2022 Buy Local Guide
Women and minorities have been fueling the boom in business creation of the past two years in the U.S. According to a Bloomberg News story, many workers are “placing a premium on the flexibility and autonomy afforded by self-employment, and they are quitting paid employment in favor of entrepreneurship.”
A detailed survey by Gusto, a human resources management business, found that almost half of 2021’s new entrepreneurs were women, up from 28 percent in 2019. The share of new Black business owners has tripled. More than a quarter of female business owners with school-aged children said they created their company in response to increased child-care duties.
A record 5.4 million new businesses were formed in the US in 2021, according to the Census Bureau. Among Black respondents in the Gusto survey, more than one-third created a business to improve their financial stability.
The ability to seek and receive a loan to start a business continues to vary significantly.

If you want to support this new community-based economy, here are a few of the places you can take your business. These entrepreneurs support our work by paying for Buy Local Guide advertising or listings in our pages.
Accounting
Triangle Accounting
Create order out of chaos! Tax preparation for individuals and the self-employed. 1739 Ford Pkwy., Saint Paul, MN 55116, 651-641-1807, triangle-accounting.com
Alterations
Tailors on Blake
Making people look and feel good in their clothing since 1982. Personalized gifts for everyone! 5706 W. 36th St., Saint Louis Park, MN 55416, 952-933-6585, tailorsonblake.com
Arts
Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio
Posters, T-shirts, and cards to stir the spirit, heal the heart, and change the world. 3260 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 612-455-2242
Springboard for the Arts
Supporting artists making a living and a life, and building just and equitable communities. 262 University Ave. W., Saint Paul, MN 55103, 651-292-4381, springboardforthearts.org
Automotive
Hagen’s Auto Body
Life is about choices; choose Hagen’s. Your locally owned and operated collision repair facility since 1950. 2800 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408, 612-872-6671, hagensautobody.com
Quality Coaches
50 years of caring service for cars of all eras. From oil changes to overhauls, we do it all! 20 W. 38th St., Minneapolis, MN 55409, 612-824-4155, quality-coaches.com
Banks
BankCherokee
BankCherokee has had an unwavering commitment to serving our customers and communities since 1908. #BankBetter, #BankLocal, #BankCherokee. 607 Smith Ave. S., Saint Paul, MN 55107, 651-227-7071, bankcherokee.com
Northeast Bank
With 75 years of experience helping local businesses grow and supporting community organizations, Northeast Bank strives to be your trusted partner for the path ahead. 77 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, 612-379-8811, nebankmn.com
Beauty and Wellness
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis
Stop by for Aveda products and services today. NOW ENROLLING for Cosmetology, Esthiology, and Massage Therapy classes. 400 Central Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612-331-1400
Business Consulting
Complete Health, Environmental & Safety Services, Inc (CHESS)
Occupational safety and health consulting company helping small to medium-sized businesses. Women owned. 33 E. Wentworth Ave., Suite 320. West Saint Paul, MN 55118, 651-481-9787, chess-safety.com
Cremation Services
Crescent Tide Cremation Services
Locally and family owned, simple, straightforward cremation services from $800. 774 Transfer Rd., Saint Paul, MN 55114, 651-315-8214, crescenttide.com
Dentists/Dental
Minnehaha Falls Family Dental
Our all-female office strives to provide quality approaches to all aspects of general dentistry with gentle chairside manner. 4554 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 612-721-3012, minnehahafallsfamilydental.com
Dining
Butter Bakery Cafe
We are an independent restaurant building community by serving up local flavor and local impact. 3700 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55409, 612-521-7401, butterbakerycafe.com
Financial Planning
Financial Planning Partners
A financial planner who puts YOU first – your story, your goals, my guidance. Creating a plan that fits your needs. 8530 Eagle Point Blvd., Suite 100, Lake Elmo, MN 55042, financialplanpartners.com
Gardening/Landscaping
Home Sown Gardens, LLC
Professional gardeners providing restorative care for your garden and soul. Custom maintenance, containers, design, edible gardens, and coaching. 651-434-7349, HomeSownGardens.com
Home Repair
Pine & Poplar LLC
Carpentry and home repair.
Services — flooring, fencing, decking, and more! Indigenous owned. Free quotes. Minneapolis, MN, 301-531-5560, jacqueline@pineandpoplar.org
St. Paul Pipeworks
St. Paul Pipeworks is your trusted partner for plumbing repairs and plumbing projects in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis metro area. 53 Woodlynn Ave., Suite B, Little Canada, MN 55117, 651-644-9400, stpaulpipeworks.com
Insurance
Minnesota Insurance Group, Inc.
Dawn, Kristine, Cheyenne, Samantha, Dustin, Michelle – YOUR gurus for everything insurance: business, personal, benefits, life. 15250 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 103, Wayzata, MN 55391, 952-930-3661, mnagent.com
Maguire Agency
The Maguire Agency — delivering a refreshingly different and surprisingly personal insurance experience since 1928. 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 300, Roseville, MN 55113, 651-638-9100, maguireagency.com
Lodging
Hawks View Cottages and Lodges
Deluxe forest cottages and lodges on the bluffs above the Mississippi River in historic Fountain City. Dreamers welcome. 17 N. St., Fountain City, WI 54629, 651-293-0803, hawksview.net
Pharmacy
St. Paul Corner Drug
Supporting healthy lifestyles for 100 years. Pharmacy the way it should be. 240 Snelling Ave S., Saint Paul, MN 55105, 651-698-8859, stpaulcornerdrug.com
Retail
Drury Lane Books
Founded by author Joan Drury, little bookstore on the shore, curated selection of new books. 12 E. Wisconsin St., Grand Marais, MN 55604, 218-387-3370, drurylanebooks.com
Electric Fetus
From boomers to babies, Electric Fetus music and gifts has something for everyone. 2000 S. 4th Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-870-9300, electricfetus.com
Excelsior Candle Co.
Hand-poured 100% soy candles with delightful room-filling scents. 1500 Jackson St. NE, Studio 206, Minneapolis, MN 55413, 763-283-8510, excelsiorcandleco.com
Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace
Your destination for all things Nordic. Shop local, shop small in the heart of Minneapolis. 1601 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55407, 612-729-9333, ingebretsens.com
Lula Vintage LLC
Lula Vintage is at Selby and Snelling in Saint Paul, MN, in business for 30 years. 651-644-4110, lulavintagewear.com
Northstar Kombucha
Find a stockist near you at northstarkombucha.com. 451 Taft St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, northstarkombucha.com, hello@northstarkombucha.com
Red Balloon Bookshop
Books, gifts, and events that help the young and young at heart live imaginative and rich lives. 891 Grand Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55105, 651-224-8320, redballoonbookshop.com
Retreat Center
Arc Retreat Community
Radical hospitality with nourishing meals and a sacred space for solitude, rest, and spiritual renewal. 1680 373rd Ave. NE, Stanchfield, MN 55080, 763-689-3540, ARCretreat.org
Spirituality
Cindy Lehman
Heart-centered soul readings and psychic development classes. New class begins September 27. 2376 Harvest Way, Chanhassen, MN 55317, 612-669-1861, cindylehman.com