Accelerate Mitchell

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!

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
• Know your value (before you set your price)
• Understand your costs
• Calculate 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

Sessions are held over the course of 2 days.

The bootcamp will be held on Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour break for lunch.

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.

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

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.

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 and 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.