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New Business Minnesota
is a unique publication designed to deliver information about
essential resources to every startup business at a time when they are
most in need and most receptive during the first five months after
registering with the state.
Every month 8,000 entrepreneurs receive New Business Minnesota and its
custom content targeting the needs of early startup businesses.Every
month 2,000 fresh startups replace older ones.
Each new business will receive all four issues of New Business
Minnesota.96,000 impressions per year, guaranteeing your message will
reach every new business in the Twin Cities four times....100%
coverage.
What you'll find in
New Business Minnesota
Essential Reading Twin Cities Business Newspapers, Magazines,
Web Sites. They're not all the same. Which should your read?
What to Join Chambers of Commerce that are eager to welcome
startups. What they have to offer. Startup friendly associations.
Networking Great places to meet new customers, new resources,
kindred spirits and mentors.
Showing Off Where to get a booth to show what you got.
Relationship Banking Top Startup Friendly Banks, Credit Unions, ones
that really want to reach out and help.
Looking Large Small Businesses don't have to look that way:
Design, printing, brochures, public relations, web design.
Taking the Numb
out of Numbers
Accountants you can count on and who eagerly embrace startups.
Finding Customers Direct mail, advertising, telemarketing,
sales help. This is what it's all about.
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Networking on the River Was Huge Hit!
The New Business Minnesota Startup Meetup Networjking on the River event exceeded our expectations.
With 211 attendees, we had to get a biger boat, moving up to the Anson Northrop paddleboat. Check out the photos at http://www.meetup.com/newstartupmeetup/photos/641228/
We've already reserved the Anson Northrop for June 16, 2010! Thanks to everyone who made this such a fun and productive event.
Networking on Steroids!
We held a Startup Meetup event at Kokomo's Island Cafe at the Mall of America in January that attracted 200 people. In February, we drew 300 at Costco Wholesale in St. Louis Park. In March, we're meeting at O''Gara's Bar and Grill in St. Paul that is fast approaching 350. Take a look at photos of these events at www.newstartupmeetup.com. Whaterver else is going on with the economy, the desire of people to network is on the rise.
Startup Meetup Networking Group Growing Fast.
Last January, New Business Minnesota started a monthly networking event we dubbed a Startup Meetup. It was meant to be a casual gathering of our readers and advertising resources. We quickly added a second event each month after we started attracting 90 attendees.
We now have more than 788 registered members and are the world's largest group in the "Just Start" category at Meetup.com. And we're still growing.
These events are getting a lot of buzz. To learn more, check out our meetings just click on the box to the right: "Register for Our Startup Meetup."
For our Jan. 14, 2009 Startup Meetup at Kokomo's Island Cafe at the Mall of America, -- sponsored by Comcast Business Class -- we already have 140 RSVPs. This is shaping up to be our largest event yet.
Startups Will Be Critical Force in Fueling Economic Growth
Call us optimistic, but the silver lining out there is that Startups will play an important role in firming up the economy in the months and years ahead. It's the nature of new ventures to fill voids and find new opportunities.
The number of new business filings in Minnesota is holding steady or growing compared to last year. That means feeder system of future growth is still doing its job of creating the next wave of mature businesses.
I remember in the early 1980s when the phrase "Rust Belt" was coined to describe the devastated parts of the industrial north. Steel mills and factories were decimated in that recession.
Books on the coming economic catastrophe began to appear. Home mortgage rates were 16 percent, the prime rate was 21 percent. The end was near. How we'll we ever replace the industries that were collapsing all around?
A little company called MicroSoft struck a deal to provide and operating system to IBM as it launched its first personal computer.
It wasn't a giant company that created the next economic boom. It was a small company. No one saw it coming.
So, as the DOW struggles and world markets are quaking, we're counting on you startups to do your part.
Startup Meetups Return with a Bang
September saw the return of our Startup Meetup networking events after a brief August break. We had 90 people show up at the fabulous Kokomo's Island Cafe at the Mall of America on Sept. 17.
The mix of people and businesses represented was as impressive as the number of attendees.
There is an old saying that the world is run by the people who show up. Whether you're starting a business or trying to do business with startups, it really does pay to show up. That means coming to our Startup Meetups, Chamber of Commerce newtworking events, and making the rounds at other meet and greet events.
This might be a good time to register for our Startup Meetup group. That way you'll get email updates on upcoming events. Just click on the box to the right to get started.
At One
Time Rodney Dangerfield
Was a New Business
Talk to the founder of just about any startup company and you'll find
a hint of Rodney Dangerfield just below the surface.
Entrepreneurs are celebrated and even revered as icons of the great
American spirit of striving individualism. Let me clarify,
entrepreneurs with a proven record of success are revered. When Bill
Gates was 19 years old and starting Microsoft, few people could see
past his teenage complexion. No one could imagine what he would
accomplish. He wasn't revered until later....billions later.
Unfortunately, startups don't get the respect they deserve. Maybe it's
because of the myth that most fail in the first year. The truth is
that upwards of 85 percent survive the first year and beyond.
You've probably encountered some form of this disrespect already.
Maybe it's a doubting supplier that offers cash-only terms. Or it's
some business professionals who won't take on clients who haven't been
around at least two years.
One of the reasons we started New Business Minnesota is that we
saw an opportunity to serve this overlooked and under-appreciated
market. We saw enormous potential.
Numerous studies in recent years identify the same thing, including a
recent one from the SBA Office of Advocacy.
Hold onto your laptop, the SBA has identified startups as not just
important, but as vital to economic development.
The importance of new business formation to state economies is
outlined in the SBA's study: "Small Business and State Growth: An
Econometric Investigation." This is from the executive summary:
"Small firm establishment births have a larger impact than any
other factor examined on GSP (Gross State Product), SPI (State
Personal Income), and total state employment....
The authors conclude that this general finding reveals that state
efforts to promote small business formation will be more fruitful in
terms of generating economic growth than virtually any other policy
option in our models."
Let's take a look at the impact you are having toward building a
better Minnesota.
In 2004, the Gross State Product (GSP) was $225.6 billion. If small
business births increase by 5 percent, as they study suggest, GSP
would increase by 0.465 percent or $1.05 billion.
The report continued:
"Our general finding is that states have few options in this area
for enhancing GSP, SPI, and employment growth rates.
"Instead, our results indicate that the most fruitful policy option
available to state governments is to establish maintain a fertile
environment for new establishment formation. Every one of our models
indicates that states with more new small firm establishments grow at
a higher rate over time, even after we control for the level of
economic activity and a variety of other factors."
The thousands of new business that start up each month do matter. New
businesses are a serious source of growth in income and employment.
The more research I come across about new business formation
continually confirms the value of startup entrepreneurship to the
economy.
We're not the only ones to recognize that. Look to the advertisers in
New Business Minnesota if you're seeking resources that won't treat
you like Rodney Dangerfield. They are Certified Startup Friendly.
You'll get the respect you deserve and the support you need to grow
you enterprise.
As you strive to get your businesses established, you will face
hardships and you will wonder if the strain, pain and sacrifice are
worth it. The answer is Hell Yes! Remember, the state of Minnesota is
counting on you.
Patrick Boulay
Publisher
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