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March 2017 Newsletter
MetroIBA Annual Meeting 2017
Join us as we recap 2016, lay the groundwork for the coming year, and introduce our new Executive Director!”
Wednesday March 29
6-9 pm
Midpointe Event Center
415 Pascal Street North, Saint Paul, 55104
Heavy appetizers and beverages
Join your fellow members for an evening of conversation, good food and drink, our required annual business meeting, and lots of great networking. MetroIBA member, Midpointe Event Center, has a beautiful location in the St. Paul Midway area with plenty of free parking. Guests welcome!
Purchase your Early-Bird tickets by March 18
and save $5 per ticket!
Members $25 – Non Members $45
(March 18 and after: Members $30 and Non Member $50)
Register and purchase tickets on our website.
Letter from the President
There are many things important to our organization. The work we do, the issues we discuss, and our businesses are made up of many pieces. Most of all it’s the people. People who develop and support our work, the community, and insure that we are making a positive economic impact. All of us bring something to the table- ideas, experience, drive and there are those who go above and beyond. Gary Mazzone did just that. A friend and leader, Gary’s generosity of words and actions touched many. A true connector and advocate, he was dedicated to helping others succeed. Outreach and Sales Director at Magers & Quinn Booksellers, Gary was an active member of MetroIBA. He took leadership on the issue of local procurement with our public policy committee. This is not particularly attractive work, while often data heavy and slow moving, Gary knew it was important for local businesses to get bids with governmental entities, school districts, and organizations and made this a priority. His work didn’t stop on a policy campaign level. Gary regularly took the time to advise the people he met. He offered insights and connections to business owners, authors and community members to make sure they could reach their greatest potential.
On a personal level, Gary inspired me to stay the course as he shared stories of his efforts as a pathforger and was also graciously advising me on a project. The suggestions and connections he offered greatly impacted me while gaining little himself. That’s how and who he was. Giving with love. Greatly involved in our organization, QUORUM, Calvary Lutheran Church and Magers & Quinn, Gary was an advocate for many, human and animal alike. He fostered dogs through Underdog Rescue, treating each with deep care and making sure to share with others the importance of the larger issue of care for animals.
Gary was celebrated as a finalist for the inagural Indie Business Awards last year, his passion and dedication exemplifying what it means to be a local business leader. He made sure to take that opportunity to promote the bookstore, hesitant to only take the credit himself, even in capturing his picture he wanted to make sure the books behind him were a focal point.
Information on services honoring Gary and words from Mary Magers are included in this newsletter.
Gary’s impact reverberates through the community. We were truly lucky to know him, learn from him, and have him working so fervently on our behalf.
Until next time,
Molly Glasgow
Owner, Point Acupressure
President, MetroIBA
No April Networking Event
NOTE: There will be no April networking event. Please join us for our annual meeting on March 29 instead!
Networking Events are generally held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses. Please check our website for upcoming times and locations.
Contact us if you are interested in hosting a Networking Event at info@metroiba.org
Free Webinar
MetroIBA’s free webinar series will resume in April
Watch our newsletter, our social media, and our events page for topics and a schedule.
If you have ideas for a webinar topic, or wish to present a webinar, please contact MetroIBA’s education committee chair, Michael Frasier at Michael@RubricLegal.com
Public Policy Committee
Please make plans to join us for our next meeting:
Thursday March 16th
12 noon – Conference Room
Jewish Community Action
2375 W. University Ave, St. Paul MN
If you have any questions regarding the PPC, please contact Brett Buckner at 612.229.1508 or brettdbuckner@gmail.com.
Gary Mazzone Memorial Service
With sadness we share the loss of Gary Mazzone, a long-time local business champion, MetroIBA friend, member and Public Policy committee activist.
Services for Gary will be held:
Prayer Service and Sharing: Friday, March 17 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This will include time for songs, sharing, prayer around the cross and candle lighting.
Memorial Service: Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Visitation: at Noon.
Fellowship: downstairs immediately following service — fruit, desserts and punch
All services will be held at:
Calvary Lutheran Church
3901 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis MN 55407
It is requested that anyone who would like to offer memorials, send them to Calvary Lutheran Church or Underdog Rescue- two of Gary’s passions.
Gary started participating in MetroIBA events in 2011 when he started as Outreach & Sales Director at Magers & Quinn Booksellers. He also participated on the Public Policy Committee. Every day in his work, whether it was talking with publishers, customers, and the other organizations he was a member of, Gary was promoting local. His email signature even included the phrase “When you make your purchases at M & Q Booksellers more of your dollars are kept in the Minnesota Economy“.Gary embraced full-on the support of local businesses and he walked-the-walk. He challenged himself to do all of his business locally. I often thought if there was as “How lo-cal can you go” challenge, he would win. The local movement resonated with him, he said, because it reminded him of his grandparents’ meat market on the south side of Chicago. His grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Austria. Next to their meat market was the Austrian Bakery. He recognized that these family-owned businesses are what helped build America.
Gary will be missed terribly by his Magers & Quinn family, and by all his many friends and the people he helped in the community.
– Mary Magers, Magers & Quin Booksellers
Micro Networking Lunch
Hate Networking? You’ll love this!
Micros are like Superheroes—a diverse group of uniquely skilled individuals with a passion for what they do who often work alone. Lunch and Learn more about Micros. Facts you’ll find hard to believe. Hate Networking? You’ll love this—we make the introductions. Micro? Business, Startup, Coop or Nonprofit of Less than ten or a Force of One? This event is for you! Please join us:
Micro Networking Lunch
Wednesday April 19, 11:30am – 1pm
Complimentary ~ Be our guest!
Central Library Saint Paul,
Andy Boss Community Room
90 W 4th St.
St Paul, MN 55102
Thanks to our Lunch Sponsors!
John Badgley . Key Insurance
Ben Theis . Skol Marketing
Roger Miller . REM Video & Events Company
Diane Brehmer . Catena Investment Services
Jim Gambone . Points of View
Lois Koffi . Lois Koffi
Jackie Menne . Joule
Hosted by WIN Center + Joule Micro Nation . joulemn.com
5th Annual Buy Local Partnership with MN Women’s Press
This July, MetroIBA will once again be partnering with Minnesota Women’s Press on their special Buy Local summer edition. An entire section of the magazine will be dedicated to the buy local movement, and feature many of our member businesses. This is a great opportunity to advertise with the MWP as it is an especially popular issue AND, for every member business that advertises in the month of July, MetroIBA will receive a donation to expand our programming.
“Minnesota Women’s Press does more to promote locally-owned indie businesses than any other Twin Cities publication. Year after year, they’ve supported the small businesses that reinvest in our communities.” – Dan Marshall, MetroIBA Member and owner of Mischief Toy Store.
To view last year’s guide, click here.
For questions about this unique opportunity, email KathyMagnuson or call her at 651-646-3968 x 309.
Indie Awards
A huge thank you to everyone who made nominations for the 2017 Twin Cities Indie Business Awards!
We are lucky to once again have a talented team of judges assembled including Steve LeBeau, La Juana Whitmore, Dr. Bruce Corrie, Sara Stern and Larry Bakken.
All nominees will receive a survey in the coming days. To be considered by our judges, nominees must return the survey so please watch your in-box!
Finalists will be announced this spring.
MORE-B Business Owners Roundtable
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MORE-B is designed to be an advisory group and a safe environment to share business challenges. It is not a networking group. It is open only to MetroIBA members. We ask for a commitment to attend every month. We screen members to ensure there are not competing businesses that would cause a conflict.
Third Tuesday of the month
3:30-5:00 PM
CHESS
33 E Wentworth Ave., Suite 320
West St. Paul
RSVP – host & moderator Carol Keyes
carkey@chess-safety.com
651-481-9787
ADA Lawsuits and legislation update
Check your parking lots! The disability access lawsuits are far from over. Although the legislature is working on a solution, the best solution is prevention. Approximately 90% of these drive-by lawsuits target businesses with simple parking lot striping and signage violations. If you haven’t already done so, make sure your parking lot complies with the ADA and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
MetroIBA’s Vice President Michael Frasier is once again working with other business organizations and disability advocacy groups to amend the Minnesota Human Rights Act in an effort to curb these drive-by lawsuits. As before, the difficulty lies in balancing the interests of the small businesses being disproportionately targeted by the lawsuits with the interests of the disabled community at large. Michael expects a more aggressive amendment to be presented this session.
Calling All Members!
MetroIBA New Member Packet Help
Volunteer
Are you a MetroIBA member wanting to become more involved? Have a few extra minutes a month to welcome a new member? We could use your help delivering Membership packets to new members. We’d match you up to a new member near you, provide you the packet, and love you even more! Contact us at info@metroiba.org
Send Us Your Goodies
Would you like your business product samples, special offers or coupons to be included in our monthly MetroIBA Membership Packets? Then NOW is the time to send us your goodies!
Membership packets are distributed monthly to all new members and including YOUR item is a wonderful business introduction to other MetroIBA members.
Contact us at info@metroiba.org and make arrangements to mail us your items, drop them off or we will gladly pick them up from you.
The next membership packet distribution is scheduled for the end of March so don’t delay!
Thank you in advance for your support of MetroIBA and all its members. And a BIG thank you to all who have provided items in the past!
Member News
Please let us know if you win an award, gain some media attention, have an anniversary, or do something awesome. MetroIBA loves to celebrate their members by sharing your great news!
Bruce Corrie MetroIBA citizen member, Economist and Associate Vice President of Concordia University in St. Paul studies the economic impact of immigrants and minorities. He is interviewed in this StarTribune March 3, 2017 article Economist at St. Paul’s Concordia University gauges the economic impact of immigrants in Minnesota. Link to full article.
Molly Glasgow owner of Point Acupressure and our own board president is featured in Bruce Corrie‘s Minnesota Business article What’s love got to do with it? Rethinking our business model on the theme of operating for the common good. Way to go, Molly! Link to full article.
WomenVenture was awarded a $375,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation to establish a pilot program to help establish cooperatively owned 24-hour day-care businesses in low-income areas. CEO Elaine Wyatt of WomenVenture said: “This grant allows us to take that knowledge and expertise to create an entrepreneurial pathway for women who are interested in starting cooperatively owned day cares and, in the process, serve the needs of low-income working families.” Last year Women Venture served 1,000 clients, 60 percent of whom were low-to-moderate income, and helped start, improve or expand 615 business.
Enjoy the benefits of membership in 2017
Membership benefits include:
- Discounts from other member businesses
- Member directory listing on buylocaltwincities.com
- Members only discussion group through list serv
- Expanded online presence through Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
- Free webinars and monthly networking events
- Public policy advocacy/Rapid Response Team
- Free subscription to Minnesota Business Magazine
….and much more
Business memberships being at only $190/year or $18/month. Choosing the monthly option helps MetroIBA lower our costs by maintaining a consistent cash flow. Monthly payments also reduce administrative costs, and allow us to focus on growing the independent businesses that we represent.
If you have recently received notice that your membership is about to lapse, simply go to buylocaltwincities.com/membership and renew online. Or, you can mail your payment to:
MetroIBA
P.O. Box 40560
St. Paul, MN 55104
Thank you Volunteers
Mary Jo Koplos~Postal Dispatch Business Center
Interested in volunteering? Contact us.
