Recent Articles by Fran Howard
Taking the Junk Out of Junk Mail
Local direct marketing firm IWCO Direct has tripled its revenue in five years. That's because it's not simply stuffing mailboxes.
September 2007
Checks and Balances
Deluxe Corporation has been in revenue decline in the past few years, as the move to non-check bill paying continues to accelerate. But under the direction of CEO Lee Schram, who came to Deluxe in May 2006 after a successful stint at cash register maker NCR, the company is pursuing new product lines. So far, the stock market likes what it sees.
August 2007
Green Wood
Fullerton Companies plans to set itself apart as a lumber products supplier by selling "sustainable" products for remodelers and builders.
August 2007
Schwan's Secret Recipe
Think of Schwan Foods solely as a home-delivery company? It’s breathing down Kraft’s neck to become the top supermarket-pizza company in the U.S. Now it’s branching out into the fast-growing Hispanic market.
July 2007
By Design
Hideki Yamamoto's career full of attention-getting branding designs has gotten him attention, too.
July 2007
Inside Buzz
For architectural design firm Studio Hive, good interior-space design is good business.
June 2007
Rising Wind
There’s more behind Minnesota’s growing number if wind projects than just renewable energy mandates for utilities. Rural landowners are part of a push for community-based wind energy development.
June 2007
Before the Gold Rush
Frank Ongaro heads up a new initiative to promote nonferrous mining in the Mesabi Range.
April 2007
Dave's Vacation Plans
The founder of the Famous Dave’s barbecue chain is back with an elaborate new concept that unites food, waterparks, and Americans’ increasing preference for quick and easy vacations. Could the KeyLime Cove Resort be the start of Dave Anderson’s next big thing?
April 2007
Fresh Food Dudes
Keyvan Talebi and Thom Pham represent the new breed of Twin Cities restaurateur—young, stylish, and first-generation American. Their restaurants feature creative cuisine, pricey cocktails, and see-and-be-seen buzz.
March 2007
Share the Wealth
Reshare Corporation helps keep retail "channel partners" happy with each other.
March 2007
Why This Start-up is Working Out
Octane Fitness's elliptical cross-trainer has had a high impact on the workout market.
February 2007
Stan Hubbard's Big Premiere
Stanley E. "Stan" Hubbard is expanding his family's media mini-empire into specialty cable networks. His company isn't big enough to take on established competitors yet. But if he can make his channels succeed in their own niches and grow the cable division, it could become Hubbard Broadcasting's biggest profit center.
February 2007
Why Jim Gabbert Fired Himself
"My failure was not being clear on my vision," says the former CEO of Gabberts Furniture & Design Studio. The Edina retailer was bleeding cash. Then Jim Gabbert brought in an outsider to turn it around.
January 2007
Poison to Ivy
Since 1995, 150 former industrial sites in the Twin Cities area have been converted from contaminated land to profitable use. The cleanup of these “brownfields” has strengthened the local economy.
November 2006
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