Jim Cormican

Defining Statement: “We work with entrepreneurs to help grow their business through connections, education, and support.”

Out of passion, I started Twin Cities Entrepreneurs in 2004.

I discovered over the years that there are so many resources to help businesses grow and many do not communicate or refer each other.

Business owners never heard of many of them especially the ones that span the United States.

A question was formed: So why aren’t small business owners aware of these resources, especially the ones that are free and have a national presence?

The answer found: There was no single source that had a trust-relationship with them and the combined information wasn’t shared with small business owners. Plus our small business owners are fragmented and do not pass along their resources to others. So we have a big disconnect.

Twin Cities Entrepreneurs has created many deep relationships over the years and has been educating the business community about them since 2004.

In our defining statement above, we help grow businesses through connections. This is done by social networking, building relationships and passing referrals. We educate them by providing workshops and listening to our keynote speakers at our events. In supporting them, we mentor and counsel.

Our goal is to bring the small business community together, get them to start talking to each other, pass referrals, educate them, and support them when needed.

As small business owners, during a rich or poor economy, we need to band together, get to know each other, and help each other grow. We can really make a difference (strength in numbers) and bring success to each other.

How do you do this? GET INVOLVED!

Meet other owners, form relationships, purchase each other’s product and services and get involved with organizations that help your business grow. When we work together, we grow our economy and each other’s companies.

Jim Cormican’s Specialties:

Master social networker, small business counselor,provide training and resources for entrepreneurs.

Jim Cormican’s Experience

Host

Twin Cities Entrepreneurs Radio Show

(Media Production industry)

June 2009 — Present (6 months)

Twin Cities Entrepreneurs Radio show (AM950) in Minnesota is dedicated to entrepreneurs who make under 1 million dollars and are hungry for information to help build their business through connections, resources, and training. We can be heard in the Twin Cities Metro on Saturdays at 9 am starting in August of 2009.
Board Member

Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board (WIB)

(Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Government Administration industry)

September 2008 — Present (1 year 3 months)

In association with the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) oversees employment and training programs in Dakota and Scott Counties. With a strong commitment to serving both employers and job seekers, the WIB is a state leader in developing innovative programs through our WorkForce Centers in West Saint Paul, Burnsville and Shakopee.

Jobs are the backbone of economic development and robust communities; the WIB brings together both public and private resources for job seekers and employers. We are vigorous advocates of workforce development and employer concerns; our local initiatives have both energized our local workforce and supported employers needs.
Committee Member

Workforce Investment Board Business Services Committee

(Civic & Social Organization industry)

August 2008 — Present (1 year 4 months)

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board provides guidance for and exercises oversight with respect to activities for the Job Training Programs in Dakota and Scott Counties.

They also provide effective communication and resources to employers and Dakota and Scott Counties supporting business needs.

To strengthen the economic life of the community they have woven a wide network of partnerships to create both Dakota Future, the economic development partnership, which fosters a healthy climate for new and existing businesses
Board of Director

Minnesota Kinship Caregivers Association

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Individual & Family Services industry)

January 2008 — Present (1 year 11 months)

Minnesota Kinship Caregivers Association (MKCA), a not-for-profit organization, advocates for, supports, and provides information and resources to people raising their grandchildren or children of other kin and friends.

A true grassroots effort, MKCA began in 1994. Its origin was fueled by the daily experiences of kinship caregivers and the human service advocates working with them. Kinship caregivers and the children they raise are, in many ways, “square pegs in a system of round holes.” MKCA’s goal was, and is, to change the design of the game board in order to adequately respond to the everyday reality confronting and impeding these families.

Focusing exclusively on the issue of kinship care, MKCA is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Members include grandparents, social workers, attorneys, and others with first-hand experience with parenting children whose parents are unable or unwilling to fulfill their parental responsibilities.
Committee Member

Entrepreneur Planning Committee (Dakota-Scott County)

(Think Tanks industry)

January 2008 — Present (1 year 11 months)

To work with and support dislocated workers who wish to achieve in the path to entrepreneurship, to help them become successful by fostering integration of services to assist and grow their business, coordinate entrepreneurial outreach with other entities within the Dakota-Scott Counties.
Founder / President

Twin Cities Entrepreneurs

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Think Tanks industry)

November 2004 — Present (5 years 1 month)

"Successful Entrepreneurs Helping Entrepreneurs Become Successful" through education, training, and networking. Our Entrepreneur resource center provide amenities for our members to help their business grow.

Through our partnership with Best Buy for Business, we meet every 2nd Thursday of each month at the Best Buy Headquarters in Richfield, MN. At each of our monthly events our guest speakers share their wisdom with our audiance with various topics, listen to our local entrepreneurs, and social networking.

Monthly attendence exceeds 60 people from those who are thinking about starting their own business, those who are new to the business world, and several who are veterans. There is a wonderful mixture of people from all walks of life.

Social events like these are great for meeting other business owners, create partnerships on all levels, and listen to some really great speakers.
Sr. Systems Analyst

ING

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; ING; Banking industry)

January 2001 — June 2004 (3 years 6 months)

Responsibilities Include Support, Maintain and Enhance the Functionality of Network Operating Systems. Experience with Novell, Microsoft Windows (XP, 2000, 2003), Server Administration, Anti-virus, ePO Management (McAfee and Symantec) for Novell, NT, and Windows 2000, Citrix, Backup Solutions, Computer and Network Security, Software and Hardware Upgrades, Server Builds, HP/Compaq Proliant Shop, CIM32, CIM7, NDS, and ADS. Responsibilities include the administration and support of over 1000 servers and Over 10000 Users across the United States.
Systems Engineer

Siemens Itron Business Services

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

January 1998 — January 2001 (3 years 1 month)

Provide File Server Critical Care Support to Various Types of Servers (Compaq, IBM, HP, and Digital). Responsibilities Include Break Fix, Troubleshooting, Diagnostics, Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading System Components. Installation and Configuration of Novell Netware and Microsoft Operating Systems, (DOS, Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, and Windows 2000), Hubs, Routers, Workstations, Servers, Network Printers, and Technical Writing for Several Companies Including Fortune 500’s.
Computer Systems Specialist

United States Postal Service

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Government Administration industry)

January 1995 — January 1998 (3 years 1 month)

June 1995 – June 1998 United States Postal Service, Fort Snelling, MN
Provide Customer Support of Over 300+ Applications, Knowledge of PC Hardware and Software Applications, Including Several Operating Systems. Knowledge of DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT, Novell, TCP/IP, SNA, 3270 Emulation, IBM Controllers, Modems, Remote Dial-Ups, CCMAIL, Hardware / Software, PC's, TSO, Printers, Routers, Hubs, Print Servers, Networks and Intranet Web Designing for Customer Support Services. The US Postal Service has over 850,000 Employees, 7000 routers, 40,000 LAN’s, and is one of the Largest WAN’s in The World.
Network Specialist

MTI Group

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

January 1994 — January 1995 (1 year 1 month)

Wide Area Network Implementation Across the US, Network Cable Installations, Configuration of Routers, Modems, Hubs, Building and Installation of Communication Cabinets, Dial-Backups for ISDN, ATM, Frame Relay, T-1 / T-3, and Network Monitoring of WAN Equipment Using HP Open View.
System Administrator

Investors Bank

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Banking industry)

January 1993 — January 1994 (1 year 1 month)

Novell 3.12 Network Administration, Computer/Network Security, Technical Research, Technical Writer, WAN Troubleshooting and Maintenance, ISC Banking Equipment Maintenance, 3270 Emulation, Microsoft Office, Technical Support, and PC Upgrade.

Additional Information

Jim Cormican’s Websites:

Jim Cormican’s Interests:

Connecting, training, and mentoring entrepreneurs.

Jim Cormican’s Groups:

Minnesota Kinship Caregivers Association, Twin Cities Entrepreneurs, Workforce Investment Board Business Services (Dakota County), Dakota-Scott County WIB - Board of Directors