Work with strategic planning experts
A variety of trusted professionals are ready to support you through the essential steps of strategic planning and beyond, including:
- Assessing mission, vision, and aspirations
- Creating or reviewing your business’s core values; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)
- Fine-tuning your objectives, strategies, and operations
- Develop or update your business plan, and more.
Elevate Hennepin advisors offer strategic guidance for your business to get to the next step. While they may support some implementation activities, business owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and day-to-day operations. Businesses should be prepared to engage their own resources for complex projects that are anticipated to take more than 25 hours.
Contact an advisor below to help you identify and plan for your strategic next step or visit our Resource Directory to find more strategic planning options or resources across all our support categories.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.
Strategic planning resources
General business coaching and grant navigation with cultural competence to serve the African diaspora.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Immigrant; Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
One-on-one general business advising and human resource support.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Construction; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; Veteran; Women; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Spanish
For over 25 years I have worked with entrepreneurs, career professionals and Fortune 100 companies to increase their profitability and maintain their sanity.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
CEO Next Business Institute is a regional county partnership program that provides practical tools and techniques for CEOs, designed specifically for growing regional second stage businesses.
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Specialties
Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
CEO Now is a new cohort-based opportunity for established, growth-minded business owners and founders with employees to build and strengthen systems to keep growing.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Explore, validate, and develop a plan to turn your idea into a viable business.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Hmong American Partnership Economic & Community Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that promotes economic and community development in Minnesota's Hmong and other refugee and immigrant communities.
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Specialties
Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks another language
Impact Hub Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a locally rooted, globally connected, 501c3 nonprofit organization that inspires, connects and empowers people working to solve social problems in our city and beyond.
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Specialties
Social impact businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish
NextStage is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support entrepreneurs at every stage.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali
MCCD Open to Business is an association of nonprofit community development organizations committed to expanding the wealth and resources of neighborhoods through housing and economic development initiatives.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Somali; Speaks Spanish
Sigma Consulting & Training is a consultancy and training provider specializing in advising and guiding BIPOC-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali
Victor Jones is a business coach and strategist who specializes in concept development, management, planning, operations, human resources, and finances.
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Specialties
Restaurant sector; African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Tools to help women-owned businesses achieve economic success through planning and assessment, accounting best practices, and financial advising.
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Specialties
Women
Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English