Women's Business Alliance
Support at every stage
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.
The WBA is a program of the Entrepreneur Fund,
and a certified Women’s Business Center of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
WBA Programs and Events
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 Business Masterminds, facilitated by the WBA. 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 Business 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
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
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation- 501 W St Germain St #100, St Cloud, MN 56301
Facilitators: Women’s Business Alliance Central Director Sandy Voigt and Michelle Massman, CEO Massman Companies
Capacity: 8 participants
Cost: $500
Application deadline: March 4, 2025
Application link: Apply Here
She Leads Conference
A dynamic gathering that celebrates and cultivates the multifaceted brilliance of local leaders.
Whether you're a powerhouse entrepreneur, a savvy executive, a trailblazing manager, a changemaker shaking up your community, or a leader within your home, this event is your playground for growth and empowerment.
Why it's different: Personalized business advice served up with a side of supportive vibes from a panel of entrepreneurial experts, keynote sessions that'll leave you buzzing with ideas, 15 hands-on learning sessions to level up your leadership skills (in all areas of life!), and networking opportunities galore with amazing women from every corner of Minnesota.
While this event is geared toward female leaders, all are welcome to attend.
When is it: April 25, 2025, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota.
A portion of the proceeds of the She Leads Conference are donated to the Women's Business Alliance to support entrepreneurs in our region with access to capital, strategic advising and educational programs.
Duluth Women’s 10 Mile
This is more than a race. It’s an opportunity to support and celebrate local entrepreneurship.
In partnership with Duluth Running Company, proceeds from the Duluth Women’s 10 Mile, go to the Bridging the Gap Fund, which provides entrepreneurs in the region the resources to build and grow sustainable businesses. The Fund provides business owners accessibility to participate in WBA events and programs, like the masterminds, through scholarship opportunities.
Register to run or volunteer for the next race on September 27, 2025.
Registration Opens: International Women's Day | March 8, 2025 at 12:00 AM CST
All are welcome to participate in this event.
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The Women Business Alliance is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
