Sheletta Brundidge Hosts Free Brunch for Minnesota Small Business Owners and Honors Local Hero

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 28, 2025 — Media personality, entrepreneur, and autism advocate Sheletta Brundidge is offering Minnesota’s small business owners a moment to celebrate resilience and network — and, in a separate but equally inspiring gesture, recently honored a local hero for life-saving action.

Tomorrow, on Small Business Saturday, Brundidge and her company, ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, will host a free brunch for hundreds of founders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners from across the state. The event is fully funded by Ms. Brundidge and is designed to recognize the resilience of entrepreneurs after a challenging 2025 marked by high inflation and rising operational costs.

“It’s been a tough year… But we’re still standing, and we need to have some fun!” Brundidge said. “I want to invite all small business owners to come together to celebrate our wins and our resilience.”

Celebrating Local Heroes

Earlier this week, Brundidge also presented a $1,000 award to school bus driver Mebal Kaanyi for saving a 4-year-old boy who was drowning in Lake Owasso. Kaanyi, who cannot swim, jumped into the lake despite her fear to rescue the non-verbal child, who has autism and is prone to wandering near water.

The award, presented on Tuesday in Maplewood, Minnesota, recognizes Kaanyi’s courage and quick thinking, and reflects Brundidge’s advocacy for the autism community. The boy was safely reunited with his parents.

“Every child deserves safety and every hero deserves recognition,” Brundidge said. “Mebal acted bravely and selflessly — and we want to celebrate her courage.”

Small Business Saturday Brunch: Waffles, Mimosas, and Networking

The brunch, held from 9 a.m.–11 a.m. CST at the Coliseum Building, 2708 E Lake St., Minneapolis, combines celebration with community-building:

• Unlimited mimosas and a waffle bar
• DJ spinning 70s, 80s, and 90s R&B, including “Boots on the Ground”
• Networking opportunities for Minnesota entrepreneurs
• Resource information on statewide funding initiatives, including the MN PROMISE Act

One lucky entrepreneur will also receive a $1,000 cash grant, courtesy of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, further supporting the state’s small business community.

“Small business owners naturally exist in silos,” Brundidge said. “We have the capital to help each other succeed, but we have to know each other first.”

Why Small Business Saturday Matters

Small Business Saturday, launched in 2010 by American Express, marks the start of the holiday retail season for independent businesses. For many, this period accounts for up to 60% of annual sales. While traditionally a consumer-focused initiative, Brundidge’s brunch emphasizes networking, mentorship, and celebration among entrepreneurs.

Event Details

• What: Small Business Saturday Brunch
• When: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. CST
• Where: Coliseum Building, 2708 E Lake St., Minneapolis
• Cost: Free (registration required)
• Parking: On-site
• Highlights: Networking, food and drinks, music, funding info, and a $1,000 grant raffle

From honoring heroic actions in the autism community to creating spaces for entrepreneurial connection, Brundidge continues to leverage her platform to celebrate courage, resilience, and community across Minnesota.

Register Here for the Free Brunch

MinneapoliMedia