Walk down any main street in Minnesota and you will see the heart of our community: the family-owned restaurant that has been there for twenty years, the independent hardware store where the owner knows your name, the new entrepreneur who just opened their first shop with everything they have.

These businesses are not just economic engines — they are the fabric of our neighborhoods. They sponsor Little League teams, donate to school fundraisers, and hire local kids for their first jobs. When they thrive, our whole community thrives. When they struggle, we all feel it.

Right now, too many of them are struggling.

The Challenges Facing Small Businesses Today

Small business owners in Minnesota are dealing with a perfect storm of challenges: rising costs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and a regulatory environment that often feels designed for large corporations, not neighborhood shops.

I have talked with dozens of small business owners across the district. Here is what I hear most often:

• "The paperwork is overwhelming." Licensing, permits, compliance requirements — the administrative burden on small businesses is enormous, and it falls hardest on those who cannot afford to hire a dedicated compliance team.
• "I can't get a loan." Traditional banks are often reluctant to lend to small businesses, especially those owned by women, people of color, or first-generation entrepreneurs.
• "I can't find workers." The labor market is tight, and small businesses often cannot compete with the wages and benefits offered by large employers.
• "Nobody in the Minnesota Legislature understands what we're going through." This one hits hardest. Small business owners feel invisible in the policy process.

I intend to change that.

My Plan to Support Small Businesses

Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape

Regulation exists for good reasons — to protect workers, consumers, and the environment. But not all regulation is created equal. Some rules that made sense decades ago are now outdated, duplicative, or simply too burdensome for small businesses to navigate.

I will push for a comprehensive review of state regulations affecting small businesses, with a focus on:

• Streamlining licensing and permitting processes
• Reducing duplicative reporting requirements
• Creating a small business ombudsman to help entrepreneurs navigate state agencies
• Ensuring that new regulations include a small business impact assessment

This is not about eliminating protections — it is about making sure the rules work for everyone, not just the big players.

Expanding Access to Capital

Access to capital is the lifeblood of small business. I will advocate for:

• Expanded state small business loan programs with lower barriers to entry
• Partnerships with community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that specialize in lending to underserved entrepreneurs
• Microloan programs for very small businesses and startups that need modest amounts of capital to get off the ground
• Technical assistance grants to help small businesses develop the financial track record they need to access traditional financing

I am particularly committed to ensuring that entrepreneurs from communities that have historically been shut out of the capital markets — including women, people of color, and immigrants — have a real shot at building successful businesses in Minnesota.

Workforce Development

Small businesses need workers, and workers need good jobs. I will work to align workforce development programs with the actual needs of small businesses in our district, including:

• Apprenticeship programs in partnership with local businesses
• Job training programs that lead to real employment in Minnesota
• Incentives for small businesses that offer competitive wages and benefits
• Support for childcare solutions that help working parents stay in the workforce

Buying Local

State government is one of the largest purchasers of goods and services in Minnesota. I will push for procurement policies that give small businesses in Minnesota a fair shot at state contracts — and that prioritize local purchasing wherever possible.

When state dollars stay in our community, everyone benefits.

A Voice at the Table

Perhaps most importantly, I will make sure that small business owners in Minnesota have a real voice in the policy process. That means:

• Regular roundtables with local business owners
• Bringing small business perspectives directly into legislative debates
• Opposing policies that benefit large corporations at the expense of small businesses
• Being accessible and responsive when business owners need help navigating state government

The Bottom Line

Small businesses are not just an economic category — they are our neighbors, our friends, and the people who make Minnesota the community it is. They deserve a representative who understands their challenges, fights for their interests, and shows up when they need help.

That is exactly what I intend to be.

If you own a small business in Minnesota, I want to hear from you. Your experience and your ideas will shape how I approach these issues in the Minnesota Legislature. Reach out — I am listening.