3rd Annual SOAR Conference
November 10, 12 and 17, 2021
SOAR is a women’s virtual business conference. It is also a mindset, an action plan, and a community geared at supporting women business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders in our region take steps to make incredible things happen. In its third year, the SOAR Conference will continue to be a fully online experience to learn and connect as we reflect on lessons learned from the past year, celebrate resiliency, and move forward together.
Join Us! Register NowThis year the SOAR Conference will include expert speakers, engaging panels, skill building sessions, peer networking, and actionable resources delivered online over three days in manageable 3-hour time commitments.
Wednesday, November 10 (9AM – 12PM Central Time)
Friday, November 12 (9AM – 12PM Central Time)
Wednesday, November 17 (9AM – 12PM Central Time)
All registrants will have access to a catalog of the resources, event recordings, and a digital networking space beyond the event. AND – this year’s conference is completely FREE of charge.
New This Year
Register by October 25 for exclusive access to a virtual pre-conference session with the entrepreneur and owner of Tastefully Simple, Jill Blashack Strahan!
Register HereBack by popular demand, Strahan is a top female entrepreneur, author and professional speaker who has inspired thousands across the country, sharing her riveting stories and memorable lessons.
In 1995 Jill launched Tastefully Simple in a shed, offering high quality, easy-to-prepare foods. Although rocked by tragedy, Strahan grew Tastefully Simple to a $113 million company within eight years. Recognized as an exceptional CEO, she has earned numerous awards for her achievements and unique philosophies.
People connect with Jill’s charismatic and down-to-earth nature and, more importantly, they learn how to think differently, and understand their immense, transformative power.
Conference Keynotes
Day 1
Activate Your Inner Wonder Woman! with Kelly Radi
You encounter passionate, intelligent, fascinating women every single day. These women may not wear tiaras to work, but they get stuff done. They are employees, wives, sisters, daughters, caretakers, volunteers, mothers, partners, bosses and lovers. They are real women—awesome and inspiring women—with stories to share. They are YOU.
Kelly will discuss POWER, where you find it, how you keep it, and how you channel it for greater good. She will help you identify your own superpowers and challenge you to take action. You’ll leave with a stronger sense of self-awareness and the confidence to face your fears and conquer your challenges. Learn how to activate your inner superhero and watch the awesome impact it has on your life!
Kelly Radi is an award-winning author, power-speaker, and Wonder Woman fan.
Day 2
Developing an Equity Leadership Identity Lens: Starting with Addressing Unconscious Bias with Dr. Naomi R. Taylor
Everyone has a role and responsibility in ensuring equitable outcomes in their workplace. It starts with the individual and then the collective to make changes. This keynote will provide a safe space to explore what it means to have equity leadership as a part of their identity while providing practice into identifying unconscious bias that may be hindering our effectiveness.
Dr. Naomi R. Taylor is a social justice & racial equity educator, researcher, and author.
Day 3
The DAMN Plan To Cash Flow With Confidence with Kim Nagle
In business, it’s cash flow or die. Knowing your numbers reduces stress, increases creativity, and productivity. Simply put, when there is no cash you focus on money and when you have cash you can focus on your mission. In Kim’s keynote, you will learn how to do business by the numbers and get paid your value.
Kim Nagle a best selling author, keynote speaker and business coach.
Local Entrepreneur Panelists
Each day local entrepreneurs will join a panel following the keynote to discuss their experience with the topic of each day, lessons they have learned and what they wish they would have known.
Day 1
Jenni Smude
Smude’s
Stephanie Ferguson
Momentum Center
Yana Stockman
Transitions Life Coach
Day 2
Sarah Agaton Howes
Heart Berry
Sonja Simpson
Ionis Solution
Day 3
Shannon Cornelius
Yellow Bike Coffee
Casey Gromer
The She Suite Boutique
Sarah Barrett
Barrett Pet Food Innovations
Women’s Business Alliance
The SOAR Conference is hosted by the Women’s Business Alliance (WBA), which is a program of the Entrepreneur Fund that provides specialized advising, training, networking, and access to capital for women entrepreneurs across 17 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The WBA is dedicated to supporting women at every stage of their small business journey, as well as providing opportunities for professional growth. It is run by women for women who understand the unique challenge of women entrepreneurship.
Learn More
Sandi Larson
Director of Women’s Business Alliance – North
Sandi Voigt
Director of Women’s Business Alliance – Central
The SOAR Conference is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Women’s Business Alliance is a program of the Entrepreneur Fund, funded in part through an agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Entrepreneur Fund does not discriminate in providing services to people based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, family status, physical or mental disabilities. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities and with limited English proficiency are available on request. Make a request at least 2 weeks in advance by contacting the Entrepreneur Fund at 218-623-5747 or info@entrepreneurfund.org. The Entrepreneur Fund is an equal opportunity employer, lender and service provider.
