As the 6th-generation of her family farm in Waseca, MN, Molly has always had a deep connection to agriculture and entrepreneurship. Even while living in Chicago for ten years working in politics, these values remained important to her.

During the pandemic, Molly reconnected with her southern Minnesota roots and enrolled in the Farm Business Management program at South Central College to learn how to manage her family farm. She also became an advocate for rural communities, which ultimately led to her decision to remain in her hometown and contribute to its growth.

Molly worked at Waseca City Hall and the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, overseeing economic and community development projects such as the Waseca New Business Challenge, an entrepreneurial training program facilitated by the South Central Small Business Development Center, and a $30k business pitch competition that resulted in the launch of five new businesses.

Inspired by this experience, Molly co-founded The Meatery MN, a family business that became a semifinalist in the 2022 Minnesota Cup, the largest business pitch competition in the state. Her contributions to the community have not gone unnoticed, as she was recognized with the Waseca Chamber’s 2022 Young Professional Distinguished Service award and the Economic Development Association of Minnesota’s 2022 Emerging Professional of the Year award.

As the current Program Manager at the South Central Small Business Development Center, Molly remains committed to supporting her community. She is inspired by the creativity, passion, and determination of entrepreneurs and small business owners and considers it a privilege to help them turn their visions into reality, watch them grow, and succeed.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Mathematics from Central College, as well as a Master’s degree in Sport Management and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Iowa State University. He has worked in various roles within the field of education from 1995 to 2017, including admissions, student life, TRIO programs, and serving as an instructor in Health and Human Performance, as well as coaching intercollegiate athletics.

Wes Otto, a Mankato native, wears multiple hats as the co-owner of Zanz Mexican Restaurant, founder of OMG – Otto Media Group, and publisher of Connect Business Magazine. He possesses strong skills in marketing, restaurant management, organizational leadership, and general business strategy.

I’ve been involved in entrepreneurship most of my life, starting at age 6 when I began selling Kleenex tissues to neighbors for a penny apiece. It didn’t last long. Over the years other endeavors followed with varying levels of success. If just being extremely driven guaranteed financial triumph, I’d be rolling in cash. But, over the years, I learned that marketing and financial management are key to a business’s success. So when my last business closed after a seven-year run, I decided to go back to school and complete a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications. Now I’m a copywriter, helping businesses make more money with email campaigns, sales pages, and landing pages that turn more visitors into happy customers. I’m also a marketing consultant with the Small Business Development Center in Mankato, MN.

Rovena’s experience as both an owner of a small retail store and an HR professional for over 30 years gives her a unique perspective on the challenges of starting and managing a business. She understands how overwhelming it can be to get started, particularly when it comes to employee hiring and retention. With her expertise, Rovena can guide you through the process of creating a productive and positive workplace culture, ensuring that your business has the foundation it needs to thrive.

“As an HR expert, what I find most fulfilling is helping business owners navigate the challenges of employee hiring and retention. I firmly believe that properly selected, trained, and supported employees are a business owner’s greatest asset. By providing guidance and support in this area, I can help ensure that your business has the foundation it needs to succeed. So if you’re looking to build a strong team and take your business to the next level, I’m here to help.”

Storytelling is Lisa’s true passion, and she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue it in a variety of ways within the community. As the host of KEYC News Now This Morning and Kato Living television shows, Lisa brings a unique perspective to local news and entertainment. She also works in nonprofit marketing with MRCI, where she helps organizations tell their stories and connect with their audience. In her free time, Lisa shares her expertise by teaching as an adjunct at Minnesota State University Mankato and South Central College. With her extensive experience in storytelling, Lisa is able to encourage others to leverage the power of narrative to market themselves, their business, or their organization.

“What I love most about working with the SBDC is witnessing firsthand all the incredible success stories that are emerging from this region. It’s truly inspiring to see small businesses achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities. And as a member of the team, I feel privileged to be able to help share these stories with others.”

Bryan Hoffman is experienced in Information Technology Operations and Information Technology Services with a demonstrated history of building relationships through effective communication, collaboration, and relationship management. He is skilled in creating and maintaining processes that reduce waste and increase efficiency while driving results across organizations. Bryan has strong program and project management professional who values equity, integrity, innovation, professionalism, and flexibility.

Matt Lessard is an executive leader and entrepreneur with over 20 years of business management, financial oversight and analysis, business development, private equity, and international business experience.