Club E was joined by Tara Jebens-Singh & Steven Lutes of Northeast Youth & Family Services fir a discussion of how supporting mental health at all levels of business supporters employees, managers, owners, businesses and the greater community.Learning Objectives:Learn to identify common mental health issues including depression and anxiety.Learn ways to treat these issues.Discover local mental health resources that can assist businesses and employees.About Tara Jebens-Singh: Tara became President & CEO of NYFS in April 2020 and has been steering the nonprofit mental health and community services agency through the Covid-19 pandemic while ensuring high-quality support to clients and maintaining relationships with the agency’s 15 partner municipalities and three school districts. Jebens-Singh previously worked at the White Bear Lake Area School District  where she oversaw Adult Enrichment, Adults with Disabilities and the Senior Program. She is a founding member of the Many Faces of the White Bear Lake Area coalition and has served as the president of the Consortium of Lake Area Senior Services (CLASS),  Metro Meals on Wheels Board of Directors, 2nd Half at Lyngblomsten Local Advisory Committee, Newtrax Transportation Advisory Committee, NAMI Ramsey County Board of Directors, St. Paul/Ramsey County Complete Count Committee and master facilitator for the Vital Aging Network’s Aging With Gusto program.  Tara has worked in public policy, education, equity, senior services and wellness programs for over 25 years and holds a Masters in Planning from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. About Steven Lutes, MSW, LICSW, MPP: Steven is a clinical social worker with over five years of experience serving children, adolescents and adults. He has worked in day treatment, outpatient, school and in-home settings to provide therapy to both children and their parents and caregivers. Steven’s practice has focused on children experiencing trauma, anxiety, ADHD and mood disorders. His work with children and families from diverse cultural, socio-economic and linguistic backgrounds has taught him to create a welcoming environment for all those he works with.

Club E was joined by Christina Brandt, Founder of ReImagine Possibilities to discuss her career and how having a great support network helps businesses thrive!What perspectives do you have about “support”? The last 5 years have been an interesting chapter of defining it, understanding who may need it, when it is relevant, how my experiences may provide it and accepting it.Learning Objectives:*Support as it shows up in your life, work*A supportive partnership outcomes*Balance of giving/receiving supportAbout Christina:An awarded, proven, and respected executive and leader, driven by integrity, a passion for stories and culture, positioning for success, fulfilling potentials and courage through change. Continuing a lifetime of entrepreneurship and seeking to make a difference through non-traditional advising that honors the principles of narrative/life coaching.                                   *President of start-up ReImagine Possibilities, Inc. – Creating, Coaching, Connecting to Inspire A Better Life, A Better Way. Contracted Advisor to the Small Business Development Center  - supportive to 100’s of clients.                   *Managing Member of DBRANDT Enterprises, LLC-Simple Solutions for Better Living, inaugural product launch=dbCHOPPER, kitchen gadget for grounding meat.  Selling E-Commerce and Resellers.                                                           *Author of The Cloud Book of Wonder – “What do you see when you gaze at a cloud? My granddaughters and I would like to know.”          *Was 3rd Generation of Family Businesses, serving the Hospitality Industry. Experienced in product concept to guest experience. Rose through ranks to succeed as 1st Female President, by working hands-on in all roles and/or departments.Christina's contact information:Email: [email protected]: https://www.reimaginepossibilities.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18772226/admin/

As Ransomware attacks surge in frequency, they are capturing headlines such as the Colonial pipeline incident and more recently the Kaseya attack. In this session, we will review the trends and impacts of these attacks, the mechanics of how they work, and what organizations can do to prevent or recover from a ransomware attack.Learning Objectives: • Learn about the surging trend of ransomware attacks.• Become knowledgeable about how ransomware works.• Come away with a list of safeguards to help you avoid falling victim.About Paul: As a partner in Wipfli LLP’s risk advisory services practice, Paul Johnson works with clients to assess, improve, and test their information security and risk management programs. With over 25 years in the information technology and information security fields, Paul combines his various experiences with Wipfli’s methodologies and processes to provide clients with sound advice and services to improve their security program.

Club E was joined by Chip Laingen, Executive Director of Defense Alliance to discuss funding avenues for small businesses through the Federal Government. The U.S. Federal Government is arguably the largest single “investor” in small business technology firms – providing non-dilutive capital through R&D funding for early to late stage innovations.  There is virtually no market that isn’t represented, and the path provides enormous opportunity for funding, partnerships and commercialization paths, as as well as connections to non-government opportunities via the free business intelligence generated by Federal contracting.  Learning Objectives:• Learn how to get started and connect to resources in the Federal market• Understand both the challenges and the opportunities the Federal market represents• Learn what technology innovations the Federal government is most interested in right nowAbout Chip: Chip Laingen is Executive Director of Defense Alliance, an SBA-funded technology cluster, with members in 35 states; and Corporate Vice President, LSI, a national business development firm.  The Defense Alliance has won the “Progress Minnesota” and SBA’s Veterans Small Business Champion awards.  He is on several economic development, business and Veteran advisory boards in the Twin Cities region.  Chip was an Executive Fellow for the University of Minnesota’s Center for Integrative Leadership, and is currently on the graduate faculty at the Technological Leadership Institute.  He has a masters degree in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute, and was a U.S. Navy Moreau Scholar in the National Security Ph.D. Studies program of the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston. Commander Laingen is a 21-year Veteran of the U.S. Navy, holding several positions as an aviator, and as Speechwriter to the Secretary of the Navy.  He finished his career in 2004 as a squadron commanding officer.  He is the author of “Laingen on Leadership,” available on Amazon.Chip's Contact Information:Email- [email protected] https://www.defensealliance.comTwitter- @defense_cluster

Club E was joined by Laurie Young to cover the basics of Intellectual Property Law, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights. We discuss when it is worth the value to have government rights secured and when it may not be necessary.Learning Objectives:1. Understand the difference between the different types of intellectual property2. Understand the value to having protectionAbout Laurie:Laurie Young is an intellectual property attorney with Schwegman, Lundberg and Woessner. Before joining SLW, she was Senior Intellectual Property Counsel Katun Corporation. While at Katun she managed all intellectual property matters, both domestic and foreign. This included managing patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters and any business matters which may relate to intellectual property. Laurie was also Data Privacy Officer for Katun Corporation. When Laurie is not handing intellectual property matters, she loves to bake cookies (even placing at the Minnesota State Fair three times for her cookie entries).Contact Information:Email – [email protected] – https://www.slwip.com/Social media - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriesyoung/

Club E was joined by Jeff Redmon to discuss your core customer. A methodology to identify the demographic and psychographic characteristics of your Core Customer who will buy for optimal price.Understanding your core customer is critical to attract and serve that customer who wants what you are selling at a premium price.About Jeff: Jeff Redmon contributes to his clients living lives they love. He helps his clients safely achieve their business goals by leveraging his knowledge, experience, and networks to each client’s advantage. Jeff is a trusted advisor to business owners and he challenges them to bring clarity to their vision, strategies, and execution. Jeff is a senior certified Gravitas Impact Premium Coach. Jeff serves as one of their core advisors mentoring coaches worldwide; a valued contributor to their programs and content for the Gravitas global ecosystem.Jeff's contact information:[email protected]://minnbig.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MinnBiG https://www.linkedin.com/company/minnbig https://www.instagram.com/minnbig/https://twitter.com/MinnBig

Explore the world of social impact entrepreneurship with FINNOVATION Lab CEO, Connie Rutledge. How will your start-up or your next investment make a positive impact beyond shareholder value? Why should it?About Connie:Connie Rutledge, CEO of FINNOVATION lab, has over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship and business management. Her experience includes all aspects of business including concept design, market analysis, fundraising, product development, operations, and strategic partnerships. Connie is passionate about supporting innovators with practical advice and strategic analysis so they can recognize their vision in a socially progressive and financially sustainable way.Check out FINNOVATION lab's ImpactSKU program and its upcoming showcase during Twin Cities Startup Week. It Will be on their general event calendar at www.finn-lab.comConnie Rutledge | FINNOVATION [email protected]: @finnovationlab https://www.facebook.com/FINNOVATIONLabhttps://www.instagram.com/finnovationlab/

Club E was joined by Linda Ruhland to discuss strategies to stay ahead of the disruption curve in your business. Imagine that you and your business colleagues are rafting down a furious river of endless white water. How do you stay afloat and navigate around the treacherous rocks? That’s what business can feel like at times, especially now. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate through rough waters—and even ways to use the rocks to your advantage!Learning Objective: Find out how it’s possible to build and grow a sustainable profitable business in times of uncertainty using the resources you already have within your organization.About Linda: Linda Ruhland has worked with business owners and their leadership teams for more than 30 years to define, market, and grow client businesses successfully and resourcefully. She is passionate about small business success because she believes they are the source of community character and strength. In that spirit, she founded Success Authorities, a business advisory firm that partners with clients to synchronize their people, systems and strategies toward higher performance, profits, and sustainability.Linda's Virtual Program: https://virtual.successauthorities.com/Linda's Contact Information: Email: [email protected]: https://successauthorities.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaruhland/

Club E was joined by Michelle LaFrance, the founder of Smarty Pants Web Marketing to discuss tools and strategies to better understand your professional and personal relationships. If you’re spending too much time staring at your keyboard and wondering what to say and how to say it, you’re not alone.  The good  news is that there are tools to help you deliver the right message to the right person.  Forbes call this technology The Future of Sales.  Find out how o use Personality Science + Artificial Intelligence to optimize your effectiveness on LinkedIn and Zoom. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how to Identify the buying behavior of your prospects. 2. Find out  What makes them say YES or NO to you and your offer.  3. Hear about tools that allow you to instantly connect and know how to follow up with your prospects.  About Michelle: As a licensed BANKCODE trainer, Michelle LaFrance teaches companies how to Close More Sales in Less Time. As the owner of a digital agency, she has helped her clients get more leads online. She always felt it was incomplete to help her clients get leads and not be able to help them close the sale. That all changed when she becamea a BANKCODE trainer. Today she helps companies Get More Leads and Close More Sales. Special offer: Before you come to the meeting, get your FREE gift  of a personality assessment (valued at $99.00)This is your base line of communication. Come to the session to find out how to adapt How You Sell with Why They Buy. https://www.crackmycode.com/heysmartyMichelle's Contact information: Email: [email protected]: https://www.heysmartypants.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellelafrance/

Club E took a field trip to Chef Marshall O'Brien's studio kitchen for a discussion on how to restructure your world after the pandemic. Chef Marshall talks about how old absolutes are no longer absolute, and discusses new threats in the post pandemic work environment. Learning Objectives:1 – Breaking down silos2 - Rebuild fractured work environment3 - Understand 4 steps to permanent change About Chef Marshall: Chef Marshall O’Brien’s goal is to help adults, kids and families live better lives with good nutrition, by improving skills and confidence in the kitchen. He is a dynamic speaker who has presented at national conferences and regularly appears on Twin Cities television, where he is a trusted voice for Smart Nutrition. He is founder and CEO of The Chef Marshall O’Brien Group, a company staffed with chefs, dietitians, researchers, writers and videographers, He and this team understand current best nutrition practices and translate them into foods and recipes that will produce positive nutritional results and taste great. They call this “Putting Delicious in Nutritious.” The group has created numerous materials detailing how Smart Nutrition can improve health and alleviate negative symptoms in one’s body. They work with a broad spectrum of clients, including city agencies such as fire, police and public works, school districts, hospitals, a consortium of 5000 childcare providers, and numerous businesses and civic organizations. Contact information- Marshall O’BrienChef Marshall O’Brien [email protected]://www.chefmarshallobrien.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chefmarshallobrien/https://www.instagram.com/chefmarshallobrien/https://www.facebook.com/ChefMarshallOBrien