Entrepreneurs in Sherburne & Wright Counties: Apply Today
Aspiring entrepreneurs in Sherburne and Wright counties are invited to apply for the Initiative Foundation’s Enterprise Academy, a proven small-business training program launching a new cohort in fall 2025.
Classes will run weekly from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 11 to Dec. 4, at the Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut St. Participants who apply and are accepted into the program will gain the skills and confidence to launch and grow a small business, from business planning and marketing to financial management and legal basics.
This new cohort is made possible through a partnership with the Wright County Economic Development Partnership and the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority. Both organizations are working to expand entrepreneurial education and support to residents across the region.
“The Enterprise Academy is a significant evolution for a broader entrepreneurship movement in Wright and Sherburne counties,” said Missy Meidinger, executive director of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership. “This initiative will help generate new job opportunities, attract emerging industries, and strengthen the network of resources and partnerships that are vital to supporting local entrepreneurs.”
Said Brian Fleming, executive director for the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority: “Partnering with Initiative Foundation and Wright County Economic Development Partnership to bring the Enterprise Academy to our Sherburne and Wright County entrepreneurs is a significant milestone for the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority (EDA). The Sherburne County EDA strives to ensure local entrepreneurs have the tools and support needed to launch, grow and have a successful business.”
Enterprise Academy is part of the Initiative Foundation’s suite of business development services and is designed for people 18 and older who face barriers to traditional entrepreneurship support. The training is led by experienced instructors and supplemented with one-on-one coaching, mentoring and access to small-business lending options.
Program graduate and 2025 Product of the Year awardee Sandra Rolf, who runs Storyline Puzzle Company out of her home in Becker, located in Sherburne County, said the classroom experience was transformative: “The knowledge, encouragement and sense of community it provided helped me grow, not only as a business owner, but as a storyteller and advocate for inclusive entrepreneurship. [The Initiative Foundation’s] leadership and dedication to empowering entrepreneurs like me made a lasting impression.”
Since launching in 2018, Enterprise Academy has graduated more than 250 students, primarily in Long Prairie (Spanish-language classes), the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy (Onamia), and the St. Cloud area. In total, the program has delivered more than 6,000 hours of classroom instruction and 1,700-plus hours of personalized coaching.
“More than 60 percent of our graduates have followed through to start a business,” said Ismail Mohamed, program officer for Enterprise Academy. “That’s compared to the national average of 20 to 25 percent for startup entrepreneurs who have received some form of training. We are proud of these graduates and their efforts.”
Apply or Learn More
Interested individuals can learn more and apply!