LAB Blog

If you haven’t noticed, the Twin Cities are a hotbed for culinary talent, and our restaurant scene is one of the best in the country. Especially in these colder months, it’s a perfect time to check off a few restaurants on your must-try list

After collectively navigating so many societal shifts over the last five years, it’s time to pause, zoom out, and reflect on the state of place in our society. What can we learn and edit to calibrate our shared experiences as the status quo evolves?

Ever wondered why some spaces just feel better than others? Jenna Myrland has the answer.

Today, we’re talking with Kristi about her path toward starting her own business built on creativity, authenticity, and most importantly, COLOR! 

Nestled in the serene woods of Northern Minnesota, Camp Birchwood has been a transformative haven for girls seeking adventure, community, and self-discovery since its founding in 1939.

LAB Talks are an opportunity for community members to connect over coffee, creativity, and of course, conversation. The best part? Every LAB Talk is free and open to the public - always. This year, we covered everything from fashion to food. Grab a coffee with us and take a peek inside our favorite mornings of the year.

This season, we are thrilled to welcome guest writer Betsy Jordan, the Minneapolis-based author of Keep Your Eyes on Your Own Paper and host of the podcast, The Good Day, Good Life.

Today, we’re talking to Maddie Johnson, who utilizes the creative process and her training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to bring uniquely transformative therapy offerings through founding Heart Space.

Meet Prezzie Gift Co., founded in Edina, MN by Hanna Vanderloo, your go-to gift concierge.

We sat down with Belkis Cruz, owner of Casamia Build and Design Co., to get her perspective on how to mindfully approach this overwhelming process.

Whether you’ve got kiddos of your own or are the auntie who never arrives empty-handed, shopping for kids can feel overwhelming, especially as they grow. Luckily, our friends and Collective Members Erika Olson Gross and Tammy Tanaka Jansen, owners of South Minneapolis’ Kinoko Kids, are here to help. 

Today, we’re talking to Katie Falco, the Emmy-winning owner of Falco Creative Media, where she shares how she took the leap and her biggest takeaways from almost eight years in the business.

Today, we’re talking with Alisa Moen, a Collective Member and founder of Undone Studio, to learn how she took her career from dancing with the Minnesota Timberwolves to running a thriving, creative company, and how she finds the magic in the unexpected.

Today on the blog, we’re giving you a sneak peek into one of our favorite passion projects - the Collective newspaper!

This October, the final LAB Talk of our 2024 series offered a chance to celebrate that magic—bringing food, creativity, and conversation together around a free cup of coffee with our community.

This fall, we’re sharing 10 of our favorite local products to invite fresh style and new ways to unwind into a season filled with football fun, apple orchard exploring, pumpkin-spiced coffee dates, and colorful leaf wanderings.

Today, we’re consulting the experts (and fellow Collective Members!) on how to bring this state of change to life.

This month, we’re introducing The Ripening Series, a month of blog posts where we explore what it means to come into your own, reaching a perfectly ripe state of self.

I reached out to Collective member Meaghan Moakely of Azalea Acupuncture to learn more and have my first treatment.

We caught up with McKenzie Berquam from KNZ Photography to share how she helps clients feel like their authentic selves both in the moment and on the camera roll.

LAB enjoyed our summer break and used a few days away to travel and soak up the sun with friends and family. Now that we’re back and feeling refreshed and revived, we’re sharing a few favorite moments from our vacation.

Meet Lauren & Grace Studios, the custom vanity and mirror brand you’ll want in every bathroom in your home.

Here are a few things we’re eyeing this summer season from The Collective, our incredible community of artists, creatives, and small business owners.

The days are long but a Minnesota summer is short, so why not try something new this season?

Today on the blog, we’re digging deeper into the story behind entrepreneur Lidia Valdivia, Founder of Moonstone Design + Build.

Kristen Olson has long believed in the power of food, and in 2017, she brought this dream to life using her talents to help brands big and small capture the essence of their food.

We were thrilled to welcome Clare Vivier and her team from Los Angeles to join us for this panel, where she shared the story of how she went from growing up in St. Paul to creating the iconic Clare V. brand we can’t get enough of.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Anna Lee to have my own Human Design Reading, and it’s changed the way I approach my work, my writing, and my creativity as a whole.