Minnesota Women’s Press develops growth strategy in CEO Now

Minnesota Women’s Press develops growth strategy in CEO Now

Local publisher Mikki Morrissette joined Elevate Hennepin’s CEO Now cohort with a diverse group of entrepreneurs in a range of fields, including housing development, hospitality, floral design, and painting.

While their businesses vary widely, they struggle with a lot of the same issues: establishing structure, hiring the right people, building a team, and learning how to delegate.

Mikki is the publisher and editor of the Minnesota Women’s Press, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary and is one of the longest continuously run feminist publications in the country.

"I bought the magazine seven years ago and have been flying by the seat of my pants,” she said. “We’ve been re-shifting things after the pandemic. Now comes the time to really roll up the sleeves and figure out what comes next."

That’s what prompted her to apply for CEO Now, a cohort from Hennepin County designed to support established, growth-minded business owners looking to strengthen their skills and develop more solid systems.

"So many of us are accustomed to doing so much ourselves," she said. "A big common point for people in the class is how do you build your team and trust them. Like so many others who like to focus on doing the day-to-day work, it was a big leap to learn that in CEO Now."

The cohort is focused on developing a sustainable three-year growth plan, refining their elevator pitches, understanding their leadership style, and learning how to better navigate their finances.

As part of CEO Now, the cohort also spends a significant amount of time working in peer groups in addition to their in-class learning. She said that’s been especially valuable.

"It’s great to be able to talk about stuff you don’t necessarily know who else to talk about with," Mikki said. "It’s a nice space to admit things that are challenging and then get people’s feedback on it."

Like many print media publishers, Mikki faces a difficult financial landscape. She has a small team of employees and is tapping into different revenue streams to remain viable, including a membership model, grant funding, and advertising.

Her passion for collaborative, community-oriented journalism keeps her motivated.

"I’ve been running this business for seven years and I joke, now I’m learning how to run a business," she said of her experience with CEO Now. "I’ve never taken a business class. I want to hire a business development director, but I want to be smart enough to have direction for that person. A big thing for us is just to be able to grow smartly."