👋 Welcome to the Twin Cities Collective!
Hi friends, and a big welcome to everyone who just subscribed!
First things first: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, so make a plan to go vote! 🗳️
A little news from me: I’m an official Notion Ambassador, and last month I was in San Francisco for the Notion Ambassador Summit, where I got to speak on a content panel! I came home so inspired that I’ve decided to unretire from event hosting. 🎉 I’m launching the Notion Twin Cities community and planning a meetup in the new year.
New to Notion? It’s a customizable app for keeping notes, projects, to-do lists and business information organized in one place. Think of it as a digital workspace you can make your own. And it’s free!
If you love Notion or are curious to connect with other people who use it, I’d love to have you involved. I’ll share updates on my personal Substack, so subscribe there to follow along. And if you want to be involved or join, send me a DM on LinkedIn! 💌
Two Online Notion events from me this month:
🛠️ Notion Office Hours — Wednesday, Nov 4, noon–1:00 PM CT on Zoom. Bring your questions and get help untangling your workspace. Tickets are $10; paid Substack subscribers can use the free RSVP code in their email. Get the details & register
💻 Your CRM Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive — Wednesday, Nov 11 at noon CT, online. Join me to build a simple Notion system for tracking clients, leads and follow-ups. Tickets are $10. Get the details & register
Want access to all my live workshops? Join the paid tier of either Twin Cities Collective or my personal Substack for just $5/month. 💌
Twin Cities Collective is your local guide to entrepreneur-friendly events around Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs. Every event in this roundup is about networking and connecting with people, whether that’s over coffee, at a workshop or around a dinner table. I like to go to many of these events myself before sharing them with you!
The clocks just fell back, the hot coffee is officially back in rotation, and November is a great month to get out of the house and meet some new people before the holiday rush.
Here’s what’s happening over the next two weeks. 👇
📅 Upcoming Events (Nov 3–15)
Perfection is Out of Stock (WeMN Panel)
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 3, 6:00 PM
📍 Urban Growler Brewing Company, St. Paul
🎯 Entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals heading into a busy holiday season
🎉 Five Minnesota women behind seasonal businesses (Chowgirls, Volière Spirits, Rose Street Patisserie, Minnesota Vixens and more) on when “good enough” is the better call, plus brewery mingling
💵 $20 for everyone; check the ticket page for any fees
Shut Up & Write! South Minneapolis ✍️
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 3, 6:05–7:15 PM, with optional socializing afterward
📍 Sisters’ Sludge Coffee Cafe and Wine Bar, 3746 23rd Ave S, Minneapolis
🎯 Writers of all experience levels, whether you’re working on a book, blog or other project
🎉 Quick introductions, an hour of focused writing and a chance to connect with other writers afterward
💵 Free; the organizer asks attendees to support the café with a purchase
🔗 RSVP
Hackers and Founders Minneapolis
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 3, 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis
🎯 Founders, developers and startup-curious folks
🎉 Casual conversations about startups and tech, with no speaker or formal pitch
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
Coffee & Conversation at Rush Creek
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4, 8:00–9:15 AM
📍 Rush Creek Golf Club, 7801 County Rd 101, Maple Grove
🎯 Business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals in the northwest metro (guests welcome)
🎉 Relaxed morning conversation, coffee and a spotlight speaker from the local business community
💵 Coffee is free; check with the chamber for admission details
Minnestar Coworking & Aneela’s Book Launch 💻📚
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4: coworking 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (drop in anytime); book celebration 5:30–7:30 PM (program at 6:15)
📍 Coco Coworking, 400 S 4th St, Suite 401, Minneapolis
🎯 Founders, freelancers, creatives, tech folks and anyone who loves a good story about connection
🎉 Spend the day working alongside the Minnestar community, with coffee, snacks and informal networking. Then stick around for the Great Gratitude Get Together: part book launch, part community celebration with HabitAware founder Aneela Idnani. She’ll read from her memoir Aneela, Where Are Your Eyebrows?, share her story and take questions. Limited books will be available for signing.
💵 Coworking is free; check the celebration registration page for pricing. The two events require separate registration.
🔗 Register for coworking | Register for the celebration
1 Million Cups MSP
🗓 Wednesdays, Nov 4 & Nov 11, 9:00 AM
📍 Alternates between Minneapolis and St. Paul (check the site for this week’s spot)
🎯 Founders, aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone who loves cheering on local startups
🎉 A local founder pitches, the room gives feedback, everybody drinks coffee
💵 Free
Women Innovators Conference
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4, 8:30 AM–1:30 PM
📍 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis
🎯 Founders and innovators (open to all, with a spotlight on women entrepreneurs)
🎉 Keynotes, panels and hands-on workshops on whether to build it, how to build it and how to use AI to speed it up
💵 Varies by ticket
🔗 Register
AGC Cultivate Connections at Brick x Mortar
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4, 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Brick x Mortar, 314 N 1st Ave, Suite 400, Minneapolis
🎯 Business owners and professionals from all kinds of industries
🎉 Evening networking in a coworking space, with drinks, appetizers and plenty of chances to connect
💵 Paid, Free for Members
🔗 RSVP
Break the Bubble at Wandering Leaf 🍻
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4, 5:00–9:00 PM
📍 Wandering Leaf Brewing, 2463 W Seventh St, St. Paul
🎯 Anyone 21+ looking to meet new friends
🎉 Grab a name tag and say hello! This one is about friendship, not business pitches
💵 Check the event listing for pricing
🔗 RSVP
I-94 West Chamber Emerging Leaders Meeting
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4, 5:00–6:00 PM
📍 Pints & Paddle, 15450 Grove Cir N, Maple Grove
🎯 Professionals looking to grow their network and get involved in the local business community
🎉 A friendly planning and networking meeting where newcomers can share ideas and help shape future events
💵 Price not listed; check with the chamber
Jam Night! 🎨
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 4, 6:30–9:30 PM
📍 Noble Robot, 326 E Hennepin Ave, Suite 206, Minneapolis
🎯 Creatives of all kinds, including artists, designers and developers
🎉 Bring a project and work alongside other creative folks. The event listing says COVID vaccination is required; masks are optional.
💵 Pricing not listed; check with the organizer
🔗 Register
Purpose Fueled: Saint Paul
🗓 Thursday, Nov 5, 7:00–8:30 AM (program starts 7:30)
📍 CHS Field, Securian Club, 360 N Broadway St, St. Paul
🎯 Anyone craving deeper conversations than a typical mixer
🎉 Stories and small-group conversation over Dunn Brothers coffee, warm and reflective
💵 Ticketed
PowHER Up Networking Breakfast
🗓 Thursday, Nov 5, 7:15–9:00 AM
📍 The Original Pancake House, 549 Prairie Center Dr, Eden Prairie
🎯 Women in business looking to meet other local professionals
🎉 Casual breakfast networking, introductions and community announcements
💵 Free for chamber members; $15 for non-members. Breakfast is purchased separately.
Club E: Buying a Business — The First 90 Days
🗓 Thursday, Nov 5, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis
🎯 Business buyers, owners and advisors
🎉 A lunch and panel discussion about the practical realities of taking over a business, plus a chance to connect
💵 $50, includes lunch
NIA Coaching & Connections: Build a Full Sales Pipeline
🗓 Thursday, Nov 5, 2:30–4:00 PM
📍 Dave & Buster’s, Southdale Center, Edina (park 3rd floor by Macy’s)
🎯 Business owners and anyone who sells
🎉 Practical talk from Dave Peppelman, then afternoon happy-hour networking (one drink ticket included)
💵 $10 for active members with advance reservations ($25 at the door); $25 + fees for non-members
AI and the Future of Search 🤖
🗓 Thursday, Nov 5, 4:30–8:00 PM
📍 Improving, 3033 Excelsior Blvd #180, Minneapolis (free parking)
🎯 Marketers, agencies and business owners who want to show up in AI search
🎉 Ex-Googler Brad Wetherall on how AI is rebuilding search, plus networking with the MnSearch, MIMA, AMA Minnesota and Marketers’ Community crowd
💵 General admission listed at $45; free for MN Women in AI members.
Eden Prairie Chamber Purse BINGO
🗓 Thursday, Nov 5, doors 6:30 PM, first ball around 7
📍 Fat Pants Brewing Co., 8335 Crystal View Rd, Eden Prairie
🎯 Anyone 18+ looking for a fun night out with west-metro business folks
🎉 Bingo, brews and designer purses up for grabs, benefiting the EPC Women’s Committee
💵 $30 for 10 games; $2 extra for specific games. Bring cash.
AI, Tech & Finance Networking 🤖
🗓 Friday, Nov 6, 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Brühaven Craft Company, 1368 La Salle Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Founders, tech and finance professionals, investors and startup-curious folks
🎉 A low-pressure evening to swap ideas and meet potential collaborators
💵 General admission listed at $15 plus fees; check current ticket options
Queer + Trans Creatives Meetup 🏳️🌈
🗓 Saturday, Nov 7, 6:30–9:30 PM
📍 Noble Robot, 326 E Hennepin Ave, Suite 206, Minneapolis
🎯 Queer and trans creatives across disciplines
🎉 Meet, chat and collaborate on games, art, music and other creative projects. The event listing says COVID vaccination is required; masks are optional.
💵 Pricing not listed; check with the organizer
🔗 Register
A Night Out in Edina: Small Business Owners Edition
🗓 Sunday, Nov 8, 7:00 PM
📍 A local Edina restaurant (revealed after you sign up)
🎯 Small business owners who’d rather chat around a dinner table than work a room
🎉 A cozy dinner for six strangers, you sign up and they book the table
💵 Tickets listed from $29. Dinner and drinks are paid separately.
🔗 Sign up
Founders Founding Work Zone
🗓 Monday, Nov 9 (check the site for time)
📍 Neighborhood House, 179 Robie St E, St. Paul
🎯 Emerging and early-stage founders
🎉 Heads-down work time alongside other founders, with built-in accountability and connection
💵 $35
AI and the Law Conference 🤖
🗓 Monday–Tuesday, Nov 9–10, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Minnesota CLE Conference Center, 600 Nicollet Mall #370, Minneapolis
🎯 Attorneys and anyone advising businesses on AI
🎉 Two days of practical sessions on how AI is changing legal practice (CLE credit available)
💵 $495 standard; $445 for MSBA members and paralegals. Other discounts and need-based scholarships may apply.
🔗 Register
Women & AI Summit 🤖✨ (SOLD OUT, Waitlist Only)
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 10, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Women at every stage of the AI learning curve, from curious to leading the change
🎉 Keynotes (including Nancy Lyons), hands-on workshops, four breakout tracks, catered lunch and a mix & mingle, hosted by The BWC and MN Women in AI. I’m speaking on building a website with AI, so come find me!
💵 $206.29 for guests; $180.39 for BWC/MN Women in AI members, including service fees (sold out, waitlist only)
ACG MN Coffee Hour: Emerging Leaders Edition ☕
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 10, 8:00–9:00 AM
📍 FRGMT Coffee North Loop, 729 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Professionals with fewer than 15 years of experience in private equity, finance, M&A and related services
🎉 Morning coffee and connections with peers in the middle-market business community
💵 Coffee is provided; admission price not listed. Check registration.
🔗 Event details & registration
WeMN Coffee & Conversations
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 10, 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Choice Bank (lower level), 6210 Wayzata Blvd, Golden Valley
🎯 Women entrepreneurs and small business owners (members and non-members)
🎉 Friendly intros, a bit of structured networking, then open chatting
💵 Ticketed, member discount available
🔗 RSVP
Plug and Play Minnesota Batch 3 Expo
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 10, 9:30 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis
🎯 Founders, investors and anyone curious about sustainability-focused startups
🎉 Startup pitches, industry perspectives and networking with local innovators
💵 Check the ticket page for pricing and availability
Build Your Dream: Business Idea Adventure
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 10, 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Minneapolis College, Management Education Center, 4th floor, Minneapolis
🎯 Students, alumni and members of the college community curious about entrepreneurship
🎉 Brainstorm business ideas and connect with other aspiring entrepreneurs
💵 Pricing not listed; check with the organizer
🔗 Event details & registration
WeMN In-Person Coworking Meetup
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 11, 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 FRGMNT Coffee, 11095 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie
🎯 Women entrepreneurs, including non-members
🎉 Bring your laptop and get things done alongside other business owners, with a little accountability and connection built in
💵 Free
Hops and Handshakes 🍻
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 11, 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Axel’s Restaurant (at the DoubleTree), 2540 Cleveland Ave N, Roseville
🎯 Business owners and professionals in the northern suburbs (and anyone willing to drive up!)
🎉 A zero-pressure, drop-in happy hour built as an alternative to pay-to-play networking
💵 Free to attend, just cover your own food and drinks
NIA Networking After Dark: Collective Connections
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 11, 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Ave S, St. Louis Park
🎯 Business owners and professionals; members and guests welcome
🎉 A casual happy hour for making new connections
💵 Food and drinks are on your own; check registration for any event fee
🔗 RSVP
MN Bytes & Brews 🍻
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 11, 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 10K Brewing, 2005 2nd Ave, Anoka
🎯 Tech professionals and anyone who enjoys talking tech
🎉 Low-key brewery networking, with no formal agenda
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
Top 10 Sales Drivers
🗓 Thursday, Nov 12, noon–1:00 PM
📍 Breakthrough Table Offices, 7625 Metro Blvd, Suite 120, Edina
🎯 Business owners and sales professionals looking to grow
🎉 Sales expert Tom Hoelderle shares practical ideas for building a disciplined sales organization, with networking and light refreshments
💵 $20
🔗 Register
NAWBO-MN Sounding Board Round Table: The Unspoken Side of Business
🗓 Thursday, Nov 12, 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 McGough Construction, 2737 Fairview Ave N, Roseville
🎯 Women business owners and professionals
🎉 A facilitated, real-talk session on the stories and assumptions behind our business decisions, with food and drinks provided
💵 Free for NAWBO members; $25 for corporate partners and $45 for non-member guests, plus fees and processing for paid tickets
🔗 Register
AGC Business & Bagels
🗓 Friday, Nov 13, 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 The University Club of Saint Paul, Terrace Room, 420 Summit Ave
🎯 Business owners and professionals from every industry
🎉 Coffee, bagels and a quick networking exercise so you actually meet the room
💵 Free for AGC members; $20 at the door for non-members
🔗 RSVP
Break the Bubble: Coffee Edition ☕
🗓 Saturday, Nov 14, 9:00 AM–noon
📍 SK Coffee: Coffee Bar & Roastery, 550 Vandalia St, St. Paul
🎯 Anyone 21+ looking to make new friends
🎉 A relaxed coffee meetup with name tags and conversation starters, no elevator pitch needed
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
LíderCon 2026
🗓 Saturday, Nov 14, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, followed by an evening networking reception
📍 University of St. Thomas, downtown Minneapolis
🎯 Latine professionals, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders and community advocates
🎉 A full day of leadership conversations, learning and connections across industries, hosted by LatinoLEAD
💵 $175 general admission through Nov 6; $185 beginning Nov 7. Student tickets are listed at $50. Meals included.
Minnesota Filmmakers Monthly Catch-Up 🎬
🗓 Saturday, Nov 14, 2:00–4:00 PM
📍 Queermunity, 3036 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Filmmakers and creative collaborators
🎉 Meet local filmmakers, catch up and talk about what you’re working on
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
Vibe Code MN 🤖
🗓 Saturday, Nov 14 (time TBD, recent meetups have been early afternoon)
📍 Check Meetup for the spot (recent sessions were at Walker Library in Uptown)
🎯 Anyone building with AI tools, no developer background needed
🎉 Laptops out, swap tools and workflows, and keep each other accountable on projects
💵 Free
Hosting an event? Submit it at twincitiescollective.com! I include Twin Cities–area events that help people network and connect, from coffee meetups and workshops to social gatherings for entrepreneurs, small business owners and community-minded folks.
💼 Work With Me: Tell Your Story on Video
One of my favorite things is helping small businesses tell their stories, get seen and become memorable online. Video is such a great way to let people get to know the person behind the business before they ever meet you in real life.
If you’ve been meaning to make more videos but aren’t sure where to start, my VIP Video Day is designed to make it easier. We’ll plan your content together and film a batch in one day, so you have videos to share on social, your website and beyond—without having to figure it all out on your own.
Curious if it’s a fit? Grab a free call and let’s chat!