Smooth Sailing
The Smooth Moves Seat Mount is the key to pain-free fishing. Manufactured by H2O on the Go in Blooming Prairie, owned by Kevin Christianson, the Smooth Moves Seat Mount mechanical suspension system can prevent spinal issues. Today's boats are big, high powered, and designed well; however, an angler of any caliber is subjected to some harsh conditions on the water at times.
Christianson explains, "The Smooth Moves Seat Mount uses an exclusive four-spring design with hydraulic shock that easily adjusts to on-the-water conditions and a boater's weight to provide a smooth ride."
With a small enterprise loan from SMIF in 2010, H2O on the Go was able to grow their business and are in the process of developing a new, more compact model of Smooth Moves. The company is on track to sell over 1,000 seat mounts this year. They sell to customers as far away as Australia and in boating stores all over the United States.
H2O on the Go also works with many professional anglers such as Babe Winkelman, Mark Marting and Doc Sampsen.
Local Man Got Lucky
Mark Porisch of North Mankato and his friends frequented a restaurant that served popcorn they dipped in honey mustard sauce. When the restaurant changed sauce distributors, the group was unimpressed with the new honey mustard. Since Mark made some of his own sauces, he experimented until he found a new recipe to please his friends.
In 2008, he began selling various honey mustard, BBQ, and hot sauces for marinating meats and dipping popcorn—using Minnesota-grown produce. He originally sold the sauces at farmer's markets, and now his honey mustard sauces are available at Kowalski Markets, St. Peter Food Co-op, Linden Hills Co-op, Ferndale Market in Cannon Falls, Mankato CUB stores, as well as at the St. Paul Farmer's market and online.
Mark has received two Small Enterprise loans from SMIF to expand Lucky's Popcorn Dressing. He's working with other retailers to carry his sauces and giving out samples at stores and farmers markets across the region. "Once they try my sauces," Mark says. "They love them!"
Encouraging Entrepreneurs
Red Wing Downtown Main Street, Inc. received a $20,000 Incentive Grant for the Downtown Red Wing Innovation Incubator project. The Incubator works to encourage entrepreneurialism and create new jobs by re-purposing vacant commercial space in Downtown Red Wing and reversing the trend of the youth exodus from the community by creating a business-friendly reputation for Red Wing.
The Innovation Incubator recently signed a nearly 3-year lease on a downtown office suite on Bush Street. According to Becker, the space will target "creative laptop professionals"— small businesses or independent consultant/contractors who provide web-based services.
"This will bring a professional work element into the immediate downtown, which should stimulate foot traffic and help Red Wing mold a progressive reputation as an attractive place to start a new business," Downtown Main Street President John Becker said. "There is no doubt that there is a compelling need for small business nurturing and incubation. Technology has changed the rules of engagement and businesses and employees are now more fluid than ever."
The City of Red Wing will donate used office furniture for the space. Becker plans to have the incubator open to clients on June 1, 2012.