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A Continually Changing Landscape 
VISIONS In the mid eighties when computers were starting to make a dramatic impact in business, Jon Otto started his entrepreneurial journey. A Minnesota State University Moorhead graduate with a background in graphic arts and design, Jon created Visions Design Studio and put his passion, talent and skills to work. "I started the company, outfitted it with computer equipment and basically went into design and marketing services. As time went on, I worked closely with many different printers in town and built valuable relationships but wasn't able to capture the revenue stream until last year when we acquired Creek Litho, a Native American -owned printing business." As a person of Native American heritage, it was important to Jon that Creek Litho maintain its minority-owned status. He hired the owner and brought many of its staff on board to work for Visions.
Visions provides integrated marketing and communication services. Customers are offered numerous ways to use the power of the Internet to boost their profits. A team of 24 staff are well grounded in traditional communications disciplines, graphic design, advertising and marketing. In addition, they offer a complete array of commercial printing services.
Jon and his team work hard to run a business that's sustainable economically, socially and environmentally. "We give back to the community through scholarships and internships; we are FSC certified (Forest Service Certification), meaning that the paper we used can be tracked; we are a Minnesota Green Printer and everything we use is 100% recyclable; we run a cost-effective business while helping our customers save cost and receive the greatest overall value."
Jon says that MEDA has been helpful in developing his business. Uri Camarena, MEDA Business Consultant, is usually his first call for help but he works with other consultants too. For example, he worked with Sherri Komrosky, PTAC Manager, and her team to help develop growth strategies through opportunities with the state and federal government.
For a person who has always enjoyed the dynamic nature of business ownership, the current economic climate motivates Jon to do more. "The business landscape is continually changing-that makes it more exciting and gives us more opportunities. I'm hopeful about the future." |
Board Spotlight 
Kathy Tunheim
President and CEO,
Kathy Tunheim remembers being aware of MEDA early in her career when she worked for Honeywell, an early supporter and advocate of MEDA. She thought that MEDA's work was important but didn't have the opportunity to understand it more directly until she joined the Board in 2005.
As an entrepreneur, Kathy has a keen appreciation for having the right kind of support, advisors and financial access for business owners. She believes that the key to MEDA's success has been in developing the expertise in these areas and focusing on its primary audience, the entrepreneur of color.
From her experience working in corporate and as a business owner working with corporate clients, Kathy understands that large companies are committed to the notion of ensuring full participation in the supply chain. "The only way economic parity is going to work in the long run is if there are strong, growing companies and enterprises in the region; so the work that MEDA does is important to the entrepreneurs but it's also important to the large corporations. That, to me, seems like a unique proposition."
Speaking to the broad diversity of the kinds of businesses that MEDA supports, Kathy says, "I think that speaks volume about the caliber of staff that MEDA has. They are good at what they do and understand how to work across industry sectors."
The tenacity of MEDA clients is what impresses Kathy the most. "Tenacity works. These are not one hit wonders. These are entrepreneurs just like me-they have a good idea, but more importantly, they have a good work ethic and tend to be successful over time. They give back to the community, create jobs and so on. These are the kinds of business people that everyone wants to be successful."
When asked what advice she would like to offer entrepreneurs, Kathy laughs and says, "I can take advice from them." On a serious note, she says, "Keep focus on your own definition of success and acknowledge that timing matters-sometimes you have a brilliant idea and it doesn't work; not because it wasn't a brilliant idea but because timing matters. This current environment we're in is just the recent evidence of that."
MEDA is appreciative of Kathy's contributions and her commitment to its mission.
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| MEDA Honors Volunteers at Recognition Reception hosted by Travelers
MEDA honored community members for their service to MEDA and entrepreneurs of color. The awards were given Thursday, April 23 at the MEDA volunteer recognition reception hosted by Travelers in downtown Saint Paul. Pictured above: (l to r) Dr. Sandra Davis of MDA Leadership Consulting, Yvonne Cheung Ho, MEDA and Chuck Rauenhorst, Rauenhorst Recruiting
The volunteers were honored for giving of their time, knowledge and leadership to help entrepreneurs of color succeed. The honorees spent many hours, giving back to the Twin Cities community and sharing their time and business expertise. In 2008 MEDA had 215 people volunteer 4,373 hours at the organization and throughout the community at MEDA client businesses.
The honorees at the volunteer reception were:
MDA Leadership Consulting
Consulting Solutions
Rauenhorst Recruiting Company
Tom King, Fredrikson & Byron
Rita Apaloo, MEDA
Pam Wandzel, Fredrikson & Byron
Sharon Holland, Lurie, Besikof, Lapidus & Company LLP
Deb Labonne, General Mills (retired)
Tunheim Partners
Lee Lekueyen, General Mills
Thomas Koopmeiners, Army Corps of Engineers
Ivy Chang, PR International
The MEDA Gala Committee Members -
Neesha Mehta, Stonebridge Bank (co-chair)
MaryAnne London, WoW! Events by Kraus-Anderson (co-chair)
Dana Bratsch, Target (co-chair)
Andrea Burns, Independent Packing Services
Sarah Draxler, Western Bank
Carolyn Johnson
Kim Maher, Veit
Michael McHugh, Target
Trish Sackrison, Western Bank
Paul Schupmann, Schupmann & Associates
Dimple Wahi, WiseSoft
Tracy Wild, Aero Assemblies
"We are fortunate to have so many people step forward and help out our organization and the entrepreneurs of color we serve. We can't thank them enough" said, Yvonne Cheung Ho, MEDA CEO.
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MEDA Employee Spotlight 
Kathleen Riopelle
MEDA Consultant
An outdoorsy type who enjoys golfing, hiking, camping, kayaking, traveling and any type of adventure-oriented activity, Kathleen tackles each task with energy and purpose, like a true adventurer.
Since Kathleen joined the Business Consulting Service (BCS) team over 3 years ago, she has used her many years of experience working in the corporate sector and as an independent consultant to help MEDA's clients develop business solutions. Her focus at MEDA is business development, strategic planning, market segmentation and market development plans.
In addition to providing business consulting services to a broad range of MEDA clients, Kathleen is also responsible for designing and coordinating MEDA's Next Steps Series, a monthly training workshop open to current participants or graduates of the Pacesetter Program.
"The Next Steps Series provides high quality training, similar to what's available to mainstream business owners but at an affordable price. It provides the opportunity to network in a collaborative environment that promotes sharing with other individuals who understand the unique challenges of running a business," says Kathleen.
Thanks to our program sponsors, Deluxe Corporation Foundation and Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, as well as our volunteer presenters, this year's series includes topics on successful business strategies to help MBEs survive the economic crisis.
Kathleen also leads the Leadership Track (one of 3) of the MEDA Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. She works with program partners to help clients learn about their personal leadership styles. Through assessment testing, coaching and a one page planning tool, business owners learn to align their leadership style with business development goals.
Speaking to the current environment, Kathleen urges entrepreneurs to implement strategies to address the challenging times. "This is not a "business as usual" type of economy. The value proposition developed a year ago may no longer be relevant today. It's all about creating relevance; as needs change, business owners need to continually adapt both their products and processes to find solutions that meet current needs of the customer."
To learn about becoming a MEDA program sponsor or for general information, Kathleen can be reached at kriopelle@meda.net or 612-259-6580.
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| Take a look at the new MEDA Website!!
SERVICES
EVENTS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
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| 2009 Accomplishments
Year To Date
320 entrepreneurs of color made it their business to succeed with MEDA.
YTD MEDA approved $499.000 for 4 new loans.
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Asian Pacific 2009 Leadership Award - Dennis Kim of EVS, Inc.
The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans selected MEDA client Dennis Kim of EVS, Inc. as one of its four leadership awardees this year. For more information or to attend the May 15th Award Dinner, click here.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
Executive Development Series (EDS)
DON'T MISS THIS!
A small group luncheon with the
CEO of Ecolab,
Doug Baker
May 13, 2009
Limited to 25 entrepreneurs of color ONLY!
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PACESETTER
Next Step Series
Tuesday, May 19
Todd Lifson - Lurie Besikof and Lapidus, LLP
Remember to register at
(612) 332- 6332
May 8, 2009
Selling to the Government: Advanced Successful Strategies - Minneapolis
May 19, 2009
Doing Business with the State of Minnesota - St. Cloud
May 20, 2009
Advanced Issues in Government Contracting - Procurement Series Minneapolis
May 28, 2009
Future Combat System Briefing - Brooklyn Center
June 4, 2009
Getting Started in Federal Contracting Superior, WI
June 4, 2009
Custom Manufacturing for the Military Superior, WI
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EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT SERIES (EDS)
Don't miss the chance to attend small group luncheons and meet these execs.
Limited to 25 entrepreneurs of color only.
May 13, 2009 Douglas Baker
CEO - Ecolab
August 19, 2009
Kenneth Powell, Chair and CEO - General Mills
September 15, 2009
Richard Copeland, CEO - Thor Construction
October 7, 2009
Andy Bessette
Executive VP/CAO
Travelers Companies
November 18, 2009
Mary K. Brainerd, President and CEO - HealthPartners
Mark Your Calendars!
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