99.7% of all businesses in Greater Minnesota are small businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What does this mean? To break it down, that’s 99.7% of businesses with fewer than 500 employees. But over 94% employ less than 50. In addition, there are 397,000 self-employed individuals. And all of this translates to small businesses holding almost 60% of jobs in Greater Minnesota. It means small businesses are fundamental to our great state. It means that, for MLCV, small businesses bear the key to unlocking a prosperous Mille Lacs Tribal Economy.

May 10 is National Small Business Day. Annually, it calls attention to startups and the self-employed workforce. Given the statistics above, it comes with little wonder that the day triggers a celebration of local entrepreneurism for MLCV.

Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Incubator Program

MLCV pays tribute to small businesses throughout Greater Minnesota and the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy for their many offerings — from job opportunities to sustaining cultural traditions to strengthening the financial climate.

MLCV built this appreciation within the company’s Mille Lacs Tribal Business Incubator Program in partnership with the Initiative Foundation through the Enterprise Academy offering. The 12-week program looks to expand those percentages further and allow community members to begin a small business journey of their own.

A Local Small Business – In the Making

In honor of National Small Business Day, I talked with LeAnn Benjamin, a graduate of Cohort 12 of the Mille Lacs Tribal Business Incubator Program.

For LeAnn, the entrepreneurial spirit is a family affair. Her journey began with the teachings and guidance of her mother, Joycelyn (Joyce) Shingobe. Joyce, who has served as the Mille Lacs Band Commissioner of Education, ensured LeAnn had the resources to receive an education. So much so that they worked together as they received their master’s degrees in Tribal Administration and Government from UMD side by side.

Growing up with an emphasis on education kickstarted LeAnn’s career. In the winter of 2022, she began the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Program side by side with her own daughter — shortly after LeAnn’s brother Jourdaine graduated from the program and launched a small business of his own, Deer Trail Teas.

Image sourced from Benjamin’s Beaded Bling website

LeAnn completed the course in May 2022 with the tools needed to prepare to open B’s Floral and Gift. The shop will host a variety of flowers and local artist gifts. LeAnn’s daughter, Amber, plans to include her hand-made beadwork in the shop. That’s right; she has a small business of her own, too, called Benjamin’s Beaded Bling. Surprised? Me either.

The Story Behind B’s Floral and Gift

LeAnn has called Onamia home her entire life. For over 50 years, she has witnessed the ups and downs of the community. Our conversations made it apparent that her close relationship with the town and those within the Mille Lacs Band is part of her identity and what formed her business direction.

Future B’s Floral and Gift visitors will be greeted with a convenient and beautiful floral market. LeAnn expresses her intention to open the shop centrally located within the Reservation Land, eliminating the stresses of travel distance, delivery charges, and hours of operation. “I want to be available seven days a week for the community to receive fresh flowers for any occasion,” she shares.

B’s Floral and Gift will also include a variety of local traditional Native American artwork. Each item will tell a story, from beadwork to birch bark art and birch bark planter baskets. The goal to extend beyond sharing and selling her and her family’s creative goods to those of surrounding Indigenous Artists sums up LeAnn’s all-encompassing, thoughtful character. “There are a lot of talented people in the area, so I want to help them sell their goods,” she explains.

LeAnn’s business will allow her to connect even further with her neighbors. She will not just witness the ups and downs of the community but truly experience them right alongside — friends and strangers alike. Through weddings, anniversaries, graduations, holidays, and funerals, LeAnn will be there.

Enterprise Academy Participant Advice

It’s written in the paperwork that the program offers one-on-one training, technical assistance, low-cost finance accessibility, and physical space. But what’s included goes beyond the curriculum.

LeAnn is still fine-tuning the business plan for B’s Floral and Gift. She will be the first to admit it isn’t easy work, and she relays how the program taught her it’s okay to admit that— that it’s okay to ask for and accept help.

The ongoing availability of the program’s teachers and presenters has helped her never give up. “They really help you and will stick with you and work with you until your business is up and running,” she expresses.

Her final piece of advice for any future entrepreneurs? “If you have the desire to start your own business, apply to the program. They are nice, good people who care.”

A Small Business Celebration

Our state’s large percentage of small businesses brings meaning to National Small Business Day. But our robust local entrepreneurism brings a special significance to the occasion, tugging on heartstrings close to home. These resilient, hardworking individuals make an impact that numbers can’t capture.

“Being a Mille Lacs Band member with a business is a big deal because you can help your community, and you want to serve them the best you can, especially in times of need,” LeAnn reveals. As a lifelong Mille Lacs Band resident and Tribal member, LeAnn knows the impact she will make. There is no question about the degree of success to come. Her gifts and floral arrangements will bring the celebration to an array of life’s events, and all will cherish her caring nature.

LeAnn’s business plan is still underway and in development – plans are subject to change.

The next Cohort of the Enterprise Academy within the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Program will begin in September 2023. We are actively seeking Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Entrepreneurs interested in opening a retail location. For more information, please visit https://www.ifound.org/economy/enterprise-academy/.

Sources:

Small Business Success / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (mn.gov)

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.