Hundreds attend brunch to network and celebrate

Sheletta Brundidge, WCCO Radio host and owner of her own small business, ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, a podcast, promotions, and production company, welcomed more than 200 people to her Small Business Saturday Brunch on Nov. 29 meant to unite, motivate, and support local entrepreneurs.

“The way we arrested that room wasn't nothing but God,” Brundidge exclaimed. “A DJ, a prayer room, a food truck, a mobile bar. Baby, we showed out!”

Brundidge wanted the event at the Coliseum in Minneapolis to raise spirits after what she called a tough year for small business owners. “With tariffs, DEI rollbacks, and high inflation, money is tight, and folks are spending less; a lot of bigger companies are cutting back and not partnering with smaller contractors,” Brundidge said.

Marie Jefferson, an unemployed writer and aspiring entrepreneur, had never attended an event like it and was moved to tears by the brunch, calling it her most meaningful experience since moving to Minnesota 60 years ago. “I cried most of the time,” Jefferson said. “I was just in awe of the motivation and love in the room. This was a life-transforming event for me. Thank you for your giving, love, laughter, and hope.”

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 as an annual day to

encourage people to shop at small, local businesses during the holiday season. The event takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a time when bigger retailers tend to dominate with Black Friday sales. 

“We must continue to support, celebrate, and elevate small businesses,” said Leticia Selmon, director, coding education at Baptist Health System. Selmon attended the brunch and raved about it on LinkedIn afterward. “We ate, prayed, connected, celebrated! Support small business. Grow your small business. There is room for us all.”

Even a day of snowfall didn’t stop local business owners from coming to Minneapolis for the event which also provided resources that support small businesses, like details on $60 million in new funding from the MN PROMISE Act, which provides state funding to businesses in communities affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access to capital, loss of population or an aging population.

In addition, guests learned about Minnesota’s new paid family and medical leave law, which begins in 2026.

“The Small Business Saturday Brunch was absolutely unstoppable,” said attendee Dr. Myriam Roby, who is a healthcare provider with more than 20 years of experience. “The Coliseum was filled with small business owners, innovators, and community builders who showed up ready to support one another, weather and all.”

Every business owner in attendance was entered into a raffle to win $1,000 donated by  ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com. For most who trekked out in the snow to attend the brunch, the support and general feeling of love during the event were reward enough.

“When the road gets challenging, community fuels us forward,” said Roby. “Purpose has a way of resurfacing exactly when you need it.”