AABP EP Awards 728x90

Go big or go home

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She works around the clock, exercises almost every day and occasionally finds time for sleep. Kimberly Baeth, president of Golden Openings Inc., is always on her toes and always doing more than one thing at a time. With her gold sport utility vehicle and her gold cellphone, it’s no surprise that Baeth has found the golden ticket to success with her ribbon-cutting and grand-opening event business. Armed with oversized scissors and ribbon large enough to wrap a skyscraper, this woman goes big or goes home.

How would you describe your business?

Golden Openings is a one-of-a-kind business. We specialize in grand-opening events, providing all the services and materials that a company would need to make this type of event possible. We have ground-breaking shovels, hard hats, all different kinds of ribbon, decorations, business banners, over-sized scissors; almost anything you could think of.

What is your educational background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in business communications and journalism and mass communication, with an emphasis in public relations.

What is your career background?

Right out of college, I worked at the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce in Minneapolis. While I was at the chamber, people were calling and asking for grand-opening things, and I said, “Wow, this could be a business.” I asked the chamber if we could have a grand-opening division because I thought it was a good way to get new members, and they said no. So I said, “Fine,” and started my own business. I put in my two-week notice and registered my new grand-opening business called Golden Openings with the chamber. After my business took off in Minneapolis, I decided I wanted to move back to Iowa to be closer to my family. And, well, I didn’t want to close my store in Minneapolis so I talked with my attorney and franchised the store and sold it to a woman up there. Then I moved back here about a year and a half ago and opened a franchise in Urbandale.

What would you say is one of your biggest accomplishments?

I was selected to be a speaker at the Special Events Show, which is a trade show that event planners attend once a year. They choose speakers to speak at the show based on nominations and applications, and I was chosen. I spoke about how to organize grand openings.

What are your top responsibilities as president of the company?

First, I always make sure we have inventory and that we don’t run out of things. This includes keeping a close eye on the Internet, the keywords and searches on the Internet, and making sure that we keep adding new things to our site. Second, I am responsible for making sure local events stay on task. Also, bringing in new leads and networking. Lastly, I would say I am responsible for keeping track of the franchising part.

How did you make your first dollar?

Probably from my dad; he made us work like slaves. It was probably something he made me do and he paid me a dollar to do it. We grew up building a house ourselves, and we all had to help carry bricks. He used to say, “You can’t go to the mall unless you carry bricks.”

What is one thing you never leave the house or office without?

My cellphone. My phone is usually glued to me because we get a lot of overnight orders, and it’s a BlackBerry so I can always check my e-mail.

What helps you wake up in the morning?

A workout. Or if it’s caffeine, it’s Diet Mountain Dew. But sometimes I haven’t even gone to bed, so I’m not really waking up.

What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

Probably when cars pull out in front of me and I have to slam on my brakes. Like when I’m trying to get somewhere, and someone pulls out in front of me, and I have to go around them. I try to not even talk on my phone so I can drive; I’m a very cautious driver.

What is one thing you say too much?

I always repeat things. I’ll tell someone to do something four times in a row.