Dean Minardi named Chief Entrepeneurial Officer of Greenstone Group
DULUTH, MN—Greenstone Group, a business coaching and consulting initiative focusing on entrepreneurial and business growth in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, has appointed Dean Minardi as Chief Entrepreneurial Officer, announced Mary Mathews, President and CEO of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, the organization which launched Greenstone Group in April, 2008.
Our goal is to provide entrepreneurs the information and support they need to grow their businesses, said Mathews. The best qualified people to do that are entrepreneurs themselves, and Dean does not want for experience when it comes to business development, growth and management.
Minardi brings to the Greenstone Group 25 years of expertise in the manufacturing and retail sectors, 16 of which were spent as a partner at Easy Housing of Duluth. While there, he helped launch a modular home development and was successful in a variety of other commercial land developments.
Its a fairly diverse background, said Minardi, but one which will allow me to bring a variety of ideas and suggestions to the entrepreneurial table. Simply put, Ive been there, and I can help with everything from finances and processes to management structures and personnel.”
Additionally, Minardi intends to grow Greenstone Group to serve at least 500 entrepreneurs over the next ten years.
Growth is why were here, added Minardi. And the more entrepreneurs and business owners we serve, the more impact it will havein terms of jobs, economic development, revenue and the overall strength of our communities. When we help people build their businesses, we can make this area an even more attractive place to live and work.
At Greenstone Group, Minardi will oversee seven business performance coaches who, in his words, are 180 degrees different from traditional coaches.
Our coaches provide support and problem solving by actively working with entrepreneurs to develop their skills. They are here to move businesses from point A to point B through various business performance coaching techniques. Coaches work with entrepreneurs to develop strategies for expansion and growth and help them improve their management and operation skills to improve profitability, diversify revenue and improve efficiencies. Theyre the neutral partner in your business who wants nothing more than to see your success. And theyre there for the long haul.
The GreenstoneGroup is a comprehensive initiative aimed at developing entrepreneurial talent, creating successful companies, and building entrepreneurial communities in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The purpose of the Greenstone Group, which was launched by the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, is to increase the number and skill levels of entrepreneurs, and thus build business wealth and employment through the growth of successful locally owned companies. GreenstoneGroups work is based on four key elements: business performance coaching and/or interactive consulting, group coaching and peer-to-peer networks, business briefings, and targeted training
