North Star Networking Referral Team

Breakfast at Jimmy's Pour House was the perfect way to ease back into the swing of things after the holiday.

A small but awesome crew this week.😊

Last week at North Star Networking, Mary Krippner with United Way of Central Minnesota presented on how they bring people and resources together to support local needs and create lasting change.

United Way helps strengthen our community through programs and partnerships focused on education, financial stability, health, and basic needs. Right now, one way to get involved is by supporting their school supplies drive, which helps local students start the school year prepared and confident.

Thank you, Mary, for sharing more about the work United Way is doing in Central Minnesota. If you are looking for a way to give back, consider finding a local opportunity to help make a difference. Reach out to Mary and she can help you get started or click the link below!

https://www.unitedwayhelps.org/school-supply-drive

This week at North Star Networking, Macki Deters with Moxie Creative shared how she got started in marketing, her journey from UMD to Moxie, and what she does as an Account Coordinator and Social Media Manager.

Macki also gave us a look at the work Moxie Creative does for locally owned businesses and nonprofit organizations, including branding, websites, digital marketing, content, social media, packaging, billboards, and more.

At Moxie, the goal is not just to get marketing done. It is to help businesses step out of their comfort zone, show up boldly, and create work that actually gets noticed.

Thanks for sharing with us this week, Macki!

What an awesome time chatting all things marketing! Members of our group got together this week to talk strategy, share ideas, and pick up a few new tricks along the way. We are so thankful to be part of a group that is always learning, teaching, and supporting one another.

This week at North Star Networking, Mike Yaeger with Tony's Lifetime Exteriors presented on how they help homeowners take care of their exterior projects, big or small.

Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors specializes in windows, siding, doors, gutters, and exterior home improvements. Whether someone is ready for a full exterior update or just needs guidance on a repair, Mike and his team are a great resource.

One of the biggest takeaways from Mike’s presentation was that projects do not have to be huge to be worth a conversation. Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors offers free estimates, honest recommendations, and helpful guidance so homeowners can understand their options and feel confident moving forward.

Thank you, Mike, for presenting this week and sharing more about the work Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors has done for homeowners in our community since 1973!

This week at North Star Networking, we got a show from one of our favorite storytellers, Jim Granunke from Stop Go Studio.

Jim brought the movie theater to us, complete with popcorn for the full experience. He shared stories about traveling to different cities, taking his Mini Cooper out for a spin, and a few very entertaining fictional encounters with celebrities.

Jim never fails to tell a great story and make the room laugh, and that talent connects directly to the incredible work he helps create at Stop Go Studio.

Stop Go Studio helps businesses tell their story through branding videos, commercials, testimonials, and other strategic video content. With experience in television, film, and video production, they know how to turn a message into something people actually want to watch. They are creative, collaborative, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in helping local businesses show up well.

Thank you, Jim, for reminding us what a great story can do. That’s the power of video. If your business has a story worth sharing, Stop Go Studio is a great team to help bring it to life.

Members of our group volunteering with United Way of Central Minnesota at the Kick Summer Hunger event!

Outside of our weekly North Star Networking meetings, we also make time for monthly lunches at local restaurants around the area.

It’s a chance to support fellow small businesses, build stronger relationships, and get to know each other beyond the 60-second commercials and referrals.

Good food, good conversations, and a room full of people genuinely cheering each other on. That’s the kind of networking that matters. 😃

This week at North Star Networking, we heard from Eileen Theisen with Envision Capital Mortgage Lending!

Eileen shared insight into today’s mortgage market, what buyers are experiencing this spring, and why having the right lender matters more than ever. One of the biggest takeaways was that mortgage lending is not one-size-fits-all. Eileen works to intelligently shop loan options and help clients find solutions that fit their specific goals and financial situations.

Whether someone is purchasing their first home, upgrading, refinancing, or simply exploring their options, having a knowledgeable guide through the process can make all the difference. 🏠

Thank you, Eileen, for an informative presentation and for helping educate our group on today’s ever-changing housing and lending market!

This week at North Star Networking, our president, David Vee led an engaging and valuable presentation focused on improving both 60-second commercials and 10-minute presentations within the group.

Strong communication is one of the most important parts of networking, and this week’s presentation gave members practical tools to become clearer, more intentional, and more effective when presenting their businesses.

For the 60-second commercial, the recommended structure included:
• Intro
• Body
• Ask
• Tagline/Closing

The discussion emphasized the importance of making sure fellow members understand not only what a business does, but also how to identify strong referrals and opportunities for that business.

David also covered key elements of an effective 10-minute presentation, including:
• Clearly explaining what you do
• Teaching members how to refer you
• Using less text on slides
• Making sure the presentation has purpose

The presentation was a great reminder that effective presentations are not about overloading people with information. Clear messaging, intentional structure, and meaningful connection make the biggest impact.

A big thank you to David V. for taking the time to help strengthen our members' communication and presentation skills. Growth like this helps make North Star Networking a stronger referral group and a stronger business community overall.

Thank you, David!