Some icons, surprises in Labovitz award-winning businesses

Dala Horse displayed in front of Bergquist Imports in Cloquet.

Several Northern Minnesota entrepreneurs were honored today as the University of Minnesota-Duluth Center for Economic Development named this year’s winners of the Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards.

You might recognize some of the businesses on the list, while others might surprise you. Among the honorees was Bergquist Imports, proprietor of the iconic orange Swedish horse along the highway in Cloquet, visible to so many North and South travelers here in Northern Minnesota.

Duluth, MN – The UMD Center for Economic Development (CED) announced the recipients of the 23^rd Annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards during a luncheon at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on April 22. UMD Chancellor Lendley “Lynn” C. Black welcomed attendees and Mark Labovitz provided opening remarks before more than 350 business and community leaders.

Since 1993, the Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards have recognized small business owners who have dared to dream, taken risks and invested in the region. This year’s award recipients, honored as part of Small Business Week, were selected from 44 nominees from throughout the Twin Ports and Arrowhead Region.

The 2015 recipients are:

Micro-Entrepreneur:
The Local Boy Inc– Todd Christenson, Grand Rapids

Emerging Entrepreneur:
DBS Residential Solutions– Bonnie Sundberg, Duluth

Established Entrepreneur:
Frost River– Christian Benson, Duluth

Mature Entrepreneur:
Bergquist Imports– Barry Bergquist, Cloquet

Environmentally Engaged Entrepreneur
Thermowood of Minnesota – John Bieganek, Palisade

A special recognition Entrepreneurial Leadership Award was presented to Edward Williams.

Joining the UMD Center for Economic Development in sponsoring the event were maurices, WestmorelandFlint, Minnesota Business Finance Corporation, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, KBJR TV, Park State Bank, Greenfield Communications, the Entrepreneur Fund, Cutting Edge Metals, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers Network.

Recipient Bios 

MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
The Local Boy Inc– Todd Christenson, Grand Rapids
Success metrics for this garbage and recycling service are impressive: over 600 commercial dumpsters and close to 500 residential stops; satisfied customers; and profitability that allows for continued growth, including construction of a new transfer station, all while competing with a big name, nationwide company.

EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
DBS Residential Solutions– Bonnie Sundberg, Duluth
DBS Residential Solutions is looking for a bigger building after three years. Annually improving finances allow for major improvements and giving back. When a customer canceled work due to medical issues, DBS provided materials and employees volunteered to complete the job.

ESTABLISHED ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Frost River– Christian Benson, Duluth

Rented space and a few trailers of parts and pieces have developed into a unique global brand. A soft goods manufacturer, Frost River makes products sold in its Duluth store and online worldwide. It is rapidly growing both brand and business while cultivating a culture celebrating its Northwoods legacy.

MATURE ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Bergquist Imports– Barry Bergquist, Cloquet
For two generations, the Bergquists have kept culture and tradition alive, importing and wholesaling Scandinavian gift items across the United States. Vivian and Barry bought the business in 1980 from his parents, who started it in 1948. They not only provide jobs in the community, but are active in making it a better place to live.

ENVIRONMENTALLY ENGAGED ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Superior Thermowood of Brainerd – John Bieganek, Palisade

Bieganek heads Superior Thermowood, one of the nation’s first commercial producers of thermally modified wood. The wood takes on value-added properties through a chemical-free process. The company continues to grow, working to keep both communities and forests vital while providing wood products and recycling all waste materials and by-products.

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP: EDWARD WILLIAMS

For the past 40 years, he has been the “Williams” in Nelson Williams, which provides industrial rubber lining for piping around the world. Williams is also part owner of Tritec of Minnesota, a steel fabrication, machining and design company which in nearly two decades has grown from three to 55 employees.