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Metropolitan Economic Development Association
"helping entrepreneurs of color succeed"

your monthly connection to everything MEDA!

December 24, 2007 | Volume 1.5
www.meda.net
Wishing you a Safe and Healthy Holiday and a Prosperous New Year!
 
As the New Year fast approaches, we are excited to have had the opportunity to continue empowering entrepreneurs of color in the Twin Cities and beyond. We have had a great year and look forward to serving entrepreneurs of color into the next!

 

Be sure to let us know something that you'd like MEDA to share. Send your suggestions via e-mail to info@meda.net. We look forward to being your monthly connection to everything MEDA.

January EDS workshop sold out!
 
H. James Dallas2008 is already looking to be a great year for the Executive Development Series. The January 15 session featuring H. James Dallas is already booked to capacity!
 
The Executive Development Series (EDS) is an informal luncheon series that provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs of color to meet industry leaders and network with other entrepreneurs.
 
The 2007 series has featured speakers such as

Richard Marcantonio (G&K Services), Bradley Chapin (M&I Bank), Paul Douglas (WCCO), Stephen Sanger (General Mills, Inc.) and William McLaughlin (Select Comfort, Inc.).

 
Note: If you are interested in joining the waiting list for next month's EDS session, please e-mail lfraser@meda.net.

shake hands 3Become a mentor

Do you remember when you were taking your first steps into your career? Did you have the opportunity to speak with experienced professionals in your field? Do you wish you had?

 

If your answer is yes, MEDA is hoping you will join our organization as a mentor. We are seeking seasoned business executives to help advise and mentor emerging and established entrepreneurs of color! Currently, we have 22 established mentorships, which serve as invaluable resources to our clients in a variety of fields, including construction, IT, service and retail.

 

Matches are based on shared professional interests, with relationships developed primarily through periodic meetings, MEDA events and e-mail communication.

 

We hope that you will make the decision to help grow a business and become a mentor. For more information, please contact Jan Jordet at 612.259.6566 or e-mail jjordet@meda.net.

 
Teaming for success, one connection at a time
 

When Jorge Mendoza approached MEDA with a business idea to launch a food company, he needed more than a plan. He needed a connection to unique expertise in agriculture and food products and community resources. MEDA business consultant Edgardo Rodriguez recognized this need and helped Jorge take the necessary steps.

 

Edgardo teamed Jorge with mentor, Ricardo Robles, retired Cargill executive and former MEDA Board Member, as well as legal advice from Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. Jorge was able to gain invaluable insight (in Spanish!) into the marketing and development necessary to further establish his business. 

 

Once armed with information, Jorge was introduced to Joe Selvaggio's MicroGrants (www.microgrants.net), which provided a small grant to continue growing his business ideas. MEDA is excited to have played a key role in this potential business start. Stay tuned for more information on Jorge and his developing company.
In This Issue
January EDS SOLD OUT!
Become a Mentor
Teaming for Success
Upcoming Events
visit www.meda.net for event details
 

Jan. 8, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Next Step Series: "Enlightened Leadership"

Speaker: Mark Stefan, Marketing Synergist (for Pacesetters ONLY)

 

Jan. 8, 1 - 4 p.m.

PTAC Training: Doing Business with the Corps of Engineer. Presentation by Tom Kopmeiners, Deputy of Small Business.

 

Jan. 15,

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Executive Development Series

Speaker: H. James Dallas, Senior Vice President & CIO, Medtronic, Inc.

 

Jan. 17, 1 - 4 p.m.

PTAC Training: Doing Business with the Corps of Engineer. Presentation by Tom Kopmeiners, Deputy of Small Business.

 

Jan. 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

PTAC Training: Introduction to Government Contracting. Presentation by Mark Cooper and Rodney McGee, PTAC Metro Area Managers.

 

 

2007 Recent 

General Operating Contributors
 
· Piper Jaffray
· The Vance
   Demong Charitable
   Trust
· STAR (Synagogues,
   Transformation and
   Renewal)
 
100 Percent of MEDA's board and staff members have contributed in 2007! We thank them for their continued support.
 
 

About MEDA

The Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to businesses owned and managed by entrepreneurs of color. MEDA's services are designed to establish long-term relationships that serve as catalysts to create successful businesses.

Vision
Economic parity for communities of color, driven by the entrepreneurial spirit
 
Mission
To help entrepreneurs of color achieve success in the free enterprise system.
 
Continued success in our mission will result in:
 
· Sustainable businesses that employ diverse work forces and create quality, living wage jobs
· Business owners who make positive contributions to their communities, become leaders and are
  considered role models