Eight Graduate From Mille Lacs Enterprise Academy Class
The Initiative Foundation is celebrating the graduation of eight entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building their homegrown business ideas in the Mille Lacs area.
These entrepreneurs recently completed the Enterprise Academy course—an Initiative Foundation business-building program that features training matched with free, ongoing business coaching plus access to flexible loans. Participants build skills and receive support in starting and running a business. Delivery of the program was supported by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.
“This group of amazing entrepreneurs committed to 12 weeks of learning while maintaining their busy schedules. They are coming out with new skills in business planning, financial management, marketing and more,” says Zach Tabatt, vice president for economic opportunity at the Initiative Foundation. “We look forward to continuing our support for years to come.”
Since the founding of the program, about 200 people have graduated and many have gone on to launch successful businesses.
The following Mille Lacs-area students completed the program:
Damian Beaulieu: Damian wants to start a business in freight logistics and transportation. His goal is to have a sustainable business with a wide range of clients. He enrolled in the Enterprise Academy program to learn tips to be a successful entrepreneur. Damian lives in Minneapolis.
Janelle Boyd: Janelle aspires to launch Laundry Express, offering drop-off and pick-up services, a laundromat and car wash. She hopes to start her business locally and eventually expand to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Janelle lives in Onamia and currently works in property management. She has seven children and enjoys reading in her free time.
Fawn Dewitt: Fawn has been creating handmade Native American cultural artforms since she was a child. She makes birch bark and other forms of jewelry, baskets, dolls, ricing supplies, moccasins, and more. Fawn would like to make this a full-time endeavor and looks forward to using the skills and knowledge she learned in Enterprise Academy. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, traveling, learning and being in nature.
Lacey Fuhrer: Lacey lives in Pine River and owns Lacey’s Helping Hand, where she offers commercial and residential cleaning services. She enrolled in Enterprise Academy to evaluate and grow her business, which she launched in 2018. Lacey is engaged and has two boys. In her free time, she enjoys crafts and watching her boys play sports.
Mitchell Kadlec: Mitchell lives in Princeton and currently owns a taxi company. Much of his work is in medical transportation, and he would like to expand with the addition of a wheelchair van. He hopes to one day make this a full-time endeavor. Mitchell works for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe as a lead mechanic. He is married and has three children. In his free time, he enjoys cultural activities like powwows, hunting, fishing, and camping.
Jenelle Kingbird: Jenelle works in a Hinckley salon offering eyelash extensions. She would like to expand and offer services like spray tanning, facials, and body treatments. She also aspires to own her own salon and employ people. Jenelle lives in Hinckley and has two sons. She enjoys big drum ceremonies, powwows, and many hobbies.
Joanna Hill: Joanna enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn about turning her passion into a business. She enjoys helping people heal and be well through plants and herbs and hopes to use her business to share wisdom from Native American elders. Joanna lives in Minneapolis and has three children. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her cat.
Danielle Smith: Danielle wants to start a radio station that serves the Mille Lacs Band. She enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn more about the small business sector and running her own business. Danielle is married and has three children. In her free time, she enjoys watching local and professional sports.