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Register Here!

Click the link above the register or contact Emma Spillman at espillman@ndc-mn.org or 651-379-8432. Read about the inspiring entrepreneurs we will be celebrating below!

Adobe DeSigns L. L. C.

Vivian Guerra & Lisa Owens

Owners Vivian Guerra and Lisa Owen founded Adobe DeSigns combining years of experience in construction and business management. With a loan from NDC, the business - specializing in custom sign fabrication and installation - has expanded, creating two new jobs and projecting a six-fold growth in revenue this year.

Ashama Grocery & Meat Market, Inc.

Yusuf Ahmed, Mahmud Abbajefar & Mohamed Salah

Ashama Grocery & Meat Market is dedicated to serving the community. With technical assistance from NDC, Ashama is currently part of a historical rehabilitation project for façade improvements while also adding a deli and seating area to foster interactions and create community space.

Cook St. Paul, LLC

Eddie Wu

Eddie Wu, owner and founder of Cook St. Paul, converted a neighborhood diner into a Twin Cities hotspot with a renovated interior and Korean infused American classics. Cook St Paul’s successful “pop-up” dinners allow aspiring food businesses access to the restaurant’s kitchen and dining room space where they can create and serve their food.

Dialog One LLC

Roberto Fonts

Roberto Fonts migrated to Minnesota from Cuba in 1980 under political asylum. Being an immigrant and experiencing language barriers, he saw an opportunity for a business with a purpose. Dialog One offers professional translation and interpretation services to the wider Minnesotan region in 150 languages. Dialog One has received an NDC loan.

EVEREST CLEANING SYSTEMS LLC

Anthony Dahl

Everest Cleaning Systems, a professional cleaning service for construction sites, has doubled revenue and profit for two years running and is projected to continue this trend in 2016. Anthony Dahl, owner and founder of Everest, has used this success as an opportunity to unionize and pay all his employees union salaries with full benefits. Everest has received technical assistance and loans from NDC.

East African Bakery Inc

Francesco O'Ryan

A former machinist, Francesco O'Ryan designed and built his own hot plate machine that allows mass production of traditional Ethiopian breads. The commercial bakery supplies injera and hambasha to a total of 5 states. East African Bakery has received assistance with accounting and bookkeeping from NDC's Business Lab.

Green Light Architectural Sheet Metal, Inc.

Zer Khang

Zer Khang founded the first minority-owned construction firm in Minnesota to specialize in architectural sheet metal. Green Light is also the first Hmong-owned business involved in commercial construction. In its second year in business, Green Light projects a tenfold increase in revenue. Zer has worked with NDC’s Business Lab and is a loan client.

HOT INDIAN FOODS LLC

Amol Dixit

Hot Indian Foods has fundraised for and donated to numerous charitable organizations since its birth, interweaving delicious Indian food with charitable giving. It has grown from a food truck to include a brick and mortar at the Midtown Global Market (an NDC business incubator), a stall at the Minnesota State Fair, and a dream of a second location on the horizon. Hot Indian Foods is also an NDC loan client.

K-MAMA SAUCE, LLC

KC Kye

KC Kye experimented with 60 variations of Korean sauces before creating K-Mama Sauce. Found at six local farmer’s markets and featured in the likes of the Kenwood and Brasa, the business’ revenue is projected to more than triple in 2016. KC is a graduate of NDC’s Entrepreneur Training class, has attended free NDC workshops and worked with NDC’s Business Lab.

LOS OCAMPO, INC.

Julian Ocampo, Armando Ocampo & Lilia Zagal

Julian Ocampo was a toddler when his parents Armando Ocampo and Lilia Zagal founded Los Ocampo. When the business expanded into their sixth location at Frogtown Square (an NDC business incubator), the graduating senior from the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business was put to the test. Julian spends after school hours balancing homework and the management of a hugely popular Mexican restaurant.

PC DOCTOR

Gerardo Mora

Gerardo Mora started PC Doctor to service and sell computers to the local Latino community. He opened in Mercado Central (an NDC business incubator) because it was a cooperative owned by the businesses that would direct the project’s destiny. He has since played a central role in creating growth and establishing a viable future for the market.

MINUTEMAN PRESS UPTOWN

Frank Brown

Of the 750 Minuteman Press franchises, Frank Brown’s was first to be union and minority-owned and operated. Frank believes he can be successful without excuses and ethical management and a committed team are to thank as the business expects to double revenue and quadruple profit this year. Frank graduated from NDC’s Entrepreneur Training and received a partnership loan from NDC, MCCD and CPED.

SAFE TREE TRANSPORTATION

Mustafa Wake

Safe Tree Transportation is a transportation service provider that offers safe, secure and clean transportation for school districts. Now in its third year, the businesses revenue is projected to be approximately seven times that of its first year, with no signs of stopping there. Mustafa is an NDC loan client and graduate of the Entrepreneur Training class.

SIDHE BREWING

Kathleen Culhane

The inspiration to start Sidhe Brewing Company came from Kathleen Culhane’s background in applied chemistry and a long history with home brewing. Sidhe has been part of the recent revitalization of Payne Avenue, providing a neighborhood gathering space that offers live music and cultural events. Sidhe Brewing Company has received a loan from NDC.

TIBET ARTS & GIFTS

Ngawang Dakpa

Tibet Arts & Gifts is an anchor business that has been with the Midtown Global Market (an NDC business incubator) from its start. Once an auditor for the Tibetan government, Ngawang resettled in Minnesota in the 1990s. The retail business sells handicrafts made by Tibetans, and has experienced steady growth even when other retail businesses struggled.

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