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THANK YOU!
Greetings!
We just want to start off saying "thank you" for all the wonderful and encouraging responses MEDA has received since launching our e-letter last month.
MEDA staff is excited and proud for this opportunity to feature entrepreneurs of color who continue to open doors to success and 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. | |
Book opens path to health & wellness
In an era where the answers to health and wellness seem to be constantly moving targets, May Yue's Tao of Youth, provides an innovative and practical approach to improving one's health and inner balance. Coupling traditional Chinese medicine with conventional Western medicines, Tao of Youth offers solutions through diet, exercise, music and meditation.
"This is a spiritual path of insight, joy and freedom towards wellness," says Yue. Based on the principles of "Tao" (which means way or path in Chinese) and the result of focus groups, medical workshop and research carried out by Yue's brother, Dr. Sam Yue, and herself, the book presents five keys to finding one's inner path of youth - from skin care and body posture to unifying the mind, body and spirit.
Besides the book, Sam and May also offer products such as rejuvenation cream, restoration tables and meditation CD that generate the feeling and appearance of youth.
Yue has worked closely with MEDA business consultants Kathleen Riopelle and Kris Maritz in obtaining financing through Wells Fargo Bank and exploring new avenues within which to share her book.
Yue will be sharing the Tao of Youth experience at a book release on Thurs., Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m. at The Marsh in Minnetonka.
For more information, visit www.taoofyouth.com
May Yue (pictured above) is the President and CEO of SKY BioHealth Solutions, Inc. She is a Woman of Enterprise Award winner and Bush Foundation Fellowship recipient. She serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA) and the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA). |
G&K Services CEO to lead next EDS luncheon
Richard Marcantoni, Chairman & CEO of G&K Services (pictured left) will lead the next 2007 Executive Development Series luncheon, Nov. 6.
Be sure to register EARLY for the upcoming monthly series as past luncheons have sold out!
The 2007 Executive Development Series has featured such speakers as Bradley Chapin (M&I Bank), Paul Douglas (WCCO), Stephen Sanger (General Mills, Inc.) and William McLaughlin (Select Comfort, Inc.).
Note: October's luncheon with James A. Dallas, Medtronic, Inc. Sr. Vice President and CIO, has been postponed to January 2008. More information will be available next month.
CLICK HERE for upcoming sessions and registration information.
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Golf outing scores hole-in-one for fun and networking
MEDA hosted its third annual Golf Invitational, Wednesday, August 29 at Legends Golf course. Sponsored by Fredrikson & Byron, 18 foursomes, along with staff and supporters, enjoyed a beautiful day of golfing, fun and networking
"Fredrikson & Byron has long been a strong supporter of MEDA and their clients and we were pleased to be the sponsor of the Golf Invitational," said Thomas Fraser, a partner at Fredrikson & Byron, LLP.
"The weather was perfect," added Faser. "The golf course is one of the Twin Cities' best and the chance to mingle with MEDA, their clients and other supporters made it a wonderful day. We'll be back next year!"
With strategically selected teams and ongoing partnerships, the golf invitational continues to impact the businesses of MEDA clients by not only celebrating their commitment to success, but also creating additional opportunities to connect them with larger, established corporate supporters.
"The Golf Invitational offered a great opportunity to bring people who didn't know each other together, with enough time to actually start building relationships that last outside of the golf course," said MEDA business consultant.
Though jokingly voted as the 'golfer most likely to keep her day job,' Riopelle took pride in being able to help organize this event.
"MEDA works hard to make this a worthwhile event so that participants feel good spending their day with us."
(pictured above, l -r: Carlos Landreau, Landreau Agency; Alan Reid, EMPO Corp.; and Thomas Fraser, Fredrikson & Byron)
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 New program focuses on business leadership
Through a grant from the Bush Foundation and financial supports from other corporations such as Jostens, Inc., MEDA rolled out its latest initiative - MEDA Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.
It is a comprehensive three-year program that focuses on leadership development, business development and community involvement. As part of the program, each program participant will receive a state-of-the-art leadership assessment, an assembly of advisory council members and opportunities to get involved in the community.
Participants will be expected to follow a three-year development plan tailored to realize his/her leadership potential and a three-year business plan that strategically moves the business towards his/her vision.
As of today, MEDA has extended its invitations to four potential candidates and three have formally accepted to be a participant of the program. We hope to share with you their successes in the near future. |
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MEDA Updates
As of August 31, 508 entrepreneurs have made it their business to succeed with MEDA!
Comercializa del Midwest, Plaits and Trinh Trinh joined as our most recent MEDA clients.
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Two businesses, IMM Group and Tea Garden, were recently approved for new business loans for expansion with the help of MEDA clients.
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Client Updates
This past August, MEDA client Jorge Sanchez opened a new mexican restarant. Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant, Bar and Seafood is located at 567 Stryker Avenue in West St. Paul. For more information, call 651.291.9632.
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MEDA consultants helped three clients bid for contracts with the Minnesota Ballpark Authority.
Two were awarded, including Mtec Electric, which received $143,591 to provide temproary power, and Nordic Contracting, which received a $300,000 contract for pouring concrete.
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Upcoming Events
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.
Oct. 4-6
2007 Pan African Trade & Investment Summit
Speakers include Governor Tim Pawlenty, Mr. Robert Jones, Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration, University of Minnesota and Judge (rtd) LaJune Thomas Lange, President of the International Leadership Institute. For more info, CLICK HERE.
Oct. 5, 9 a.m. - NOON
PTAC Training: "Doing Business with the States of MN and ND"
Speaker: Brenda Willard, Materials for Management Division & Susan Fugere, North Dakota State Procurement Office
Oct. 10, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
PTAC Training: "MAICC Business Builders Luncheon & Workshops"
Speaker: Andy Wells, Wells Technology, Inc.
Oct. 16, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
PTAC Training: "Intro to Government Contracting"
Speaker: Sherri Komrosky, PTAC Program Director
Oct. 23 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Next Step Series: "The Evolving Business of Business"
Speaker: Margaret Lulic, (for Pacesetters ONLY)
Oct. 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
PTAC Training: "Intro to Government Contracting"
Speaker: Sherri Komrosky, PTAC Program Director
1:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Executive Development Series
Speaker: Richard Marcantonio, Chairman & CEO, G&K Services |
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2007 Recent
General Operating Contributors
· Travelers Foundation
· Twin Cities Metro
Certified Development
Agency
· Xcel Energy, Inc.
· M&I Bank
· The Pentair Foundation
· The Jostens Foundation
· Fred C. and Katherine
B. Andersen Foundation
· RBC Dain Rauscher
Foundation
· Anchor Bank
· Sit Investment Advisors,
Inc.
· Larkin Hoffman Daly &
Lindgren Ltd.
· The Sanger Family
Foundation
· Paul and Patricia Curran
Foundation | |
