The Lead.
On its fifth anniversary, Alluvial Private Wealth is marking the occasion by investing in other small businesses. Lars and Brooke Olson signed the agreement to donate $25,000 over five years to sponsor the annual Forge business classes and competition. The Forge has helped dozens of small businesses start or expand since its inception in 2017.
“We support the Forge. When small businesses succeed, we all succeed,” said Lars Olson, president and founder of Alluvial Private Wealth. “It was important to us to make this a part of Alluvial’s five-year celebration.”
Olson was a part of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Marion class, which developed the Forge in 2018. In fact, the free Forge classes provided resources and strategies for Olson to create Alluvial Private Wealth when his previous employer moved out of the area.
Leadership Marion Project Becomes Lasting Community Resource
“Lars and Brooke Olson’s continued support of the 2016/2017 Leadership Marion class project, The Forge, is truly inspiring. What began as a class project planted a seed that has grown into a fabulous resource for entrepreneurs looking to start and grow a small business. Their belief in this effort—and in Marion’s entrepreneurial spirit—continues to make a lasting impact on our community,” said Heidi Jones, president of the Marion Area Chamber.
Dozens of Local Businesses Benefit from The Forge
Dozens of local entrepreneurs have come through the Forge and competed for thousands in prizes provided by sponsors. Local businesses and nonprofits who benefitted include:
- Attaboys
- Belenos Creations
- Busy Bee Cleaning
- The Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum
- Painless Fleet Maintenance
- Presidential Cleaning Services
- Sights Unseen Travel
- Spruce and Sparrow
New Investment Expands Forge Opportunities for Students
The new funds will allow the Forge to expand to other areas of the community, including involving high school and college students. Past participants of the Forge and winners of the business competition are excited about this new step.
“Entrepreneurs are the only people who will work 80 hours a week to avoid working a nine-to-five job,” said Ana Malone, founder of Busy Bee Cleaning and Belenos Creations and a Forge finalist. “Lars is motivating, inspiring, and genuinely supportive of others—an undeniable asset to our community. The Forge provides fun, informative classes for new and aspiring business owners and serves as an excellent starting point. It’s an amazing free resource made possible by Alluvial.”
Ongoing Investment Strengthens Forge’s Long-Term Success
“Alluvial’s commitment to the Forge has guaranteed its enduring success. Lars, as a Wealth Advisor, has brought financial success to the Forge from their ongoing investment,” said Mike Augenstein, Director of Workforce Solutions at Marion Technical College, host of the Forge. “It has also attracted other generous sponsors.”
Alluvial started investing in the Forge in 2021 for a five-year commitment and has now extended it for another five years. This investment is being matched by the Ray & Charlotte Baldauf Fund at the Marion Community Foundation. This trust was started by a Marion couple who owned a small business and invested in local philanthropy. Local entrepreneurs Steve and Brenda Johnston and Gary Ferriman have also invested in the Forge.
Past participants of the Forge and winners of the business competition are excited about this new step.
Alluvial’s Broader Commitment to the Marion Community
“This sponsorship is one of many ways the Olsons and the team at Alluvial Private Wealth invest in the Marion community,” said Mike Stuckey, Director of the Marion Technical College Foundation. “They truly believe in Marion and show that support throughout the community.”
Alluvial Private Wealth has partnered with Marion Tech for years. The Alluvial team includes Lisa Bush and Jean Obenour, two of the college’s Alumni Hall of Fame members.
Next Forge Business Classes Scheduled for Fall 2026
The next series of The Forge Business Classes sponsored by Alluvial Private Wealth will be held in the fall of 2026. The Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition will be held after the classes are complete.
For more on Alluvial Private Wealth Management, go to www.alluvialprivatewealth.com. For more on The Forge, go here.
