A $10,000 Small Business Incentive Grant was recently presented to Brie Taralson, Owner of Lykke Books, by Heather Bregel, Director of the New Ulm EDA. Learn more about Lykke Books below:
Business: Lykke Books
Business Address: 203 N. Minnesota St
Business Contact: Brie Taralson (507) 276-8724 Email: lykkebooks@gmail.com
Business Website: www.lykkebooks.com
Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/lykkebooks and https://www.instagram.com/lykkebooksnewulm/
Why did you choose to open your business in New Ulm?
My family loves New Ulm. We relocated here about six years ago and fell in love with the community. I knew I wanted to be a part of the business community, but wanted to make sure I was addressing gaps that existed within the community. Given the absence of a new bookstore in the region, that seemed like the perfect starting point to build and grow this community hub model that has evolved into what are now the services at Ulm Sweet Ulm. Lykke Books is the anchor retail store for Ulm Sweet Ulm.
How has the New Ulm EDA/newulmbusiness.com helped you with your business startup?
The EDA has helped to connect us with funding opportunities and business development support without which our startup costs would have been much, much higher. We are grateful to have received a low-interest loan through the EDA as well as the signage & awning program and now the startup grant. The city planners and other departments have also been extremely helpful and supportive in helping me to build this business.
Tell us something exciting about your business.
We continue to expand our events programming and have added some prominent area author visits, art classes, and we are in the process of launching a new coffee & smoothie shop, launching in March!
Have you cooperated/contracted with any other local businesses or people during your startup?
There have been many collaborations — our model will only be successful by partnering with others. Prior to our storefront opening, we collaborated with Sweethaven Tonics and the Christmas Haus for space as a pop-up shop. We collaborate with Gutes Essen Deli & Catering on grab-and-go food options offered out of Ulm Sweet Ulm. Our art gallery is built on partnerships with area artists who are most often from New Ulm — these include Kara Carlson, Shamara Hornick, Kylie Rieke, Wade Davis, June Newburg, and Carol Edwards. We also partner with several mobile businesses who have popped up for shops sharing our space, including Woof ‘Em Down Bakery, More Than Music, and My Eye Photography. We try to source our products and services with local vendors as much as possible including Trick Jerseys (print apparel), Kyle Krenz (postcards, local photography), Elroy Ubl, Gail Boe, and other New Ulm area authors. Lastly, we routinely partner on program offerings with groups like the New Ulm Public Library, The Grand Center for Art & Culture, area schools, other area libraries to bring things like author visits, costume character events (Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming in February!), and other unique events.
What advice do you have for anyone else thinking of starting a business in New Ulm?
Being an entrepreneur is extremely exciting, but also very challenging. Do your homework up front to make sure that your business is complementing, rather than simply competing in the larger community ecosystem. Build your network, and collaborate whenever possible. There are great resources available through the EDA and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) out of Mankato with consultants in areas like marketing, accounting, business development, bookkeeping and more that are available to you at little to no cost.
