Minnesota Circle

In episode 65 we speak with Carla Scholz from Soak iT Up Cloths and Clards. Carla shares how she started her business, why she chose Swedish dish cloths, and her innovative way to turn them into greeting cards! Carla shares all the many ways she uses them around her house, how to keep them clean, and even throw them in your garden! If you are looking for more ways to be eco-friendly, including sending holidays cards that people will actually USE, listen to this episode now!

Want an exclusive discount code to Clards and many other local companies? Download our 2021 Unique Holiday Gift Guide HERE. 

Soak iT Up provides ultra eco gifts and greetings that EVERYone can USE.
Our patented sustainable Clards are greetings that clean up, literally.
Made from European sponge cloth, Clards are clever greeting cards that once wet, transform into reusable, compostable cleaning cloths that last for months! Each Clard can do the work of 3,000 paper towels.
Why send a traditional greeting that sits on a shelf or in a drawer and collects dust when you can send a Clard that collects dust in the best way. Learn more at their website.

If you want to more about Minnesota businesses, travel, and events visit our website.
 

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In Episode 64, we speak with Kayla from Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe in downtown Hopkins, Minnesota. Kayla share with us how she got started in the commercial baking business and why being the Head Baker at Amy’s has been such a wonderful experience. The Amy’s team cares about locally sourced ingredients, fresh products daily, and giving back to the community. Kayla also shares her other downtown Hopkins favorites that you should check out when in town. If you haven’t stopped in to visit them, you can really make a day of it.. They even have curbside pick up. If you want some delicious treats to celebrate the upcoming holidays, get your holiday orders in ASAP! Find more information about Amy’s on their website.

• Thanksgiving Pre-orders available until 11/19
• Small Business Saturday is 11/27 and we'll have some giveaways, 25% off all "wearable" merch + additional women-owned small businesses featured at the Shoppe
• Santa at the Shoppe on Saturday 12/4 from 9 am - 12 pm

Featuring the song Battleworn by  Emily Whitcomb. Find more about her here.

If you want to more about Minnesota businesses, travel, and events visit our website.

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In episode 63 we spoke with Nikki and Anna, sisters and co-founders of Hagen and Oats. They shared how empowering it can be to work with power saws, mistakes they have made over the years and what it means to be a part of Six For Good.  They told the hilarious story of "The Blob" and how their business has evolved over the last six years. You will also learn about an incredible group of women-owned small businesses that have come together with a common goal of giving back to local organizations in need. This episode has it all, honesty, humor, and holiday shopping ideas! You don't want to miss it! 

Nikki  and Anna were born and raised in good ol’ Minnesota. Growing up, they were taught that being a girl means you have all the power in the world. They grew up hands-on and learned that hard work is a way of life.  For example, they built a wood strip canoe and rebuilt a 1970 VW Beetle. That drive to work hard helped develop their creativity. 

Their  company grew out of a creative project for Anna's home. They inherited a band saw, and Anna saw it as an opportunity for a new mantel piece. Thanks to social media, their lives changed forever and Hagen and Oats was born. The original design remains at the heart of their company and their logo. They make hand-crafted, Minnesota inspired wood art. You can find them on social media, our website, in their shop, and in over 40 locations across the country! 

Hagen and Oats is also one of six brands included within the local shop Six For Good where six friends came together with the idea to do a little good. From mental health awareness and support for LGBTQ youth to sustainable water and ending sex trafficking, these brands are doing more than just selling great products - they are making a difference in their communities and in the world. Learn more at https://sixforgood.com/.

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Episode 62 features Addie Wales the co-owner of the beautiful vacation property, Ely Log Cabin in Ely, MN. She shares with us how her and her husband got started with the property and tons of insider information on places to visit in Ely, and things to do during every season. You won't want to miss this episode! Then, go book your trip to Ely!

Featuring the song "Sunshine and Good Lookin" by local musician Red Eye Ruby.

Welcome to Ely Log Cabin!

Addie was born and raised in Ely and Ben has always dreamed of owning a cabin. We purchased and renovated this beautiful off-grid log cabin in 2020 with the dream of turning it into a short term rental. We’re happy to share our beautiful property with you and we hope you will join us for a relaxing stay! Summer 2022 booking for Ely Log Cabin is now open. Click here for details.* Visit Ely Log Cabin on Instagram!

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For more information on Minnesota events and travel visit our website! 
Find us on Instagram @MinnesotaCircle

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If you are wanting to get involved in volunteering around the Twin Cities, but not sure where to begin, this is the episode for you. Tracy shares the incredible history behind HandsOn Twin Cities, how she got involved, and tons of ways to find the right volunteering opportunity for you.  From trade skills, to legal work, to hands on projects, there are many different ways to make a huge local impact using the HandsOn Twin Cities platform. Featuring the song "Limbo" by the local musician Janes Band.

Tracy Nielsen has served as the Executive Director for HandsOn Twin Cities for the past five years. She received her Bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University and her Masters in Business Administration from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. 

Prior to her current role, Tracy worked with United Ways for twelve years serving in roles as Chief Executive Officer for United Way of Kenosha County, Communications Director and VP – Marketing and Resource Development for both United Way of Racine County and United Way of the Wine Country in Northern California. Tracy has held other roles in the nonprofit sector. Roles included, Regional Program Coordinator for a ten‐state AmeriCorps Program focused on the retention of low-income and first generation college students throughout the Midwest, as well as AmeriCorps*VISTA member focused on addressing the issues of homelessness in Racine, WI.

Tracy is devoted to helping all people achieve their potential and believes that every person can play a role in the betterment of their community – especially through the power of volunteerism.

HandsOn Twin Cities is the Twin Cities’ only full service volunteer center that both promotes and facilitates 
volunteerism while improving the community’s ability to create more impact with the time generously given by volunteers.  We work with all types of volunteers, companies and nonprofit affiliates to ensure that every hour spent in the community is valuable.

At HandsOn we make it easy to transform your passion to action. We connect people to opportunities that align their skills and interests. We help nonprofits find, develop and retain volunteers, and we assist companies in delivering on their corporate social responsibility goals and employee engagement strategies.

Building on 101 years of experience as the Nation's first Volunteer Center, HandsOn Twin Cities and our more than 600 nonprofit partners give everyone the opportunities to Be the Change. Learn more about HandsOn Twin Cities HERE.

Follow Minnesota Circle on Instagram or Facebook @MinnesotaCircle and visit our website themncircle.com

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If you have been looking for the perfect fall trip, head to one of Minnesota's many beautiful wineries. In fact, we know all about a stunning place to visit, Rolling Forks Vineyard in Glenwood, Minnesota. In this episode we speak with Melanie the co-owner of the winery. She shares all about how her family got started on this journey, the creation process, how wine is made and so much more. You won't want to miss this episode! Listen in as you head out on a Minnesota wine tour!

They established roots at Rolling Forks in Pope County, MN in 2009 with the intent to grow grapes and make wine.  As the winery dream became a reality, they were steadfast in their desire to provide a place that not only produces fantastic wines, but a space where their friends, neighbors, and guests could share special moments together, while enjoying the picturesque views of Lake Minnewaska.  They want your visit to Rolling Forks Vineyards to be an experience to enjoy in every season.  Join them at their winery and tasting room, now open! Learn more about Rolling Forks Vineyard HERE. 

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Liz and David grew up in Russia and Israel as children, and always enjoyed a slice of halva during the day. When they arrived in Minnesota in 2015, they noticed the lack of halva options around them and decided to create their own store using their families recipe. In this episode, you will learn the origin of halva and discover it's many health benefits. Liz and David have a mission to make halva the number one dessert in the U.S. and will leave your mouth watering with their many recipes, tips and memories of childhood foods. Featuring the song "Howling the Night Away" by Ian Valor & The Vendettas.

David and Liz are the founders of House of Halva, and also a husband and wife team. Growing up, they both enjoyed halva, a traditional dessert enjoyed throughout the far east. Halva is an exquisite, delicious, gluten-free and vegan confection. The main ingredient is sesame paste, or Tahini. Halva is at the same time crumbly and flaky, and comes in many fantastic flavors.  When they moved to Minnesota, they couldn't find halva anywhere, so they thought "why not introduce this amazing dessert to America?" It took them years but they finally made the leap and pursued this dream. Their team continues to grow and now includes a 3-year old- daughter and a cavalier king charles spaniel. Learn more about House of Halva at https://www.houseofhalva.com/.

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In this episode, we speak with Emily Niswanger. Emily chats with us all about practical tools and questions to ask yourself to help you prioritize your health and well being. Emily doesn't  just look at your nutrition and the food you eat, she looks at the whole person and helps you start where you are to be the best version of you.

Emily  is an integrative and functional nutrition certified dietitian from Minneapolis, MN.  Emily has her master’s degree in nutritional science and has published research on the role of food deserts in childhood obesity. Emily is passionate about empowering people to take charge of their health and to do so with sustainability in mind. Emily works in a functional medicine clinic and see’s patients 1:1. Emily also runs her own seasonal gluten and dairy free meal plan membership site called Anywhere Nutrition. The focus of her membership is teaching people how to cook simple meals at home with the best ingredients possible and take back their health naturally.
 
Visit Emily at Anywhere Nutrition.


For more episodes and information about Minnesota visit our website.  

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After Alicia attended her first 4 week beekeeping class she was hooked. In this episode you will learn the story of how Honey and Bee began, many amazing facts about bees and the hidden benefits of raw honey.  Alicia taught us how to recognize the best types of honey, tips for creating a bee friendly lawn and what to expect as a beekeeper.
 Featuring the song "Please Dear Sun" by local musician, Amanda Grace. 

Alicia Donovan is owner of Honey and The Bee, Beyond the Hive.
Her background in Veterinary Technology led her the fascinating world of honey bees.
From studying bee biology to understanding the best beekeeping practices the learning never ends. She has taken courses from Entomologists at the University of Minnesota and Michigan State.  Alicia is involved in many honey bee related groups and has been beekeeping for the past 5 years.  She recently completed a course in Sensory Analysis of Honey through the American Honey Tasting Society. Alicia and her husband are owners of Bogus Creek Hill Farm a pollinator friendly habitat in Stockholm, WI. Learn more at https://honeyandthebee.blog/

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Officer Antonio Espinosa recently retired as a prison guard of 19 years at the Stillwater Prison but his work is just beginning. After the murder of his friend and co-worker, Antonio knew he wanted to honor him and make a lasting change within the prison system. Art from the Inside is a project that brings the art of incarcerated individuals out in front of the public, provides hope and feelings of worth to inmates, and will ultimately shift your view of the many human beings living within the prison walls.

Bio: Antonio is the founder, creator and brains behind Art From the Inside. He is a correctional officer with over 18 years of experience at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater, Minnesota. He has served on system-wide and institutional committees focused on supporting offenders as they transition back into the community. He launched and co-facilitates a men’s support group for offenders called Stand Up. Antonio coordinates cultural events for the offenders and is a role model to his peers. He is committed to ensuring a safe and positive environment focused on uplifting and healing for offenders.

“I’m just one person trying to make a change in our system. I want to help transform these men and help the [DOC] community heal after the killing of my friend and fellow correctional officer, Joseph Gomm. Art just happened to be the vehicle that brought us together to have these difficult conversations.”

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