How to get the most out of Elevate Hennepin advising in 2026

How to get the most out of Elevate Hennepin advising in 2026

Elevate Hennepin’s Business Navigators, Ixchel McKinnie and MayPa Yang, work directly with entrepreneurs to help them identify the right resources, advisors, and next steps.

They shared their best practices for getting started and getting going whether you’re using the self-service directory or booking a consultation.

Q: How should someone get started?

Ixchel: Entrepreneurs really have two paths to get started with Elevate Hennepin. They can either connect directly with an advisor via the resource directory or schedule time with a Business Navigator. 

Q: When should someone reach out to a Business Navigator?

Ixchel: Think of a Business Navigator as someone who helps you translate your goals into the right type of support. You don’t need to know exactly which advisor you want, but you do need to know what you’re trying to accomplish. If you already know the area of support— accounting, access to capital, business strategy, certification, financial management, HR, marketing, or legal — you can absolutely self-serve through the resource directory. But if you’re unsure, a navigator can help you pinpoint the right category and narrow the list of options to two or three strong advisor matches.

Q: What’s the process for navigation?

MayPa: Entrepreneurs can simply head to the Elevate Hennepin website, find the Business Navigators page and schedule a consultation on our calendar. We only have two eligibility items to consider : you have to be at least 18 years of age and be located in Hennepin County. We chat for about 15 minutes, gather some basic information about your business needs and determine some good next steps to work with specific advisors or other resources like our CEO Growth Series cohort programs.

Q: How do Business Navigators help entrepreneurs identify their real needs?

Ixchel: Many people come in asking for marketing help, but they haven’t built the foundation yet — things like pricing, costs, or a clear understanding of their ideal customer. In those cases, we often direct them to work with an advisor focused on business strategy. Getting the fundamentals right makes every other service more effective.

Q: How do you match entrepreneurs with the right advisor?

Ixchel: It’s part art, part science. Stage of business matters, but so does personality fit. This is a trusted relationship, so people need to feel comfortable being honest about their strengths and weaknesses and being vulnerable with their advisor. When we have a consult, we listen for subtle cues: Do they need someone more mentorship-oriented? Do they need highly tactical support? Those nuances help us recommend the right advisor.

Q: What should entrepreneurs prepare before a navigation session?

Ixchel: A clear, quick explanation of your business and what prompted you to reach out. The people who get the most out of Elevate Hennepin services come in with a specific project or goal in mind. And when they’re ready to work on the project — no-cost support doesn’t mean zero effort. Advisors provide a lot of support, but entrepreneurs and business owners still need to execute and implement to move things forward.

Q: What advice do you have for people who feel unsure or intimidated about using these resources?

MayPa: A lot of entrepreneurs come in afraid to make the wrong decision. We remind them: This is your business. You get to choose who you work with. Our job is to give you options and help you feel confident. And these resources truly are for you — Elevate Hennepin exists to remove barriers and expand access.

Q: What’s the biggest key to success when working with an advisor?

Ixchel: Just stay engaged, do the work, and be realistic about timelines. Advisors can’t produce a business plan, logo, or financial model overnight. Good work takes collaboration and back and forth. The earlier you start and the more prepared you are, the better the outcome.