Small Business Call
The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED), Office of Small Business & Innovation is offering a monthly meeting for small business owners.
The meeting, which is the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., is an opportunity for small business owners to have a conversation with business experts and their peers.
Sign up for reminders and access to the call.
Upcoming Topics
2026
October 
October 13, 2026 2:00 p.m. - Employee ownership can offer small business owners a powerful path for succession while preserving jobs, strengthening communities and creating wealth for employees. Join DEED’s October Small Business Call for a panel discussion exploring employee ownership options, the benefits and challenges of transitioning a business, and resources available to help owners plan for the future.
Michael Darger, a community economics specialist with the University of Minnesota, will moderate a panel featuring Kirsten Kennedy of the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO), Char Vrieze of Cooperative Development Services (CDS) and Electra Skrzydlewski of the Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD). Whether you are preparing to step away from your business or simply beginning to consider succession, this conversation will help you understand your options and identify practical next steps.
Recorded Calls
2026
- September - Empowering Small Businesses with SBA Resources Support
- August - Mid-Year Financial Check-up and Cashflow Reset
- July - How the Workforce Strategy Consultant Team Supports Minnesota Employers
- June - How to Start Selling Online (Without Being a Tech Expert)
- May - How Great Founder-Led Companies Operate and Create Scale
- April - Resources from the Taxpayer Rights Advocate Office (TRA)
- March - Expanded child care support through federal programs
Resource: 45F Presentation - February - Social media marketing for small businesses
Resource: Slide Deck - January - Insights from small business owners
2025
- December - Business identity recovery
- October - Patents and trademarks
- September - Essentials of Marketing
- August - Business succession and legacy planning
Resource: North Central SBDC Legacy Planning Checklist - July - Are you lender ready?
- June - Loans and grants from the MN Pollution Control Agency (PCA)
Resource: Slide Deck - May - AI Resource Lab
- April - Business resources for veterans
- March - Minnesota Trade Office discusses new tariffs
- February - Waste Wise with MN Chamber of Commerce
- January - MN Department of Labor and Industry
2024
- December - Season of Small Business Campaign
Resource: Slide Deck - November - Energy Smart program (MN Chamber of Commerce)
- October - Health care purchasing for small businesses (MNsure partners)
- September - Paid Leave program updates (DEED)
Resource: Slide Deck - August - SBA program updates
- July - DEED Economic Analysis Unit: data resources
- June - Apex Accelerator and GREATER MSP Partnership
- May - New rules impacting small businesses (PCA)
- April - Workforce Issues
- March - Exporting (Minnesota Trade Office)
- February - Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
- January - Starting a Business in Minnesota + ERAF
2023
- December – Earned Sick and Safe Time
- November - Paid Leave
- October - Resources
