A podcast about harnessing creativity and innovation to transform communities. For people who want to learn from the point of view, experiences and observations of others working in economic development and business.The common thread in every installment is that of evolution, which brings a range of voices and expertise to the conversation with perspectives and relevant examples from those who will speak to what it takes and has taken to evolve as a market and community through creativity, innovation and transformation.
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 diff...
22 Apr 2021
Shrpa: A New Online Source for Travel and Exploration
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 ...
8 Apr 2021
Launch Minnesota: A Launching Pad for Startups
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 sta...
25 Mar 2021
University of Minnesota Rochester: NXT GEN MED - Groundbreaking Innovation in Higher Education
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 ...
11 Mar 2021
The Nordic Shop: Retail Success During a Pandemic
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...
25 Feb 2021
Food as Medicine: A Conversation with Canomiks
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 m...
11 Feb 2021
Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria: A Slice of Pizza and the American Dream
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: http...
28 Jan 2021
The Silicon Valley of Healthcare: A Conversation with Shaye Mandle, President and CEO of Medical Alley
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/
14 Jan 2021
The Post Pandemic City: A Conversation with Tom Fisher, Director, Minnesota Design Center at the University of Minnesota
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://d...
30 Dec 2020
Rochester Ready: Responding to COVID-19 Through Community Collaboration
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 foun...
16 Dec 2020
The Growth of CRAVE Restaurants and Surviving a Pandemic
Kam Talebi is founder and CEO of Kaskaid Hospitality and operator of 12 CRAVE restaurants throughout the Midwest. He surprisingly opened his newest CRAVE restaurant in Rochester, Minnesota in the middle of a pandemic, even as restaurants nationwide were closing. But his family's special bond with Rochester and Mayo Clinic was his motivation. CRAVE: https://craveamerica.com/ Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/
15 Dec 2020
The Story of Limb Lab: Changing the Business of Limb Restoration
In Rochester, Minnesota, a boutique prosthetics and orthotics company has completely changed the business of limb restoration. Limb Lab has been described as the Apple Store of prosthetics. Brandon Sampson, founder of Limb Lab, shares his story. Limb Lab: https://limblab.com/ Six Mile Grove: https://sixmilegrove.com/ Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/
7 Dec 2020
Destination Medical Center: Creating a Global Destination for Health and Wellness in Rochester, Minnesota
There's a transformation taking place in Rochester, Minnesota, home to Mayo Clinic. Destination Medical Center is a nearly $6 billion transformation of the city, creating a global destination for health and wellness. Lisa Clarke, Executive Director of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, and Dr. Clark Otley, Chief Medical Officer of the Mayo Clinic Platform and Medical Director of Mayo Clinic's Department of Business Development, are both intimately involved with this t...
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