Bis-Man INC! July 2023

Sponsored

Sponsored Content: Creating an Extraordinary Neighborhood

Sponsored Content: Security First Bank of North Dakota is Putting People First

Fueling Entrepreneurial Success: The Rise of 1 Million Cups in Bismarck-Mandan

Dynamic Mortgage Group is Giving Back to Bis-Man

Job Service ND: Helping One Citizen at a Time

NDAREC and BSC's New Lineworker Training Center Offers an Economy Boost

Publisher EDITORIAL Editorial Team Lead Editors

Art Director

Editorial Graphic Designers

Creative Strategist Content Specialist

Contributors

INTERACTIVE Business Development Manager Business Development Associate Videographer Director of Digital Advertising Results

Director of Creative Strategies

Graphic Designer Web Developer Social Media Specialist

ADVERTISING VP of Business Development

Sales Representatives

Mike Dragosavich

Brady Drake Brady@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Geneva Nodland, Grant Ayers, Sam Kise

Kim Cowles

Ty Betts, Levi Dinh

Josiah Kopp

Gary Ussery

Julie Hinker of VBOC of The Dakotas, Arielle Windham of Ladyboss Lifestyle

Nick Schommer

Kellen Feeney

Tommy Uhlir

Jonathan Chicka

Megan Bergeson

Ben Buchanan

Kory Powell-Oliver

Ryne Bigelow

Paul Hoefer Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Al Anderson Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Devan Maki Devan@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Sales & Marketing Advisor

Marketing Associate

Client Relations

Client Relations Manager

Marketing Coordinator

Operations Assistant

DISTRIBUTION Delivery

Tori Helland Tori@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Hailey Bebler Hailey@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Jenny Johnson

Jessica Mullen

Miranda Knudson

John Stuber

1 MILLION RESOURCES IN BISMARCK-MANDAN

Entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds come together to share their stories and insights, as well as gain valuable feedback from a supportive and knowledgeable audience. Whether it's their first time on a stage, or they've become a veteran 1 Million Cups presenter, the platform provides immense knowledge and support, along with a sense of belonging in the business community. Insight from others can help refine, or even redefine, your personal business goals and help take any business dreams to the next step.

As a business magazine editor, I encourage you to explore 1 Million Cups. Attend events, engage with speakers and participants, and immerse yourself in this entrepreneurial ecosystem. The knowledge, connections, and inspiration gained from 1 Million Cups are invaluable. Let's embrace collaboration, fuel our entrepreneurial spirit (with plenty of coffee), and take advantage of the endless resources in our wonderful community.

Remember, the journey of a million cups starts with a single idea.

n the world of entrepreneurship in BismarckMandan, 1 Million Cups is a place where dreams are born and innovation thrives. Inspiring entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and connect with one another, the organization has been promoting a healthy business landscape for nearly 10 years.

I connected with Evan and Ganya Anderson, two of the many Bismarck-Mandan residents devoting their time and resources as community organizers for 1 Million Cups Bismarck-Mandan. On behalf of 1 Million Cups, they showed me that the impact the organization brings to the area is undeniable.

Bis-Man INC! Editor

MIKE BRADY KIM

LEVI TY

GENEVA

GRANT

SAM JOSIAH

JENNY

AL DEVAN TORI

HAILEY MIRANDA

JESSICA

NICK

KORY MEGAN

TOMMY JONATHAN

RYNE JOHN

From 2006 to 2014, Kilbourne Group’s real estate efforts focused on fulfilling a mission to revitalize downtown Fargo and create an active neighborhood that would attract investment. Kilbourne’s projects during this time demonstrated the possibilities of redevelopment and were designed to create high activity and value through each project.

In 2015, Kilbourne Group created its first real estate fund, the Downtown Fargo Real Estate Fund I, which acquired dozens of properties and completed redevelopment and urban infill projects. The Fund’s strategy was to redevelop equal parts retail, office, residential, and hotel in an effort to drive vibrancy and a mix of uses that creates resiliency. The result of the community’s efforts to revitalize downtown Fargo is more people on the sidewalks enjoying the city than ever.

The Downtown Fargo Real Estate Fund was created as a 10-year Fund, which is nearing the end of the 10-year period. We are now in the disposition stage of the fund portfolio. Properties for sale include future redevelopment opportunities, as well as fully leased and stabilized projects, all in the downtown Fargo Opportunity Zone which allows for capital gains tax advantages.

If you are at a point of seeking a new or additional neighborhood for your business, we would love to have the opportunity to share more with you about downtown Fargo.

“The Kilbourne Group team shows up every day with passion and drive to do the best work we can to create extraordinary projects and fill them with people and businesses, then sell the projects at the appropriate time. You hear us talking about the

Photos provided by Kilbourne Group

businesses and the local owners, local entrepreneurs that are starting their businesses, taking a lot of risks in downtown Fargo. That’s the awesome part… that creates a unique experience that you can’t have anywhere else in the world. You can’t go anywhere else in the world and have the experience you have in downtown Fargo. And the experience is awesome,” says Mike Allmendinger, President of Kilbourne Group.

Kilbourne Group is excited to continue to develop and sell projects in walkable districts throughout the region. We look forward to hearing from you!

Security First Bank

of North Dakota is Putting People First

Sarah reflects fondly on her first memories of working in the bank. Her first official job was crawling under an accidentally locked vault door when she was three years old to retrieve the vault keys. Growing up, she helped build floats, shred documents, clean the bank, mow the grass, and whatever else needed doing. Much like her father, Jim Goetz, who started in the teller line in 1968 at age 17, Sarah received her first official paycheck working as a teller in 1995, when she was 14 years old.

The 90s were a busy time at Security First Bank. Jim was leading the bank as he merged their Center and New Salem offices into one bank and then expanded into Mandan. The Mandan office opened for business in 2000 with the Bismarck office following in 2004. “I loved working in the teller line, as well as in backroom operations. When I left North Dakota for college, I knew I would return to the family business”, Getzlaff shares. After a few years in public accounting, Sarah came back to the bank full-time in the operations area in 2007, eventually becoming the Chief Operations Officer in 2013, and taking the reins from her dad as CEO in 2018.

As a family-owned business, the Goetz family has always taken pride in treating their customers and their team members like family. “Every business says they go above and beyond, but I believe we truly do. I remember customers swinging by Lake Sakakawea State Park on weekends to ask my dad about car loans—he was always happy to help someone whenever and wherever. I also remember him leaving our house late one night to borrow a customer cash out of his own wallet for a medical emergency, and offering to send more than one employee to Mayo Clinic for health issues,” Getzlaff said.

Your One-Stop Shop

Did You Know?

Stories like this were a constant part of Sarah’s childhood and have become a tradition she’s honored to continue and encourages her team to do the same. Getzlaff shared, “There's no better feeling than helping someone. Whether you’re helping them achieve their dream of starting a new business, customizing a loan package, or simply helping them out of a bind, we take the time to do the right thing.” Led by the enduring mission of the Goetz Family to provide the most responsive customer service in the area, the Security First team is unified in their goal to deliver personal and thoughtful service while sharing the expertise and resources needed to be financially healthy and successful.

Although the team at Security First Bank is always looking for the opportunity to help out in extraordinary situations, they also go above and beyond for everyday banking needs with a suite of innovative online and mobile banking products and services. Security First Bank embraces the latest technology on the market, pairing it with the hometown service people deserve.

“We take pride in having a very experienced and customerfocused team. When you call Security First Bank, you talk to a person rather than a recording. If the person who answers the phone doesn’t have the answer, our customer needs, they know how to get them to the person who can help,”

TJ Rooney, Bismarck President said. “Having direct access to people with knowledge, expertise, and decision-making authority is fairly unique in our industry. Our decisions are made by those who live and work in the markets we serve. Our team truly wants the best for our customers and communities because when they succeed, we succeed.”

Although workforce shortages are affecting industries across the spectrum, Security First Bank experiences minimal turnover—due largely to a leadership team that instills a culture of respect, teamwork, and, most importantly, family first. With a team of long-tenured and experienced banking, insurance, and wealth management professionals, retirement is the main reason an opening might pop up on the roster.

“One quality that attracted me to Security First Bank is the willingness to invest in Security First Bank team members in a variety of ways that help them grow in both their careers and personal lives. Our leadership wants the best for each and every team member. When reflecting on my time here, I recognize that I’ve had endless opportunities for growth,” Rooney said.

Behind The Curtain at Security First Bank of ND

“Security First Bank’s ownership and management are the biggest reasons I joined this team. We’re led by truly genuine, caring people. Jim and Sarah are very involved with all of the bank's employees and are always there when an employee or family member is in need. They provide a family-friendly work environment, which is rare in an industry that is typically very profit-goal-oriented. At Security First Bank, employees aren’t just statistical numbers on a spreadsheet,” Todd Neurohr, Mandan President said.

Security First Bank has always embraced a model that values people first, knowing it leads to the team putting customers first. At the beginning of every weekly team meeting, the crew takes their shot at random trivia questions. Sharing laughs over wrong answers or someone’s surprisingly high level of knowledge on an obscure topic (side note: invite Commercial & Ag Lender Dallon Bitz to your next trivial pursuit game night), the team always makes time for shoutouts to those who went above and beyond. Whether it was a creative solution to help a customer or time spent volunteering, it’s evident this team is invested in their goals and each other, and work together to create an outstanding experience for every customer.

“I truly believe our customer service is incomparable, especially if we are up against a larger bank. We have the latest technology on the market, paired with a hometown scale of customer service,” Getzlaff said. “Many people believe smaller community banks don't have the same level of technology or products that a larger bank does, so they settle for a big bank with a level of customer service that's just okay. Don't settle—at Security First Bank, we have the technology, products,

and customer service you truly deserve. Let us be your partner. Let us be your community bank.”

While Security First Bank will soon celebrate a century’s worth of years in business, not everything goes out of style. This organization is sticking to their roots and what they do best—putting people first.

FUELING ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS

The Rise of 1 Million Cups in Bismarck-Mandan

By Grant Ayers

Photos Courtesy of Jacy Jo Photography

Bismarck-Mandan, known for its resilience and determination, has embraced 1 Million Cups—a national initiative—to foster innovation, connect local entrepreneurs, and drive economic growth. I sat down with two of 1 Million Cups’ community organizers, Evan and Ganya Anderson, where we discussed the journey, impact, and success of 1 Million Cups in Bismarck-Mandan. Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference!

1 Million Cups began in 2012 when the Kauffman Foundation introduced the concept as a means to support and nurture entrepreneurship at a grassroots level. Rooted in the belief that entrepreneurs learn best from one another, 1 Million Cups aimed to create an inclusive environment where local innovators could gather, share their stories, and receive feedback from a supportive community.

As news of 1 Million Cups spread across the nation, Bismarck-Mandan quickly recognized the value and potential of this unique initiative. With its rich history of embracing entrepreneurship and fostering a culture of collaboration, the region proved to be the perfect setting for the movement to take root and flourish beginning in 2013. Local organizations, business leaders, and community members rallied together, driven by the shared vision of supporting the dreams and aspirations of their fellow entrepreneurs.

“We knew that we loved the 1 Million Cups events. We decided that we wanted to give back to the entrepreneurial community since we work with so many of them. We felt as if we had a full Rolodex of business advice, so we wanted to help and give back to these entrepreneurs locally. Every week, though, we walk away feeling like we got more information than we gave to others, which helps us feel charged up about the business community and where it’s heading. It’s a really positive, uplifting experience,” Evan said.

After Evan's first speaking engagement at 1 Million Cups, they continued attending each week, sitting in the front row, asking questions, and

making the speakers feel heard. When the original hosts began to feel burnt out, the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC stepped in, pulling together people from different organizations to revive and sustain the event.

A wide range of people participated in the revival of 1 Million Cups, including an array of local entrepreneurs, representatives from the Chamber EDC, the NDWBC, the Downtown Business Association, ND SBDC, and more from other public and private sectors. Realizing the incredible opportunity to unite the community, they came to the agreement that no single group would dominate or lead the organization. Instead, they all became equal partners, working together towards the unified vision of a strong business landscape in BismarckMandan.

“One of the magical things about Bis-Man 1 Million Cups is that it’s truly grassroots and no one person or group owns it. Everyone pitches in, but it doesn’t belong to anybody with a set agenda. The only mission is to drive the community forward together. We've seen some really neat things in this community because we’re working together toward the same mission, which is to change the face of our startup community by connecting local entrepreneurs with one another over one million cups of coffee,” Evan said.

CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE 1MC ORGANIZER COMMITTEE

TYLER DEMARS

SBDC Bismarck Center Director

Bis-Man Chamber EDC Membership Director

ND Women's Business Center Advocacy Director

Threefold Audio Tech and IT

JON BURGER

ECI Systems, Sales Manager

ROSS FROHLICH

LAIKEN AUNE

GANYA ANDERSON Gizmonics LLC, Resident Geek

EVAN ANDERSON Gizmonics LLC, Mad Scientist

ADAM KEMPENICH

JOSIAH KOPP

BY THE NUMBERS

1 Million Cups has had the pleasure of hosting many incredible speakers over the years. Among them, John Bollinger from the Bismarck Larks stands out as a true community leader and success story for Bismarck-Mandan. In October 2016, he shared his plan to bring baseball to the city of Bismarck.

“Now, we can confidently say that the Bismarck Larks have surpassed our expectations. Recently, John returned to our stage to discuss his team’s achievements, upcoming goals, and their other company, Funatix Events. John's impact extends beyond baseball, uniting our community and inspiring us all. Lucit came on stage very early on. They didn’t have much in their early days, but they had a strong vision of where they were going. We were able to connect them with some others in the community, so this is definitely a great opportunity for anyone who walks through the doors,” Ganya said.

Over the years, 1 Million Cups has had the privilege of hosting some remarkable guests, both in-person and online, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve welcomed esteemed individuals and businesses from the community such as Laughing Sun Brewing, Bobcat Acceleration Center, CoSchedule, Bushel, Kathryn Burgum with Recovery Reinvented, and Senator Hoeven on their stage. While some of these speakers have continued their journeys beyond this platform, they celebrate each and every participant that graces their stage, recognizing the value in their contributions.

At 1 Million Cups, they strive to maintain broad selection criteria, as they believe that stepping onto the stage presents a tremendous growth opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their business plans.

“What sets us apart is the friendly and supportive nature of our audience. We create an environment where entrepreneurs can feel at ease, knowing that they are embraced by an accepting and encouraging crowd. No one’s going to throw cabbage! We believe in the power of collaboration, support, and creating an environment that supports entrepreneurial growth,” Ganya said.

Each week, they begin by expressing their appreciation for their sponsors before setting the stage with a community announcement segment. This unique opportunity allows individuals to share their upcoming news or initiatives, as well as present a slide while they speak on their topic. Following this, they proudly highlight the “National Day,” according to the National Day Calendar, before delving into the 10 to 20-minute speaker presentation.

Pictured Left to Right: Ganya Anderson, Ross Frohlich, Evan Anderson, Tyler Demars

RECOGNIZE ANY OF THESE NOTABLE NAMES?

These are some of the many past speakers that have graced the 1 Million Cups Bismarck-Mandan stage!

LAUGHING SUN BREWING CO.

NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR

EARTHKIND COSCHEDULE

DOOSAN BOBCAT ACCELERATION CENTER

HEAVEN'S HELPERS

LUCIT

THREEFOLD

THE INNOVATION SCHOOL

TWO TRACK MALTING COMPANY

DENIZEN PARTNERS

THE CAPITAL GALLERY

BUSHEL

ND GATEWAY TO SCIENCE

GOLDEN PATH SOLUTIONS

PAHLKE STEEL

THE GOOD KIDS

BISMARKET

..and more!

Something beneficial, whether large or small, can be taken away from every 1 Million Cups meeting, whether it’s social media marketing tips or a new tool to promote efficiency.

They then use the remaining time for an insightful Q&A session, intended to leverage the audience's experience to aid the presentation's greater success. Lastly, community organizers will announce the next week's speaker, building anticipation for the forthcoming event.

Their format ensures that presentations are concise and impactful, lasting around 10 minutes. Evan and Ganya, among other community organizers, take pride in the role of emcee at 1 Million Cups. The emcee not only joins the speaker on stage but also engages in a relaxed and informal conversation. Together, they tackle a few friendly questions, creating a sense of camaraderie and connection. Before they know it, the session comes to an end, leaving participants feeling fulfilled and accomplished. Year after year, this format has proven to be successful, with the event remaining essential for any entrepreneur in the Bis-Man area nearly 10 years in.

As they approach their 10th anniversary, organizers behind 1 Million Cups remain on

the lookout for new community members to get involved, no matter their expertise or experience. “When we hear of an entrepreneur that’s never heard of 1 Million Cups before, we get a little sad but very excited to show them the potential. If they care about our business community and support one another, we’d love to get to know them over a cup of coffee,” Evan said.

To celebrate, 1 Million Cups Bismarck-Mandan will be hosting a special evening event in midOctober to celebrate 10 years of 1 Million Cups in their community. This event gives past speakers the opportunity to showcase their business and its growth since its previous appearance. While the event will highlight the culmination of the great work being done by the organization, newcomers are strongly encouraged to join, learn more, and maybe even speak on their business or entrepreneurial efforts.

“We swap out the emcee every so often with different core members of our team. Depending on the speaker, we try to match the emcee with their field based on interests and comfort level, so that we’re providing the best experience we can.”

- Ganya Anderson

While newcomers may have a general idea of what to expect from the formal 1 Million Cups event, Evan and Ganya know that it’s not just about the time on stage at 1 Million Cups. While they arrive 30 minutes early, most people come 20 minutes early to catch up with one another, network with newcomers, and share ideas over their morning fuel. If any of the community organizers—along with most attendees—catch a new face in the building, they’re quick to make them feel welcome and excited to attend.

“People are always excited to make new connections and see others from past events. In fact, as soon as the speaker finishes, there's a queue that forms to talk to that person. Whether it's giving them business cards, suggestions, or making connections, there’s nearly as much value in the time before and after the event as there is during the event,” Evan said.

The information and potential value that can be pulled from before, during, and after the event is exactly why community organizers and other attendees urge any and all community members interested to join their meetings. According to Evan and Ganya, they often have to dispel a myth that there’s a certain level of criteria or a number of prerequisites to fall under before joining. However, the opposite is the case, as the 1 Million Cups team enjoys seeing people seize an opportunity to present earlier rather than later.

“Some people think that they can’t speak because their business isn’t formally launched, or that they’re not ready for it, but we like to get a wide range of people in different stages of their business dreams. Speakers could receive constructive criticism that makes a world of difference in the path they’re heading down. I love when an audience member suggests an idea to the speaker that they had never thought of. It’s like watching a spark go off in their head in real-time that inspires them to think bigger. Audience members are genuinely interested in getting to know you just as much as you are in connecting with them, so it’s their chance to get a lot of wise people’s opinions from our community that will motivate and challenge them to push themselves further,” Ganya said.

DID YOU KNOW?

1 Million Cups Bismarck-Mandan also engages in informative panels, depending on the speaker. Those topics can range from patent and trademark rules to proper safety with dangerous or flammable products and more.

Pictured Left to Right: Tyler Demars, Laiken Aune, and Adam Kempenich bringing the 1 Million Cups production to life!

JOSIAH KOPP

1MC was one of my first opportunities to share my vision for a FUN, new version of baseball in Bismarck. I had no idea if my crazy idea would be accepted, but as I was speaking, I vividly remember looking out in the crowd and there was Evan and Ganya smiling back, nodding enthusiastically, and I thought— WOW—people are into this! Little did I know at the time, they do that for everyone because that’s the kind of people they are! But boy, did I leave there inspired that Bismarck was ready for a new version of FUN and I was ready to work harder than ever to make it happen. The entire 1MC team gives community leaders, builders, and dreamers a platform to share and test their ideas, and what a beautiful thing that is. The Bismarck Larks and Funatix Events are giant fans of 1MC and so happy to support such an amazing organization."

JOHN BOLLINGER, BISMARCK LARKS AND FUNATIX EVENTS

The resources available at each 1 Million Cups meeting can be the difference between a side hustle and officially taking the next steps to your business dreams. 1 Million Cups Bismarck-Mandan remains close with an abundance of resources, including aforementioned organizations such as the NDWBC, SBDC, Chamber EDC, and more bright minds who attend regularly, offering valuable services and insight.

“Come to 1 Million Cups, get a free cup of really good coffee on us, and see what's going on in our community. We try to keep our speakers local to the Bis-Man community, but we’ve made exceptions and reached out to people from Fargo and Grand Forks in the past if they can be very beneficial to our area. If someone has a bold idea that they’re excited about, it’s hard to turn someone away over a bit of distance,” Evan said.

“We always encourage you to listen, get advice from other professionals in the community, and share that advice with other aspiring entrepreneurs in our community. You never know what can happen to you unless you show up and be a part of it. If someone only has 80% of an idea thought out, attending this event could give them the insight, knowledge, and tips to finalize the other 20%. It’s an excellent opportunity to push yourself forward, but also push others in our town forward at the same time,” Ganya said.

Being an entrepreneur can be lonely in the beginning, but it’s not lonely at 1 Million Cups. They’re ready to ask speakers to get very real with them

on stage. They ask about their biggest obstacles, whether it’s funding or lacking a certain skill set, and how they overcame those challenges. If they haven’t overcome them yet, what are they doing to come out stronger on the other side? The entire team behind 1 Million Cups is here to listen and give insight to the bright minds pushing the BismarckMandan community forward.

AMANDA RUST

OWNER AND BROKER

MADDIE REUER

OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF PROCESSING

By Grant Ayers Photos by Josiah Kopp

DYNAMIC MORTGAGE GROUP

Dynamic Mortgage Group is a locally owned and operated mortgage brokerage company with a cause. Founded by Maddie Reuer and Amanda Rust in February of 2022, the two forged a new path in the mortgage industry to make a name for themselves and play by their own rules for the customer. I sat down with Reuer and Rust, co-owners of Dynamic Mortgage Group, to discuss affordable homeownership and how they’re working to make it a reality, the duo’s future ambitions, and much more.

IS GIVING BACK TO BIS-MAN

Reuer and Rust have always been in the market for a career position that serves others before themselves. Rust initially pursued a degree in psychology, recognizing its value in truly understanding and assisting others, no matter the field. After deciding that she wanted a change of pace, Rust immersed herself in the world of finance, as she saw an opportunity to make a difference through customer service and going above and beyond the standard for customers.

“I wanted to pursue the field of mortgage someday, but that’s a hard field to get into. Luck would have it that somebody local was hiring a junior loan assistant, so I got my foot in the door through that position and started at the bottom of the totem pole. I loved the position and industry as a whole, but I was hungry for more,” Rust said.

“I loved the ability to go the extra mile for others in my position, so I questioned why we weren’t doing this for every person that came to us for help. I didn't want to just be doing things for the money; I wanted to help people. I decided to pivot and start Dynamic Mortgage Group, which is where I hired and met Maddie. Maddie was on the same page as me, which is why we’ve gotten along so well.”

Reuer worked in customer service for SCHEELS in college. Wanting something more at the time, she sought out a customer interaction-heavy position that would help her grow as a person. “It's helped

me learn how the world works for different varieties of people and how they handle the very stressful topic of mortgages,” Reuer said.

Reuer and Rust broke off from their former positions to form Dynamic Mortgage Group with certain benchmarks and standards in mind for their customers, including being available 24/7. It's evident based on their company benchmarks and goals, as well as their ethics and standards, that they aren't in this business for the money.

“We're not transactional people. In fact, we make very little money compared to most in our industry. Dynamic Mortgage Group’s whole point has always been to give everybody a chance at affordable housing. We invest everything that we get right back into the company. Our main goal was and is to have integrity, which is, unfortunately, lacking in many mortgage brokerages,” Rust said.

“We’re in a male-dominated industry, completely local and self-funded, just trying to do the right thing for people. We sat together and spent hours coming up with a name, logo, and what we were going to stand for. We always came back to simply doing the right thing and ensuring that people are never alone during this process.”

HOME OWNERSHIP AND MORTGAGE TIPS

WITH DYNAMIC MORTGAGE GROUP

1 3 2

DON'T GET DISCOURAGED.

“It’s going to be a long and scary process, but you have to trust both it and people along the way. It can be difficult, but second opinions make a great difference. I encourage everybody to shop around if you can find somebody with a better rate than us. We’re still super happy that you got a better rate, because our first offer will always be our best offer.”

ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF.

FIND SOMEBODY LOCAL.

“All of our money goes back into our local economy when you work with us. Rather than spending money with a random person down in Texas to do your mortgage, your money can go back into our community when you shop locally.”

“Ask questions. If you go somewhere and they tell you, 'This is the program that I'm going to put you in and it has this amount of extra fees added to it,' you should speak up and say if you feel this isn’t the best program for you. Don't let anybody tell you which route to go if you aren’t comfortable with your payments. It's okay to say you aren’t comfortable with a $3,000 payment, and $1,500 payments might be more in your price range.” 4

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOURSELF.

“If something doesn’t feel right and you want to make a difference for the better, you have to be the difference. You cannot sit and wait for things to change. You have to change because there are a lot of followers in this world. There are not a lot of doers and the world indeed needs both, but some are doers that want to make a difference.”

The duo behind Dynamic Mortgage Group has a proven track record of going the extra mile for their client base, especially when they need it most. Their reasoning for going that extra distance stems from past industry experiences that have been less than satisfying for the two of them.

“One of our clients was a veteran, and their closing date kept getting moved multiple times. Maddie and I were working on this case together, and the broker ultimately in charge kept saying that if we wait longer, then we could charge more commission, and that didn’t sit well with us. Even others were noticing that it wasn’t the right fit for us. We decided that we’d be at our happiest if we were doing this for ourselves and our clients, rather than someone else with different motives. We were terrified at first, but we knew that we could do it,” Rust said.

While admittedly intimidated by forging a new path, the two weren’t alone. “My dad owns a business as well, so he had a hand in the encouragement behind launching Dynamic Mortgage Group. He always told us that it's not going to be an overnight thing and that we need to buckle down and continue doing what we do. That advice has helped

push us to places that we didn't think we could achieve. We're doing things now that we never would’ve imagined achieving,” Reuer said.

While Rust and Reuer bring significant past experience to the table, Dynamic Mortgage Group is still a relatively new company, having been founded in February of 2022. That being said, they have high benchmarks for growth in the coming years. Within the next year, Rust and Reuer anticipate an expansion to other states, including Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota. However, they vow to continue having their primary focus on North Dakota and the community that they’re proud to call home.

“In terms of how far we’ve grown, we've added so much to our profile of what we offer. When someone has come to us requesting a loan that we don’t offer, we do the research to get an offer to them, or at least get them in the right direction. While we want to continue to grow beyond North Dakota, this state will always be our main focus. We go out and volunteer, and truly enjoy having that community focus,” Reuer said.

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND

“One of our clients, originally from outside of the United States, was trying to find a home. There were a bunch of hoops that we had to jump through, one of them being his taxes done the year prior. Some of his income wasn’t counted in what we were using to approve them for a loan, and we needed all of the tax details. Amanda and I went to his work to have him sign a form. When we got there, he was up in a forklift. After he quickly got down and signed the document, we went to the state capitol’s tax office and got the paperwork we needed. After we did everything to close on the home loan, we shared a few tears in the lobby. We were so excited to finally have what we needed to get them moving forward on a home. We definitely take a more 'everything is for the client' approach. If there's something that we can do on our end to make anything easier, we’re taking that extra step. We are calling our clients off forklifts to get documents for them. We’re doing everything in our power to help our clients and determine if they’re financially ready, or if they’re in over their heads a bit. We’ll have those necessary conversations if their budget is a little tight, or just make sure that they’re aware of pricing. After all of that, we’d do it again in a heartbeat. We’d go to the hypothetical, or literal, capitol for any of our clients.”

REUER & AMANDA RUST

Dynamic Mortgage Group offers 22 different lenders that they work with nationwide. Their plan, originally, was to remain small with five to six lenders and target their focus on a small handful of programs. Instead, they made the decision to grow and shape themselves to their clients' needs. While the process can be daunting, Rust and Reuer emphasize that you’re not going through it alone, as you have two seasoned professionals by your side to help in any way.

“We'll work with you every step of the way because we don't ever want you to feel alone. Even when you come into our office, you’ll see two couches in my office, rather than a corporate headquarters conference room setup, because that’s where people are most comfortable. So, why not have a drink, sit on the couches, and discuss an application?” Rust said.

“We want to always leave any person that we work with satisfied, as that’s always going to come first to us. We almost look at ourselves as mortgage counselors, more than brokers, because we do so much more than brokering. Rather than simply picking a rate, we genuinely want to help in any way that we can.”

As Reuer and Rust blaze a new trail in the mortgage industry, the two ensure that their clients are in safe and protective hands when working with them to become a homeowner. While it can be an intimidating path, especially for a first-time homeowner, Rust and Reuer are there to guide you along every step of the way.

“Our slogan for the business is 'Let's grow together.' We want to help you, grow with you, and answer any questions you may have before, during, or after the process. If you buy a house with us, and then you want to buy another house 15 years later, we want to help you with that and grow with you. We’re here for the client. We're not in it for the money,” Reuer said.

“We just want people to get into a house, as that typically leads to a healthier community. Our main business plan was to make homeownership more obtainable. As I said before, healthier communities usually have higher homeownership levels. Our goal is to create a healthier community, not just for now, but for the future, as our way of giving back. Helping people get into a house should be something that everybody deserves. Everybody should have a warm, safe house to sleep in at night.”

MADDIE

Job Service ND: Helping One Citizen At A Time

By Grant Ayers Photos Courtesy of Job Service ND

JSND Success Story

JSND provides workforce and unemployment services across the state through nine different Workforce Centers, as well as their central location in Bismarck, ND. JSND offers a variety of services for both job seekers and employers. JSND has its roots in the Social Security Act of 1935 when Congress established unemployment insurance as part of an employment security system designed to provide an economic safety net during the height of the

“JSND provides regular workshops to justice-involved individuals within North Dakota’s correctional facilities, assisting them in their transition from incarceration to become contributing members of the state’s workforce. In November 2022, JSND staff delivered a workshop to 20 inmates at the James River Minimum Unit (JRMU)/James River Correctional Center (JRCC) facility in preparation for a job fair that was to follow. Topics covered included interview goals and strategies, preparation tips, greetings and introductions, do’s and don’ts, and much more. Following the presentation, staff recommended that, upon their release, inmates stop by their local JSND offices for additional assistance with job searching. In January 2023, Karl, a former inmate at JRMU, stopped by JSND-Fargo for assistance with his resume. He participated in the November 2022 workshop and introduced himself to some of the JSND employees he recognized from the workshop. Karl was then provided with additional resumes, job searching, and job application assistance. The very next day, Karl phoned the JSND-Fargo office to share that he had accepted a maintenance position that paid $28/hour with full benefits. Staff at JSNDFargo joined Karl in celebrating his excitement over his new job offer. It is success stories like these that make for very exciting days at JSND.”

Provided by Job Service ND

Job Service ND aims to provide the opportunity for North Dakota residents to

The Bismarck Workforce Center team!

About Carey: “22 years ago, I started working in the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program, which is a program that's attached to receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). When someone applies for a public assistance program such as TANF, they are referred to JSND to participate with us in skill training and assistance from us in getting them to a more self-sufficient place.”

About Amy: “In 2009, I began as a temp in the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) program, which works with unemployed individuals to find employment. Over the years, I’ve gradually moved up to become the office manager of the Bismarck Workforce Center.”

Carey Fry

Fargo Workforce Center Manager

Amy Arenz

Bismarck Workforce Center Manager

The aforementioned workshops are far from the only method of outreach that JSND takes pride in. On the first Wednesday of every month, JSND holds a “Workforce Wednesday” hiring event across their locations. During the event, companies currently hiring will come into JSND’s office and offer people a chance. Furthermore, JSND employees will oftentimes go to North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (NDDOCR) facilities and hold various classes and presentations.

“We do industry-wide and community-wide job fairs regularly throughout the year at our bigger offices in Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson, and Fargo. Our Bismarck office is responsible for 10 counties, so we do a lot of outreach and help connect employers and employee hopefuls,” Fry said. “We can see anywhere from 300 to 500 applicants come in looking for work, and 50 to 150 employers are looking for workers at those events, so it’s amazing to bridge both sides of the workforce coming together. We also work with businesses to discuss labor market information, such as what they should be

Job Service ND often hosts job fairs to boost the likelihood of making the connection between employer and hopeful employee.

paying. We have a lot of data that will show someone what their competitors would be paying someone to do that same job.”

One of their largest annual events, the Second Chance Job Fair, took place on Thursday, June 8. At this event, employers come to give individuals who have faced, or still do face, significant barriers to employment. Five of JSND's offices participate simultaneously across North Dakota.

WIOA Success Story

Lt. Governor Tammy Miller using a Career View XR virtual headset from JSND and Be More Colorful to view a wind turbine technician job shadow experience. JSND has headsets in both Bismarck and Fargo that showcase virtual job shadows of North Dakota businesses with occupations on the in-demand occupations list. Through this, they are able to show what it is like to be on top of a wind turbine, which is something not possible in an in-person job shadow. It also allows individuals to view multiple job shadows to learn about different occupations or industries in a shorter amount of time.

Contact JSND

NDAREC and BSC’s

In 1970, the NDAREC and BSC partnered to launch a lineworker training program through Bismarck State College. Since the program’s debut, BSC has leased space from the NDAREC to practice outside. There, BSC trains students to learn about the lineworker trade over a nine-month program that prepares them for installing, repairing, and servicing electrical lines damaged due to storms or ground disruptions. For over 50 years, the program has been bringing more citizens to the BismarckMandan area.

“When the program launched in 1970, it wasn't anywhere near what it is today. We had 20 to 25 students and very limited equipment. Just 10 years ago, we didn't even have a bucket truck. Now, we have an advisory committee and bucket trucks so that students can be working in real-life situations that will prepare them for linework in North Dakota,” Emmil said. “BSC’s long-standing partnership with the NDAREC has been nothing short of excellent. We certainly couldn't do what we do without partners like Josh and the rest of the NDAREC.”

Recently, their program has become the first of its kind in the state of North Dakota with their new indoor training facility. At over 26,000 square feet, 18,000 of which are dedicated to training space, the new Lineworker Training Center is the first and only indoor lineworker training facility in the state.

“We’ve always advocated for safe training, which is the primary reason we have the Lineworker Training Center. In North Dakota, there are a lot of days when students can’t train outside because of the weather, for safety reasons. Even with the new facility, they will still train outside often to prepare for their trade, but we want to also offer a much more conducive environment for learning. It’s one thing to actually do the work and it’s another to learn to do the work,” Kramer said.

The indoor training facility offers students an opportunity to learn and practice their work, even on the most unbearably cold winter days. The lineworker training program through BSC is nine months long, as students have summers off. In this facility, they’ll be well-prepared for training on dangerously cold days that would have previously been canceled.

With 50-foot-high walls, students can now train in an environment that’s both realistic and controlled.

This new Lineworker Training Center offers more than just the opportunity to practice in a safe, heated environment. The facility offers a training area with 50-foot high walls and 44 feet of clearance, along with two classrooms, two CDL simulators, and a locker area for lineworker students to safely store their tools and equipment.

“It’s a great indoor climbing arena facility for the students, which makes training much more manageable when it's extremely windy and cold. When we train 60 lineworkers for the conditions they’re going to face, we want to train them in a safe and controlled environment,” Emmil said.

“Overall, the new facility and its amenities offer a much more conducive learning experience to the students, and we’re happy to work with Bismarck State College on this project. They lease the space from us and hire their own trainers. All in all, they’ve been great partners that really know what they’re doing. The spots in the program have filled up quickly, which is a great thing to see in the program,” Kramer said.

“As the only indoor training program in the state, students can climb poles and do everything that they would typically do in the yard," Kramer added. "They can even do underground trenching, as it’s a dirt floor

arena, so they're able to do everything indoors that they typically would have to go outdoors to do. I think that this is a very important trade and that it’s important to have a lineworker workforce that’s supported.”

While the new facility is groundbreaking for BSC’s training program, it also aims to boost the local economy through more students and utility workers coming to the area for training. When students aren’t utilizing the space during their school sessions, NDAREC’s cooperatives are able to bring lineworkers in to train safely and efficiently.

“Having that trained workforce in our state is crucial to the whole region. The growing program is bringing an increased number of students to the area. If BSC didn’t have the program, that would be 60 fewer students per year coming to Bismarck and spending money in our community,” Kramer said.

With the lineworker training facility expected to bring an additional burst of economic growth to the Bismarck-Mandan area, and the program expected to only continue growing, signs are looking positive for the BSC and NDAREC’s collaboration. To learn more about BSC’s lineworker training program, as well as the NDAREC’s other projects, check out their site and more resources.

The new Lineworker Training Center is a sight to behold!

By Julie Hinker, VBOC Veterans Business Specialist

About the VBOC

Batch Content Creation "M

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.

arketing can be time-consuming if you do it the wrong way. Wait, that is an understatement! Marketing is time-consuming no matter how you do it! BUT… there are ways to help it take up less of your valuable time without losing high-end content that will drive results. It’s all about working smarter, not harder. Luckily, there are some easy ways to streamline your content marketing, so that you can get on with growing your business. It’s called batching! Say goodbye to the pressure of pumping out content each week and say hello to not feeling constantly stressed about getting this chore done.

What is content marketing?

Before you can create valuable batch content that drives results, you will need to understand what

Photo Courtesy of VBOC of the Dakotas

content marketing is. In a nutshell, content marketing is strategic marketing that creates and shares valuable and relevant information through content sharing to attract and retain customers. It builds awareness about your business and helps convince them that your product is the one they should invest in. Content marketing can be anything you choose to communicate your business through such as brochures, posters, social media, newsletters, images, etc. It is your brand and what you represent as a business.

As a marketing guru myself, I understand the importance of batching content. While you may want to jump straight to implementing this method, it is important to make sure you have a consistent and strong branding message for your business. If you have not completed this yet, reach out to your local SBA resource partner for confidential no-cost advising. Here are a few ideas to start brainstorming for your content marketing brand pillars:

What am I selling or promoting?

• What do people need to learn from me?

• What does my brand stand for?

How can I get my customers through the selling funnel with valuable content?

How can I take the necessary measures to ensure that my target audience comprehends my products well and is motivated to make a purchase?

What is content batching?

Content batching is a productivity technique where you create all your captions or visual content in one sitting. For example, instead of spending an hour planning, creating, and publishing one Facebook post, you will spend that hour writing or “batching” an entire week of posts and captions.

The main goal of content batching is to help you stay ahead of the curve so you can focus your energy on other areas of your business. Content batching also helps you save time, conserve energy, post consistently, and repurpose your ideas seamlessly across platforms.

Getting started: The ideal outcome of batching is to help you be productive while reducing hours of time, allowing you to create an internal batching system. Once you get the hang of how to do this, you will only spend a couple of hours doing this per month. To be able to batch your blog content effectively, you need two core things: a schedule and a social media management software system. Let’s start with social media management software. There are many options out there that have different features and varying monthly pricing. If you are already using one, stay with that one. If you aren’t, it’s time to do some research online to help you find the one that will work best for your budget and team. Not sure where to begin? Reach out to us and we would be happy to assist you!

Next, set up a calendar specific for your business marketing, and schedule time to work on batching. Plan to sit down for a full day when you first start to allow yourself ample time to complete this task. Review your brand pillars with your team while paying close attention to past campaigns and posts that received high performance.

Incorporate these findings with a monthly calendar of topics/content that you would like to cover for each of those months. Now, start creating the content to align with each month. You may choose to only sit and complete one month at a time or maybe you plan to assign a team member a specific month to cover and schedule out.

Brainstorming session: There is a happy medium when it comes to what you post for content. If all you do is talk about your business, people are not going to be interested in reading your posts for very long. If you engage your customers and show them you are interested in them, the overall engagement will increase. When we specifically look at social media batch content creation, the six types of social media content that help drive engagement include entertainment, inspiration, education, conversation, connection, and promotion. There should be an equal balance between all of these when you are creating batch content. Perhaps you ask your audience a question on Monday, post a fact on Tuesday, share a product feature on Wednesday, etc. This will help you know that each day of the week needs to have a specific type of engagement, already helping you batch your content

faster because you aren’t coming up with new topics/subjects for every day of the month.

The next step is thinking about other important events, holidays, or sales that may happen during the upcoming months. For example, if you plan to have a summer sale in July, you will want to use the month of June to help promote that upcoming sale. All these ideas should be written down during your brainstorming session. These sessions will be messy and full of ideas, some that will work and some that won’t. They are all important and part of the process.

Moving forward: Now that 50% of the work is complete, it is time to get to the final steps. Gather your team and start identifying who is going to be assigned what tasks. For example, you could assign one team member the task of creating all content for the month or you could divide the responsibilities among several team members. Find what works best for you and your unique team!

Next, identify the subject/theme for each month and create posts around that content. “Here at VBOC of the Dakotas, we are a small but mighty team, which means we must be

strategic with our time. Each year we review the data analytics behind our past social media to see what worked and what didn’t,” states Julie Hinker, Veterans Business Specialist for VBOC of the Dakotas. “We then use those findings, along with our strong brand pillars, and holiday schedule to start batching our new content. Once we have the themes set for each month, our team can start creating posts that align with the focus for each month.”

If you need help completing a brainstorming session or setting up a social media schedule, reach out to the Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas and allow one of our business advisors to assist you! Ultimately, your content posts should support your business goals and be a key part of your customer’s journey, so your content helps to create the know, like, and trust factor.

Scheduling and tracking

success: Now that the content creation portion is done, the final step to batch content for social media is to schedule everything for publication. Scheduling ahead of time makes life so much easier because you don’t have to worry about posting in real-time. Plus, you can choose optimal posting times to ensure your content goes

out when your audience is most active. That’s a guaranteed way to boost engagement. After each month has passed and you are ready to sit down and start your next batch, don’t forget to mark some notes to refer to next year on the previous month. Did a certain article or Facebook post get a lot of traction or engagement? If so, try to incorporate that style of content into the coming months.

Batching content for social media is a powerful strategy that enables individuals and businesses to maximize their productivity and efficiency while maintaining a consistent online presence. By dedicating specific blocks of time to create, curate, and schedule posts in advance, you can alleviate the stress of daily content creation and free up valuable time for other important tasks.

Batching allows for thoughtful planning, cohesive branding, and increased engagement, ultimately leading to a more impactful social media presence. So, embrace the concept of batching and watch your social media strategy flourish as you effortlessly navigate the everevolving digital landscape.

VBOC of the Dakotas

(701) 738-4850

und.edu/dakotasvboc /dakotasvboc @DakotasVBOC

4200 James Ray Dr Grand Forks, ND 58201

Photo Courtesy of NDFB

Emmery Mehlhoff

By Arielle Windham

Empowered by Ladyboss Lifestyle

Emmery Mehlhoff’s agricultural roots run deep. A fifthgeneration grain farmer, Mehlhoff has seen firsthand how laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels impact local agricultural operations—for better or worse. Mehlhoff has lobbied to preserve fairness and autonomy for American farmers from D.C. to Bismarck. A new ag enterprise and recent motherhood might have taken the girl out of the capital, at least during farming season, but Mehlhoff’s passion for agriculture remains an inspiration for many.

Corn, Cows, and Capitols

ND ag woman talks farming, family, and the future

Raising Relationships

“My dad ran for office when I was younger, and I got to meet a lot of people in the political scene early,” Mehlhoff said. “That experience made me realize politics weren’t some faraway thing. It was happening right here, and I could be part of it. I could help influence the laws that affect farmers and ranchers and that affects my family.”

After graduation, Mehlhoff studied government at college in Virginia and got her feet wet in ag policy as one of Senator Kevin Cramer’s first interns. But the halls of government couldn’t hold Mehlhoff. The country life was calling.

“Cramer’s office was new and they hadn’t set up an intern program when I applied,” Mehlhoff said. “I called them up and begged them to take me. They agreed eventually. That experience really hammered home the importance of personal relationships in politics. By the end of my degree, they wanted me to stay on, but I just wanted to farm.”

Mehlhoff returned home as a partner in her family’s grain operation, planting her first crop of corn and soybeans in 2014. More involvement in the business side of the farm brought Mehlhoff back to politics, but at the state level as public policy

Women You Should Know:

Photo Courtesy of Lexi Grotberg

Photo Courtesy of Lexi Grotberg

Photo Courtesy of Jubilee Christensen of Jubile J

Photography

Photo Courtesy of Jubilee Christensen of Jubile J

Photography

liaison for the North Dakota Farm Bureau, so she could better balance farming and lobbying.

“Politics at the state level are completely different than in Washington,” Mehlhoff said. “It’s more personal, more relationship-driven. Like, I know my senator and representative. I can call them up and have a conversation, even if I’m not lobbying. I can be the expert for them on ag policies that affect my day-to-day operation. I can be the face of agriculture for them. Help them understand that this is what agriculture really looks like. This is what it means to apply fertilizer to corn. This is what it means to preg-check cows. This is how your legislation really impacts people’s lives. Really, that’s important in any industry, getting involved in politics at some level to provide expert insight into how certain legislation will impact your business, your community, and the state economy.”

Farming for the Future

In 2018, a new agricultural opportunity opened up for Mehlhoff. Well, a relationship that led to an ag venture. The farm girl married a rancher and started Bluestem Beef, a grass-fed beef operation focused on local distribution.

“I had the land, and Caleb had the cows,” Mehlhoff said. “He moved into the house and the cows moved onto pastures that used to be old crop ground. I still farm with my dad, but now I guess I’m also a rancher.”

The couple founded Bluestem Beef with a vision for the future–providing healthy, omega-3-rich beef directly from the farm to your door. Bluestem focuses on natural, sustainable beef production. Using regenerative grazing practices and taking a holistic look at the health of the entire system, from soil to animal to beef, Bluestem looks to maximize the nutritional value of its beef.

“We believe what you eat has such a direct impact on your overall health,” Mehlhoff said. “I personally used to avoid red meat because of various health issues. But, in my case, it wasn’t the type of meat, but more how it was finished.”

Mehlhoff found that what the cattle ate had an impact on the beef’s composition. Grass-fed beef didn’t trigger her health problems—and it tasted delicious. “We felt like our neighbors—everybody—should have access to high-quality beef, so we started to direct market.”

Like many cottage industry operations, the recent pandemic increased the visibility of Bluestem Beef, with conscious consumers looking to buy locally. This interest and the birth of her first child have shifted Mehlhoff’s priorities slightly to focus more on the home front.

“Having a kid changes everything,” she said. “I lobbied at the Capitol every single day in the 2021 session while I was very

pregnant. I waddled around the Capitol. But once Titus was born, I wanted to focus on farming with my father, ranching with my husband, and watching my son grow up. At least for now. I want to build a successful operation that he can take over if he wants.”

Planting Seeds

Today, Mehlhoff spends most of her time in the field or with her family but plans to continue advocating for North Dakota farmers and ranchers.

“For years, the Farm Bureau has been asking how we can make as much local food available as possible,” she said. “Whether that’s decreasing regulations to make it easier for small mom-and-pop butcher shops to pop up. Or, in the last session, we worked on a bill to make raw milk more accessible to the consumer where instead of owning a cow share, you can just buy it directly from the farmer. Issues like these are important for our ag community, and I’m happy to provide the expertise our legislators need for the best results.”

Want to get involved in your own industry? Mehlhoff recommends connecting with your state legislators. “Make friends with a legislator. Let them know your area of expertise. Volunteer or just show up during a meeting and introduce yourself. Because I can guarantee you there will be a time when there is a piece of legislation that could directly affect your business, whether it’s cosmetology, computers, or farming.”

For those in the ag industry, the North Dakota Farm Bureau is a great resource for both involvement and information on current legislation. Similar member organizations and focus groups exist for other industries and demographics, so find the group that represents your interests and reach out.