I grew up in a small city in southeastern Minnesota in a blue collar family, and became the first member of my family to graduate from University. 

I started my marketing career with Hawkeye of Minnesota, a small firm based in St. Paul that handled Jim Beam and Bacardi USA brands. At age 26, I found myself leading its team of 7 merchandisers to  some of the best off-premise creative and sales results in the nation.  During this time I also held the position of Bacardi USA on-premise promotions manager, where I organized events small and large.

My next employment adventure took me to Seattle, Washington, where I was thrilled to work for the independent brewery Hale's Ales. At Hale's I managed their sales for the downtown Seattle market- from large hoteliers to small bistros. While expanding sales for the company, I also led guided tours of the brewhouse, led marketing campaigns, and represented the brewery in greater Washington state as well as at craft beer fairs and community events.

I returned to Minnesota to begin my new life as a business owner  in 2007 when I opened the legendary Ed's (no name) Bar. This establishment became an iconic piece of the Minnesota live music and pub scene in no time flat. As its reputation and sales grew and grew, it underwent two expansion projects to keep up with the customers who were pushing us to capacity multiple times a week. 

In  2012, I opened the restaurant, Boat House at Levee Park, with business partner Lyon Smith. Seeing the potential in a broken down park building that was built to sell tickets and ice-cream cones for a riverboat attraction that no longer existed, we seized the opportunity to create a new riverside bar and restaurant from scratch. While navigating the tricky world that came with leasing a building from the city, we created a wildly successful establishment selling homemade food, craft cocktails, and Minnesota beer. 

In 2018, I decided to tack in a different direction and sell these two businesses. At the end of 2018/ beginning of 2019 I signed the documents that led me to where I am today- assisting other organizations to achieve balance and goals by bringing my entrepreneurial efforts and proven track record of success to the table.

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I am a highly ambitious leader and learner, skilled in business and marketing management. I know how to recognize and facilitate talent and to bring out the best in employees, colleagues, associates, and friends in ways that benefit both workplace climate and the bottom line.

Thirteen years of successful business ownership has taught me that in today's economic world one must be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I know that business never sleeps, and that a 9-5, working for the weekend attitude will never be enough to reach the highest summits. My entrepreneurial mindset will forever travel with me to any endeavor I undertake in work and in life.

I also believe that businesses are not stand alone objects. They are part of complex communities, and I encourage all involved -from staff, to customers, to vendors, and even to regulators- to take pride and ownership in them. Success is not only found in the finances, but in whether or not the social fabric of these communities is strong and always improving.

- Edward G Hoffman