Urban Evolution

COVID-19 has forced technological evolution and adoption at an unanticipated rate. One resulting trend is working from anywhere. At an American Business Journal "Future of Cities" event earlier this year, urban studies expert Richard Florida noted that for the first time, people are asking themselves deep questions about how they want to live and work with the understanding that they have more choices today in how to organize their lives. In this episode, three professionals representing different industries share their experiences living the work from anywhere lifestyle: Erin Lonoff, Principal with New York-based HR&A advisors, Brandon Hendrickson, founder of the online learning platform Science is Weird, and Aaron Brossoit, CEO of marketing and communications firm Golden Shovel.

HR&A Advisors: https://www.hraadvisors.com/
Science is Weird: https://www.scienceisweird.com/
Golden Shovel Agency: https://www.goldenshovelagency.com/
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

A Rochester, Minnesota startup is helping to fill a void in community exploration. Shrpa.com connects travelers with self-guided adventures created by locals. It's a unique online resource that is gaining traction and subscribers. Shrpa.com co-founders Chris Lukenbill and Andy Vig are software developers who met at a co-working space. They both struggled to find a source for new experiences. Not finding a usable platform, they created their own with a long-term vision for Shrpa.com to be the platform for local travel and exploration.

Shrpa: https://shrpa.com/
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

In Minnesota, a new initiative is providing a launching pad for entrepreneurs. Launch Minnesota is a pilot program that is fostering an innovative ecosystem across the state and is helping to get capital in the hands of startups. Over the past two years, Launch Minnesota has provided several millions of dollars in grant funding for early stage startups. The executive director of Launch Minnesota, Neela Mollgaard, has been a leader at the local and state level helping entrepreneurs as they start and scale their business. She discusses Minnesota's commitment to the startup community and why entrepreneurship is a key part of the economy and needs greater focus.

Launch Minnesota: https://mn.gov/launchmn/
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

The vision of the University of Minnesota Rochester is to inspire transformation in higher education. It's a vision that aligns well with a new groundbreaking partnership with two of the world's most recognized brands. Mayo Clinic and Google are partnering with the University of Minnesota Rochester on a pilot program called NXT GEN MED, designed to inform the future of higher education, leveraging machines and humans working together in an optimizing relationship to accelerate learning. This partnership is a first of its kind for higher education and provides an accelerated degree for students. University of Minnesota Rochester Chancellor Dr. Lori Carrell explains more about NXT GEN MED and what it means for higher education. She also talks about the impact COVID-19 has had on the campus community in Rochester, Minnesota, and the uniqueness of the living and learning campus, which is focused on healthcare studies.

University of Minnesota Rochester: https://r.umn.edu/
NXT GEN MED: https://r.umn.edu/news/nxt-gen-med
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

A Scandinavian retailer in Rochester, Minnesota is proof that you can be successful during a pandemic. The Nordic Shop has seen a nearly 300 percent growth in its online sales in 2020 thanks to a robust digital strategy, a keen understanding of its customer base and a forewarning of the impact of COVID by its European vendors. Louise and Walter Hanson, who own and operate the Nordic Shop and are celebrating 47 years in business and in marriage, share their story.

The Nordic Shop: https://www.thenordicshop.net/
Urban Evolution Podcast: www.urbanevolutionpodcast.com
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

Food as medicine is a popular buzzphrase, but what does it mean? A Rochester, Minnesota startup company is helping to shape and define it. Canomiks is a big data company bringing scientific rigor and a whole new standard to the natural remedies marketplace that doesn't currently exist with an end goal to help consumers make better choices. Co-Founder and CEO of Canomiks, Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk, shares details about her company and its new, innovative technologies. As someone who has recently moved form the big city of Boston to Rochester, Minnesota, she also provides perspective on why Rochester should be a top choice as a work-from-anywhere city.

Canomiks: https://www.canomiks.com/

As an Italian immigrant growing up in New York, Pasquale Presa and his family moved to America for a better life when he was a young boy. A passion for food led to a successful career in the hospitality industry, and ultimately, ownership in a namesake neighborhood pizzeria in Rochester, Minnesota. His booming business hit the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, but supply chain issues at local grocery stores created a new opportunity for his business.

Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria: https://pnpizza.com/

In Minnesota, there's a fearless sprit when it comes to healthcare innovation. Shaye Mandle is President and CEO of Medical Alley, Minnesota's healthcare association. Medical Alley bills itself as the Silicon Valley of healthcare. In a wide-ranging interview, Shaye explains why Minnesota has been a longtime leader in this ecosystem and where the healthcare industry is pivoting because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical Alley: https://medicalalley.org/

The Coronavirus pandemic has accelerated changes in many industries and in our daily lives. Tom Fisher, Director of the Minnesota Design Center at the University of Minnesota is a professor and former dean at the university. His research has focused on sustainable architecture, design ethics and community based service design. He shares insights on what a post pandemic city might look like, and how lessons from past pandemics and health events can help shape our future.

Tom Fisher: https://designcenter.design.umn.edu/people/fisher.html
Minnesota Design Center: https://designcenter.design.umn.edu/
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

A unique partnership of civic and community organizations in Rochester, Minnesota joined forces in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic to help ensure a safe and resilient recovery for the community. The partnership is called Rochester Ready. Erin Sexton, Director of Community Engagement for Mayo Clinic and Joe Ward, president of Experience Rochester, the city's destination marketing organization, explain more about Rochester Ready and Mayo Clinic and Experience Rochester's involvement as founding members. 

Rochester Ready: https://www.experiencerochestermn.com/rochester-ready/about/