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A business publication from the City of Minnetonka <br />Winter 2019 <br />Open to Business ProgramA CLOSER LOOK AT THE: <br />Q: Please provide an overview of the Open to <br />Business Program, including cost. <br />A: Our experienced consultants work with small business owners to access technical assistance and financing options. Open to Business partners with cities and counties to make our services available for free throughout the Twin Cities. We work with all types of businesses. The entrepreneur must live, own a business or have interest in opening a business in the area we serve. <br />Q: Describe the technical assistance that you <br />offer to businesses. <br />A: We offer technical assistance in the following areas: business and strategic planning, business feasibility analysis, franchise evaluation, marketing and communications planning, financial training and assessment, referrals for professional services and more. <br />Q: You also provide businesses with access to <br />financial resources. Can you describe the <br />programs available? <br />A: Open to Business advisors assist entrepreneurs to identify borrowing needs and financing options. We help our clients find financing that best meets their own unique needs. MCCD also provides direct financing and loans in partnership with banks and nonprofit lenders. Funds can be used for inventory, working capital, asset and equipment purchases, real estate acquisition and start-up costs. <br />Q: What do you like about working with <br />the City of Minnetonka? <br />A: Minnetonka was one of the first cities to adopt Open to Business and has been instrumental in our growth. The staff is great to work with and the community is very entrepreneurial. Clients in Minnetonka represent a wide range of business ideas and expertise. <br />Q: What’s the best piece of advice you have <br />for aspiring business owners? <br />A: Align your entrepreneurial aspirations with your personal values, passion and expertise. <br />The City of Minnetonka partners with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) to offer the Open to Business program, which provides free, one-on-one, confidential business consulting to new and early-stage businesses. <br />Thrive Minnetonka talked to Open to Business Advisor Rob Smolund about the program and its benefits. <br />Visit eminnetonka.com/opentobusiness to learn more about the program. Rob Smolund has office hours the second Monday of each month in the Grays Bay Room at Minnetonka City Hall, or contact him at rsmolund@mccdmn.org or 612-789-7337, ext. 260. LEARN MORE