BGS proudly celebrates Women Entrepreneurs
October 19, 2018 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.BGS attorney Carole Clark Isakson has been a volunteer attorney with Women Venture for almost a year now, and last week was wonderfully surprised to find that her first WV client, LaTonya Johnson (Minnesota Electrolysis LLC) won this year’s “Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained Emerging Business Award”!
Ms. Johnson’s award was presented on October 12, 2018 at the 23rd annual Women Mean Business luncheon and marketplace. Carole spent several months working with Ms. Johnson (and Women Venture) negotiating the terms of the purchase of assets, setting up Minnesota Electrolysis LLC, drafting documents and handling employee and operational issues. It was a great experience for lawyer and client alike, and Ms. Johnson’s receipt of the well deserved reward was an additional confirmation that her business will continue to prosper. For Ms. Isakson’s part, she found great satisfaction in using her legal skills to assist a new business venture, and continues to work with Ms. Johnson and Women Venture. BGS encourages all of its attorneys to play positive roles in community organizations and to provide pro bono legal services. In fact, Carole has been named a North Star Lawyer five consecutive years by the MSBA as certified that she provided at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services annually.
Women Venture has been around for more than four decades supporting women business ventures, and the well attended luncheon was further evidence of the valuable role that WV plays in Minnesota. The luncheon was emceed by the marvelous Jearlyn Steele, and in addition to the award won by Ms. Johnson, featured the presentation of two other awards and an excellent keynote speech “The Power of Personal Vision” by Rhoda Olsen, Vice Chair of Great Clips Inc Board of Directors. Carole enjoyed the event in the good company of Andrea Murphy and Merri Schrieber of Northeast Bank, which sponsored a table at the event. Ms. Murphy is on the Women Venture loan committee and a passionate supporter of Women Venture and the work it does.
