North Central Small Business Development Center

06/05/2026

Cool things happen when small businesses and communities come together. Shout out to Knotty Pine Bakery for showing some Nisswa pride with these turtle cookies!

06/03/2026

Yesterday we had the opportunity to be a part of the Isanti Entrepreneurship Series and talk with folks about pricing. Our Regional Director Katie Heppner shared the podium with two awesome speakers who shared their real-world insights, Keith with Isanti Municipal Liquor Store and Stephanie with WillowBridge Center.

The biggest takeaway: no one way of pricing is best, but it all starts with knowing what it costs you to sell your product or services. From there, you'll be able to figure out how much need to charge in order to make a profit.

Thank you to City of Isanti and North 65 Chamber of Commerce for including us!

06/01/2026

The North Central SBDC service area is home to 11 Minnesota State Parks, including St. Croix State Park, where this photo was taken. While these parks are incredible places to explore, they also play an important role in supporting rural entrepreneurs and small businesses across our region.

Visitors who come to enjoy our trails, lakes, forests, and outdoor recreation often stop for a meal, book a cabin, shop at a local store, fill up at a gas station, or discover a small-town attraction. Behind each of those experiences is a local business owner working hard to serve their community and build something of their own.

At the North Central SBDC, we're proud to support the entrepreneurs who help make our communities vibrant places to live, work, and visit. Their success strengthens our local economies and helps ensure rural Minnesota continues to thrive.

05/28/2026

Are you lender ready? At this SBA event, you'll be able to hear directly from lenders on what they look for in strong loan applications.

Learn more and register at: AYLR.eventbrite.com

05/27/2026

We can't wait to be a part of this conversation! If you're in Isanti, we hope to see you there 🏷️

🚨 ONLY 1 WEEK AWAY! 🚨

Are you a new business struggling to find the right price for your product or service? Or are you eroding your profit margins by offering deep discounts you don’t actually need to be giving? 🤔

Determining your value is one of the toughest parts of entrepreneurship, but you don't have to navigate it alone.

Next Tuesday, join us for our Pricing Your Product Entrepreneur Workshop. We’ve brought together an exceptional panel of experts to help you move past the guesswork and price with absolute confidence:

✨ Katie Heppner – North Central SBDC
✨ Keith Lusk – Isanti Liquor Store Manager
✨ Stephanie Edoff – Owner of Willow Bridge

Whether you are launching a brand-new venture or re-evaluating your current financial strategy, you'll walk away with actionable insights to protect your profits and grow your business.

🙌 All are welcome, and it is absolutely FREE to attend! You do not need to live in Isanti to participate.

🗓 When: Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 4:30 PM
📍 Where: Isanti Community Center
🤝 Hosted by: The City of Isanti, the North 65 Chamber of Commerce, and the East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC)

Spaces are filling up! Click the link below to secure your seat today. 👇
https://www.cityofisanti.us/business/isanti_entrepreneur_workshops.php

05/26/2026

Summers fly by in Minnesota, so don't put your small business goals on the backburner. You'll thank yourself in the fall.

Need guidance? Our team of professional business consultants are here to help. Register to work with a consultant today at www.northcentralsbdc.com

All consulting is provided at no-cost and is completely confidential.

05/22/2026

This Memorial Day weekend, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice helped build the opportunities we value every day, including the ability for small businesses and local communities to thrive.

From all of us at the North Central SBDC, thank you to those who served and to the families who carry their legacy forward.

05/21/2026

Today a group of economic development professionals from across the region met up in Pequot Lakes at the new Snarky's Hideout. We all agreed on one thing: shopping local is always important, but it's especially important during construction 🚧

If you're in Wadena, Staples, Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Isanti, or any other town that has construction, make sure you shop local this summer. Small businesses are such a critical part of our communities, and supporting them is well worth the hassle of a detour.

05/19/2026

Some places remind you why this region means so much to the people who call it home.

This view from the Milford Mine Memorial Park in Crosby is a reminder that our lakes, trails, woods, and small towns are not just beautiful. They are a major part of our local economy. Tourism supports restaurants, resorts, campgrounds, retail shops, guides, breweries, and countless small businesses across our region. When people come here to slow down, explore, and reconnect with nature, they also help support the entrepreneurs and communities that make Minnesota special.

At the North Central SBDC, we are proud to support the small businesses that help bring these experiences to life every day.

Our hearts are also with everyone impacted by the Flanders Fire in northern Crow Wing County. We are thinking about the families, residents, first responders, and business owners navigating an incredibly difficult time. Minnesota has always been a place where neighbors show up for one another, and that spirit matters now more than ever.