About Us
Core 4 was founded on the belief that local businesses deserve more than just a space; they deserve a partner who genuinely cares about their success.
Our Mission
To develop unique community spaces and invest in local entrepreneurs and small businesses that strengthen neighborhoods and create lasting economic opportunity.
Our Core Values
Community focused
Local growth is our growth.
Opportunities
Relationships are important
We treat our business partners like family.
Entrepreneurship is who we are
Our Vision
To be the partner that local entrepreneurs and small business owners turn to first. To be known for integrity, real support, and genuine partnership.
Our Promise
We show up with honesty, clear communication, and real care for every project. Our goal is to build lasting relationships while helping local entrepreneurs and small business owners grow with confidence.
How It All Started – The Tapio Family
The Tapio family lives and works in Sauk Rapids, MN – the Tapio kids are graduates of Sauk Rapids Rice High School. Randi has been an Entrepreneur her entire adult working life, while Nick has always been the one with a steady employer. The kids grew up in an environment knowing that both ways are valid options, and that either path can be successful.
The kids graduated and started to dream. We believe in our town and surrounding local communities. And… Core 4 was born!
We believe there’s another way to build, grow and support local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The up & coming Golden Spike development became the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives.
Strategic Advisors
& Coaches
Randi is an accomplished entrepreneur, business strategist, and executive leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations improve operations, strengthen financial performance, and achieve sustainable growth. She earned her MBA with honors and combines strategic vision, operational expertise, and real-world business experience to help leaders navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and build stronger organizations.
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As the founder and CEO of multiple successful businesses, Randi understands the realities of entrepreneurship. She is passionate about helping startups, small businesses, and growing organizations create scalable systems, improve financial visibility, streamline operations, and implement practical strategies for long-term success.
Throughout her career, Randi has guided business owners across a variety of industries in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, operational efficiency, leadership development, process improvement, and organizational growth. Her approach focuses on creating sustainable solutions that support both immediate needs and long-term objectives.
As a co-founder of Core 4, Randi leads the strategic advisory services designed to support entrepreneurs, executives, and small business leaders. She partners with clients to develop operational playbooks, establish financial frameworks, strengthen leadership teams, and implement business practices that drive measurable results. By combining strategic thinking with practical execution, she helps organizations move from vision to action with confidence.
Randi is also a dedicated advocate for entrepreneurship and small business success. As a SCORE mentor, she provides guidance and support to both emerging and established business owners. Drawing on her experience in operations, financial planning, leadership, business strategy, and organizational development, she offers practical insights that help business leaders make informed decisions, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals.
Her leadership, community involvement, and commitment to professional development have earned her numerous recognitions. She was named a St. Cloud (Mn) Area “5 Under 40” recipient, honored as “Woman of the Year” by Beta Sigma Phi, and selected as a keynote speaker for several RHIT, Coding, and Billing program graduation ceremonies. Randi is also a co-founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit BigGive, whose mission is to support local families experiencing food insecurity.
Her top CliftonStrengths—Connectedness, Relator, Empathy, Strategic, and Learner—reflect her ability to build meaningful relationships, understand challenges from multiple perspectives, and develop practical solutions. Through extensive leadership training, executive experience, and her own entrepreneurial journey, Randi remains committed to helping business owners turn ideas into action, overcome obstacles, and create lasting success.
Supporting the growth and success of fellow business owners remains one of the most rewarding aspects of her professional journey.
Nick is an accomplished business leader, entrepreneur, and financial operations professional with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations strengthen financial performance, improve operations, and make informed business decisions. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business from St. Cloud State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He has built his career through leadership roles in banking, finance, sales, and business operations. He combines financial expertise with practical business experience to help organizations make confident decisions and achieve sustainable growth.
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Throughout his career, Nick has partnered with business owners, executive teams, financial institutions, and customers to improve financial management, increase operational efficiency, and identify growth opportunities. His expertise includes financial analysis, cash flow management, strategic business planning, lender relations, and process improvement. His diverse financial background allows him to understand business challenges from multiple perspectives and develop practical solutions that support lasting success.
As a co-founder of Core 4, Nick provides strategic advisory services that help entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders evaluate opportunities, strengthen financial performance, and support sustainable growth. He works with clients on financial planning, operational improvements, commercial real estate development, investment analysis, and long-term business strategy. His practical approach helps organizations build a strong foundation while preparing for future opportunities.
Nick believes successful businesses are built on sound financial decisions, strong relationships, and thoughtful planning. He enjoys working alongside business owners to solve challenges, identify opportunities, and create practical strategies that support long-term success.
Helping entrepreneurs, strengthening local businesses, and supporting community growth continue to be among the most rewarding aspects of Nick’s professional journey.