Educational Programs
Grow your skills,
networks, and business
Our programs are built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs with a focus on strengthening small business skills, connections, and potential for growth. We design effective programs and events that evolve over time and best serve the needs of small business owners across our region.
Current Programs
Be Strategic: Grow Your Business
Maximize your potential by focusing on your business strategy, not just the day-to-day operations.
What is Be Strategic? The Be Strategic program provides a unique opportunity for local, non-competing businesses to work alongside one another to create a strategic business plan for growth, make meaningful connections, and improve their business within a supportive group setting.
Who is it for? Be Strategic is for growth-oriented business owners in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ideal participants have been in business for a couple of years, are ready to take the next steps in growing their business and are willing to be held accountable to reach their goals.
Why is it different? The six-week interactive course is designed and facilitated by EFund advisors who have years of experience helping businesses grow. Participants work through various business topics, including defining their mission, vision, and core values, identifying trends in their industry, creating a marketing plan, and refining their 10-year target. By the end of the course, each business owner walks away with a strategic plan to help them achieve their growth goals.
How to apply? We will be offering many courses throughout our region in 2024. Join our newsletter below for course updates.
Profit Mastery
Maximize your profits and better understand you business financials.
What is Profit Mastery? The two-day workshop focuses on providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to help their business achieve financial success. Dig into your finances and learn alongside fellow business owners from a skilled local facilitator.
Who is it for? Profit Mastery is for business owners who want to become more confident and skilled in managing their financials and making financially sound decisions for their company. If you are ready to grow your financial management skills, this is for you.
Why is it different? Profit Mastery has an international reputation for providing unparalleled financial management and business planning education. The curriculum is owned by Business Resource Services and facilitated by EFund advisors.
How do I register? Registration is open for our Two Harbors workshop May 6-7, 2024. Register below.
Women's Business Alliance
Run by women, for women, this program is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey.
The Women's Business Alliance provides specialized advising, training for professional growth, networking and access to capital for women business owners across our region.
The WBA is led by Sandi Larson in our northern region and Sandy Voigt in our central region.
The WBA is a program of the Entrepreneur Fund, and a certified Women’s Business Center of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Women's Business Mastermind
Applications now open for 2024 Women’s Business Mastermind! Join a small group of ambitious women entrepreneurs looking to bridge gaps in their business and embrace growth and possibilities.
In the Women’s Business Masterminds, you'll join a small group of fellow women business owners and a certified business coach once a month over six months to help you find solutions to your business challenges, share your goals and hold one another accountable to achieve them.
These masterminds, one in the WBA Central region and one in the WBA North region, will provide a confidential space to discuss challenges, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights from a supportive network of non-competing businesses.
Why Join the Women's Business Mastermind?
The benefits of joining the Women's Business Mastermind are numerous:
- Gain fresh perspectives: Get valuable feedback and advice from a diverse range of experienced women entrepreneurs.
- Boost accountability: Share your goals with your mastermind and hold each other accountable for achieving them.
- Build meaningful connections: Expand your network and forge lasting friendships with inspiring women who understand your unique challenges.
- Amplify your success: Celebrate your wins and get the encouragement you need to overcome obstacles and close growth gaps.
Is the Women's Business Mastermind right for you?
If you're a female entrepreneur who ...
- Has been in business for at least one year
- Is able to attend one in-person meeting a month for six months
- Has the drive to close the gap between yur current business state and your vision of success
This mastermind could be the game-changers you've been looking for!
How do I apply? What is the cost?
Applications are now open for both the North and Central region masterminds. Spots are limited! Apply today!
Our team will review your application and notify you of your selection two weeks prior to the first meeting. Upon selection for this program, there's a $600 participation fee.
The Women’s Business Mastermind is funded in part by the Bridging the Gap Fund and the Growth by Design/SheLeads event.
North Region Mastermind
- Dates: May 23 - Oct. 24 (fourth Thursday of each month) – 5/23, 6/27, 7/25, 8/22, 9/26, 10/24
- Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
- Location: Duluth – EFund 2nd floor conference room – 202 W. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802
- Facilitators: Sandi Larson and Lori Coda-Peterson, owner/coach Codavision
- Application deadline: May 1
- Apply Here for North Mastermind
Central Region Mastermind
- Dates: June18 - Nov. 19 (third Tuesday of each month) - 6/18, 7/16, 8/20, 9/17, 10/15, 11/19
- Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
- Location: Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation - 501 W St Germain St #100, St Cloud, MN 56301
- Facilitators: Sandy Voigt and Michelle Massman, CEO Massman Companies
- Application deadline: May 24
- Apply Here for Central Mastermind
Distinction Awards
Celebrating the power of small business and the pivotal role entrepreneurs play in driving regional economic growth and prosperity.
What are the Distinction Awards? The annual event celebrates business excellence throughout our region by honoring businesses that are driving our communities forward and supporting the growth of our regional economy. Learn more about the inaugural event here. (link to the blog post recap)
How do I attend? More information coming soon about the Fall 2024 event.
2023 Honorees and their Distinctions:
- 24hr Bookkeeper, Karine Woodman – Transformation from a local business into a national accounting firm specializing in the construction industry.
- A+ Garden & Landscaping, Tabatha Beier – Workforce innovation and job quality for business growth.
- Arctic Compressor, Steve Potter – Growth and scale of a family-owned business.
- Baby’s on Broadway, Adelle Starin – Expansion into a national market as a retailer for Durable Medical Equipment, successful store expansions and establishing a national network for mothers.
- Duluth Grill, Tom Hanson – Development of a positive, engaging employee culture; internal leadership growth and management sustainability.
- Lamppa Manufacturing, Garrett Lamppa – Growth of a family-owned manufacturing firm with a commitment to workforce and quality jobs on the Iron Range.
- Rapids Brewing, Bill Martinetto – Harnessing local talent for community vibrancy and comprehensive business expansion.
- SCS Interiors, Mike Hudyma – Growth and scale of a small upholstery shop to a world-class manufacturer.
- Syvantis Technologies, Janelle Riley – Transformation of a local service business into a nationally managed technology solutions provider with a growth strategy that prioritizes developing people and capacity before increasing sales.
- Tongue and Groove Store, Ann and Kyle Anderson – Successful scale from a start-up to a robust manufacturing company that now serves a national market.
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