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Welcome to the MEDA's first e-letter!
Greetings!
We are excited to bring you this snapshot of MEDA. Each month, we will feature entrepreneurs of color who have opened the doors to success, highlight staff and programming updates, as well as let you know about upcoming MEDA events.
Be sure to let us know something that you'd like MEDA to share. Send your suggestions via e-mail to info@meda.net. And, don't forget to RSVP for the MEDA GALA 2007 below!
We look forward to being your monthly connection to everything MEDA.
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Opening doors to success
MEDA recently helped Jean-Robert Cole, a Haitian immigrant, launch TeamlogicIT - Hopkins, along with legal and accounting volunteers from Faegre & Benson, LLP and Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP.
Opening doors for business is an important milestone for all entrepreneurs. MEDA has helped launch more than 380 businesses of color in our 36-year history.
"Finding out about MEDA was the best thing that happened to me as an emerging entrepreneur," said Cole. "My MEDA consultant was a tremendous source of information and support. Furthermore, MEDA opened many doors that were too heavy for me to open alone."
Cole operates the first Minnesota unit of TeamLogicIT, which provides quick response troubleshooting, repair of desktops, servers, online systems and a variety of consultation and maintenance services once available only to large companies.
Through its flagship product, SystemWatch, TeamLogicIT focuses on preventing disasters by proactively monitoring its customers' systems.
TeamLogicIT - Hopkins received partial financing by MEDA through M&I Bank and the SBA Community Express.
"Without MEDA's assistance," said Cole, "my company would not exist today."
(pictured above: Jean-Robert Cole (r) and Scott Ochnser, MEDA MEDA Loan Program Manager)
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Inspiring great leadership
The 2007 Executive Development Series has kicked off to a great start with speakers such as Paul Douglas (WCCO), Bradley Chapin (M&I Bank) and William McLaughlin (Select Comfort, Inc.).
Leading discussions on leadership, strategic planning and business development, these successful CEO's are inspiring entrepreneurs of color to pave new pathways to success!
Well-attended and empowering, these sessions are helping our client to not only think outside of the box, but to also make the 'box' work for them.
Douglas shared his vision on building a business from the ground up and when it's time to sell; McLaughlin challenged participants to give their employees a mission rather than a paycheck, and their customers a solution, rather than a product!
Be sure to register EARLY for the upcoming monthly series. Our upcoming July 24 luncheon, led by Stephen Sanger, General Mills Chairman and CEO (pictured above) is already SOLD OUT!
Not only will he be sharing his personal leadership style and insights, Sanger has also extended a personal invitation to registrants to attend the General Mills Leadership Forum, beginning at 8:00 that same morning.
Entitled "Thirteen Roles of a High Performance Leader," the forum will introduce participants to strategic leadership roles and how they influence performance.
CLICK HERE for upcoming sessions and registration information.
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Annual luncheon helps even odds
June 19 marked MEDA's 36th Annual Luncheon recognizing its leaders, supporters and clients' accomplishments.
The Luncheon, held at the Hilton-Minneapolis, boasted record attendance and honored several MEDA clients and volunteers, including Andy Wells (Wells Technology, Inc.) as Entrepreneur of the Year.
Featuring keynote speaker Sandy Vargas, The Minneapolis Foundation President & CEO, attendees were challenged to help even the odds faced by so many entrepreneurs of color and encouraged that the work they have already done does not go unnoticed.
For a complete list of winners and more information on this event, please CLICK HERE.
Pictured above: Andy Wells.
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MEDA signs contract with Ballpark Authority 
The Minnesota Ballpark Authority recently awarded MEDA a contract to help bring entrepreneurs of color for potential opportunities to participate in the Twins Stadium construction project.
MEDA will also provide capacity building and business development resources to W/MBE's engaged in the project.
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New Staff!
 Mandy Chan Fund Development & Program Coordinator
Prior to embarking on a new career in the nonprofit sector, Mandy spent eight years at Ernst & Young LLP as an auditor and business advisor.
Her primary responsibilities include fund development and program support for the newly developed Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.
 Uri Camarena, MBA
Business Consultant
Uri has 30 years of diversified corporate experience with a strong background in operations, communications, public relations and learning and development. For years, Uri has also participated in multiple international start-up projects in Europe and South America.
Uri is well-known in the community for his involvement in philanthropy, focusing on families at risk and the arts. In addition, he serves on the board of trustees at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, the board of Vocalessence and as a Vice Chair for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
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MEDA Updates
As of July 31, 489 entrepreneurs have made it their business to succeed with MEDA!
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Four new clients recently joined MEDA to advance their businesses. They are Avenue Staffing, Mitchell Construction, Sky BioHealth and A&A Millwork.
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MEDA recently signed a $15K contract with the Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department to provide community and economic development consulting services to Minneapolis businesses.
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MEDA consultants helped close three new business loans, totaling $360,000. These dollars will assist our clients finance working projects and purchase equipment.
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Client Updates
Cafe Ena recently opened its doors, offering a Latino fusion menu with specialty dishes from South American and Mexico. Its owners, Hector Ruiz and Erin Ungerman, who also own El Meson, are long-standing MEDA clients and received finaincing through MEDA's Loan Program. Cafe Ena is located at 4601 Grand Avenue in Minneapolis.
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West Central Environmental Company (WEC) was certified by the Minnesota State Department of Administration as a Targeted Group business. WEC is an environmental and compliance service company serving customers in the upper Midwest and northwestern United States.
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Upcoming Events
Aug. 21,
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Executive Development Series
Speaker: Stephen Sanger, Chairman & CEO, General Mills
Sept. 25,
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Next Step Series: "Creating a Culture of Shared Goals and Objectives"
Speaker: Debbie Magnuson, M.A., Retreat Instructor and Coach (for Pacesetters ONLY)
Oct. 4, 4:30 p.m.
3rd Annual CPP Awards Reception
Honoring partners in the Construction Partnering Program (CPP) and construction projects that have increased opportunities for entrepreneurs of color and women.
1:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Executive Development Series
Speaker:
Richard Marcantonio, Chairman & CEO, G&K Services
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2007 YTD
General Operating Contributors
· The McKnight Foundation
· The General Mills
Foundation
· 3M Foundation
· Cargill, Inc.
· U.S. Bancorp Foundation
· The Medtronic
Foundation
· Ameriprise Financial,
Inc.
· Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans Foundation
· Piper Jaffray & Company
· SUPERVALU
Foundation
· Fredrikson & Byron
Foundation
· Kraus-Anderson
Construction Companies
· Securian Foundation
· Tennant Foundation
· Faegre & Benson
Foundation
· Goodwin-Lindsay Family
Fund
· Walter C. Rasmussen
Foundation - Northeast
Bank
· The Whitney Foundation
· Ingersoll Rand, Climate
Control Technologies
· Toro Foundation
· Ted & Roberta Mann
Foundation
· JE Dunn - North Central
· Apogee Entreprises, Inc.
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