Entrepreneurs, makers and artists networked with DEED representatives from the Offices of Small Business Assistance, Business Finance, Business Development, Small Business Development Centers, Minnesota Trade Office and Unemployment Insurance to learn about technical support and financing programs DEED offers that help get startups up and running.

DEED’s Startup open house, held Oct. 9 at the First National Bank Building in St. Paul, competed with some major Startup Week events taking place that morning, such as Manova Global Summit and specialized tracks in FinTech and Food Ag Ideas. Startup Week program attendees had twice as many events to choose from this year, compared to 2017, said Jeff Nelson, Manager, Business Tax Benefits & Angel Tax Credit Program.

“People were so appreciative to be able to speak with those who run our programs,” Nelson said. In some cases the number of programs took attendees by surprise: “We did not know DEED offers all these programs,” participant feedback revealed.

For Cathy Peregrino, Unemployment Insurance, having an exhibit positioned at the conference room entry gave a distinct advantage. Peregrino provided information – face-to-face and in brochures – about the differences between employees versus independent contractors just as attendees walked through the door. “It’s really important to make this information available as entrepreneurs are just starting a business and perhaps taking on employees,” she said. “We want to make sure they do it right.”

UI provided information about seminars on state employment taxes offered by UI staff and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Attendees at these seminars are eligible for continuing education credits and certificates from several organizations, such as the Society of Human Resources Management, the HR Certification Institute and the American Payroll Association.

The Trade Report, a color, multi-page report detailing foreign dignitary visits to the state in 2017, were offered at the Minnesota Trade Office exhibit table by Aeli Wiebolt, MTO International Marketing Specialist.

Wiebolt spoke with an attendee interested in exporting to the ASEAN region (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei). “I talked with her about the services that the Trade Office offers, such as export counseling and technical assistance, our cutting-edge training seminars and workshops, and export promotion services,” she said. “I gave her the contact information for our Regional Trade Manager that covers the ASEAN region and explained that we also have a foreign representative office there that may be able to assist when she is ready. She left feeling much more comfortable with what she needed to do next.”

Get a Guide

Free copies of the 2018 edition of "A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota" are available from the Small Business Assistance Office at DEED in St. Paul. The guide summarizes the major issues faced by anyone starting a business in Minnesota. The guide also includes information on an array of programs and initiatives that support small business growth and help entrepreneurs increase opportunities for success.

Minnesota has a new look and so does this sharp-looking guide. This year’s publication is designed in the new Minnesota Blue.

The guide is available in hard copy or on CD-ROM from the DEED Small Business Assistance Office, First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200, St. Paul, MN 55101-1351. Phone 651-259-7476 or 1-800-310-8323. The guide also can be found here on the DEED website.

Free Training

Minnesota WorkForce Centers offer training in how to start your own business. Search for those classes here.

Photo credit: Irma Mercado, DEED Communications Office