“This has been a new experience for District 10,” Blank said. “Business owners sometimes have different perspectives on things, and District Councils were designed to represent both neighborhoods and businesses, so we are keeping with our mission.” Shannon Parker, the manager of Corporate Engagement for Lyngblomsten, is serving as the president of Como Business Network. “It’s interesting how things come about through conversations in the community,” she said. “I was meeting with Ted and our director about the Lyngblomsten mid-summer festival, and we started talking about the Como Business Network. That conversation led to other opportunities, and Lyngblomsten agreed to be part of this organization with me as volunteer chair.” She said that since the care center is a major employer in the area, the staff felt a responsibility to bring neighborhood businesses together for conversation and support. “The purpose of the Como Business Network is to provide an opportunity for business people to network and build relationships and get to know who their business neighbors are. A lot of strength comes from that,” Parker said. “A lot of times we go to work and sit within our four walls,” she continued. “This lets us open doors and ask how are we similar? How are we different? How do we align on things? It is a way to build support in the Como neighborhood.” She said the meetings offer a chance for merchants to share ideas in a comfortable format. “At our July meeting, we had a discussion on what businesses are looking for. It was so interesting,” Parker said. “We have mutual concerns, but these conversations don’t happen on their own.” “For me, it has been a really nice chance to meet with others in the community where our paths have not crossed,” Parker added. “We can find different ways to support one another in the Como neighborhood.” This support is also important to Steve Finnegan, owner of Como Park Grill, who hosted the July Como Business Network. “I am hoping this will bring more information to the residents of Como Park,” he said, “and communicate how many businesses there are in the neighborhood.” He said he finds it helpful to talk with other business owners, learn about challenges they may have and how they have overcome them. “We all deal with the City of Saint Paul, which needs to be more business friendly,” he said. He sees the organization as an outlet in which businesses in the area can be more vocal and strengthen their voices when working with issues addressed by the City Council. “Como is a great neighborhood,” he affirmed. “We have a lot to offer: the zoo, the parks and the fairgrounds.” He hopes to see more businesses drawn to the area. The next meeting of the Como Business Network will be Friday, Oct. 24 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center, 1480 N. Snelling Ave.“We have mutual concerns, but these conversations don’t happen on their own.”
Shannon Parker, President Como Business Network
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