July 2001 Newsletter
Dorothy Dolphin
Out-Swims the Sharks
Dolphin Holdings making a long overdue return visit to the Minnesota
Entrepreneurs. In 1990, Dolphin wowed the MEI audience with her
remarkable story of building a business out of a tragedy. On July
10th, she’ll reveal how “A
Dolphin Swims With the
Sharks.” As the fifth of eight
children, Dolphin grew up
learning independence, a
quality her mother fostered in
all her children. Such lessons
would ensure her survival
when years later, as the wife
of a young bank executive
and mother of three children,
all under the age of seven,
she was suddenly widowed.
Her daughter was stricken
with a potentially fatal disease
and she faced financial ruin.
successful brother, Carl
Pohlad, for help, Dolphin first sold Tupperware and then took a
position with Employers Overload. She quickly rose to become the
manager of its most profitable office, a position that was paying her
half the salary of her male counterparts. That discovery, coupled with
her entrepreneurial spirit gave her the impetus to begin her own
venture.
and Permanent Staffing. The family business enlisted her children
who would stuff envelopes at slumber parties and tally accounts in
between swims at the lake. Today Dolphin Staffing is Minnesota’s
largest independently owned employment service company. The
enterprise provides quality clerical, legal, medical and technical
temporary employees to numerous Fortune 500 corporations.
Annually, Dolphin Staffing places more than 20,000 temporary
employees to over a thousand small to mid-sized companies
stretching across the metro-area.
as a thriving family enterprise that includes Burger King franchises
and banks that are overseen by the Dolphin Family Group
management team, Kathy, Tom and Gregory Dolphin along with
founder and chair, Dorothy Dolphin.
hard work and business savvy. Be sure to come on July 10 to hear
how “A Dolphin Swims with the Sharks.”
7:00 p.m. Dorothy Dolphin
$15.00 for non-members.
Free to members.
Dr. Dileep Rao
Slated for August
by Dr. Dileep Rao who is a local expert on many facets of
entrepreneurship. Author and nationally recognized speaker, Dr. Rao
heads InterFinance Corporation (IFC) which publishes business
guides and offers workshops and forums for businesses, financier
and developers. IFC also consults with businesses regarding
business/financial strategies for growth, developing and writing
business plans and financing for growth, acquisitions and
turnarounds.
Mayor Coleman
Fills the House At June Meeting
“I love entrepreneurs because they’re risk takers,” Mayor Norm
Coleman told the MEI at the June meeting. Just as entrepreneurs
have to generate confidence in themselves, the mayor has had to
convince investors and companies to believe in St. Paul. It wasn’t
always easy for an elected official who when he took office, had a
confidence level “lower than that of a company in bankruptcy.
we do is shape an environment of where people make decisions and
where they invest.”Likening his job to that of a rabbi or minister, he
said, “My job is to convince you that I can see on the other side of the
mountain, and to convince you that what’s there is a good thing.”
Museum and Lawson Software, Minnesota’s largest software
company with over 1,000 jobs that the mayor brought to downtown
St. Paul. He secured a National Hockey League franchise, the
Minnesota Wild, who play in a new $175 million arena. Even so, he
says, “I didn’t create 18,000 jobs. I helped shaped the environment
that created 18,000 jobs.”
“They need partnerships and a shared vision.”
Curtis Stanley
free Minnesota Entrepreneurs Inc. membership was won by Curtis
Stanley of Minneapolis.
Networking
7 p.m. – Dorothy Dolphin of Dolphin Holdings
“A Dolphin Swims With the Sharks”
& Restaurant at 225 W. 7th Street in St. Paul
“How to Find Financing… Intelligently”
– Minneapolis Group meets at 7:30 a.m., Dover Restaurant,
Double Tree Park Place Hotel in St. Louis Park. Call Bill
Lehnertz–621-948-1105
Networking Is
Back and Working
greeting. Perhaps it’s both new and returning faces who come early
to meetings and then, post meeting mosey over to Patrick
McGovern’s Pub & Restaurant to continue conversations. Whatever
the cause, networking is back with a vengeance at MEI. If you’re
looking to build your business, get answers to tough entrepreneurial
questions, need advice on seeking a patent… MEI is theplace to talk
one on one with those who are sharing in your journey. All you need
are a stack of business card and a hunger to mix with others who
have been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.
by Dr. Dileep Rao who is a local expert on many facets of
entrepreneurship. Author and nationally recognized speaker, Dr. Rao
guides and offers workshops and forums for businesses, financier
and developers. IFC also consults with businesses regarding
business/financial strategies for growth, developing and writing
business plans and financing for growth, acquisitions and
turnarounds.
Entrepreneurs. Any high school student in Minnesota is eligible to
attend this high tech incubator to prepare him or herself for the
exciting world of business. Maybe someone in your family or
neighborhood can benefit from an education with a decisive business
advantage. An education destined to lead into entrepreneurial
adventures and an exciting life. If so, tell them to visit the Minnesota
Business Academy at http://www.mnbusinessacademy.org.
finds out about it! If the student lives in outstate Minnesota, their first
business goal will be to find a way to this innovative school. Yes, it is
time for all young people to return to a little R&I. Resourcefulness
and initiative. Isn't that where real entrepreneurship begins?
If you'd like to get involved in a dynamic and growing non-profit
organization dedicated to entrepreneurship, we'd like to hear from
you. The board of directors meets monthly on the third Tuesday for
one and a half-hours at 4 p.m. in Minneapolis. In addition, individual
involvement varies depending upon the individual's time
commitments and his or her self-directed activities. Contact Mary,
Jerry or Ed at the meeting if you want to get involved. Or, simply
send a reply to this email newsletter. It is an exciting time at ME.
Why not get more involved with a great group of people. People who
like to dream big dreams and then make them into realities.
mentor high school students in their business activities. This involves
spending a little time via email to interact with students on their
business projects. If interested, contact Mary or reply to this email.
We will get back to you with more details. Thank you for supporting
the Minnesota Business Academy.