Entrepreneur Fund

At the Entrepreneur Fund, we have the privilege of working with incredible entrepreneurs and small business owners across our region all year long. Their creativity, resilience, and dedication are the heart of our communities. As we enter the holiday season, there’s no better time to show them our support. Shopping small isn’t just about finding unique gifts (although small businesses have you covered there)—it’s about investing in the future of our communities. Here are a few reasons we love supporting small businesses during the holidays and all year long: 1?? Strengthen Your Community Every purchase keeps hometown businesses thriving and supports local families. 2?? Discover Hidden Gems Local entrepreneurs often offer handcrafted and unique products that you won’t find anywhere else. 3?? Support Local Jobs Your dollars help create and sustain jobs, directly impacting the livelihoods of our neighbors. 4?? Boost the Local Economy Shopping small means more money stays within the community, building a stronger local economy for everyone. 5?? Create Lasting Connections Small businesses foster a sense of belonging and connection, making our communities truly special. This Small Business Saturday, let’s rally behind the entrepreneurs who pour their heart and soul into their work. ?? ?? Where will you shop small this weekend? Tag your favorite local business or business owner in the comments and share the love! #SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopLocal #EntrepreneurFund #shopsmall #efund #cdfi #minnesota #wisconsin

What a great feature about EFund business advisor Emily Roose and the incredible work she’s doing up in the Ely area! Emily is a true advocate for entrepreneurs in our region, always finding ways to help small business owners turn their ideas into something incredible—whether it’s through one-on-one advising, connecting them with financial resources, or just being there to brainstorm. Her passion for supporting local businesses, especially in rural areas, is a testament to her commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities. We couldn't be more proud to have Emily on our team and to see her efforts highlighted in this Timberjay Newspaper feature. Way to go, Emily!

Congratulations to Hayward and Lac Courte Oreilles area business owners on completing the two-day Profit Mastery workshop earlier this month! We’re excited to see how you apply your enhanced financial skills to grow your business. You've got this—and our team is here to support you every step of the way! Thank you to our gracious hosts Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation. We have another Profit Mastery workshop in Rhinelander December 9-10. This course is FREE to Wisconsin business owners - an offer that is only available this year thanks to grant funding. Find more details and register here: https://lnkd.in/gimmXWAn

Doing good. Being great. Last week, we held our fourth all-staff meeting of the year, centered on this theme. As a learning organization, we've continued to ask ourselves what does it mean to do good work? How can we show up for our region's entrepreneurs? What does it mean to help our clients? As one local business owner shared earlier this year, "some of my better insights have come from people asking really hard questions." By consistently reflecting on our work, asking tough questions, and pursuing deeper insights, we've made huge strides this year in strengthening our ability to challenge and support the entrepreneurs we serve, driving meaningful and lasting impact across our region. #cdfi #efund #minnesota #wisconsin #smallbusiness

Our team recently strategized about how to tailor our process and maximize our flexible financing options to assist growth stage businesses interested in launching themselves to the next level. Thanks to Wells Fargo for supporting our efforts to respond to the need of entrepreneurs in northeast Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. If you're curious to learn more about the process, check out this piece by EFund CEO Shawn Wellnitz: https://lnkd.in/e4ZFXT2q

???? Happy #VeteransDay! There are nearly 2 million veteran-owned small businesses across America. Shop at veteran-owned small businesses near you to support the job creators in your community! Explore #VetBiz resources: https://lnkd.in/e2jBDxi

You can always count on the marketing students for a photo opportunity. Thank you Labovitz School of Business and Economics and the UMD Entrepreneurship Conference for including EFund’s Sandi Larson and Kyle Dickinson, MBA to speak and field questions during the Lunch & Learn session. Our team had a blast!

Recover and rebuild with the City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund. Eligible Cook, Minnesota, businesses impacted by the June 2024 flood can access low-interest loans up to $250,000, thanks to a collaboration between the Entrepreneur Fund, City of Cook, and Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. Funding is available for vital repairs, restocking inventory, and other operating needs. Plus, 50% of the loan is forgivable after five years in good standing! Interested or know of a business that could use assistance? Reach out to EFund business developer JoAnn Smith or contact us [email protected] to learn more and start the application process. #CookMN #CommunityResilience #BusinessRecovery #minneosta #smallbusiness #partnerships

Looking forward to the UMD Labovitz School of Business & Economics Entrepreneurship Conference this Thursday, Nov. 7! EFund's Sandi Larson and Kyle Dickinson, MBA will be leading a lunch Q&A session where they'll cover your questions about securing funding for your entrepreneurial pursuits, getting started, finding the right resources and much more! Plus, look at all those EFund clients and partners speaking on the morning and afternoon panels! Wow, what a great lineup! It's going to be a great day for Twin Ports area students, educators and entrepreneurs! See you there!

Building a business requires more than financial support—it’s about trusted relationships. For the Churchill family, working with EFund business loan officer Tom Clark meant having both a lender and a confidant. “We can be vulnerable with him, and there’s no judgment,” said Spencer Churchill, executive chef Round Man Brewing Co. and Strongman Smokehouse in Spooner, Wisconsin. That trust helped the Churchill family bring their brewhouse project to life, allowing them to increase their brewing capacity and distribution. Read more about their journey and how the right support at the right time boosted their business growth: https://lnkd.in/gbVphtJU #smallbusinessgrowth #wisconsin #efund #entrepreneur #smallbusinesslending #communityimpact #efundwefund