1 Million Cups - Brookings

Tom Henderson is on a mission to restore a generation of relationships.His unique non-profit, Restoration Generation, puts on high quality school assemblies, often with a magician or hip/hop crew that students enjoy and interact with. Then a 4 week curriculum based on the talk is provided so students/administration can continue the conversation apply what they have learned.The goal: help students/young adults/people in general understand that the brokenness in their lives and relationships can be restored and that their past doesn't have to determine their future. The have the power to make their lives and the lives of others better.Join us for this inspiring morning as we learn how Restoration Generation has had an impact on 24 states in the past years and help them have an impact on the other 26 states.

Join us as we meet The Carrot Seed: Brookings' newest business opening in June.Kirsten Gjesdal is a long-time 1MC attendee and has finally had enough pressure that she is starting her own business...and we couldn't be happier.The Carrot Seed is a quality kitchenware and gourmet food store opening in Brookings in June. The Carrot Seed is providing Brookings with a new retail outlet on Main Ave. Big plans are in the works to feature local foods, cooking classes, a community produce drop-off, and a quality resource for kitchen resources.Come provide ideas for Kirsten as she prepares for launch in June. Your feedback will be essential as she takes the leap with The Carrot Seed.

Tasty treats and big dreams are on deck at 1 Million Cups.Join us as Jamie McKinney shares the opportunities and challenges of being a student entrepreneur and how the community can impact and support students in similar situations. Kianna Knutson also joined us to discuss her experience with joining the wonder world of owning your own business.

Some ideas make you slap your hand to your head and say, "Why didn't I start that?"This week at 1MC, we can have a group face-slap as Luke Davidson and Dan Stratton share their new business: Chow Now.Chow Now offers a simple, genius idea: delivering food from Brookings restaurants to Brookings homes.Customers order the food through their website, Chow Now retrieves the food from the restaurant delivers the food to the customer.College students and busy parents everywhere rejoice!Come join us Wednesday to hear their story and help them launch their new business. They are looking for beta testers so come help them launch!

  Have you ever had a question about Brookings? Anything from when is my trash picked up to where do I get a tag for my car?211 is your solution. 211 is a new phone number that you can call from any landline or mobile phone. You get a quick answer for all your questions.Heidi Hoffman Gullickson will talk about 211 ahead of its February 11th launch. Come learn how to learn about Brookings!Joining Heidi will be Boris who will share about his big data consultancy. He will tell us what Big Data is and how his research helps businesses take advantage of the large amount of digital data and information available.There will be great conversations and community-building...plus free coffee! Don't miss it!  

Craig Pahl is trying to operate his new non-profit, Alpha South Dakota, as a new startup using the latest marketing techniques. As a former 3M'er, he is brining a CEO mindset to the non-profit world.Join us as we hear about his non-profit Alpha USA and most importantly lessons learned on starting and growing a non-profit in Brookings.He's looking for group input and reaction to what is being put together, so come with your ideas!

Stuart and Dorrie Little share a bit about CoderDojo.CoderDojo is an international program that teaches young children how to write computer code. As the world is increasing run on code, learning how to create it at a young age is a lifelong skill that will help express creativity and create amazing products.The Littles are looking for help and ideas on how to launch a local version of CoderDojo here in Brookings.Joining Stuart will be Coy W Yonce III. He is a 1MC veteran and his video game design company, Mantis Digital Arts, has rapidly grown from a start-up (in week 1 of 1 Million Cups) to a well-renowned design studio working with researchers and Fortune 500 companies.Hear his story and help him continue to build relationships with SDSU and potential video game designers in Brookings.

Hunting is an important part of South Dakota's economy but for many years adequately receiving gun safety training or self defense training meant a trip out of the state. That's why Justin Hoffman created the University of Sparta.The University of Sparta is a small business based in Aberdeen, SD servicing much of South Dakota. The business primarily offer defensive firearms and gun safety courses as well as general self defense instruction.Help Justin launch and grow his 9 month old business and help us improve the safety of gun use in South Dakota.

Tim Reed shares insight on how to improve Brookings and what is needed for community development.  Mayor Reed shared his insights on December 17, 2014 at the SD Children's Museum at Brookings 1 Million Cups.