Three Additional Brick and Mortar Small Businesses Receive Grant Support From Local Fund

We are excited to announce the next recipients of the ‘United We Stand’ Small Business Microgrant Fund: Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse, Purple Sage Wellness, and Lasker Jewelers. 

Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse is a cinema and coffeehouse located in northwest Rochester. The business was launched by Andy Smith in May 2019 “to create community around film.”

Purple Sage Wellness is a wellness center run by Tina Ridler in southwest Rochester. This business provides “wellness education and stress and pain relief.”

Lasker Jewelers is a family owned business that has been in Rochester since 1973. This business is a retail jewelry store located on 1st Street SW. 

Congratulations to these Rochester businesses!

Funds available for the ‘United We Stand’ Small Business Microgrant Fund are determined by sales of “United We Stand- Six Feet Apart” shirts that are designed by David van Eijl of TEXTEijL. These shirts are currently being sold at Hy-Vee, other area locations, and online. Donations to the fund can also be made directly through Collider Foundation. 

The ‘United We Stand’ Small Business Microgrant Fund aims to provide emergency cash assistance for brick and mortar businesses in Rochester, MN. Businesses critically impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for up to a $500 grant per business applicant. Grant funding will only be given for eligible expenses including rent, utilities, and other costs of operations. Proof of expenses outstanding such as invoices issued to the business or a utility bill will be given greater consideration for funding.

Applications and grant disbursements are administered by the Collider Foundation.  

Qualifying businesses will be awarded funds on a first come, first served basis as funding becomes available. So if you are able, please consider purchasing T-shirts and donating to Collider Foundation’s fundraising campaign supporting the fund to keep our entrepreneurial community #rochesterstrong. 

Find more information about the fund and support its growth here: https://www.collider.mn/uws.

Announcing the First United We Stand Microgrant Awardees

We are excited to announce the first two recipients of the ‘United We Stand’ Small Business Microgrant Fund: Carpet Booth Studios and The Nordic Shop.

Carpet Booth Studios, a music production and recording studio, was launched in March 2017 to “offer top quality audio and music services to every genre, background, and person.” This business is located in southeast Rochester.

The Nordic Shop is “a family owned Specialty Shop that specializes in Gifts and Apparel from Scandinavian.” This business first opened its doors in Rochester in 1974 and is located in the skyway at the Shops at University Square. 

Congratulations to these Rochester businesses!

Funds available for the ‘United We Stand’ Small Business Microgrant Fund are determined by sales of “United We Stand- Six Feet Apart” shirts that are designed by David van Eijl of TEXTEijL. These shirts are currently being sold at Hy-Vee, other area locations, and online. Donations to the fund can also be made directly through Collider Foundation. 

The ‘United We Stand’ Small Business Microgrant Fund aims to provide emergency cash assistance for brick and mortar businesses in Rochester, MN. Businesses critically impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for up to a $500 grant per business applicant. Grant funding will only be given for eligible expenses including rent, utilities, and other costs of operations. Proof of expenses outstanding such as invoices issued to the business or a utility bill will be given greater consideration for funding.

Applications and grant disbursements are administered by the Collider Foundation.  

Qualifying businesses will be awarded funds on a first come, first served basis as funding becomes available. So if you are able, please consider purchasing T-shirts and donating to Collider Foundation’s fundraising campaign supporting the fund to keep our entrepreneurial community #rochesterstrong. 

Find more information about the fund and support its growth here: https://www.collider.mn/uws.

Winter Leads to Spring

Well, it looks like winter got us again. Here in Rochester, we got about six inches of snow in Mid-April.

I was thinking as the snow stared to fly, that our recent weather is much like the entrepreneurial journey. After a long journey overcoming one huge barrier to your business, things may start to look bright and sunny…then winter hits again.

The resilience to these sudden shifts is what will test the meddle of everyone who chooses to become an entrepreneur. Over the past decade, I’ve learned to not celebrate “highs” too much because the “lows” will soon follow. At the same time, I have learned that the “lows” are never truly as bad as I believe them to be. I have to believe that spring will return, no matter how bad the winter looks.

Wishing you only spring-like days ahead.

Jamie

Startup Weekend Returns to the Region

I’m happy to announce that our 4th Startup Weekend will be held on June 21-23rd, 2019. I’m also excited that our region has been chosen as a pilot site for “Startup Weekend - Small Town Advantage”. This regional version of Startup Weekend aims to shine a light on rural innovators and highlight that talented entrepreneurs just don’t exist in dense urban communities.

We are just getting started on this initiative, but I wanted to get the word out as fast as possible. We will have more announcements on this in the coming weeks (as well as a website and registration link). A fantastic group of lead organizers has been assembled as well as regional partners who will serve as local representatives all through Southern Minnesota.

Startup Weekend is an initiative of Techstars, one of the world’s premier business accelerators. Their mission is to develop and support thriving entrepreneurial communities wherever they may exist.

Happy 2nd Birthday Collider

It's hard to believe that on August 15th, Collider Coworking will turn two years old.  Collider was born out of a desire to create a place where entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers can gather and feel like they are a part of a local community.  

Starting a business of any kind can feel isolating and lonely, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Collider helps to create a fun atmosphere to work as well as a community of like-minded people that genuinely want to see everyone succeed. 

Collider has had a tremendous impact on our local entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem over the last two years.  Collider has introduced people to new jobs, side gigs, and friendships.  We have also been a hub for hundreds of events that celebrate and inspire the growth of our local ecosystem. 

Collider couldn't have reached this point without our many members, sponsors, and visitors that have continued to support us over the last two years.  Most significantly, I have to single out the support of Hunter and Traci Downs, who have been spectacular partners in this enterprise.  They encouraged me to take the most significant risk of my adult life when I made the move from a stable job to an uncertain future with Collider.  

What's happening with Collider in the future?  All we can say is that we are working hard right now to figure it out.  Going forward we wish to build new partnerships with individuals and organizations across the region, and nationally that share our passion for helping entrepreneurs and small businesses continue to thrive in Southern Minnesota.  

The mission to create a robust local entrepreneurial ecosystem is far from complete.  It's going to take all of us working together to help define the course of the next 10 years.  

Here's to year three!