Anna Bailey interviewed for Duluth Innovation & Talent Authority board seat

Anna Bailey, a Duluth artist and small-business owner, interviewed with the city personnel committee on the DITA (Duluth Innovation & Talent Authority) board vacancy and described her business and community experience.

Bailey told the committee she moved to Duluth in 1995 to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth, later worked as a teacher and worship minister, and for about a decade has run a locally based art business with her husband. She said the business has grown to include 25 employees and two renovated commercial properties in the Spirit Valley neighborhood.

The applicant said she aims to be a small-business voice on the authority and to help entrepreneurs navigate zoning and development processes. “I really want to be a small business voice for the community, encouraging other small businesses to start in Duluth and to possibly even purchase and renovate property,” Bailey said during the interview.

Committee members asked about availability and conflicts of interest; Bailey said she had none and that Wednesday meetings would work with her schedule. She described efforts to hire a general manager to increase community partnerships and said her business runs 8–12 larger events annually that attract 1,000–2,000 people. Bailey also said she has worked with national brands and that her artwork is currently being featured on the Netflix series Love Is Blind.

Personnel committee chair Azreen (identified in the meeting as a counselor and the personnel chair) told Bailey the council’s formal appointment resolution is not on the current agenda but will appear on a following council cycle.

The interview concluded with committee members thanking Bailey for applying and noting the appointment resolution will be scheduled for a future meeting.