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.
[opening]
THAT CAN BE HARD, when you?re a strong-headed person ? to be open.?
So says Katie Burns, co-owner of The Real Deal, a bargain store in Brooklyn Park, and she means being open to suggestions from customers, vendors and employees.
With her store in its first year, she says many good ideas have come from people who see her store in ways different from her and her business partner?s.
?That to me has been the best learning experience. My whole life it?s been my ideas,? she says.
Burns is like so many entrepreneurs, used to forging ahead with strong beliefs, often when no one else believes.
But unlike so many, she has realized she can learn from others. Better still, she makes a point of listening for new ideas and putting them into action.
Burns is joined in her philosophy by the five winning pairs of the 2008 Upsize Lifeline Awards, featured in this issue?s cover story. The awards are designed to recognize the mentors and advisers who help small-business owners realize their dreams.
But they also honor the business owners themselves who demonstrate that rare ability to take good advice when they hear it, and put it into action at their companies.
We feature Sue Lindgren, founder of Ideal Coaching, who used her friend Kojo Benjamin Taylor?s advice that philanthropy is not a destination.
We feature Craig and Barb Ankrum, who took to heart Sam Cave?s advice, founder of Cave & Associates and their employer: No matter how lowly the job, do it yourself.
Sally Mainquist, CEO of Certes Financial Pros, goes straight to her employees to learn what she needs to know. It was a lesson learned long ago from her boss at the time, Graco Inc. CEO George Aristides.
Robin Kocina, co-owner of Kocina Marketing Cos., overhauled her management style because of a suggestion from a valued employee, her ?lifeline? Jennifer Fligge.
And Beth LaBreche, owner of public relations firm LaBreche, nominated Esperanza Guerrero-Anderson as her mentor for teaching the value of mutually beneficial long-term relationships.
These business owners and managers have learned the art of being open, and ready for all kinds of possibilities.
? Beth Ewen
Editor and co-founder
Upsize Minnesota
be***@*******ag.com
