With the vision of bringing a high-end salon and spa to the eclectic mix of other locally-owned, niche businesses on St. Peter’s main drag, Emily Schoper and Ashley Stanley brought the vision into focus. “St. Peter was a no brainer for us. We wanted to set ourselves up for success in a community that has a lot of great small businesses.”
Read More
Today, Dustin VanHale has a thriving business with numerous employees. He’s come a long way from where he started, which was in his garage in Madelia mowing lawns part time as a high school student back in 2007. What started out as a part-time job to earn extra money, slowly grew and today Total Lawn Care and Landscape, with Dustin in the driver’s seat, brings attention to detail to everything that the company and its crews touches
Read More
Elsewhere in this issue, we talk about the recently coined phrase “Retail Apocalypse.” Well, I want to throw out another one that I’ve embraced for decades now…“Retail Therapy.” This is the counterpoint to the national phenomena that is happening as large national retailers continue to struggle.
Read More
The Greater St. Peter area receives an injection of $46 million dollars that will expand not only the hospital there, but the local economy as well. “Solid infrastructure and modern healthcare facilities play a key role in the economic sustainability of rural communities – attracting new businesses, retaining population and providing opportunities for future growth,” says Brad Finstad, State Director for USDA Rural Development.
Read MoreThis issue of Connect Business Magazine features three very different people, in three very different industries. However, there are two things they all have in common: they have great instincts and they have a great love for southern Minnesota.
Read More
I don’t mean to scare you, but if you own or manage a small to medium size business (under 500 employees), a recent study shows you have a one in five chance of getting hit with an employment claim. The study, by business insurer Hiscox, also finds the average cost to defend employment charges is $125,000, which includes expenses such as attorney’s fees and settlement costs. If you are not prepared, these can be alarming statistics.
Read More
The U.S. wedding industry hit the $72 billion revenue mark in 2016. Good news for the 300,000-plus wedding vendors operating in the United States. That industry’s far reaching impact could even be felt in the small southern Minnesota town of Easton. Population 199.
Read More
Breanna Ludeman knows a thing or two about seizing the moment and making the most of opportunities that come your way. She also knows the value of hard work in supporting those moments and opportunities. As a wife, a mother of two, a former Mrs. Minnesota, a registered nurse, a personal trainer and a successful business owner she feels it is her calling to help others lead a healthy lifestyle.
Read More
Randy Long is finally bringing to light, a dream he’s been harboring for more than 25 years: owning his own business. “My work life so far has been focused on serving others in some capacity, starting with growing up in my aunt and uncle’s clothing store,” he reflects.
Read More