BOLD Awards 2020

Village Bank developed the #ItTakesaVillage Entrepreneur Educational Series to ensure start-ups and small businesses have the knowledge and tools to achieve success. As a community bank committed to helping local business owners, Village Bank saw a need for educational opportunities to discuss the financial nuances of starting and running a business. Joined by entrepreneurs and business leaders like Amanda Brinkman, Allison Kaplan, and Neela Mollgaard, hosted events to discuss hard-won learnings, big ideas, and smart financial wisdom to pave the way of an entrepreneur’s journey to success.

After hearing from entrepreneurs how they often feel intimidated by banking and financial topics, Village Bank partnered with ModernWell, a co-working space in Minneapolis, and Twin Cities Start-Up Week to host the series and create a safe environment to ask questions about banking and financials.

Entrepreneurs are key to thriving economies and are the backbone of our communities. Working daily with entrepreneurs and business owners, Village Bank’s community bankers recognize they are often a valued advisor and advocate for their small business clients, but not often enough are they seen as this type of resource by start-up founders and new entrepreneurs. By developing the #ItTakesaVillage Entrepreneur Educational Series, Village Bank and its community bankers are engaging these entrepreneurs in a novel way by meeting them where they are and empowering them to pursue dreams in a way that does not keep them up at night. By empowering entrepreneurs to make fruitful decisions when it comes to financing the success of their business, Village Bank is making an impact on a community of small business owners and entrepreneurs who have not had this type of financial resource before. Ultimately, when helping entrepreneurs feel empowered to start and grow their business, Village Bank is benefitting the economy of its local communities and the entrepreneurial journey of its clients.

At a time when other community banks are selling or merging with larger financial organizations, Village Bank is taking a stance to say our community bank is here to stay and here to be a resource to those who need a financial advocate. By bringing in high caliber guests Amanda Brinkman, Allison Kaplan, and Neela Mollgaard who are familiar with the start-up process and small business environment, entrepreneurs attending the series were exposed to a variety of messages that all centered on their confidence and success.

With plans to continue the series in 2020 with more high caliber guests, Village Bank will continue to be an educational resource for entrepreneurs and start-ups. When entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed, the entire community grows and thrives.

More about the BOLD Awards HERE 

Learn More About Upcoming Events