Congratulations to our award winners, who were announced at our Small Business Awards Luncheon on May 11, 2006:

2006 Entrepreneur of the Year William Jeatran RJF Agencies

2006 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year  Chris Graham Graham Jewelers

Strength. Agility. Endurance. What combination of characteristics does a fighter—and a small business entrepreneur—need to become a true champion? We asked our 2006 Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award contenders to give us an inside look at their techniques, strategies, and past victories and defeats.

William Gullickson Jr. McLaughlin-Gormley-King Co. Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist

Who sits ringside and cheers you on?
My wife and children are my biggest and most important cheerleaders.

What advice would you give to a struggling entrepreneur who might be tempted to throw in the towel?
As Jimmy Valvano said, "Don't give up: Don't EVER give up."

                                                                                [back to top of page]

David Hartwell Bellcomb Technologies Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist

Dave is president and founder of New Hope-based Bellcomb Technologies, which has grown to a 90-person operation since 1989. Through production innovation and product design—including the use of aluminum, paper and plastic honeycomb as core materials—Bellcomb reengineers aerospace technology, making it affordable in non-aerospace markets.

Every fighter relies on different strengths to help them win. What is your greatest natural talent, and your greatest learned talent?
My natural talent is to see the big picture, not just what appears to be the task or issue at hand. The greatest learned talent is accounting. In 1977, I was baffled by a partner’s accounting service, so I audited accounting classes until I could create, maintain and understand a set of financial statements, simple or complex.

What is it about your chosen field that keeps you climbing in the ring every day?
It is that every day has a new challenge and opportunity. We are pioneering products, manufacturing techniques, markets and business methods – who cannot be excited to have the opportunity to do that every day?

Describe your “corner”—what place, routine, etc. is most important in helping you relax and recharge between rounds?
My corner would be the natural world and while any of it is good, there are two places I retreat to that help me keep my balance and perspective. The first is my vegetable garden which consumes my entire back yard (a city lot) and provides organic produce for our household, many neighbors and a homeless shelter. The other is to get away (usually with my wife) and go to a wild place and watch birds – not that what I see is critically important (but I do keep track) but that it allows me to focus on something different. Both places require interaction with the natural world, a much-slowed pace and recharge my body and mind.

Muhammad Ali had an unusual style, carrying his hands at his sides during a fight. What is your most marked characteristic?
Informality – including taking my shoes off whenever possible.

What’s the worst blow you or your company ever received? Did it scar or otherwise change you?
I had to come to grips with the fact that a business I owned, and had put my heart and soul into, was not going to make it. The toughest part was not the decision to close, but the telling my 40 loyal employees in 1982, when the economy was in the tank, that I had failed to lead the business to overcome the challenges we faced and that failure on my part was going to have a negative impact on them. It was much like a death, something you learn to live with but not something you get over completely. Without a doubt, it made me more humble.

What title do you most covet in business? In life?
I really do not care much for titles or aspire to them. I want to be challenged and earn my self worth by doing my best, so knowing that I have done that is far more important than a title. Having said that, a few years ago, my employees at a nonprofit I oversee gave me a hard hat with the title “Burn Crew Boss” on it. Who could not feel great about your employees creating a title for you that involves legally being able to be a pyromaniac, burning hundreds of acres and signaling that they are confident in your ability to keep them from being hurt and the fire in control as you direct a burn?

Who sits ringside and cheers you on?
Almost anyone you treat with integrity will provide encouragement and a smile in return. Who cannot enjoy someone else’s smiles and feel good about one directed your way. True friends are hard to find, but I am fortunate to have many who validate me as well as a wonderful family. My wife is always there for me and I greatly appreciate this.

What advice would you give to a struggling entrepreneur who might be tempted to throw in the towel?
Showing up and having persistence is a big part of the battle. Don’t forget that.

However, when things are not going in the right direction, don’t delude yourself. If you are not honest with yourself about your chances of winning, you will make very bad decisions. Risk is fine and you would not be an entrepreneur if you did not have some comfort taking risk, but understanding the risk you are taking and the consequences you face will help you make better decisions.  

When you are facing a go/no go decision, I would suggest two things before making a decision. Reach your own conclusion as to what you should do and then do two things before acting. 

Get away, do something not related to work for at least two days and then think about the decision without the pressure of the daily grind of meetings and commitments. You may confirm your conclusion or change your mind as a result of this. Then ask several people you respect to sit down and listen to the situation with your analysis and conclusion and tell you if you are seeing it clearly or not and why. Then make your decision.

Lastly, remember that failing at a business is not failing in life. We all do things we wish we could do differently, but if we do our best or learn from our mistakes, no one can ever take that away from you and you have not failed. Life might be different but it can still be fulfilling because long-term happiness comes from within, not from external sources. Business success is wonderful but it does not make you a wonderful person to yourself and others, and in the end, that is what our lives are really about.

                                                                                [back to top of page]

William Jeatran RJF Agencies Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist

Bill is CEO of Plymouth-based RJF Agencies, founded in 1986 and currently employing 157 people. RJF Agencies helps companies identify, assess, mitigate, eliminate and finance corporate risk.

Every fighter relies on different strengths to help them win. What is your greatest natural talent, and your greatest learned talent?
I believe my greatest natural talent is my belief in the power of values and ability to apply them to all aspects of our business (leadership, employees, clients, vendors, etc.). On the other hand, my greatest learned talent is organizational development. I’ve learned it is essential to effectively build and nurture the critical organizational, structural and management levels (and skills) necessary to grow a company beyond its entrepreneurial foundation.

What is it about your chosen field that keeps you climbing in the ring every day?
Rather than identifying a particular aspect of this field, what’s more important and rewarding is our desire to create fulfilling career and growth opportunities for our employees. It is also about discovering how we can become true business advisors for our clients, with a common goal of “doing the right things” to help them grow and succeed.

Describe your “corner”—what place, routine, etc. is most important in helping you relax and recharge between rounds?
My “corner” is my cabin in Northwestern Wisconsin. This is where I can maintain balance with the most important elements of my life by spending quality time with my family. I also rely on a consistent exercise program. Working out four or five mornings a week helps me maintain the energy needed to run at the consistent pace required of leadership in today’s environment.

Muhammad Ali had an unusual style, carrying his hands at his sides during a fight. What is your most marked characteristic?
My most marked characteristic, I hope, is that I sincerely care about everyone within our company. I care about both their success as well as their fulfillment. I respect each of them as equals, communicate with them as often as possible, and encourage and recognize their individual contributions.

What’s the worst blow you or your company ever received? Did it scar or otherwise change you?
We had some difficult minor acquisitions/mergers in the late 1990s. While not easy, they helped me realize how different cultures and management styles can affect the overall beliefs and established culture of the company. These moves taught me that “growth at all costs” cannot be achieved if you want to maintain your fundamental business values. Additionally, I learned the importance of valuing quality over quantity, which is imperative in every aspect of our business.

What title do you most covet in business? In life?
In business, I strive to be viewed as a values-based leader. In life, I strive to be a supportive and caring father.

Who sits ringside and cheers you on?
I have two primary groups of fans – my family and my valued management team and employees.

What advice would you give to a struggling entrepreneur who might be tempted to throw in the towel?
1. Clearly establish your vision and values and over-communicate them at all levels.
2. Utilize advisors to help you through your “growing pains.”
3. Learn that you cannot please everyone and that structure and systems are important if you are to evolve into an effectively managed company.
4. Learn that forgiveness is essential among your leadership qualities if you want a culture that continues to grow and innovate.
5. Keep life in perspective. Our biggest challenges of the day are often not as burdensome as they appear (especially when compared to other life challenges we could be facing).

                                                                                [back to top of page]

Chris Graham Graham Jewelers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist

Chris is president of Wayzata-based Graham Jewelers. The store, which opened in 2003 and has five full-time employees, offers exquisite jewelry, custom jewelry design, watches, certified appraisals, and on-site
jewelry repair to discerning clientele.

Every fighter relies on different strengths to help them win. What is your greatest natural talent, and your greatest learned talent?
My greatest natural talent is being able to understand what someone is really trying to say, even when they can’t find the words.  My greatest learned talent is the art of conversation; I am an introvert who is forced to be an extrovert, so small talk does not come naturally.
 
What is it about your chosen field that keeps you climbing in the ring every day?
It is my passion to educate the consumer about jewelry and the jewelry industry; I am equally passionate about my own education with precious gems and metals, and their worldwide socioeconomic impacts. I have never grown tired of looking a diamonds; they are truly mesmerizing.
 
Describe your “corner”—what place, routine, etc. is most important in helping you relax and recharge between rounds?
My devotions in the morning are what help me gain clarity in my life.
 
Muhammad Ali had an unusual style, carrying his hands at his sides during a fight. What is your most marked characteristic?
During situations of heightened stress and anxiety, I decompress and actually become very, very calm.  Most people get nervous and agitated, but I, for some reason, can control my nerves.
 
What’s the worst blow you or your company ever received? Did it scar or otherwise change you?
We accidentally threw away a Fed Ex box that had three significant rings in it, and did not notice the loss until it was too late.  That mistake has been a constant reminder of how important the little details are.

What title do you most covet in business? In life?
My Certified Gemologist Appraiser title, because only about 400 jewelers in North America have achieved that title. I am proud of this because it stands for the highest level of gemological achievement and integrity in my industry.

I don’t wish to make this a cliché, however, being the best father and husband I can be is something I always strive to achieve. A healthy personal life makes for a healthy business life.
 
Who sits ringside and cheers you on?
My family has paid the price to sit in the good seats, where they have been my best and loudest fans. My wife Sonja, my mom and dad, and my brother Troy have all put in the blood, sweat and tears to help cheer me on. I also have to say my kids, John and Grace, are my biggest cheerleaders who always make me try my hardest.
 
What advice would you give to a struggling entrepreneur who might be tempted to throw in the towel?
Read the book “The E-Myth, Why Most Small Businesses Fail, and What to Do About It.” Find a mentor who can coach you through this rough period, so you are not trying to solve your problems alone.

                                                                                [back to top of page]

Kenneth Schempp eDocument Resources Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist

What is it about your chosen field that keeps you climbing in the ring every day?
The realization that we are providing technology tools that allow our client’s to move from mundane document-driven processes to a more knowledge-based environment which positively impacts their business processes, allowing our clients to better serve their customers or constituencies. There is excitement and passion in our employees, partners, and clients as they all feel like, in some small way, they are contributing back to our society by sharing and properly implementing unique technology that affects literally thousands of people every day.

Describe your “corner”—what place, routine, etc. is most important in helping you relax and recharge between rounds?
My release comes with my weekends away with my family or long travels overseas in unique or exotic destinations – it really brings back a humble and refreshing look at how fortunate we are to have opportunities in the U.S. to create a business with hard work and grounded values.

Muhammad Ali had an unusual style, carrying his hands at his sides during a fight. What is your most marked characteristic?
Genuine passion and integrity are my most marked characteristics. On untold occasions, I have had complete strangers comment that “you must really believe in what you do” which is a reflection of my unending desire to spread the knowledge and our experience so other organizations can also leverage our solutions to really make a difference within the business environment. Sometimes I feel more like a “technology evangelist” than a business owner. My desire to have relationships built on integrity along with my passion resonates through my coworkers and to our clients. This provides an uncommon environment of partnership and trust.

What’s the worst blow you or your company ever received? Did it scar or otherwise change you?
There are times through our business cycle that large opportunities that should “go our way” simply have gone awry for unexpected reasons. These events are always difficult to bounce back from, but they have taught me you must keep moving and not get caught up placing value on each individual event, but rather hold on to the vision and passion to succeed and continue to drive forward.

What title do you most covet in business? In life?
Partner and friend – whether it is with my business relationships or my family, I feel these are both important aspects of life balance.

Who sits ringside and cheers you on?
My wife, Theresa, has always supported me through thick and thin and has always encouraged me to look at life bigger than just “the business.” In life we need to build our dreams and act on our goals. I watched Theresa build a Spanish Immersion Preschool from an idea and a passion to give to the community – this truly impacted my view of how to build an organization. Life is too short and precious to miss the opportunities that are presented.

What advice would you give to a struggling entrepreneur who might be tempted to throw in the towel?
“It’s amazing how lucky you are when you work hard,” my stepdad taught me. A business endeavor is not a straight line but a river that takes many turns. I would invite those who feel the struggle to change the language from struggle to learning – hop into the river and let it carry you on an adventure and keep paddling! Everyone makes mistakes and it is part of the process – it’s how you deal with the mistakes that make the difference between those that survive and those that may struggle more.

                                                                                [back to top of page]

Carol Smith (left) and Ellie Bathe (right) High Five Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalists

Every fighter relies on different strengths to help them win. What is your greatest natural talent, and your greatest learned talent?
Just like good boxers, our natural talent is that we are quick on our feet. In our roles as promotional marketing consultants, we quickly assess how promotional products and corporate apparel can align with a business strategy and further a client’s brand. Our greatest learned talent is that we have become good at time management and prioritizing! In the words of boxing great Rocky Marciano, “Why waltz with a guy for ten rounds if you can knock him out in one?”

What is it about your chosen field that keeps you climbing in the ring every day?
Every day is like a new bout…you never know when you’re going to endure a right hook or a left jab or when you’re going to end up a champion! There is constant variety in our business. There are thousands of products – the challenge is creating a program that meets the client's objectives. It is not about the item, but the impact, and we get excited about maximizing impact.

Describe your “corner”—what place, routine, etc. is most important in helping you relax and recharge between rounds?
True entrepreneurs live and breathe their businesses and train 24/7. To make it to that championship round without feeling beat up, we try to weave fun into all aspects of our business. Whether it’s a party favor we hand out during a client presentation, or cleaning out our storeroom over a delivered pizza jamming to the sound track from Rocky, we try to incorporate “hoopla” into all we do.

Muhammad Ali had an unusual style, carrying his hands at his sides during a fight. What is your most marked characteristic?
High Five is identified with the color ORANGE. We consciously created this association as part of the High Five brand. You’ll find us wearing orange almost every day!

What’s the worst blow you or your company ever received? Did it scar or otherwise change you?
Last summer, we shifted our entire business focus from event marketing and communications to solely promotional marketing. It was like starting a new business all over again. We jumped back in the ring, realigned our business plan and kept punching.

What title do you most covet in business? In life?
At this point in the fight and in our business, the title that we most covet is one that we think of as heavyweight status – “Finalist for Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.” What an honor!

A title in life? We don’t know what the title would be, but the bottom line is that we try to give back, make a difference and try to count for something greater than ourselves.

Who sits ringside and cheers you on?
In addition to having many fabulous business mentors, our “raving fans” have to be our families!

What advice would you give to a struggling entrepreneur who might be tempted to throw in the towel?
To quote Sugar Ray Robinson, “To be a champ, you have to believe in yourself when no one else will.” Keep punching!

                                                                                [back to top of page]