Press Release Woodgrain Custom Builds grows business in Marshall Local entrepreneur benefits from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program MARSHALL, Minn. – Kevin Veldhuisen is reimagining his small business with help
small business loans
Falls Boutique has what it takes to be a successful small business in rural Minnesota
When Falls Boutique opened, the focus was more on clothing. But shoppers gravitated toward gifts and home essentials like detergent and hand soap. Some items are still for fun: The store sells just as many Christmas ornaments throughout the year as it does in December.
El Chilero Auto Repair
Entrepreneur Jose Lopez is expanding his auto repair business with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program and DEED’s Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program. El Chilero Auto Repair is located in the heart of Litchfield at 526 North Ramsey Avenue.
The Coffee Corner
Cassie Carlson moved and expanded her coffee shop this year thanks to help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. Cassie opened The Coffee Corner in March 2021 inside another business — Sieverson’s Pharmacy in Hendricks. In July 2022, she expanded for the first time, opening a consignment shop in her space at the pharmacy. But there still wasn’t space for everything she wanted to do. Then earlier this year, the opportunity arose to purchase a former bank building next door to her location, and Cassie jumped at the chance to have room to bring to life more of her original business plan.
Back to My Roots
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.
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.
