Cohort 14 participants (LTR back: Christopher “Spud” Gahbow, Jeff Wig, Treston Panachyse, Angie Litchy, Rachel Nelson, Beverly Knowlen, Danielle Kadlec, Pam Thomsen, LTR front: LeeAnn Woiteshek, Raina Killspotted). Not pictured: Carmen Weous, Donita Odden

For just a moment, soften your gaze, and tune out the world. Recall the minutes you sat in pure wonder analyzing your career options, contemplating what-ifs, gushing even, at the idea of what you believe is only a dream. What if I told you that that dream could become a reality?

Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Program

At MLCV, we are deliberate as career accelerants for all Associates. This business culture is a natural reflection of the character in our mission — supporting others, despite any possible prejudices or barriers. Our work in the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Program offers a direct route to achieving those goals and making that dream come true.

Cohort 14 of the Enterprise Academy within the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Program celebrated graduation in December 2022. The 12-week curriculum provides one-on-one training, technical assistance, low-cost finance accessibility, and physical space for entrepreneurs in a small business plan of their choosing.

Cohort 14 Q&A: Angie Litchy

We asked a graduate, Angie Litchy, to share her small business launch story and experience with the program. As a resident of Brainerd, MN, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe, Secretary of the Minnesota Apple Growers Associates Board, and a Crow Wing County Master Gardener, Angie’s no stranger to hard work and innovation. Her involvement with MLCV has roots that go back over 20 years as a previous Associate in IT and as a co-founder of Minokaw Technologies LLC. She recently decided to follow her aspirations and develop a business. Little did Angie know, she would find her way back under MLCV’s championing by joining the Enterprise Academy.

What inspired you to apply and be part of the Enterprise Academy?

When I decided to start my journey, I knew it was essential to find training to help in this unfamiliar territory. When I was looking for free to low-cost options, Enterprise Academy surfaced and stood out. What stood out for me with Enterprise Academy was the topics covered, the length of the course, and the resources available. Many other options were short classes or very brief, lacking depth on the topic. So, I was excited when my small business development center (SBDC) counselor shared the link to enroll in the class.

What is your business, and what made you decide to pursue this?

Newly installed fence — Fence installation at The Crafted Orchard & More property

My husband and I decided to start an apple orchard with agritainment (corn maze, pumpkins, hayrides) in the Brainerd Lakes area. We had been looking at land for sale for years just down the road from us. We always dreamed about what could be. With the pandemic, it was apparent that people needed to get out and focus on their mental and physical health and get away from technology. We wanted to offer an experience for families, neighbors, and passersby to disconnect from tech, exercise, and have fun while creating lasting memories. We knew choosing this path was a good fit for us for similar reasons; get us moving, keep us sharp, and create value. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s what I’m shooting for.

What goals do you have for yourself and your business in the future?

We intend to phase the orchard into multiple phases over the next 5-10 years. Our first phase is to get things in order; clean up, work up the land, get water, fence, and plant trees and plants. We plan to open the agritainment (corn maze, pumpkins, hayrides) options as early as next fall. We will continue growing the orchard by adding more trees annually and entertainment options (corn pits and scavenger hunts via trails in the woods). Depending on revenues, our next phase would be to add some structures. We will add our multi-purpose building, where we will offer food, beverages, and hand-crafted items. We will also provide a workshop for classes on DIY craft projects. At some point, we may offer greenhouse items and experiences for Halloween and Christmas.

What was your biggest takeaway from the Enterprise Academy?

My biggest ah-ha from the class was with the financials. We spent a significant amount of time in this area and had the moment where it just made sense, finally.

What is life like post-graduation?

Things are going great! Since the orchard is seasonal and I don’t have my trees in the ground, I don’t have much going on as business goes. With the holiday season just wrapping up, I had spent time with the family making memories. It’s a new year, and we are excited to get things moving again. I will be attending some orchard management training. I will identify the supplies needed for planting the 380 trees this spring.

What are the next steps for your business plan?

Angie Litchy in front of newly plowed orchard field

I really polished up my business plan. There were a lot of small tweaks added, which improved the plan. We had so many things to think about from a marketing standpoint it was easy to go back and make it more robust. Outside of wrapping up the remaining financial section, I do intend to really delve into the operational plan. I attended an Apple Conference this week and have so many takeaways. The good news is I have them to build on this over time to ensure I am offering a great product and a safe, fun experience. Plus, I met so many cool people to learn from.

A Celebration of Entrepreneurism

Cohort 14 hosted ten resourceful entrepreneurs, each developing a unique business plan. Additional trades included:

· Food truck or restaurant by Beverly Knowlen

· Native crafts by Carmen Weous

· Gun shop and range by Christopher Gahbow

· Childcare center by Danielle Churchill

· Customized training organization for tribal organizations and non-profits by Donita Odden

· Mobile welding and metal art by LeeAnn Woiteshek

· Women’s halfway house by Rachel Nelson

· Custom Ojibwe items by Raina Killspotted

· Bison ranch and equine therapy by Treston Panachyse

The life of the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy is only as strong as the individuals who work to bolster it. Luckily, the entrepreneurs like those of the cohorts of the Enterprise Academy are blazing the trail of ingenuity and possibility.

Now imagine this. You’ve conquered that dream, and the resources offered through MLCV and the Initiative Foundation assisted with the learning curves — tying together those pieces that were just out of reach. But not without your creativity, tenacity, and fearlessness. You, too, can lead the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy into prosperity.

Plans for the first cohort of 2023 are underway for the upcoming fall season.

To support Angie Litchy’s business journey, follow her on Facebook @TheCraftedOrchard.

This article was written by Hannah Torkelson, MLCV’s Brand Communication Specialist. Hannah is a storyteller and is responsible for capturing great moments within MLCV’s portfolio