Jay Sachetti joined Jeff O’Brien, partner at Husch Blackwell and Dyanne Ross-Hanson, president of Exit Planning Strategies talked about the market for mergers and acquisitions, exit planning opportunities for companies that don’t end up for sale and how companies can maximize their eventual sale price during an early October panel at the first Upsize on Tap event at Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul.
When the state Legislature passed a law requiring employers to provide paid leave and safe time for employees, Justin Bieganek started hearing differing details from friends, colleagues and peers.
INFORMER :: EXPANSION
Dent Kraft prez
wants to add
?old-world? techs
by Beth Ewen
Katie Burns and Kelly Simi had a house-cleaning business together, and they were devoted bargain shoppers themselves. So it seemed natural to open The Real Deal, a bargain store in Brooklyn Park that posted $350,000 in revenue its first year.
?We just realized we could do it better. We could make it look better, smell better and be more organized,? says Burns. They didn?t have experience in the unusual world of bargain retail.
?We buy from a third-party liquidator; they have contracts with certain stores. We buy overstocks, clearance, out of season,? Burns says. ?It?s been a very awesome learning experience.
?Getting the right merchandise and pricing it right,? is a challenge, Burns says. ?We are constantly checking out the competition.?
Burns says she?s learned to listen to people who comment on the store. ?Their opinions are like diamonds ? vendors, customers, employees. Especially my employees see the store differently from how I see it.?
Katie Burns, Kelly Simi, The Real Deal: 763.315.2775; bu********@*ol.com; www.therealdealmn.net
