TBD - Greg Wagner

West Central Initiative Foundation

• What is your current role? I currently serve as the Director of Business and Economic Development for West Central Initiative (WCI). We are one of the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations serving greater Minnesota. WCI is headquartered in Fergus Falls and serves nine counties and the White Earth Nation.
• How long have you been in your current role? I have been in my current role since 2016. By the time this September FastLane Forum is published, I will have been part of the WCI team for 17 years.
• What is something people may not know about you? I have always seen the importance of challenging myself both professionally and personally.  I have a love-hate relationship with taking myself out of my comfort zone, but I recognize the growth that occurs when I do.  Over the spring and summer, I recently completed my Open Water Diver SCUBA certification.  It entailed 20 hours of classroom and pool dives, a written test, and four check dives in a lake! 
• What is your favorite part of your position? My favorite part of my job is providing the financial resources to entrepreneurs who are at the implementation phase of their projects and ideas. It is an amazing feeling to be able to go into the communities we serve and see those storefronts and spaces that we had a small part in getting off the ground.  
• What is a hope or dream for growth within your position/company? My hope/dream is comprised of two parts:  First, we need to continue to source flexible sources of capital to keep up with the uptick in demand of our loan programs.  Second, I would like to eventually see our organization’s capacity grow to enable us to provide more in-depth ongoing technical assistance and consultation to the businesses that we assist both during the repayment timeframe and beyond. 

BarCamp - Join Us For One Last FastLane94 Event

September 11th   I    4 - 6:00 PM   I   Milk & Honey Ciders, St. Joseph

As Fastlane94 wraps up, we’re closing it out with one final celebration! We’d love to see resource providers, entrepreneurs, and champions from across all our regions join us. Come enjoy a cider, share one of your favorite hobbies or areas of interest, and most importantly—connect as one Fastlane94 community!

Join us:

• Enjoy a free beverage - Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co 4-5:00pm
• Come network, participate, and enjoy the amazing scenery of Milk & Honey Ciders in St. Joseph
• Free Registration NOW OPEN!

Events & Cohort

Information

START.UP CONNECT - This free meetup is for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, and community members to come together and share their startup and business story with founders from central MN and beyond. At the core, this event will place an emphasis on creating connections and sharing stories. Check out the details for our 9/3 event here.

Legal Corps

Sept 9th - 12:00 PM

Looking to learn more info about Intellectual Property? Michael's specialties are: Patent, Trademark and Copyright law, Intellectual Property strategy, Strategic Positioning and Brand Strategy development, Exit Strategy development and Brand Creation. 

Business Workshop 2.0

Perfect for businesses that have been up and running for 2+ years! 

We had an excellent first workshop on August 20th with JPMorgan Chase & Co! Registration is still open for the upcoming workshops - feel free to register for all or for just the ones that catch your eye!  Please register here for the workshops you plan to attend.

Financial Management for Small Businesses

September 3rd   I   9 - 10:30 am   I Virtual

Feeling overwhelmed by your business finances? Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up, this webinar will equip you with the key financial principles and practical tools you need to manage your money with confidence and drive profitability. In this session you will:

• Build a Solid Financial Foundation
• Budget Like a Pro & Forecast Your Future
• Master Cash Flow for Business Survival & Growth

This is a can't-miss session from the MONEY SMART series for Small Business from www.MBMentors.org. Register and learn more here.

Crafting Connections & Brewing Success

Topic on Tap: Resiliency & New Product Development

Crow Wing County entrepreneurs and small business owners join us on September 10th! Join us for a deep dive into a monthly topic on tap, opportunities to network, and Q&A with North Central SBDC business consultants. Hosted by BLAEDC and the North Central Small Business Development Center. Beverages and food can be purchased at the venue, bring a business card to be entered into a drawing for a free drink!

• 5:00pm - Check-in, Grab Food & Drinks
• 5:30pm - Topic on Tap
• 6:00pm - Questions & Networking

No registration is needed for this FREE event! Simply show up and dive into an engaging discussion about the topic on tap. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn, connect, and share ideas in a casual, welcoming environment.

Buying a Business Basics

September 18th   I   In-person   I   Free Event

This workshop will provide a comprehensive introduction to the essential steps, considerations, and strategies involved in buying a business. Designed for first-time buyers, it covers everything from evaluating potential business opportunities to understanding financing options, due diligence, and negotiating terms. Participants will learn how to assess a business’s financial health, understand key legal requirements, and recognize red flags. Through interactive exercises and expert insights, attendees will gain the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions on their journey toward business ownership.

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Pine City Courthouse - Register Here
• 2:00 - 4:00 PM - Chisago County HRA/EDA Office - Register Here

Taller Emprendedor 101 - ¿Estás listo para comenzar tu camino empresarial?

Únete a nosotros en el Taller Emprendedor 101, este evento de dos días y dos partes fue creado para aspirantes a empresarios que desean dar el siguiente paso hacia el emprendimiento. Ya sea que tengas una idea de negocio o estés comenzando a explorar, este taller te brindará las herramientas para avanzar con confianza.

Cubrirás temas esenciales como la creación de un plan de negocios, la identificación de tu mercado objetivo y el desarrollo de estrategias de marketing efectivas. Espera sesiones prácticas e interactivas, orientación útil y la oportunidad de hacer networking con otras personas que están en un camino similar.

• Este es un evento de dos días y dos partes, y se requiere asistencia en ambas fechas
• Regístrate aquí

Entrepreneur 101 Workshop - Are you ready to start your business journey?

Join us for Entrepreneur 101 Workshop —this two day, two part event was created for aspiring business owners who want to take the next step toward entrepreneurship. Whether you already have a business idea or are just beginning to explore, this workshop will give you the tools to move forward with confidence.

We’ll cover essential topics like creating a business plan, identifying your target market, and developing effective marketing strategies. Expect engaging, hands-on sessions, practical guidance, and networking with others on a similar path.

• This is a two day, two part event, and attendance is required on both dates.
• Register Here

How to Go From Full-Time to Being an Independent

September 18th   I    6 - 7:15 PM    I    Virtual

Want to start a side-gig? Become a freelancer or a full time entrepreneur? The allure of self-employment is strong, but navigating the unknowns can be daunting. What groundwork needs to be laid? What are the must-haves for starting your own business? And how do you professionally transition from your current employer?

Upcoming Launch MN Events

Launch Minnesota’s calendar contains events from organizations across the state. This is your place to find networking groups, pitch competitions, coffee clubs, learning opportunities and more, both in your region and throughout Minnesota.

2025 Summer ILT Founder Showcase

September 18th   I   5:45 - 7:30 PM  I Virtual

Together, we will celebrate their business progress, give them direct feedback and supercharge their professional network at this exciting virtual event. #ilikethat

• ​Connecting talented Midwest founders to community members in our startup ecosystems.

• Attend this showcase --- > Here!

Who Wants To Tailgate?!

September 27th    I     9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Great North Ventures will be hosting a free tailgate during St. John's homecoming football pregame for investors, ecosystem supporters, and startup Founders! Food and beverages will be provided.

No cost, but please RSVP by emailing ryan@greatnorthventures.com

Bookkeeping for Non-Accountants

September 26th   I   11:00 AM - 1:00 PM  I M State Wadena Campus

This workshop is for entrepreneurs without an accounting background who want to demystify bookkeeping. This workshop will cover financial literacy basics as well as basic accounting principles and online options. Participants will learn essential skills such as tracking expenses, invoicing clients and reconciling accounts.

Fall 2025 Fundraising Summit - Day 1

September 30th   I   9:00 AM - 3:30 PM   I   Little Falls, MN

Are you ready to strengthen your nonprofit’s fundraising game? Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to refine your approach, in this interactive workshop Janet Cobb will guide you through the essential building blocks of a strong, sustainable development strategy.

• Fee: $25 (outside of IF region $100)
• See details here.

Day 2 -   October 1st    I    9:00 AM - 3:30 PM   Register Here

Day 3 -   October 2nd   I   9:00 AM - 3:30 PM   Register Here

Bookkeeping for Non-Accountants

October 2nd    I     FREE    I     Partnering with North Central SBDC

For entrepreneurs without an accounting background who want to demystify bookkeeping. This workshop will cover financial literacy basics as well as basic accounting principles and online options. Participants will learn essential skills such as:

• Tracking expenses
• Invoicing clients
• Reconciling accounts

In-Person - Chisago County HRA/EDA Office - 2 - 4:00 PM - Register Here

In-Person - Pine County Courthouse - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Register Here

Achieve Your Goals Faster

October 7th   I    9 - 10:15 AM    I    Virtual

Whether you're seeking investment or simply need a clearer roadmap, a lean business plan provides a streamlined solution for defining and communicating your business vision. and effectively. Core elements in on this webinar:

• Your Strategy: Clearly define your key objectives.
• Your Tactics: Outline the specific actions you'll take.
• Scheduling: Assign responsibilities and set realistic timelines.
• Your Business Model: Articulate your revenue generation strategy.

Join us to learn how to create a lean plan with practical examples, and receive a free Lean Plan template to get started. Learn more and register here!

Are you hosting an entrepreneur-focused event that is open to all?

Please submit information for the event here!

Crafting Connections & Brewing Success

October 8th   I   5 - 6:30 PM   I Last Turn Saloon, Brainerd

This is for  for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Crow Wing County and Beyond! Events feature a deep dive into a monthly Topic on Tap, opportunities to network, and Q&A with North Central SBDC business consultants.

This month's topic: 

• Small Loans for Big Ideas

Grow with Google

October 30th   I    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM   I   Pine County Courthouse   

In partnership with the North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Grow With Google workshop is for small business owners and entrepreneurs. This session will explore essential digital tools from Google that can help boost online presence, attract customers, and improve productivity. We will cover topics such as creating or optimizing a Google Business Profile, understanding online advertising with Google Ads, leveraging Google Analytics for insights and using Google Workspace for streamlined operations.

Have questions? Either respond to this email or contact the sender on jweber@greaterstcloud.com