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Learning for a Cause

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CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

BY CHUCK BARNEY

The advantages of learning by doing are endless. So when Kris Warmoth, dean of Minot State University’s Center for Extended Learning, asked me if the Severson Entrepreneurship Club could help the Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot, N.D., I knew that it would be a hands-on learning experience for the students.

This was an opportunity for the students to apply what they learn in the classroom to a real-world business venture. They are passionate about the animal shelter, as are our benefactors, Clint Severson and Conni Ahart, who both are dedicated supporters of animal rescue.

The Souris Valley Animal Shelter wanted to use an old storage building as a boarding facility for dogs and needed to identify revenue streams — additional money that would be more reliable than grants. Severson Entrepreneurship Club members met with Randy McDonald, director of the Souris Valley Animal Shelter, and looked over the building, reviewed the books, analyzed what the shelter was spending and prepared a market analysis to illustrate what other boarding clinics charge and what occupancy rates and ser- vices they provide. But additional assistance and expertise were needed.

Jay Hight, with Hight Construction LLC, is supportive of SEA, and gave the program access to his in-house architect. It was then discovered the building lacked proper footers, requiring an extensive remodel. The architect worked up drawings and provided an estimate. Jay then contacted others in his industry, suppliers and tradesmen, and they put together a package of in-kind and donated materials.

With skills learned in the classroom, SEA students created a business plan to estimate the final cost. Using this information, the Souris Valley Animal Shelter could estimate numbers, calculate how many kennels must be rented per day and determine a break-even point. The SEA students gained invaluable, real-life experience by giving back to a worthy community cause in which they were emotionally invested.

Chuck Barney Severson Entrepreneurship Academy Director Minot State University Minot, N.D. chuck.barney@minotstateu.edu

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