The always effervescent President Ann Platt (definition: lively, enthusiastic; not the giving-off-bubbles, fizzy definition) opened the meeting, with the aid of her capable media and musical side-kick Paul Peterson, by presenting a video of the tremendous service and support the club provides in our community and globally.
 
 
You were greeted by Jack Kennefick, Jody Kern and Jen Tregarthen. Helping at the front desk were Marty Hustad, Susan Johnson and Paul Peterson. Royce Pavelka, Kenny Smith and Greg Yoch helped welcome prospective members to the meeting. 

The invocation was provided Barbara Born, sharing sage words (and a bit of a precursor to our speaker) from the current Minnesota Nobel Literary laureate, Bob Dylan, and his lyrics from “Forever Young." Barbara then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Four-Way Test.

Ann then stepped back to the podium to introduce our guests on Prospective Member Day, including:
 
  • Greg Fink, guest of David Clynes, and a participant in this year's Camp Enterprise
  • Kim Stoner, guest of Jody Kern
  • Debbie Townsend, guest of Kaylin Eidsness
  • Leah Bryd, guest of Val Burke
  • Chris Amundson, son and guest of Kris Maser
  • Nick Cardarelle, grandson and guest of Frank Cardarelle
  • Lisa Christianson, guest of Mary Younggren
  • Claudio Huerta, Youth Exchange student from Chile and guest of Mike Kallas
 
Club Announcements
 
Rotary Leadership Ethics Seminar
Joe Hayes shared a wrap-up on the Rotary Leadership Ethics Seminar, also known as "Do the Right Thing," that recently took place. Joe noted what a meaningful experience this day is with 65 students actively engaged with 30 volunteers from Rotary, community and civic leaders and school personnel.  The students worked on case studies, had panel discussions and listened to very well-received presentations by Rotarians Brad Beard and Thom Winninger.
 
Joe extended his thanks to all those that made the seminar so successful and noted that he will be seeking a co-chair in 2017—and will do whatever it takes to find one —ethically of course.

Veterans Luncheon
San Asato reminded folks about the Veterans Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 11, at Bearpath Country Club in Eden Prairie. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with live music. Lunch and the program will be from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. You can register here. Rotarians are also encouraged to bring up to two past/present military guests for free. Make sure to register your guests as well. And send in photos of yourself or veterans you might be bringing as guests for use in the slide show before the meeting. You can email photo to San. 
 
Camp Enterprise
Ann stated that Camp Enterprise begins on Thursday, Oct. 27, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 29.  Sam Thompson shared they are still in need of mentors.  If you are interested please contact Sam.
 
Thanksgiving Baskets
Ann wrapped up the announcements reminding Rotarians about the upcoming packing boxes for Thanksgiving Baskets, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the Edina Country Club from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Plan to attend this event with your family before the holiday. We were reminded if you know of a person or family who may need some support over the Thanksgiving holiday, contact Mary Hustad or Michael Stanzak.
 
Sam Thompson was then introduced by Ann to present our featured speaker for the day. Sam had the pleasure of introducing our guest speaker, Mr. Randy Stenger. Randy is the founder and CEO of Extreme Sandbox, which he characterized as “a heavy equipment adventure company that lets people play.”

Randy (aka: Peter Pan—“never grow up”) enthusiastically stated that his presentation would focus on:
 
  • How he came up with the concept for Extreme Sandbox
  • His three learnings
  • His "Shark Tank" TVeExperience
He started his presentation with a video of the first minute of when he appeared on the TV show "Shark Tank" in January or 2016. Randy baited the hook (sharks, hook, fishing for money, worth a try) and caught all our attention with that first minute. He then moved into his presentation, leaving those of us not having seen the show and what took place hanging—but more on that later (keep reading if you want to find out the ending).

Randy’s concept first starting percolating in his very active and creative mind when he was driving by a construction site with his three boys and the oldest boy, stated “Wouldn’t it be fun to play on that stuff?” So from the mouth of babes, the genesis for a new concept formulated in Randy’s head.  

Randy had no prior experience with heavy equipment and in fact had been in law enforcement for six years in Colorado and was at that time working for Target management in the Wisconsin area.  But after, as he characterized, some “bar talk” with his brother, Randy felt like it all made perfect sense and jumped into this new venture.

In 2012, he started the business on a part-time basis. Leasing 10 acres of land in Hastings, leasing three pieces of heavy equipment, getting a variance from the city and figuring out the insurance—he began Extreme Sandbox on the weekends.

Eight months later, with business starting to take off, Randy plowed ahead and moved the business into a full-time venture. He bought the 10 acres, built a 6,000-square-foot facility and added additional equipment to the lease. He currently has two sites, the one in Hastings and one north of Dallas on a resort property. Randy shared that they continue to see tremendous growth, with an emphasis on marketing for corporate team building. The company is also currently exploring the possibility of starting a third operation in the Phoenix area.

Randy shared that he has three primary lessons he follows as an entrepreneur and business person:
 
  1. Take Risks—but smart risks, and don’t be afraid to ask.
  2. The Balloon and the Rock Concept—you need to have a balance with the “big-idea," person—the one “lifting-off" who is the visionary or the Balloon. Then the person that keeps things grounded, the concrete—the Rock.   
  3. Understanding Relationships—you need to always look for not only how you benefit in the relationship, but how the other party can benefit from the relationship. You will not succeed if you only think about what you can get out of the relationship.
Randy completed his presentation with an important point about “know your story and be able to tell it well and stand for something.” He stated that he wants Extreme Sandbox to be the Walt Disney of Heavy Equipment. (I knew there was a tie into the Peter Pan concept and Tinkerbell was also effervescent—what synergy to this meeting!)
Also, “Now, the rest of the story." Randy did get two of the “sharks” to bite on his concept when he was on the TV show back in January 2016. Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary shared investing a $150,000 to the Extreme Sandbox business plan.

Michael Stanzak thanked Randy for his energy and great entrepreneurial spirit. Ann then closed the meeting with a fitting quote from George Bernard Shaw: “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”