Next Willmar

04/23/2026

Have I told you how much I love Working Genius??

Well let me tell you again!

On Tuesday I traveled to my 3rd event of the week

I joined the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce's neXt program

And shared the genius of Working Genius

Some companies brought their entire team

And the laughs, elbow jabs, finger pointing and full on “oh my gosh that makes so much sense!” Moments are always my favorite

Putting what we experience into words is one of the best tools to helping our teams move forward with clarity

Thank you to the neXt committee and the Willmar Chamber for inviting me to join you!

📌 What has been your favorite assessment for self-awareness and team connection?

04/06/2026

Register now: public.willmarareachamber.com/events/details/working-genius-at-work-341524

03/18/2026

03/10/2026

We can't wait to roll out the red carpet for Princess Paula Consulting to present Permission to Mingle: A New Take on Networking! 👑

🔗 Register by March 11th: public.willmarareachamber.com/events/details/permission-to-mingle-a-new-take-on-networking-341517

02/25/2026

Yesterday neXt gathered for a powerful lunchtime conversation on the real life of entrepreneurship! Our panelists didn’t sugarcoat a thing - they shared what it actually takes to build something from the ground up while juggling work‑life balance, staying focused, and choosing courage over comfort. ✨

Key takeaways:
💬 Taking charge of your own future is both freeing and demanding
💬 Community support matters
💬 Haters gonna hate - don’t let them define your path
💬 Failure is part of the process - not a reason to quit
💬 Cut the noise, trust your gut
💬 “Golden handcuffs” are real, but so is the reward of breaking them
💬 And above all: don’t let what you don’t know hold you back

Huge thanks to our panelists for their honesty and insight:
📊 Haley Martinez – Magnolia Accounting Services
⛳ Alex Malmgren & Nate Erickson – Willmar Indoor Golf & Cages
🛠️ Sammy Contreras – MAC Supply & Hardware

02/20/2026

Don't forget: Today's the last day to register for Entrepreneurship Unfiltered: The Leap. The Risk. The Build. Lunch and Learn. 🍽

🔗 public.willmarareachamber.com/events/details/entrepreneurship-unfiltered-lunch-learn-341513

02/19/2026

Join neXt, Nate Erickson, and Alex Malmgren from Willmar Indoor Golf & Cages on February 24th for Entrepreneurship Unfiltered: The Leap. The Risk. The Build. Lunch and Learn at the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce! ⛳

➡️ Registration required by tomorrow, February 20th: https://public.willmarareachamber.com/events/details/entrepreneurship-unfiltered-lunch-learn-341513?fbclid=IwY2xjawQEKjJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqMERLUWV2RnNIdnFadTdYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsGZJlvL14NmxWnzTlD5bf8VrdPSiO-uGcHurdYO81cK0YOH19pG5FGrMlUR_aem_ppCM-vIWLqKs7c8QvN93XA

This event is open to the public. Free for neXt members and $15 for guests payable at the event.

02/12/2026

Join neXt and Haley Martinez with Magnolia Accounting Services on February 24th for Entrepreneurship Unfiltered: The Leap. The Risk. The Build. Lunch and Learn at the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce! 🍽

➡️ Registration required by February 20th: https://public.willmarareachamber.com/events/details/entrepreneurship-unfiltered-lunch-learn-341513

This event is open to the public. Free for neXt members and $15 for guests payable at the event.

12/07/2025

Fun family + friends night cheering on the Willmar WarHawks! 🏒

11/19/2025

Thank you for joining us to hear from three inspirational leaders (Kami Anez - Anez Consulting, Tyler Gehrking - TEN17 Studios/ Lakeland Media LLC, and Heather Thompson - Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP - CDS) who shared their personal stories of career pivots, resilience, and staying authentic through it all. 🙌

We dug into what it really takes to make a leap in your career—the power of having a strong support team, the value of mentors and community, the importance of continuous learning, knowing and using your strengths, setting meaningful goals, telling others about them, and holding yourself accountable. 🎯

And remember—your path might not make perfect sense right now, but one day you’ll look back and see how every stepping stone led to a bigger part of your journey. Stay focused, stay persistent, and keep moving forward. ➡️

Real talk. Real people. Real growth. 💡✨

Special thanks to Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP - CDS for their generous hospitality in hosting today's event and providing a delicious meal! Thank you for supporting the development of young professionals in our community! 👏 🌮

11/17/2025

Ready to be inspired? 🚀 Join us for a high-energy Lunch + Learn all about non-traditional career pivots and the power of resiliency!

We’re bringing together three incredible local leaders who prove that success isn’t always a straight line — it’s built through grit, growth, and bold new beginnings! 🔥

Meet Tyler Gehrking - Account Executive, Lakeland Media LLC. Once a teacher and KCEO instructor at Willmar High School, Tyler transformed his love for creativity and connection into a new career path. He founded and built TEN17 Media from the ground up, and in 2024 sold it to Subartic Media, which later merged with Lakeland Media. His story is a powerful example of adaptability, innovation, and fearless growth.