• CO.STARTERS CO.STARTERS

    CO.STARTERS is a program designed to provide you with insights, relationships, and tools to turn your idea into action and a sustainable business. 

    If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to launch a new product or service, CO.STARTERS is for you. The one requirement is that you have to have a concept you are ready to test and be willing to study, shape and fine-tune in a supportive, collaborative, and welcoming environment. If you're creative, community-minded, and serious about turning your passion into a thriving business, we want you.

    Don't miss your chance to enroll in this FREE 2-day bootcamp!

  • Course Dates & Times Course Dates & Times

    Bootcamp sessions are held over the course of 2 days.

    The bootcamp will be held on Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour break for lunch.

  • Enrollment & Selection Process Enrollment & Selection Process

    Applications for CO.STARTERS Bootcamp in Mitchell will be available March 11, 2024. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 3, 2024. Be sure to select Mitchell as your preferred location in the interest form.

  • Program Details Program Details

    During this four-part bootcamp, you’ll collaboratively work with peers to strategize, problem solve, and apply business basics to your idea or venture. Our goal is to challenge you, stretch your thinking, and give you concrete tools to bring your business to life. This bootcamp is not about listening; it’s about doing.

     

    Part 1: Discover

    Understand your business model and how to refine it. We’ll cover:

    • Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset
    • Building your business model using The CO.STARTERS Canvas
    • Refining your model with customer discovery
    • Refining your model through starting small

     

    Part 2: Promote

    Learn how to market your business. We’ll cover:

    • Building relationships through marketing
    • Crafting your message
    • Choosing your marketing channels
    • Developing your “pitch”

     

    Part 3: Build

    Dive into the basic building blocks needed for your financial modeling. We’ll cover:

    • Distributing your product or service
    • Knowing your value (before you set your price)
    • Understanding your costs
    • Calculating a break-even point

     

     

    Part 4: Launch

    Build momentum by goal setting. We’ll cover:

    • Setting priorities
    • Identifying 30, 60, and 90-day milestones
    • Getting SMART about tasks
    • Creating a plan + staying on track

  • Pricing Pricing

    The CO.STARTERS Bootcamp is currently supported through the Community Navigator Pilot Program grant, powered by the Small Business Administration. The current price of the program is FREE, which includes program materials and resources. Interested participants can learn more about the value here.

  • Venue Venue

    Sessions will be held at the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 601 N Main Street in Mitchell, SD. 

    Refreshments will be provided at each session. Lunch will be an hour break on your own.

  • Facilitator: Kimberly Lofgren Facilitator: Kimberly Lofgren

    Kimberly Lofgren is spearheading the CO.STARTERS Bootcamp. She has been the CFO for the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation, Mitchell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Mitchell Main Street & Beyond for the last 19 years. She is a graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University with both her bachelor's and master's degrees. Last year, Kimberly completed the CO.STARTERS Core program and launched her business, Number Nerds Bookkeeping LLC. She has two amazing children, Kennedy and Ethan, two stepchildren, Paige and Sydney, and a pretty cool fiance, Chad.

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    Applications for Mitchell's CO.STARTERS Bootcamp are now open!

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    The Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation seeks to create an ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs succeed. The Forward 2040 Visionary Planning identified the need to support entrepreneurs in our community and a recent survey revealed that entrepreneurs need mentors, technical assistance, and help identifying funding sources. 

    Thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Startup Sioux Falls is piloting an expanded version of its CO.STARTERS accelerator program to better reach underserved communities.

    Learn more about the SBA grant opportunity and Hub & Spoke Model Program here: Community Navigator Pilot Program

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  • Contact

    Please direct questions and inquiries regarding the program and organizations involved to Alex Heidinger at 605-996-5567 or alex@mitchellsd.com.

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