Small Business Education Day

Join us for a Small Business Education and Networking Day featuring breakout sessions and resources. We will dive into your top priorities based upon survey responses from our fall event.

View this pdf for an event agenda: Grand Connections March Event Agenda

• Creative Financing for Small Businesses: Grants, low-interest loans, local initiatives, utility programs
  • Shannon Benolken, VP Business Lending, Park State Bank (moderator)
  • Rob Sjostrand, Director of Business Services, Entrepreneur Fund
  • Amanda Vuicich, Economic Development Specialist and Business Lender, Northland Foundation
  • Jeff Borling, Chief Lending Officer, Entrepreneur Fund
  • Ryan Malich, Executive Director of Development, IRRR
  • Terry Stein, Vice President, Midwest Business Finance Corporation
  • Chad Ricord, Loan Officer, Arrowhead Regional Development Commission
• HR & Employment Law Essentials: Hiring, managing employees, (P)FMLA, Sick & Safe Time, etc.
  • Vicki Hagberg, SBDC
  • Josh Denton, Denton HR
• Time Management & Growth Planning: Hear from local small business owners through panel discussion: technology tools, varied strategies, and approaches
  
  • Mike Korte, Entrepreneur Fund (moderator)
  • Bill Martinetto, Business Owner, Rapids Brewing Co., The Tied by Rapids Brewing, Ledger & Ladle
  • Jordan Osse, Business Owner, Blueberry Hills Golf & RV Park; Realtor, Century 21
  • Kyle Hedlund, Business Owner, Oak Hill Assisted Living
  • Chelsea Pusc, Business Owner, The Chocolate Dog
• Marketing & Customer Engagement: Social media strategies, branding, customer engagement
  
  • Molly Solberg, SBDC
  • Abby Oxborough, Business Owner, Sugar Lake Lodge & The Leadership Lodge
• Keynote Speaker: Innovation & Resilience for Small Businesses
  • Andy Donahue, MN DEED and MN State SBDC Director

Includes: Education, networking, vendor access and lunch.

REGISTRATION & FEES:

• Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce members, SBDC clients, MN North Students and Faculty: $0  *Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors.
• All others: $50/business
• Register to attend here:  Small Business Education Day Registration

VENDORS:

If you are a business providing services, resources, or products for small businesses and would like to be an event vendor, complete the registration form.

• Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce members and SBDC clients: $25  *Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors.
• All others: $50
• Register to VEND here: Small Business Education Day – Vendor
• All businesses who vend have access to the education opportunities.

*You will be provided with a 6′ table and two chairs.

THANK YOU SPONSORS:

If you would like to join us in partnership enabling this event to no-cost or low-cost for area small businesses, reach out to April with questions about sponsorship. All sponsoring businesses can vend and/or attend the event with their sponsorship!