Highland Bank Partners with Innovative Women Business Owners

February 26, 2018

Women-owned businesses are on the rise, and many of them are doing some of the most exciting and creative work in the country. The Glass Ceiling is still firmly in place, but more and more women entrepreneurs are angling to shatter it. Not only that, women business owners are steadily boosting our economy by creating jobs and bringing groundbreaking products to market. According to the National Association of Women Business Owners:

  • Nearly 8 million people are employed by firms owned and operated by women in the United States.
  • Women-owned companies generate more than $1.5 trillion in sales each year.
  • One in five firms with annual revenue of $1 million or more is owned by a woman.

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And here in Minnesota, women entrepreneurs are also making great stride.  The Minnesota Legislative Office on the Economic Status of Women recently reported that Minnesota’s 157,821 women-owned businesses employ 182,229 people, have an annual payroll of more than $5 billion, and generate $24.6 billion in annual revenue. And those numbers just keep climbing!

Business Banker Angela Trocke has worked with numerous women entrepreneurs during her time at Highland Bank, and finds their savvy, resourceful approach to business truly inspiring. “Women care deeply about the work they do, their team members, and the clients they serve,” Trocke explains. “They often have a fiercely dedicated and compassionate approach to taking care of their clients, making the customer service experience more personal and memorable. This is why, in my opinion, women entrepreneurs excel at relationship building.” Highland Bank is thrilled to support and partner with pioneering women business owners across the Twin Cities.

Meet our valued clients who have built innovative enterprises from the ground up:

 

Heather Manley, On-Demand Group and Crooked Water Spirits

Heather Manley, On-Demand Group and Crooked Water Spirits

What was the inspiration for your business and how did you take it from concept to reality?

With On-Demand Group (ODG), I wanted to work with family. It’s as simple as that. We focused on building an IT consulting firm company based on Rotarian values, an organization that continues a family legacy of positively impacting our businesses and communities. In sharing our story and working with clients who share our values, we have found amazing partners that give us the opportunity to deliver and grow with them.

I created Crooked Water Spirits in 2013 because I’d become infatuated with spirits and loved growing idiosyncratic brands that radiate innovation, quality, and focus on the experience. We launched Minnesota’s first port cask finished bourbon in 2014. Since then, we’ve continued to release non-traditional products that align with our mission of creating spirits that heighten your drinking experience while raising your expectations. It all started with trying a beautiful local craft spirit and realizing the difference between micro and macro produced spirits. It was like the difference between a strawberry out of your garden and a store-bought one. I called all the distilleries in the Midwest to find the best partner, found one that aligned with my quality and scalability requirements, and dove right in.

 

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What unique challenges have you faced in becoming a woman entrepreneur in your field of expertise?

Being a women-owned business in such male-dominated industries allows us to tell a story from a different perspective and with a different intention. I have been humbled to find that many appreciate and support that different viewpoint.

What one piece of advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business, and would you recommend Highland Bank? If so, why?

You should have a strong relationship with your banker and make sure they understand your business and how it runs. Highland Bank has been an outstanding partner for years. They took the time to understand how our business works when other banks would or could not.

How do you differentiate your business from others in your market (what is your business niche)?

The differentiation is in the details and the passion. ODG and CWS are companies that deal in very competitive landscapes. By ensuring a different experience that’s heavy in added value and passion that transcends, we stand apart from our competitors. Focusing on innovation, quality, and the everyday experience ensures we continue to differentiate and grow.

In a few words, how would you describe yourself?

Passionate, transparent, and willing to embrace opportunities and challenges.

If you were to describe Highland Bank in 3 words, what would they be?

Attentive, consultative, partner.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I enjoy removing the curtain/internally applied hurdles and showing others how accessible opportunity can be. The difference between an owner and an employee is the willingness to take the risk, ask the questions, and tell the story…and just start. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, start as small or as big as appropriate. One must be willing to sacrifice, while knowing that your company and passion will allow you to gain more than you could ever lose.

Elizabeth Wright, The Moments Memory Care

Elizabeth Wright, The Moments Memory Care

What was the inspiration for your business and how did you take it from concept to reality?

For me, the creative inspiration for The Moments Memory Care was emotional pain combined with hope for what’s possible. I adored my grandfather and step-grandfather, and I was devastated when they both were diagnosed with dementia. To me these men were brilliant, active individuals who were full of life. It was through my personal journey in experiencing the complexities of caring for loved ones with this disease, that I became aware of a nationwide need to improve upon the way we care for people and an accompanying need to improve the lives of the caregivers.

I wasn’t exactly “inspired” to do this work, but I felt “a calling” to do something about this growing crisis. After both of my grandfathers had passed, I became the proprietor of a luxury residential construction company. For years it had percolated in my mind until I found myself fixated with envisioning a whole new approach, and knew it had to begin with creating dementia focused environments. And that was just the beginning…

 

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What unique challenges have you faced in becoming a woman entrepreneur in your field of expertise?

I’ll be honest here: As a female general contractor in the traditionally male-dominated construction industry, I was shocked when I realized the senior living/memory care development field is also dominated by males. Being taken seriously has been a battle across many areas of the business, which is perplexing considering women of all generations traditionally have stepped into the lead role as care providers. Women have so much wisdom and insight to offer this industry.

What one piece of advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business, and would you recommend Highland Bank? If so, why?

To have a successful business, surround yourself with greatness. And to me, the choice to partner with Highland Bank was an easy decision.

How do you differentiate your business from others in your market (what is your business niche)?

We have put our entire focus on reimagining what’s possible in improving memory care. We are on a mission to revolutionize the approach to dementia care.

In a few words, how would you describe yourself?

Passionate, compassionate, and driven.

If you were to describe Highland Bank in 3 words, what would they be?

Trusted business partner.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

My gratitude goes to Highland Bank. They have been at my side, empowering me to realize my dream of making the world a greater place for those living with a diagnosis of this devastating disease.

Sift Gluten-Free Opens a New Bakery Cafe!

Highland Bank’s client, Sift Gluten-Free Bakery, opened a storefront in the Northrop neighborhood of south Minneapolis in mid-November. Owner Molly Miller began her venture into gluten-free baking eight years ago and was met with immediate success, quickly growing from her farmer-market roots to supplying coffee shops throughout the Twin Cities with her drool-worthy gluten-free muffins, donuts, scones, breakfast bites, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls (indeed—even gluten lovers find her treats hard to resist).

With the new shop, Miller will be expanding her offerings into rolls, buns, bagels, pizza crust, English muffins, and a full coffee bar. Highland Bank is proud to support this savvy business owner as she grows and continues to rise in the baking world. Stop in to sample her delicious goods at 4557 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis.