The Community Entrepreneurship Program, a collaboration between the University of St. Thomas, the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, and the Small Business Development Center, was recently featured in MinnPost following successful fundraising for the first Black woman-owned brewery in the Twin Cities with help from St. Thomas students.
From the story:
Starting a brewery is no small task, especially for a woman of color. She applied for numerous grants but had little success. “There are always challenges for women of color, particularly Black women, in getting access to capital,” Mikell explained.
However, the Community Entrepreneurship Program at St. Thomas provided a lifeline. This 10-month program, a collaboration between the University of St. Thomas, the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, and the Small Business Development Center, offers hands-on support for aspiring entrepreneurs facing economic hardship.
Mikell highlighted the program’s mentorship and student consultations as particularly beneficial. “My students have been a godsend,” she said, crediting them with helping to build her crowdfunding campaign from scratch. The mentorship from professionals, even those outside her industry, also provided valuable perspectives, especially in crafting a business plan appealing to bankers.
