Coalition9 Community News - January 2026

Founder Message

Happy New Year, C9 Community + Friends!

As we kick off 2026, I'm energized by the momentum our C9 Community has built. This past year brought powerful collaborations and deepened relationships, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've created together. Check out the year-in-review infographic below to see the impact we've made as a community.

I'm thrilled about the events we have planned for the year ahead. Our first C9 Gives Jam Session, "The Business Growth Setlist–Revenue, Legal, Tax, and Finance," is on Thursday, January 29th at Groove Capital in Minneapolis. It's free for everyone to attend—the link to register is below.

Coming up, we'll be playing pickleball in February and trying our hand at improv in March. And that's just Q1! Take a look at our events calendar to learn more–some dates are still tentative, but we've earmarked those as "*TARGET DATE." You can subscribe to the calendar to get real-time updates as we nail down the details.

Please join me in welcoming our newest Members who are embarking on their C9 journey with their respective ship captains in their small groups. I can't wait to see the relationship building and growth ahead. All ships rise—welcome aboard!

A heartfelt thank you to our 2025 Community Supporters for their commitment to Coalition9 this past year. We appreciate the expertise and support they provided to our C9 Community—their impact has been significant. Learn more about them below. We'll be officially announcing our 2026 Community Supporters later this month.

Finally, I want to say THANK YOU to each of you—our Members, C9 Team, Community Supporters, and Event Partners + Supporters. Your dedication and passion are what make Coalition9 thrive. I'm excited to see what we'll build together in 2026 and beyond.

Here's to another year of growth and connection!

Cheers,

Aaron Eggert
Coalition9 Founder + CVO

C9 2025 Year-in-Review Infographic

Look at what we've accomplished together as a community!

Member Highlights

MEET SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ON THE POWER OF NINE PODCAST

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:
Spotify for Creators | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RadioPublic | Pocket Casts

All of our videos, including podcast episodes, event recordings, and everything C9, are now available on our YouTube Channel.

Check it out—and don't forget to subscribe. We would love a review from you as well! We take great pride in the community we’re building, and your reviews have a huge impact on welcoming new listeners.

COALITION9 ON YOUTUBE

MEMBER NEWS

Member James Olsen of Community Supporter Seiler Law was recently on Julie Keyes' podcast "Poised for Exit" sharing insights on mergers and acquisitions—from advising Main Street and lower middle-market business owners, to highlighting common legal pitfalls that can delay or derail an exit. Listen to the podcast here
Do you miss the days when you could get a question answered or a problem solved informally in a few minutes—like when professors and advisors held office hours? Member Jason Sprenger announced that Game Changer Communications is now offering office hours! He’s bringing together great minds from around the Twin Cities to offer thoughts and perspectives on big issues, the news of the day, whatever's keeping you up at night—anything you’re curious about. The first event will be on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Tavern 23 in Edina. Come on out for some informal fun, learning, and fellowship. First drink is on Jason. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Contact Jason with questions: 612-327-1886. Reserve your spot here
Member Reed Robinson announced that Groove Capital will be hosting its next Pitch Series event on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the CLA Connection Center in Eagan. Please join them to explore real investment opportunities from a handful of Minnesota startups, featuring quick pitches and time to connect with founders and fellow early-stage investors. Email Emily Kist with questions. Get your tickets here
Reed Robinson was also recently published in the Star Tribune. He wrote the opinion piece “Minnesota May Be Feeling Down, But It’s Not Out” to draw attention to the incredible work being done by the area's entrepreneurial community. “If you are doing the important work of making Minnesota better, I see you and I appreciate you. Thank you!” says Reed. Email Reed with questions. Read the full article here
Several businesses of Coalition9 Members are participating in the Minnesota Polar Plunge in the Dunking Dealers team category as a fundraiser to support Special Olympics Minnesota. The event takes place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Nevers Industries in Maple Grove. All funds raised go towards programming and events for more than 8,000 athletes statewide. Support Special Olympics Minnesota—DONATE TODAY! Check out the teams:
- The Fluid Freezers (Fluid Interiors) - Dick Nash, retired C9 facilitator (participant); Anton Newman, C9 Member
- iSpace Snowcial Club (iSpace Environments) - Nathan Pesch, C9 Member
- Nevers: Jump in Style (Nevers Industries) - Chris Evenstad, C9 Member (participant)
C9 facilitator Summer Miller announced that Joy Collaborative is seeking a passionate board member to lead their Development Committee and champion their fundraising efforts. This volunteer role offers the chance to make a joyful, lasting impact for those with life-limiting conditions. If you have fundraising experience and are excited to help bring their mission to life, reach out to Summer Miller or C9 Member Mark Ostrom (Board Member) to learn more. Email Summer Miller or Mark Ostrom for more information.

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 Director of Marketing + Communications, at brenda@coalition9.com.

January C9 Gives Jam Session - The Business Growth Setlist

C9 Gives Jam Session: The Business Growth Setlist—Revenue, Legal, Tax, and Finance
Thursday, January 29, 2026
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Groove Capital in Minneapolis.

This C9 Gives Foundation event is a benefit to small business owners and entrepreneurs within and outside the Coalition9 Community. It is a collaboration between the C9 Gives Foundation and Coalition9, united by our shared vision: Changing Business Nine Leaders at a Time™.

In this interactive Jam Session, you’ll choose two of four expert-led jam session breakout groups spanning revenue, legal risk and foundations, tax minimization strategies, and actionable financial insights. We’ll run two rounds—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—so you can build your own “setlist” of topics and walk away with practical moves to grow your business.

Taco buffet lunch from Fuzzy's Tacos.

Limited to 100 attendees. Preregistration is required. Free for both C9 Members and general admission attendees.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Event Schedule:

10:00-10:30 AM: Relationship Building
10:30-10:45 AM: Welcome + Announcements
10:45 AM-12:00 PM: Morning Jam Session
12:00-12:30 PM: Open Lunch + Relationship Building
12:30-1:45 PM: Afternoon Jam Session
1:45-2:00 PM: Wrap-up + Relationship Building

Completing Eventbrite Registration:

In Eventbrite, after clicking the Register button in the first window, you will be redirected to the form to provide additional information and your Jam Session Breakout Group selections. Your registration is not complete until that is filled out.

*Please choose TWO Jam Session Breakout Groups*

Jam Session Breakout Groups:

#1 - The Secret Sauce to Revenue Growth hosted by Pivotal Advisors
#2 - Mitigating Risk & Building Strong Foundations hosted by Seiler Law
#3 - Tax Minimization Strategies for Small Business Leaders hosted by Boulay
#4 - Actionable Financial Insights for Growth hosted by All In One Accounting

Read full descriptions of the breakout groups HERE

*Both ticket types are free. Separated for tracking purposes.

SAVE THE DATE - February C9 Well Event

C9 Well: Pickleball
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
2:00 to 4:00 PM
Location: Pure Pickleball Club in Plymouth

Coalition9 has reserved 9 courts at Pure Pickleball Club for a fun afternoon of relationship building and friendly competition. Don’t know how to play? We’ll have some pickleball pros there to teach you the rules and coach you on technique. Paddles will be provided by Pure Pickleball, and we’ll have some light food and refreshments to keep you energized and hydrated.

Official email invite coming to your inbox next week!

Coalition9 Subscribable Events Calendar

Stay up-to-date on all of our events + gatherings! Our events calendar is powered by AddEvent and supports all major calendar platforms, including Apple, Google, Outlook, Outlook.com (online), Office 365 (online), and Yahoo.

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.

COALITION9 EVENTS

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 filled the top two tiers of our 2026 Community Supporter Program!

Prospering Level - SOLD OUT!
Thriving Level - SOLD OUT!
Evolving Level - Unlimited - 7 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.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER BENEFITS

Coalition9 Annual Signature Experience - Capital Reef National Park

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.

LEARN MORE + SIGN UP

December C9 Well Event Recap - Outdoor Sauna + Cold Plunge

Another epic C9 Well event in the books! Last month, our Members and friends showed up ready to embrace the elements at Sauna Camp Minnesota—and Mother Nature did NOT hold back. With outdoor temps at 5 below zero with the wind chill, this Outdoor Sauna + Cold Plunge experience pushed everyone's limits in the best way possible.

The contrast? Extreme. Wood-fired cedar barrel saunas reaching 200-205 degrees, then straight into Lake Independence at 32.5 degrees. C9 Founder Aaron Eggert said that, when he climbed out of that freezing water, he literally had icicles forming on his beard and his socks were freezing to his sandals.

The relationship building that happens when people step outside their comfort zones together is unmatched. Massive shoutout to everyone who showed up and leaned into the discomfort—your courage and energy made this event a memorable one.

We're so grateful to our Event Partner, Lost Woods Whiskey, for the fantastic presentation on their product + sustainability initiatives (plus those awesome bottle giveaways!). A big thank you to our C9 Well Event Series Partner Mike Jones, Certified EOS Implementer, and to the incredible team at Sauna Camp Minnesota for hosting us. Check out some photos!

EVENT PARTNER

EVENT SERIES PARTNER

Get Ready For The C9 In The Wild Photo Contest - Winter Edition!

C9 In The Wild: Show Off Your C9 Gear + Win!

You've got the gear—now it's time to show it off! Whether you received your C9 Gear in your Member welcome package or picked it up from our C9 Fall Pop-Up Store, we want to see you rockin' it. Bundle up and join our #C9InTheWild photo contest from February 1-28, 2026.

📸 Share a photo of yourself sporting your C9 Gear on LinkedIn with the hashtag #C9InTheWild. Whether you're embracing the winter chill, hitting the slopes, cozying up by the fire, or braving the cold for your morning coffee run, we want to see your C9 style! Make sure you're following the Coalition9 company page to be in the running for a chance to win:

-One month of free C9 Membership

OR

-One free item from our Spring 2026 Pop-Up Store

We'll announce the lucky winner on March 10th via a video of the random selection process on LinkedIn. Post your pics and let your C9 pride shine—even in the frostiest of temps!

View the full contest rules by clicking the link below.

LEARN MORE

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!

Thank You 2025 C9 Community Supporters!

PROSPERING LEVEL

THRIVING LEVEL

EVOLVING LEVEL

Cece: Coalition9's Concierge Service

Cece is Coalition9's concierge service. C9 Members can text Cece with questions, current needs, and connection requests, and Cece will take it from there.

Want to learn more about this revolutionary new way to engage with our Members? Visit our Cece page or send us a message. We're saving Cece for Members and Supporters 😉.

Follow Coalition9 on Social Media

If you haven't already, follow Coalition9 on social media! We post fun Coalition9 Community event photos, The Power of Nine Podcast episode releases, C9 Community news, content recommendations, and a bunch of other good stuff.

Changing business nine leaders at a time.

THE POWER OF NINE

STAY CONNECTED

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COALITION9 COMMUNITY NEWS

Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Coalition9 Community News, to receive the latest updates, C9 Member news, recent The Power of Nine Podcast episodes, group openings, info on events, and opportunities to connect with the C9 Community.

SUBSCRIBE