Over the years, I've met and worked with some wonderful business owners and professionals.  I'd like to share those here.  These are people that can help you with your business and your home office.

Jamey Austad, Owner of Dala Ad Agency

Website Design & Hosting, Promotional Products, and Print

What can I say? I couldn't be more thrilled to work with Jamey!  I absolutely LOVE my Julie Jacky logo and am beyond happy with JulieJacky.com! 

My logo looks like me and when people see it they look back at me, then at my logo and then back at me again and say: "yep, that's you", and that is exactly what I wanted.  It represents me, my jewelry business and my travel business all at the same time. We spent time tweaking it to get it just right and he wouldn't stop until I was completely happy with it.  Jamey personalized it from the passport I'm holding, to the lanyard I'm wearing with my travel credentials, to the twinkles on the jewelry and as the dot above the "i"... even the font he used looks like my handwriting!

As for my website, this has been something I have had on my wish list for a couple of years and now Jamey has created a very professional website that represents me and my businesses... and is so much better than I expected! (I could have never done this myself.) Honestly, I have people emailing me telling me they have website envy.  That is a testimonial for Jamey so I send them right to him!  He is so creative, innovative and incredibly knowledgeable about web design.  He has years and years of experience in this industry and he is sooo good at what he does. He makes it seem like magic!  With a few clicks he has it done!

Another cool thing about Jamey and his ad agency is he is a one-stop shop for all your advertising needs.  He created my logo, is working on my website, is helping me with my newsletter, plus he has created business cards, jewelry tags and signs for me.  He is also going to help me with letterhead, shopping bags, pens, postcards, gift certificates and the list goes on!

I'm proud to call Jamey a business partner and a friend.  I know you will be, too!

Jamey can be reached at:
651.338.8072
Jamey's website

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Paul Cram, Product & Food Photographer

Simply put, Flare Photography shoots product & food photos that drive customers to buy merchandise. Really, it's that simple. Though getting those seemingly effortless photos is everything but simple. That's where Paul's expertise comes in! (More about that in a moment, I am getting ahead of myself.) Take a look at the cool glam jewelry photos in the banner ads on my website. They were taken by Paul, and I had the pleasure of seeing him live in action during my jewelry photo session with him. The photo shoot was a lot of fun and it's such a joy to watch someone doing what they love. Paul is very creative, clever, and incredibly knowledgeable about photography, lighting, and visual techniques. He works quickly and keeps shooting until he gets the photo perfect. When you have product or food photo needs, call Paul!  He is simply amazing!

You can reach Paul at:
Flare Photography
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 423-1360
http://www.flarephotography.com

Mary Pokluda, Owner of Bumblebee Personal Assistants

Talk about a lady that can get you organized and take a load off your plate…. Mary ROCKS!
Mary has helped me tremendously.  I am a fairly organized person myself, but was drowning when I asked her to come over and help me.  She gave me a FREE initial consultation to learn about me and figure out what I needed help with, and then we set up time for her to do get me better organized with my businesses.  We started with organizing my office – which I still have organized almost a year later!  The system she set up for me works great and I am able to maintain it.

Mary has also run errands for me – which is fabulous!  I have given her my grocery list, returns, packages to mail, checks to deposit and more.  She does it all!  I am now HOOKED on her service because it saves me so much time and allows me to focus on what I need to be doing for my businesses and also allows me to spend more time with my son.

Mary and her employees offer specialized services to fit your needs.  Bumblebee Personal Assistants helps do what you just don't have time for. They're fast, efficient, resourceful and responsible. And with experience in business administration as well as home management, they can assist with tasks on professional as well as personal to-do lists.

When you need help getting everything done, call Mary with Bumblebee Personal Assistants at:
PO BOX 10825, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(612) 532-6152
Mary's website

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Pamela Muldoon, Business Coach

 If you are a small business owner and need to get organized, learn how to follow-up better, get more referrals coming in, identify your target markets, create your marketing plan, and/or get systems in place so you can free up your time and take your business to the next level you are going to want to keep reading!

Wow!  Where do I start?  How can I be so lucky to have a friend, a business coach and strategic business partner all in one?  I am truly blessed to have Pamela in my life. She is so full of positive energy and has a passion for helping people. Love her!  She has helped me so much on my business with taking it to the next level as well as creating 100% referral based business.

Pamela Muldoon is President of Next Stage Business, a training and consulting firm that specializes in helping small business owners & independent professionals develop business & marketing plans, as well as develop strong networking skills to move their business forward.  Pamela has developed a simple, yet powerful system that allows people in business to clarify their 5-year vision and bring it down to a 90-day action plan in 5 steps.  Within this process they will also gain fuller understanding of whom they target and what marketing strategies are right for them. 

She does a whole lot more, too!

When you are ready for help on your business, contact Pamela at:

763.670.7238
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Next Stage Business Website

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Sabina Zeenat, Owner of Baskets Royale 

Sabina is an awesome, creative lady that has always enjoyed making custom gift baskets to give as gifts to her family and friends.  In 2005, she turned her passion into a successful business.  Sabina takes pride in listening to her client’s needs so they can proudly deliver a customized gift basket in thanks or to celebrate special occasions.   Sabina creates premium gift baskets both for individuals and corporate clients all over the United States. These aren’t just ordinary gift baskets that anyone can put together.  These are customized gift baskets of the highest quality that really make the gift recipient feel special and appreciated. The time, care and passion she takes to create each basket as well as the high quality selection of items she places in each basket – you would think she knows the recipient!

She creates gift baskets for:
· birthdays,
· weddings (out of town guests, bridal party, etc.)
· anniversaries,
· new babies,
· thank you,
· congratulatory, (new home, graduation, etc.)
· get well,
· pamper,
· holiday baskets and
· many more.
She also has baskets for occasions like - Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduation Day - or any occasion you want to make it special. Her gift baskets range from $20.00 and above.

She encourages requests for customized baskets, so you can make every gift distinctively yours.

For your custom gift baskets please contact Sabina at:
Baskets Royale
4391 McMenemy St., Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
651.766.7318
http://www.basketsroyale.com/

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Mike has been working with Brouillette Group (a family owned company) since 2006 and is well versed in all types of insurance; home, auto, commercial, health and even wedding.  Mike works with a large variety of insurance companies.  What that means for you is-- he is going to get the best coverage and best price for you and your family.

I know from experience, when meeting with Mike he takes time to listen and gather information from you, then goes to work for you analyzing your information, making recommendations, and designing a program for you.  If he finds that you already have the best coverage for your money he will let you know and suggest to stay with the insurance company you are already with, and when he finds something better for you he will present you with your options so you can make the best choice possible.  He actually told me to stay with my current insurance – I was impressed!

You can call Mike to have him do a free analysis for you and/or your company.  It is well worth it.  The majority of the time he can get you BETTER coverage at a lower cost than what you are paying now.

You can contact Mike at:
Brouillette Group
1481 81st Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN  55432
763-746-2727 office or 651-335-5755 cell
Brouilette Group Website

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Gina Cummans, Business Banking

Have you ever had a banker that will come to you instead of you going tothem? Well, Gina does! Have you ever had a bank reimburse your ATM fees? Well M&I does! Seriously! How sweet is that?!

Gina Cummans is a business partner and now a friend that has been workingin the banking industry for over 10 years. She is the Branch Manager for M&I Bank at the St. Paul location. What I love about Gina is she is so personable and down-to-earth as well as a professional that absolutely knows her banking stuff!

When Gina & I first scheduled an appointment to talk banking I assumed I would meet her at her office so when she asked me, “where would you like to meet?” I was a bit surprised… and delighted. We ended up meeting at Caribou Coffee, she even treated me to a Latte! So we continued the conversation and I was pleased with all that she has to offer in addition to Personal Banking… she can also help you with Business Banking, Private Banking, Equipment Leasing and a whole lot more.

I decided to move my banking over to Gina at M&I Bank and have been very pleased with the personal service. Every time I call her office if she doesn’t answer her phone – one of her knowledgeable staff members will answer so I always talk to a person and get immediate service. At the "other bank", sometimes I wasn't sure if real people even worked there! It was hard to get a hold of a banker and if I ever did, they surely didn’t know who I was.

It's very different banking with Gina at M&I. Both Gina and her staff know me personally and are always happy to assist me. They make banking an enjoyable process – the way it's meant to be!

M&I has 24 Twin City locations and continues to grow with plans to open 2 additional locations this year! Also, with an M&I Checking, you won't pay ATM fees. They don't charge a fee and if another bank charges you they'll pay you back. I had never heard of a bank that reimburses ATM fees. Have you? Those fees can really add up so I saw how that could save a lot of money! No more driving around looking for a specific machine, I can hit the first one I find so I'm saving on mileage too.

To get in touch with Gina; contact her directly at 612.904.8511.
To check out M&I Bank go to M&I's website

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Chris Simpson, Security Systems

One of our basic human needs is SAFETY or to feel safe… do you remember learning that in school?  Well with all the cRaZy things going on in this world today at our work locations, in schools and even in homes – we need to be proactive and protect ourselves so we feel safe and feel that our children are safe, too… at least that is my opinion.  If you want to feel safe… read on about Chris Simpson.  He is in the security industry, has been for years and helps his clients feel safe.

Chris has been in the Security System business since 1995.  His roles have included working in sales, marketing, and leadership, serving his customers needs in residential and commercial design & sales.  He has completed major installations for Cities, School Districts, and Commercial Industrial customers, too. 

Currently Chris is working for a family owned business (awesome people that I know, too) called ISS where he serves in Commercial Design & Sales.  Their four core products and services revolve around Security, Fire, Card Access, and CCTV Surveillance Systems.  What I love about Chris and ISS is they use their certifications and superior product lines to serve their customers needs with dedication, integrity, and responsiveness.  Everyone I have talked to that has been serviced by ISS has been more than pleased with the products they purchased and the service they still receive.

To contact Chris at ISS:

  
18125 Tulane St NE, Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-982-0588 or 651-755-1851 (cell #)
www.securitymn.com

Cheri Marchio, Business Coach

Cheri is a business partner and friend of mine that has over 25 years of business experience as a successful leader and team liaison in management, finance, operations, business systems optimization and improvement, training and customer service.  Cheri became her own boss, opening up the first Minnesota AdviCoach practice in 2007, with the goal of helping business owners reach the vision and goals they dream of.  Not to my surprise, in 2008, Cheri was awarded the Business Coaching Excellence Award and Marketing Excellence Award for making the greatest progress in growing her business!

Personally, I hired Cheri in 2008 to help me grow my business.  I took Cheri up on her FREE consultation offer.  We sat down together, I talked and Cheri listened! Through a series of questions she asked me she was able to help me identify areas that I needed to work on my business.  We set up a plan with goals and areas to focus and then set up a schedule to talk on a regular basis to keep me accountable, help me if I was stuck and to keep me moving forward.  My business grew by 20% just in the first 2 months I was working with Cheri!  Cheri is awesome.  If you need help with your business ---especially during these tough times –- I encourage you to give Cheri a call, set up a consultation and see how she can help you get back on track.  Cheri is an awesome lady, a great networker and someone who cares and really goes the extra mile to help her friends and clients!

Cheri can be reached at:
167 Wewers Road, Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: 651.414.0459

http://www.consiglieremn.com/