Loan Client Spotlight: Tone Music
Mara Schack, SMIF loan client and owner of Tone Music in downtown Owatonna, shared her experience working with SMIF.
Loan Client Spotlight: Personal Hearing Care
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation gave a Small Enterprise Loan to Dr. Amanda Bohn in 2024 to support her practice, Personal Hearing Care, in St. Peter.
Loan Client Spotlight: Minnesota Canine Club
In 2024, Jon Hansen received a Small Enterprise Loan from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to start Minnesota Canine Club. The support from SMIF allowed him to pursue his dream of owning a dog boarding and training club.
Loan client spotlight: ONE Athletics
ONE Athletics is a youth fitness and gymnastics facility in Rochester. In 2023, they received a Small Enterprise Loan from SMIF which has allowed them to purchase critical equipment for the business.
Unlocking peer support: Part 1
Running a small business can feel isolating. Emily Knudsen, owner of Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm in Waseca, joined SMIF's Local Foods Peer Network and found a cohort of entrepreneurs to learn from and grow with.
Loan client spotlight: Shawarmania Mediterranean Grill
When Ahmad Kiblawi came to the United States with his siblings, he was not able to find the Middle Eastern flavors he was accustomed to. Years later, he is now the owner of Shawarmania Mediterranean Grill in Mankato. SMIF supported his business through the Small Enterprise Loan Program and the Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program.
Loan client spotlight: CannonBelles
CannonBelles, an award-winning cheese company based in Cannon Falls, received a Small Enterprise Loan from SMIF in 2021. Deeann Lufkin, co-owner of CannonBelles, shared some of the history of how she and her business partners started their business, and how SMIF has supported its growth.
Voices of our region: Beth’s story
Growing up, I always knew that someday I wanted to have my own business. After graduating from high school, I spent 10 years in the Army traveling the world, then found myself a corporate job. Finally, at the age of 40, I started a family and found my passion.
Bill and Emily: Why we love Waseca
Bill and Emily own a unique business in Waseca called Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm. They have found that opening and running a business in rural Minnesota comes with numerous benefits.
New Entrepreneurs Leading the Way: West Oakland Auto
Read how West Oakland Auto in Austin, Minnesota used SMIF loans and technical assistance to grow their small business. They were participants in SMIF's Prosperity Initiative.
