In review

 

Jennifer Bennerotte wished us a happy Groundhog Day and ensured us that spring will be here soon. She introduced the following guests and visiting Rotarians:

 

The main reason Dave Wendt was here was to watch his wife, Renee Harberts, give her classification talk. Renee grew up on a farm in Minnesota, one of four girls in her family. Farm work was too much work, and not being an animal lover, Renee decided not to pursue farming, and moved to Minneapolis the day after her high school graduation. She has 1 son, 2 daughters, and 6 grandchildren. She is a financial planner, and recently returned to the profession after a short hiatus. Renee was sponsored to our club by Ann Platt, and joined Rotary to serve others, learn new skills, and build new friendships. Welcome, Renee!

 

Doug Johnson asked Meg Rodriguez to come forward, and he presented her with an Edina Rotary Foundation grant to Edina Give and Go. Meg spoke about her organization, and said the money will be used to provide loaner computers to students in need in grades K-5 who do not have computer access at home. The goal of Edina Give and Go is to offer at least one opportunity (academic, athletic or artistic) to every student who needs financial assistance. A very worthwhile organization!

 

Josh Sprague spoke about the Edina High School Interact Club’s Skate to End Polio Friday, Feb. 10. Tickets are still available for this event.

 

Rick Carlson and Dan Hennen announced two upcoming social events:

 

 

Ann Platt introduced Mike Kallas. Mike was sponsored to the club by Jon Barnett, and serves on the Youth Service Committee. He is an attorney, and has used those skills in service to our club. He also serves as a high school football referee, and recently forgot to turn off his microphone while talking with one of the coaches at a game being played at US Bank Stadium. His conversation could be heard throughout the stadium…and that is a BIG place! Mike has been married to Jullene, his high school sweetheart, for 36 years.

 

Mike introduced our speaker today—his sister Deb Anderson. Deb and her husband started By the Yard, a company which manufactures patio furniture out of recycled plastic, in 1995. The company now has 50 employees, and is located in Jordan, Minnesota. Charitable giving is a big part of the company’s philosophy. (Editor’s note: Mike was spotted in a By the Yard commercial during last year’s Super Bowl—he is a natural!)

 

Deb gave us a history of how and why she started By the Yard. In 1995, she was working as a sales rep for a custom window manufacturer, which required a lot of travel. She had young children at home, and air travel did not agree with her; her husband finally suggested she do something on her own. One night, during a dream, she heard a voice saying, “Quit your job. Give 7 percent to the hungry, and I’ll tell you what to do.” Shortly thereafter, while driving to Mike’s house, her husband said, “Patio furniture.” Mike had a brochure on his table from a company that made furniture out of recycled plastic. So, she contacted the company, and went to work for them for a year before deciding to venture out on her own.

 

In considering the “7 percent”, which is really just a placeholder, Deb decided to give what she would have taken in salary. The company now has a giving committee, and the office staff and the guys in the shop are all involved in giving. Deb believes we are all charged with giving to the world, and that happiness comes when we give back. Her enthusiasm has rubbed off on her grandson, who chose to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children for his 8th birthday. Deb offered a Pack Off challenge to our club to see who can pack the most food at Feed My Starving Children.

 

Deb started By the Yard in her home, and when faced with the need for a big showroom, moved the business to Shakopee and then to Jordan. She retired last September, and her husband is semi-retired. Their daughter is involved in the company’s marketing department, so the family is still involved. She never put together a business plan or a budget, but went with her gut feeling. Her big break came with a booth at the State Fair, which is still the company’s biggest selling event of the year. Her advice for starting a company is to “start at the end”—look at what you want the company to be when you leave. She is happily retired. (Gordy assured her “it’s a great job!”)

 

During the Q&A, Deb explained that they tweaked the recipe for plastic lumber (which has been around since the 1950s). Bright colors don’t last as long, because they cannot be UV-stabilized. The plastic they start with is in the form of small beads; the plastic needs to be non-colored, so it mostly comes from milk jugs. When asked about a buyback program, since plastic will outlive all of us, Deb suggested we “see Mike Kallas and put it in our will.”

 

Josh Sprague thanked Deb for her presentation, and made several comparisons to Mike – all in Deb’s favor.

 

Ann Platt closed the meeting with a quote from Estée Lauder: “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it." And from Nike: “Just do it.”