Entrepreneur back to her roots with new salon in Renville
Local entrepreneur benefits from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program
RENVILLE, Minn. – Back to My Roots hair salon had its grand opening this weekend at 337 Main Street North in Renville. Entrepreneur Kirsten Bjorklund opened the business with help from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program. A licensed cosmetologist, she offers haircuts, colors, manicures, pedicures, massages and waxing.
As her business name suggests, it’s a homecoming of sorts for Bjorklund. Growing up on a farm south of Sacred Heart, she attended and graduated from Renville County West High School, then went on to the cosmetology program at Ridgewater College. Ten years ago, she moved to Glenwood with her husband, Justin, and son, Ethan, and worked at salons in the area.
“Ethan graduated high school this past May. Now that he’s in his first year of college at Concordia Moorhead, we decided to move back to Sacred Heart and be near family. Hence the name Back to My Roots!” Bjorklund said.
After purchasing a former salon on Renville’s Main Street, Bjorklund used loan funds from SWIF for building improvements, inventory and working capital. Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Having a new small business downtown is a boost to the local economy and community. We’re happy to be a part of helping Kirsten open her own salon,” said Selina Berning, SWIF Entrepreneurship Finance Officer.
Microloan clients also receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, accounting software training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF by calling (800) 594-9480, (320) 587-4848 or email SWIF.
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $115 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs.