WALNUT GROVE, Minn. – Kindred Spirits Care Management LLC, founded by registered nurses Joleen Baumann and Dasha Mumm, is a new business in Walnut Grove dedicated to serving elders and their families. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program helped launch the enterprise.
Kindred Spirits offers services for older adults including coordination of care, navigating the health care system, advocacy and assessment of needs. Baumann and Mumm assist with setting up appointments for clients, transportation to and from appointments and ensuring clients understand the disease processes and medications.
An extensive background working in rural health care and love of seniors inspired the women to become entrepreneurs. Their goal is to promote independence by helping clients attain the highest level of physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing for as long as safely possible in their own homes.
Mumm’s journey in healthcare started in long-term care, with most of her experience coming from acute care in a hospital setting. She gained knowledge working in a variety of departments in rural healthcare.
Most of Baumann’s nursing career has been in rural hospital, acute-care nursing in multiple departments. She also worked in the clinic setting and in long-term for many years as a certified nurse’s aide (CNA) and a trained medication aide (TMA).
“We have a huge heart for our seniors and feel they deserve the very best. Family time is precious, and we want to take the burden off of family, and more importantly, keep our seniors out of the hospital and in their own homes when possible,” Baumann said.
To access working capital and technical support for starting Kindred Spirits, Baumann applied for a microloan from SWIF.
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 people looking for self-employment opportunities.
“Older adults are the foundation of vibrant and welcoming communities in our region, and we’re happy to have a role in this new business focused on keeping our elders well and engaged in community life,” said SWIF Economic Development Officer Jackie Turner.
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, QuickBooks training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
LEARN ABOUT OUR LOAN PROGRAMSThis microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or [email protected].
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 $97.8 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs.
