Hi friends — welcome to the first Twin Cities Collective issue of August! Whether you’re a longtime subscriber or this is your first issue, this newsletter is your local guide to entrepreneur-focused events, networking, and community connection across the Twin Cities, out 1–2x a month.
Also: August marks 10 years of Twin Cities Collective. 🥹 What started as a way to bring local creatives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners together has taken a lot of forms over the years — events, podcasts, workshops, awards, community spaces, and now this newsletter.
Refocusing on Substack and this event roundup has honestly been amazing. I’ve realized how much I love highlighting local businesses and groups, attending networking events, and sharing where to go next — without needing to host every room myself. I still love teaching marketing, Notion, content creation, and systems, but this version of TCC feels really aligned: supporting the people already building community here, showing up in the rooms, and helping more Twin Cities folks find each other.
🎥 New Video Series: Collective Connections
I’ve tried a few different video series over the years. The first was Trails and Tales, where I interviewed people on walks — and honestly, people seemed to really love that one. But it was also a lot of work to go out of my way to interview one person, and then there was a lot of editing afterward.
I also tried another series called Come Network With Me, which I still love. This new series is kind of based on that idea, but I’m giving it a new name: Collective Connections.
The idea is simple: as I go to Twin Cities networking events, I’ll show you what the events actually look like — the room, the vibe, who it might be good for, and whether it’s worth putting on your calendar next time. I’m hoping to start doing this more consistently as I attend events, mostly as long as I remember to capture it while I’m there. 😅
Here’s a recent event recap
You can follow the series here — and I’ll also include videos in this newsletter as I make them:
Instagram: @twincitiescollective
TikTok: @twincitiescollective
LinkedIn: Jenna Redfield
✨ Paid membership update
Quick note: I’m merging the perks for my two Substack memberships.
That means if you join the Twin Cities Collective paid plan for $5/month, you’ll get:
2 live workshops per month
Monthly Notion office hours
Access to the same member perks whether you subscribe here or through my other Substack, The Red Thread Toolbox
So if you’re already a paid subscriber on either Substack, you’re covered. If you’ve been thinking about joining, the $5/month plan now gets you both the local marketing / visibility side and the Notion + AI systems side.
I’ll be putting the Paid Members Links at the bottom of the page
🗓 August member workshops
Here’s what’s coming up next. If you are a member, scroll to the bottom to get discount codes below the paywall.
Notion Office Hours — Wednesday, August 5 · online
$10 for Non-Members, Free for Paid Subscribers
Bring your messy Notion questions, workspace cleanup needs, or “how would you build this?” questions.
Task Paralysis Is a Lie: Building a Daily System That Works With Your ADHD Brain — Wednesday, August 12 · 12 PM CT · online
$10 for Non-Members, Free for Paid SubscribersA Notion + AI systems workshop for building a daily workflow that actually supports your brain instead of shaming it.
AI for the Rest of Us: How to Use AI Tools to Market Your Business Without Losing Your Voice — August 19th 2026 · 12 PM CT · online
$10 for Non-Members, Free for Paid SubscribersA practical marketing workshop for using AI without sounding generic, robotic, or off-brand.
Turns out the first half of August is busier than it looks — chamber breakfasts, a couple of women’s networking events, a golf outing, a clay target social, and even a two-day marketing conference, all before the State Fair and Renaissance Festival take over the back half of the month.
📅 Upcoming Twin Cities Events: August 1–15
Saturday, August 1
TeamWomen: Dress For Success | Volunteer Day
🗓 Saturday, August 1 · 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
📍 Dress for Success Twin Cities
🎯 TeamWomen members and anyone who wants to give back
🎉 A hands-on volunteer morning — a feel-good way to meet other TeamWomen members while supporting a great local cause.
💵 Free
Tuesday, August 4
Wayzata Chamber: Morning MemberNet
🗓 Tuesday, August 4 · 7:30–9:00 AM
📍 Wayzata American Legion, Wayzata
🎯 Chamber members
🎉 An early-morning networking series on the first Tuesday of the month — light breakfast fare and a great way to start the day connected.
💵 Free
TEDxMinneapolis 2026: Climate of Change
🗓 Tuesday, August 4 · 6:00–9:00 PM (lobby opens 5 PM)
📍 Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
🎯 Anyone who loves big ideas — entrepreneurs, creatives, curious minds
🎉 A night of live TEDx talks exploring how we adapt to shifting emotional, social, professional, and cultural climates. This year’s theme: “Climate of Change — Shifting conditions spark new ideas.”
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
Minneapolis Speed Networking | NetworkNite
🗓 Tuesday, August 4 · 6:30 PM
📍 Red Rabbit, 201 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Business owners and professionals who want a structured way to meet new people
🎉 A fast-paced speed networking night — good if you want to skip awkward small talk and actually make a handful of new connections.
💵 Check ticket page for pricing
🔗 Register
Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber Monthly Member Meeting
🗓 Tuesday, August 4 · 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Excelsior, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 Chamber members and prospective members
🎉 A casual morning meetup to network with fellow members and hear updates from the City and Chamber leadership. Good low-key way to start building west-metro connections.
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Wednesday, August 5
I-94 West Chamber: Coffee & Conversation at Rush Creek
🗓 Wednesday, August 5 · check listing for time
📍 Rush Creek, Maple Grove area
🎯 Chamber members, local business owners, and northwest-metro professionals
🎉 A casual coffee-and-networking gathering — easy, low-pressure, and a nice option if you’re building connections in the Maple Grove / I-94 corridor.
💵 Check listing for pricing
🔗 Register
COMPETE26: Building Minnesota’s Next Economy Together
🗓 Wednesday, August 5 · 8:00–10:00 AM
📍 McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall, 200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis
🎯 Business, civic, nonprofit, higher ed, and cross-sector leaders interested in Minnesota’s economic future
🎉 A big-picture breakfast program for people who like strategy, regional development, and cross-sector collaboration. Expect thoughtful conversation about the future of Minnesota’s economy plus networking with leaders across sectors.
💵 Check registration page for pricing
🔗 Register
AGC Talks Minneapolis: What Does It Really Take to Be a Business Owner?
🗓 Wednesday, August 5 · 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Brick x Mortar, 314 N 1st Ave 4th Floor, Minneapolis
🎯 Business owners and entrepreneurs
🎉 Arrive to network over hors d’oeuvres and drinks, then hear a TED-Talk-style talk from Kim Larson on the realities of business ownership before mingling to set future appointments.
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Eden Prairie Chamber: SBR — Networking + LinkedIn w/ BeeMuse
🗓 Wednesday, August 5 · 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Eden Prairie, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 Small business owners who want AI/LinkedIn tools to feel less overwhelming
🎉 A Small Business Roundtable session on using LinkedIn and AI for sales and marketing — practical, not jargon-heavy.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
ELMCC Quarterly Volunteer & Chamber Ambassador Social
🗓 Wednesday, August 5 · 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Excelsior, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 Chamber volunteers, ambassadors, and anyone curious about getting more involved
🎉 A relaxed morning meetup to connect with fellow volunteers and Chamber staff while celebrating the work that goes into Chamber events.
💵 Free
🔗 Register
1 Million Cups Minneapolis/St. Paul
🗓 Wednesday, August 5 (and again Wednesday, August 12) · 9:00 AM
📍 Alternates weekly between Minneapolis and St. Paul (James J. Hill Center, St. Paul, and a Minneapolis location — check the site for that week’s spot)
🎯 Local entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to support them
🎉 A free weekly gathering where a local founder pitches their startup to the community and gets real feedback. Low-pressure, high-value if you love hearing what people are building.
💵 Free
Thursday, August 6
Eden Prairie Chamber: Clay Target Classic
🗓 Thursday, August 6 · 12:00–3:30 PM
📍 See chamber listing for shooting range location
🎯 Business owners and community members, no experience necessary
🎉 Presented by EPC and Scheels — a stress-free clay target shooting event with a brief lesson beforehand. A fun, activity-based way to network instead of a standard mixer.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
AGC Minnetonka: Professional Partners Visitor Day
🗓 Thursday, August 6 · 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Keller Williams Premier Realty, 13100 Wayzata Blvd Suite 400, Minnetonka
🎯 Entrepreneurs and business owners curious about referral-based networking
🎉 A visitor day to see an AGC POD in action — meet members, observe how it works, and learn about referral-sharing and accountability. Coffee and bagels provided.
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Friday, August 7
Purpose Fueled Community: Friday Gathering
🗓 Friday, August 7 · 7:00 AM
📍 Multiple Twin Cities locations: Saint Paul (Dual Citizen Brewing), Plymouth (Luce Line Brewing), Eden Prairie (Fat Pants), Viking Lakes (Eagan) — pick your closest
🎯 Founders, leaders, and anyone craving connection that isn’t just business-card small talk
🎉 First-Friday-of-the-month gathering: someone shares a real, unpolished story, then you sit in small groups for a guided conversation that actually goes somewhere. Not your typical networking format.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
Monday, August 10
2026 ELMCC Golf Outing
🗓 Monday, August 10 · 11:00 AM–6:30 PM
📍 Deer Run Golf Course, west metro / Lake Minnetonka area
🎯 Business owners and community members, seasoned golfers or not
🎉 A full day of networking and fun on the course, presented by TreeLine Wealth Management. A great option if you’d rather connect over a shared activity than a standard mixer.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
TeamWomen: Headshots & Connection Hour at The Kickernick Building
🗓 Monday, August 10 · 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Sarah Edwards Studios @ The Kickernick Building, Minneapolis
🎯 TeamWomen members who need an updated headshot
🎉 Get a fresh professional headshot and connect with other members over drinks and conversation — a stylish, low-key way to combine two to-dos in one.
💵 $50
🔗 Register
Tuesday, August 11
Innovate MN: AI Innovation for Business — Build Day
🗓 Tuesday, August 11 · 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
📍 University of St. Thomas — Minneapolis Campus, 1000 La Salle Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Minnesota professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want hands-on practice using AI at work
🎉 A full-day, in-person AI build day hosted by Innovate MN, Applied AI, and the Schulze Institute — designed to help people move from ideas to actual AI-powered workflows and experiments.
💵 Check ticket page for pricing
🔗 Register
Excelsior Chamber: Membership 101
🗓 Tuesday, August 11 · 9:00–10:00 AM
📍 Excelsior, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 Newer Chamber members or anyone curious what membership includes
🎉 A focused session on how to actually maximize your Chamber membership instead of letting the perks go unused.
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Eden Prairie Chamber: HR Roundtable
🗓 Tuesday, August 11 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Eden Prairie, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 HR professionals
🎉 An interactive roundtable focused on connection and shared learning — a welcoming, discussion-based format rather than a lecture.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
Eden Prairie Chamber: Ladies in Leadership Luncheon — Leading Through the Noise
🗓 Tuesday, August 11 · 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Eden Prairie, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 Women in business in the Eden Prairie area
🎉 A quarterly networking and education luncheon series designed to inspire women and connect them with other professionals.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
MnTech: Women Leading in Technology (WLiT) Happy Hour
🗓 Tuesday, August 11 · 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Pinstripes, 3849 Gallagher Drive, Edina
🎯 Women in tech (or tech-adjacent) roles
🎉 A casual happy hour for the WLiT community — relaxed, after-work energy with a room full of women building careers in Minnesota tech.
💵 See listing for pricing
🔗 Register
Wednesday, August 12
Digital Summit Minneapolis 2026
🗓 Wednesday, August 12 – Thursday, August 13
📍 Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave S, Minneapolis
🎯 Marketing leaders, brand managers, digital strategists, and agency professionals
🎉 A two-day marketing conference with keynotes, breakout sessions, a Mastermind Hub, an exhibitor showcase, and a networking reception. A bigger-ticket option if you want a full conference experience instead of a single event.
💵 Paid ($795)
🔗 Register
Eden Prairie Chamber: Business@Breakfast Networking w/Junk King
🗓 Wednesday, August 12 · 7:15–8:30 AM
📍 Eden Prairie, MN (see chamber listing for host location)
🎯 Chamber members and local business owners
🎉 Every attendee gets a 60-second commercial to share about their business — a structured, come-as-you-are breakfast format.
💵 Paid
🔗 Register
NextUp Twin Cities: Paint & Sip
🗓 Wednesday, August 12 · time TBD — check listing
📍 See listing for location
🎯 Women in leadership (NextUp members and guests)
🎉 A creative, low-pressure way to connect — paint, sip, and get to know other women leaders in the room.
💵 Paid
Hops and Handshakes: Monthly Networking Event
🗓 Wednesday, August 12 · 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 AXELS Restaurant, 2540 Cleveland Ave N, Roseville
🎯 North-suburbs business owners and professionals looking for a lower-pressure alternative to “pay to play” networking
🎉 A laid-back monthly happy hour — no pressure to register, guests always welcome, come as you are.
💵 Free
Thursday, August 13
NIA Twin Cities E. Metro Member Meeting: Reclaiming Time Through Community
🗓 Thursday, August 13 · 3:00–5:00 PM
📍 Pathway Cowork, Lake Elmo
🎯 Business owners and professionals in the east metro
🎉 This month’s theme is leverage — sharing resources, borrowing trust, and using your network to multiply your time instead of doing everything solo.
💵 Free
🔗 Register
TCFF Film Industry Speed Networking
🗓 Thursday, August 13 · Doors 6:30 PM, speed networking 7:00–8:00 PM, continued conversation until 8:30
📍 Twin Cities Film Fest office, 5315 West 16th Street, St. Louis Park
🎯 Filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, actors, and other film-industry professionals
🎉 A fast-paced evening of timed networking rounds for people building teams and collaborations in the local film world. Bring business cards and a quick intro of what you’re working on.
💵 $15–20, free for TCFF members
🔗 Register
Friday, August 14
AGC Business & Bagels: Saint Paul
🗓 Friday, August 14 · 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 The University Club of Saint Paul, 420 Summit Ave, Saint Paul
🎯 Business professionals looking to close out the week with connections
🎉 A Friday morning mixer with coffee and bagels, plus a structured networking exercise built to help you meet the max number of fellow attendees.
💵 Free for members / $20 non-members at the door
🔗 Register
💬 Personal Note
August always sneaks up on me — one minute it’s the Fourth of July, the next the State Fair banners are up and Renaissance Festival ads are everywhere. This first half of the month is a good stretch to get ahead before things get busy again: a couple of chamber mornings, one good golf day, a clay target social, and a happy hour or two. If you’re local, I’d love to see you at one of these — say hi if you spot me!
It’s also my birthday month and Twin Cities Collective’s birthday month, so celebrations all around. 🥳 Ten years of TCC feels wild in the best way, and I’m really grateful to still be here, finding new ways to connect people and spotlight what’s happening locally.
— Jenna