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 Elevate Hennepin is Hennepin County's initiative to help businesses start and grow.
 Madee Weisner, founder of Open Studio Sewing.
When Madee Weisner started teaching people to sew, she loved it. It was working so well that she started thinking about sewing as a business.
“Starting a business wasn't like a lifelong dream or anything like that, but I just saw an opportunity, and I saw that people were interested in it,” said Madee. “I started thinking, I could be my own boss.”
See how CEO Start helped her take the leap as she celebrates a year of business at St. Louis Park-based Open Studio Sewing.
 Entrepreneurs working together in CEO Start Bootcamp.
Now is your chance to apply for the next CEO Start Bootcamp scheduled for December 5 and 6 in Minnetonka.
CEO Start Bootcamp is a two-day, hackathon-style learning opportunity to challenge assumptions, stretch entrepreneurial thinking, and provide concrete tools to bring a new business to life.
Through this program, entrepreneurs will:
- Explore their business idea
- Craft their message
- Lay out a financial model for success
- Set goals to launch
Thanks to an investment from Hennepin County, this opportunity is available at no cost. Participants will leave the cohort with materials, resources, and a process to examine their next great idea. Spots are limited and fill up fast.
 Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando (center) with the Hennepin County team that supports Elevate Hennepin.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota named Hennepin County its Outstanding Strategic Partner of the Year.
“Our collaboration with the Better Business Bureau has been essential to expanding access to trusted guidance, especially entrepreneurs who face barriers to success,” said Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando. “This award celebrates the county's accomplishments, but far more importantly, this award represents the shared work and the shared impact that we've built together for small businesses across the community.”
 Join Elevate Hennepin's Get Started on October 21 at 6 p.m. for a no-cost, 90-minute session designed for anyone with a business idea looking to get going. Participants will gain access to tools, resources, and support to take the next best step.
Online event, October 21, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Latino Business Week
The City of Minneapolis is hosting its third-annual Latino Business Week now through Sunday, October 11. Join the city for a variety of business and community events to support our local Latino businesses.
In-person events, through October 11
Register today
Empathy field trip - Storefronts
Join Elevate Hennepin marketing advisor Arch Empathy for a retail-business field trip in Minneapolis. Learn from leaders in the City of Minneapolis' Chameleon program what it’s like to have a brick-and-mortar business in downtown Minneapolis.
In-person event, October 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Gaviidae Common
651 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55402
Register today
Protecting your money
Join the Association of Financial Educators at the Hennepin County Library to learn how to keep yourself and your business safe from scams. This is an empowering, judgment‑free workshop that strengthens financial security for everyone.
In-person event, October 13, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
St. Louis Park Library
3240 Library Lane St. Louis Park, Minnesota, 55426
Register today
2026 Hennepin County Small Business Networking Event
Get to business at the 2026 Hennepin County Small Business Networking Event on October 28. Connect with county programs like Elevate Hennepin, government procurement staff, partner agencies, and local resources designed to support small businesses across Hennepin County. Discover ways to grow your business and learn how to work effectively with large organizations.
In-person event, October 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Regional Accelerator Center
1256 North Penn Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411
Register today
Certified Presence: Positioning for Business Growth
Join Elevate Hennepin's Certified Access partners to learn how to articulate your business' value through compelling capability statements that resonate with decision-makers, enhancing visibility and opportunities in competitive markets.
Online event, October 29, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 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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