Sigma Consulting

Sigma Consulting is an Elevate Hennepin business advisor offering up to 25 hours of business and financial planning services at no cost, including:

Access to capital

• Identify applicable financing opportunities for business owners 
• Provide financial education and literacy
• Offer commercial or personal credit counseling 
• Identification of required documentation needed to apply for loans and grants, if available
• Assist with the completion of loan, grant or other application paperwork
• Assist businesses in preparing financial statements and projections
• Connect business owners to lending entities within the Elevate Hennepin network and assisting in preparing financials to approach lending entities
  

Accounting 

• Accounting advisory services 
• Bookkeeping training, with an emphasis on QuickBooks
• Assistance with setting up Chart of Accounts and other elements in QuickBooks 
• Other services; general advice regarding sales tax, payroll accounting, and basic tax-related income & employment taxes

Business certification

• Securing minority-owned business certifications such as National Women Certification, The Central (CERT) Certification Program, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Targeted Group (TG) Small Business Procurement Program, certification through counties and certifications through the State of Minnesota
• Help with the federal System for Award Management (SAM) registration
• Support with government contracting such as bidding, supplier registration, and RFP response 
• Connecting with Hennepin County’s Certified Access program, which focuses on providing business support for women entrepreneurs of color 

Business strategy

• Business and strategic plan development
• Mission, vision development, and goal setting 
• Industry and market analysis and customer segmentation 
• Unique value proposition and competitive positioning
• SWOT Analysis
• Financial reports, projections, and forecasting 
• Business profitability modeling 

Financial management

• Impart financial education and literacy including how to read and interpret financial reports
• Provide financial counseling 
• Assist in the development of a budget, cash flow, and other financial reports necessary to run a business
• Collaborate to create financial projections and forecasting
• Review product/service pricing, cost of goods sold, and other factors that affect profitability 
• Conduct profitability modeling 

Sigma Consulting is a consultancy and training provider specializing in advising and guiding BIPOC-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs. We recognize the unique challenges small businesses encounter in communities of color, and we work closely with our clients to identify opportunities for growth and improvement. With our customized solutions and individualized approach, we assist small businesses in achieving their objectives and thriving in today's highly competitive market.

Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs in Minnesota by offering exceptional consulting and training services that transform complex business ideas into actionable and sustainable outcomes. We aim to serve as the intermediary between concept and reality, aiding our clients in navigating the challenging landscape of product and service development with ease and confidence.