REGIONAL— Are you someone with what you think just might be the next big idea? Would you like to start your own business or nonprofit, but don’t really know where to start? Do you have a community project in mind but aren’t sure how to get it off the ground?
If any of these possibilities fit you, there’s a ten-week course you should know about. It’s called the “I Like That Academy” and a new fall course is set to get underway later this month. And there’s still room for several additional participants in northeastern Minnesota. And best of all, it’s free for those who are accepted into the program.
While it’s based in St. Cloud, the course operates online and it has already connected hundreds of rural residents in Minnesota, including many in northeastern Minnesota, with the expertise and enthusiasm offered by Nick Tietz, the founder and CEO of the academy.
The academy is also partnered with several northeastern Minnesota economic development groups, like the Entrepreneur Fund and the Small Business Development Center, under the banner of Innovate 218, which is focused on building entrepreneurial know-how in the region.
The academy’s programs are funded through Launch Minnesota, a grant program affiliated with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Tietz started the program two years ago and he’s already trained over 300 prospective inventors, business owners, or community activists in how to turn their dreams into reality.
The fall “semester” starts Sept. 12, and the weekly course, offered either on Monday or Wednesday, is officially scheduled for 6-10 p.m., but often keeps rolling right up to midnight on occasion. Participants in Tietz’s courses say he gets enthusiastic when he starts working with his students and the classes often spill into overtime.
Tietz says it’s all about giving his students the tools they need to advance their ideas, grow their business, or just help their community. “We want to move the needle for anyone with an idea,” he said. Tietz said participants don’t need to have any particular skill, just a desire to do something meaningful. His job is to take his students, step-by-step in order to better refine and be able to describe their idea, product, or business, learn how to leverage technology to advance their objectives, and develop a better understanding of what’s involved in a business start-up.
“All the students will come away with a one-page business plan to help validate their idea,” said Tietz. It’s essentially a summary blueprint for their business or other idea, which they can use as they seek the funding or other assistance they might need to launch their venture. They’ll also come away with a finely-honed 30-second pitch that describes their plan.
The training the plan offers would typically cost about $2,400, but it costs nothing for those selected for the program. There’s a basic online application process, which may be followed by a short phone interview with follow-up questions.
Some of Tietz’s recent students have high praise for his efforts. Victoria Ranua, of Tower, who is working toward the launch of her nature-based product line, was part of last fall’s initial cohort and she followed up over the winter with Tietz’s advanced cohort. She said Tietz was able to take a seemingly insurmountable amount of information and make sense of it. “There are tons of books out there about business, and you could try wading through all those, but Nick just presents this stuff in an understandable format that just unpacks it all.”
“He really helped us define what we were doing,” said Becky Dean, who took the course with her husband Tom. The Eveleth couple is launching a new business, Up North Adventure Vans, renting fully-equipped luxury conversion vans, using top-quality products all made in the U.S. Dean said their rentals, which are conversions of Ford Transit vans, are designed to allow folks to explore and camp in remote areas, while doing so in comfort. The vans include a fully-stocked kitchen, a queen-sized bed, and even an indoor shower. They come with heaters so they’re comfortable year-round, even in northern Minnesota.
According to Dean, Tietz gave her and her husband the tools to quickly and effectively describe their business to potential funders, whether it’s a venture capital group or a banker. “He really helped us develop the plan and the pitch,” she added.
Ranua said, more than anything, the course helped her refine her focus and do the kind of market research, including potential customer interviews, that should help her avoid some start-up pitfalls. “You’re able to better conserve your limited resources because you really know what your customer wants,” she said. As a result of her research and training the course provided, Ranua said she’s made a major change in her initial business plan that should help to significantly reduce her initial investment.
Overall, Ranua said Tietz’s program helped to build her confidence as she moves forward with her own business. “He really makes you back up what you might already think by following up with the research,” she said.
Like any meaningful effort, there’s work involved for those who take the course. “It’s intensive said Dean. “You need to make a commitment to it.”
Interested in taking part?
If you think you’re a candidate for this innovative training, check out Tietz’s website at iltacademy.io. Click on “Startup Programs” and then on “Explore Programs.”