Amplifying stories from the Rochester, MN entrepreneurial ecosystem.
June 6, 2022: This week in the Rochester entrepreneurial ecosystem
Welcome to another week in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This week, we roll into the second half of our Critical Conversations series, in partnership with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. This Tuesday, the conversation will center around hiring employees. Spend some time with us this week to learn how other business owners in the community have added intentionally to their team. You can learn more and register here.
This Wednesday is the next Walk in Wednesdays at Collider! Walk in Wednesdays is a low pressure, no appointment needed way for starters in the community to connect with service Entrepreneurial Support Organizations at once to get questions answered about their business or business idea. This month, our team at Collider will be joined by representatives from the Small Business Development Center, CliftonLarsonAllen, the City of Rochester, and Altra Federal Credit Union. Feel free to just pop in, or you can register here as well.
And lastly, we are pleased to announce the we are Navigator's for the "Main Street Grant," which is being administered through Destination Medical Center.
The Main Street Grant program intends to provide no-cost grants for capital improvement projects that result in improvements to any permanent structure or other asset added to a property that adds to its value. The grant awards can cover up to 30% of the project costs with applicants securing other sources of funding to match any funds granted by this program.
Any person or organization planning to invest in eligible capital projects in the DMC district may apply. Businesses and organizations that represent Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), veteran, disabled, Black, Indigenous, or people of color whose projects will build wealth, create jobs, and stabilize communities in the district are strongly encouraged to apply.
Anyone interested in learning more about these grants or needing assistance with any part of the grant application can contact Collider for a 1:1 consultation.
-Amanda
This week in your ecosystem
Date: Tuesday June 7th
Location: 2900 19th Street NW (Saint Mary's University-Rochester Campus)
Critical Conversations is a 4 part series covering topics every starter needs to think about for their business. Join in to hear advice based on the experience of local business owners and connect with a community of like-minded individuals to help start or scale your idea.
This event is open to anyone in the community.
This third event in the series will talk about key issues you should think about when hiring your first employees and will walk you through the journey of local starters who have been there, and done that!
Learn more and register HERE.
Date: Wednesday June 8th
Walk in Wednesdays are a monthly event to bring together people with business ideas or people already running businesses with individuals and organizations that can help in Rochester, MN! Join us each month to talk through your business and let's get you connected to resources in the community to help it grow.
Learn more and register HERE.
Ecosystem Storytelling
Bringing a Love of Art into Hair and Make-up Styling with Amber Berry
Longtime hair and make-up artist, Amber Berry, always intended to pursue a creative career path, though cosmetology was not what she initially had in mind.
Amber was born and raised in Southeast Minnesota. After she graduated from high school she had plans to attend college for fine art, but at the suggestion of a close friend, she enrolled at the Aveda Arts and Sciences Institute in Minneapolis. Over the next three years she immersed herself in school.
“It just clicked. The education was great and I was able to meet and learn from people of so many different backgrounds and cultures. I really embraced the experience and learned so much.”
Read more HERE.
May 2, 2022: This week in the Rochester Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Welcome to another week in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
And welcome to May!
First off, I wanted to thank everyone who came out for our latest drop-in day of coworking and happy hour this past Thursday. It was so nice to interact with others in the community in this way and really get the chance to connect. If you're interested in coworking but just not ready to jump "all in" yet, this is the perfect way to interact with our coworking members and experience our space. We host a drop in day every month, so be sure to keep checking our newsletter and social media feeds for updates!
Second, I want to call each of your attention to our storytelling. These efforts focused on entrepreneurship and the true early stage starters in this community launched with our brand Rochester Rising in 2016. Over the years, we've been honored to gain the trust to share hundreds and hundreds of stories of starters in this community (and over 255 podcast episodes to date). It has been so rewarding to see these efforts take on new life and direction under the guidance of our Director of Community, Corrie Strommen. This work takes someone who truly understands the value and impact these stories can have in being carefully and truthfully told to inspire all types of entrepreneurship and elevate the expertise and incredible talent we have in this community. I encourage you all to take a few moments this morning to read the latest incredible story with Brooke Burch and learn more about this Rochester starter.
And make sure you are subscribed to the Rochester Rising podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen in so that you never miss any of these stories of innovation and entrepreneurship.
-Amanda
Custom Sewing, Alterations, and Vintage Fashion with Brooke Burch
Brooke Burch, who runs a custom sewing and alterations business and sells vintage clothing out of her studio, attributes a longtime love of sewing and creativity to her grandmother, who she moved to Rochester to live with at an early age.
“I wouldn’t say that I was a hyper child, so much as inquisitive. To occupy that, my grandmother gave me all kinds of crafts to do. I was always playing with glue and yarn. I don’t know how, but at some point I got a hold of a needle and thread and took an interest in sewing. I would cut things up and tie and sew them back together. Eventually she must’ve gotten tired of me doing that because she got me a sewing machine and taught me the basics. So I grew up just experimenting with sewing.”
Although she loved sewing and designing, when she pursued further education at University of Wisconsin-Stout she was contemplating a degree in biology. But, a year into her studies when she declared her major, her childhood passion won out and she pursued Apparel Design and Manufacturing.
->Read more HERE.
January 24, 2022: This week in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Welcome to another week in our entrepreneurial ecosystem!
Our Collider Happy Hours are back! These meetups are now being held each Thursday from 4:30-5:30PM at different locations around Rochester, so check our Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest information. This week we'll be at ThaiPop in downtown Rochester. These Happy Hours are open to anyone in the community. We hope to see you there.
Mark your calendars for the return of the WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Forums in 2022! This group next gathers (virtually) this Thursday, January 27th from 8-9AM. The topic this month is "Finding Your People: Creating Your Support Structure." Scroll below in the newsletter for more details, but we hope that many of you can connect in for what promising to be an uplifting and informative conversation. Please register here to attend and receive the Zoom link.
And lastly, this week the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center are hosting an event for current or aspiring African American entrepreneurs who are interested in learning more about construction opportunities in the city. This event is for anyone to learn about local business resources, understand more about the bidding process on local projects, and learn about minority business certification. Registration for the event will close tomorrow January 24th. Interested individuals should contact Jorrie Johnson by email at jjohnson@rochestermn.gov or phone at (507) 328-2016.
-Amanda
This week in your entrepreneurial ecosystem:
Join us on Thursdays to unwind, share ideas, network and support local businesses! All are welcome! Our next Happy Hour is Thursday, January 27th at ThaiPop (4 3rd Street SW)
Register here.
