Seven Graduate From St. Cloud Enterprise Academy Class
The Initiative Foundation is celebrating the graduation of 14 entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building their homegrown business ideas in the St. Cloud 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.
“These entrepreneurs worked hard through the classes to learn how to build a business plan, keep track of financials, market their business, and more,” said Zach Tabatt, vice president for economic opportunity at the Initiative Foundation. “We’re excited to support them in their business journeys and to help them achieve success.”
Since the founding of the program, about 200 people have graduated and many have gone on to launch successful businesses.
The following Central Minnesota students completed the program:
Abdimalik Abdi: Abdimalik lives in St. Cloud and works in transportation. He enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn the basics for starting a barber shop. Abdimalik looks forward to applying all he has learned to launch his business. In his free time, Abdimalik enjoys playing soccer and making friends.
Momodou Bah: Momodou owns Bella Transportation, LLC, which provides specialized transportation services. He wants to reduce the shortage of specialized transportation services in the St. Cloud area and across Minnesota. Momodou lives in Sauk Rapids and currently works in finance. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, playing sports, traveling and volunteering.
Mohamed Hassan: Mohamed is developing an app-based rideshare company called Hich MN. He enrolled in Enterprise Academy for technical, marketing and financial assistance. Mohamed lives in St. Cloud and currently works as an accountant.
Lacey Monnier: Lacey currently owns a Christmas tree lot and would like to expand to a farm and campground. She lives in Crosby and enrolled in Enterprise Academy to network and learn skills to ensure success for her business. Lacey looks forward to continuing to build a legacy for her family. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors.
Naima Abdi Obsiye: Naima wants to start a trucking business and work with companies like Amazon. She looks forward to taking what she learned in Enterprise Academy to launch her business. Naima currently works as a personal care assistant and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Tracy Pierce: Tracy lives in Elk River and co-owns Acorn Housing Services. Through her business, she helps low-income and disabled people find and stay in housing. Enterprise Academy has helped her to learn how to keep the business stable and healthy. Tracy enjoys camping and fishing with family and friends in her free time.
Carmen Pouliot: Carmen co-owns Acorn Housing Services, LLC. She lives in Elk River and appreciates the opportunity to work on a business plan through Enterprise Academy. Carmen wants to ensure Acorn Housing Services remains woman-run and -owned. In her free time, Carmen enjoys fishing, entertaining, swimming and campfires.
Sandra Rolf: Sandra owns Zylla-Rolf Studio/Gallery in Becker and wants to start a business making puzzles. She enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn successful business techniques and to get helping with launching a puzzle company. In her free time, Sandra enjoys spending time with her grandkids, painting and putting together puzzles.
Adama Sana: Adama launched Burkindy Cleaning, LLC, with friends and enrolled in Enterprise Academy to take his business to the next level. He hopes to make his venture the No. 1 commercial and residential cleaning business in the area. In his free time, Adama enjoys reading self-development and entrepreneurial books.
Rashid Shurie: Rashid owns Quicktech Mobile Shop and enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn business startup skills and tips. He lives in St. Cloud and currently works with ATMs. In his free time, Rashid enjoys playing soccer and helping people.
Shire Sirat: Shire wants to launch Cloud Care Transportation, LLC, a non-medical transportation company. He enrolled in Enterprise Academy to get support to launch the business. Shire lives in St. Cloud and works in behavior resource support. In his free time, he enjoys socializing.
Omaima Tiendrebeogo: Omaima owns Yaalgree, LLC, a transportation business. She has completed the business paperwork but has not yet launched her enterprise. Omaima enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn about creating a business plan and marketing her business. A St. Cloud resident, Omaima enjoys reading and spending time with family.
Additional graduates include Idil Bihi and Maslah Mahamud.