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Success stories

Entrepreneurs power their success with Elevate Hennepin

Real-life examples of business success from Elevate Hennepin

The results speak for themselves: see how entrepreneurs like you are growing their businesses, gaining confidence as business owners, and building their skills with the support of Elevate Hennepin.

Jill founder of Arch Empathy
Featured Success Story

Jill Cain offers empathy, marketing expertise

For Jill Cain, Elevate Hennepin advisor and founder of Arch Empathy, helping small business owners with marketing isn’t just about social media strategies or brand colors, it’s about finding the spark that customers are looking for.

Mother Earth Gardens co-owner Karen O'Connor

Mother Earth Gardens cultivates legacy in CEO Next

When Karen O’Connor, co-owner of Mother Earth Gardens, joined CEO Next, she wasn’t chasing more locations or a bigger revenue, she was thinking about the legacy of her business.

Advisee grown in Elevate Hennepin through 2025

2025 highlights from Elevate Hennepin

Through 2025, Elevate Hennepin continued to provide transformational support for businesses through no-cost consulting, cohorts, and a curated hub of vital resources.

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Preparing for relief funding or grants

Elevate Hennepin financial management advisors shared some of their best practices to prepare for relief funding or grants in a crisis.

Dina Simon 2026 headshot

Dina Simon brings deep HR expertise to Elevate Hennepin

Dina Simon, founder of Simon and Associates, has built her career on helping organizations understand how to manage their greatest asset: people.

Love Local collage including photos of business owners and residents

February is Shop Local Month in Hennepin County

Hennepin County has proclaimed February as Shop Local Month in partnership with the State of Minnesota.

Generic negotiation graphic of two people shaking hands over documents.

Video guides: Renegotiating a lease in a financial crisis

When financial pressure hits a small business, the primary cost can become a major challenge, but it’s one that can be solved with smart negotiation.

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Apply for CEO Next

Applications for CEO Next, a group-learning opportunity that provides practical tools and techniques for CEOs and business leaders and is designed specifically for growing regional businesses.

Apply today for CEO Now

Applications are now open for CEO Now, a cohort opportunity designed to help established, growth-minded business owners and founders with employees to build and strengthen systems to keep growing.