NOTES FROM LORI

BRRRR! Even with our cold January weather, many of our members showed up for our Social Hour at France (co-hosted by UNS). We also had so many new faces at Slice of Woodbury last week. I'm amazed how our community comes out to support our networking events and one another, no matter the weather. It's all about making great connections. Please mark your calendar for February 9 from 3-4PM for our rotating Social Hour that will be held at Park OffiCenter. Our theme this month is wine and chocolate, with a more informal style of networking as we'll also be honoring the "Mayor of OffiCenters", Bud Sandburg, celebrating his 90th birthday. Mr. Bud has been an OC member for 28 years, is always there for me, and is at any and every event we host. His energy and spirit are what my business is all about. It's my great pleasure to invite all of you to come help us celebrate!

I'm astonished that our remodel at Minnetonka is almost complete and that we stuck to the 6-week timeline. I was just there and it's looking AWESOME! Please join me for the big reveal and a networking event on March 9 as we will be showing off the new spaces, booths, quiet rooms and more! I can't wait to show you our updates.

As we focus on our 2023 goals, we recently implemented a new customer sales system and I'm already seeing my team meet and beat their goals. I'm so proud of how far we've already come. Every person has stepped up and is taking on new challenges. It seems the days of keeping up and catching up are moving into a better spot, as we work to make our 42nd year the best year yet!

Let’s have a great month! February may be short, but there's still much to do as we keep rolling full steam ahead. I'm staying true to this month's Valentine's Day theme when I say, WE ❤️OUR MEMBERS! And, we feel the love every time you refer your friends and family to us. You are what makes work awesome. I hope to see you in the workspaces this month.
Amy Lokken, member at Union Plaza and 7X International award-winning marking expert of Müd Modular wants you to know that attending a virtual (Zoom) meeting is not like listening to a podcast. Being mindful of your camera angles is key to the quality and success of your meeting. Recently, Amy shared an article on LinkedIn that goes over the top 7 camera angles to avoid for your next virtual meeting. A timely topic, don't you agree? Read her entire article HERE.
Jasmine Brett Stringer, of Carpe Diem with Jasmine and member at Edina is also the Lifestyle Contributor for WCCO Mid-Morning. Last month Jasmine did segment on ways to be happier in the new year. She shared some easy actions you can take in order to bring more satisfaction to your life based on research by two Harvard University Professors and, of course, her own experiences. You can watch Jasmine's piece and get yourself happy HERE.
Cassandra Brashier of ClearStep Financial and member at International Plaza, has been doing a weekly radio program on myTalk 107.1 for two years! Tune in Sunday mornings at 10AM to the Financial Heath and Wealth Show hosted by financial experts Cassandra and her mother, Carla. Hear them discuss important topics like what to do with an inheritance, 401K rollovers, retirement readiness and income planning. You can listen to past episodes HERE.
James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts. For a chef to win a James Beard Award is like an actor winning an Oscar. This year, semifinalists for "Best Chef Midwest" is dominated by MN, with four chefs getting the nod and a local pastry chef is nominated for Best Baker/Pastry Chef in the whole darn country. Winners will be awarded on June 5 in Chicago. See a list of MN semifinalists with links to their restaurants, click HERE.
Absolute Best Cleaning
All In Inc.
Asher Flooring
Better Wealth Enterprise
CanDon Enterprise LLC
Clarity Data Insights
Continental Data Management
Diamond Elite Consulting, Inc.
Eden HouseRules
EJ Creations
Enkap LLC
Experience Healing
Falloutcompany LLC
Freeworld Trucking
Fossum Law Office, LLC
Home Solutions
Idea Business Group, Inc
JDA Manufacturing, INC
Jonathan Clark
Kcorp Plumbing
Logistical Freight Systems, LLC
Midas, LLC
MKE Luxury Club, Inc.
Morris Medical Building Inc.
MRK Properties LLC
Nana’s Custom Creations
Parallel Productions Inc.
R & S Marketing
Red Bird Enterprise
Red Onyx Inc.
Rod IT Consultant Inc
Shift: PLLC
Strand & Associates
Succession LLC
Tax Specialists LLC
Tipton Rose Group, LLC
Total Care, Inc.
Untiedt's Vegetable Farm
Vahllaye
Value Healthcare LLC
Vault Health
Wayne Fields, Inc.
15 Years
New Vision Engineering Solutions
13 Years
Women In Networking
12 Years
Tarlton Corporation
11 Years
Christianson & Company
Cohassett Associates
Kennen Consulting Services
MRM
Robert LaFleur
9 Years
Gitau Financial Advisors
8 Years
PFM Solutions
UNS (Universal Network Solutions)
7 Years
Car Donation Foundation
Price Law
6 Years
Cross Training
Lightspring Capital Partners
5 Years
INT, Inc.
Jeff Goldetsky, CPA
PARK and GO!

Whether you’re escaping the cold for some time in the sun, or traveling for business, don’t forget to take advantage of the Airport Shuttle perk, available for Full-Time and Virtual Elite Members at all seven of our Twin Cities locations. This service is available 24/7, 365! You MUST register your vehicle with an OffiCenters team member and obtain a parking pass in advance to use. 

On the date of your departure, drive to International Plaza, located at 7900 International Drive (across the street from Park ‘N Go) and park in the ramp on the north/494 side of the third floor. Then, simply walk across the street to the Park N’ Go and show your card to the driver. You will get dropped off at your terminal. Upon return, get on the shuttle at your terminal and returned to the parking ramp entrance. It’s that easy. Best of all, it’s free and your car is covered! 

If you have any questions, or would like to upgrade your membership to take advantage of this service, please reach out to your home center!
We Love What We Do

During a recent staff meeting, I asked my team to share what they think makes OffiCenters stand out from other coworking options. Because I was so blown away by their responses, I had to share some of them. To my incredible staff, YOU MAKE WORK AWESOME!

“For me, the answer rests in us being a locally based coworking space. Every location is run by a small, friendly team of people who care. While we are focused on consistency, we also equally celebrate every location having a different personality, and the members that contribute to the local, non-corporate feel. Our company’s Owner and General Manager are very visible. Our members know, see and socialize with them on a regular basis. There’s something very genuine to all of it.”

“The draw to coworking of lower costs, social opportunities, amenities and no responsibility in maintenance is only a small part of it. The relationships we build with our members is genuine and creates an inviting, supportive environment. I think that’s what makes working here awesome.” 

“I think our longevity gives people a lot of confidence. I also love that we are woman owned. Access to all seven locations is a great perk. But also, our team. We go above and beyond and really provide the personal touch! I care about the success of our members businesses, and let them know that.” 

“We’re have the largest member base of any coworking space in the Twin Cities. With a culture that promotes and encourages members to look within our community for services, we’re much more than just four walls. If you’re looking for it, you will find it here”. 
OffiCenters has always believed in giving back to our local communities. If you are, or know of, a MN 501(c), nonprofit or charitable organization that could benefit from a wide variety of space or support services provided by OffiCenters, we want to hear from you! APPLY HERE.
Thanks A MILLION!

Last month, at their Annual Advisory Board meeting, Randy Shaver CRCF allocated over $1 million in grants. Grants given were given to technology and tools that enhance early detection of cancer, promising new programs that promote research that would help prevent cancer relapses, projects that demonstrate research in the area of cancer, and programs that enhance the lives of MN’s cancer community by providing aid and assistance. Thanks a Million to local area coaches for a record breaking "Tackle Cancer" year and to all sponsors and donors. You can see the full list of 2022 Grant Recipients HERE.