Emma Weber believes everyone has a place at the table and deserves to be seen.  She believes that each person brings something unique to share and our differences make a beautiful impact.   Emma is a young entrepreneur that has traveled across the globe doing mission work and returned home to Dawson Minnesota where she took the leap and purchased a main street business to start Gnometown Grounds, a coffee shop & retail space.   Listen in as we discuss the challenges around being a young business owner in your hometown and the aspirations Emma has to own a successful coffee shop and so much more. Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Autumn Lee believes in transforming fear into freedom. She takes life on head first because "No one can take away your birthday".Autumn owns Sunshine & Whiskey Filling Station and the Salty Heifer Liquor store in Watson, MN, a town of 180 people. There is no better person who understands the struggle and importance of small business ownership in a small rural town.Autumn balances the schedules of business ownerships, farming, twin teenage girls and everything else life throws hers way.  She is a bad ass business owner that focuses on her customers, time management, mindset and understanding the in-and-out operations of her business.   Autumn joined the un/academy community when she completed Startup Bootcamp in 2023, where she left a lasting impact on us and continues to motivate all those she meets. She believes small business ownership is what small communities thrive on, they are the backbone of a community.   Listen in for a great story about grit, hope, hustle, putting in the work and rebuilding a community one step at a time.Learn more about Sunshine & Whiskey Filling StationLearn More about the Marketing Un/Academy Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Emma Fretheim believes in the power of self expression. Emma values diversity, individuality and believes we are most fulfilled when we are being true to ourselves.  As the Product Specialist for Threedom, a direct-to-consumer company created by DI Labs, she is helping Jeep owners express themselves through personalized automotive accessories..Emma joined the Threedom team in Willmar MN the summer of 2023, shortly after graduating from Luther College in DeCorah Iowa. Listen in to our conversation as we explore how Threedom captured the attention of Emma as a young professional on the hunt for a fulfilling career and and how the authenticity of the team and owners of DI Labs brought her to Willmar MN.Learn more about Threedom: https://mythreedom.com/Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Tobias Flood and Mark Eiden believe creativity belongs in manufacturing. As students, and as manufacturing employees, Tobias and Mark experienced first-hand the rigidity of typical manufacturing firms that are set in old processes with little opportunity for change. This is why they created Metal Trade Solutions and set out to create an environment embracing creativity and flourishing in the freedom to design, ideate and create.Together, Mark & Tobias have grown their business and are adjusting their operations model. Listen in as discuss the process from starting a business from the ground up, to establishing systems and preparing for growth.Learn more about Metal trade Solutions @  https://metaltradesolutions.com/Learn more about the Marketing Un/Academy @ https://marketingunacademy.com/Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Brittany and Peter Haugen believe in meaningful nourishment. Together, they have created Sandhill Mill in Canby MN, where they grow, harvest, mill and sell wholesome ancient grain flour and ethically grown food.  When Brittany and Peter attended Startup Bootcamp fall 2022, they each had their own reasons for wanting to start ‘the yet to be named’ mill.  Going through the program  process together they gained an understanding of each other's passion around the business, established a common goal and were able to combine their ideas to launch Sandhill Mill. Listen in as Peter & Brittany tell us about their passion for learning, farming, cooking and educating others to connect them to their food source.   Learn how they worked together using each other's strengths, trusted their instinct and took the leap into small business ownership all while raising a family of three boys.  This is the story of how a big idea became reality in rural Minnesota.Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Sarah Swedburg believes that the strongest communities are created when everybody is at the table and minority voices are centered.  Sarah has a diverse background growing up in the Bemidji/Walker area, graduating from Bemidji State where she majored in geography and went on to work in Africa doing geographic information system (GIS) mapping.  Sarah then moved to central MN and worked as the City Planner for Willmar, MN where she took on the role of director for the Willmar Main Street Project. During this time she cultivated connections between a new wave of diverse entrepreneurs and a traditional rural town, helping a community grow together. Sarah continues her work to create connections and grow community through her role as the Business Development Manager for Kandiyohi County EDC.  Listen in as she shares about her work and her passion bringing people to the table, learning from each other, and growing entrepreneurs to grow our communities.Find more episodes, entrepreneur stories, and workshops on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@redstarmarketingunacademyLearn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Pugs Hayes believes there is no strength without unity. This is why he has built Hayes' Public House in Buffalo, MN,  a brewery/Tap Room that opened it's doors back in 2013. Hayes' Public House showcases their hand crafted ales not only on draught but on traditional hand pulls giving the customer a true pub experience that values tradition and community. Hayes' Public House represents a cross-section of the community where people can enjoy a beer in the cozy Irish pub with eclectic decor and memorabilia, or on the rooftop patio overlooking Buffalo Lake.Listen in as Pugs shares about his experience growing up in the family restaurant, falling in love with brewing, meeting with his mentor and building a business that is celebrating its 10th birthday this year!Learn more about Hayes' Public House by visiting:https://www.facebook.com/hayespublichouseFind more episodes, entrepreneur stories, and workshops on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@redstarmarketingunacademyLearn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Nathalie Nakashama works to bridge the gap.  She has dedicated her personal and professional journey to connecting people, cultures and community. Nathalie is the owner of WorldMart in Worthington MN.  She has consistently followed her 'why' to bridge the gap while adapting her business to meet her community needs. Currently, World Mart offers an African grocery market, hair braiding, international community space, education and a food truck serving up fantastic cuisine from around the world. Listen in and be inspired.Learn more about World Mart by visiting their Facebook PageFind more episodes, entrepreneur stories, and workshops on our YouTube channel:https://YouTube.com/@redstarmarketingunacademyFind us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/marketingunacademy/Over the past 7 years, our team has worked with over 145 entrepreneurs and small business owners in greater Minnesota. These incredible people are bravely taking chances on their dreams and giving back to their communities in powerful ways. They run what appear to be typical businesses... coffee shops, bakeries, consulting firms, retail stores, salons, restaurants... but they are really agents for change. And we need these rebel entrepreneurs and changemakers now, more than ever. Here's to you!Learn more about our community of entrepreneurs and small business owners: https://youtu.be/5ahW-IdYOWwExplore a new way to learn about marketing:https://marketingunacademy.com/Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Josh Kaeter works to connect cultures and share stories through coffee. He is the owner of Eminent Coffee in Sartell, MN which opened its doors in 2022. Josh started his coffee journey while serving in the Marine Corps, looking for a natural caffeine source while falling in love with coffee and the culture connected to it. Join us as we talk with Josh and learn about his journey around the globe, spending time at coffee farms, learning about roasting, and starting his own small business near his home town. Josh is an inspiring young entrepreneur full of passion and love of his work. He is bringing so much more to your morning routine, he is bringing the best coffee from around the world and connecting your cup to a global community of growers and producers.Learn more about Eminent Roasters: https://eminentcoffeeroasters.comFind more episodes, entrepreneur stories, and workshops on our YouTube channel: https://YouTube.com/@redstarmarketingunacademyFind us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketingunacademy/Over the past 7 years, our team has worked with over 120 entrepreneurs and small business owners in greater Minnesota. These incredible people are bravely taking chances on their dreams and giving back to their communities in powerful ways. They run what appear to be typical businesses... coffee shops, bakeries, consulting firms, retail stores, salons, restaurants... but they are really agents for change. And we need these rebel entrepreneurs and changemakers now, more than ever. Here's to you!Learn more about our community of entrepreneurs and small business owners: https://youtu.be/5ahW-IdYOWwExplore a new way to learn about marketing: https://marketingunacademy.com/Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Mike Bregel believes we are all magical beings. He has worked to combine his love of all things mystical with his incredible talent as an illustrator and artist to create a gaming company that awakens the inner wizard in all of us. Listen in as we interview Mike and learn about his leap into entrepreneurship, his launch of a successful Kickstarter, the creation of "Wizards & Relics" and the power of retreating to your "mind palace".Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Toni Koch, owner of Rejuvenate Salon & Spa in New London, MN believes in empowering people to be the best version of themselves.  Toni is changing the cosmetology game by establishing a salon that empowers both the staffing team and the clients they serve.  Toni fought through COVID with ingenuity and perseverance, coming out the other side with new found motivation and a strengthened customer base.  Listen in as we hear from Toni and the work she is doing to create positive change in her industry and the in the world around her. Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Tamara Kojic` has expertise around building company culture, retaining and attracting new employees, strategic game planning around the future of your organization, and creating community.   She believes in the power of community building to create impactful experiences, strong organizational culture, increase employee engagement and generate positive change. She works with organizations across the globe to help them create a clear vision for who they are and where they are going.  Tamara is from Belgrade, Serbia and is currently working with the Startup team to help us unify our mission and vision.  She is coming to the table with experience, passion. energy and insight!  Listen in to hear about her experience recruiting team members in a digital world and the impact of finding the right community can have on your business. Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Retail can be tough.  It take "grit & grace" and a willingness to adapt and change.  Listen in as Melissa Syring, owner of Falls Boutique in Granite Falls MN and Nick McGillivray, owner of Sam's Outdoor & More in St. Joseph MN share about their journey and perspective into retail.    These two businesses participated in Startup Reinvention together working through roadblocks and coming out the other side with new motivation and business goals. Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Kim Madsen believes connections transform our lives and sometimes even saves them.  Kim is a speaker and a coach and the owner of K.Madsen Consulting in Willmar, MN.  Kim also created the area's premier annual women's event, CultivateHer.   Join us to hear more about Kim's journey to entrepreneurship, her 'why', and the impact she is making on the universe.Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Beth & Darryl were ready for a change. Listen in to hear how this couple took the leap of faith to leave the metro and pursue a love of coaching, community and baseball in Lester Prairie, MN.  They believe everyone should feel safe expressing themselves through sport. #unleashyourinnerathlete #unleashyourinnerstoryLearn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Kayla and Laura, co-owners of Korppi Coffee and Bakeshop share their journey of chasing the entrepreneurial dream that led them to open their first coffee and bakeshop in St. Cloud, MN. Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

Tobias Flood and Mark Eiden are "just a couple young guys that love cutting, grinding and welding metal" according to their Facebook page! They are actually savvy business partners who are changing the culture of their industry because they believe "creativity belongs in manufacturing."  We got to know them at a 2019 Bootcamp and have watched their business grow and evolve in exciting ways. Learn how these young, ambitious entrepreneurs have made it this far and are planning for continued growth.Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

We got to know these two businesses through a Startup Reinvention program in the fall of 2020. At that time, they were experiencing a second wave of COVID shutdowns with uncertainty swirling everywhere. In true entrepreneurial fashion, both businesses had bravely made significant changes to their businesses in the midst of the pandemic. Clay Coyote had relocated and opened their new gallery in downtown Hutchinson, while Compass Occasions had remodeled and opened a new event space just a few blocks away. Listen to our conversation to hear how these dedicated business owners managed through those challenges and came out the other side with more resilience and clarity. Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

In this episode, we'll hear from Jamie Groen, Executive Director of Children of the Promise. His organization raises money in the U.S. to support programming in Haiti that strengthens families and keeps kids from being orphaned or abandoned. He is joined by Tammie Knick, a licensed social worker and co-founder of Dream Technical Academy, a public charter school in Willmar, MN. Her school provides kids in our area who aren't getting what they need from a traditional school setting a place to belong and thrive. Hear how these two organizations helped each other get clear and re-energized around telling their stories.Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds

This episode brought together a unique group with similar business types but very different business models. One was a cooperative pub, one was a destination winery and one was a brewery. All three had just opened (or re-opened) in 2019 and were gaining some great momentum when COVID hit. Learn how they faced the marketing and business challenges of not only starting up, but working through a global pandemic, then coming out the other side of Startup Reinvention with a renewed commitment to their businesses.Learn more about the marketing un/academy Learn more about Gnometown Grounds