Coach Carey of Mind Training Fitness
About the Saturday Bootcamps
“I liked the opportunity of being able to ask questions and hear from speakers with expertise in loans to help me move to the next step of my business."
Community Entrepreneurship Program
Supporting Aspiring Twin Cities Entrepreneurs
The Community Entrepreneurship Program is a 10-month, hands-on program for any community member facing economic hardship who has a dream of starting and growing a business, including those who have already started a venture but need help to grow. Whether you have an idea for a business or have already started a venture but are struggling, this program is for you. The Community Entrepreneurship program supports entrepreneurs through:
- Six-week business training bootcamp
- One-on-one mentorship
- Consulting support
- Connections to community resources
- Micro-grant program
- Networking opportunities
This program is being offered in conjunction with the University of St. Thomas, the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, and the Small Business Development Center.
Contact
Small Business Development Center
Program overview
Participant Registration and Fees
The program fee is $500 for Bootcamp. We offer $475 scholarships to everyone with financial needs. Make sure to register early as seats are limited!
Program Timeline
September-October 2024: 6 Saturday bootcamps from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Allina Health
- September 21
- September 28
- October 5
- October 12
- October 19
- October 26
November 2024-May 2025: Mentorship program
TBA: Student consulting program
Our first cohort for 2025 begins February 22ndthrough March 29th.
Saturday Bootcamps
At the Saturday Bootcamps, you’ll be introduced to basic tools, concepts, and principles relevant to launching and growing a successful venture. The training runs from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Saturday. Each weekly module has three components:
- Coverage of core content, tools and framework from 8:30-11 a.m.
- An interview of two entrepreneurs that focuses their experiences with the content just covered from 11 a.m. until 12 noon.
- A presentation by a subject matter expert on a specialty topic from 12 noon until 2 p.m.
The topics that will be covered include:
The Entrepreneurial Process, Skills, and Competencies; Types of Ventures; Understanding the Numbers; Planning, Thinking Strategically and Managing Risk; Getting Resources When You Do Not Have any Money; Identifying, Communicating With and Selling to Customers; Operations and Other Fundamentals
Mentorship program
Entrepreneurs who complete the training segment of the program will receive a mentor who is a successful entrepreneur and, where possible, has experiences related to the type of business the entrepreneur is working on.
Mentoring begins two weeks after the completion of bootcamps and continues for 6 months.The mentors serve as advisors and connect the entrepreneurs to the wider business community and networks. Mentors and mentees will meet every other week to review progress against goals set during the bootcamps.
Additionally, an ‘expertise pool’ of mentors is available with advice on specific problem areas.
Student consulting program
Entrepreneurs who successfully complete all bootcamps and regularly interact with their mentors will be eligible to participate in the student consulting course.
This 14-week course will build on the work of the mentors and provide additional assistance with on-the-ground tasks like creating websites, registering businesses, developing a social media presence, setting up bookkeeping systems and so forth.
Connection to community resources
Through three community networking events held throughout the year, entrepreneurs will share their ventures with the community and through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at St. Thomas, entrepreneurs will be connected to helpful resources.
Participant Registration and Fees
The program fee is $500 for Bootcamp. We offer $475 scholarships to everyone with financial needs. Make sure to register early as seats are limited!
Program Timeline
September-October 2024: 6 Saturday bootcamps from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Allina Health
- September 21
- September 28
- October 5
- October 12
- October 19
- October 26
November 2024-May 2025: Mentorship program
TBA: Student consulting program
Our first cohort for 2025 begins February 22ndthrough March 29th.
Saturday Bootcamps
At the Saturday Bootcamps, you’ll be introduced to basic tools, concepts, and principles relevant to launching and growing a successful venture. The training runs from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Saturday. Each weekly module has three components:
- Coverage of core content, tools and framework from 8:30-11 a.m.
- An interview of two entrepreneurs that focuses their experiences with the content just covered from 11 a.m. until 12 noon.
- A presentation by a subject matter expert on a specialty topic from 12 noon until 2 p.m.
The topics that will be covered include:
The Entrepreneurial Process, Skills, and Competencies; Types of Ventures; Understanding the Numbers; Planning, Thinking Strategically and Managing Risk; Getting Resources When You Do Not Have any Money; Identifying, Communicating With and Selling to Customers; Operations and Other Fundamentals
Mentorship program
Entrepreneurs who complete the training segment of the program will receive a mentor who is a successful entrepreneur and, where possible, has experiences related to the type of business the entrepreneur is working on.
Mentoring begins two weeks after the completion of bootcamps and continues for 6 months.The mentors serve as advisors and connect the entrepreneurs to the wider business community and networks. Mentors and mentees will meet every other week to review progress against goals set during the bootcamps.
Additionally, an ‘expertise pool’ of mentors is available with advice on specific problem areas.
Student consulting program
Entrepreneurs who successfully complete all bootcamps and regularly interact with their mentors will be eligible to participate in the student consulting course.
This 14-week course will build on the work of the mentors and provide additional assistance with on-the-ground tasks like creating websites, registering businesses, developing a social media presence, setting up bookkeeping systems and so forth.
Connection to community resources
Through three community networking events held throughout the year, entrepreneurs will share their ventures with the community and through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at St. Thomas, entrepreneurs will be connected to helpful resources.
High-touch, high-level engagement
Entrepreneur Testimonials
The 10-month, hands-on program supports aspiring Twin Cities entrepreneurs as they develop big ideas and prepare for life as small business owners.
Tatiana Freeman of NoshPosh
About the Mentorship Program
“Working with a mentor plugged me into an expert who could connect me with new partners, bounce off new ideas, and help me work through challenges associated with scaling and funding my business.”
Brianna Edwards of LOV3 IT S3ASONING
About the Student Consulting Program
“The people at St. Thomas are phenomenal. They really believe in you and are proud to see your journey. [I hope to be] the ‘I made it’ story presenting to future cohorts down the road.”
"I was thankful to be paired with someone who could truly benefit from my experience as the past business owner of Nordic Goods. I'd highly recommend anyone to participate in this program. You'll have the chance to reflect on your own life and career journey and help guide an aspiring local entrepreneur."
Karin Miller, Entrepreneur and a Strategy & Innovation Brand Manager