Tina Nguyen

Minneapolis-St.Paul

Associate Editor at Twin Cities Business

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Articles

Planting 100,000-Plus Trees Together

1 week ago | experiencelife.lifetime.life | Tina Nguyen |Heidi Wachter |Bahram Akradi

Earlier this year, the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles became the second-most destructive wildfire in Southern California history. The persistent blaze, exacerbated by severe winds and drought conditions, received extensive media coverage and brought national attention to the wildland-urban interface. Whether they’re in the areas surrounding L.A. or the forested landscapes, destructive wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity, impacting entire communities and ecosystems.
A Startup Spa Can Ease Your Tattoo Regret

1 month ago | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

Still sporting a tattoo that declares eternal love for your ex? Or an outdated tattoo from the ’90s? You’re not alone. One in four Americans regrets having at least one of their tattoos, according to the Pew Research Center. And where there’s regret, there’s a business opportunity. Cleo Skin and Laser is a new skin care clinic offering laser facials and hair removal, but former Life Time executive Amber McMillan started it with tattoo removal in mind.
Plugging into Event-Enhancing Tech

1 month ago | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

Technology should be used for convenience and connection, not as a replacement for engagement, says Caroline Correia of BeEvents. “Our philosophy is that events exist to connect people—we don’t want technology to be a diversion.” She shares ways to improve events with tech. Tech solution: No one wants to stand in a long line to check in. Consider a paperless, more efficient solution like the Cvent platform, suggests Correia.
The Era of Experimentation in Events

1 month ago | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

Technology pervades every aspect of corporate events today, from the QR codes that automate the sign-in process to the livestream that allows event participation beyond the venue walls. The challenge is separating the true tools from the gimmicks and figuring out which types of tech will elevate your event. Now is the time to experiment and innovate, says Brandt Krueger, senior production manager at Brooklyn Park-based meeting and event production company EideCom.
Takeaways: CES 2025

1 month ago | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

Alexis Walsko, founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Lola Red PR, likes to kick-start the year by attending the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. A supersized trade show in January, CES draws nearly 140,000 people to see the latest innovations in technology. “I go almost every year to support clients, do trade research, and meet with people in the field,” Walsko says. Here are some of her observations from the 2025 show to inspire and inform your next event. Go big.
What Will Replace Macy’s in Maplewood and Burnsville?

2 months ago | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

Losing Macy’s is a blow to two second-tier Twin Cities shopping malls that have been struggling to redefine their relevance, but it may not be the gut punch it was in the department store’s prime. Maplewood Mall and Burnsville Center are in the process of reimagining the anchor space the retailer will soon vacate at both shopping centers—they were among the 66 nationwide store closings Macy’s announced in January. Closing sales are already underway.
Anthropologie Exits Shops at West End

2 months ago | tcbmag.com | Madison Roth |Tina Nguyen

Anthropologie has closed its doors at Shops at West End in St. Louis Park. The women’s apparel retailer’s final day was Jan. 24—one week before its lease was set to expire. The exit marks the end of a chapter for the outdoor center, which has struggled to find its retail footing since its opening days in 2008. Anthropologie was the last of the upscale clothing brands that developers of the center long hoped would be its calling card.
Startup Snapshot: Find My Electric

Dec 11, 2024 | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

When Brian Altstatt went looking for a used electric vehicle in 2019, specifically a Tesla Model S, he found that a marketplace for secondhand EVs essentially didn’t exist. Popular used car sites might have had EV listings, but they lacked specifics, such as filters and charging specs. For Altstatt and co-founder Dan Oksnevad, both with tech backgrounds, the path was obvious. They launched Find My Electric (FME), a used-EV marketplace, in 2019.
Krispy Kreme’s Minnesota Comeback

Dec 3, 2024 | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

In case you haven’t heard: Krispy Kreme is coming back to Minnesota early next year after exiting the market nearly 20 years ago. The North Carolina-based donut maker is opening up a retail and dine-in location with a drive-thru in Fridley, but it’ll primarily be a donut production factory for its product to be sold at ancillary locations, such as other restaurants and retail stores.
Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Is Open Again

Nov 25, 2024 | tcbmag.com | Tina Nguyen

The most recent construction season has been particularly hard on local businesses, but elected leaders say that the completion of one major overhaul on Hennepin Avenue should provide some reprieve, for now.