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 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.
small business loans
Prairie Support Services
Jessica Schoborg is now the sole owner of local small business Prairie Support Services in Walnut Grove thanks to help from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program. Jessica has worked for Prairie Support Services for the past 5 years. When the opportunity arose to purchase the business, she decided to buy it because she wanted to keep it in the community. Plans are under way to relocate the business to 422 First Avenue in Westbrook this December.
Sunny & Sprout
Sunny & Sprout children’s boutique celebrated its grand opening this summer in Worthington. Shay VonHoltum and Alex LeBrun opened the new shop with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. Sunny & Sprout is located at 922 5th Avenue in Worthington’s downtown and offers clothing for kids from size 2T to youth XL. Shay has had a passion for fashion and the retail industry as far back as she can remember. Her years of experience working in retail combined with becoming a mom herself inspired Shay to pursue entrepreneurship.
Gnometown Grounds
Gnometown Grounds — a locally owned café, bakeshop and gift shop — recently celebrated its grand re-opening in Dawson with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. Emma Weber started this small business last year in the former Marc’s on Main gift shop. Following a brief soft launch, Weber had a planned closure starting in January 2024 to make major renovations, including adding a coffee bar and kitchen.
6th Street Logistics
Willmar-based trucking outfit 6th Street Logistics is expanding with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. The company is owned by Krista and Chris Nehk. Founded in 2021 with one semi, the company now has a fleet of trucks hauling a variety of freight from live birds to refrigerated goods. They have routes locally, within the Midwest and down to Texas.
Blush & Bliss Med Spa
Maisie Hagert has opened Blush & Bliss Med Spa in Redwood Falls with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. This beauty and wellness destination offers a wide range of medically guided cosmetic treatments and procedures, also known as medical aesthetics. Maisie’s interest in entrepreneurship started young, influenced by her parents’ successful businesses. The growing medical spa industry presented a unique opportunity for Maisie to merge her passion for business ownership with her nursing expertise, knowledge and compassion.
