COVER STORY
The mobile sauna is another initiative from Folkways, aiming to create community-bonding through a good sweat. Go to folkways.co/sauna for more information.
DEMONSTRATION
Last summer, Burgum, Wai and a number of other volunteers saw an opportunity in the community in a lack of a large farmer’s market. That’s when the Red River Market was created. The market was open every Saturday from July through October. The whole idea of demonstration is to discover a need in the community and show that it is possible to act on it. The market attracted more than 20,000 attendees and generated more than $100,000 for local farmers. “There was very little barrier to entry,” Burgum said. “It’s taking that initiative and being an active citizen at a city level and saying, ‘Hey, I really wish Fargo had this.’ If you hear someone say that, say, ‘Why don’t you open that?’ Or, ‘Find someone to help you open that.’ Or, ‘Let’s make that happen.’”
INFRASTRUCTURE
Maybe the least sexy of the three but arguably the most important, Folkways is working with city leaders on creating a smarter city, in terms of design and policy. Simply changing a policy can positively affect the entrepreneurial scene. A prime example is liquor reform. “When you say, ‘Where is culture created in our
22 | JANUARY 2016
CO.STARTERS One of the programs that Folkways puts on that most directly affects business owners is Co.Starters. This nine-week business development program was founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee and helps entrepreneurs get their business off the ground. The first class finished last month with seven students making their business dreams come true. Each of the nine weeks is broken up into different sessions ranging from developing a business plan to understanding how to market your company. The first course will start in January and will take place every Tuesday evening from 6-9 p.m. The course fee is $500, but financial aid and payment plans are available. Go to folkways.co/ costarters for more information.
community?’ A lot of culture is made over food and dining,” Burgum said. “Liquor code is buried in the bureaucracy in City Hall." Burgum said the average bartender or musician just wants to see more venues, but isn't concerned about the specifics of why there aren't as many.
"When you dive into it, there’s not even a license for music venues," he said. "There’s no music venues in Fargo. All of the music venues we have are under a bar license. That’s a policy infrastructure and that change will affect a lot of culture-creators.” folkways.co