Educational Programs

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 to apply? We are currently scheduling 2025 courses. Stay tuned for updates.

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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? We will be offering workshops across our region this fall. See course info below.

Hayward - November

• When: Monday, November 11th and Tuesday, November 12th
• Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM *lunch included
• Location: Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce, 15805 US-63, Hayward, WI 54843

• Workshop capacity: 8 participants
• Cost: Free - thanks to WI ARPA grant funding.
• Registration Full

Rhinelander, WI - December

• When: Monday, December 9th and Tuesday, December 10th
• Time: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Location: Nate Sheppard Media, 25 Brown St, Rhinelander, WI 54501
• Workshop capacity: 8 participants
• Cost: Free - thanks to WI ARPA grant funding. A $50 refundable deposit is needed to secure your spot.
• REGISTER HERE

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The Women's Business Alliance provides specialized advising, training for professional growth, networking and access to capital for women business owners across our region.

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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In the Women’s Business Masterminds, you'll join a small group of fellow women business owners 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.

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.

Why Join the Women's Business Mastermind?

The benefits of joining the Women's Business Mastermind are numerous:

• Gain fresh perspectives: Get valuable feedback and advice from a diverse range of experienced women 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 women 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 the Women's Business Mastermind right for you?

If you're a female 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 close the gap between your current business state and your vision of success

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

How do I apply? What is the cost?

Applications are now closed for both the 2024 North and Central region masterminds.

Our team will review your application and notify you of your selection two weeks prior to the first meeting. Upon selection for this program, there's a $600 participation fee.

The Women’s Business Mastermind is funded in part by the Bridging the Gap Fund and the Growth by Design/SheLeads event.

North Region Mastermind

• Dates: May 23 - Oct. 24 (fourth Thursday of each month) – 5/23, 6/27, 7/25, 8/22, 9/26, 10/24‍
• Time: 9 AM – 12 PM

• Location: Duluth – EFund 2^nd floor conference room – 202 W. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802
• Facilitators: Sandi Larson and Lori Coda-Peterson, owner/coach Codavision

Central Region Mastermind

• Dates: June 18 - Nov. 19 (third Tuesday of each month) - 6/18, 7/16, 8/20, 9/17, 10/15, 11/19
• Time: 9 AM – 12 PM

• Location: Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation - 501 W St Germain St #100, St Cloud, MN 56301
• Facilitators: Sandy Voigt and Michelle Massman, CEO Massman Companies

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