On Sept 9th, I was invited to participate (along with 8 other small business owners) in a virtual forum with MPR to discuss credit for small businesses and the challenges of keeping the money flowing in this recession. We discussed many topics, from the struggle to raise capital to how credit cards are used for business to skipping on credit altogether and going strictly cash based. It didn't surprise me how difficult this economy has been on most of the businesses in the forum. What did surprise me was that without hesitation, when we were all asked if it was a good time to start a business, we all agreed that it was. I guess I'm no different than the other business owners out there with my thinking that even in a down economy, if you're passionate about your business, you can make pretty much anything work. Here are the participants: Moderated by Michael Caputo, MPR, as part of the Public Insight Network (citizen journalism). Jason Rysavy, founder Catalyst Studios Amy Goetz, founder Bramblewood Treats Michael Schaffer, president, M.A. Schaffer Accounting Services Brian Lueth - Credit Union President, Partner in Manuf. Business Crystal Pollard, owner Bellies to Babies Brady Jass, president B&H Manufacturing Mickey McCabe, owner Q. Cumbers restaurant Shawn Sheely, founder Analog Interactive Josh Blanc - owner Clay Squared You can see the entire forum here. Thanks for reading. @jasonrysavy tags: catalyst studios, minneapolis, minnesota, design, graphic design, interactive, catalyst,

We here at Catalyst believe in exposing our true selves (some call it transparency). We always have. It’s not that we’re just jumping on the bandwagon to show our trend smarts. We buy it. It feels right. We have nothing to hide (well, almost nothing). We’re now just trying to figure out where to draw the line. For instance, is it interesting to see our work in progress? Some of us think so. phase 1 website (blog format) phase 2 website (home) phase 2 website (client timeline/relationship) phase 2 website (about us) Our principal suggested that I post this. It makes me kind of queasy to throw something out there that’s so raw, so imperfect, only to solicit opinions that may very well lean negative. But I said that I’d do it. For the sake of conversation. It’s work in progress: a phased new site. The look is based on our new identity and the phases based on having a very busy development team who won’t be able to touch phase 2 for a while. And we’re trying to keep it simple. I’m told that a monkey can run phase 1 site. How much is too much? Does an agency benefit from showing their early thinking, their messy home? Do you trust us more knowing that we’re willing to expose our work in the early stages or is it just plain uninteresting. You can say what you’re thinking. We promise, you won’t hurt our feelings. We’re just curious. Thanks, Mary Follow us on Twitter: @catalyststudios or look at our old site (that's still live). tags: catalyst studios, minneapolis, minnesota, design, graphic design, interactive, catalyst,

Thanks to our friends at Sevnthsin for putting on the 2009 Mpls. Ping Pong Championships last Friday. A good time was had by all. While we may not have made it through double elimination, our pride remains intact. Ping Pong artisans? Maybe not. But we’d like to think that not everyone can sport short shorts and white after Labor Day. Congrats to the other winners. check out the photo recap on flickr tags: catalyst studios, minneapolis, minnesota, design, graphic design, interactive, catalyst,