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Workshop registration opens Wednesday, 8/6.

Explore the Workshops. Meet the Experts.

This is your official guide to all the workshop sessions available at the 2025 Wealth Building for Asian Minnesotans Conference. Browse sessions by time, read detailed descriptions, and get to know the incredible leaders guiding each workshop.

Browse & Select Your Workshop Sessions

Workshops are scheduled in concurrent time blocks, which means you’ll be able to attend up to 4 sessions total throughout the day. This structure allows for more meaningful, hands-on learning in smaller group settings.

Workshops are not guaranteed unless selected. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

  • Credit Scores & You!
    Workshop Category: Wealth & Asset Development Workshop Details: What is credit and what does that mean for your business? Learn how different types of credit can influence your business health and journey. We will review what Credit Reporting is, how credit scores are determined, strategies to raise credit scores, and steps of credit repair. Because…personal credit = business credit. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Linda White Organization: Model Cities of Saint Paul
  • Introduction to Cooperative Models of Business
    Workshop Category: Cooperative Development Workshop Details: Learn about cooperative enterprises and the variety of forms they can take. In particular, there will be focus on how governance and management are structured in co-ops. Then a few examples of different types of co-ops will be presented, including artist, worker, and real estate investment co-ops. A few funding opportunities unique to co-ops will also be highlighted. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Benjamin Tsai Organization: Shared Ownership Center at Nexus (SOC@N)
  • SBA 101 - Overview of Programs and Services for your Small Business
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Join SBA's Minnesota District office to learn about local programs and services that can support and accelerate your business at any stage. Our team will share an overview on capital programs including SBA loan guarantees, contracting certifications including 8a and Hubzone, and local counseling resources. Businesses that utilize such services have a higher rate of business success. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Natt Lee Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota District Office
  • Food Products and Packaging: Turn Your Food Products into Cash
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Looking to turn your fruits, vegetables, or any agricultural crop into a product? Join us to learn how the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will provide information on how to access resources for creating biobased products, renewable energy, coproducts, and food. Information will include business development, recipe scale-up, nutritional labeling, feasibility testing assessments, cooperative partnerships, and facilitating networking within the industry. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Michael Sparby Organization: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
  • The Spirit of the Entrepreneur
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? This workshop covers personal characteristics that entrepreneurs rely on. Learn how to assess yourself – your traits, habits, motivations, aptitudes, and attitudes – and find your fit and readiness to successfully start and manage a small business. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Va-Megn Thoj Organization: Asian Economic Development Association
  • Credit Scores & You!
    Workshop Category: Wealth & Asset Development Workshop Details: What is credit and what does that mean for your business? Learn how different types of credit can influence your business health and journey. We will review what Credit Reporting is, how credit scores are determined, strategies to raise credit scores, and steps of credit repair. Because…personal credit = business credit. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Linda White Organization: Model Cities of Saint Paul
  • Introduction to Cooperative Models of Business
    Workshop Category: Cooperative Development Workshop Details: Learn about cooperative enterprises and the variety of forms they can take. In particular, there will be focus on how governance and management are structured in co-ops. Then a few examples of different types of co-ops will be presented, including artist, worker, and real estate investment co-ops. A few funding opportunities unique to co-ops will also be highlighted. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Benjamin Tsai Organization: Shared Ownership Center at Nexus (SOC@N)
  • SBA 101 - Overview of Programs and Services for your Small Business
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Join SBA's Minnesota District office to learn about local programs and services that can support and accelerate your business at any stage. Our team will share an overview on capital programs including SBA loan guarantees, contracting certifications including 8a and Hubzone, and local counseling resources. Businesses that utilize such services have a higher rate of business success. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Natt Lee Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota District Office
  • Food Products and Packaging: Turn Your Food Products into Cash
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Looking to turn your fruits, vegetables, or any agricultural crop into a product? Join us to learn how the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will provide information on how to access resources for creating biobased products, renewable energy, coproducts, and food. Information will include business development, recipe scale-up, nutritional labeling, feasibility testing assessments, cooperative partnerships, and facilitating networking within the industry. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Michael Sparby Organization: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
  • The Spirit of the Entrepreneur
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? This workshop covers personal characteristics that entrepreneurs rely on. Learn how to assess yourself – your traits, habits, motivations, aptitudes, and attitudes – and find your fit and readiness to successfully start and manage a small business. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Va-Megn Thoj Organization: Asian Economic Development Association
  • Credit Scores & You!
    Workshop Category: Wealth & Asset Development Workshop Details: What is credit and what does that mean for your business? Learn how different types of credit can influence your business health and journey. We will review what Credit Reporting is, how credit scores are determined, strategies to raise credit scores, and steps of credit repair. Because…personal credit = business credit. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Linda White Organization: Model Cities of Saint Paul
  • Introduction to Cooperative Models of Business
    Workshop Category: Cooperative Development Workshop Details: Learn about cooperative enterprises and the variety of forms they can take. In particular, there will be focus on how governance and management are structured in co-ops. Then a few examples of different types of co-ops will be presented, including artist, worker, and real estate investment co-ops. A few funding opportunities unique to co-ops will also be highlighted. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Benjamin Tsai Organization: Shared Ownership Center at Nexus (SOC@N)
  • SBA 101 - Overview of Programs and Services for your Small Business
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Join SBA's Minnesota District office to learn about local programs and services that can support and accelerate your business at any stage. Our team will share an overview on capital programs including SBA loan guarantees, contracting certifications including 8a and Hubzone, and local counseling resources. Businesses that utilize such services have a higher rate of business success. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Natt Lee Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota District Office
  • Food Products and Packaging: Turn Your Food Products into Cash
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Looking to turn your fruits, vegetables, or any agricultural crop into a product? Join us to learn how the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will provide information on how to access resources for creating biobased products, renewable energy, coproducts, and food. Information will include business development, recipe scale-up, nutritional labeling, feasibility testing assessments, cooperative partnerships, and facilitating networking within the industry. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Michael Sparby Organization: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
  • The Spirit of the Entrepreneur
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? This workshop covers personal characteristics that entrepreneurs rely on. Learn how to assess yourself – your traits, habits, motivations, aptitudes, and attitudes – and find your fit and readiness to successfully start and manage a small business. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Va-Megn Thoj Organization: Asian Economic Development Association
  • Credit Scores & You!
    Workshop Category: Wealth & Asset Development Workshop Details: What is credit and what does that mean for your business? Learn how different types of credit can influence your business health and journey. We will review what Credit Reporting is, how credit scores are determined, strategies to raise credit scores, and steps of credit repair. Because…personal credit = business credit. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Linda White Organization: Model Cities of Saint Paul
  • Introduction to Cooperative Models of Business
    Workshop Category: Cooperative Development Workshop Details: Learn about cooperative enterprises and the variety of forms they can take. In particular, there will be focus on how governance and management are structured in co-ops. Then a few examples of different types of co-ops will be presented, including artist, worker, and real estate investment co-ops. A few funding opportunities unique to co-ops will also be highlighted. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Benjamin Tsai Organization: Shared Ownership Center at Nexus (SOC@N)
  • SBA 101 - Overview of Programs and Services for your Small Business
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Join SBA's Minnesota District office to learn about local programs and services that can support and accelerate your business at any stage. Our team will share an overview on capital programs including SBA loan guarantees, contracting certifications including 8a and Hubzone, and local counseling resources. Businesses that utilize such services have a higher rate of business success. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Natt Lee Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota District Office
  • Food Products and Packaging: Turn Your Food Products into Cash
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Looking to turn your fruits, vegetables, or any agricultural crop into a product? Join us to learn how the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will provide information on how to access resources for creating biobased products, renewable energy, coproducts, and food. Information will include business development, recipe scale-up, nutritional labeling, feasibility testing assessments, cooperative partnerships, and facilitating networking within the industry. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Michael Sparby Organization: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
  • The Spirit of the Entrepreneur
    Workshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? This workshop covers personal characteristics that entrepreneurs rely on. Learn how to assess yourself – your traits, habits, motivations, aptitudes, and attitudes – and find your fit and readiness to successfully start and manage a small business. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Va-Megn Thoj Organization: Asian Economic Development Association

workshop presenters

Owner & Founder

Bert Lee

Beyond Logos

Brand Mastery: Business Beyond a Logo

Chief Program & Client Experience Officer

Emily Conroy

Women Venture

From Stuck to Strategic: Building a Clear Growth Plan for Your Business

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Manager

Fabio Tenorio

Ramsey County

Ramsey County Small Business Resources

St. Paul Section 3 Coordinator

Jef Yang

City of Saint Paul

City’s Procurement Opportunities

Owner & CEO

Poh Lin Khoo

Khoo Consulting

Culture as a Competitive Advantage

Executive Director

Va-Megn Thoj

Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA)

The Spirit of the Entrepreneur

CEO and Founder

Catherine Yang

Thriving Dot

Digital Marketing: Getting Found by the People You Serve

STAR Supervisor, Neighborhood STAR Program Coordinator

Erin Lewis

City of Saint Paul

How to become CERT Certified

Chief Finanial Officer/Chief Operating Offier

Felicia Ravelomanantsoa

African Development Center

Beyond the Paycheck: Better Jobs, Stronger Businesses

Project Manager

Nya Hardaman

City of Saint Paul

How to become CERT Certified

Owner & CEO

Shoua Lee

LUNALEE Coaching

Build Your Executive Presence

Economic Opportunity Director

Wone Vang

Springboard for the Arts

Grant Writing for Creative Businesses

Lead Outreach and Marketing Specialist

Don Michael Jackson

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Grow and Succeed with SBA Programs

Manager of Arts and Culture

Evie Mouacheupao

Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA)

Creative Placemaking: a Strategy for Economic Growth

 Senior Loan Officer and Business Advisor

Fu Hang

Neighborhood Development Center (NDC)

How to be Prepared for Applying for a Loan

Speaker & Facilitator

Pete Wong

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Calm in the Chaos - Managing Stress and Burnout Like a Boss

CEO/Owner of Creative Results

Steven Thao

Co-Owner/GP of Pan Asian Center

Scaling Yourself So You Can Scale Your Business

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSOR:

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Address

Asian Economic Development Association

422 University Ave W, Suite 14

Saint Paul, MN 55103

© 2025 by YOBIZMO

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