DULUTH — It was standing room only on Oct. 16 as the Entrepreneurs Fund recognized nine businesses in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin at its second annual Excellence Awards.
The event, held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center’s Paluzzi Hall in front of a crowd of more than 200 people, became a self-fulfilling prophecy for the organization’s founder Mary Matthews, who won the Trailblazer Award. .
Trailblazer Award winner Mary Matthews speaks at the Entrepreneurs Fund Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Contribution / Entrepreneurs Fund
“We did an entrepreneurial showcase here in 1996,” Matthews said. “We were upstairs in a small dining room. Businesses were displaying their wares and we ate cold chicken. That day, from the podium, we heard, “One day we will fill DECC to capacity.” I remember saying. Looks like DECC is full! ”
Exemplary Board Service Award recipient Diane Weber speaks at the Entrepreneurs Fund Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
Since its founding in the late 1980s, the Entrepreneurs Fund has provided services to thousands of entrepreneurs, from start-up to business expansion to business succession, and has helped create and sustain tens of thousands of jobs. He has been responsible for over $55 million in loans. The organization also provides technical assistance, resources, and networking opportunities.
Participants listen to acceptance speeches during the Entrepreneurs Fund Excellence Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at DECC Arena in Duluth.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
Entrepreneur Fund President and CEO Sean Wellnitz said this year has been a “momentary year” for the nonprofit, which has doubled in size. The nonprofit is on pace to deploy more than $20 million in loan funding to serve more than 1,300 entrepreneurs, in addition to a recent $9 million gift from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. I’m here.
“As a result, nearly 250 businesses started, improved or significantly grew this year,” Wernitz said.
Nine business leaders received awards of excellence.
Benjamin Hugus, CEO and Founder of Ursa Miner Brewing. Jason Wobbema, President, Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions. Nicole Wilde, owner and CEO of Love Creamery. Chiamaka Enemuo, President of Lifestone Healthcare. Jessica and Eric Lietz, owners of Boomtown Woodfire Bar & Grill. Larry Pulkrabec, CEO of Torica and Mont du Lac Resort; Chris Olin, CEO and owner of Rocks Speed FX, and Jeff and Sue Churchill, owners of Roundman Brewing Company, Doc Coffee, Strongman Smokehouse, and Parliament Properties. Paul Kirkman, President of Virtual. The 2024 Excellence Award winners stand and pose for a photo.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
“The impact is local, but the reach is global, with entrepreneurs’ products reaching almost every corner of the globe,” said Jake Robinson, executive director of the Entrepreneurs Fund.
Prior to the awards ceremony, winners participated in an interactive behind-the-scenes business session, highlighting how the Entrepreneur Fund’s services were leveraged to meet their companies’ specific needs.
People gather for behind-the-scenes business sessions before the Entrepreneur Fund Excellence Awards.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
The breakout sessions allowed for questions from the audience. Common themes of discussion revolved around how each business’ success led to broader benefits for the community and region as a whole, as well as different trends and challenges in different industries.
Chiamaka Enemuoh answers questions in a behind-the-scenes session.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
Located in Crosby, Viual focuses on homemade ice cream, artisan cheeses, charcuterie, deli meats, artisan breads and packaged gifts made by gourmet makers, as well as specialty wines, spirits and liqueurs. A store specializing in food and gifts.
“What I’ve noticed, especially in small towns, is that everyone is rooting for you,” Kirkman said. “They want you to succeed. They want you to do well and they’re invested in what we’re doing.”
Mr. Kirkman was recognized for demonstrating excellence in retail experiences and expansions that have sparked a ripple effect that benefits residents and local businesses.
“We tried to do something that looked and felt a little different,” Kirkman said. “If people start stealing bits of my inventory and selling it in my store, I don’t want to look like everyone else, so I often move it and bring in fresh product. I don’t want to carry the products they carry. I want to maintain my own position within the market.”
Last year, Visual doubled in size. The Entrepreneurs Fund helped Kirkman purchase a new building.
“When you start thinking about the finances involved in everything, it makes more and more sense to actually own your own land,” Kirkman said in a behind-the-scenes session, adding that the company plans to install a commercial kitchen. The cost of building an extension was cited. You can enjoy bread and ice cream on the spot.
“You don’t want someone else owning it. When the lease ends, they might take it and rent it to someone else, or they might jack up the rent so much that it’s not a viable option,” Kirkman said. said. “I hated that uncertainty.”
Kirkman is currently exploring the possibility of opening a second store in northern Minnesota.
Sue Churchill from Round Man Brewing answers questions in a behind-the-scenes session.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
Advanced Machine Guard Solutions is also preparing for expansion that could quadruple its sales within the next three years, Wobbema said.
The Hibbing-based company specializes in safety machine protection for the automation and robotics industries. Wobbema expects AMGS to have sales of about $2 million this year, a significant accomplishment from its humble beginnings three years ago.
Jason Wobbema from Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions will be speaking at the Behind the Business session.
Contribution / Entrepreneurs Fund
“We were in the middle of a second wave of coronavirus, so we sat in an empty building and worked on all the stuff we designed on nights and weekends while I was employed by other people. We were getting ready to start assembling the equipment,” Wobbema said. “The price of steel reached the highest price known to man. At $2,000 a ton, we were almost out of business before we even started. We just put our heads down and went for it.”
Once production began, AMGS began creating miniature samples to ship across the country to potential customers.
“We had some large customers that were probably the largest robotics companies in North America,” Wobbema said. “We built enough facilities to actually get enough products out there, but we weren’t set up to compete on a global level with our competitors. That’s what we’re building now. And that’s our next level.”
About a year ago, the company began looking for a new facility to expand, partnering with Entrepreneurs Fund, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, as well as local financial institutions and government.
The Entrepreneurs Fund provided revenue-based financing to help AMGS secure the working capital needed to scale.
“A portion of the sales will be repaid,” Wobbema said. “The more you sell, the more you pay back.”
AMGS is also partnering with Minnesota North College to develop next-generation automation, robotics, mechatronics, networking, and security.
“Even now, post-COVID, it’s difficult to find people willing to work a full 40 hours,” said Wobbema, who currently employs 16 people. “What automation and robotics gives us is a very profitable capability. We may not have as many employees, but we have more highly paid employees. Robotics will not take away jobs, it will create an opportunity for manufacturers to come back to this country and compete as a global business.”
After the breakout sessions, networking began as attendees sampled local food and drinks before the awards ceremony.
People visit the Uhuda Kombucha booth before the Entrepreneur Fund Excellence Awards Ceremony at the DECC Arena.
Provided by Entrepreneur Fund
Duluth-based Love Creamery’s booth was a popular spot among attendees. This local company was recognized for building a strong, recognizable brand through strategic multi-location growth.
In 2014, Wilde began making ice cream on her hobby farm and selling it from a mobile cart at local farmers markets and events.
Nicole Wilde, owner of Love Creamery, received the Excellence Award.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
“I say this without a doubt, but Love Creamery would not exist without the Entrepreneurs Fund,” Wilde said. “I had a vision and I had the items to make it a reality. They believed in me. They took risks, but not just from a financial standpoint, but from an educational standpoint. It also gave me resources.”
By 2018, Love Creamery expanded to its first retail store. Since then, the company has grown into a thriving business with multiple scoop shops, wholesale accounts and a dedicated team of employees, Wilde said.
A complete list of each winner’s background and story can be found at efund.org/awards.
The Gentlemen’s Anti-Prohibition League will perform during the Entrepreneurs Fund Excellence Awards.
Contribution / Entrepreneur Fund
