No-cost expertise for 25 hours per advisor
Hennepin County contracts with more than 30 business advisors to provide group learning opportunities and professional consulting services. Advisors bring cultural understanding to their practice, as well as deep expertise across various business types and sizes. Advisors collaborate with you to determine a plan or strategy so that you can take the next step.
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 next critical step.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.
Advisors resources
A.M. and Associates supports clients from coast to coast. Our firm creates and codifies processes, policies, and procedures to support and prioritize physical and psychological safety for our client’s internal stakeholders.
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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); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Antonelli Lindsay has been at the forefront of creating and developing successful businesses across various industries
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Specialties
Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; Women; Immigrant; Veteran
Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language
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
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Marketing, social media training, marketing skills development for startups through second-stage businesses.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Co-op businesses; Construction; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; Veteran; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish; Speaks Hmong
Kathy Pyle with Clear Talk Accounting is an accounting specialist that offers financial literacy, cost analysis, financial management, and bookkeeping training.
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Specialties
Women; LGBTQIA+; Construction; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Latinx; Asian and Pacific Islander; Co-op businesses; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Nonprofit sector; Veteran
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
ConnectUP! Institute is a social finance and enterprise development center. We provide education, consulting and collaboration on innovative social finance.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Social impact businesses; Women; Construction; Nonprofit sector; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Latinx; Immigrant; Veteran; Co-op businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Armed with this experience and knowledge of legal solutions used by large entities, Davis Law Office set out to bring the same level of service to smaller organizations and individuals.
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Specialties
LGBTQIA+; Social impact businesses; Women
Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
The Dendros Group helps small businesses build capacity and navigate growth with tailored strategies that address mission-driven leadership, operations, and planning.
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Specialties
Construction; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Immigrant; Latinx; Veteran
Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Digital Synergy is a digital marketing agency in Minnesota. Our digital marketing services are results driven to increase your keywords rankings, traffic, leads, sales, and return on investment.
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Specialties
Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Veteran
Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong
Field Guide provides customized solutions for forward-thinking brands and organizations- those whose good work has a positive impact on the world around us.
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Specialties
Co-op businesses; Construction; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Veteran; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Spanish
We help businesses understand, leverage and deploy technology to navigate challenges, minimize risk, and build a foundation for sustainable success.
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Specialties
Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; LGBTQIA+; Women; Immigrant; Latinx
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish
We collaborate with clients to manage risk and prepare their businesses for robust growth.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish
We serve our clients by providing access to resources and capital to empower their businesses.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
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; Nonprofit sector; LGBTQIA+; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
JLLB Media is an Elevate Hennepin advisor offering up to 25 hours of marketing services at no cost.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Latinx; Construction; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Veteran
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish
Khoo Consulting, LLC, helps organizations solve their business problems through 20 years of comprehensive marketing and communications experience.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Spanish
Latino Economic Development Center
The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) was created in 2003 and is the only Latino-led and Latino-focused economic development organization as well as CDFI in Minnesota and the upper Midwest.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Latinx; Construction; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Spanish
Led by TRUTH invests in founders of color by co-creating a learning experience that provides an inclusive space for founders to be the catalyst that turns their dreams into reality.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees); Idea stage businesses
Speaks English
To increase access to the legal system LegalCORPS assists entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits, especially those that strengthen low-income communities, by providing individuals and organizations with business law services they could not otherwise afford.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Construction; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Immigrant; Veteran; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Spanish
Monicat Data “The Business Behind Creativity”, based in St. Paul, MN is a women-led company helping mid-size to corporate enterprises grow through strategic marketing, technology development, and design.
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Specialties
Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Immigrant; Veteran; Latinx
Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
NewPublica is a full-service public relations and strategic communications firm focusing on new audiences and new communications.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Latinx; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Spanish; Speaks Hmong; Speaks Somali
NextStage is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support entrepreneurs at every stage.
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Specialties
Nonprofit sector
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; Speaks Spanish
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 and 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; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; Disadvantaged businesses; Asian and Pacific Islander; LGBTQIA+; Women; Veteran; Latinx; Indigenous / Native American
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks Somali
We empower small to mid-size companies to achieve their full potential through tailored HR consulting services. By working closely with our clients, we have successfully implemented strategies that enhance employee morale, improve organizational culture, and boost overall performance.
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Specialties
Construction; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Women; Veteran
Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Small Business Dreambuilders, LLC
Our mission is to help diverse small businesses—whether in the startup phase, early growth, or second-stage development—turn their aspirations into successful enterprises.
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Specialties
Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Immigrant; Latinx; Veteran
Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
At Software for Good, we envision a world where all communities can use the power of data and technology to cultivate shared abundance and liberation.
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Specialties
Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; Immigrant; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Women
Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Springboard for the Arts mission is to support artists with the tools to make a living and a life, and to build just and equitable communities full of meaning, joy, and connection.
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Specialties
Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Women; Latinx; Veteran; Immigrant
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language
Technologist Computers is a leading provider of high-quality computer hardware, software, ecommerce, websites and cybersecurity services. We are a social enterprise that delivers customized IT solutions.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; Co-op businesses; Nonprofit sector; Women; Immigrant; Latinx; Social impact businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Spanish
TruLegal PLLC is a boutique law firm focused on helping entrepreneurs in Hennepin County overcome legal obstacles and build stronger businesses. Our mission is to remove the barriers often associated with legal services, ensuring all small business owners have access to culturally conscious, straightforward counsel.
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Specialties
Construction; Co-op businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; Veteran; Women
Startup businesses (0 employees); Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Whip-Smart’s hands-on team of marketing experts will help you plan, build and activate the right marketing strategies to grow your brand.
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Specialties
Asian and Pacific Islander; Nonprofit sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Disadvantaged businesses; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Veteran; Women; Construction
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Fund that provides training and access to capital to promote entrepreneurship among American Indian people across Minnesota.
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Specialties
Indigenous / Native American
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees); Idea stage businesses
Speaks English
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; Construction; Social impact businesses; Asian and Pacific Islander; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+; Women; Veteran; Immigrant
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; Construction; Nonprofit sector; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses; African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Disadvantaged businesses; Indigenous / Native American; LGBTQIA+; Immigrant; Latinx; Veteran
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English