2024 Emerging Entrepreneur Showcase & Awards
The Initiative Foundation invites the public to the 2024 Emerging Entrepreneur Showcase & Awards from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, at The Clearing in Sauk Rapids.
This free event celebrates early-stage entrepreneurs in the St. Cloud area who have launched or grown businesses with Initiative Foundation and partner support. The event will feature free food samples and a marketplace with products and services available for purchase. The awards ceremony will feature stories and highlights of successful entrepreneurs and will honor small businesses across a variety of categories.
There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is appreciated.
The 2024 Emerging Entrepreneur Showcase & Awards event will honor six awardees, all of whom are graduates of the Initiative Foundation’s Enterprise Academy:
- Community Impact Award: Sarah Drake, herARTS in Action
- Food Business of the Year: Hussein Farrah, Thirty-Third Meat & Grocery
- Product of the Year: Sahara Gibson, Area 56 Dance Studio
- New Business of the Year: Charles Owusu and Ibrahim Soumare, Yenko
- Groundbreaker Award: Fatuma Yasin, Asha’s Beauty
Learn more about the awardees.
“This event is a celebration of creativity, ingenuity and the power of entrepreneurship,” said Donniel Robinson, entrepreneurship programs manager at the Initiative Foundation. “We believe that supporting emerging entrepreneurs is vital for the economic growth and vitality in the Greater St. Cloud area.”
The Clearing in Sauk Rapids provides the perfect environment for attendees to sample food offerings, connect, network and encourage the success of these small businesses. The inaugural Emerging Entrepreneur Showcase & Awards event attracted more than 150 people from the Greater St. Cloud area who enjoyed food, fellowship, and an opportunity to celebrate and uplift local entrepreneurs.
Sample food and drinks will be available from Ashley’s Yummy Rollz; Horseed Deli; Chi Town Eats and Treats; Señor Elote; Uncle Mike’s Red Hots; and Ya Sure Kombucha. Learn more about Area 56 Dance Studio; Asip Consulting; Emotion in Motion; herARTS in Action; No Limit Painting; Too Much Talent; NiNi’s Twerk Shop; and Yenko (airport transportation).