King plays at her work and works at her play. Her company, the Delano-
based Landscape Structures, Inc., is an innovator in the design and
manufacture of park and recreation equipment.
1970, the duo borrowed $1,000 and began to erect playground structures
in their driveway. They took a crash accounting course and wondered
how they would pay the rent. By 1998, Landscape Structures had sales
of $48 million and a staff of nearly 300 during the peak season.
don't just try to make the mousetrap a better one, but to make a unique
mousetrap before anyone else does."
playground industry by creating a quality of continuous play, which is now
the standard. Steve King invented the continuous play design to
resemble a clubhouse, connecting slides, swings, bridges and ladders as
one continuous unit, promoting socialization during play.
in the manufacture of playground equipment. Their efforts in safety and
design have won them numerous awards including the 1992 Minnesota
Entrepreneur of the Year Award®. 
Barbara also merited the 1994
Minnesota and Regional Small Business Person of the Year award.
"Landscape Structures: A Not-By-The-Textbook Success."
-$15.00
Members - free.
Thomas University, 10th and LaSalle Minneapolis Campus-
Room 204A/B
experienced an entrepreneurial era like today. Never before have
entrepreneurs exerted the influence on the economy that they do now.
Today, an enterprising entrepreneur can take a dream, package it in a
business plan, raise millions of dollars in startup financing, take the
company public (even without profits) and build a valuation for the
business that exceeds the value of well-established, profitable
businesses. Then these entrepreneurial startups can capitalize on their
market value to acquire highly respected, profitable businesses.
repeatedly. And the USA is driving this entrepreneurial frenzy. Can you
imagine the difficulty people in other nations must have understanding
what drives this crazy "wealth-creating machine?"
cause many of these over-valued startups to vanish. But the survivors will
surely continue to exert significant influence in the world economy.
Attic, Inc., presented a special seminar titled: "Creating Fast Web Content
For Your Dot Com Business."Thank you Ed for presenting this excellent
seminar. Palmer is a practical person who focuses on practical solutions.
His show-and-tell presentation demonstrated practical ways to rapidly
convert and load large text files onto a Web site. Good job Ed!
River, Inc.
Today, Digital River, Inc. generates some $65 million in revenue.
Hire a top management team
and create highly repeatable processes. Ronning's secret to success in e-
commerce isn't based so much on technology as it is on old-fashioned
execution. His focus on top quality management and highly repeatable
processes translates into an organization that executes well. Good
execution is the single most important trait in successful businesses.
On May 2, don't miss the opportunity to learn more valuable
entrepreneurial success lessons.
husband redefined the playground recreation equipment industry. Result:
A strong position for landscape Structures, Inc. in the playground
equipment marketplace.
directors. Keinath is a welcome addition to the MEI board. He is a long-
time member and past MEI speaker. He also is the first official MEI
Benefactor, having contributed $5,000 to help the Minnesota
Entrepreneurs, Inc. achieve its mission to educate, to inspire and to act as
a resource for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.
global success that expanded into 2,500 franchises throughout 52
countries with 750 franchises in the US. Now retired, Keinath continues to
pursue his interest in entrepreneurism. He seldom misses a MEI
meeting. Welcome Gerald Keinath as the newest member of the MEI
board of directors.
- 7:00 p.m.
-
Secrets to Growing Your Business
Convention Center- "Secrets to Growing Your Business"
Convention Center.
Burnsville, County Road 42 and Portland. Call Scott Kaiser - 612- 948-
1105
Double Tree Park Place Hotel in St. Louis Park. Call Bill Lehnertz - 612-
948-1105.
2 and view the inventions of the Young Inventors. These talented youth
will display their ideas-turned-into-products. You'll be wowed by their
clever gadgets.
members. Don't miss these bright, promising youthful inventors at 6:30
p.m.
Brett Bublitz - Norwest
Barbara Buenz - Breakaway Solutions - Corporate Membership
Furber Timmer Zahn, PLLP -
Corporate membership
Gerald Keinath - Retired
Bob Morgan - Quest Construction Data Network, LLC
Paul Overson - Overson Law Office
James Sauber - Deloitte Consulting
Chris Wrecza - Century Bank
through our new and improved website. Basic advertising options include
a 6-month banner or display ad for only $100.
entrepreneurial advantage of an email alias is one of image.
Mail sent to yourname@mn-entrepreneurs.orgimmediately projects a
mail alias with a $10.00 annual fee. Consider using your current mailbox
for personal mail while establishing a business-only MEI mailbox. The
Member E-mail Mailbox links you to our service with a $25.00 annual fee.
size. No spamming is allowed on the website, and violators will be
permanently excluded.
registering on-line at: adoped@uswest.net.Send your name, address,
and to your web site.
-It's A Bargain
hot deal. MEI corporate membership offers the added benefit MEI
support and knowledge to a team within a growing business. Corporate
dues of only $178 allow four company members to attend monthly
meetings without paying a door fee. Team members stay on the cutting
edge by hearing top-notch speakers, networking and developing vital
connections.
membership form and spread the entrepreneurial wealth.
to the rocks."Joel Ronning, CEO of Digital River-April 4, 2000
Visit the MEI Exhibit Booth
June 7 - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. In the Minneapolis Convention Center
(across 10th Street from St. Thomas). Parking ramp entrance is on
Hennepin Avenue near 10th Street. Weather-protected direct access to
St. Thomas via skyway.