Recent content from Neal St. Anthony
Virgil Welna, longtime hardware store owner, dies at 89
The Phillips neighborhood fixture offered a hand and expertise to all.
Vibes founder's hearing injury led to high-end earplugs growth company
Vibes founder Jackson Mann is glad he didn't take the bait from a shark last year. A nervous, then-28-year-old Mann, made a January 2017 appearance on "Shark Tank." He declined millionaire Kevin O'Leary's offer of $100,000 for 35 percent, plus $2 for every pair of the high-end Vibes earplugs sold. Mann walked away empty-handed … bettered if not enriched by the experience.
UMD stock research team heads to international championship competition
The Duluth team team will compete with several other finalists on April 27 at the CFA Research Institute global competition in Malaysia.
Taking the mystery out of stock picks for young investors
A former portfolio manager thinks his Ahrvo investment app will do just that.
Sister act has made Thirsty Whale a North Side hit
Sarah and Megan Bignell and partner Kyle Baker already are planning to double the space with a bakery cafe next door.
Local investment analysts see 'clouds forming on horizon'
Market's fundamentals undercut by trade-war discussions, tech cool-off.
Peace Coffee acquired by CEO and business partner from local nonprofit
Peace Coffee, a "fair-trade" coffee company established by a nonprofit in its basement, has been purchased by its longtime CEO and a business partner.
Twin Cities tech employment grew 1.6 percent last year, but many jobs go unfilled
Region added 3,300 tech jobs last year and salaries are well above average.
Ceridian looks to raise $200M in IPO
Company's Dayforce HR software is used by more than 3,000 customers.
North Side entrepreneur Houston White has a vision for Webber-Camden hub
Houston White runs a North Side barbershop, a noted clothing design and retail shop, and a coffee bar and community space.
Veteran stock trader traded careers to own Its Greek to Me restaurant
Nick Karos showed up at 6:30 every morning for 30 years at the stock-trading desk at Piper Jaffray and his own firm after he left…
Donald McCarthy, former Northern States Power CEO, dies at 95
Donald “Don” McCarthy will be memorialized as a combat-decorated naval officer in World War II, and a driven but humble CEO of what is now…
Horizon Roofing lures workers with higher pay, training
Owner Kurt Scepaniak in 2017 launched an in-house training program that he believes will help meet customer orders and boost growth.
Mentor's latest good deed: coordinating a long distance job search
Sally Mainquist is a successful capitalist who gives money and mentoring a good name.
Under Craig Dahl, and thanks partly to the 2017 tax cut, TCF's outlook is improving
TCF, which underperformed the banking industry over the last decade, has been buoyed recently.
Solar oven company Solavore hopes going small will bring big sales payoff
Anne Patterson, a former California technology executive, is doubling down on her Twin Cities solar-oven business with the introduction of a new, smaller model. She…
Community solar garden program helps power IPS Solar growth
It's a sign of how times have changed in the rising Minnesota solar trade.
Former homebuilder develops an alternative to caulking
As his homebuilding business faltered, Greg Amundson developed what he says is a better alternative to caulking.
Bridgewater Bancshares closes up 7.4 percent in stock debut
The stock of Bridgewater Bancshares traded up 7.4 percent to $12.62 per share Wednesday, its first day in public trading on the Nasdaq market. Bloomington-based…
Venn Foundation and collaborators push a new approach to philanthropic investment
Little-used investment option will help to boost social-impact causes.
Minneapolis-based Ability Network sells to Inovalon for $1.2 billion
A D.C.-area firm will acquire the company in a $1.2B deal; effect on 550 local employees unclear.
Smart Care, a former Ecolab unit, is about to become St. Paul's next HQ company
CEO Bill Emory is slowly adding people to a headquarters complement that should reach about 100 employees downtown.
'Barriers to Entry' program helps turn jobs into careers
It was designed to recruit and train nontraditional tech workers from the ranks of the underemployed, veterans and stay-at-home moms.
St. Anthony: Mpls.' North Side will get its first solar garden this spring
The first community solar garden on the Near North Side of Minneapolis will rise this spring on a flat-roofed church along W. Broadway Avenue, thanks to an emerging coalition of faith partners, clean-energy advocates, industry experts, job trainers and community members.
Augsburg's business school looks to leverage new digs
The $73 million Hagfors Center for Science, Business and Religion opened in January after more than a decade of planning and fundraising.
St. Anthony: Bridgewater Bancshares leads Minnesota firms entering hot public market for stocks
The Minnesota firms already queued up for IPOs in 2018 are part of a rising stock-offering market.
U.S. Bank's money-laundering oversight is an expensive and humbling black eye
USB long has been known as one of America's most cost-conscious, leanest-run banks. Now it looks penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Securian Financial produced strong financial results in 2017
Securian Financial Group said 2017 earnings increased 28 percent to $259 million thanks to "business growth, operating efficiencies, improved mortality rates and strong equity markets…
Venture Bank will be acquired by Choice Financial of North Dakota
Choice operates in 17 North Dakota and rural Minnesota communities.
Expanded 'National Norwegian Center' in America takes shape in Minneapolis
They plan to break ground in 2020 on a $10 million-plus event center and banquet hall.
Venture capital investments rose in Minnesota, nationally in 2017
Money is rushing into fledgling health technology and other promising firms in Minnesota and around the country at rates not seen since the dot-com boom…
Running Tap founded by refugee and delivering taprooms to your living room
It claims to be the first delivery service devoted to connecting a growing list of 20 microbrewers with customers who don't want to drive across town.
CEO Jim Dow, 81 signs off after selling his Diversified Plastics to his beloved employees
The Brooklyn Park firm has grown to 80 employees. It became a profitable company with revenue that should top $15 million this year.
Accenture plans to add 400 jobs in downtown Mpls. by 2020
Accenture employs 1,600 workers at its downtown headquarters and serves dozens of local clients, including Cargill and Xcel Energy.
Shutterfly to buy Eden Prairie-based Lifetouch in $825M deal
The school photography company had put itself up for sale because it wasn't growing fast enough.
Minnesota public companies fared better over the last decade than couple years
Dozens of Minnesota public firms outperformed major indexes over past decade.
Launched at '92 Super Bowl, Taste of the NFL still going strong
It has been 41 years since the Vikings have played in a Super Bowl. Wayne Kostroski has a better record. Veteran marketer-restaurateur Kostroski, quarterback of…
Buying and selling of companies tailed off a bit in 2017
Both the number and value declined nationally and in Minnesota.
YMCA's new center on Nicollet Mall to be named for Douglas Dayton
Over more than a half century, Dayton donated or raised around $60 million for YMCA buildings and programs.
State of Minnesota makes progress on minority contracting, employment
Increase comes after 2016 audit highlighted gaps.
Catholic Charities CEO says Dorothy Day Place will move homeless to 'higher ground'
Tim Marx believes the two-stage Dorothy Day Place development project will deliver for at least some homeless folks.
Minimum-wage battle is far from settled in Twin Cities
A broader discussion, as well as a lot of lobbying, is just getting underway.
St. Anthony: Dominic Butcher found a career through PPL/Sunrise Bank
In April 2015, Dominic Butcher needed a career change. The high school graduate from the White Earth Ojibwe reservation was making $9 an hour, working…
Project for Pride In Living looks to expand job training services
Organization raising $9 million to expand Minneapolis training center.
Afro Deli founder backs West Bank restaurant
Abdirahman Kahin, the founder of Afro Deli and one of most successful East African restaurateurs in the Twin Cities, is back in business on the West Bank.
Hot stock market outpaced Minnesota stocks in 2017
Tech shares made much of the difference in big year.
St. Paul's XL Feet has found traction selling large-sized footwear
Adrian Coulter, owner of XL Feet of St. Paul, has trod fresh ground to provide shoes for men with big feet. Coulter, 34, has survived…
Duluth coffee roaster is using City Girl to help drive growth
Owner Alyza Bohbot of Alakef Coffee Roasters has topped the cup with her 2015-launched City Girl Coffee of Minneapolis. “City Girl accounts for most of…
St. Anthony: Kelly Doran has developed $1B worth of projects since Great Recession
And there's another $250 million in Twin Cities projects in the pipeline.
This Christmas, Lee Lynch's gift to state is 'Amazing Minnesota'
The colorful work should get a "thank you" from the Minnesota Business Partnership and economic developers.
Mpls. cousins honor grandfather (and diversity) with 'Papa Lemon' books
Former corporate warriors want "to get kids excited about reading" with stories about a group of multiethnic pals known as the Little Wanderers.
Minnesota small businesses, others should be wary of this tax reform
Minneapolis couple, in an opinion that polls suggest is shared by a majority of Americans, believe the benefits are tilted toward big corporations and the richest Americans.
Analysts see fast-rising stock market slowing, but no big retreat expected
Inflation, geopolitics could alter that calculation.
Fair Anita taps talented female artisans in world's poorest places
CEO Joy McBrien was a finalist in the social enterprise category of the Minnesota Cup entrepreneurial sweepstakes in 2014.
Minneapolis-based Meda recognized by U.S. Commerce Department
Minneapolis-based Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association), the expanding nonprofit adviser and financier to minority entrepreneurs, was named the top-performing such agency among the nation’s 44…
Horizontal Integration was early on the trend of blending marketing and technology
The launch did not take off like a rocket, but something's working now.
Minneapolis' W. Broadway corridor courting commerce and consumers
The several-year comeback is getting traction as frayed-edge buildings get painted and empty storefronts continue to fill.
TT Capital makes $17 million investment in Revel Health
The money will help to fund marketing efforts and technology.
St. Anthony: Common ground lacking on payday lending issue
Opponents of payday lending can take heart in the story of one woman who has retired her debt and sworn off Payday America with the help of a nonprofit financier.
Hotelier Harshal Patel launches little LuMinn amid big competition downtown
The last several years have been boom times in the hotel trade.
North Side Minneapolis businesses promote 'Black Friday on Broadway'
North Minneapolis event is a sign of area's resurgence.
Recycling nonprofit is making an impact with local businesses
Recycle Across America CEO Michelle "Mitch" Hedlund is getting traction in her quest to lift recycling results.
Chuck & Don's owners selling company to employees
More than 20 years ago, Bob Hartzell, who grew up in a family manufacturing business, received the cash "offer I couldn't refuse" for the division of the former Hartzell Corp. that he came to own through his late father.
Sunday conversation: Judge Miles Lord was "anti-wrongdoers" not anti-business
Roberta Walburn was a University of Minnesota law school student in 1982 when she became a law clerk for the late U.S. District Judge Miles…
Tim Stoddart, financial adviser, chef and adventurer, dies at 68
Tim Stoddart, a financial adviser known for his adventurous spirit and big heart, died Nov. 6 at his home in Mahtomedi at age 68.He had…
Investors buy into disruption story at IntriCon Corp.
Intricon is the best performing publicly traded company in Minnesota this year.
North Side's Green Garden Bakery is a Minnesota Cup business winner
The executive team already is planning for a big capital investment.
For north Minneapolis elevator maker, business is headed up
But for Jashan "Jason" Eison, the route to becoming CEO and owner wasn't conventional.
Allstate's suit against Ameriprise more about swiping data than big-buck producers
Allstate sued Ameriprise after the company lured an unspecified number of Allstate employees in several states.
Pohlad family buys robotics manufacturer PaR Systems
PaR, based in Shoreview, has built systems to help with Chernobyl decommissioning and in Japan nuclear plant after the earthquake.
Scramble for tech talent is challenge for recruiters
The demand for IT professionals is as hot as it was in the late 1990s.
![“We should be thrilled. That capital will recycle its way through young [entrepreneurs] who will do it again and again,” Michael Gorman said.](http://stmedia.stimg.co/1509169082_10062121+1gorman103017.JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Execs in growing Twin Cities tech sector reflect on ingredients of success
A number of Twin Cities tech companies are growing in a good economy, they said, but not all is perfect.
Risky Business Project fears U.S. can't weather the storm of climate change
Reducing the risk posed by climate change is economically and technically achievable, according to the Risky Business Project. The project is led by American business…
Minneapolis business Wood From the Hood helps misfit trees find new life
In 2008, Cindy Siewert started Wood From the Hood, which uses diseased and downed city trees. Logs that otherwise would be landfilled or chipped become tables, flooring, benches, customized cutting boards and other wood products.
Growing manufacturers are trying to interest more high school students in careers
Hundreds of the nearly 8,000 Minnesota manufacturers opened their doors this month to high school students thinking about careers making things.
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