Fargo INC! January 2023

See what these local entrepreneurs are looking forward to as the calendar turns.

januaRy 2023

Jess Azure Founder, Spadesso

Rolla, North Dakota is home to 1,223 residents and SMP Health — St. Kateri critical access hospital — a vital healthcare system that has earned its saintly name. Since 1939, the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, a Catholic healthcare system, have been serving Rolla and many of its surrounding communities with over 100 dedicated healthcare professionals.

To reimagine the future of rural healthcare, JLG helped St. Kateri modernize its clinic space, expand its emergency department, create an inpatient pharmacy, and reconfigure space for a more functional workflow. With a welcoming healthcare environment, St. Kateri provides national care at a local level — rural healthcare refocused for holistic care, compassion, and community.

New Year's Resolutions

fargoinc@spotlightmediafargo.com

Brady Drake, Fargo INC! Editor

EDITORIAL BOARD

ERIC WILKIE CEO FM Area Foundation

Happy New Year from the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation. It’s that time of year again, time for the annual setting of goals that will not be met in 2023! I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions personally, but professionally it’s always important to push ourselves to grow yearly in our roles. For 2023, I want to be more patient, listen more than talk, and be more grateful for the good things happening in our business and nonprofit community.

2022 gave us much to be grateful for, and again this year, I’ve been so very impressed with the generosity of our region. Even in the face of uncertain economic times, our FM area donors supported the charities that are making a difference here locally. In 2022, through the generosity of our fund holders here, over $8 million was granted from the FM Area Foundation.

I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for our nonprofit community, as so many are doing such wonderful work to make this a vibrant community full of opportunities for everyone.

Wishing you and yours tremendous joy and good health for the coming new year!

JENNY SHEETS Manager Founders Programs

The positive momentum of 2022 makes me excited to see what 2023 holds. The Fargo metro saw some great developments in the startup ecosystem: more attention from the state (such as the angel matching fund), more startups establishing a presence in the region, more business accelerators moving to town, more investors setting up funds, and more women and BIPOC entrepreneurs starting businesses. In 2023 I want to put more effort into learning what founders need and meeting those needs with worldclass experiences, whether that's access to resources or peer-to-peer support.

My second resolution is to be an active ecosystem builder across the region, creating stronger relationships with founders, investors, and startup cheerleaders from Grand Forks to Watford City to Sioux Falls and beyond. Our ecosystem is only as strong as the people in it. I can't wait to see what next year has in store for us and, based on 2022, it's going to be a great one.

Happy new year!

JOHN MACHACEK Chief Innovation Officer Greater FM Economic Development Corporation

Economic development is a knowledge and relationships job. And with that, I get better at my job every day, as every day I learn something or meet somebody. So, at a minimum, I plan to keep learning and keep meeting people in 2023, always striving to be better at my job and helping our community.

I’m also excited that we are adding a new business development position at GFMEDC, so I look forward to welcoming that person, helping them learn the ropes and being part of our team as we work towards our purpose to “Cultivate an economic environment where all people and organizations flourish”.

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION?

KURT MCSPARRON Founder and Director The Executives Club of Fargo - Moorhead

What is my professional New Year’s resolution?

More.

More investment. More return. More involvement. More fulfillment. More innovation. More ideas. More connection. More collaboration. More appreciation. More purpose. More intention. More significance. More conscious. More cognitive. More risk. More failure.

More lessons. More growth. More depth. More breadth. More big things. More little things. More indulgence. More indifference. More laughs. More fun. More memories... just more.

Amor fati.

SHANNON FULL President and CEO FMWF Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is here to work alongside our members and the entire community to leverage and maximize relationships, resources and expertise for the most critical initiatives in our region. In 2023, I will have an enhanced focus on building our relationships to position FMWF for success, growth and prosperity.

I will also continue to lead efforts and intentionally create more opportunities for The Chamber team's professional development. Our team members are out in the community daily, and their growth and development as professionals will continue to strengthen our effectiveness, impact and culture as we work for the community.

Let's keep making big things happen, building solutions, thinking innovatively, partnering intentionally and creating a lasting impact.

GREGORY WALD Acquisitions/Communication Moore Holding Company

I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions, but one of my goals for 2023 is to be more intentional.

This encompasses many facets of work life. I’m particularly trying to focus on:

• How do I want to distribute my time across priorities?

• How do I engage people in ways that are most effective for that person and for the situation?

• How can I engage in initiatives where I’ll have the most impact?

It’s always good to take a step back and look at how to be more effective for our organizations. While we can’t control everything, we can decide how our behaviors and interactions impact our overall success.

MIKE

BRADY

KIM

LEVI

TY GENEVA

GRANT JOSIAH SAM

PAUL DEVAN TORI KACEY

HAILEY

MIRANDA

JESSICA

NICK KELLEN BEN

TOMMY KELLAN

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NEW YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

ew Years' Resolutions, are often made in our personal lives, but what about our professional lives? We were lucky enough to interview a handful of local entrepreneurs looking to make lasting changes in 2023.

NEW YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

JESSE AZURE

FOUNDER, SPADESSO

ABOUT JESSE AZURE

Jess is a former massage therapist and a licensed master esthetician. With over 80% of the salon and spa industry being women-owned, she’s proud to have created a space that supports women entrepreneurs and helps them grow their businesses. Being a champion for women in business is an important part of her journey and she participates in many of Fargo’s women-focused entrepreneurial events.

Prior to starting Spadesso, she spent four years working in sales and marketing within the Real Estate Industry. She is a self-professed homebody that loves spending time with her husband, daughter and bulldog Rakken while also making them try new recipes she’s discovered. In the summers, you can find her at the golf course with her golf friends.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

We are dead set on changing the way you search and book appointments when you don’t have an established salon or spa provider. In 2022, we were really limited in how we sourced the data to make that possible for our consumers. In 2023, we’d like to change it up a bit and offer another way for our providers to get their open appointments to our platform.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

In 2023, we’ll be introducing our provider self-serve station where licensed providers working within the salon, spa or massage industry can bring any of their openings to our site to advertise. This new feature will open the door

Photo by Josiah Kopp

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

to providers that might not be utilizing scheduling software or to those providers that only have occasional openings. It’s a really exciting development for our consumers because we’ll have a much wider selection. With this feature, no two days will look alike and you’ll always want to check with our platform first because you’ll never know which providers will be posting their openings!

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

As with any feature or update to our Platform, it’s an opportunity to test our MVP (minimum viable platform). With the addition of our provider self-serve station, our biggest challenge will become the maintenance and freshness of our appointment data.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

We’re working closely with our development team to build in opportunities to test and relaunch as needed with the feature.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever come across recommends sharing your goals with someone else, as it helps keep you accountable. We’ve shared our 2023 goals with several mentors, coaches and our community of loyal consumers and providers. We know they’ll be expecting to see some of these changes in the new year. And on that note, I know we’ll need to improve our channels of communication to keep them up to speed on our latest developments.

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

As a newer startup, we’ve worked through a process of slowly testing our platform, building our list of trusted providers and developing a small base of consumers.

It has felt painfully slow at times, but these first steps that test our MVP were necessary steps in the journey to building something that can be bigger than the FM area, and something that’s more than just haircuts and massages. Securing another source of funding, along with feedback from our consumers and providers has also helped pave the way for the changes ahead in 2023.

WHAT IS SPADESSO?

Spadesso is a platform that offers last-minute salon and spa appointment search and booking with local providers.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

My favorite lesson, which I’d love to share with you, is to just keep going. Data crashes? Just keep going. Sent out a piece of media that had imperfections? Just keep going. Scared to put the application in? Do it, and just keep going. Reach a business milestone? Celebrate! But, keep going.

I can be a bit dramatic when problems arise, so the reminder to take a breath and just keep going has really served me well this year!

Do you have any personal new year's resolutions?

In years past, I’ve put more energy into goal setting than resolutions, per se. This fall, I participated in one of the Positive Intelligence pods with the Mental Fitness Guy (highly recommend) and want to continue to identify those moments of thought sabotage while challenging my brain to operate out of what they call your “sage” (calm) brain.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

What isn’t on my professional bucket list!? Entrepreneurs are curious about everything. Coming from the spa world, I’d love to open a retreat or wellness center that focuses on meditation. But my most treasured bucket list item, the third reason to my “Why” as an entrepreneur, is to bring back a beloved frozen pizza brand (which shall remain nameless for now) and restore it to its former glory. I have many treasured memories surrounding that brand, and I think many other North Dakotans do too. So, to do it collectively, as a point of pride for the people of our state, would be really special. But if that can’t happen, there’s always writing and creative projects or the dream of a giant bulldog sanctuary to fall back on!

spadesso.com Facebook: /Spadesso Instagram: spadesso

ARE THERE ANY BOOKS YOU ARE LOOKING TO READ THIS YEAR?

"Liar's

"Sacred Hoops" by Phil Jackson

Poker" by Michael Lewis

"Running Lean" by Ash Maurya

NEW YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

CLAYTON E. COTTMAN

FOUNDER, UNCLE CHARLIE'S GOURMET SNACKS

ABOUT CLAYTON E. COTTMAN

Clayton is the Founder and CEO of Uncle Charlie's Gourmet Snacks based in Fargo, ND. His background in Performing Arts and Jazz Improvisation led him to a 20+ year career in Culinary Arts. A lifelong creative, Clayton began the company known as Uncle Charlie's Gourmet Snacks featuring their flagship product, "Charlie's Chow," in 2018 and officially released it in 2020.

Clayton founded Uncle Charlie's Gourmet Snacks with a mission: to make delicious snacks you can feel good about eating! He believes that food should be fun, unique and made from high-quality ingredients—and that's what he strives for every day at the factory.

He loves all things creative and enjoys reading and listening to music when he's not in the office or kitchen.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

We are so excited for the new year and all the opportunities it holds!

Our goal is to have our gourmet chocolate snack food, "Charlie's Chow," distributed nationally. We want to continue to grow regionally first, but we want to eventually introduce our snack to more markets, even internationally, one day!

We believe that by making this resolution, we will be able to help more people experience the joy of eating Charlie's Chow and sharing it with their friends and family.

Photo by Josiah Kopp

NEW YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

Building relationships with our vendors and suppliers is one of the most important things we can do to ensure our continued growth. Our investors are also extremely important to us. And of course, it's always great to receive feedback and support from your local community.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

It's not easy competing with some of the big names in the snack industry. It's a real David vs. Goliath-type thing, but our product really is better than anything else out there. I know that as we continue to get our product on shelves—which I'm confident we can do—we'll be able to show everyone what we're made of!

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

As a growing business, overcoming challenges is something we're very used to. We plan to overcome our challenges by having a consistently tasteful product, continually innovating our flavor profiles and paying close attention to customer feedback.

We know that in order for our business to thrive, we need to make sure that our customers are satisfied. We want them to come back again and again because they know what they'll get from us: an excellent product that's crafted with care.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

Yes, we rely heavily on data from our accounts and key business advisors! We're also very excited to continue building our infrastructure and company culture. As we continue to add key positions within our team, such as salespeople, marketing specialists and production managers, we can't wait to see how our company culture of creative innovation continues to spread. A whole team working on one accord can do amazing things!

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

When it comes to running an entire business, I'm still learning as I go. Like most startups, access to working capital has always been challenging. Still, as we gain more exposure, support and sales revenue, we move closer to the resources needed to support those critical additions to our team.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

I've learned that it takes more than just making great food; it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Running a company is a different ball game than making food for customers. It's been challenging, but we're getting there!

The most important lesson I've learned in 2022, is that you have to be very resilient in this business. You'll have setbacks, but you can't let them get you down—you have to keep going and keep moving forward. You need to be ready for anything because there are so many variables that come into play when running your own business: finding clients, working with employees, ingredient suppliers, etc. You have to be prepared for anything at any given time and ready for anything because every day is different from the last day!

Do you have any personal new year's resolutions?

My personal new year's resolution is to facilitate prosperity and growth for my family, friends and community. And to take a much-needed vacation!

I love the idea of setting goals, but I'm not sure that they work for everyone. For me, they're more of a way to focus my energy on what's important to me. I think having a clear idea of your priorities is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, so being able to make those priorities explicit is really helpful.

In terms of how this relates to my work life? It's not something that comes up too often in the office; most people are

focused on their own projects rather than thinking about how their work supports other people. But once we start talking about our personal goals, it becomes easier to see how our work fits into the bigger picture—and this helps us get motivated and excited about what we're doing every day!

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

This may sound crazy, but one of our bucket list goals is to become the official snack of a favorite sports team. We also want to do promotional content with a beloved local pro athlete whose last name rhymes with "Squints."

We love the idea of being integrated into people's daily lives in such an intimate way—and if we can get people eating more snacks while they're watching their favorite teams or athletes, then that's just the cherry on top.

eatcharlieschow.com

Facebook: /UncleCharliesGourmet

Instagram: eatcharlieschow

ARE THERE ANY BOOKS YOU ARE LOOKING TO READ THIS YEAR?

"The E-Myth" by Michael Gerber "The Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz "The 10x Rule" by Grant Cardone

NEW YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

PATTY POST

FOUNDER AND CEO, CHECKABLE MEDICAL

ABOUT PATTY POST

Patty Post is the Founder and CEO of Checkable Medical, a company providing products to "help people make clinical, evidenced-based decisions from the comfort of home." Post has been a wife to her husband Andy for almost 20 years and is a mother to Will, Topher and Lily.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

As a start-up CEO, I must move swiftly and be visionary. This is an excellent skill set but it can be detrimental because I tend not to stop and reflect or ask others how they're doing with the rapid amount of changes and the pace at which we're working. One business resolution is to be more intentional with each person who reports to me. I've spent my career in business development, independently running my territories or managing reps. My personality is a lone wolf, which is great for sales, but it's not great for being an internal operator and, as a start-up CEO, that's what I am.

Photo by Josiah Kopp

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

Two ways—first, bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with those who report to me. Second, bi-annual company retreats so we can have some fun and bring those out-of-towners to our Fargo crew to get to know each other better.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

My schedule. Traveling, raising money, business development, research, I'm always meeting with people and most of the time, their availability dictates my schedule.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

My social media marketer is working a double role and is my executive assistant at the same time of managing social media. If I tell her not to break the schedule, she makes it work another way. I deleted the Calendly on my email signature so people can't throw meetings on my calendar either. I also have a set agenda for each meeting, so it's not labor intensive but it's super informative and the time is important.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

My team, I expect them to call me out because I call them out. We need to hold each other accountable.

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

I didn't realize what I needed to do until recently when I became more self-aware through having someone manage my schedule. I was able to zoom out and see where and who I was spending my time with. I've let my schedule dictate me and have only focused on group meetings.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

That my life is 100% better alcoholfree. I'm a better CEO, I'm a better wife and a better mother without it. I feel my feelings, I don't escape them. I have meaningful conversations and relationships. Alcohol was a staple of my lifestyle, and I realized in 2022 it was a filter on my life experiences.

Do you have any personal new year's resolutions?

Sticking to a budget with my husband equals not eating out and meal prepping instead. I also want to plan vacations well in advance and stick to a monthly shopping allowance for clothes, groceries and activities.

Are there any books you are looking to read this year?

Yes! I read a business book a month. My first three are: "Dream Manager" by Mattew Kelly, "Topgrading" by Bradford D. Smart and "The Ultimate Team Player" by Patrick Lencioni.

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

Going into Target and taking a picture of Checkable Products on the shelf.

checkablehealth.com Facebook: @CheckableHealth Instagram: checkablehealth Twitter: @CheckableMed

ARE THERE ANY BOOKS YOU ARE LOOKING TO READ THIS YEAR?

"Dream Manager" by Mattew Kelly "Topgrading" by Bradford D. Smart

The Ultimate Team Player" by Patrick Lencioni.

NEW

YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

HANNAH STELTER

FOUNDER, DESIGNED BY HANNAH AND SCRIBBLE LADY

ABOUT HANNAH STELTER

Currently located in Fargo, Hannah is 24 years old, and is a content creator, influencer, advocate for self-love and body positivity, competitive pole dancer and working Artist and Founder of Scribble Lady and art supply and gift shop. Known for her scribble ladies and glass pen work, she has built quite a large following on social media and in the local community. From teaching drawing classes with the glass pen, to showing her passion for embracing imperfections in her fine art, she has a little bit of something for everyone. When she is not working, Hanna can be found at Zero Gravity Alternative Fitness, training for her next pole dancing competition or traveling to just about anywhere in the world.

"I have a lot of future goals, but at the end of the day, I let the universe guide my decisions."

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

Looking to 2023, a huge goal of mine is to create better systems for my business so that things run even more smoothly this year. Some things I am looking at are hiring new team members, delegating more of what I do to others to streamline things and putting other additional workflow systems in place. For Scribble Lady, I have a lot of big plans— one being adding more virtual workshops and adding new products to our art supply line.

Photo provided by Hannah Stelter

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

One step at a time. I am a big list person, so organizing and prioritizing the things that need to get done first is key.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

With Scribble Lady, it's a new business, so all my 2023 projections are most likely going to be super conservative, whereas, with Designed By Hannah, I have three years of sales to aid with my projections. It's going to be really interesting to see how things play out with Scribble Lady, but I have big dreams, so I think this will be my best year yet.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

I couldn't do everything without my amazing team, and as mentioned before, I might be bringing another person on to help out, so I guess my answer is teamwork.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

I have a loose year-plan for both businesses that I am going to be following, but again, with Scribble Lady being so new, I am anticipating the need to pivot here and there. I am always trying new workflow management systems and such, so I am sure there will be a mix of those helping me keep on track as well.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

The biggest thing I learned was that hiring your first employees can be really scary, financially, and also just because you are now managing people, but in the end, it can help your business grow so much faster. Making that step this year was big

for me, and now I am already looking at taking on a fourth employee going into 2023.

Do you have any personal new year's resolutions?

I'm hoping to have Scribble Lady working like a clock this year so that I can focus more time on my fine art. I have also closed my commissions so I can explore some more personal projects, which has me really excited. I also took home two second-place medals for my pole competitions this year, so maybe, in 2023, I will bring home a first-place medal!

Are there any books you are looking to read this year?

So many! I'm planning to re-read "Clockwork" by Mike Michalowicz, and also on my list are “F*ck No” and "You Do You," both by Sarah Knight, "12 Rules for Life" by Jordan B. Peterson and so many other books.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

Forbes 30 under 30—go big or go home right?

Designed By Hannah itsdesignedbyhannah.com Facebook: /designedbyhannahart Instagram: designed.by.hannah TikTok: hannahstelter2 YouTube: Hannah Stelter

Scribble Lady scribblelady.com Facebook: /scribbleladyco Instagram: scribbleladyco TikTok: scibbleladyco

One of Stelter's wonderful scribble pieces.

ARE THERE ANY BOOKS YOU ARE LOOKING TO READ THIS YEAR?

"Clockwork" by Mike Michalowicz

"F*ck No" by Sarah Knight

"You Do You" by Sarah Knight "12 Rules for Life" by Jordan B. Peterson

NEW

YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

RICKY PALLAY

FOUNDER, PALLAY ENTERPRISES

ABOUT RICKY PALLAY

Ricky Pallay is the founder of Pallay Enterprises, which is an umbrella company for DJ 1PrettyRicky and WEAREONE. He started his own DJ company in 2017, and as 1PrettyRicky, he brings his uniquely LA style to the Midwest, seamlessly blending Hip-Hop, R&B and House music, creating feel-good environments for corporate, club, festival and mobile events. He also started WEAREONE, a Fargo-based social agency that designs audio and visual events, artist-led playlists and radio content as well as event promotion.

Photo by Geneva Nodland

Ricky is an alumnus of Minnesota State University Moorhead, before completing his BS in Management from the University of Phoenix. He has a consistently upwardly mobile career that spans banking and electronics sales to seniorlevel management. Specifically, he has led various concentrations of hospitality in the fields of food service, event management and overnight accommodations.

In his career and life, there was one consistent theme that compels him to forge forward in the Fargo community. The capacity to change lives through community service has been the driving force in keeping reaching out for more. Whether it is wearing a white suit and greeting people from all over the world at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, or mentoring and praying with those in recovery, Ricky is there to serve!

He takes pride in his various volunteer capacities by co-leading a Young Adult Grow Group team at Prairie Heights Community Church in Fargo, being a part of the North Dakota Problem Gambling Advisory Council, a board member for the Greater Grand

Forks Inter-Agency Forum and being appointed to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Community Advisory Board.

Ricky realizes it is humbling to serve others and it keeps him grounded in his faith and belief that anyone can return from addiction and mental health issues with help from those who care. He entered a recovery program in February 2018 for compulsive gambling and through continued, active participation in an anonymous organization that supports those striving to recover from gambling has been a part of turning his life around completely. Ricky is also a certified Peer Support Specialist II, which enhances his lived experience with recovery, and he finds joy in extending a "hand up, not a hand-out" to enrich his life and the lives of those he interacts with every day.

He met the love of his life, Lelsa, in 2011 and they married in 2016 in Fargo, ND, where they currently reside. Ricky is also a champion for regular selfcare, which he practices with his love of gas station hot dogs and monthly pedicures.

NEW YEARS

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

My biggest business New Year's resolution is to find more nonprofits to do pro bono events for and to do more volunteer opportunities outside of playing music. One thing I have sincerely loved about Fargo is our thriving community of nonprofits, and I have been able to serve the F5 Project, Prairie Heights, Fred's Dissonance, FM Derby Girls and New American Consortium for Wellness and Empowerment, just to list a few. Giving back in service feels so good and I would like to make more intentional time to do that for these organizations and more!

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

I know of the "bigger" organizations in town, but Giving Hearts Day has always been great for finding more charities in our community. I believe there were over 500+ charities who participated in Giving Hearts Day in 2022 and I can only imagine how many more they will have for 2023! I have the talent to share and I would love to find a few new organizations I can partner with and do something special with them.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

I think one of the biggest challenges for anyone who operates in a service or hospitality industry is the variability of time. There are some seasons that are incredibly busy, like the summer, and there are other seasons where things slow down significantly. There are always exceptions, and I do have my indicators to pre-plan for those months when I have reached capacity on doing more events.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

Like all businesses, it is important to know what you can and cannot do, and I am a firm proponent of open communication. I have been blessed to have great mentors, partners and collaborators who have

helped me countless times to stay afloat and to make sure that events happen as planned. For a moment of transparency, I need to work on making sure my goals of more collaboration are realistic, and also ensure the time frame when I want things to happen is realistic too. I have added undue stress on myself before by overdoing and overworking, and in the long run, that affects my business and my personal well-being.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

I mentioned earlier about my mentors, partners and collaborators who have been vital to my success, and I have communicated my desire to serve more charities/non-profits in 2023. Considering how many goals I have accomplished with their help since being in business, I think I am in a prime position to have the guidance I need to make a bigger impact in Fargo, and hopefully in more areas of North Dakota too!

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

I have always had a servant's heart, so I don't think it was anything I needed to "change" to make this happen. My parents instilled in my sister and me early on the importance of service and volunteerism, and I still seek ways to do that now. I think the difference for this goal in 2023 is naming it; I am writing it down in my personal journal, including it in my updated business plan and telling Fargo INC! I firmly believe this is not just lip service and I hope I am invited to do a follow-up piece at the end of 2023 and can report on how well I did with this goal!

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

The biggest lesson I learned in 2022 was I do not know how far I can go until I push myself to go the distance. When I started my own company five years ago, I did not imagine the significant improvements I would make in all aspects of my business and be as busy as I have been. 2022 has

been my biggest year yet and it certainly took concentrated planning, a lot of heart and effort, more sleepless nights than I could ever glamorize and saying yes to a little more and more. Honestly, I surprised myself that I had so much grit in me! That was a fun piece to add to my growing self-awareness, but I also know that this growth can be sustainable if I move smarter in 2023. I want to see 30 years in business; that is the distance I want to go.

Do you have any personal new year's resolutions?

I don't have any specific resolutions this year, but I do have some advice I read from Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year that I have been applying already. In an article for Men's Health, he said, "Do a little more today than you did yesterday, celebrate yourself and then do a little more tomorrow and celebrate again. That’s how you stick to a resolution," and that's what I am sticking to and will do more of in 2023.

Are there any books you are looking to read this year?

Yes! I have been interested in more nonfiction lately, and Barack Obama released his Summer reading list, with a book I am definitely going to tackle this season. It is called "A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance” by Hanif Abdurraqib, which is a series of essays about Black performers, many of whom I admire and look up to.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

I have a big, lofty goal, but what is a bucket list without dreaming big? I would love to own my own venue one day. I would host events, business meetings, small concerts, hold a DJ school and much more.

djprettyricky.com

Instagram: 1prettyricky

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

Photos by M. Schleif Photography

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

KIRK ANTON

CHIEF VISIONARY/PARTNER, HEAT TRANSFER WAREHOUSE

ABOUT KIRK ANTON

Kirik Anton is a partner in Heat Transfer Warehouse, a business providing heat transfer products of all sorts to customers across the United States and beyond. Anton helps steer Heat Transfer Warehouse in its four locations: Fargo, ND; Cincinnati, OH; Las Vegas, NV and Jacksonville, FL.

Photo by Josiah Kopp

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

I want more collaboration. I want to utilize more technology. And I want to build the best influencer/partner program in the industry and find more vertical platforms.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

Grinding away and by visiting more of our technology partners to learn more about what we can do.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

Our biggest hurdles would probably involve the technology not working. What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

Keep an eye on the pulse of the industry and be prepared to rapidly change.

Do you have any personal new year's resolutions?

I do not like resolutions. I feel if you want to change or do something different the time is now, why wait till the end of the year? But if you want one, it will be getting my son safely off to college.

Are their any books you are looking to read this year?

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

Working more from Florida or a warm climate.

heattransferwarehouse.com

Facebook: @HeatTransferWarehouseSupply Instagram: heat_transfer_warehouse

YouTube: @HeatTransferWarehouse

TikTok: heattransferwarehouse1

Pinterest: @heattransferwhs

Twitter: @HeatTransferWhs

ARE THERE ANY BOOKS YOU ARE LOOKING TO READ THIS YEAR?

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson

"I WANT TO BUILD THE BEST INFLUENCER/ PARTNER PROGRAM IN THE INDUSTRY AND FIND MORE VERTICAL PLATFORMS."

FACES OF

THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB

OUNDED IN 2015, THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB OF FARGO MOORHEAD IS A CLUB DESIGNATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CEOS, PRESIDENTS, FOUNDERS AND SERIAL ENTREPRENEURS TO HAVE EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSATIONS.

WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO INTERVIEW A NUMBER OF THOSE VISIONARY LEADERS AND ARE EVEN LUCKIER TO GET THE CHANCE TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU OVER OUR NEXT FEW ISSUES.

TOM IVERSON

Provided by Tom Iverson

TABOUT TOM IVERSON

Tom Iverson is a partner and executive coach at Sagency, an executive search and leadership consulting firm. With over 35 years of experience working with people, Tom’s passion is seeing individuals and organizations do better, reach higher and go further than they think possible. Tom’s expertise includes strategic planning, executive and performance coaching, succession planning, employee engagement and organizational/team development.

TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

A typical day for an executive coach involves meeting with clients to discuss goals and challenges and providing guidance to help them achieve their objectives.

This can include conducting assessments to identify areas for improvement, developing and implementing strategies to address those areas and providing ongoing support and coaching to help clients stay on track and progress.

For example, coaching interpersonal skills requires an individualized approach. But typically, any coaching engagement has these components:

• Establishing rapport and creating a safe, supportive-yetchallenging environment in which the individual can discuss their interpersonal challenges is critical.

• Through a scientifically robust assessment, I help the person identify the specific interpersonal skills they would like to improve, such as communication, collaboration, accountability, conflict resolution or active listening.

• One of the roles of a coach is to encourage the person to set realistic goals and to provide regular feedback and support to help them stay on track.

• Another responsibility is to help the person practice their interpersonal skills in various settings and to provide constructive feedback to help them improve.

• I often encourage the person to seek opportunities to interact with others and practice their

interpersonal skills, such as joining a club or volunteering for a project.

• A coach will also provide the person with relevant resources and strategies to help them improve their interpersonal skills, such as books or articles on communication or active listening.

Overall, the key to coaching interpersonal skills is to provide the person with a supportive and non-judgmental environment, help them identify and overcome their specific challenges and encourage them to practice and develop their interpersonal skills over time.

As a coach, I also need to spend time researching and staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments and sharpening my skills.

WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”?

Coaching is a fulfilling and rewarding endeavor. As a coach, I have the opportunity to help leaders and organizations achieve their goals and improve their individual and organizational performance. In addition, I help individuals recognize their potential and develop the skills and knowledge they need to maximize that potential and be successful in their careers.

Another reason is that the demand for coaching continues to grow, so there will be many opportunities to work with diverse clients and organizations. Being a coach is a challenging-but-rewarding career that allows me to impact others positively.

I have a deep and abiding faith in humanity, and hopefully, I can help others discover their greatness through coaching. What that means is that I have a strong belief in the goodness and potential of people. This faith is undoubtedly based on my faith and an enduring belief in people's inherent goodness and our ability to solve problems and make things better. Despite the many challenges and struggles that people face, human beings have the capacity to overcome these struggles.

The final reason I do what I do is that my sense of hope and optimism has never been stronger because of the grit, passion and skills of the teams and individuals with whom I have the honor to work.

WHO’S A LEADER YOU’RE STUDYING OR PAYING ATTENTION TO RIGHT NOW?

Leaders who I regard as effective and influential articulate a clear vision and demonstrate the ability to inspire and mobilize others to produce positive results. They are also known for their practical communication skills and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges.

One example of this is William McRaven, a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. After completing his initial training, he served in various positions in the U.S. Navy, including as a Navy SEAL, a SEAL officer and as the Joint Special Operations Command commander.

McRaven is best known for his leadership of the raids that resulted in the capture of Saddam Hussein and the death of Osama bin Laden. But his entire life has been about servant leadership to his country and his teams. His strong leadership skills inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals.

Some of the characteristics I find compelling that have contributed to his success as a leader include:

Empathy and emotional intelligence—the ability to be aware of and manage our own emotions, as well as understand the emotions of others, is vital to leadership. Empathy enables leaders to understand the perspectives of others and respond to the team's needs in a compassionate,

effective way. Because of his emotional intelligence and empathy, McRaven has been able to relate to and understand the needs of his team members. As a result, he has forged meaningful relationships that have endured and is known for building a supportive workplace culture in some of the most challenging circumstances.

Clear vision and effective communication—nearly every great leader I have worked with has a clear vision that focuses team efforts and provides a sense of direction and purpose. It ensures that the organization or team is moving in the right direction and progressing toward its goals.

Courage and decisiveness—as a leader, McRaven has demonstrated the courage to make difficult decisions, even in the face of uncertainty or risk. He acts quickly, decisively and thoughtfully in challenging situations.

Adaptability and resilience—McRaven’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges and his resilience in the face of adversity has allowed him to bounce back from personal (near-death experiences) and professional setbacks (not getting promoted) and continue moving forward.

He has also written several books on leadership, including a short read, "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World." This is also the basis for his speech to graduates of the University of Texas in 2014.

SAGENCYTALENT.COM

SYLVIA LUNSKI

Submitted by Sylvia Lunski

S ABOUT

SYLVIA LUNSKI

Fargo has been home for 28 years with my husband and now three grown children. I have worked in this industry my entire career, from selling cabinets, furniture, floor covering and design work prior to founding Design Direction 17 years ago. I received the State of ND Small Business Person of the Year Award. As President, I wear most of the hats in running a small business. Sales, design, business development, marketing and HR to warehouse work when needed. I have been an active member of the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead involved especially with the Home Builders Care Foundation. With our Rotary Club, I participate in community service projects in the area.

WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED ABOUT BUSINESS IN 2022?

An important lesson learned, or reminded of, in 2022 is to be open to change and pivot when needed. Hanging on to the past priorities and thinking, may not serve me or my business going forward. Trust my gut.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023?

I am excited and looking forward to spending more time with my grandkids. They are all very young and living away from North Dakota. Grandma time is the best!

TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

Oh boy, I don't believe there is a typical day. Each can be so different, which is why I love it. One might look like this. Mornings begin around 7:15 a.m. when all is quiet, by addressing emails.

From then on I might have client meetings, either in the store or at the job site. Meeting prep may include product selections being presented to clients and detailed drawings to have ready for approval. One day may have three or four meetings, another may be only prep and follow-up. In between other things to get accomplished are meeting with product reps, marketing, assisting employees and scheduling installations to name a few. Evenings are spent hanging out at home or with friends.

WHAT’S THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

The worst piece of advice, which stayed as the voice in the back of my head for years was, I didn't have a background in accounting or business, therefore I wouldn't be successful in owning and running this business, because I wouldn't know what I was doing.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?

Challenges that I cannot control or do anything to "fix." This can be for my family or business. The need to take care of others, and assuring things go smoothly is ingrained in me.

WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE A TED TALK ON?

Listen to the voice that says you can do this, rather than the one that tells you a hundred reasons not to.

HOW DOES THE REALITY OF YOUR JOB DIFFER FROM PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF IT?

This is a good one. I hear all the time, "you must have so much fun picking out colors and fun things for clients." I do! However, it's a very small part of what we do. While we are responsible for making the "fun" selections, we are also responsible that correct products are chosen for where/ how they will be used. We work with builders and homeowners on function and design of the rooms early in the blueprint stages all the way through move in. Meeting at job sites, even on cold winter days, often before heating in new construction discussing construction details. Measuring, estimating, ordering products, making sure the correct items arrive on time, working with trade partners for installations and meeting deadlines. A lot of our actual project work is in the background, prior to and following client meetings.

IF YOU COULD THANK ONE PERSON WHO’S CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR SUCCESS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

My Mom. From the time we were young, she instilled in us a good work ethic. She taught us to help our neighbors and community. When life is tough, keep going. Keep praying and believing God knows the path he has for you. For years I have had a sign above my desk "If God brings you to it... He'll get you through it."

WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”?

Three reasons:

1. I love doing what I do, clients become friends. Working with them to achieve a space, whether it's their home or business, that they love, a space that brings them peacefulness and joy.

2. I love the fact that through Design Direction I can provide an opportunity for my team to pursue their careers.

3. I am able to provide community support both financially and with service projects in several different areas in our community.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB WOULD YOU USE AN “EASY BUTTON” ON, IF YOU COULD?

Marketing.

DAVE HARMON

Photo by Nicole Midwest

DABOUT DAVE HARMON

I am the owner of Harmon Entertainment and its subdivision, Harmon Films. Our purpose is to help create the best events ever! We offer DJ, emcee, photo booth, lighting and videography for school dances, birthday parties and corporate events with our niche being wedding entertainment. Currently, my daily duties include leading the finance department and films department.

WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED ABOUT BUSINESS IN 2022?

Make sure you have systems in place to move forward when you lose a key employee. Business would be easy if everyone followed the process

and never left the company, but we all know that is not realistic. Cross-training each management role can really save a lot of headaches when something unforeseen happens. Also, make sure you have a solid training and policy and procedure manual for everything that happens in your company.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023?

I'm very optimistic about our current staffing for the 2023 season. We have such a solid group of emcees and videographers that I don't foresee too much turnover this year. Our company's motto that we're hoping will stay true is going to be "stressfree in '23."

TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

Every day is different for me, but mornings are generally spent answering emails. On Mondays and Fridays, I go to a 10 a.m. Orange Theory fitness class, and on Wednesdays, I do Hot Yoga at 10:30 a.m. at Indigo Bloom. Tuesday and Thursday mornings are generally event prep or project mornings. Tuesday at noon is our manager's weekly level 10 meeting (Traction). I work late on one night per week and that is usually Wednesdays when I do planning meetings or consults with clients.

WHAT’S THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

This has nothing to do with business, but being a wedding emcee, I hear this advice quite often. The "never go to bed angry" advice. That really doesn't work very well for me and my wife Allison because if we get

into a heated chat, it's better for us to sleep on it and calm down. So, in the morning we can resolve the issue with cool heads.

HOW DOES THE REALITY OF YOUR JOB DIFFER FROM PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF IT?

When most people hear that I am a "DJ," they think I just play music. The truth is I do all of the following: Salesman, Counselor, Referral Service, Event Planner, Roadie, Technician, Board Operator, Lighting Operator, Problem Solver, On-Site Coordinator, Announcer, Master of Ceremonies, Storyteller, Disc Jockey, Karaoke Jock, Music Specialist, Music Mixer, Comedian, Actor, Dancer, Singer, Entertainment Specialist and Crowd Motivator!

WHAT IS YOUR "WHY"?

I know exactly why I do what I do now, but it didn't start out that way.

I started out as a DJ because I loved music, dancing and throwing parties.

Over the years though, the reason I kept doing it was because I saw that the work I put into creating flow, fun and special moments for my couples was really making a difference. Doing everything I could to make the biggest day of their life epic so that all of their friends and family talk about it for years to come makes my job very fulfilling.

I know that I am truly making a difference in my client's lives and who

knows, maybe when they are having little argument years down the road, they can think back on how amazing their wedding day was and calm down. I know that is a little far fetched, but it might happen. Either way, so often I get a big hug from my couple at the end of the event and they say, "Thank you so much for making our day so perfect! This has truly been the best day of our lives and it has so much to do with what you did here today." That is why I do what I do.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB WOULD YOU USE AN “EASY BUTTON” ON, IF YOU COULD?

If I could pick an easy button for one thing inside our company, it would be to find the perfect employee to fill the role of Emcee or DJ. It's tricky because when we hire, we are always hiring for a weekend job, which usually means they need to have another job during the week to pay bills. That can lead to burnout after a year or two. Luckily, at this time, we have a very strong staff and we are doing everything we can in regards to benefits and culture to help keep it that way.

MADDIE CRAIG

M ABOUT MADDIE CRAIG

Maddie Craig is the founder of Blue Cypher Bookkeeping, an MSUM alumni and a Fargo, ND native. Besides loving being able to nerd out about numbers with her math teacher husband, Zach, she loves exploring the city and traveling to explore others as well.

"I founded Blue Cypher Bookkeeping because I believe tracking finances does not have to be intimidating, overwhelming or stressful," Craig said. "Our purpose is to provide accurate, timely financial data to take the strain off company leaders and allow them to make the best possible decisions to grow their organization and further their mission. I love that I get to support small businesses and nonprofits in our area to continue making a difference in our community!"

Seek out a mentor or advisor early on! Find people to learn from that will not only cheer you on but challenge you as well. I feel so fortunate to have been able to get to know some amazing businesswomen that have made and continue to make a difference in my life. There are many ways just this year

Photo submitted by Maddie Craig

WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED ABOUT BUSINESS IN 2022?

FACES

alone, that I’ve seen how their advice and challenges have helped me grow and make more progress than I could have thought I’d be able to make and come out stronger for it.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023?

One of the things I was able to do this past year was to give a part-time team member paid maternity leave. I loved being able to support them and their growing family that way, and I want to be able to do more things to support and grow my team in 2023. I feel super fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing team and I want to showcase them more in general! I also really want to use this next year to embrace each person’s strengths and put them in the best position to grow. When they’re excited about what they get to do every day, it means our clients will continue to be served with the high quality and level of service we want to provide. I’m excited about what 2023 will hold and how we may be able to continue helping support our community even more!

On a completely separate note, I am super excited about an event called “Leadership Unfiltered” coming up in September 2023 that is being put on by the Executives Club of Fargo-Moorhead! I love the idea of getting to hear from real business leaders sharing their honest and “unfiltered” stories and being able to learn from them.

TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

First, I just wanted to note that every day can be different, and even the best-laid intentions for good daily habits don’t always pan out, and I’ve learned to be okay with that. But here’s a typical day in my life!

7 a.m. to 8 a.m. – I get ready for the day, see my husband off to work and make myself a cup of jasmine tea. 8 a.m. to noon – I typically start my work day by going through emails or doing some light work unless I have a team meeting or plan to stop by a local client’s office.

Noon to 4 p.m. – I try to spend specifically blocked hours doing focused work and typically have an agenda for client work plans and goals to accomplish. Then, occasionally throughout the afternoon, I have coffee meetings at local coffee shops with clients, prospects and business peers.

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – When my husband gets home from work, we have supper together, watch Wheel of Fortune and try to see who can figure out the answers faster.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – I’m a night owl so sometimes I actually do my best work during the evening hours and focus well during that time. My husband goes off to do his thing and then we come back together for a show later.

9 p.m. to 11 p.m. – My husband and I typically relax and end our night watching a show together before we go to bed and start all over the next day.

WHAT’S THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

When I first started my business, I had coffee with a man whose words of wisdom to me were, “you know, it’s not a bad thing to be second on someone’s list.” Whether intentional or not, they were trying to tell me that second place should be good enough for me, that this was the achievable level of mediocrity that I should strive for. But after I had time to think

about it more, it only further challenged and energized me, because I knew I was capable of so much more and I had a clear vision for myself and my business. Why would I want to be a backup on someone else’s list when I can make my own? But hey, even bad advice can push you further. You just learn to take advice with a grain of salt or let it spur you on more to prove them wrong.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?

Imposter syndrome, thinking about how to achieve my long-term vision and goals or reading a book that’s just too good to put down.

WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE A TED TALK ON?

Imposter syndrome probably, or lessons I’ve learned in my entrepreneurship journey.

HOW DOES THE REALITY OF YOUR JOB DIFFER FROM PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF IT?

A lot of people assume/think of taxes when you talk bookkeeping/accounting. It’s actually a lot more “organizing” of numbers than one might think and my firm doesn’t do any tax preparation at all. This was very much on purpose because our entire focus and what we’re passionate about is the day-to-day details and information that people need to make confident decisions. Bookkeeping doesn’t just have to be reactive and something people only look at during tax time. It’s meant to help people see where they’re at and a roadmap to allow them to proactively leverage their finances to move forward. My business is called Blue

“Cypher” for a reason. Numbers are really just a puzzle and I get to find, and put, all the pieces together. Getting to crack the “code” and being able to tell the story of the organizations we work with is my favorite part!

WHAT’S ONE THING THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

COULD DO TO HELP YOU/YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Keep supporting the local businesses and nonprofits around you! This is who we work with every day and cheer on from behind the scenes. Your support, whether that’s buying local, giving them a review or even something as simple as spreading the word/interacting with their business online, can help them do even more.

IF YOU COULD THANK ONE PERSON WHO’S CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR SUCCESS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

My husband Zach has always been one of my biggest supporters! He’s been with me since the beginning of this business. It’s his encouragement and somehow unshakeable confidence in me even when I don’t always feel that way that keeps me going. He keeps me accountable, supports me in other ways and there’s no one else I’d rather have alongside me as a partner in the journey.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB WOULD YOU USE AN “EASY BUTTON”

ON, IF YOU COULD?

Social media and marketing! I’m definitely more of a type A personality and a perfectionist. So, I definitely appreciate people who have that eye for that type of creative thinking and work.

WHAT’S ONE CHARACTERISTIC YOU BELIEVE EVERY GREAT LEADER SHOULD POSSESS?

I would say being a great communicator is one important characteristic. You have to be able to provide clarity and direction to your team. It also requires being good at listening, having self-awareness and being able to clearly communicate vision, ideas and other information clearly for people in and outside of your organization.

WHAT’S ONE WAY YOU FOSTER CREATIVITY WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION?

I am always trying to encourage and empower my team members to take ownership of their work and they are not afraid to make suggestions or challenge me as well! We’re getting more regular team meetings and spaces to connect where people can bounce ideas off each other and discuss challenges or opportunities together as well.

WHO’S A LEADER YOU’RE STUDYING OR PAYING ATTENTION TO RIGHT NOW?

There are quite a few I follow but in general I’ve been following a lot lately that care a ton about their employees—like the Spanx founder who gave all of her employees a cash bonus and first-class tickets around the world. People are the best investment you will ever make and as a business owner, you get to support more than just your external clients. You can tell the companies that truly care about their employees and those are the leaders I want to continue to emulate.

WHAT’S A LOCAL/ STATE RESOURCE YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS UTILIZED RECENTLY?

I went through the 35-Under-35 program this last year and that was an amazing leadership program. I learned a lot and made some great connections with other awesome women in business. Besides the 35-Under-35 program, there is also the NDWBC Leadership Program, Dale Carnegie and other leadership programs or opportunities to work on their personal/ professional development locally. I highly recommend anyone who wants to grow their leadership skills to check out and participate in programs like that when possible and you get to grow alongside others as well!

BILL ERICKSON

by J. Alan Paul Photography

B ABOUT BILL ERICKSON

Bill Erickson is the Owner and President of Total Imaging LLC. and Rapid Refill Ink. Before founding Total Imaging in January 2005, Bill Served 25 years on active duty with the United States Navy. Bill retired in 1997 as a Lieutenant Commander. In addition to his two main businesses, Bill also contracts on the side with national companies to install and repair various electronic devices, including printers.

Bill has been a continuous member of BNI Since February 2005, almost 18 years. He has served as the President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer in the Wednesday Morning Originals. Recently, he served as the Chapter Success Coach for four chapters this past year.

Bill is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam Veterans of America, The American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW Fargo ND, Post 762. Bill is also a Gold Member of The Executives Club of Fargo-Moorhead. Bill has served as a board member for Bonanzaville since February of 2022.

Bill is married to his high school sweetheart Bonnie. Bonnie and Bill have 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter and 2 great grandsons. They have a dog, Boots, a mixed breed Chihuahua.

Bill’s hobbies include fishing, camping, gardening and reading. He loves anything Navy and tries to stay current with current events affecting the Navy.

Photo

WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED ABOUT BUSINESS IN 2022?

Having in-person contact matters. It is important to meet people face to face.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023?

Continuing to grow these businesses and taking a little more time to enjoy life and spend more time at the lake.

TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

I get up early every day around 6 a.m. I watch the news and read for an hour or two. Then, I get ready for work and try to be at the office most days by 8:30 or 9 a.m.. Throughout the day at work, I interact with employees and customers. I usually visit at least one or two customers at their office most days. I read emails and respond as I am able. Around 3 or 3:30 p.m. I try to be back at the office and work to wrap up things I am working on. I try to go home by 6 p.m. to spend time with my wife and relax.

WHAT’S THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

The worst piece of business advice I’ve heard is to open a business when you’re ready. The truth of the matter is that you will never be ready. You’ll always feel that there’s something else you must learn, and that’s okay. When building a business, you learn only by doing; there’s no escaping that learning curve. For that reason, if building a business is your

dream, then you must start now. You can do it!

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?

Employee issues and shortage of available people to fill available jobs. Also, all of the endless opportunities.

HOW DOES THE REALITY OF YOUR JOB DIFFER FROM PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF IT?

I sometimes get the idea that people in general don't realize how much effort it takes to establish and grow a successful business. I feel like there are always challenges and I always have more to do every day than I can possibly get done. But, I love it!

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB WOULD YOU USE AN “EASY BUTTON” ON, IF YOU COULD?

Bookkeeping and accounting.

WHAT’S ONE CHARACTERISTIC YOU BELIEVE EVERY GREAT LEADER SHOULD POSSESS?

Empathy and good communication.

WHAT’S ONE WAY YOU FOSTER CREATIVITY WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION?

I treat all my employees with respect and positively encourage them to provide their ideas and efforts.

TOTAL IMAGING

TOTALIMAGINGONLINE.COM FACEBOOK: /TOTALIMAGING INSTAGRAM: @TOTAL_IMAGING

Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI, because I have learned much about networking and business leadership by following the principles of BNI and from the other members of BNI that I have met and worked with over the past 18 years.

WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”?

Owning my business and working to build a business has long been a dream of mine, and doing it is rewarding and keeps me actively working at it. I also feel a sense of responsibility to provide a good wage to my employees.

RAPID REFILL INK

RAPIDREFILLFARGO.COM FACEBOOK: /RAPIDREFILLFARGO

IF YOU COULD THANK ONE PERSON WHO’S CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR SUCCESS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

RACHAEL BOYER

R ABOUT RACHAEL BOYER

Rachael Boyer is the President & CEO of The Home Authority, Inc., a remodeling and custom home-building company. Rachael is also the President & CEO of the Authority Companies which comprises six additional construction/design/real estate companies. Rachael has a diverse background in both the healthcare and construction industries and has combined these unique backgrounds to complete healthcare construction and residential construction over a 25-year time frame.

This diverse background has given Rachael the opportunity to better understand and manage clients’ expectations and deliver world-class experiences for her clients. Rachael will be speaking at the International Builder Show in Vegas in January 2023 on managing the customer experience. She has also written and is in the publication process for an early reader children's book series on construction and the impact remodeling, building or moving by choice or by circumstance has on kids and families. The first book in "The Adventures of Super Dougie" will be available in January 2023!

Despite the negativity in the market and industry, never stop moving forward, building and growing. During an economic downturn, it is never the right thing to do to pull back and it is always the right thing to educate clients and provide solutions to keep momentum moving forward.

Photo submitted by Rachael Boyer

WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED ABOUT BUSINESS IN 2022?

AND CEO, THE AUTHORITY COMPANIES

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2023?

We are anticipating the continued growth and development of the Authority Companies and we are embarking on an expansive effort to gain more business knowledge, education, training and support so we can continue to execute on our mission and vision to bring families together and impact the community. We are expanding our team and we are looking forward to providing our team the opportunity to advance their personal, professional and financial goals alongside the growth of the company.

TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

With multiple companies and the need to oversee the strategic side of things and business growth and development, my day is very full! I start the day with the execution of project communication and follow up with our clients in the morning and then I turn my focus to connecting with new clients with onsite consults or team consults or in general client meetings and follow-ups. I attend various business meetings in person or via zoom with my partners across the country usually toward the middle of the day and then have our team meetings toward the end of the day to prepare for the next day.

After an evening with my family, I spend time reading, journaling, writing and creating a plan for the next day. I spend a portion of my time now on the weekends writing "The Adventures of Super Dougie" book series and working with my illustrator to bring the stories to life. The thing I appreciate most about each day is that it is never the same! I love the diversity of the clients I meet, the lives our team has the opportunity to impact and the ability to be creative each day.

WHAT’S THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

The worst advice I've ever received wasn't actually advice, it was a statement: "You are such a dreamer, that's not possible." What I found was that statement was meant for negativity, but I have taken it upon myself to turn that around to become a visionary and turn the impossible into the possible. Sometimes by failing and making the wrong decisions, some of which I truly regret, but, for the most part, I always find a way to fail forward.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?

I don't worry, I don't fret, but what keeps me up at night is the fact that I have very vivid and strategic dreams that most of the time require me to wake up to put perspective to what I was dreaming about so I can apply the concepts in some fashion in the future. I guess that does make me a dreamer! Whenever I tell our team, "I had a dream last night. . . " they now know better and their response usually starts with "Ugh!"

HOW DOES THE REALITY OF YOUR JOB DIFFER FROM PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF IT?

The reality of being a business owner is that it never ends. It's not an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., clock in and clock out type of a role. It's every night, every weekend, every holiday being actively engaged in the past, present and future opportunities. It's sacrificing when others don't want to or don't have to. It's trusting others enough to let go and be stronger together than alone. It's pushing forward and making the

tough decisions to keep the momentum when others want to play it safe and pull back. It's being a leader and a follower and finding the balance between them. It's nothing like most people perceive it to be.

WHAT’S ONE THING THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY COULD DO TO HELP YOU/YOUR ORGANIZATION?

I would have to answer that in the reverse as I would say that I need to do a better job helping and being a part of my local business community. I have worked with many amazing businesses in our region and partnered with exceptional people along the way, but I have spent so much time working on building our businesses and establishing our teams to serve our clients that I have not done enough to invest my time, expertise, knowledge and partnership in helping the local business community as a whole. I typically don't network to simply network. I desire to serve and be of service which requires purpose and intent. So, if someone in the local business community would be able to connect our companies with purposedriven activities and have discussions around those activities, I would absolutely love networking with that purpose in mind.

IF YOU COULD THANK ONE PERSON WHO’S CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR SUCCESS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

My husband Jeff has been the biggest contributor to my success. Through the good and the bad and the ups and downs over 30 years, he has never failed to be the biggest supporter of my wild and crazy

dreams. He has allowed me to fail forward without judgment and he has allowed me to embrace my visionary passions while pushing me and helping me to avoid the pitfalls of extreme mistakes. Despite my failures and the reality of life, he has never failed to support me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS?

Books are my thing as I don't watch TV or read magazines or listen to podcasts. I would highly recommend the following books:

"Start With Why" by Simon Sinek "10X Rule" by Grant Cardone (and all the Cardone books for that matter) "Oversubscribed" by Daniel Priestley "Traction" by Gino Wickman

The entire Jeb Blount series

WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”?

We created our Why after reading Simon Sinek's book, "Start With Why."

We bring families together by transforming their homes to create both comfortable and inviting gathering spaces and personalized private spaces where they can retreat, relax and rejuvenate. We provide our clients the opportunity to live in the now and enjoy life without the burden of never-ending home projects on their minds. As a result, we inspire pride of ownership which allows our clients to feel a sense of pride when they entertain family and friends and when they are simply enjoying the experience of the comfort of their home. This pride of ownership ultimately transforms the community as the same delight our customers experience is shared with those around them, inspiring others to do the same. Ultimately, we create the opportunity for our clients to achieve an optimal return on their investment assuring them a sound financial future in

one of the largest investments they will make.

We transform environments through remodeling, custom home building and design services for residential homeowners who seek our expertise to hold their hand through the process using our proprietary and proven system.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB WOULD YOU USE AN “EASY BUTTON” ON, IF YOU COULD?

Marketing! If I could crack the code and just push the easy button on marketing I would literally think I had found Heaven!

WHAT’S ONE CHARACTERISTIC YOU BELIEVE EVERY GREAT LEADER SHOULD POSSESS?

Humility.

WHAT’S ONE WAY YOU FOSTER CREATIVITY WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Open door idea policy—come with an idea and let's make it happen! We are not short on visionaries and creators on our team and having an open door idea policy allows everyone the freedom to find a better way of achieving better results and serving our clients in a better and more meaningful way.

WHO’S A LEADER YOU’RE STUDYING OR PAYING ATTENTION TO RIGHT NOW?

Brandon Dawson.

WHAT’S A LOCAL/ STATE RESOURCE YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS UTILIZED RECENTLY?

I would hands down have to compliment Angie Baumann at Choice Bank for the business and financial support they provide to the Authority Companies. Angie and the team at Choice have gone the extra mile to understand our vision and allow us the funding and opportunities we need to grow our business and execute on our strategies. Angie is one of our most critical team members and she does everything she can to better understand the vision and support the vision and mission of our companies. Never a dream crusher and always a critical support in a very challenging economic environment.

HOMEAUTHORITYINC.COM

FACEBOOK: /HOMEAUTHORITYINC

Top Ten Tips for a Brand Refresh

with

Jodi Duncan, President, Flint Group

The beginning of a new year sparks thoughts of change and the promise of new possibilities. We often think about this in terms of ourselves. “This is the year I’m going to eat healthy, organize my garage, read more, exercise more ….” But what about your company? The beginning of the year is a great time to think about a brand refresh as well.

People will buy from companies they know and trust. We know new and improved branding can boost sales results, but how exactly does that work? And if you already have an established brand, what’s the point of refreshing it?

Powerful brands are visible

Well-defined brands are easy to spot. For consumers, employees and potential employees, a strong brand strategy makes decision-making easier. Whether you are purchasing a product or service, looking for a job or deciding to stay with the company you are at, a good brand strategy makes those considerations easier.

Brand building gives optionality

As your company grows, you may want to consider moving into new and growing categories. Refreshing your brand strategy allows you to consider the options that fit your company today and will continue to into the future.

Your company isn’t the same

Along with the world around us, business is continuously evolving. As marketing advances so must your brand. Branding used to be about communicating the same message to all audiences. Now, we need to consider the many channels and numerous audiences we are trying to reach.

Refresh doesn’t mean abandon

Start where you are today, evaluate what’s working, what’s changed and how you see your business evolving. Over time, your brand may have gone stale or been neglected. Take another look to find where it can be revived. A good brand refresh allows you to consider all the good brand equity you already have.

Powerful brands demand stronger pricing

People are willing to spend extra money on brands they know, trust and believe in. If you stay true to your defined brand promise, you can increase your value.

Investing in a refresh saves time

If done correctly, a brand refresh can build and brighten your current brand. By revisiting where you are today and what you will be in the future is an investment that not only clarifies who you are but becomes a priceless tool for what to communicate.

Create clarity and focus

Can your employees define what you offer? Not at the basic tactical level but truly describe what your company is at its core? Refreshing your brand is an excellent opportunity to establish your brand voice and get your team moving forward in the same direction.

Attract the best talent

In this incredibly tight workforce market, a solid brand strategy can help you attract—and retain—good employees. Younger generations are likely to evaluate the values of the company they are considering working for more seriously than in the past.

A New Year, A New Review

By Wendy Klug, Director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas (VBOC)

About the VBOC

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.

Happy New Year. You made it! We hope that it has been a prosperous one for your company and that you are excited about 2023. Looking back at 2022, it was another wild ride for many small businesses. Although the pandemic came with its own challenges like finding and retaining employees, implementing new business methods or battling the supply chain, we want to recognize the resiliency of small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.

It’s January 2023 and we want to encourage you and your small business to take a brief moment to reflect on the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. Business owners often review their financials or pay their taxes and then just continue with their normal schedule. They get into a rhythm of putting their nose to the grindstone, and they often forget to stop and smell the roses! This is your opportunity to see the greatness that your business brings to your customers and the community. I know we are North Dakota nice and don’t like

to talk about ourselves, but this is your time to do so. Toot your own horn and take time to celebrate your success!

Many of the challenges we saw in 2022 forced owners to bring on new strategies and styles for their small businesses. As 2023 begins, the small business world is going to look like it never has before. Now is a great time to look at your business and analyze what is working, what isn’t and what you may need to change to keep up in 2023. We are going to touch on the importance of having a business plan and why you should review it at least twice a year. Additionally, we are going to look at other items of your business that are equally important to review. Let’s jump in!

WendyKlug, Director

Business plans are integral for success. They help you set clear goals and guidelines for how you will start and manage your business. A business plan is composed of key elements including financial matters, management structure, human resource planning, technology, marketing and more. This is your road map for how to structure, run and grow your business. Hence the importance of reviewing and updating it several times a year. A business plan should never be concrete or left behind. Don’t lose your roadmap to success!

When you revisit your business plan at least a couple of times a year, save the old file and replace it with a new file for that year’s updated plan. This will also allow you to have

Photos Courtesy ofVBOCoftheDakotas

documentation of financials and best practices from year to year. It can become your business diary. It may just seem like another irrelevant task to add to your to-do list, but you will be thankful when you refer back to it and find information that is up to date and in line with the changing goals of your organization.

If you have never written a business plan, there’s no greater time to get started than right now! Writing a business plan can seem like a daunting experience, but there are people and resources (like VBOC of the Dakotas) that are here to assist you. Contact us today and we will get you started on a plan for entrepreneurial success!

Now that we have covered a little bit about the importance of creating a business plan and why you need to revise it and use it every year, let’s dive into some other items that you should be looking at that are not necessarily outlined in your business plan.

This list isn’t going to include your normal review items such as looking at your bank account statements, prepping for taxes, or reviewing your business plan. While those items are just as important, we would like to talk more about reviewing your business in a way you may have never done before.

We always like to say that change is going to happen no matter what, but growth is optional! Everything that happens within your business is a learning opportunity, and it’s up to you to take the time to reflect on the past failures and successes of your business. Sometimes we are so focused on the everyday grind we forget to take a break and reflect on what’s actually going on in the business. Here is your chance to take a moment to step back and view a snapshot of this past year. Let’s take a look at the five important “other” items to review:

1. Your Biggest Accomplishments:

It is very important for business owners to interpret the significance of their achievements. This may seem meaningless to some, but it is an important and valid activity that can boost the confidence in yourself, your business and your employees. What did you achieve this year and what were the strategies you and your team put into place to attain these achievements? Make a list of these successes so that you can look back and see what they were. Before the year runs out, take the time to note your achievements and celebrate these accomplishments with your employees, stakeholders, customers and clients. It is a great way to build team spirit, increase morale, and keep employees engaged and ready to take on the tasks for the coming year. Here is a great question to ask yourself: “What steps can we take to ensure we create similar or enhanced positive experiences for our customers and clients this coming year?”

2.

Your Biggest Disappointments:

We understand that business ownership isn’t all fun and games. Often, for a business to become successful, it must stumble a few times. The biggest challenge is learning from your mistakes and getting back up on your feet again. Think back…what were some of your biggest disappointments and why didn’t they go as planned? Is there

something you can do to ensure that this will not happen again or is the result out of your hands? What steps can we take to avoid the negative experiences our customers had this year? After you identify these obstacles, you can make an action plan for the year 2023.

3. Your Customers:

If you don’t have customers you will not generate sales. And if you don’t have sales, your company isn’t going to make money to pay the bills. So, how do you ensure that you are taking care of your customers? In order to tend to your customers properly you should focus on your messaging to them. Instead of talking about your business, try sharing how your product or service will better the customer’s life. What problem are you solving for them? You also need to make sure you are providing them with the best product or service possible. Your competition AND customer base can change every year, so you will need to complete a market analysis to help give your company the best possible chance at making good business decisions. Lastly, make sure it is convenient for the customer to find you and purchase your product or service. This boils down to marketing!

4. Your Year In Review:

At this point, you should have reviewed your business plan, accomplishments, disappointments and customers. So, what’s next? We are going to guess that there are a few things sitting on the top of your brain that you are thinking about for your business that we have not listed. This is your chance to write those down. Part of this review process is allowing yourself time to brainstorm, too. Find a whiteboard, sticky note or napkin and scribble those ideas down!

5. Your Goals: Now, look into the future. What goals have you met? What goals have you slipped up on? Where do you want to see growth and improvement? Create goals around these ideas and place them into your business plan for 2023. There are no rules as to which concepts you have to work on. Some can be concrete like increasing sales, but some should also revolve around customers and your employees. It takes a balance of both to keep a business running smoothly.

Now that you understand how to review your business for 2022, what’s next? This is the toughest part of all… EXECUTION! Rip the pages out of this magazine and put them up on your office wall to help you remember to complete this review.

After looking at these items we listed above, along with your business plan, you probably have a thousand ideas running through your head on where to start. Grab some colored sheets of paper or a pack of Post-It notes and start writing down all your ideas. We always suggest using one sticky note per idea and then using these to cover your whiteboard, office wall or mirror. Once you have a ton of notes covering your canvas of choice (or enough that you feel you have all your thoughts on paper), start categorizing them into sections and start prioritizing!

A review can be messy, and it can often feel overwhelming. To some degree, it should. This exercise will give you some extra pep in your step to start the 2023 year off strong!

If you are feeling apprehensive about handling this on your own or would like more personal assistance on this journey, we encourage you to reach out to VBOC of the Dakotas or one of the many other SBA resource partners. Contact us today to get started!

A Q&A with Eide Bailly CPA

Anne Stoll

Giving is great—it feels good and oftentimes helps out the community, but, something we oftent don’t talk about, is the fact that it can also help the bottom line. We shouldn’t be ashamed of this! That’s why we sat down with tax expert Anne Stoll to get some answers on the benefits of giving.

Stoll

The Tax Benefits of Giving

A: Donations to a qualified organization can generate benefits for a business. Charitable donations can be deducted and reduce taxable income. Additionally, if a donation qualifies as a business expense, meaning the donation has a direct relationship to the business and there is an expectation the donation will generate additional revenue, it can reduce taxable income and generate additional revenues.

A: Businesses carrying food inventory can claim certain deductions. The amount of the deduction is generally limited to the lesser of either twice the cost of the food, or the cost of the food plus half of the gross profit the business would normally have received if they had sold the food.

Photo provided by Anne

Q: How can a business financially benefit from donating money?

Q: Can a business benefit from donating food?

There are restrictions to beware of, including:

• The business must donate the food to a qualifying organization.

• The donation must be from the trade or business of the donating business and must be of food intended for human consumption that meets all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state and local laws and regulations that also satisfy any applicable requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act on the date of transfer and some time prior.

• In addition, the donating business will need to secure a written statement from the qualifying organization restricting the use of the food to be used in the qualifying organization’s exempt purpose or function, for the care of the ill, needy, or infant, and that the recipient organization will not transfer the food for money, other property or services.

Q: Can a business benefit from donating labor to a non-profit?

A: Charitable deductions for businesses that want to discount labor fees charged to a qualifying organization will generally be limited to the costs incurred for providing that labor. The business owner's time is not deductible, and employment issues may arise if employees are required to donate time.

Q: Are there limits?

A: Business expenses are generally not subject to limitations, but a contribution deduction can be limited, and the limitation may vary depending on what is donated. Generally, the contribution deduction allowable on a business return may not exceed 10 percent of the business’s taxable income. If the contribution is of food inventory, the deduction may not exceed 15 percent of the business’s taxable income. For 2020 and 2021, the limitation was increased to no more than 25 percent of the business’s taxable income. For businesses that exceed these limitations, the excess contributions may be carried forward for up to five years. Sole proprietorships, S-Corporations, and partnerships that generally pass their income on to owners are also able report charitable contribution deductions to the owners that may be reported as an itemized deduction depending on the tax situation of the business owner.

Q: What organizations are eligible to accept these donations?

A: The most common qualifying organizations include churches and other 501(c)(3) organizations. There are other organizations that may be eligible to receive charitable donations, but these organizations may have additional restrictions on the donation for the business to be able to deduct the donation as a qualified charitable contribution.

Q: What are some common foot-faults?

A: It is important to verify that an organization is a qualifying organization at the time of the donation. Qualifying organizations are required to continuously follow specific IRS regulations to maintain their status as a qualifying organization, so organizations that had previously qualified may no longer qualify if they do not follow the IRS regulations. To help identify qualified organizations, the IRS maintains a detailed list of eligible organizations on their website at irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits.

Documentation is also essential. It is important that the business/entrepreneur maintain reliable records showing the payment, such as receipts or cancelled checks. Additionally, the business must obtain written documentation from the qualified charity. The IRS has been very strict in this area and will disallow all or part of a donation if the required documentation is incomplete or missing.

Valuing a charitable contribution is not always straightforward. Businesses making non-cash donations will want to verify if the donation is limited to the cost of the item being donated, the market value of the donation, or some other value. Additionally, some donations may require the business to obtain a qualified appraisal in determining the market value of those donations.

Q: What else do we need to know?

A: There are many indirect benefits that businesses can realize from donating to qualifying organizations, but this is also a complex area that can create issues for businesses/ entrepreneurs if done incorrectly. Businesses wanting to give to qualifying organizations should check with their tax and legal counsel to make sure that any charitable giving program they wish to enact is being properly conducted and does not result in unintended legal, financial, or other consequences.

NEED A NEW OFFICE SPACE?

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR DAKOTA BUSINESS LENDING'S ENTREPRENEUR DISTRICT

Are you a entrepreneur looking for a new office space? Dakota Business Lending is accepting applications between January 4 and February 1 for their future coworking space The Entrepreneur District.

The best part? Spaces are free for the entrepreneurs 10 that are accepted.

The space will do more than prop

up a handful of entrepreneurs in our community by allowing them to have a cost free space away from their homes, it will also give the entrepreneurs something that most are severely lacking, the opportunity to collaborate.

"We are creating an environment for those in the program that allows them to essentially have co-workers," Michael Schell, Entrepreneur Development Director at Dakota Business Lending said. "The physical layout of the space

really helps to aid in that by allowing participants in the co-working space to roll over to someone else's desk and bounce ideas off of one another. We will also be aligning our entrepreneurs with mentors in the community so they can have outside support from small business owners that have been there, done that. They'll also have opportunities for different trainings that we put on. We will also be providing scholarships and grants for them to attend trainings that might be valuable to them for their specific businesses."

MichaelaSchell, Entre pr e neur DevelopmentDirector

Schell, who was brought on as the Entrepreneur Development Director in August to lead the charge, has a personal connection to this cause, having worked on a number of her own entrepreneurial efforts.

"I feel like, having been a entrepreneur for a long time, I know the challenges and needs of other entrepreneurs," Schell said. "So, being able to support them in this way, was really just a no-brainier for me."

The spots in the entrepreneur district are entirely free. The only stipulation upon being accepted into the program is that participants are required to donate two hours of their talents every month to either a nonprofit or another small business in the community.

"We really want them to pay it forward and use their superpowers," Schell said. "If they're a marketing professional, maybe they help an organization in town that needs help with marketing. That's really the only requirement we have for them utilizing our space."

"We wanted there to be a way for our entrepreneurs to continue to connect in the community, and being able to give their resources is one way to do that," Schell said. "It helps them build their portfolio and get themselves out there more."

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

According to Schell anyone can apply, the business just needs to either be a business that wants to grow and really maturate and develop or a business that really just wants to sustain but wants to create a more robust internal business.

"We are really excited about getting a variety of businesses in here, Schell said.

"I think that that is what makes it really unique, having the collaboration among different types of businesses so they can see different perspectives, get different ideas from people working in completely different fields, collaborate in unique ways and solve problems in unique ways."

LENDING CUSTOMER?

No, you do not.

"We just really want to support a strong, small business ecosystem here and a thriving entrepreneur environment," Schell said. "This is one way that we can do that. Dakota business lending can support people through lending, of course, to small businesses. But, if we create a vibrant, entrepreneurial ecosystem, that helps us that helps our community and small businesses, it just really amplifies so many great things in the small business world."

work smarter, not harder.

You don’t need to hire an internal dream team to meet your strategic goals. Instead, leverage ours. What inspires you, inspires us. eidebailly.com

10 Questions

Questions 10

ohn Machacek, Chief Innovation Officer for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, has worked with countless startups throughout our community over the past nine years. He knows their ups, and their downs, but most of all, he knows the questions to ask them. Here are John Machacek’s 10 questions for Kota Botanics Founder Weiwei (Vivian) Fellman.

By John Machacek

Photo by Josiah Kopp

Kota Botanics™ is a premium hemp CBD wellness brand that’s founded by an AAPI woman entrepreneur who’s also a new immigrant. Within three years, we’ve grown into the #1 premium CBD retailer in the U.S. Midwest with two prime retail locations in Fargo and Minneapolis. We carry 15 premier brands and over 148 different types of products. Our own branded premium products are now carried by one of the biggest medical dispensaries in New Jersey.

Absolutely. Let me be clear. First of all, CBD is NOT marijuana. CBD is not a plant. It’s just a chemical compound that naturally exists in cannabis plants alongside the other 113 compounds/ cannabinoids that so far have been discovered by scientists. There are cannabis plants that contain high amounts of THC which will typically be referred to as marijuana plants, and there are also cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% THC which allows them to be classified as hemp rather than marijuana. When the federal government passed the Farm Bill in 2018, it was regulated that the other chemical compound called “THC” within hemp plants must stay under 0.3%.

CBD is non-psychoactive and has a lot of benefits to balance our mind and body and bring us back to homeostasis naturally. THC on the other hand causes euphoria when consumed in higher doses than what federally legal CBD products allow. We at Kota Botanics™ retail and wholesale hemp CBD products. All products sold at our store are meticulously vetted by our team regarding quality, taste, efficacy and transparency. We make sure our products meet all the criteria before we put them on our shelves so that our clients can shop easily without worrying about the quality, efficacy and safety.

03

Like I mentioned earlier, we have very strict rules when it comes down to deciding which products to put on our store shelves. Rule #1, is your hemp organically grown in the US? If so, we need to see proofs—certificates, documents, etc. Rule #2, have your products been tested by a third-party lab and does it have an up-to-date Certificate of Analysis? Are they solvent, chemical, pesticide, mold free? If so, show us. Rule #3, do your products taste good and work well? If so, please send us samples for testing. Rule #4, is your brand founded by women? Do you give back to the community? What’s your mission?

Kota Botanics™ is a woman founded brand. We support other women owned brands and businesses. And we constantly give back to our local community, such as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Red River Valley, Pray for Grey, etc., and national non-profit organizations such as Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Alzheimer Association, Stop AAPI Hate, etc. And for each Kota Botanics ™ branded product sold, we donate a meal to the No Kid Hungry® program to help fight hunger among the youths in our nation. It’s very important for us to see our other brand partners align with our mission.

How have you gone about finding and sourcing the products you sell?

01

Will you please tell us your Kota Botanics™ elevator pitch?

02

I know there are a ton of misconceptions and myths about CBD. I’m sure you could fill the entire interview space on this, but will you please do your best to briefly educate the readers on this a bit?

04

I’d say that what I’ve done so far is basically exactly as planned. Owning a Fargo store was the first plan and then, in my plan, I recall writing down that I wanted our own branded products. We have 10 SKUs with more coming in 2023. Eventual store expansion was always in my mind, which we’ve now added with the second location in Shakopee. And a third location is already in mind but finding the right person to run it is an important next step.

occurred, so having the ability for online sales was huge. I taught myself how to build the website by watching YouTube and figuring it out. I’m a quick learner and often use resources like YouTube. In our case too, it was a matter of needing to keep the budget down, so if someone has the funds, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing it yourself. But, if need be, there are various options out there to affordably build basic websites.

I’m happy with the website we developed, but I’m extremely proud of the service we’ve delivered through it and our brick-and-mortars, and that we now have the most 5-star ratings on Google with over 300 reviews compared with other competitors. That high rating has driven online searches our way because people see that high rating.

06

never stopped thinking about it. When I saw that Startup Weekend happening, I just went to see what would happen. I didn’t find anything at that time that clicked for me, as I knew I was waiting for a passion project to come up. And that passion project came up several years later when I experienced the benefits of CBD.

07

I was very thankful to have the website set up right away, because within three months of opening, the pandemic

I knew I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I was inspired by my mother—she was fearless. After college, I went into the corporate world but

My introduction to and use of CBD helped me with anxiety and panic attacks. Through research, I learned of all the benefits for your brain and body, such as how it can aid sleep, which is so important. I love to educate people on the benefits of it, as well as helping eliminate the stigmas related to CBD, as I mentioned earlier. Almost in its entirety, customers are coming to us because they are really in need of something to help. It feels good to help them feel better and I feel so much joy when a customer returns telling us about how it worked for them. Our mission is to empower you to take back your health and return to your true self through the power of hemp and other natural plants.

I first met you at one of the Startup Weekends around 2014 or 2015, I believe. When you participated in Startup Weekend, was there any inclination then to what you’re doing now?

Will you please tell me more about this being a passion project?

Was developing your own branded product part of the original plan?

05

With having an e-commerce presence from the start, do you have any tips or experiences to share with the readers who may be thinking of an e-commerce business?

For a lot of entrepreneurs, you, as a person, are the story and the brand. So, getting out and networking or being visible or pitching or speaking ideas are all important. Being visible can then lead to more opportunities of visibility. One of our earlier national stories came from someone finding me on LinkedIn and then other stories have developed because people read that story. Another example is pitching yourself as a speaker about a particular topic, such as how I did for a CBD conference. This is a great way to increase publicity and free advertising versus paying for a booth where you are reliant on waiting for a potential customer to walk by.

I have a goal to someday be on Good Morning America, and to not just talk about my passion with CBD, but more so on the belief of the American Dream, my story of coming here from China and for other immigrants to know they aren’t alone in their ambitions. We are a country of immigrants, so the United States has such a colorful history. So, if you could make that happen, that would be

Don’t be afraid of chasing your dream. You will NOT regret it if you try. But you will definitely regret that you didn’t try. Let go of the fear and enjoy the journey! Life is too short not to live happily and fearlessly.

About John

Help us spread the word. Follow us on our social media such as Facebook and Instagram. Refer us to your friends and families. Shop with us. Give us a review on Google after you shop with us. Or just simply stop by, pop in and say hi. We love a good chat with everyone in our community. There are so many things you could do to support us.

kotabotanics.com

Facebook: /kotabotanicstore

08

I guess I’m helping feed this trend, which is great, but over this past year, I’ve really noticed the good press you’ve received. Whether that’s in the local news or more recently like online features in Forbes and Thrillist. What are your thoughts and strategies around that?

great (haha)!

09

Haha, yeah, I’ll see what I can do about Good Morning America. If you could go back in time to Weiwei from several years ago, what hindsight advice would you give yourself?

10

Last question. What can we do as a community to help Kota Botanics succeed?

Michelle Cody

STUDIO DIRECTOR, FLY FITNESS

Michelle Cody is a mother, grandmother, and the studio director at Fly Fitness. She speaks with Melanie Iverson of Ladyboss Lifestyle about managing an inclusive studio, the connection between social work and fitness, and mental and physical health.

Talk to us about your work with Fly, as the studio director, and how you got to be in that position.

My background is in social work. I worked prior to Fly at a nonprofit working with women. They were all facing pregnancy, unexpected situations, chemical dependency issues, so I worked with them. I was the program manager and helped women get connected to resources and get back on to their feet and find housing, and all the things you need to do to have a baby and be functional.

How did you get from social work to Fly?

I was working out for my own mental and physical health, and I always have. It’s a hobby of mine. At the time, I was working out with a bunch of friends and instructors I liked and followed them to the places they were. My daughter became an instructor at this new place called Fly and I thought, “Oh this sounds like such a cool gym!” I thought I could work the front desk to get my foot in the door and maybe get a free membership. They hired me, and I started at the front desk. That’s where I learned the ropes of how the gym was supposed to run and the philosophy, and that was October 2019. By the end of the year, things with the current manager didn’t work out and the owners said, “Michelle, we want you to be the studio director.” I didn’t know anything about running a business, but they said, “Well, you know how to work with people. You can learn how to run a business.”

You create communities in all organizations you belong to. You do it very intentionally, and I think especially post-COVID, or even before then, people have such a desire to belong to something. Especially women, I think it’s harder for us as we get older to find community. Will you talk more about what those owners saw in you about building a thriving community around yourself?

That’s a good question. It’s a huge compliment. I’ve done strength finder, so my top five are firstly, belief. So, if I believe in something I give it 100%. I believe that people can be, and should be, physically,

mentally, spiritually healthy. I want to see people thrive in that place. Another of my top ones is includer. I feel like I’ve been this way my whole life. I’ve been on the inside and the outside. When we moved to Fargo, I felt the most outside of anything I’ve ever felt in my life as an adult woman coming into a new community. I was going through a really, really hard time with the move and my mom had cancer. We got bombarded with tragedy. I had no community. I moved to a place without any friends and felt completely alone and isolated. That was really formative for me in a lot of ways because prior to that, I was on the inside. I was part of groups and all the things that filled me up. It took awhile for that to change for me. So, inclusion is so important to me. I want people to feel like they have a place. I want to create a safe space where people can feel accepted for exactly who they are.

How is the gym different? It seems to be intentional in the ways you differentiate yourself from other gyms someone might go to.

We know when someone is brand new. There is an icon that pops up, so when they walk in the door, we recognize that they’re new and call them by their name. We put their name on a board, introduce them to the instructor and give them a tour to try and alleviate fear. When a new person comes in the door, there is fear in their eyes and they’re totally scared. Immediately, we try to break down that wall. When they leave, we follow up with a handwritten post card and reach out to thank them for coming. We’re really intentional. We go above and beyond to make them feel accepted right away. We have people who leave saying, “I’ve never felt that way before.” That is a win, that’s a huge win.

How do you address diet culture in the gym?

Part of our philosophy is we don’t talk about diets or food or caloric intake or deficits. We don’t want to even address it because we are going for a feeling. The name Fly comes from that feeling you get when you are running or are in the midst of an intense workout; you get to that point where you feel like you could

fly. That’s what we’re going for. We’re motivating you to that feeling. We’re measuring success by your feeling and motivating you to a higher place.

You’re passionate about becoming emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthy. We’re talking a lot about physical health, but we were talking about Jonah Hill’s documentary called Stutz, where he interviews his therapist and shares tools his therapist has given him. I talk openly about seeing a therapist and benefiting from that. One of the things I found interesting is his therapist talks about a tool called “life force” where the bottom level is your relationship with your physical body, secondary is your relationship with other people, and the top is your relationship with yourself. He says diet, exercise, and sleep are profoundly important for mental health and will drive people forward in their pursuit of well-being, and that is 80% of feeling better. Have you seen that?

We have definitely seen that. I think people would speak to that, and I can think of several stories. One that had a profound impact on me was a girl who started coming and wasn’t totally into fitness, and she started to really enjoy our classes. She was really smiley, sweet, a really fun gal. I wouldn’t have known until after the fact that she’d been coming for several months, and she sent a text that said, “I just have to tell you what this has done for me. My therapist said I needed to get into working out and find a community of people to work out with. I was struggling with suicidal thoughts and severe depression and basically, this has changed my life.” Along with therapy, maybe medications, but along with physical movements and being with other people dramatically changed her mental health. I wouldn’t have guessed because she wasn’t someone who came in looking like she was falling apart. I want people to live in that freedom to be who they are. I feel like the physical benefit is extra. We say all the time, “It’s more than a workout.”

For more of the conversation between Melanie and Michelle, check out the new Ladyboss Lifestyle podcast!

Photo provided by Ladyboss

Business Accelerators in the FM Area

By Jenny Sheets

hen it comes to running their businesses, many entrepreneurs face the daunting question, almost daily: “what do I do next?”

This question can refer to growth, marketing, hiring staff, renting an office, taking on investments or an infinite number of other issues that entrepreneurs face as they build their businesses.

So, what can an entrepreneur do? There are thousands of books that claim to have all of the business answers, and there are millions of websites that claim the same thing.

The amount of “free advice” is dizzying. There is the option of going back to school for an MBA, but who actually has time for that when there’s a company to run?

The best option: consider a business accelerator. An accelerator is like an MBA on steroids—business-focused skills training and tangible support for the business you are currently building. Most accelerators also have an integrated mentorship program, experienced guest speakers and a vast network of support accessible to entrepreneurs long after they leave the program.

Are You Ready for a Business Accelerator?

Before diving in, weigh the program requirements, the time you’re willing to devote and what you want to get out of an accelerator. Some accelerators require you to be running an established business; some will support you at the idea stage. Some accelerators cost money; some are free. Some are in person; some are virtual. Do your research and decide which program may be right for you, but most of all, wait and start an accelerator when you are ready to commit the time to your business.

There are many accelerators around the country, but we are lucky enough to have several fantastic accelerators right here in the greater Fargo-Moorhead region. Choosing an accelerator close to home has many advantages: those running the accelerator understand the importance of where you call home and your mentors and peers may be available in person.

Ready to grow your business? Research, apply and accelerate!

ILT Academy iltacademy.io

ILT Academy is way more than an entrepreneurial academy. ILT Academy partners with community and economic leaders to teach and train local innovators and entrepreneurs the skill sets needed to develop successful ventures. ILT is a new EdTech delivery platform and organization built to empower underestimated entrepreneurs with the tools, education and community needed to solve important problems and create great companies. ILTs virtual platform, curriculum, programming, instructors and methods of working are reshaping the way students learn, collaborate and train. The trained facilitators and instructors help students, emerging founders and serial entrepreneurs validate their ideas faster, connect them to the right resources and give them a practical approach to growing their business while helping ecosystem leaders build up a new community of successful entrepreneurs.

Visit ILTs website to read testimonials from former cohort participants, get to know the mentors, and learn about the programs and community partners.

gener8tor

gener8tor.com/gbeta/fargo gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/ north-dakota

Gener8tor is a nationally-ranked venture capital firm and accelerator that brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians and artists. The gener8tor platform includes more than 75 programs spanning startup accelerators, corporate programming, speaker series, conferences, skills accelerators and fellowships. gener8tor believes that everyone deserves opportunities, regardless of race, place or gender.

Having developed partnerships in North Dakota over the course of a few years, gener8tor is excited to bring two accelerator programs, gBETA and the flagship gener8tor Investment Accelerator in 2023.

Both programs are industry-agnostic and business model-agnostic programs. All

types of startups, across all industries and business models, will be considered. During the programs, participating companies receive individualized coaching and mentorship on company growth and investor readiness; investor and accelerator pitches; deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Amazon, and Microsoft; ongoing post-program support.

gBETA is a free seven-week program that runs twice a year in North Dakota: one in Grand Forks and one in Fargo. The Fargo program kicks off January 5, 2023.

The gener8tor North Dakota Accelerator is a 12-week program, investing $100K in five high-growth startups per cohort. The first cohort will kick off on March 23, 2023.

potential. Through a combination of programs and investment funds, Builders + Backers doesn’t just lower the barriers to getting started as an entrepreneur—they demolish them.

The Idea Accelerator program and philanthropic Pebble Fund provide a modern and equitable onramp to entrepreneurship, enabling anyone, no matter their background, experience, education or expertise, to bring their ideas to life. This innovative training program teaches participants the power of experimentation, then surrounds them with a dedicated studio team to help them put their learnings to work and provides the funding necessary to enable anyone to take the first steps toward launching a new venture.

Builders and Backers

buildersandbackers.com/ideaaccelerator

There are great ideas everywhere and Builders + Backers is on a mission to get more of them off the sidelines, into action and growing to their full

From idea, to experiment, to proof, to scale, Builders + Backers can help everyone, everywhere see themselves as builders and, together, can unleash an entrepreneurship and innovation revolution that reaches every corner of the nation.

Jenny Sheets is the Director of Startup Programs at Emerging Prairie, a company focused on uplifting the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To the Moon and Back: An Insight on Securities, Crypto and FTX

n November 2, 2022, news broke of potentially the largest corporate scandal in the United States since the likes of Enron and Lehman Brothers. This, as most are aware by now, is the current drama unfolding involving Sam Bankman-Fried (commonly referred to as “SBF”) and his cryptocurrency exchange FTX and hedge fund Alameda Research. SBF has since been arrested and is facing eight counts of criminal fraud and conspiracy, which includes securities fraud.

With more news undoubtedly to follow, investors, venture capitalists, and others will wait on bated breath on how the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) will react in both punishment towards SBF and his companies, but also the likely implementation of new security laws and regulations for capital investments, especially in the crypto space. This article does not seek to opine on what the future holds for FTX or securities law, but rather to inform those seeking potential capital investments to think twice about possible securities issues before accepting an investment.

So, what is a Security?

A Security is a fungible, negotiable financial instrument that holds some type of monetary value. Securities generally fall under two broad categories: equity and debt. Equity securities commonly come in the form of capital stock which represent an ownership interest held by a shareholder in an entity. Debt securities represent borrowed money that must be repaid, and generally take the form of corporate and

government bonds, certificate of deposits (CDs) and collateralized securities (such as a CDO). What many do not realize is that even a loan or a promise to pay a part of profits is considered a security as well. In cases of uncertainty of whether a security exists the U.S. Supreme Court has determined that an investment contract exists when there is, “an investment of money in a common enterprise with the expectation of profit to be derived from the efforts of others."

Who regulates Securities?

The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission is an independent federal agency created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in response to the aftermath of the Wall Street Market Crash of 1929. The SEC’s primary mission is to enforce the law against market manipulation in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933 (commonly known as the “Securities Act”). The SEC serves as a centralized location for all companies to register their security offerings. In concurrence with the SEC, many states have formed their own state securities departments in charge of overseeing

Austan Wellman

Transactional Attorney at Fargo Patent & Business Law, PLLC

Photo provided by Fargo Patent & Business Law, PLLC

statewide security offerings. Like the SEC, state departments oversee the registration of securities offered by companies within the state and can enforce civil penalties against those who do not comply with state law. North Dakota’s securities laws can be found under North Dakota Century Code section 10-04.

So, where does Cryptocurrency fit in?

That’s the million-dollar legal question and one that is still being tested. For now, the SEC has been vocal in stating that it considers cryptocurrencies to be securities. SEC Chair Gary Gensler in recent months has voiced displeasure over the crypto market and its current regulatory state. In a September 8, 2022, statement, Chairman Gensler stated that “Promoters are marketing, and the investing public is buying most of these tokens, touting or anticipating profits based on the efforts of others.” Thus, it appears that the primary concern of the SEC is how these cryptocurrencies are being promoted to potential investors and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Arguably, Bitcoin, the largest and most wellknown digital asset, may not be considered a security. Bitcoin was created by Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonym of an unknown person or persons. Bitcoin does not exist for the purpose of raising money for a particular project. Based on this lack of a direct purpose or promotion, the SEC tends to view Bitcoin as not being a security.

On the other side of the digital token, cryptocurrencies like SafeMoon and FTT (FTX’s self-created crypto token) were created and promoted to the public as

investments with the potential of large profits. SafeMoon was promoted as a stable token with “to the moon” potential. Yet, this past summer, SafeMoon’s value returned to orbit and crashed landed. Customers lost millions of dollars and filed a class action lawsuit against the creators of SafeMoon for fraudulent misrepresentations.

Similarly, FTX’s FTT token has likewise been discovered to be worthless, causing customers to lose billions of their funds due to the company’s alleged fraudulent activities.

I’m a North Dakota business with potential investors, what should I do?

All companies must register with the SEC prior to or in concurrence with the offering of a security. During this process, the company must provide details about the proposed offering as well as detailed information about the company itself to the investor(s).

The required information to be disclosed includes details about the company’s management, business, assets and financial statements. Although, some exemptions do exist that help streamline this process. The most common exemptions are “accredited investors” (someone classified by the SEC as a sophisticated investor), private placement offerings and limited offerings. In addition to the SEC, companies are required to register under any applicable state laws.

If your company is seeking investment, then it is recommended you seek advice from a securities law attorney. A professional can assist you in navigating the complex rules and help ensure your company complies with all SEC and state regulations.

Conclusion

The outcome of the FTX scandal and future regulation on securities, including cryptocurrencies, is uncertain. However, it is fair to speculate that change is coming sooner rather than later and what comes next could be the largest regulatory step taken for securities (and cryptocurrencies for that matter) since the enactment of the Securities Act itself. FTX’s implosion should serve as a stark reminder to businesses and venture capitalists of the importance of complying with federal and state securities laws.

The information in this article does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. All information, content, and material are for general informational or educational purposes only. The information provided may not be the most up-to-date legal information, and it is recommended that readers contact their attorney to obtain advice on any particular legal matter.

Fargo Patent & Business Law, PLLC

Phone: 701.566.7571

Email: info@fargopatentlaw.com Web: fargopatentlaw.com

Box of Balloons, Inc.

alloons, presents and cake are standard hallmarks of a birthday that can become cherished memories for a child. Unfortunately, for a large segment of Fargo’s children, such a simple joy is beyond reach.

Box of Balloons, Inc. wants to change that. Entirely run by volunteers, Box of Balloons has already provided over 400 birthday parties to area children since the Fargo chapter of the national nonprofit was founded in late May of 2020. Co-founder Chelsey Strand, a social worker at Sanford Health, helps connect Box of Balloons to a variety of nonprofits throughout the community to reach children and families in need who are experiencing a medical crisis, changes in a living situation, poverty or other hardships. Chris Welsand, a volunteer when the Fargo chapter was founded, is now the new Director and co-leader of the project, taking on more of the administrative and volunteer related tasks.

“I grew up in a family with modest means. Since money was tight, I wasn’t able to have a birthday party every year. However, when I was 5, my mom threw me a home party that I will never forget. Homemade cake baked

into an ice cream cone, a few games, balloons and some streamers, a handful of friends who got to go home with a party favor, all the makings of a good birthday celebration. I know my mom didn’t spend much money on this party, but the warm memories of that party were never forgotten. When I had my daughter, I wanted to make sure that she felt as celebrated on her birthdays as I did when I was five. I was blessed to be able to have a celebration on each of my daughter’s birthdays. I feel birthdays are a special day and an important way we can celebrate children, so I got involved with Box of Balloons,” Chris said.

With a large population of children in the FM area in schools, foster care, homeless shelters, or in families suffering from unexpected setbacks or medical crises experiencing resource shortages, the need for assistance has only increased over time. While Boxes of Balloons originally provided three or four birthday parties a month, they are now regularly assembling an average of 15 to 20 a month, with November and December annually showing the highest demand.

“It’s hard to give a special birthday if funds are already stressed. Then November and December hit and it isn’t just the added holidays, but an increase in heating bills and other utilities that

strain those resources even further,” Chris said. “It’s nice to know we can help with a birthday celebration for those children who will otherwise go without.”

It is important to note that none of the volunteers at Box of Balloons have any direct contact with the children they serve. Social workers, child advocates or case workers fill out a request form for each child, providing ages, favorite colors and interests in an attempt to specialize the birthday experience as much as possible. Box of Balloons provides a birthday box comprised of cupcakes, a gift, tableware, decorations and an activity which is presented to the child’s parent, caregiver or person the child is closest to.

One of the possible activities included is a candy-filled piñata. Box of Balloons was recently named the Cass Clay Chapter of the Awesome Foundation’s November 2022 grantee, which provided them with a $1000 gift to add to the birthday party experiences with a variety of piñatas to choose from.

“We’ve been so fortunate to get a wide amount of community support,” Chris said. “Roers, who owns the building the office is in, donates the use of the space to the organization. There are 60 chapters across the US, and thanks to Roers, we are one of the only ones not being run out of a private home. It

BY Brandi Malarkey, Owner, It’s All Malarkey

was just this unbelievably incredible gift. Then we get all manner of other contributions, and it is such a joy to see. Every bit helps. Anyone who donates even a box of candles or unused birthday cards, is helping a child celebrate their birthday.”

Box of Balloons has an Amazon Wishlist and shares their most urgent needs on their social media on “Wishlist Wednesdays.” They also use their social media to advertise volunteer days.

“We’re trying to get more efficient with our box coordination, and there are a variety of tasks that help with that; Sorting candy, putting together party bags, filling piñatas, wrapping boxes, sorting donations. It’s especially helpful when we get a last-minute request to be able to pull a box together quickly.”

With the holiday business over, Box of Balloons is now gearing up to prepare for Giving Hearts Day, their largest fundraising event of the year.

“We always have a lot of things in the works!” Chris said. “And I am just thrilled to be on board with a nonprofit

that is easy to explain and a mission that is easy to support. Who doesn't want a child to have birthday joy? It's a feel-good mission for sure!”

The mission is simple and straightforward. That every child deserves to feel celebrated and be happy on their birthday.

To learn more about the Fargo chapter of Box of Balloons you can check out their website boxofballoons.org/northdakota

To keep apprised of opportunities to volunteer or donation needs, follow them on FB, Instagram or contact them at boxofballoons.fargond@gmail.com

The Cass Clay chapter of the Awesome Foundation awards a $1,000 gift each month for awesome ideas of all sorts. Grant recipients do not need to be associated with a nonprofit. Applications can be made at awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ cassclay.

Box of Balloons, Director, Chris Wesland

Photo submitted by Brandi Malarkey

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