Mend Your Relationship With Money: A Trauma-Informed Workshop for Minnesota Entrepreneurs
This workshop was held June 23 - 24, 2025.
The Initiative Foundation and The Minnesota Group are aligned in strengthening Minnesota’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through education, capacity-building, and inclusive economic growth. Together, we’re helping founders design businesses that are financially and emotionally sustainable.
The Initiative Foundation is teaming up with The Minnesota Group to help entrepreneurs break free from the emotional weight of money struggles. Over two focused days, we’ll unpack the why behind your money habits, heal what’s been holding you back, and build practical systems you can actually stick with.
Money stress isn’t just about math—it’s about stories, survival strategies, and what we learned (or didn’t learn) growing up. This workshop meets you there—with compassion, clarity, and tools that work.
Why this workshop matters
For many founders, money triggers perfectionism, avoidance, or overwork. Debt, feast-or-famine cash flow, or family expectations can quietly steer our decisions. We’ll explore how “money trauma” shows up—over-saving, overspending, under-charging, people-pleasing—and replace shame with skills.
What you’ll explore
Your money story. Where it started, who shaped it, and the beliefs you still carry.
Patterns & protections. Hoarding, impulse buys, subscription creep, invoice avoidance, burnout cycles—and what each behavior is trying to protect.
Trauma-informed reframes. Moving from “I’m bad with money” to “I’m learning to keep myself safe while I plan for growth.”
Business realities. Pricing, margins, and cash-flow rhythms specific to small businesses and solopreneurs.
What you’ll take away
Clarity on what actually causes your money stress (spoiler: it’s not just spending).
Insight into how financial trauma shows up—in life and in business.
Tools to build a healthier, more empowered relationship with money, including:
A simple, sustainable weekly money ritual
Pricing reflection prompts to set fair rates without panic
A one-page cash-flow roadmap you can maintain in under 15 minutes/week
Scripts for boundary-setting (late payments, discounts, scope creep)
Who this is for
Entrepreneurs, freelancers, small-business owners, creatives, and leaders who want less anxiety and more agency around money—regardless of where you’re starting.
What the two days look like
Day 2 — Heal & Build
Pricing with integrity (founder pay, margins, and value)
From overwhelm to ritual: a weekly money practice
Cash-flow basics you’ll actually use (receivables, reserves, taxes)
Boundaries, scripts, and policies that protect your time and profit
Action planning: choose 3 changes to implement in the next 30 days
Day 1 — Understand & Unpack
Welcome & agreements for a supportive learning space
Mapping your money story (guided reflection + small-group share)
How financial trauma shows up in entrepreneurship
Identifying patterns without shame; replacing them with supports
Gentle nervous-system resets you can use before financial tasks
The Minnesota Group’s role
As a partner and co-facilitator, The Minnesota Group brings a trauma-informed, equity-centered approach to financial well-being. We create learning spaces where founders feel seen—and we translate big financial concepts into plain language and doable steps. Expect reflective exercises, peer learning, and practical templates you can implement immediately.
