Training helps small business partners align strategy and set their sights on growth
- Stevie Kloeber
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
November 2025
When Erasmos Numfor graduated from Minnesota African’s United “Simple Steps to Starting a Business,” he grinned proudly and took a moment to share what this meant to him. “I have received a lot of certificates in my life, but this one is the most significant.”
With a Doctor of Medicine degree, Erasmos is a full time clinical researcher and a father of three. His wife and business partner, Seraphine Ngang, similarly has a passion for the medical field, dedicating her entire career to supporting others with their healthcare needs. From her first job as a Residence Assistant at Presbyterian Homes, she went on to train as a Phlebotomist and a Certified Nursing Assistant before obtaining a Bachelor of Science in medical lab science, chemistry and microbiology and a Master of Business Administration in healthcare administration.
After going through the experience of supporting a loved one during their own health challenges, Seraphine and Erasmos decided to start their own homecare services business. Launched in 2021, Sturdy Care Health Services is committed to serving families during their most difficult and trying times. Their company provides services ranging from 24 hour skilled or custom nursing needs to home and community based services such as night supervision, adult companionship or general homemaking support. Having been through the difficulty of caring for an elderly parent, Seraphine and Erasmos wanted to build a company that treated clients like a member of their own family, providing compassionate care to support families with their day to day needs.
While Sturdy Care has been in operation for nearly five years, Seraphine and Erasmos have found themselves facing the many challenges experienced by young start up companies. After their close friend and MAU member Anita Fondikum introduced them to Basil Ajuo, MAU chief executive officer, the couple decided to sign up for the small business development training this past September. Sponsored by Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, SCORE Mentors Twin Cities and U.S. Commercial Services Minneapolis, this five-week program takes participants through an in-depth crash course on starting and operating a business. From start-up basics to funding options, participants walk away with tools and resources to help them navigate the hurdles of moving their business from start-up to thriving enterprises. This is followed by individualized support that includes one-on-one mentorship, targeted technical assistance, and an accountability partner who helps clients ask the right questions, set measurable goals, and make real progress. MAU also provides referrals to trusted external networks and resources that complement services and help clients move forward.
Bridging the gap between having a business idea to the next level
When Seraphine and Erasmos launched their business, they both brought in their own experience, knowledge and skillsets to the table. But one thing they learned quickly was that each of their own perspectives meant they were not always on the same page. “We realized we were not always syncing,” Erasmos explained. “But this course helped us understand those differences so that we could align and strategize more effectively together.”
Together, they learned that their business plan is a living, breathing document. A document to revisit and use as a roadmap to guide them as they continue to grow. It can help them ask the various questions to check in with themselves on such as what business services are bringing in the most revenue or identifying the demographics of their clientele and how they can use this information to market their business and expand their client base.
While they recently finished their training in October, Seraphine and Erasmos saw the importance of this program before they even started. They are continuing their mentorship twice a month and this is helping them set goals to review quarterly and connecting them with additional resources and partners. They found the course to have a lot of good information, which they said will be useful as they continue to process how to use it to improve their business operations. “I may even consider taking the course again in the future as a refresher for myself as we continue to grow,” Seraphine shared.
Building a community of African entrepreneurs
Seraphine was so certain that this course would be useful to her, that once they signed up, they encouraged others they knew to join the class as well. Several of the other participants in their cohort were contacts that she recruited. In just a few short months, Seraphine has become a passionate advocate for MAU and the resources they provide to other people. She plans to continue to introduce the organization and its programs to others and help them to see the value of getting involved. She plans to be a mentor soon herself, so she can pay it forward and help others achieve their own business and professional development goals. “I feel like I can move mountains,” Seraphine shared of how her experience with MAU has inspired and motivated her. “I feel like I can do anything.”
Support entrepreneurs like Seraphine and Erasmos
This Give to the Max Day, we are raising funds to help us reach more entrepreneurs with services to support business growth and job creation throughout the state of Minnesota. Every gift — big or small — helps Minnesota Africans United empower more entrepreneurs and change more lives. Join us in supporting entrepreneurs like Seraphine and Erasmos with a gift today.
Comments