Community Business Academy

This 12-week course offers fun and interactive training and mentorship for business planning and management.

The Community Business Academy is:

Offered twice per year, Spring and Fall with 14 concurrent classes for each course
Twelve class sessions plus an introduction and graduation session
Teaches fundamentals like budgeting, marketing, bookkeeping and financing
Spring 2022 course will be taught in English and held in person
Classes will be 3-hour sessions on Thursdays 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Classes are offered to entrepreneurs and business owners in and around Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
Let us know if you need an accommodation such as language translation
Financial assistance is available to help make it possible for you to attend the classes

Elevate Community Business Academy Member

The Community Business Academy is for you if:

You have a vision and passion for starting your own business
You have a strong business idea, and experience in your chosen industry
You own a business, but think you could be more organized and more successful with business training
You are a resident of, or nearby, Kandiyohi County or your business will be located in Kandiyohi County

If this is you, the Community Business Academy will help you jumpstart your vision of business ownership or enhance the business you already have started.

During the Community Business Academy

You will have homework assigned in class which is designed to help you gather basic information required in a business plan
You will assess who are your target customers
You will calculate how much money you will need to get started
You will calculate what are your costs and how much money you will make
You will gain skills for rising above the competition
You will find out where you can get money to get started
You will gain tools for creating financial document for recording and reporting
You will discover ideas for keeping your business legally registered and safe from those who work to interfere
By graduation, you will be able to write your basic business plan, including all of the above information

The curriculum is based on Adult Participatory Learning methodology, which means there is an emphasis in hands-on, experiential learning and reinforcement of key concepts. During the sessions, participants will be guided through exercises, business simulations, and group discussion. You will learn as much from your instructors as you do from your classmates. You’ll also have a lot of fun testing your business ideas in a safe space with people who become invested in your success.

Entrepreneurs who complete the program receive:

Certificate

A certificate of Graduation from Community Business Academy

Action Plan

An individualized Action Plan outlining “next steps” to help meet your business goals

Community Network

Graduates may join the community network of Elevate and Rising Tide Entrepreneurs

This 12-week course offers fun and interactive training and mentorship for business planning and management.

The Community Business Academy is:

The Community Business Academy is for you if:

During the Community Business Academy

Entrepreneurs who complete the program receive:

Certificate

Action Plan

Community Network

Meet the Mentors

Classes

Get the support you need!