My Story

Impact Hub

I’m an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Since 2005, I’ve been involved in six startups, most notably Impact Hub MSP (Minneapolis/St.Paul). In February of 2020 I was named executive director of the organization which I’d co-founded with Terri Barreiro – former director of the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at CSB and SJU.

The Impact Hub just wasn’t getting the legs that we’d wanted it to, and when Terri was set to retire, she joined me and we just got renewed energy. We launched right after she retired. Having that extra partner kind of laid the groundwork. And of course, her networking in the Twin Cities, her vast United Way background and the fact she’s mentored so many people … having her on board was pivotal in the launching.

Based on Impact Hubs located around the world, Impact Hub MSP is like a small business incubator for ‘social businesses’ or businesses created to make the world a better place, providing community, speakers, workshops and classes to entrepreneurs.

A Way of Life

My husband, Gabriel, is also an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is in both of our DNAs, we both are builders; we’re both creative. We’re both also doers. There’s more than just coming up with the ideas. You also have to have the appetite to do the work.

An opportunity opened up for us to help create Fölk School Warroad and for me to be the Executive Director. The school’s goals are to inspire those it reaches to create with their hands, head and heart; enrich the lives and build community among Warroad residents and visitors; and contribute to a vibrant downtown and positive economic growth.

We’re off to a great start. There are so many talented artists in Warroad and the folk school’s role is to create space for these artists to teach their crafts and naturally bring people together. Our hope is that we look like Grand Marais 20 years from now, that Warroad becomes a destination.

Entrepreneurship can be risky but just a way of life for us. We get a lot of energy from it. When I say way of life, it’s just what can we do with the things that we’ve learned? What can we build? What can we try to do?

The folk school is an example of that. I didn’t set out to create a folk school. I just thought it was a really cool experience and opportunity. The more I thought about it, the more I thought Warroad needed a folk school. Kalkman said. “That’s part of being an entrepreneur – seeing opportunity and acting on it.

When we come up with these ideas together, we bounce them off each other – we’re always brainstorming and discussing ideas. That’s the philosophers in us – we’re idea people. It’s nice to have a partner who can meet you where you’re at, and then help support your ambitions.

More About Katie Kalkman

I am energized by businesses that exist to help make the world a better place.

The nature of how I do business is to be personal, understand business goals, and to build deep relationships. Business is people, and I care about people. I have built, and will continue to build my life, brand, network and business success on this premise. And it is with this philosophy, my intense work ethic, and a bottomless fountain of passion that I look forward to continuing my personal and professional growth through contribution to others.

I bring over 10 years of experience in delivering outcomes through business development, client relationship management, consultative selling, marketing and strategic planning.

I started my passion for social entrepreneurship as a student at the College of St. Benedict. I co-founded a successful social business as part of the Entrepreneurial Scholars Program and I haven’t stopped since then. Since 2005, I have been a part of six startups including; Collegeville Carpets, GH Comfortable Homes, LLC, Northern Toboggan and Company, Folk School Warroad and Impact Hub MSP. I have worked with entrepreneurs in China, Hong Kong, Silicon Valley and the Twin Cities. I am dedicated to helping social impact entrepreneurs succeed because I knows the risks and rewards of thinking big.

Connect with Katie

• In the Village
• Website: https://minneapolis.impacthub.net/
• Instagram: Impact Hub impacthubmsp/
• Linkedin: in/katiekalkman/
• Instagram: Folkschool Warroad: folkschoolwarroad/

Nancy’s Story

No one is truly gone as the ripples they made in this world continue on forever.

It is universal…we will all lose someone we love. And this year — the year of the pandemic — has been no exception. If anything, this past year has amplified our losses even more. Yes, the grief and loss are left behind; but also so are the gifts our loved ones leave behind. The lessons learned that will never leave you. The memories and the love that will linger.

Those gifts are what I want to focus on.

In this midst of this past year, during a pandemic, I was determined to get my personal passion project completed: I was going to print a set of black and white photographs of Ireland. The negatives were taken by my late husband on our last trip to Ireland. But he never got to print them.

I love these black and white photos because first they are from Barry Hendrickson, my husband. They hold great meaning to me because I’m passionate about honoring my Irish heritage, and these images relay that lifelong love of Ireland. They show the haunting beauty of Ireland with its rich and tragic past.  It parallels my own past with universal themes of love, loss and legacy.

It’s been quite a journey…So let’s back up a bit.

Barry Hendrickson was a handsome, energetic commercial photographer when I met him. We were together over 13 years. We ended up working side-by-side on a fine art photo business focused on Ireland — the land of our ancestors. We were married and had a daughter. She was one and a half years old when Barry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This led to a tumultuous time of working, traveling and selling photos nationwide, interspersed with ailments, cancer treatments and doctors appointments.

After three years and four months, Barry succumbed to cancer.

Our fine art photography business selling Irish landscapes was booming, and here I was, a widow with a 4 year old daughter. “Ireland in Black & White” was our livelihood and main source of income. It was too difficult emotionally and physically for me alone to do all the traveling and work by myself. I had to pivot and figure something new. So I looked back to my graphic design skills and became a web designer. My graphic and web design business has sustained my daughter and me.

But the images from our last trip to Ireland were never made — Barry was too sick, and life too chaotic for those last three years. These images, those pieces — parts of the land of our ancestors, taken by Barry, stayed with me. I wanted those prints brought to life.

So eight years after his death, I started this passion project. I was going to print black and white images from our last trip to Ireland together. I had learned the process of black and white printing while Barry and I worked together.

I love working through the print process to create emotion and depth. I personally print each carbon pigment print with the utmost attention to detail and drama. It’s a gift to be able to print from Barry’s photo archives. It’s a release and joy for me.

They bring my connection to my Irish heritage—snd Barry—to life.

I am learning to share my widow’s journey. At times, I find myself hiding from a monumental grief, because sharing my story can make others uncomfortable. But I’ve found the courage to show others that my grief is part of who I am. It is just me and my story. Because this is love, and what love and loss looks like.

Back to 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I completed ten black and white prints and labeled them the “Legacy Series.” It seems fitting because I am inspired by the love of my ancestral homeland, and the love for my late husband and photographer, Barry Hendrickson. These emotive Irish landscape photographs reflect universal themes of love, loss, family and the legacy that is left behind.

My plans for an in-person show were canceled due to the pandemic. So I did a release of the fine art photos on my Hendrickson Fine Art Photography website. I shared this with my friends, fans and collectors through email and social media. I received great feedback and response, and some sales as well. It was a bittersweet accomplishment.

Rest in peace ~

In loving memory of all who have gone before.

Including my dear husband, my father and all of my ancestors.

Reach out to me. I’d love to hear if you have a moving story from someone you lost. How you continue to honor and remember them.  Perhaps you enjoy black and white photography or have an interested in Ireland. I’d love to connect.
– Nancy W Hendrickson

Nancy’s Bio 

Nancy loves to integrate art into her life and business. Her passion for Ireland started at a young age. For over 17 years, the “Ireland in Black & White’” series by Hendrickson Fine Art Photo has been displayed and sold in more than 100 exhibitions in over 39 cities nationwide. Nancy developed photo printing skills while working with her late husband and photographer, Barry Hendrickson. She honors her late husband by printing the “Legacy” series of fine art photos. She is also a graphic and web designer that focuses on helping small businesses with their design needs. Her latest art involves layering photos and paint to create something new – a symbol of life after loss.

Connect with me: 

See my Legacy Series by Hendrickson Fine Art Photo at:

https://irelandinblackandwhite.com/
by Hendrickson Fine Art Photography

Or find me in the Athena Village

Other ways to connect:

• Hendrickson Fine Art Photography
  
• Instagram: @irelandinblackandwhite 
• Facebook:  IrelandBW
• Linkedin:linkedin.com/in/nwhendrickson/
• Wojack Hendrickson Design –  wojackdesign.com