 Ashlee Olds, founder of Sweet Science Ice Cream in Edina.
Sprinkle, the new Sweet Science Ice Cream truck, is hitting the road, part of founder Ashlee Olds’ new strategic plan. She developed the plan with support from her peers and business training in CEO Now. The Elevate Hennepin cohort, an investment from Hennepin County, helps small business owners develop systems and strategies.
Before joining CEO Now, she was having trouble finding time to chart new paths and explore new sales channels like the ice cream truck.
“How do I finally get to that phase where I can work on the business instead of putting out fires, or making labels?" wondered Ashlee.
Read how she found a strategic path forward with Elevate Hennepin.
 Shop My Closet founder Marsha Magdelene (center) with advisors and Hennepin County staff.
Shop My Closet, a resale hub and consignment boutique, has opened in Uptown Minneapolis thanks in part to Elevate Hennepin advising.
The shop at 3001 Hennepin Avenue, in Seven Points mall, operates under a shared consignment model, renting out space to vendors looking to sell clothing and accessories.
Uptown resident and owner Marsha Magdalene worked with Elevate Hennepin advisors to bring the idea to life.
Read about the new Uptown business featured in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
The community has voted, the judges’ scores have been tallied, and the top three finalists competing for $100,000 in business assistance from the City of Bloomington have been announced, and two finalists got started with Elevate Hennepin support!
Finalists include:
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BookMother – An independent bookstore and coffee shop designed as a welcoming community space for adults. Founder Twila Dang joined CEO Start to solidify her business idea and get customer feedback.
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NUNAA – An African restaurant offering authentic cuisine, catering, and takeout enriched with unique spices and art. Founders joined the CEO Start Bootcamp for a focused training and worked with Elevate Hennepin advisors to take it further.
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Twin Cities Streetwear – A retail and event brand specializing in sneakers and fostering sneaker culture.
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 The next Elevate Hennepin Certified Access Academy is starting soon.
This no-cost, six-week virtual cohort, provided by Hennepin County, guides diverse entrepreneurs who seek government and corporate contracts with the tools and support they need to get certified.
Business owners will exit the program positioned to compete for government procurement opportunities. Sessions begin in October.
Apply by August 29 to express your interest!
 Elevate Hennepin is on the road with Thriving Thursdays. Join us this month in Brooklyn Park for our monthly pop-up series designed to bring expert business support directly into communities across Hennepin County.
Whether you're launching a new venture or growing an existing business, Thriving Thursdays offer a chance to connect face-to-face with professional consultants, Business Navigators, and city economic development staff all at no cost.
This month, meet with marketing advisor Khoo Consulting, legal advisor TruLegal, and strategic and financial consultants from Sigma Consulting. No registration required, walk ins welcome.
In-person event, August 21, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Brooklyn Park Small Business Center
7970 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, 55445
BossUp circle - tax preparation
Get your business finances in order before tax season with our comprehensive Small Business Tax Preparation Workshop from Elevate Hennepin advisor ConnectUp! Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, this session will break down essential tax concepts in a clear, approachable way.
Online event, August 21, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Register today
Start with Brand part 3: Design basics
Start with Brand is a three-part series from Elevate Hennepin education partner SCORE. It's designed to help small business owners stop gambling with their time, money, and success. Brand Strategist, Kesha Lien, will lead you through creating a brand blueprint – a strategy-driven approach to marketing.
In-person event, August 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Roseville Library
2180 Hamline Avenue North Roseville, Minnesota 55113
Register today
Credit workshop
Join Elevate Hennepin advisor IFRI-TRYV for a practical workshop focused on building and strengthening your credit. This session is designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners understand the fundamentals of personal and business credit, how it impacts funding opportunities, and actionable steps to improve your credit profile.
In-person event, September 9, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
1256 North Penn Avenue, Suite 4800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55411
Register today
Get Started with Elevate Hennepin
Exploring a new business idea? Join Get Started, a virtual, no-cost opportunity from Elevate Hennepin. This 90-minute session was designed for anyone with a business idea looking for a jumpstart. Participants will join local facilitator and Elevate Hennepin advisor, Angel Even, from ConnectUp! in a live interactive discussion about how to explore their ideas through a simple business planning framework.
Online event, September 17, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Register today
By investing in business owners, Hennepin County is building a foundation to create a more inclusive and thriving economy that strengthens communities.
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