Minnesota Made Podcast

Like many business owners, Jim was a bit of a rebel growing up. Not afraid of risk and preferring to do his own thing, Jim and his buddy started mowing yards at age 15, by 18 he had 8 employees and ended up selling the business so he could attend college. Having a close family and a love for this mother Mary, Jim started Mom’s Design Build, originally as a landscape company, but his clients wanted more, so they expanded, and now complete beautiful interior design and remodels. Check them out at www.momsdesignbuild.com

I had the honor of interviewing, Brad Ahlm, President of Conductive Containers, Inc.  Listen to this, when you rub your feet on the carpet, then touch someone, and give them a “shock”, it took about 5,000 volts of static electricity to generate that “shock”. Now picture this, your company makes something like computer microchips, and if your microchip is exposed to even 10 volts of static electricity, it will ruin your microchip, but you need to ship your microchips across the county… now what? I’ll tell you, “what”, you call Conductive Containers Inc because when it comes to protecting products from an electrical charge, they have the answer. They can make a custom container for your microchips or anything else you might need shipped, stored, or displayed. Check them out at www.CorStat.com

P & F Machining stated in 1983 by Floyd and Patsy Pawlak in New Hope, MN. Floyd spent his nights and weekends operating a small manual lathe in the corner of a warehouse until he was able to quit his day job and be self-employed. Today they have a BEAUTIFUL facility in Otsego, with a waiting list of people who want to work there. P & F Machining, Inc. specializes in precision machining for the medical device industry and by the looks of things, they're definitely doing something right! Check them out at www.PFMachining.com

If you can dream it, Acucraft can build it. There is no fireplace took complex, or request too unique. For, example how about a fireplace that makes ice? Yes, ice! Take a listen as Chris Maxon, CEO of Acucraft Fireplace Systems tells the story of an electrical fire that literally burns his company to the ground, and like a Pheonix, comes back from the ashes bigger, better, and stronger! Check them out at www.acucraft.com

When I think of the way a COO should think and do, Anthony Cole is it. This guy is constantly thinking, “how can we do better,” he knows all his business metrics, tracking what he needs to track, and has goals for the future. We've all heard, “Readers and Leaders,” well Anthony has already read 40 books this year! Check them out at www.backyardmn.com

Eric Pratt, Minnesota Senator, is my new favorite politician, and here’s why.  Eric walked on to the Division 1 football team, Colorado University, as a linebacker. Of the 24 players who tried out as a walk-on, 23 were cut and Eric was the last man standing. At this time his coach asked him, “why do you want to play football here?,” and Eric’s reply was because “I like to hit people.” My MAN! How can you not love that?  Website: ericprattmn.com

The Fenix Group has answered the most complex application challenges in the specialty performance coatings industry. They have developed leading-edge technology, building a reputation for solving problems no ‘off-the-shelf’ performance coating can touch. Check them out at fenixspc.com

Park Construction is a Minnesota-based contractor specializing in construction planning, surveying, and site development for transportation, flood control, oil and gas, heavy industrial, utilities, and commercial markets.

Bart Anderson is a fellow patriot and the CEO of US Site Work based out of Elk River MN. They are an earthwork, demolition, and utilities contractor. I am amazed how quickly they have grown, opening in 2013 and already employing about 70 people!

DSI started in a barn back in 1982 and now employs 115 people! If you have a manufacturing problem, DSI has the solution. Listen to Troy Brake, Noah Stark, and Lisa Horn, as they tell us why they’ve hired 25 people in the last 12 months and where they’re headed. Check them out at www.DSIMN.com