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2025 CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
The Spirit of the Entrepreneur
Discover the mindset and traits that power successful entrepreneurs — starting with you.
Va-Megn Thoj
Presented By:
Title:
Executive Director
Business/Organization:
Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA)
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.
What You'll Learn:
Reflect on your personal strengths and motivations
Assess your entrepreneurial fit
Prepare to launch with clarity and confidence
About the Presenter:
Va-Megn Thoj, born in Laos and a refugee at age seven, descended from the Miao/HMong people of China, raised and educated in the United States, is a husband, father, and son, currently residing in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After an undergraduate stint in Comparative Literature at Indiana University, Va-Megn (known by family and friends as Megn) dabbled in filmmaking in New York City until he moved to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where he became a small business owner and community organizer. As a Bush Fellowships fellow, he studied Public Policy & Administration at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and worked briefly in city government afterwards. He then founded and is the current CEO/Executive Director of AEDA.
Click here to register:
About the 2025 conference
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical skills, meet peers, and invest in your business journey.
This workshop is part of the YOBIZMO 2025 Wealth Building Conference — a free, one-day event for Asian Minnesotans to build income, grow businesses, and expand creative futures.
DATE: Sat, Aug 16th, 2025
doors open: 9am
program hours: 10am - 4pm
LOCATION: Wilder Center
451 Lexington Pkwy N.,
St. Paul, MN 55104
Event Conference Schedules
Conference Schedule at a Glance
Agenda Overview:
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9:00 – 10:00 AM – Registration & Welcome Lounge Opens
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10:00 – 11:00 AM – Workshop Session 1 (4 concurrent workshops)
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11:00 – 11:10 AM – Transition Break
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11:10 – 12:10 PM – Workshop Session 2 (4 concurrent workshops)
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12:10 – 12:20 PM – Transition Break / Lunch Table Setup
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12:20 – 1:40 PM – Lunch & Keynote Program
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12:20 PM Lunch & Seating
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12:35 PM Welcome – Bao
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12:40 PM Welcome – Va-Megn
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12:45 PM Jeffrey Yang (Allianz) Remarks
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12:50 PM Kou Vang Keynote + Q&A
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1:10 PM Lisa Closing Remarks
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1:30 PM Raffle/Survey Instructions & Reminder
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1:40 – 2:40 PM – Workshop Session 3 (4 concurrent workshops)
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2:40 - 2:50 PM – Transition Break
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2:50 - 3:50 PM – Workshop Session 4 (4 concurrent workshops)
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3:50- 4:00 PM – Transition Break
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4:00 – 4:15 PM – Closing Remarks + Raffle Drawings
THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSOR:
