Aimee Steinhardt-Duysen’s journey at the Entrepreneurship Center at Central Community College (CCC) in Grand Island, Nebraska, is a story of growth, community, and unwavering passion.
As Director of the Entrepreneurship Center, she plays a key role in supporting local entrepreneurs and small business owners in their pursuit of success. With a warm, personal touch, Steinhardt-Duysen has transformed the Entrepreneurship Center into a hub of activity and opportunity for the community.
Steinhardt-Duysen’s work at the Entrepreneurship Center is driven by a statewide focus on fostering entrepreneurship. “There's a lot of money going into entrepreneurship,” she says, emphasizing that the Nebraska legislature mandates an emphasis on entrepreneurship as part of the state’s economic development.
This mission aligns with CCC’s goal to “maximize student and community success.” And Steinhardt-Duysen’s efforts are a crucial part of that larger vision.
Covering a broad area that includes 25 counties, the Entrepreneurship Center offers personalized support in and around Grand Island, with a special emphasis on reaching rural areas. Steinhardt-Duysen and her team provide business coaching, mentoring, and help with finding space, but the heart of their efforts lies in connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need.
When Steinhardt-Duysen began her role in July 2022, the Entrepreneurship Center was not quite bustling. “Our offices were not full. In fact, I think they were all empty,” she recalls. At the time, the coworking space had just two members, and the podcast room was barely used.
But she saw the potential, and she knew it was a matter of getting the word out.
Through relentless marketing, social media efforts, and painstakingly collected Google reviews, Steinhardt-Duysen started filling the space. “It was just getting out there,” she says. Today, every office is full, and there’s a waiting list. And while the current offices are full, she’s keeping the momentum going. “I want to keep that ‘offices for rent’ sign out,” she explains. “I want people to come down and see the space… maybe the open coworking space works for them, or they need a conference room.”
One of Steinhardt-Duysen’s biggest successes is the Entrepreneurship Center’s role as a community hub. Beyond just a space for entrepreneurs to work, it has become a place for connection. She created a networking group, which eventually evolved into hosting 1 Million Cups, a nationwide entrepreneur networking initiative developed by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 2012.
This grassroots initiative seeks to change conditions, address root causes, and break down systemic barriers so that all people—regardless of race, gender, or geography—have the opportunity to achieve economic stability, mobility, and prosperity. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has supported thousands of entrepreneurs around the country.
Steinhardt-Duysen is excited about the impact this program will have. “It’s structured, it’s known, and there’s accountability,” she says.
The 1 Million Cups program brings speakers and participants together every week and fosters an environment where entrepreneurs can connect and learn from one another. By working together, the initiative helps communities and individuals thrive, championing ideas and supporting solutions designed to boost entrepreneurship and help small businesses grow.
The relationships and collaborations that happen within the Entrepreneurship Center are at the core of its value. “I have one member that said he would not be where he is right now had it not been for this place.”
The connections entrepreneurs make in the center are often the catalyst for their success, and Steinhardt-Duysen works hard to facilitate those interactions. Whether it’s during a tour or at a networking event, she’s always introducing people to one another, helping them see how their businesses can collaborate and grow together.
For Steinhardt-Duysen, running a coworking space comes with its own set of operational challenges. The biggest? Organization. Another challenge is ensuring members use the Coworks app properly to check out rooms and spaces. With the growing number of users, maintaining structure is essential to keeping things running smoothly.
She also strives to balance respect for the members’ professional space with the center’s role as a community gathering spot. The center hosts workshops and trainings, including podcast classes and other events, so communication with members is key. “I try to do a newsletter anytime we have a bunch of events coming up.”
While Nebraska may not be known as a startup hub, Steinhardt-Duysen is working to change that perception. “Things tend to be a little bit slower here in Nebraska,” she admits, noting that many of the entrepreneurs in Grand Island are in traditional industries, like marketing or travel. But she’s seeing an increase in tech startups, especially with the introduction of 1 Million Cups and events like the Nebraska Tech Collaborative.
She acknowledges that coworking spaces are still a relatively new concept in Nebraska, but the feedback from those who use the space has been overwhelmingly positive. People appreciate the quiet environment and the opportunity to be around others, even if they’re not working on the same projects. “They enjoy the interaction,” she says, adding that the space offers a sense of community without the distractions of working from home.
One of the Entrepreneurship Center’s most exciting initiatives is a commercial kitchen pilot program, funded by a grant from the National League of Cities and the Gates Foundation.
Steinhardt-Duysen is leading a group of eight entrepreneurs, helping them elevate their businesses by providing $2,000 to improve their marketing and legal compliance. “It’s for people who are maybe doing things out of their homes, and they need to be in a commercial environment,” she explains, referencing homemade food businesses like salsa makers who need proper business structures.
In addition to the pilot program, Steinhardt-Duysen is working with the city to secure grant funding for small business owners. “A lot of people need just that little bit of cushion,” she says, recalling a local daycare owner who couldn’t open her business because she needed $700 for a gate. The goal is to support small businesses with these kinds of practical, financial needs.
As Steinhardt-Duysen looks to the future, her vision for the Entrepreneurship Center is clear: she wants it to be a hub for entrepreneurs, a place where people can grow their businesses, make connections, and succeed together.
With her hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to the community, she’s well on her way to making that vision a reality. And as she continues to build partnerships, secure funding, and foster collaboration, the Entrepreneurship Center will be a vital resource for Grand Island and beyond.
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