The Coffee Corner gets a new home in Hendricks
Local entrepreneur benefits from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program
HENDRICKS, Minn. – Cassie Carlson moved and expanded her coffee shop this year thanks to help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program. Carlson opened The Coffee Corner in March 2021 inside another business — Sieverson’s Pharmacy in Hendricks. Prior to becoming a small business owner, Carlson was a pharmacy technician and worked in her father’s upholstery business.
In July 2022, Carlson expanded The Coffee Corner 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 Carlson jumped at the chance to have room to bring to life more of her original business plan, like adding ice cream to the baked goods and retail already on offer.
“I’m endlessly grateful to our incredible customers and, what I consider, family for being such strong positive forces in my life both personal and business — my every day, every week, or ‘every time they’re in town’ regulars that come in and make me smile and take interest in the well-being of this dream of mine and my life in general,” Carlson said. “I love our little town and how we all support each other.”
Loan funds from SWIF helped Carlson purchase machinery and equipment for the new space. 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.
“Loans can help a small business get up and running, but we’re also here to support entrepreneurs as their dreams grow and evolve. We’re happy to help Cassie finance the next phase of her business,” 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 $120 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs.