Talking Business - The Hidden Gems of Cloquet

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 225 Sunnyside Drive in Cloquet. Their mission is to add value to members by leading, informing, and advocating business interests. Their competitive niche is gathering people together to network and strengthen personal and business connections. Kelly Zink is the President of the Chamber, and Alyson Leno is the Chamber Office Manager. 

The Chamber also hosts various committees, programs, and educational opportunities. Chamber events currently include Chamber Chat (monthly luncheon), Chamber Cheers (end of the workday business open houses), the Leadership Program, Craft, Art and Vendor Fair, Annual Meeting, Home, Business and Sport Show, Golf Outing, Easter Coloring Contest, Christmas Lighting Challenge, and more. The Chamber also features Chamber Spotlights on businesses and organizations to market them. 

With five generations spanning our current workforce, member participation builds relationships and increases your visibility. People are likelier to do business with people they know, like, and trust. As a membership and member services organization, referrals are made to other Chamber members.  

We live where people vacation, and luckily the Chamber is also poised to help navigate tourism questions about the area by hosting the Visit Cloquet website: https://www.visitcloquet.com/ 

Get involved, attend an event, and grow your local business relationships!

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Frandsen Bank and Trust.  

Frandsen Bank & Trust - Cloquet is located at 712 Highway 33 South in their fully remodeled facility to support growing staff. We sat down with President Mark Lanigan and Senior Vice President Joanne Treviranus to hear about what gives them energy each day and then toured the building and greeted staff.

The Cloquet Bank was purchased by Frandsen in 2009 and has doubled in size in the last three years with nineteen employees. Much of the regional growth of Frandsen Bank & Trust facilities stems from the support of the Cloquet office as the main hub. Cloquet Frandsen Bank & Trust staff are heavily involved in community groups and activities and are supported to do so.  

“At Fransen Bank & Trust, it’s all about getting behind your people and running on strengths, relationships are key, and our banking is not transactional,” said Mark Lanigan, President of Cloquet Frandsen Bank & Trust. “I love what I do, I like the variety of my job, and every day is different,” said Senior Vice President Joanne Treviranus. 

Lanigan shared that advisory banking is his passion for taking businesses to the next level and building wealth for business owners.   

Frandsen Bank & Trust offers community banking focused on personal banking, business banking, mortgage services, investment services, and wealth management planning. Frandsen Bank & Trust was launched in 1981 by Dennis Frandsen with the purchase of a bank in Luck, WI, and was founded in 1982, growing into what is today Frandsen Financial Corporation (FFC), a bank holding company with over 37 locations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. FFC is based in Arden Hills, Minnesota.  

Dennis Frandsen’s philosophy is to let talented business people run his companies with the same entrepreneurial spirit that he has. His business entities have a reputation for honesty, fairness, and accountability. He allows senior management to run the businesses and has been recognized as one of Minnesota’s leading entrepreneurs. By employee opinion, Frandsen Bank & Trust has earned the Star Tribune Top Workplace for five consecutive years.  

Dennis Frandsen is also philanthropic, enhancing both technical school opportunities and high school academics. First, he funds two-year scholarships to technical college for every graduate of the high schools in Braham, Pine City, and Rush City, Minnesota, and Frederic and Luck, Wisconsin. Secondly, he funds a program called Frandsen Forward, a program that will award each of the six Minnesota high schools a $2,500 grant to enhance academic or extracurricular and community programs. Two schools will have their grant upgraded to $5,000. High school students, teachers, and staff members across Minnesota will be encouraged to apply for the grants by telling a compelling story for a specific project to enhance and increase their high school and community.

There is a need for talented young bankers in this area and jobs available, inquire at Fransen Bank & Trust for more details!  

FRANDSEN BANK & TRUST

712 MN-33

Cloquet, MN 55720

(218) 879-6000

https://www.frandsenbank.com/locations/cloquet/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext

https://www.facebook.com/FrandsenBank 

https://www.frandsenbank.com/about-us/frandsen-forward/

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Woodlands National Bank.

Woodlands National Bank is located at 240 North Road in Cloquet. Owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe as part of their economic diversification program, Woodlands National Bank is headquartered in Onamia, Minnesota, with seven banking locations spanning from Minneapolis northward to serve your needs. The bank was founded in 1908 and is the only minority-owned bank in Minnesota. They are also uniquely designated as a preferred lender and servicer with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which allows them to streamline the process of reviews and approvals with standard operating procedures in place, reducing other packaging.

While banks generally have similar products for personal and commercial banking, personal relationships and local decision-making in financial needs are what sets them apart. Their staff is trained to think outside the box on options to do things differently than competitors. Their customer base has grown primarily through referrals who have had positive experiences working with the bank.  

In 2016 Woodlands National Bank was also named the Minnesota Commercial Lender of the Year with their commitment to putting dollars and jobs into Minnesota. Woodlands strives to partner on deals in the community. A new banking product they are proud to share is the business's fast cash loans ranging from $10,000 - $100,000 for working capital, equipment, and inventory with a simple application and quick turnaround. 

Criteria for this loan include:

Interestingly, applicants don't need to be current customers but do need to be registered businesses in Minnesota. 

We met with Jamie Langhorst, Commercial Services Banker, and Shanna Wolf, Commercial Portfolio Manager. 

They reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic when all banks were closed, except for minority-owned banks in the United States. During the pandemic, staff was contacted by businesses across the country for SBA program aid to weather the business disruptions. The team dedicated long days, often working until midnight and weekends, ultimately approving over 1,000 SBA loans totaling $80 million for businesses nationwide. This also led to the Cloquet office gaining nationwide customers due to their customer service to businesses during the pandemic.  

With a gracious and fun working atmosphere, the average staff tenure is eight years, while officer staff tenure is twelve years. Woodlands National Bank allows staff to be active in their communities through volunteerism. Stop into their Cloquet office today to learn about personal and business banking opportunities!

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Compensation Consultants LTD. Shawn Wolverton’s father, Jon, and his business partner Diane Mitchell launched Compensation Consultants, Ltd. in 1987. Their office is located at 807 Cloquet Avenue, where they have been located since opening the business. Today Compensation Consultants comprises four local staff Shawn, Paul, Rose, and Nicole, providing top-notch customer service.

Compensation Consultants is a non-insurance affiliated contract administration service provider that administrates flexible savings accounts (FSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), voluntary employee beneficiary association (VEBA), health savings accounts (HAS), and continuation of health coverage (COBRA). Their work is focused on assisting employees in understanding how to utilize their employer’s benefit programs. “It’s rewarding to provide customer service; that’s our reputation,” said Shawn Wolverton, business owner. They also provide tools and resources to employees to leverage their employer’s benefit programs, such as consumer portals, debit cards to pay for qualified plan expenses on the spot, and website tools summarizing eligible spending products which accept payments from their debit cards or major credit cards.

Their busiest time of year is during open enrollment periods, which leads to significant travel and employee meetings. In this region and state, there are certainly larger contract administration service organizations, but their customer service reputation sets Compensation Consultants apart from their competition.

Compensation Consultants has over 200 clients and serves roughly 7,500 employee participants. “Ninety percent of our business is within a 150-mile radius of Cloquet,” said owner Shawn Wolverton.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Brittany Olson Insurance Agency. Brittany Olson Dahl, owner, and agent of the Brittany Olson Insurance Agency in Cloquet, grew up in North Branch, MN, where she, at a young age, helped her grandpa and mom file insurance paperwork which was the family business. Her grandfather and mother were both independent insurance agents and insurance agency owners. Her grandmother cared for her while they worked, and she learned the insurance business from her family. As she does now, Brittany knew then how critical it is to have a relationship with an insurance agent who can advocate on your behalf.

She "officially" started in the insurance industry in 2004 - acquiring her Property, Casualty, Life, Health, and Accident licenses. She is licensed to sell insurance in MN, WI, and AZ. She is also NFIP certified to sell Flood Insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Brittany Olson Insurance Agency has been in Cloquet for five years and is located in the Lumberjack Mall at 707 Hwy 33 South, in newly remodeled Suite 11. She is joined by her talent staff John and Tara, who actively assist insurance clients. In recent years she has gained clients who have had bad experiences online purchasing insurance and needed to understand that they were underinsured, making decisions only to save money with minimum coverages. Communication with an agent is vital, and Brittany sits down with every client individually and, together with the client, designs a policy that meets their insurance goals and financial needs.

Brittany shared there are misconceptions about insurance agents. Instead of buying directly from a company or specific online policy, insurance agents help you purchase insurance that meets your unique needs and examine multiple carriers for the best options. Proper coverages for insurance are critical and need to be reviewed.

Every person's needs are different, and insurance agents are your partner. "Responsiveness isn't taught, this is who I am, and insurance is what I know," said Olson.

She loves officing in Cloquet after moving to this area five years ago. She enjoys time with her family on their Angus farm in Tamarack and keeps busy attending her children's sporting events. Contact Brittany Olson Insurance today for more information.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Birch and Pine Counseling. Birch and Pine Counseling opened in August 2022 at 1618 Cloquet Avenue. Primarily a group of original Cloquet natives educated in the region, who passionately banded together to counsel, teach, and mentor by launching a clinic believing that quality mental health care should be available in Cloquet directly. They have a full staff including Ashley Rhoads, Bailey Homstad, Sharlene Santmyer, Patty Grigsby, Alan Haney, Rachel Willgohs, Nicole Collins, Nicole Loukes, Katie Walkowiak, and more.

They stand on the mission that their clinic provides community health, which is much more than a private counseling practice. 

Their offices are approachable and down to earth, and the setting is comfortable and feels like home. They strive to place their client’s needs first and work to meet those individual needs by working as a team. Their staff also goes offsite. You may also find them working in various school districts, such as Esko, Wrenshall, and Northern Lights Academy. 

As such, their approach to mental health strives to also build outside support networks from teachers, coaches, pastors, and more.

There is anxiety in daily life at all ages, and it is hard to ask for help. That’s why Birch and Pine’s staff are here to help through the challenges of depression, grief, parent burn-out, trauma, early childhood challenges, anger management, drug and alcohol addictions, and more. Their staff works to help families, individuals, and couples through the challenges they face.

 Birch and Pine Counseling, PLLP

1618 Cloquet Ave, Cloquet, MN 55720

(218) 451-2116

https://www.bpcounseling.info/

https://www.facebook.com/BirchandPineCounseling

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Transfurmation Training and Grooming. Located at 5 N 15th Street (in the same building as Skutevik's Floral - with their main door along 15th Street), Transfurmation Training & Grooming is your Dog Grooming and Training Specialists! Emily Boulanger and Liam May opened Transfurmation Training & Grooming in Cloquet to fill the niche of dog grooming and training services customized for your pet. Emily specializes in grooming big dogs and is gifted in working with them through anxieties. She is now accepting cats for grooming as well. Emily is certified in AKC S.A.F.E. Handling and has been professionally grooming since 2017.

Grooming is done onsite to provide your pet with a safe, calm, and cozy experience. Pricing varies on the breed, size of the dog, haircut style, temperament of the dog, and the condition of the coat, so contact them directly for a quote. Full grooms provide:

Liam is a gifted and passionate dog trainer offering onsite training services in their physical location or mobile training where the training is done where you are. Packages include:

Transfurmation Training & Grooming is proudly an LGBQT+-owned and operated facility serving the Twin Ports and surrounding areas. Check them out today! 

Transfurmation Training and Grooming

5 N 15th Street, Cloquet MN 55720

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Lacuna Massage. Lacuna Massage is owned and operated by Kimberly Christine and is located at 1111 Cloquet Avenue, Suite 1. She chose her business theme to resemble an escape to the beach for relaxation and self-care. Lacuna Massage was launched in August 2022 and is open by appointment only, offering a wide array of services from Ayurveda, Swedish, therapeutic, medical, and chair massages to Reiki healing, educational classes, the use of oils, and more. Her website and Facebook page feature Anti-Cellulite Massage, Spa Hand or Feet Warmers, Reiki Certification classes, hot stone massage, hot oil scalp massage, corporate chair massages for business employees, and animal massage. “This downtown building has great potential and other office space for rent if others are looking,” says Kimberly.

Kimberly grew up in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School. She’s lived around the country since then and recently has returned “home.”  During her journeys across the country, she worked on theater production crews and costume design for productions such as Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group. After years of bending her neck in costume designing, hairdressing, stage design, and more, she developed tendinitis in her hands and a bulging disc in her neck. That led her to her journey of self-care and learning the art of massage. Her former husband was from India and introduced her to Ayurveda massage, and on tours to India, she took classes on this technique. She explained that Ayurveda is the science of life, an ancient form of health and wellness, and was how doctors used herbs to diagnose people. It’s based on the life elements of air, fire, water, and earth. She’s passionate about Reiki using energy to heal physically and emotionally.

As a talented seamstress, she also has the hobby of designing dog costumes and is an experienced ghost tour-er launching a business providing ghost tours through Canal Park (https://duluthghosttours.com/). We are lucky to have this creative in our mix. Visit Kimberly Christine to find your relaxation escape today!

Phone: (323) 863-6681; Email: [email protected]

Website: https://lacunamassages.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacunamassagecloquet

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Holy Smokes Catering.  Lee and Julie Harris recently purchased 1101 Avenue B in Cloquet and are building a commercial kitchen space in the former Viking Lumber.

After working as medical professionals for decades, they pulled the plug, switched gears to face their calling, and launched the dream of a meat-smoking catering and food truck business.

After they purchased a food truck, they realized how critical having storage for it is and examined pole-building options on their property.  Eventually, they decided to sell their Esko home and purchase a building in downtown Cloquet, creating their own home on the second level and building the commercial kitchen on the main floor.  With the time smoking takes, you must be around to monitor the meat.  Therefore making their home onsite with the business became the logical goal.

As Lee Harris informed us, “Good Meat Doesn’t Need Sauce.”  They specialize in smoking pork and beef and do not choose to work with chicken as it tends to become too dry during the smoking process.

They make their own seasonings and are known for their authentic quality.  Their niche comes from their process, 100% wood-fired smoked meat.  They don’t’ add smoked flavoring (liquids often added to fires).  Their work is artistic and all in their hands.  Their meat is priced by the pound, not per person, and they can inform you of how many people are fed by volume.

In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Heather's Café. Looking for that small town American café experience in downtown Mayberry? We’ve got you covered, welcome to Heather’s Café, owned by Heather Gist, located at 1304 Cloquet Avenue. Heather’s Café is open weekdays offering destination breakfast and lunch specials for dine-in or takeout (no delivery), generally closing by 2 p.m. most days except Thursdays when they close at 5 p.m.

Heather grew up in the Twin Cities area and spent time in Sauk Center near her parents’ cabin. It was there that she began working at Hardees, because she hated fishing at the cabin. She has moved around the country and has worked at several restaurants including Pizza Hut, Perkins, and Spirits. Her Grandma had owned bars and restaurants, so the passion for working at a restaurant was in her bloodline. She loves to serve, cook, and bake. Heather’s Café is most known for their homemade hashbrowns, corn beef hash, and burgers. They also leverage baking talent in the region featuring various baked goods and pies.

“We are most well known for our breakfasts, our pancakes are made from scratch,” said Heather Gist, Owner of Heather’s Café.