Educational Programs

A scene from an eFund Women's Business Alliance event, capturing a panel of four women speakers in the midst of a discussion. They are seated at a long table in front of a room filled with an attentive audience, predominantly women. The speakers appear engaged and confident, with microphones in front of them. The audience is facing the panel, with the backs of their heads in focus, indicating a packed and engaged session. Floral arrangements and personal belongings on the tables suggest a formal yet intimate setting. A blank projection screen is set up behind the speakers, ready for a presentation. This image conveys the essence of the event, highlighting community, support, and the empowerment of women in business.

Grow your skills,
networks, and business

Our programs are built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs with a focus on strengthening small business skills, connections, and potential for growth. We design effective programs and events that evolve over time and best serve the needs of small business owners across our region.

Current Programs

Be Strategic: Grow Your Business

Maximize your potential by focusing on your business strategy, not just the day-to-day operations.

What is Be Strategic? The Be Strategic program provides a unique opportunity for local, non-competing businesses to work alongside one another to create a strategic business plan for growth, make meaningful connections, and improve their business within a supportive group setting.

Who is it for? Be Strategic is for growth-oriented business owners in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ideal participants have been in business for a couple of years, are ready to take the next steps in growing their business and are willing to be held accountable to reach their goals.

Why is it different? The six-week interactive course is designed and facilitated by EFund advisors who have years of experience helping businesses grow. Participants work through various business topics, including defining their mission, vision, and core values, identifying trends in their industry, creating a marketing plan, and refining their 10-year target. By the end of the course, each business owner walks away with a strategic plan to help them achieve their growth goals.

How do I apply? 2025 application links are coming soon. If you are interested in an upcoming course below, please email program coordinator Caleb Hacker at calebh@efund.org.

2025 Locations and Dates (subject to change):

Ashland, WI – Mondays starting March 3 - April 7 - Apply Here
Grand Rapids, MN – Thursdays starting April 10 – May 15 - Apply Here
Duluth, MN – Tuesdays starting April 22 – May 27 - Apply Here
Superior, WI – Mondays starting August 18 -September 29
Rhinelander, WI - Mondays starting October 6 - November 10
Chisholm, MN – Thursdays starting October 9– November 13

Client Success: Learn how the Be Strategic course supported the growth of a Superior, WI, based construction business.

Learn More about Be Strategic

Profit Mastery

Maximize your profits and better understand you business financials.

What is Profit Mastery? The two-day workshop focuses on providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to help their business achieve financial success. Dig into your finances and learn alongside fellow business owners from a skilled local facilitator.

Who is it for? Profit Mastery is for business owners who want to become more confident and skilled in managing their financials and making financially sound decisions for their company. If you are ready to grow your financial management skills, this is for you.

Why is it different? Profit Mastery has an international reputation for providing unparalleled financial management and business planning education. The curriculum is owned by Business Resource Services and facilitated by EFund advisors.

How do I register? 2025 registration links coming soon. If you are interested in an upcoming class below, please email program coordinator Caleb Hacker at calebh@efund.org.

2025 Locations and Dates (subject to change):

Duluth, MN – March 24-25 - Register Here
Rhinelander, WI – April 14-15 - Register Here
Ashland, WI – May 5-6 - Register Here
Eveleth, MN – September 15-16

Learn more about Profit Mastery

Women's Business Alliance

A program offering personalized advising, growth-focused training, networking opportunities, and access to capital for entrepreneurs.

The Women’s Business Alliance supports entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. The WBA offers tailored advising, professional development training, networking opportunities, and access to capital. While the programs are geared toward female entrepreneurs, all are welcome to participate in WBA-led programs.

The WBA is led by Sandi Larson in our northern region and Sandy Voigt in our central region.

The WBA is a program of the Entrepreneur Fund, and a certified Women’s Business Center of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Learn more about the WBA

Business Masterminds

Applications now open for 2025 Business Masterminds in Duluth and St. Cloud, MN! Join a dynamic peer group of entrepreneurs with a shared drive to grow, learn, and transform challenges into opportunities.

In the Business Masterminds, you'll join a dynamic peer group of entrepreneurs and a certified business coach once a month over six months to help you find solutions to your business challenges, share your goals and hold one another accountable to achieve them. This supportive program is designed to foster meaningful connections and empower participants on their business journey.

These masterminds, one in the WBA Central region and one in the WBA North region, will provide a confidential space to discuss challenges, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights from a supportive network of non-competing businesses. While the program focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs, all are welcome to apply.

Why join the Business Mastermind?

The benefits of joining the Business Mastermind are numerous:

Gain fresh perspectives: Get valuable feedback and advice from a wide range of experienced entrepreneurs.
Boost accountability: Share your goals with your mastermind and hold each other accountable for achieving them.
Build meaningful connections: Expand your network and forge lasting friendships with inspiring business owners who understand your unique challenges.
Amplify your success: Celebrate your wins and get the encouragement you need to overcome obstacles and close growth gaps.

Is this mastermind right for you?

If you're an entrepreneur who ...

Has been in business for at least one year.
Is able to attend one in-person meeting a month for six months.
Has the drive to turn challenges into opportunities.

This mastermind could be the game-changer you've been looking for!

How do I apply?

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025 North and Central masterminds, facilitated by the Women's Business Alliance. Select a mastermind nearest to you. Complete the application form. Our team will review your application and notify you of your selection two weeks prior to the first meeting.

The Women’s Business Alliance Mastermind is funded in part by the Bridging the Gap Fund and the Growth by Design/She Leads Conference.

Mastermind North - 2025

Succession Planning: Build a Legacy, Protect Your Future
This year’s mastermind centers on the essential but often overlooked topic of succession planning and exit strategies. Whether you’re thinking about retiring, selling your business in the next five years, or simply want to be prepared for the unexpected, it’s never too early to plan for the future. Thoughtful succession planning ensures the continuity of your business, protects your employees and customers, and allows you to transition on your terms.

Sessions will provide opportunity for collaborative learning on preparing your business for transition as well as support and encouragement as you consider plans for a business exit strategy. Part of a succession plan is the strategy in the five to ten years leading up to the sale of a business. Together with your mastermind peers, you'll craft a solid strategy to put your vision, operations, people and processes in the most productive way, today.

What we’ll focus on:

Strategies for preparing your business for sale or transfer.
Essential steps for creating a comprehensive exit strategy.
Legal and financial considerations to protect your business and personal assets.
Expert advice on managing the emotional and operational aspects of succession.
How to safeguard your hard work, protect your employees, and ensure your business thrives for years to come.

Dates: Meets third Thursday of the month from April 17 – September 18, 2025

Time: 9 AM – 12 PM

Location: Entrepreneur Fund Duluth Office - 2nd floor conference room – 202 W. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802

Facilitators: Women’s Business Alliance North Director Sandi Larson and Lori Coda-Peterson, owner/coach Codavision

Capacity: 8 participants

Cost: $120 - Thanks to the generosity of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, this $600 course is available to you for just $120 – or $20 per session!

Application deadline: March 24, 2025

Application link: Apply Here

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Mastermind Central - 2025

Momentum Makers: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
This year’s mastermind is designed to empower entrepreneurs to overcome business hurdles and take their companies to the next level. Sessions will provide a mix of problem-solving, tactical solutions, and collaborative learning to help participants create momentum and achieve measurable growth.

What we'll focus on:

‍‍Leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance operations and marketing.
Becoming a better advocate for your business.
Tackling growth challenges, such as scaling operations and managing teams.
Collaborative brainstorming and creative problem-solving for real-time challenges.
Building long-term resilience while achieving immediate results.

Dates: Third Tuesday of each month beginning March 18– August 19, 2025