Like most entrepreneurs, Lynnette Steen was juggling many day-to-day tasks in her business, Lynnette’s Portrait Design. In the midst of her busiest season, with senior portraits and other photo shoots filling her days, she expanded into a new, larger location in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The last thing on Lynnette’s mind was adding more to her plate after the investment of moving, but little did she know more growth was in her future.

It was perhaps fate that an Entrepreneur Fund business advisor walked into Lynnette’s studio for a new headshot in late 2015. Impressed with her acumen and potential for further growth, he encouraged Lynnette to enroll in the Entrepreneur Fund’s business acceleration program, Be Strategic: Grow Your Business. Lynnette was busy and reluctant, but decided to take on a new challenge.

Investing in your growth

Fostering a healthy small business economy in the region requires a long-term view. The Entrepreneur Fund brings regional investment to the table, along with entrepreneurial experience, marketplace knowledge and strategies for growth. We know business owners have specific needs. They need advocacy, not only with other business owners, but with expert strategists like those found at the Entrepreneur Fund.

Which is just what Lynnette found with Be Strategic: Grow Your Business.

“They’re a great resource and have become some of my biggest cheerleaders, they truly care about my business.”

The Entrepreneur Fund actively partners with entrepreneurs to stimulate growth of successful businesses across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. We believe that successful entrepreneurs contribute to the vitality of their community, enhance a culture of entrepreneurship throughout the region and diversify the regional economy.

Reaching the next level

Despite a full calendar, Lynnette decided to enroll in Be Strategic: Grow Your Business, and she didn’t stop there. After completing the course, she took out a business loan and took advantage of two business development services: marketing and financial advisement. To read how the Entrepreneur Fund gave Lynnette’s business breathing room and increased her numbers by 24% in the first quarter, download the full case study.