Networking Tips for Small Business Owners

When small business owners need to wear a lot of different hats, networking might seem like one hat that isn’t necessary. Networking can be advantageous to the business, but it can also be enjoyable connecting with other professionals in your field and potential clients.

Here are a few networking tips for small business owners:

Set Networking Objectives

To maximize your efforts, sit down and think about why you want to expand your network. Do you want to recruit new talent to join your team? Do you want leadership skills development advice? Maybe it would be nice to talk through how to solve common issues with another small business owner in your field. No matter what you want to achieve, it is important to target your objectives.

Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

When you’re speaking with people about your business, it’s helpful to have a concise and catchy blurb. Whether you are talking to community leaders or potential clients, it’s essential to represent your business well. In your elevator pitch, make sure you include who you are, what you do, and what makes your business different. Most importantly, make sure you represent your business passionately; passion is infectious.

Find more tips to craft your elevator pitch here.

Establish an Online Presence

Like it or not, social media is here to stay. An exorbitant amount of people’s time is spent on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to name a few. There is ample opportunity to network, and maintain connections, with peers and colleagues online. By posting about your business and new opportunity, you dispense information about your company and push your brand a little further. It also helps to get creative.

Talk, But Also Listen

While networking, it’s easy to get carried away about your objectives and mission—and that’s important. It’s also important to lend an ear to your peers. Not only is it polite, but other small business owners are a wealth of information. Networking is as much about learning and expanding your knowledge base as it is about furthering your business.

Follow Up

If you have a meaningful conversation with somebody, it’s acceptable to follow up the next day with a polite email. If you both connected and had a productive conversation, they will want to hear from you. Reaching out – while it might seem uncomfortable – is flattering, not pushy. The other person will appreciate the thought and follow through. Following up is a good way to start maintaining the relationships you are forming. Follow-ups can turn a networking event into an established professional relationship.

Join the Sartell Chamber

It’s easy to get involved and join the Sartell Chamber. We pride ourselves in providing quality networking opportunities – where we would love for you to put these tips to work. Get involved by joining an event committee. We have five with spots open in each. You can also become an event sponsor, volunteer at an event, or simply attend one of our events. By sponsoring a monthly meeting and buying lunch for our members, you receive 20 minutes of presentation time.


There are so many ways to get involved and to start networking now. A year from now, you will wish you would have started today!

5 Parks to Visit with Your Kids This Summer in Sartell

The summer sun shines on us and it is time to take advantage!

Spending time outdoors at a few local parks is a great way to soak up the sun and spend some quality time with your kids. Here are 5 Sartell parks to take your kids to this summer:

Northside Park

One of the largest parks in the city, Northside Park, features fun for the whole family! For children, the park features a large play structure, lots of room to run, trails through the woods, and plenty of shade. For adults and teens, there is a disc golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, and baseball or softball fields. Spend the day with grills and picnic tables to enjoy lunch under the open pavilion.

Celebration Park

This quiet park is rather new with well maintained facilities. Perfect for kids age 2-12, you can cool off in the wading pool, play on the playground, shoot hoops on the half basketball court, or relax in the shade under the shelter.

Lions Park

With a convenient location off Pinecone Rd and 2 1/2 street, Lions Park is perfect for playing with the kids. This popular park features lots of paved trails into the wooded areas around the Watab River and a huge play structure for kids! It also has a gorgeous gazebo that can be rented out for special events.

Watab Creek Park

There is plenty to do at Watab Creek Park to entertain your family outdoors for the whole afternoon. Featuring a wading pool, baseball or softball field, volleyball court, swings, playground, and trails so everyone can enjoy themselves! Pack a picnic to grill and enjoy in the enclosed pavilion.

Val Smith Park

This large park features numerous unique amenities you can enjoy just off County Road 29. Horseshoes, pickleball courts, and a hockey rink can be enjoyed here! Not to mention the baseball field, volleyball court, TWO play structures, a basketball court, swings, and more! This is the perfect place to bring your kids with restrooms, shade, lots to play, and so many options.

Learn the details about where ALL Sartell’s city parks are located with this link. Also visit our parks and recreation department’s site to learn more about park amenities.

2018 Summer Fun in Sartell

This year, Sartell Chamber will be involved in a couple of our community’s largest summer events. These annual festivities bring fun and fellowship with our neighbors and strengthen our city’s identity. Read on to find out detailed information about each of these events!

BankVista Rock N Block

Join in the fun August 4th starting at 6:00 pm for a concert event benefiting the Sartell Fire Department. There will be a pedal pub and music from the Fabulous Armadillos and Boogie Wonderland. This event is hosted outdoors at Bernicks arena with nearly 1800 attendees. Chamber members can sign up to be a vendor, help on the event committee, volunteer the day of, or sponsor the event! Last year’s Rock N Block Party was a big success!

Sartell Summerfest

This year Sartell Summerfest will be on June 9th starting with the Liberty Bank Parade at 10 am. In the afternoon you can visit Libertyville, a free family friendly event that features food, games, inflatables, crazy hair, airbrush tattoos, music, and more! There’s also a bike safety rodeo near the Sartell Community Center where you can bring your bike and get a free tune-up.

If you are interested in history, the Sartell Senior Connection is hosting guided bus tours of the city for free. Reserve your spot here. In the evening starting at 5:30 pm, the bands Radio Nation and DiamondBack will play for a street dance. Just south of the street dance at Blue Line Sport Bar and Grill, fireworks will be on display at 10 pm. This event is sponsored by Sartell Chamber as well as many Sartell businesses.


Between BankVista Rock N Block and Sartell Summerfest, there are some big events to look forward to in the summer of 2018! Get involved and help Sartell Chamber make these community festivities a huge success!

Five Fun Winter Activities in Sartell

It may be cold every winter, but there are still plenty of things to do, especially in Sartell. Grab a neighbor, family member, or friend and get out of the house!

If you’re looking for fun events to do this winter, check out this list:

Plan a Trip to Bernick’s Pepsi Arena

Not only can you go to Bernick’s Pepsi Arena to watch hockey, but you can also participate in other ice activities there. They offer power skating, open hockey, and open skate. Whether you’re looking to catch a hockey game or do some skating, you and a loved one will have a fun time at the arena.

Visit a New Restaurants

There are several restaurants to check out in Sartell. Check out this list and pick a tried-and-true favorite or something new. If you’re looking for pizza, check out Marnatelli's Pizza. If you’d prefer to bake and eat your pizza at home, go to Mastoni's Take n' Bake Pizza.

If you’d rather have a nice, sit-down dinner, check out Drakes Fine Food & Spirits. One of Sartell’s newest restaurants, they offer signature entree specials and cocktails.

Attend a Musical by SHS

Support the Sartell-St. Stephen Schools by attending the latest musical put on by the high school students. This winter, the SHS theatre students are performing “The Lion King.” Find more information on dates and showtimes on the Sartell Theatre Facebook page.

Go Sledding at Northside Park

Grab a sled and some friends for a fun time at Northside Park. There’s a good mix of hills to test out. You can find some smaller hills for beginners, but there are also some larger hills for thrill-seeking sledders.

Enjoy Valentine’s Dinner for two at Blackberry Ridge

On February 14th, Blackberry Ridge is offering a great dinner for 2 deal. It includes a 4-course meal, champagne, and live music by Mo & Tom’s Jazz Ensemble. Treat your honey to this amazing deal!



There are many things to keep you busy this winter in Sartell! Did we mention your favorite? Let us know in the comments!


Visit our website for more information on Sartell and other area events.

Discover Everything Sartell on our New Website!

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is there to do in Sartell?” Maybe you’ve been looking for something specific - like a place to reserve a shelter in a park or a fun boutique shop; the new Everyting Sartell website can help you out. Find info  about hospitality & venues, food, retail and fun, parks and recreation, medical, and education in the Sartell area.

Hospitality & Venues

If you’re only temporarily staying in Sartell, check out the newly-renovated AmericInn. Enjoy a 24-hour coffee bar, hot breakfast, free WiFi, and a relaxing spa and pool. You’ll also find award-winning wedding and event venues, a variety of restaurants, and spiritual centers for rent to accommodate special events.

Food

Foodies rejoice! Sartell has plenty of delicious eateries to try. From gourmet sandwiches and pizza to specialty spots for Mexican, Italian, Japanese, and All-American, You’ll find plenty of options to satisfy any taste.

Retail and Fun

Treat yourself to a fun shopping spree! Boutique shops and practical retailers are peppered throughout Sartell. Besides shopping, there are also multiple options for healthcare, veterinary clinics, banking, groceries and more.

Parks and Recreation

The beautiful thing about Sartell is… it’s beautiful! Over 40 stunning parks provide a natural escape within the city limits. Find luscious golf greens, skating rinks, baseball fields, and more. Find information about shelter rentals here.

Medical

Convenient and diverse, you’ll be relieved to see the medical options in Sartell. Chiropractors, dentists, general practitioners, and veterinarians can be found around the city. No matter your ailment, you’ll be back on your feet in no time!

Education

Sartell-St. Stephen School District #748 is open to over 17,000  area residents and includes over 4,000 students. We are looking forward to the addition of a new Sartell High School set to open in fall of 2019. From preschool to high school and beyond, Sartell is a great place to learn something new!

For more information on Sartell, get in touch with the Sartell Chamber of Commerce or visit the City of Sartell Website.

Six Spectacular Ways to Spend Summer In Sartell

Summer has officially begun and Sartell has plenty to offer! From great parks and activities to friendly businesses, there’s definitely tons of fun to be had in Sartell!

#1: Sartell has a total of 34 parks and 48 miles of trails if you’re looking for outdoor fun. The city’s parks have a variety of amenities including baseball fields, volleyball courts and open space for lots of activities. You can find a full list of Sartell’s parks, trails and amenities at the City of Sartell website.

#2: Bring the kids to cool off in one of Sartell’s two wading pools open to the community. Located at Watab Park and Celebration Park, the pools are staffed for the summer and open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.


#3: Movies and Music at Pinecone Central Park is a fun break from the ordinary routine. The next musical guest will be Ring of Kerry on July 31st. Mark your calendar and pack your blanket for August 21st if you are a "Despicable Me" for Movies in the Park. A full list of the Summer lineup can also be found on Sartell’s website.

#4: Enjoy a round of golf at one of Sartell’s beautiful golf courses. Blackberry Ridge Golf Course is an 18 hole public course and Pine Ridge Golf Course is a nine hole course and driving range. Both courses also feature a bar and grill and also host events.

Blackberry Ridge Golf Course

#5: There’s nothing like fresh produce from the Sartell Farmer’s Market! The farmer’s market will be out every “Market Monday” from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the city hall parking lot.

#6: After spending a busy day out and about, there is no reason to worry about dinner! There’s plenty of great restaurant options right in town. You can always order a pizza from House of Pizza or stop in to G-Allens or Blue Line for some dinner drinks!

You can find even more community events on our events calendar. With so much to do, this summer is sure to be a blast! Where will we see you in Sartell this season? Share with us below.

Summer Begins in Sartell! - Sartell SummerFest

It’s true! Summer weather is finally here and as the season comes to Minnesota, many of us are looking for a way to enjoy it. This year’s Sartell SummerFest has what you’re looking for! SummerFest offers a whole host of opportunities for fun and sun for all ages June 13- 14th.

The summer celebration kicks off on Friday with kid-friendly Libertyville Carnival provided by Liberty Savings Bank in Pinecone Regional Park. Libertyville is a family fun event featuring inflatables, games, food and music! The event, running from 5- 9 p.m. offers activities for the whole family to enjoy while out in the great evening weather. Music abounds with live music featuring show tunes and patriotic music. Be sure to bring your own lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the show!

Looking for an active way to enjoy the weather? After registering, participants can take part in a six-year tradition - The SummerFest 5K Run. 5K’s can be intimidating for inexperienced runners but never fear! According to Active.com, the 3.1-mile distance is “a fantastic distance for beginning runners to conquer.” But if you’re new to the running scene and want to help prepare your body click here for some “Couch to 5k” tips. Still not sure if running is for you? Sartell SummerFest also offers a 3K walk for a more leisurely approach and a 1K Kid’s Fun Run. All proceeds from the event go towards expanding recreational opportunities in the Sartell area for all ages.

Rest up after Friday’s run because Saturday festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the SummerFest parade! Featuring 70-75 parade units and 8 marching bands, the parade is a great showcase of the area. Whether you’re watching the parade or are entered in the lineup, the event is sure to be filled with excitement!

          

Make sure to bring your dancing shoes because the Free Partners Pub Street Dance returns this year! You can dance the night away from 6 p.m. - 12 a.m. at Great River Bowl & Partners Pub parking lot. Live music by Whiskey Tango and DiamondBack begins at 6! Need a break from dancing? Take a break at 10 p.m. to enjoy the fireworks show sponsored by Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill.

No matter what your interests, this Sartell SummerFest has something for you! For more info and a full list of events, go to http://www.sartellsummerfest.com/. Let’s enjoy the start to this summer as a community!

Will you be starting off your summer with us at Sartell SummerFest? What are you most looking forward to? Share with us & we'll see you there!