Cover Story
Chaos drives progress
Some COVID-driven technology enhancements now in place for good COVID-19 created a plethora of problems for Hopkins-based Citrus Systems, a 37-year-old juice processor that packs private label retail juices for dairies, food service, hospitality and other sectors. The institutional portion of the business comprising hospitality, schools and hospitals mostly shut down, slowing a significant portion […] Continue reading →
Letter From the Editor
Feel the fear and do it anyway
Nicholas Peterson left his comfy corporate job and the fitness industry he knew so well and launched two restaurant chains, the latest in April 2021, using his own money with local restaurant owner and friend Ryan Burnet as minority partner. “I don’t feel the need to have fear in my day-to-day operations when I’m using my own capital to build the companies,” Smiley said when I caught up with him in August. “You’re gambling with your own chips.” Continue reading →
Back Page
SBA tweaks EIDL program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in September announced several tweaks to its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program aimed at helping small businesses and communities still suffering due to the effects of COVID-19. The biggest changes increase the loan limit from $500,000 to $2 million and offer two full years of deferred payments. The […] Continue reading →
Focus
Cyber safety
When a company relocates or offers to relocate a new or current employee, they’re most likely not moving all those belongings themselves. They’re probably calling a company like Plus Relocation. Continue reading →
Business Builders
Technology
Keep up with telecom/internet changes and conquer network bills Most people think poring over voice, data and internet phone bills looking for charges and errors is agony, but it’s getting more important. The telecom industry has changed a lot in 34 years. Most recently, the telco carriers such as AT&T, Lumen and Sprint/T-Mobile have announced […] Continue reading →
Philanthropy
Experiencing success means giving back I grew up as a part of a large family, living in a small Minnesota town. Everyone knew everyone else. You knew what car they drove, when they bought it and from whom. I was pulled over for speeding one night and the officer said “Kirk, slow it down. You […] Continue reading →
Managment
Reignite your team by navigating Covid-changed dynamics As a leader, you have a lot on your plate right now. Toward the top of that list: planning for a transition. Whether your team is coming back to the office, continuing to work remotely indefinitely, or adopting a hybrid model, chances are, you’re navigating new waters. […] Continue reading →
Insurance
Health insurance offerings: what’s right for your business? Owners of small businesses increasingly recognize that benefits packages are important tools for recruitment and employee retention. This has been magnified in recent months. As recently as August, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that there are about 8.7 million people looking for work. Meanwhile, job […] Continue reading →
Catching up
TitleSmart still growing quickly via focus on customers
Six Januarys ago, TitleSmart Inc. was one of five finalists for the Upsize Business Builder of the Year award. Renter’s Warehouse eventually won the prize that year, but TitleSmart and its founder have proven worthy participants for that title in the years since. By early 2015, Cindy Koebele, president and CEO had tapped into her […] Continue reading →
