BBN ThriveLink — East Side Business Support Application

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About ThriveLink
ThriveLink is Black Business Network's (BBN) business-support initiative. It connects Black-owned businesses on Saint Paul's East Side to coordinated technical assistance, marketing and visibility support, practical business resources, referrals to partners, and ongoing support.
What participation involves
Participating businesses take part in a 12-week support period that includes small-group Zoom cohort sessions and short weekly check-ins.
Program size and review
ThriveLink is launching with an initial group of eight East Side businesses, with opportunities for additional businesses to participate as the program expands. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and submitting an application does not guarantee immediate placement.
What happens after you apply
BBN reviews every application and will follow up with you after review. The application takes about 5–8 minutes. Your information stays private to BBN staff and trusted project partners (currently Alleyne, Matlock & Associates and Reimagining the Civic Commons Twin Cities).
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Business Name* This field is required.
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Business Type* This field is required.
Please Select
Please Select
Food / restaurant / food truck
Retail / shop
Personal care / salon / barber
Health / wellness
Professional service
Trades / construction
Arts / creative
Childcare / education
Transportation
Other
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Please describe your business type.
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Business Address* This field is required.
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Is your business located on Saint Paul's East Side?* This field is required.This includes Payne-Phalen, Dayton's Bluff, Greater East Side, Battle Creek, Sunray, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Yes
No
Not sure
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Tell us where your business is located and why you're applying.
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Business Website or Social Media
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Is your business at least 51% Black-owned?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Years in Operation
Please Select
Please Select
Less than 1 year
1-2 years
3-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10 years
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Primary Contact Name* This field is required.
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Role / Title
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Email* This field is required.
example@example.com
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Phone Number* This field is required.
Please enter a valid phone number.
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Preferred Contact Method* This field is required.
Email
Phone call
Text message
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What are the biggest challenges your business is facing right now?* This field is required.
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Has construction, road work, or reduced customer access affected your business? If so, how?Optional. Skip this if it does not apply to your business.
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What changes have you noticed in customers, sales, or day-to-day operations?For example: fewer walk-ins, customers saying they thought you were closed, parking or delivery problems.
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How urgent is your need for support right now?* This field is required.
Critical — my business is at risk
High — I need help soon
Moderate — I could use support
Low — I am mostly stable
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What support would be most helpful right now?* This field is required.
Marketing and visibility
Social media help
Photography or video
Website help
Technology and digital tools
Bookkeeping or financial management
Access to capital or funding guidance
Business planning and goal setting
Operations and systems
Hiring and staffing
Licensing or permits
Commercial space or lease questions
Referrals to partners or resources
Other
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Please describe the type of support you are requesting.
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Are you open to being featured in photos, video, interviews, or social media content?* This field is required.
Yes
No
Not sure
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What questions or concerns do you have about being featured?
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Do you currently have updated photos, logos, or marketing materials?
Yes
Some
No
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Upload logo, photos, or materials, if available
Drag and drop files here
Select files to upload
Max. file size: 10.0MB
Cancelof
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Are you able to participate in 1-2 hour Zoom cohort sessions (5-8 businesses per session) over the 12-week program?* This field is required.
Yes
No
Not sure
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Would you be willing to complete short weekly check-ins during the 12-week support period?* This field is required.
Yes
No
Not sure
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Please share any concerns about weekly check-ins or the best way for us to stay connected.
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These five questions give us a starting point. We ask the same five at the end of the program to see what changed. There are no right answers — answer for where you actually are today.
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I am clear on my next steps for my business.* This field is required.
1
2
3
4
5
Best
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I feel confident making decisions about my business right now.* This field is required.
1
2
3
4
5
Best
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I know where to go for help or resources when I need them.* This field is required.
1
2
3
4
5
Best
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Customers can find my business and know we are open.* This field is required.
1
2
3
4
5
Best
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I know what I would need to approach a lender or funder.* This field is required.
1
2
3
4
5
Best
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What would need to be true, six months from now, for this to have been worth your time?* This field is required.
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Is there something you need that this program probably can't provide?Naming something outside what we offer will not count against your application. It helps us understand what businesses actually need, and where we should be pushing partners and funders.
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Is there anything else you want us to know about your business or current needs?
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Full Name (Electronic Signature)* This field is required.
Typing your name here serves as your electronic signature.
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Date* This field is required.
Date
Month
Day
Year
Should be Empty: