Tap into a Collective of Wisdom and Grow Your Business with the Women’s Business Mastermind
Samantha Erkkila, Digital Media Specialist
May 17, 2023
If you’re looking to grow your business – maybe adding employees, adding new products lines, adding a second location, or moving to a larger space – the Entrepreneur Fund encourages you to apply for upcoming Women’s Business Masterminds.
Hosted by the Women’s Business Alliance program, eight women business owners who are ready to be supported and held accountable as they take the next steps towards their business goals will be selected for each mastermind - one in the North region and one in the Central region.
“Putting myself out there with other women business owners and learning from them and connecting in ways that I haven't really connected with other business owners before has been huge for me,” said 2022 mastermind student Sarah Bjork, owner of Flora North in Duluth, MN. “I've gained a lot of knowledge from other people's experiences, and it's made me work a lot on my business and work on becoming a better leader for my employees.”
A mastermind is a small group of individuals, in this case women business owners, who come together to share ideas, knowledge, and resources in order to achieve a common goal. In a mastermind group, members are encouraged to support and challenge each other, hold each other accountable, and provide feedback and solutions to problems. It is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth as it allows individuals to tap into the collective wisdom of the group and gain insights they may not have otherwise considered.
Each Women’s Business Mastermind will be facilitated by a certified business coach and WBA director to help lead discussion. The group of 6-8 women business owners will meet once a month for six months.
“Half the battle is to feel like someone's in your corner and that you're not alone as an entrepreneur. When you have those alliances, it expedites growth,” said certified business coach and Women’s Business Mastermind facilitator Lori Coda-Peterson. “They (business owners) leave with a feeling that they're supported, that they're not alone, but also they have actionable ideas that they can apply right away and get results in their business.”
Women’s Business Mastermind - North:
Who should apply: Women business owners focused on growth.
When: Starts June 8 from 9am - 12pm. Meet every second Thursday of the month through November 2023.
Where: Duluth, Minnesota (in-person). Please note: You do not need to be based in Duluth to participate, only willing to travel.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current business owner, reside in the WBA North region and able to attend all in-person meetings.
Cost: An investment of $600
Deadline: Apply by June 1
The mastermind will be facilitated by Certified Business Coach Lori Coda-Peterson and Director of Women's Business Alliance - North Sandi Larson. The Women’s Business Mastermind for the WBA North region is funded in part by the Bridging the Gap Fund, which was established and is generously supported by Duluth Running Company’s Bridging the Gap Women’s 10 Mile.
Women’s Business Mastermind - Central:
Who should apply: Women business owners focused on growth.
When: 9am - 12pm starting July 11, and meets every second Tuesday of the month through December 2023.
Where: Brainerd, Minnesota (in-person). Please note: You do not need to be based in Brainerd to participate, only willing to travel.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current business owner, reside in the WBA Central region and able to attend all in-person meetings.
Cost: An investment of $600
Deadline: Apply by June 9
The mastermind will be facilitated by Certified Business Coach Michelle Massman and Director of Women's Business Alliance – Central Sandy Voigt. The Women’s Business Mastermind for the WBA Central region is funded in part by the Women’s Leadership Fund.