University of Minnesota, Crookston News

Tastefully Simple Founder and CEO Jill Blashack Strahan Speaking at the U of M, Crookston on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at Noon in Kiehle Auditorium

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:22:28 -0600

Tastefully Simple Founder and CEO Jill Blashack Strahan will speak at the University of

Minnesota, Crookston on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, as part of an entrepreneurship speakers' series sponsored by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES). Her presentation entitled Small Beginnings--Big Dreams will take place at noon in the Kiehle Auditorium. The event is free and the public is welcome.

Following the presentation, Blashack Strahan will be available to sign her book, Simply Shine: Stories That Stirred the Fire. In the book, she shares her inspirational journey with Tastefully Simple. The books will be available for purchase that day.

As a top female entrepreneur and author, Blashack Strahan is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and women across the nation. She was born and raised in Villard, Minn., and grew up on her family's farm, where she was deeply influenced by her father's entrepreneurial spirit. She managed and owned Jill's Grill in Villard and eventually started a retail gift basket shop. Then her future took a revolutionary turn. Prior to selling her business in 1994, Jill participated in a Holiday Crafters Tour to promote her gift baskets. She provided samples of the easy-to-prepare foods and experienced remarkable sales. Jill realized the power of taste-testing and the idea of Tastefully Simple was born.

Tastefully Simple is an award-winning $100 million company with more than 300 employees and some 21,000 independent consultants. Blashack Strahan is recognized as an exceptional CEO, having won numerous awards for her achievements and unique philosophies of positivity and abundance.

Background

Funded through a grant from the Department of Education, CRES assists entrepreneurs in Northwestern Minnesota with the development and creation of their entrepreneurial enterprise. CRES, located on the Crookston campus, serves eleven counties including Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.

The mission of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES) is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting.  The CRES engages the students, faculty, and research facilities of the University of Minnesota in Crookston in order to stimulate the entrepreneurial culture and strengthen the economic vitality of northwest Minnesota.

The CRES is housed in Dowell Hall 117. For information, call 218-281-8595 (cres@tc.umn.edu), or visit www.umccres.org.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Veteran Entrepreneur and Business Networking event Tuesday, November 20, 1012, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, at U of M, Crookston; NW Minnesota SBDC and CRES partnering to host event

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:07:05 -0600

Veterans and their families are invited to a unique opportunity to learn more about starting and operating a small business. A Veteran Entrepreneur and Business Networking event will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The event is free and lunch is included, but registration is requested by contacting the Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (NW MN SBDC) at 218-299-3037 (sbdc@cord.edu).

The event, sponsored by the NW MN SBDC and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies

(CRES) at the U of M, Crookston, will cover a wide range of topics including starting and

financing a business. Information will also be available to those interested in strengthening a current business. Attendees will meet key partners who offer resources at no or low cost in their local communities.

Background

The mission of CRES is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting. CRES engages the students, faculty, and research facilities of the University of Minnesota, Crookston in order to stimulate the entrepreneurial culture and strengthen the economic vitality of northwest Minnesota. CRES is located in Dowell Hall 117 on the Crookston campus. For more information, contact Lundbohm at 218-281-8190 (rlundboh@.umn.edu) or visit the CRES Web site at www.umccres.org.

Minnesota SBDC applies higher education, private sector and government resources to assist businesses and foster entrepreneurship. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Small Business Administration, Concordia College and regional partners fund this nonprofit organization. The NW MN SBDC is located at 1103 Roosevelt Road SE Bemidji, Minn. To schedule an appointment, please contact the SBDC at (218) 299-3037 or email sbdc@cord.edu. Additional information about services, workshops and trainings, and our partners can be found at www.offuttschoolofbusiness.org/sbdc.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies Seeks Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Interested in Potential Project Collaboration

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:34:37 -0600

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can receive valuable help through an opportunity offered by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES) at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. CRES is seeking regional entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in forming a unique relationship that would include valuable consulting services by U of M, Crookston students under the guidance of qualified faculty at no cost.

Each semester, both spring and fall, CRES integrates projects into three courses offered on campus. These projects become an integral part of the course curriculum and are designed to benefit small business owners and entrepreneurs while providing students with real-world business experiences.

Applications for the program are accepted anytime; however, priority is given to applications received prior to the due dates. The 2012 fall semester application deadline is Friday, August 10 and the spring semester application deadline is Friday, November 30, 2012. Applicants will be notified about their participation in the program no later than August 20 for fall semester and December 10 for spring semester.

All applications are screened by CRES and the projects that best fit the mission of CRES and enhance the learner outcomes for the course will be contacted for a follow-up meeting to determine guidelines, client expectations, and to review other relevant information regarding participation.

For more information about the opportunity, contact Rachel Lundbohm, Associate Director of CRES at 218-281-8595 (cres@tc.umn.edu) or visit the CRES Web site at www.umccres.org. The CRES office is located in Dowell Hall 117 on the Crookston campus.

Background

The Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies, funded through a grant from the Department of Education, assists entrepreneurs in Northwestern Minnesota with the development and creation of their entrepreneurial enterprise. CRES, located on the Crookston campus, serves eleven counties including Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau. The services offered are based on the client's needs.

The mission of CRES is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting.  It engages the students, faculty, and research facilities of the University of Minnesota, Crookston in order to stimulate the entrepreneurial culture and strengthen the economic vitality of northwest Minnesota.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 36 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,600 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

CRES brings Rib King "Famous Dave" Anderson to U of M, Crookston on Thursday, February 2, 2012; Event takes place at 12 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:43:10 -0600

Dave Anderson, better known as "Famous Dave" and founder of Famous Dave's Legendary Real Pit Barbecue, will be at the University of Minnesota, Crookson on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Sponsored by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies, Anderson will speak at 12 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. The public is invited to attend; there is no admission charge.

Anderson, a highly sought after keynote speaker, has shared his business success secrets and leadership insights with millions throughout the United States and Canada. His incredible real life story of overcoming tremendous odds, adversity, and failure create one of America's best-loved restaurant companies. With passion, energy, and enthusiasm Anderson shares how he overcame his own personal challenges. As a Native American, he is devoted to making a difference in the community and in the lives of others less fortunate.

With over 180 restaurants and growing, Famous Dave's has received unprecedented recognition as one of the "Hottest Concepts in America" by Nation's Restaurant News reaching over $480 million in sales. Anderson has helped found several publicly traded companies on Wall Street creating over 20,000 new jobs and billions in sales.

Anderson is part of the speakers series sponsored by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES). Funded through a grant from the Department of Education, CRES assists entrepreneurs in Northwestern Minnesota with the development and creation of their entrepreneurial enterprise. CRES, located on the Crookston campus, serves eleven counties including Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau. The services offered are based on the client's needs.

The mission of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES) is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting.  The CRES will engage the students, faculty, and research facilities of the University of Minnesota in Crookston in order to stimulate the entrepreneurial culture and strengthen the economic vitality of northwest Minnesota.

The CRES is housed in Dowell Hall 117. For information, call 218-281-8595 (cres@tc.umn.edu), or visit www.umccres.org.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 36 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,600 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Farmers' Markets Benefit from Service-learning Project by Students in Integrated Marketing Communication Class at the U of M, Crookston

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:50:19 -0600

For one class at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, the end of the semester meant sharing ideas to help strengthen and promote local farmers markets. Students in Rachel Lundbohm's integrated marketing communication class were involved in a service-learning project to help farmers markets in northwest Minnesota. Service learning combines academic classroom curriculum with meaningful community service, and the purpose of the project was to conduct research on farmers' markets, suggest ways to increase awareness, and devise options for helping to build the customer base.

Research results identified target markets and their characteristics including the demographics and psychographics of each. Students developed marketing slogans, logo suggestions, a methodology for advertising, and included a marketing budget. Recommendations were made ranging from sales promotions to reaching consumers through print, radio and other media. The students also addressed the use of social media as a marketing tool. In order to determine the effectiveness of the marketing, students suggested possible assessment tools to learn more about market customers.

The research project was the result of Lundbohm, who also serves as the associate director of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES), connecting a need identified through the Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (NWRSDP) with students in the integrated marketing communication course.

The markets and member vendors collaborated in seeking assistance in market promotion. During the second week of the semester, students met with representatives of farmers markets and Linda Kingery, executive director of the NWRSDP to learn more about the marketing challenges these farmers markets face. The NWRSDP works to sustain Minnesota's natural resource-based communities and industries by addressing community-identified agriculture, natural resources, and tourism issues in partnership with the University of Minnesota.

Joining Kingery for the presentations were Sarah Reese coordinator for Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) for Polk County; Chuck and Barb Schulstad, vendors at the Mentor Farmers' Market; Lisa Loegering, assistant director of service learning at the U of M, Crookston; and Kim Turner from the White Earth Community Farmers' Market.

Kingery was impressed with the marketing ideas the students presented. "The connection of Rachel Lundbohm to both CRES and the teaching of this class were a perfect combination for us," Kingery says. "The students learned practical application of what they were taught in the class by applying it directly to promoting farmers markets in this region. We gained a lot of fresh, valuable ideas through their work and what also is exciting is that many of these ideas can be easily implemented."

In February a compiled marketing plan will be presented to farmers markets in the region and a spring semester class will continue with a similar approach in a retail and merchandising management course.

The seventeen students in the class included Yu Cheng, a senior agricultural business major from Hangzhou, China; Kate Holmquist, a junior communication major from Middleton, Wis.; Jean-Michel Habeck, a senior marketing major from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Josh Koch, s senior double major in marketing and manufacturing management from Cedar, Minn.; Joann Blom, a senior marketing major from Thief River Falls, Minn.; Melissa Blawat, a senior agricultural business major from Viking, Minn.; Jie Yang, a senior agricultural business major from Shaozing, China; Steph Thomas, a senior double major in business and marketing from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada; Yuan Ding, a senior agricultural business major from Hangzhou, China; Scott Steuck, a junior communication major from Dassel, Minn.; David Anderson, a junior business management major from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Tyler Roed, a sophomore sport and recreation management major from Devils, Lake, N.D.; Eric Fisher, a senior business major from Hartland, Wis.; Mike Boebel, a sophomore sport and recreation management major from Deerfield, Wis.; Amoy Carty, a senior hotel, restaurant and tourism management major from Sandy Point, St.Kitts & Nevis; and Xi Zhou, a senior business management major from Chong Sing, China; and Vaughn Loomis, a senior business management major from Walker, Minn.

Through the University of Minnesota, Crookston, CRES is a grant funded organization that assists entrepreneurs in Northwestern Minnesota with the development and creation of their entrepreneurial enterprise. CRES serves eleven counties including Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau. CRES is located in Dowell Hall 117. For information, call 218-281-8595 (cres@tc.umn.edu), or visit www.umccres.org.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 36 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,600 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo, back row (l to r): Lisa Loegering, Vaughn Loomis, Mike Boebel, Eric Fisher, Scott Steuck, Joann Blom (in front of Steuck);Tyler Roed, David Anderson, Jie Yang

Middle row: Rachel Lundbohm, Stephanie Thomas, Josh Koch; Amoy Carty, Yu Cheng, Yuan Ding, Melissa Blawat, Xi Zhou.

Seated: Courtney Bergman, Linda Kingery, Chuck Schulstad, Barb Schulstad, and Sarah Reese.

Not pictured: Kate Holmquist and Jean-Michel Habeck

Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES) at the U of M, Crookston Hires Five Undergraduate Student Interns

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:49:29 -0600

Five students will be a part of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES) at the University of Minnesota, Crookston fall semester. These undergraduate interns will be working in areas of strength related to their majors to help CRES provide services and technical assistance to regional entrepreneurs and small businesses and to assist them in starting or growing their business.

The new student interns include Abbey Wemimo, sophomore majoring in business management from Lagos, Nigeria; Julie Trotter, a senior majoring in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management from Eagan Minn.; Stephanie Thomas, a senior double majoring in business management and marketing from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada; Yulia Wieland, a junior majoring in quality management from Crookston, Minn.; and Alvin Tong, a senior double majoring in business management and natural resources from Singapore.

Background
The Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES), funded through a grant from the funded through the Department of Education, assists entrepreneurs in Northwestern Minnesota with the development and creation of their entrepreneurial enterprise. CRES, located on the Crookston campus, serves eleven counties including Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau. The services offered are based on the client's needs.

The mission of CRES is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting.  It engages the students, faculty, and research facilities of the University of Minnesota, Crookston in order to stimulate the entrepreneurial culture and strengthen the economic vitality of northwest Minnesota.

The CRES is housed in Dowell Hall 117. For information, call 218-281-8595 (cres@tc.umn.edu), or visit www.umccres.org.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo, left to right: Abbey Wemimo, Julie Trotter, Stephanie Thomas, Yulia Wieland, and Alvin Tong.