Coming Summer 2023
We are currently building business support teams.
Inquire below.
A business community to launch a new generation of entrepreneurs
Discover some of the most
CULTURALLY RICH TALENT
in the midwest
Join some of the most
INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURS
& INVESTORS
in the nation
Co-Working
Private Office
Membership based community, amenities with admin support available
(3 D MODELING)
Event &
Networking
Venue
Networking, Presentation, Entrepreneurship Academy, and Event Availability
(3 D MODELING)
Hospitality
Facilities
Commercial kitchen for pop up restaurants, ghost kitchen, networking events, food startups, classes or catering support
(3 D MODELING)
The historic Firehouse Community unites
FRESH TALENT,
LEGACY CAPITAL
& NEW MARKETS
in a business greenhouse
Floor Plans
Two Floors
Firehouse features three distinct, yet complimentary business/social areas.
Our Leadership Team
Our team have long careers in business and long term commitment to the city. We each bring expertise and life experience that uniquely equip us to build the cross-cultural community at Firehouse Commons. We have a passion to discover new talent and opportunities - especially opportunities that bring human flourishing.
Greg Silker
Greg Silker grew up in an entrepreneurial family and started his first business in grade school.
He loves discovering opportunity, building teams and seeing people mobilized in their gifts and vocations.
Greg and his wife Barbara led teams that launched half a dozen ministries and related businesses at the University of Minnesota including Bordertown Coffee and Kappa Pi Alpha. Their company Silker Studios has worked with the premier outdoors companies in the nation for 25 years. He has consulted on many startups, including the Catalysis youth entrepreneurship experience and is currently partnering in the startup of Minntech, a Cloud, DevSecOps and Cybersecurity training institute.
Greg's experience with international media began with First Person Radio, a First Nations news program broadcast over the NPR satellite system. In addition to the business incubator at Firehouse, Greg and Barbara are working on an international film initiative that equips and partners with cross-cultural filmmakers. He is currently producing Cristóbal Krusen's film Let Me Have My Son.
Simon Trautmann
Simon J, Trautmann is a corporate attorney and founder of Trautmann Martin Law, PLLC. A large part of his practice is devoted to serving the Somali and East African business community.
Sis
Outside his law practice, he is an elected council member for the city of Richfield. Prior to practicing law, he helped to found and taught at Wuhan International School in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Presently, he serves as an adjunct faculty member of rhetoric at North Central University.
He has helped raise more than $400,000 in food, medical supplies and medical equipment for Somalia and Somali communities in Northern Kenya. He has travelled throughout Somalia Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Mr. Trautmann graduated from North Central University and the University of St. Thomas School of Law where he was a Presidential and Ciresi Scholar. He also studied comparative law at the Chinese University of Political Science and Law in Beijing.
Dr. Chris Brooks
Dr. Christopher Brooks is the proud son of a Jamaican mother and an American father. Born and raised in South Minneapolis, Chris is a lifelong resident of the Twin Cities Metro area.
With a strong reputation as a results oriented leader, Chris has enjoyed a diverse 25 year career serving as an executive, educator and change agent. He held leadership roles in several nonprofit organizations and served as a Professor at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a professor he built 10 brand new courses in urban studies and community development and led academic learning trips to urban neighborhoods - both within the United States and in developing nations.
His chief passion is the intersection of faith, race and economics and he has focused his work on advocating for individuals, families, and communities caught in the vicious cycle of generational poverty.
Chris and his wife have 4 children and are actively involved in the Twin Cities community.
