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Greetings Hennepin County business community. In this week’s newsletter, we invite you to read about the following topics:
- How a love of llamas turned into a business in CEO Start
- Elevate Answers: Start SMART in 2025
- Apply today for CEO Start
- Applications open for CEO Now
- Survey from the Minneapolis Fed
- Event Spotlight: SMART goals workshop
If you know someone who would benefit from the information covered in this week’s newsletter, please forward it to them.
Today, Hannah Olson’s business Happy Jolly Llamas can “llamatize” any event. But this time last year, Hannah just had an inkling of what would become her business.
Hannah joined CEO Start, a group-learning opportunity that offers entrepreneurs a safe space to test and validate their business ideas with a network of peers. She said she learned business fundamentals, tested her assumptions, but also got a hearty dose of peer support from other new entrepreneurs.
“That peer support and confidence was really what I needed to keep going,” she said.
Read how CEO Start helped Hannah build confidence and launch her llama-themed business, and don’t miss a video of her llamas in action!
Join other entrepreneurs and work toward launching your business idea in CEO Start, apply today.
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.
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, but not for long. Apply today to be part of the next group. Sessions begin in spring.
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.
Attend a CEO Now information session
Join an information session to learn more about CEO Now and see if the opportunity is right for your business goals. Sessions are available online and are open to everyone.
Whether your business has a team of one, five, or 50, creating detailed and clear business goals with achievable steps is a great way to start the year.
A solid annual plan should be SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound.
Of course, creating this plan takes time and energy. Tap into Elevate Hennepin consulting for support. Elevate advisors can support you as you review last year's financials, craft SMART goals, and build a tracking system to mark your progress through the year.
Connect with one of our business strategy advisors today and get SMART in 2025.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is looking for insights from local business owners.
Your response to this short survey will help the Minneapolis Fed and its local partners understand the impact that the economy is having on businesses in the city.
If you operate in Minneapolis, we encourage you to take seven minutes and respond so your experience informs the Minneapolis Fed, local partners, policymakers, and others — a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours.
Kickstart 2025: SMART goals workshop & ITBC tech lab info session
Join us for an informative evening with IFRI-TRYV as we dive into effective goal setting for 2025 and unveil exciting developments about our upcoming Tech Lab.
This session is designed to equip you with the tools to set and achieve SMART goals, plus give you a sneak peek into our technology-focused initiatives for the year.
In-person event, January 28, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
No cost
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
Digital marketing tactics for success
Learn to elevate your websites, craft powerful brand strategies, and master multi-channel marketing. Discover how ChatGPT can revolutionize your content creation and customer interactions in this webinar from Elevate Hennepin education partner SCORE.
Online event, January 23, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Register today
Roadmap to business success: business tax law course
Join Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) for an exciting in-person event focused on helping you navigate the complexities of business tax law. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this course will provide you with valuable insights and strategies to ensure your business's financial success.
Online event, February 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Register today
BossUP circle: small business tax preparation
Get your business finances in order before tax season with Elevate Hennepin advisor ConnectUp. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this workshop will break down tax essentials in a way that's easy to understand.
Online event, February 10, 5 p.m. - 6p.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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