Abby Nadeau
Community Editor

Instead of moving to New York for a job relocation, he quit. Instead of being a stay-at-home mom with her three children, she quit.

The two of them then cleaned out their retirement funds and savings accounts to start a business that focused on e-commerce and the Internet.

And in six years, the internationally known Evolve Systems, owned and operated by Marnie Ochs-Raleigh and her husband Don Raleigh, has grown to offer services to thousands of clients and customers.

Family matters

Growing up in the Forest Lake area Marnie was taught the value of a dollar from many people.

It first started with her father Greg Ochs, who owns and operates Snow-Larson, a company that offers a variety of construction products. The Ochs have produced other individually patented products including a gun safety rack.

Her work ethic was reenforced by her parents who taught her nothing comes free. Starting at age nine she worked at Blue Blood Arabians Stables to help pay for her “habit” of horse riding.

“My dad has always been an entrepreneur,” Marnie said. “He taught us the value of hard work and money.”

As her interests changed to skiing Marnie worked for Newman’s Ski Shop selling ski packages and learning customer service.

“It was Jerry Newman who made me understand what customer service really is,” Marnie said.

For the next several years Marnie worked at a variety of businesses including her family’s Snow-Larson company where she started working on her dad’s computer.

“My dad’s secretary said that if I’m working on the computer I might as well answer the phones too,” Marnie said.

Nine years and a degree in business management and marketing later, Marnie decided to slow down and become a stay at home mom to her three children.

However, that didn’t last long, before she knew it she had started a home-based business where she would speak at various events about life, family, career and the importance of nutrition.

Then in 2001 Don avoided a job transfer and the two created Evolve Systems.

Evolve Systems

Evolve Systems is a two-fold business that works in web site development and merchant payment processing.

The company has created over 500 web sites for various companies and organizations such as The Wedding Shoppe, Leisure Time Recreation and Lake Elmo Sports, to name a few.

With the help of 10 staff members the web developers work with clients to create a web site that fits their needs. They also have partnered with a company in Russia that allows Evolve Systems to run 24 hours a day.

According to their web site the other half of the business, involving merchant payment processing, “provides fast cash management through effective payment systems.”

Evolve Systems works with Forest Lake’s Fransden Bank, Forest Lake Credit Union and Forest Lake Family Dental on their payment processes.

While the company has many Forest Lake clients, Evolve Systems shares much more with Forest Lake businesses.

FL support

Marnie said that she learned what customer service means from various Forest Lake businesses and her former employers would be proud.

“Customer service is huge,” Marnie said.

She said that her family makes a point to support the businesses that support Evolve Systems.

“I could go to any supply store and pick up chemicals for the hot tub, but I choose to go to Leisure Time Recreation,” she said. “Forest Lake has been so fantastic. They have given us a sense of community.”

Evolve System’s loyalty to customers stems from the Ochs-Raleigh family and their quest to not only support their businesses, but also others.

Evolve Systems shuts down their office once a quarter and gives their time to an organization in need.

They have volunteered for the Special Olympics, Feed My Starving Children, Sharing and Caring Hands, and Operation Minnesota Nice. Evolve Systems also gives 5 percent of their corporate profits, each quarter.

“When we give back it helps to focus us,” Marnie said. “At any given point someone is going to need help and we can do that.”

For more information about Evolve Systems visit their web site at www.evolve-systems.com.

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