Coalition9 Community News - December 2025
Founder Message
Happy Holidays, C9 Members and Friends!
Looking ahead to 2026, if you're planning on investing in your growth and development, we're starting a new C9 group in February and have a few openings in current groups as well. We'd love for you to join our growing C9 Community! Send me an email before the end of the year so we can find the best fit for you to start 2026 off right.
Speaking of 2026, we got great feedback on our November SPARK event, Preparing for 2026. It was sold out, and I can't thank our panelists enough for sharing their expertise with our C9 Community. And a huge shout out to our Event Partners + Supporters and C9 Community Supporters—we seriously could not do these big events without you. Check out some pics and the event recap below.
Friday is our December C9 Well Outdoor Sauna + Cold Plunge Experience, and there’s still time to register. C9 Members can now bring a guest, and we opened the event to general admission. If you've never tried contrast therapy, this is your chance to experience something transformative with fellow C9ers and friends. Read on for more details.
I'm pleased to announce the 2026 launch of the C9 Signature Experience in partnership with 4 Corners Exploration and Coalition9 facilitator Matt Norman! This transformative trip will be to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah next October and is exclusive to C9 Members and facilitators.
We're close to finalizing the date for our January event—a Jam Session on multiple topics, including financial, operational, and revenue-focused breakout sessions. We're looking for Event Partners + Supporters for this one, so check out the info in this edition of the C9 Community News for benefits and details. Reach out if you're interested!
I'm honored to announce that our 2026 Community Supporter program is off to a great start—we already have 14 businesses committed! Check out level availability below, and reach out if you want to nab a spot. We can't wait to introduce you to our 2026 C9 Community Supporters in January.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season rich with the things that truly matter—time with family and friends, shared meals and memories, and space to rest and recharge.
Cheers,
Aaron Eggert
Coalition9 Founder + CVO
Member Highlights
MEET SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ON THE POWER OF NINE PODCAST
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Looking Within
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MEMBER NEWS
C9 Member Michael Kithcart is inviting 6- and 7-figure entrepreneurs to join a beta Win Your Way online cohort starting January 7, 2026. This six-week experience helps you remove sales resistance, create a custom growth approach that actually fits you, and rediscover the joy of helping clients get better results. Michael’s proven method has fueled transformational revenue growth for teams and business owners—and now it’s available in a supportive community setting. Learn more and see if it’s a fit.
Member Lana Nelson announced that she is starting a new position as the Growth Consultant at Coefficient. Congrats, Lana!
Member Matt Posey is happy to share that he’s starting a new position as Senior Business Development Manager at ScaleNorth. Good luck in your new role, Matt!
Member Mike Jones, Certified EOS Implementer, announced a couple events he’s hosting in December:
Annual Planning - A powerful (and free) 4-hour workshop for any business owner who wants to create an actionable vision and plan going into 2026 on December 12, 2025 - Learn more + register
Winter Gathering - Join a fun group of entrepreneurs for sauna, breathwork, and connection in a relaxed environment on December 19, 2025. Learn more + register
C9 group facilitator Katie Walter is excited to share that she has taken her first W2 role in 7 years! One of her clients, Immersion Data Solutions, invited her on as VP of Marketing. Congratulations, Katie!
Member (and future facilitator!) Nathan Young announced the release of How to be Second’s Professional Development community platform, “Second’s Place,” and you’re invited. Learn more and join the group here. They cooked up some “Early Bird” bonuses for those who sign up before December 31, 2025:
20% Discount code for 1-1 Coaching
"Founding Member" Badge for Second’s Place
Your name (and face if you’d like!) on the "Founding Member" wall on the website
Part of the Founder's Council
C9 Member Garrio Harrison from Forage has launched a new Digital Executive Presence: Foundation package to help leaders build a strong, human digital presence as AI reshapes communication. The new offering is paired with a supporting podcast that helps leaders navigate the evolving marketing landscape and establish their digital foundation. Get the PDF here, and listen to the podcast here.
Do you have news you want to share? Submit the information through our C9 Member News Form, and we'll be sure to highlight you in future updates! Please note: This is exclusive to C9 Members, facilitators, and Community Supporters. Questions? Contact Brenda Harvieux, C9 Marketing + Communications, at brenda@coalition9.com.
Holiday Gifting
Last-minute gift ideas from the businesses of C9 Members!
Cocktail Kits from Equal Parts Cocktail Co
C9 Member Simeon Priest
Carefully developed cocktail kits to bring the craft cocktail and mixology experience right to your home. Each kit features both boozy and booze-free recipes. Bold and beautiful cocktail syrups, unique and flavorful citrates, custom bitters, tinctures and playful garnishes along with step-by-step recipes cards give you everything you need to create exceptional drinks at home. Shop online
Mediterranean Heritage Gifts from Coccinella
C9 Member Umut Kaplan
Extra Virgin Olive Oils | Textiles | Ceramics
As a family-owned business, Coccinella has a deep respect for small businesses. Their premium Oleavia Extra Virgin Olive Oils are produced on their family farm using a meticulous process to preserve taste and health benefits. They work with small family weavers to create their authentic Aegean Breeze textiles. Their artisan-made ceramics are created using methods passed down through generations, embodying heritage and quality. Shop online or visit their store at 4946 France Ave. S. in Edina.
Gift Boxes from Legacy Chocolates
C9 Member Chris Huset
Legacy Chocolates offers a large variety of handcrafted chocolate truffles made with fresh local butter and cream, and the highest quality of REAL chocolate available—without preservatives or corn syrup. As you eat these blissful morsels, you benefit from the same antioxidants found in green tea and red wine, and mono-unsaturated fats like those found in olive oil. Their gift options come in boxes of six, twelve, or twenty-four chocolate truffles, or select from a variety of chocolate treats, drinks, and even coffee beans and loose-leaf teas. Shop online or visit their café at 141 4th St E #229 in St. Paul.
C9 Member Janiece Gray
Just two weeks of daily gratitude journaling can increase your happiness by 10%. This carefully crafted 90-day journal combines research-backed gratitude practices with a practical, easy-to-use format. Each day offers thoughtful prompts to help you:
Reflect on what brings you joy
Document your daily gratitude
Build a sustainable practice that fits your life
Shop online. Holiday Special: Bundle of 5 Journals for $100 (regular price $25 each) Perfect for sharing with friends and family or stocking up for your year-ahead practice.
C9 Member Alison Simonson
The most hilarious and fun games ever made! 5-star party games for adults and families. Featuring: Bad People, First to Worst (including a Care Bears version for kids), Disturbed Friends, Doodle Heist, Bad Opinions, History Trivia, and more! Shop online
Musical Instrument from Eckroth Music
C9 Member Brad Shaw
Give the gift of music! Eckroth Music has served the music industry since 1972 and specializes in band and orchestra instruments, accessories, method books, and instrument repair. Their Passion: Inspiring Lives Through Instrumental Musical Experiences. Shop online
Teeth Whitening from Krengel Dental
C9 Member Eva Frelix
At Krengel Dental, they are passionate about making your smile shine. That’s why they’re thrilled to offer Zoom Whitening to their patients—an affordable, safe, and effective treatment that can whiten your teeth several shades in a single visit! Zoom Whitening uses a special bleaching process that will brighten your enamel and dentin. This will get rid of common teeth stains that can come from food and drinks such as tobacco, wine, tea, and coffee.
Laser Hair Removal or Electrolysis from Permanent Choice
C9 Member Tracy Greer
Permanent Choice believes that everyone deserves the freedom to choose and feel confident in their skin. They empower individuals on their unique journeys towards lasting hair removal solutions. Holiday glow-up savings: Great deals on laser and electrolysis packages, BOGO gift cards, and more! Check out their current holiday deals online.
December C9 Well Event - Outdoor Sauna + Cold Plunge
C9 Well Outdoor Sauna + Cold Plunge
Friday, December 12, 2025
Location: Sauna Camp Minnesota in Independence, MN
*Please note that Sauna Camp has moved to a new location.
Join us for our December C9 Well Series Event!
Our Event Partner, Lost Woods Whiskey, will give a brief presentation on their product and sustainability initiatives, and a representative from Sauna Camp Minnesota will discuss the benefits of combining sauna with cold plunge. Then the group will experience the transformative powers of a wood-fired, cedar barrel sauna and a cold plunge in Lake Independence.
Limited to 50 attendees. C9 Members attend for free and may bring 1 guest. The event is also open for general admission for $25 per person (plus fees)
Email invites were sent to Members on November 17 and December 3, 2025.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
EVENT SERIES PARTNER
EVENT PARTNER
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When you subscribe, all Coalition9 events will be synced to your preferred calendar (may take up to 24 hours to populate). You can find directions on how to subscribe on our Events Page.
Become a 2026 Coalition9 Community Supporter
We’re locking in our 2026 Community Supporters by Thursday, January 15, 2026.
We're happy to announce that we have almost filled the top two tiers of our 2026 Community Supporter Program and have limited spots available:
Prospering Level - Only 2 of 6 available
Thriving Level - Only 2 of 6 available
Evolving Level - 6 already committed
Find out how you can amplify your brand to our 250+ (and growing) Members—entrepreneurs, leaders, decision makers, and influencers—plus thousands of podcast listeners, event attendees, email subscribers, and social media followers.
As our community continues to grow, so does our positive impact on the greater business ecosystem. Are you ready to be a part of that?
Join Coalition9 as a Community Supporter today! Reach out to C9 Founder and CVO Aaron Eggert to discuss how we can partner to amplify your brand.
Announcing the Launch of the Coalition9 Signature Experience
Join Four Corners Exploration for a signature experience designed exclusively for Coalition9 Members and facilitators. This is more than just a trip; it's a foundational journey to strengthen our community, deepen our purpose, and create an unforgettable experience for the C9 Community.
This unique 3-day desert hiking adventure through Capitol Reef National Park is a purposeful journey into one of America's most stunning and secluded landscapes. You'll traverse challenging terrain (hiking difficulty level: moderate), travel overland through surreal rock formations, and summit a peak for panoramic views, all in the company of your fellow C9ers. Limited to 10 participants.
Dates: October 21-24, 2026
Non-Refundable Deposit: $1,000 due by March 31, 2026.
November Coalition9 SPARK Event Recap - Preparing for 2026
Last month, our C9 Community gathered at the Minnesota Vikings Museum for our SPARK event, "Preparing for 2026," to focus on key topics to consider while planning for next year.
Our expert panelists dug into the economy, human capital, employee benefits, technology, talent, and more.
Highlights:
After a year of uncertainty in 2025, business professionals are ready to commit to intentional investments in efficiency, growth, and employee development.
Organizations must focus on structuring clean data and training teams on AI before technology can deliver real value.
AI is good for repetitive task automation to help team members be more efficient—not to replace them—so they can focus on what’s most beneficial for the business.
Upskilling current team members and investing in leadership development and succession planning will help companies navigate the challenging labor market.
Compensation strategies are expanding beyond base salary to include schedule flexibility, additional PTO, skill development + certifications, title changes, caregiver support, pet insurance, and wellness benefits that appeal to a multi-generational workforce.
Clients want authentic relationships with companies that share their values, give back to the community, and provide a good experience.
🔑 Key takeaway: The businesses that will thrive in 2026 are those who invest in their people, use technology to be more efficient, and build genuine relationships with clients.
👏 A huge thank-you to our panelists from for sharing their insights, and to everyone who joined us for the conversation!
Expert Panelists:
Economy - Joe Bauer, Tradition Capital Bank
Human Capital/Benefits - Taylor Johnson, Insperity
Talent - Jenna Estlick, Versique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting
Technology - Matt Posey, Wipfli
Event Moderator:
Mickayla Rosard, Groove Capital
Event Recording:
Jenson Studios
We're so grateful to our AMAZING Event Partners + Supporters for collaborating with us on this event:
EVENT PARTNERS
EVENT SUPPORTERS
EVENT LOCATION PARTNER
Become a Coalition9 Member!
Now is the perfect time to invest in your growth and development. We're continually building a community of Members who are serious about growth, committed to showing up, and willing to invest in one another for the long term. That's how deep, transformational relationships are built. That's how real evolution happens.
Current Openings + New Groups
We have a few openings in current groups and will be launching a new group in February 2026.
If you've been considering joining, this is your moment. Let's find the right group for you!
Contact C9 Founder + CVO Aaron Eggert at aaron@coalition9.com to learn more about the C9 Member experience and apply online for C9 Membership.
About Coalition9 Membership
Do you want to connect with others who share your mindset? Coalition9 isn't a networking group—it's a business community focused on building long-term relationships with good people like you.
We provide a community where a diversity of experiences in business and life is celebrated. You'll build lasting relationships with fellow Members through authentic conversations and a focus on leading with intentionality. Our memberships are designed to promote interactive learning regardless of what stage you’re at on your journey while connecting you to the resources and people that will help you be your best.
Leadership is lonely. But it doesn't have to be. Build your tribe in the Coalition9 Community!
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