What inspired you to start your business or create your product(s)?

I launched Craft Notes because I loved our foodie-culture. Our vision is to build an all-inclusive community of craft lovers. I also saw the boom of craft brewing, and while we are not EXCLUSIVE to craft beer, it is a large part of what we do. I wanted to make sure people knew which businesses were authentically doing good things for the community and making good products.

So I created a beautifully illustrated, print-first “Drink Passport” that doubles as a guidebook—and pairs it with a mobile app. You scan for drinks, learn each business’s story, get rewarded with a free drink, and discover places you might otherwise overlook—all while celebrating local artists and business owners.

Each Passport is a collaboration with local creators: heavy-duty cardstock, two‑color screen printed by artists, full of farmer- and brewer-backed recommendations. It’s not just about one-off drinks—it’s about meaningful connections, exploring your state, and building real relationships with the places that make our local craft culture thrive.

What’s the meaning behind your brand name?

Art and print quality was Inspired by Field Notes. We specifically chose something NOT beer-related, because we wanted it evolve and grow over time, ensuring that people were always able to stay up-to-date with local trends and highlight local businesses really helping define local culture.

Our vision was to not only make it fun, but believe that appreciation comes from learning and building friendships and so.

What’s one product you’re most proud of and why?

The V4 Sustainability Passport – 25 state-wide businesses that were GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND

Any routines, rituals, or behind-the-scenes moments you love?

I love the artistic process of doing the books. Each year is completely new and different!

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome as a small business owner?

COVID. We are still adapting to this and the changes in the market, however, we have focused on the experience (which we always did) and building the mobile app (which is awesome).

Where can people find your products?

Select local retailers and online: https://craftnotes.net/shop

Anything exciting coming up for your brand? (New launches, events, collaborations, etc.) We have a partnership with the MN Craft Brewers Guild and MN Craft Cider Guild. These partnerships allow us to directly support not only our partners, but the guilds that represent the business interests of these groups — and it’s been super fun visiting the cider-farms all over the state!

How can people support you beyond buying your products?

We ask that people download our app and leave a good review.
Of course, follow and tell their friends. If you’d like to get the mobile app, here are 2 free drinks to try it out. Use code “hifriend” https://www.craftnotes.net/share

What inspired you to start your business or create your product(s)?

I started Komoni after seeing so many of my clients struggle with “Impaired Recovery” from constant stress and everyday wear and tear. I began sharing a home made soaks hoping they’d take a little time for themselves and make self-care part of their healing.

What’s the meaning behind your brand name?

Komoni is a made up word for “bayanihan”, an embodiment of communal unity, connection, and caring for one another.

What’s one product you’re most proud of and why?

Our Recovery Bath Soaks. This is my first product that start it all for us. Recovery doesn’t get much attention these days because our lifestyles rarely allow it—but it’s truly one of the most important parts of staying well.

What does a ‘typical day’ look like for you as a maker?

I’ve always been a big fan of rituals. For me, they’re little anchors that keep me grounded. My mornings start with prayers and meditation before the first light of day, followed by a workout. Before I dive into work, I take a broom and sweep from our front door all the way down the walkway. It’s more than tidying—it’s my way of inviting in fresh opportunities and sweeping away yesterday’s setbacks. This simple practice keeps me rooted, and it fuels the desire and clarity I need to keep showing up every day.

I love being a maker! A lot of what I do actually starts with problem-solving. Once I’ve figured out the challenge, that’s when the fun begins! and I love it when the simple idea turns into something tangible.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome as a small business owner?

My commitment to using only natural ingredients comes with its challenges. Unlike typical store products designed to look perfect and last longer, I’ve had to find and test natural alternatives. My products are made for people who appreciate the benefits of purely natural, biologically harmonious ingredients—so sometimes, like with our Aromamist, you may need to give it a shake, as the oils naturally separate on top without harmful emulsifiers such as Polysorbates a known major hormones disruptors.

What do you love most about being part of the Minnesota maker community?

Minnesota is vibrant hub for creators and makers. I love working with the Co-ops and wellness community. They have been very supportive and encouraging of what we do.

Where can people find your products?

My products are available in co-ops across the Twin Cities and the Midwest, in local mom-and-pop gift shops, and, of course, everyone can learn more about my process and products through our website komonigoods.com

What’s one tool or item in your studio you can’t live without?

I suppose the oddest things might be cordless drills and hammers. I do a lot of mixing and found cordless drills to be more versatile and cost effective than a giant stationary mixer. I use hammers to emboss my logo into my shampoo bars and cleanser bars. The one thing I can’t do without or seem to ever have enough of is flat spaces on which to work.

Anything exciting coming up for your brand?

We were featured on TV recently which was very exciting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNs2nKJyctM

How can people support you beyond buying your products?

Leaving reviews on Google, liking and commenting on youtube, or posting on social media is a great way to let me know your experiences with my products.
https://www.instagram.com/komoni_goods/
https://www.tiktok.com/@komoni_goods
https://www.facebook.com/komonigoods/
https://www.youtube.com/@Komonigoods

What inspired you to start your business or create your product(s)?

Aloe Up began in 1981 when LPGA golfer Joyce Benson asked her husband, an aloe farmer, to create a sunscreen that felt as good as his aloe lotions. His solution became Aloe Up: athlete born, aloe based, and made to protect skin without slowing you down.

What’s the meaning behind your brand name?

The name “Aloe Up” came from our core ingredient and our purpose. Every product starts with high percentages of aloe vera, so “Aloe” was a given. “Up” reflects both sun protection for life outdoors and the uplifting, active spirit that inspired our start on the golf course.

What’s one product you’re most proud of and why?

Our Sport sunscreen line is the one we’re most proud of because it perfectly captures what Aloe Up is about. It’s packed with aloe vera for fast absorption and skin nourishment, yet built to handle sweat, water, and hours of outdoor activity without feeling heavy or greasy, exactly what we set out to create for athletes from day one.

What do you love most about being part of the Minnesota maker community?

What we love most is the sense of support and connection. Minnesota makers look out for each other, share resources, and celebrate one another’s wins. That spirit of community keeps us grounded and reminds us that we’re part of something bigger than just our own brand.

What does a ‘typical day’ look like for you as a maker?

A typical day for us isn’t about making products from scratch every morning, but we’re always focused on quality. Whether it’s reviewing ingredient sources, checking production runs, or testing finished batches, we make sure every product meets our high aloe first standards before it leaves our hands.

Where can people find your products?

Aloe Up products are available online through our official website, Amazon, and specialty retailers. They’re also carried in select small shops, resorts, spas, boutiques, and fitness centers like Lifetime Fitness, making it easy to find Aloe Up in both everyday and premium locations.

Anything exciting coming up for your brand?

We’re excited for our new line coming in 2026, featuring products people have been asking for: new sprays, lotions, moisturizers, and more — all built with the same high aloe content and broad spectrum protection that makes Aloe Up trusted by athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

How can people support you beyond buying your products?

People can support us by following and engaging with us on social media, sharing our content, leaving reviews, and telling friends and family about Aloe Up. Every interaction helps spread our mission of high aloe, athlete friendly sun protection!

What inspired you to start your business or create your product(s)?

We saw a need to do something with all the downed urban tree wood waste and decided to start making usable hardwood lumber from the main trunk of a fallen tree in 2008 and our business grew from there. Not only do we build commercial custom projects made from our reclaimed lumber, we also have a wooden home goods product line, a wood furniture line and a lumber store that sells everything.

What’s the meaning behind your brand name?

Wood From The Hood was born with a simple idea: Reclaim discarded trees from local neighborhoods to create beautiful, high-quality hardwoods. In our Minneapolis-based shop we do just that, Reclaiming Wood from Your Neighborhood. Using materials produced locally from your own neighborhood not only helps your existing community but is sustainable and good for the environment.

What’s one product you’re most proud of and why?

All our products support our brand as they are all made from reclaimed local trees that have come down due to disease, construction or storm damage. I’m very fond of our growth charts not only are they beautiful and store memories, it’s fun to see the little kids step up and want to watch themselves grow.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome as a small business owner?

We do not do tree removal or hauling we work with local arborists to save trees from the landfill. It has taken us years to build a sustainable partnership with our local tree services. Good partners are everything in building a business.

What do you love most about being part of the Minnesota maker community?

Being part of a local community of small business owners is a great way to network and share of knowledge. A wonderful way to support each other.

Where can people find your products?

We have a Lumber Store in Minneapolis (2616 Minnehaha Ave Mpls, MN 55406. Open Wednesday – Friday 10-6pm and Saturdays 9-4pm) where we sell all our products as well as dimensional lumber, mini slabs, furniture and an assortment of woodworking needs. We also have an online WooCommerce site at www.woodfromthehood.com where you can shop, learn about custom projects and follow us.

What’s one tool or item in your studio you can’t live without?

We could not live without our Wood-Mizer LT70 sawmill.

Anything exciting coming up for your brand?

We introduce new products in our Lumber Store regularly so stop in and see us or sign up on our mailing list to hear what’s happening: https://woodfromthehood.com/signupmaillist/

How can people support you beyond buying your products?

Follow us on social media, share our story, leave a review. It’s wonderful when people tell others about our us. Clients are the best!

What inspired you to start your business or create your product(s)?

We actually happened upon Wild Country Maple Products while visiting the sugarshack on the
property in Lutsen MN. We had visited before to buy their award winning maple syrup but this time
there was a for sale brochure in the building. We had been contemplating what our next life step would be and loved the Lutsen/ North Shore area. We purchased the property and business
and have been delighted to be living in the north woods and happy to be providing/ making
some of the best maple syrup around.

What’s the meaning behind your brand name?

Wild County was the name of the business when we purchased it. We love the name and feel it reflects the wild feeling of the Superior National Forest.

What’s one product you’re most proud of and why?

We love our Amber rich syrup. We feel it gets the unique flavor from the Superior Forest. Our barrel aged syrup has become a favorite of many of our customers.

What does a ‘typical day’ look like for you as a maker?

Depending on the season, you can find us in the woods tapping or de-tapping trees. In the spring it is time to make maple syrup. All year long we are blending and bottling the syrup for the markets.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome as a small business owner?

We have found the biggest challenge is finding the balance between business and our personal lives. One must make time for family and yourself to keep everything fresh and evolving.

What do you love most about being part of the Minnesota maker community?

It is such a joy being able to provide such a fantastic product to the public. We have many happy loyal customers.

Where can people find your products?

We have a small farm store on the property which really is a special place to visit.
You can also find our maple syrup in many of the co-ops in the twin cities along with a few grocery stores. In Duluth MN we are in the Co-ops, most of the grocery stores, and some specialty shops. Up the shore you will find us in many locations. We also have a website that you can purchase off of.

Anything exciting coming up for your brand?

We are in the process of making a limited amount of pumpkin Spice infused maple syrup.