissions Manager, Director of Admissions and Director of Campus Operations.