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Greetings Hennepin County business community. In this week’s newsletter, we invite you to read about the following topics:
- The Clay Pit builds community with Elevate Hennepin guidance
- Elevate Answers: Five legal updates to know for 2025
- Apply today for CEO Start
- Applications open for CEO Now
- Event Spotlight: Hiring better, faster
If you know someone who would benefit from the information covered in this week’s newsletter, please forward it to them.
Soren Aster was working as a cheese monger when they saw a clay workshop for sale. In the span of a few months, they got out of the cheese business and founded The Clay Pit, a community-focused art space for ceramics artists of all levels. Soren said the new location along Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis might not have been possible without Elevate Hennepin advising.
“I had a friend tell me about Elevate Hennepin, and I knew that was probably a good start if I was going to figure out how to do this,” said Soren. “I got connected with Hiromi Yokoi at NextStage right off the bat. She did way more than I was ever expecting. Truly, I don't think I would have been able to open this place without her.”
 The 2024 fall group of CEO Start participants celebrating at their pitch event.
Applications are now open for CEO Start.
CEO Start, powered by CO.STARTERS, is open to anyone in Hennepin County with a great business idea. Participants will assess their idea with a framework for testing and validating their concept so they can build a viable business; or understand why it might not work.
A group of 10 to 15 entrepreneurs will work through the nationally recognized CO.STARTERS program. Over the course of 11 weeks, participants will closely examine their ideas with peers, through industry research, facilitated discussions, and interviews with potential customers. Participants will also work with a professional pitch coach to hone and practice their message ahead of a final pitch celebration.
Applications are now open for the next CEO Start training. Applications will be accepted through February 11 with training beginning on March 11.
Attend a CEO Start information session
Join one of two information sessions to learn more about CEO Start and see if the opportunity is right for your business goals. Sessions are available online and are open to everyone.
 Applications are open for CEO Now.
This group-learning opportunity is designed to support established small business owners as they grow. This hands-on program will help business owners learn the strategic and technical foundations of running their businesses more efficiently and strategically.
Participants in CEO Now will join a group of growth-minded founders and CEOs to learn how to think about their business systematically via the nationally recognized StreetWise ‘MBA’ from Interise, local advisors, and peer business owners.
Participants will leave the program with an expanded network, a three-year strategic road map, and the confidence to take their next steps forward.
Applications for the next class of CEO Now are open, sessions begin spring of 2025.
Every new year comes with some new laws, and business owners and entrepreneurs should be mindful of a few key items this year. Most of the legal updates apply to employees including new wages, new requirements around disability training, and new unemployment requirements.
Check out five new laws that businesses owners and entrepreneurs should know in 2025.
What you need to know about the Corporate Transparency Act
Hiring can be one of the most expensive mistakes for a business. In this workshop, you'll learn some best practices and marketing tips to hire better, faster in this competitive market.
Online event, January 14, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
No cost
Designing business ownership for cooperatives
This workshop from Elevate Hennepin advisor ConnectUP! guides you through ownership and governance considerations for cooperatives and provides tools that will help you design your cooperative’s ownership structure as well as speed up your incorporation process.
Online event, January 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Register today
Website makeover - from cringe to conversion with AI
Your website is your online storefront, but if it’s a hot mess, you’re losing business before they even knock on the door. In this workshop from Elevate Hennepin education partner SCORE, take your site from “blah” to brilliant, and (here’s the kicker) we’ll use AI tools to do the heavy lifting.
Online event, January 16, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Register today
LegalCORPS business law brief advice clinic
LegalCORPS volunteer business law attorneys provide 30 minutes of legal advice and guidance to entrepreneurs, small business owners, inventors, and nonprofit organizations. Consultations are virtual and free of charge.
Online event, January 22, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Learn more
Local SEO
Wondering how you can get your business found online? This webinar from Elevate Hennepin education partner SCORE will walk you through the key factors and strategies to increase the visibility of your website within Google search. Get found by your ideal customers, in your target geographic area.
Online event, January 23, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Register today
Thanks for following along with us! If you know someone who could use any of the resources above, please forward this newsletter or tell them to sign up!
We’ll be back in your inbox in a couple weeks. Until then, you can follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! Be a part of our online community by sharing your #ElevateHennepin stories and tagging @ElevateHennepin in your posts.
Have a great week!
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