The program
Six weeks. A running business.
One working session a week, then we sit down together and build the real thing. Here's the whole arc.
Week by week
- Week 1
Register and license
Your business becomes real on paper: entity, EIN, licenses.
- Week 2
Price it
Prices you can say out loud, grounded in what the work actually costs.
- Week 3
Get online
A website, a Google listing, social profiles. Wherever customers look for you, you show up.
- Week 4
Client and booking systems
A simple way for customers to book you and pay you.
- Week 5
First customers
A pipeline plan, and outreach that starts while we're still building.
- Week 6
Launch and money basics
Open for business, with simple money habits that keep it healthy.
Need more time?
Extend up to 4 more weeks at no cost. Some founders finish in 6 weeks; nobody gets dropped at week 6.
The details
Time
One working session each week, plus hands-on build time with us.
Cost
Free. Funded by grants and local sponsors.
Format
In person in the east metro, hybrid anywhere in Minnesota.
After
90 days of follow-up support once you graduate.
Questions
Fair questions
Do I need a business already?
No. An idea is enough. Plenty of founders arrive with nothing on paper.
Do I need to speak English fluently?
No. Sessions are in English for now, but we keep the language plain, and you're welcome to bring someone who helps you feel comfortable.
I'm not low-income or an immigrant. Can I still apply?
Yes. Lumisa is open to everyone. When cohort spots are limited, priority goes to founders without access to capital and networks.
What does it cost?
Nothing. The program is free, and so is applying.
What's the catch?
There isn't one. Lumisa is a nonprofit funded by grants and local sponsors, so founders never pay.
Applying takes 3 minutes. We reply within a week.