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Your Chamber's Office Is Moving
 After 12 years of calling Town Centre Drive our home, your Chamber is excited to announce its relocation effective April 1 to 3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201 in Eagan. The new office provides many professional amenities including easy access from 35E and Pilot Knob Road, free parking, conference and meeting space, state-of-the-art technology, volunteer/member workspace, and growth and expansion for the coming years. Watch for more details during the transition as well as your personal invitation to the open house planned for mid-April.
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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8.5 Million Reasons to Support Small Businesses
 Congressman John Kline visited with several small business owners this past week regarding the "joint employer" standard which seeks to hold businesses liable for workers they don't actually employ. This dramatic proposal by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) threatens to undermine successful business models like franchising and subcontracting, and could even make businesses "joint employers" with their vendors and supplies. Working on your behalf, your Chamber is part of the Coalition to Save Local Businesses (savelocalbusiness.com). We urge you to get involved as more than 770,000 franchises who employ more than 8.5 million workers in the U.S. each year will be affected. Special thanks to Elise and Jeff Mademann, owners of Anytime Fitness in Rosemount for hosting this important discussion.
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Troubles Continue: MNsure and Health Care in MN
Join us on Friday, March 6 for your Chamber's Legislative Breakfast featuring a panel discussion on the future of MNsure and health care in Minnesota. A recent headline of "We Should've Done Better" says it all for the scathing MNsure report released from MN's Legislative Auditor. Its troubled rollout, plagued by website malfunctions and other technical issues, not only hurt initial enrollment in the exchange, but it has also caused MNsure's largest and least expensive health insurer to pull out. As costs continue to rise, businesses are left with less options and more questions than answers for providing health insurance to their employees. Register today.
Representatives from MNsure, Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, Department of Human Services, and Minnesota Senator Tony Lourey have been invited to participate in the discussion. Confirmed panelists include:
Jim Nobles, Legislative Auditor
Representative Tara Mack
Please note: The Metropolitan Council discussion originally planned for this event has been moved to April 30 due to conflicting schedules.
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Ready Yourself for Orange Cones and Construction Signs
Last week West St. Paul City Council accepted the final bids for the Robert Street Reconstruction Project. Mayor Meisinger vetoed their decision and a special meeting has been scheduled for March 3 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss an override. In all likelihood, the project will move forward with construction beginning in April; and we are working with the City to provide ongoing communications to all businesses impacted by this two-year project. For the latest news information, read more.
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State of the City Addresses Coming Soon
 Your Chamber is hosting State of the City Addresses in our local communities. Each mayor reflects on the past year and shares their vision for the future. This is a great opportunity to learn about the communities where you live, work, and play.
- West Saint Paul: Wednesday, March 11th from 7:30am - 9:00am at Southview Country Club (239 Mendota Road East, West Saint Paul). Keynote by Mayor David Meisinger. This event is in partnership with the West Saint Paul Rotary. $13 per person, includes breakfast. Click here to register.
- Farmington: Wednesday, March 18th from 8:00am - 9:30am at Farmington City Hall, 340 3rd Street, Farmington. Keynote by Mayor Todd Larson. Free to attend.Click here to RSVP.
- Eagan: Thursday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9:00am at the Market Hall in Twin Cities Premium Outlets (Eagan Outlets Parkway, Eagan). Keynote by Mayor Mike Maguire. Free to attend. Click here to RSVP.
- Rosemount: Wednesday, March 25th from 7:30am - 9:00am at the Community Center Banquet Hall (13885 South Robert Trail, Rosemount). Keynote by Mayor Bill Droste. Sponsored by SKB Environmental. Free to attend. Click here to RSVP.
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2015 WomEn's Conference: Presented by Anchor Bank and Fairview Ridges Hospital: Register by this Friday!
 This event will feature keynote speakers Angie Bastian, Co-Founder and President of successful brand Boomchickapop, as well as Kristen Brown, Corporate Trainer and Bestselling Author of "The Happy Hour Effect". Additionally, for the first time in The WomEn's Conference history, the event will offer the opportunity for all attendees to take a Predictive Index Assessment offered by PI Worldwide, and will be able to learn about their results at the Conference from industry leader/PI Worldwide representative Mary Rose Iten.
In order to receive your assessment results, you must register and take your assessment by Friday, March 6th. If you take your assessment after this date, we cannot guarantee that we will have your results in time for the Conference.
Where: Lost Spur Golf and Event Center, 2750 Sibley Memorial Highway, Eagan
When: Thursday, March 12, 2015, 11:00am - 5:00pm
Fee: $149 per person If you are a WomEn's Circle member, you get $10 off!
How to register: Visit the event page or email Chelsea Johnson. If you do not wish to register online, you may fill out this form and return to DCR Chamber by email, fax (651-452-8978) or mail to our address (1121 Town Centre Drive, Eagan MN 55123).
 Multiple local businesses have already provided financial support to the event through sponsorship, including presenting sponsors Anchor Bank and Fairview Ridges Hospital, and additional sponsors including: Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, EcoLab, Sun ThisWeek Newspapers, Skyline Exhibits, Valley Staffing, Affinity Plus Credit Union, Ayars & Ayars, Dakota Electric Association, Eagan Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Gateway Bank, Home Federal Savings Bank, Minnesota Energy Resources, Rasmussen College, Superior Service Center, Thomson Reuters, The UPS Store - Eagan, Xcel Energy, Vision Source Yankee Eye Clinic, and the YMCA Eagan. THANK YOU to our valued sponsors.
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Events Calendar
Monday
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8:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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7:30 a.m.
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7:30 a.m.
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8:00
11:00 a.m.
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Noon
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7:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
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7:30 a.m.
| 20 | | 23 | 24
8:00 a.m.
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25
7:30 a.m.
4:00pm
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7:30 a.m.
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SMYPros: Connecting is All About Others
The South Metro Young Professionals met on Wednesday, February 25th to hear Curt Thomas, John Maxwell Certified Speaker, deliver a message on leadership. Curt highlighted some of the key take-aways from Maxwell's book, Everyone Communicates Few Connect. He emphasized the importance of really getting to know every person we work with. "Connecting is all about others. It begins when the other person feels valued. Know what they value by being a good listener when you are with them," said Curt.
The SMYPros March event will feature a food drive for Neighbors Inc. Members of the group will have food bins at their business throughout the month. On March 25th, the SMYpros will gather to weigh their donations and stock the shelves at Neighbors. For more information on the food drive or membership with SMYPros, please
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Quick Poll Results
Last week's quick poll asked:
Which social media platform do you find most effective for your business?
76% of Chamber members said Facebook was the most effective tool
for their business. 23% said Twitter, and 1% said LinkedIn.
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Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
Eagan City Council meets March 3 - see the agenda. West St. Paul City Council meeting March 3 - see the agenda. Rosemount City Council meets March 3 - see the agenda.Mendota Heights City Council meets March 3- see the agenda. Farmington City Council meets March 2- see the agenda. |
Request for Proposal - WSP Business Liaison Position
The City of West St Paul is requesting proposals from interested/qualified individuals or firms for providing business liaison services during the 2015-2016 Robert Street reconstruction project. This project will require part -time physical presence in West St Paul during the construction project and phone/email availability during all other times to be able to respond to construction related issues that have an impact on local businesses on Robert Street. click here for a Request for Proposal packet. Completed proposals are due to the above address no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015. |
Top 10 Ways To Market Your Small Business on a Budget
1. Create an elevator pitch - research shows the average attention span of an adult is 6 to 8 seconds. With such a short amount of time, you need to grab the attention of people using few words. Create an effective elevator pitch and you will create many more business opportunities in your networking.
2. Leverage Your Community - Market your business on a local level. By advertising your business through Chamber events such as coffee breaks and Why Not Wednesdays, you will be able to increase your company's visibility and bring potential customers to your place of business.
3. Collaborate - Join one of our Business Owner's Roundtables, a group of non-competitive business owners in the area, to learn from others but also create opportunities for partnerships. By collaborating with other businesses, you can expand your customer base and create new opportunities.
4. Network - There may not be a better way to build a business than to get out there and meet people. The Chamber provides numerous networking events every month to increase your potential businesses opportunities and expand your network.
5. Give a Speech - Many organizations are looking for qualified, subject-matter experts who can present to their groups. If your information is accurate and helpful to the audience, you will position yourself as a credible authority in your field.
6. Create Buzz - Without hiring a professional firm, you can accomplish a lot. Create a media contacts list that you can use to send press releases to and also contact for article write ups on events or activities your company is hosting.
7. Ask for Referrals - Don't be shy about asking for referrals. The majority of people say they are willing to provide a referral if asked, but most do not take the initiative. If you aren't asking for them, you are missing opportunities.
8. Build Relationships - It's much less expensive to keep a customer than acquiring a new one. Through effective communication to your customer base that is informative and helpful, you can establish a strong relationship with them.
9. Offer Coupons - Research shows that people will go out of their way to use a coupon, proving this method is useful in expanding your customer base. Coupons can also generate return visits if you give customers a coupon for a discount to use on future business.
10. Give it Away - In today's economy, people are more comfortable purchasing something they have experienced first. If people are able to experience your product or service through a free trial or sample, chances are they will want to purchase more.
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Chuck and Don's Pet Food & Supplies
1250 Town Centre Drive
Eagan, MN 55121
Contact: Sarah Jones
651.454.3458
www.chuckanddons.com
Chuck & Don's was founded by Charles "Chuck" Anderson and Don Tauer who met through their involvement in owning, training and showing dogs. The first location opened in Eagan, Minn. in 1990 with the mission to be the local destination pet supplies store with excellent customer service and a wide selection of products. Today, there are 23 stores in Minnesota, six locations in Colorado and one location in Wisconsin. Chuck & Don's mission is to enrich the lives of pets by providing the best products, service, and education for its customers. Chuck & Don's advocates responsible pet ownership and commits to meaningful corporate citizenship that makes a positive difference in the communities in which it operates.
Andros Medspa
750 Main Street
Suite 109
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Contact: Dr. Rosario
651.222.3127
www.androsemedspa.com
At Andros MedSpa our mission is to provide a premier, first class experience that interactively finds solutions to achieve our client's individualized, desired aesthetic results. We accomplish this mission by having board certified, experienced surgeons, aestheticians and makeup artists and carrying top name brand products including purely organic brands that are great for your skin and the environment.
All injections are done only by our surgeons.
Dr. Rosario, the founder of Andros MedSpa has over 17 years of experience and has often been recognized as one of the top surgeons in her field being named Top Doc and Best Doctor for Women.
Come in to let us Enhance, Rejuvenate and Create your beauty!
The Travel Academy
3140 Neil Armstrong Boulevard
Eagan, MN 55121
Contact: Curt Armstrong
(952) 854-7161
www.thetravelacademy.com
The Travel Academy is the world's leading flight attendant and travel career training school. Founded in 1987 by Curt Armstrong, The Travel Academy has long been on the cutting edge of delivering the highest quality travel instruction and career placement services. With a powerful combination of strong curricula, experienced faculty, and on-site hiring assistance, The Travel Academy has helped thousands of people begin exciting careers in the travel industry as flight attendants, cruise professionals, travel agents, and many others.
We work with all students until they're hired.
Contact us today to begin a new travel career and see the world!
Empty the Nest
1121 Cliff Road East
Burnsville, MN 55337
Contact: Sharon Fischman
612.998.0102
www.emptythenest.net
When your movers are done, it's time for Empty the Nest! We clean out your home, wall-to-wall, to ready it for its next family. We are here for you, your parents, family and friends. We donate used clothing, household goods, and non-perishable food left behind to area charities, and give you their donation receipt. We save materials from the clean out and disperse them to recycling resources to limit waste in overloaded landfills. And to limit the cost of our services to you, we sell the used furniture and unique items you no longer need.
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Member News
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 Your Chamber congratulates all of the women recognized with the 2015 Exceptional Businesswomen Award brought to you by SunThisWeek with a special shout-out to Chamber members Laurie Rieb Bolin, 360 Communities; Lisa Franxman, Anchor Bank; Ingrid Lindberg, Prime Therapeutics, LaVonne Nicolai, Castle Rock Bank; and Margaret Schreiner, Dakota Electric.
Superior Service Center has be selected as one of the Top 100 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award finalists for 2015. Please support your fellow member and vote here!
Home Federal Savings Bank will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, April 2nd at 2805 Dodd Road. All donors will receive a coupon for a free pint at Culver's Frozen Custard.
Thrivent Financial is hosting their March Movie Madness Event on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 9:30 a.m at the Lakeville 21 Theater. Attendees are asked to bring a minimum of $5 dollars in non-perishable food items or a $5 dollar cash donation for the food shelf. In return, you will have the choice of viewing "Cinderella" or "McFarland USA" and receive complimentary pop and popcorn! RSVP by calling Germaine Beyl at (651) 463-1010 or by email.
Marco, Inc. announced that they have purchased Solbrekk, Inc., a business IT services company located in Minneapolis. With the purchase, Marco will be able to expand their hosted/cloud service offerings.
Rasmussen College is looking for new external members to participate in an advisory board for their school of business. The purpose of this board is to make sure the curriculum taught is up-to-date and meeting the needs of the businesses that operate within their footprint. If you are interested, contact Matt Specht via email.
MN Occupational Health has updated their website! Check it our here.
Burville Law Office, P.A., with offices in Farmington and Shakopee, is proud to announce that attorney Mike Burville has been named the 2015 Readers' Choice winner as Best Attorney by the Rosemount and Farmington area readers of the SunThisweek newspaper. This is the second year in a row that Mike Burville has received this recognition. Mike has been providing legal services for almost 20 years to individuals and businesses in the South Metro in the areas of estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney), real estate, business start-ups and transactions, probate, and creditor's remedies (collection of debts)." Mike can be contacted at (651) 460-3757 or via the firm's website at www.burvillelaw.com.
Rasmussen College will be hosting a free workshop to educate the public on 529 College Savings Plans on Monday, March 2, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their Eagan campus, which is located at 3500 Federal Drive.
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