22 minute read
Nonprofit of the Month: Keeping the Promise
Nonprofit of the Month:
Keeping The Promise
By Grant Ayers Photos by Josiah Kopp
Nonprofit organizations are oftentimes overlooked in the community due to a lack of promotional funds and advertising, amongst other reasons. To help spread awareness of these efforts being made, we feature a local nonprofit in each issue that we believe deserves a spotlight shined on the great work that they’ve done and continue to do within the community.
How did Keeping The Promise begin?
Lorena Poppe, Executive Director of Keeping The Promise, is no stranger to the world of disability support. With over 30 years of experience in the field of disability services, including 12 years as a vocal disabilities support advocate and 15 in the service provider sector, Poppe was prepared to venture into her own space to support the cause. Her passion evolved into Poppy’s Promise, her own service provider that offers applied behavior analysis (ABA), respite/ in-home support and much more. With Poppe having experience in the private sector prior to Poppy’s Promise, this was no strange territory for her.
Lorena Poppe, Executive Director of Keeping The Promise
With Poppy’s Promise being a for-profit organization, Keeping the Promise was started in 2019 as a sister organization. For some people, it can be easy to qualify for and access services and support systems through the service delivery system. For those who fall through the cracks, however, options for support are extremely limited, according to Poppe.
“Keeping the Promise is committed to bringing options and resources that are both relevant and meaningful to kids, young adults and families. Our original intention in starting Keeping the Promise was to focus on periods of transition for kids and young adults with disabilities. Moving from elementary school to middle school and high school and then on to adult life often involves making a transition to new places and services,” Poppe said. a focus on supporting transitions, but have learned since our inception that there are unmet service needs for people with disabilities regardless of age. We are passionate about moving beyond conversations and doing the important work of developing innovative approaches that lead to sustainable and thriving support systems throughout the lifespan.”
Keeping the Promise was originally started to help fill the gaps in the service delivery system. At that time, and still to this day, Poppe sees the importance of ensuring that families are aware of their options when it comes to services and activities for their children living with disabilities. Two years later, Poppe and her team are still pursuing the same mission as they did at the time of launch. “Keeping the Promise is committed to bringing options and resources that are both relevant and meaningful to kids, young adults and families,”
- Lorena Poppe
What is Poppy’s Promise?
Poppy’s Promise is an agency that provides direct services and support to kids and young adults with disabilities and their families.
Making a Difference
Each year at the iCan Swim Camp, Keeping The Promise is able to provide adapted swim instruction to 30 excited participants!
What You May Not Know About Keeping The Promise
Their Goals
Nonprofit organizations oftentimes project a common mission or goal that encourages others to unite and support them in their cause. Keeping The Promise is no different. “[Keeping The Promise’s] goals are to be a sounding board for families and a resource to make connections to advocates and services. Along with that, we want to be a facilitator of starting the transition process before the teen years and continuing through young adulthood, as well as a provider that develops supports and services that are not currently available in our state,” Poppe said.
CommunitY Programs and CommunitY Involvement
“One of the opportunities that arose for us last year was hosting an iCan Swim Camp. This camp is designed for people with disabilities to develop swimming skills that will promote safety, health, confidence, socialization and fun across the lifespan. We are currently hosting our second annual iCan Swim Camp, which has become one of our major activities,” Poppe said.
“In both years of camp, our sessions have filled within days and we have had a long waitlist. Seeing the great need for learning to swim while having fun and being safe has caused us to expand our focus to assure that there are opportunities to build important life skills that will benefit people throughout their lives.” Keeping The Promise Remains ImpactOriented
One of Keeping The Promise’s primary visions is giving a voice to those that don’t have it by being a resource and putting a spotlight on the disabled
community. To do this, they oftentimes collaborate with other nonprofits to help make the greatest impact, including Designer Genes, the Arc of North Dakota and Family Voices of North Dakota.
What’s Next for Keeping The Promise?
In addition to Keeping The Promise’s current programs, such as the iCan Swim Camps, they are currently producing a video learning series for families to become more aware of disability-related supports and issues. The series will address topics such as guardianship, moving from a pediatrician to an adult physician, assistive technology options, sensory support through transition, success stories from young adults and developing family-to-family support systems.
Furthermore, they have also started to run social skills groups for pre-teens who are preparing for middle school. “The activities we are involved in are supporting our mission of [ensuring] conversations are held and meaningful/relevant services and activities are identified for those with disabilities,” Poppe said.
- Lorena Poppe
As with any nonprofit organization, donations can be given in many different ways. Here are a few ways that Lorena Poppe and Keeping The Promise encourage the community to get involved and back their mission.
Monetary Donations
Donating directly to Keeping The Promise ensures that they’re receiving immediate assistance in funding their programs and continuing the mission. With different programs and campaigns throughout the year that require funding (iCan Swim Camps, educational videos, etc.), monetary donations will frequently be supporting something new within the organization and having a firsthand impact on people with disabilities.
Volunteer with Keeping The Promise!
When Keeping The Promise hosts programs, events or develops new campaigns for the program, they often require volunteers. For example, their annual iCan Swim Camp requires volunteers in the form of swim mentors. “Only basic swim skills are needed and volunteers get to spend 1:1 time with someone learning to swim in a group learning environment,” Poppe said. “We also welcome anyone who would like to contribute to our video learning series about any topic they are passionate about.”
Spread The Word!
Many statistics, stories and other aspects of disabilities are often overlooked by many in the community. Having a common knowledge of disabilities, as well as how to assist anyone in need, is critical to their mission. “Donations, as well as volunteering, are always welcome as none of our activities have a permanent funding source. But also, simply helping to spread the word about Keeping the Promise to families who may be seeking information and support is incredibly helpful,” Poppe said. Get Involved in Future Events!
Keeping The Promise’s most recent event, the iCan Swim Camp, was an immense success, according to Poppe. The recurring annual event will always be in need of volunteers as the event comes around next summer. Along with the annual swim camp, other events are in the works that allow community members to engage with Keeping The Promise, as well as support the disabled community.
“This is a great way to learn more about disabilities and to make a huge impact on the lives of kids and young adults involved in the program. We are in the planning process of putting together some fundraising events and would love to help with the coordination of those events,” Poppe said.
As Keeping The Promise continues to look for creative ways to expand their brand and increase traction in support for the cause, they aim to only see growth in assistance and support for the disability-related community. “We have had the opportunity to learn so much from people with lived experiences. We’ve talked extensively with people at the heart of receiving and providing support as kids navigate the move to teen and young adult life. Families, school personnel, business leaders and professional organizations have provided the framework for what we do,” Poppe said. “We are willing to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions for people. We want to help people truly live out their dreams and that requires being creative. Doing things the way they have always been done is not effective or meaningful for many people.”
Support!
Keeping The Promise
Phone: (701) 204-7870 Email: lpoppe@poppyspromise.com Web: keepingthepromisend.org Facebook: @KeepingThePromiseND Address: 1221 West Divide Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501
Services include
Hair colors, cuts and extensions, as well as waxing, nails, facials and more!
Every business starts as an idea. These ideas come to life with the efforts made by entrepreneurs willing to take risks and grow their ideas into fully-formed business ventures. From startup innovators to salon founders, every person has a unique passion that they merged with the business landscape. While we couldn't talk to every inspiring entrepreneur in the Bis-Man area, we talked to some of the many to hear about their unique journey on the road to success.
Fun Fact!
Silo Salon is North Dakota’s one and only Aveda hair salon!
Did You Know?
AVEDA salons offer highquality, plant-based, hair products that are up to 99% naturally derived.
Hair Stylists & Owners Silo Salon
Silo Salon is a hair salon that provides cosmetology services, including hair cutting and coloring services, to the Bismarck-Mandan community. Having been in operation for the past nine years, Matt and Alexa Frank, Co-Owners of Silo Salon, have embedded themselves deep within the community and made a name for themselves through their perseverance and growth.
What was your journey like for you to get to the position you're at today?
Matt: It was a long journey! I had a wellestablished full-time job as a graphic designer but felt I had the calling to be more involved in our community. My wife and I had just purchased a salon while I was still working full-time. It wasn't soon after that Alexa and I had decided it was the right move for me to attend school and be full-time in our new business adventure. There were many sleepless nights paired with the idea of building a great future for our family by establishing a positive presence in our community.
Alexa: After I graduated from cosmetology school I began working at Fabyoulous Salon & Spa as a stylist. The owner at the time decided she wanted to sell it, so my husband and I purchased it the year we got married. The year after, another salon in town went up for sale so we decided to expand and purchase that. When we became pregnant with our first child, we decided having two locations would be too much so we combined the two into Silo Salon.
Which parts of taking this risk will stick with you forever?
Matt: During the period of switching careers I had to go back to cosmetology school and learn how to cut, color and style hair. I had to lean heavily on my faith to be able to learn a total opposite career change and that our family finances would be stable during this time. Even though it was a scary time, there were many great conversations with peers and other like-minded individuals that will always be in my mind.
Alexa: How supportive my parents were will always stick with me. I can't believe they would let me purchase a business at such a young age and not only that but to help me financially and emotionally with it. I truly could not have done it without them.
What steps were the hardest when taking the leap to start your own business?
Matt: The hardest part was having to see and rely on my wife to provide for our financial stability during the time I was attending cosmetology school. It was also hard to calculate the risk and if we would actually be financially blessed with our business or not. Navigating a business loan was also difficult as not many banks are willing to give a loan to invest in a salon business since it's a service industry.
Alexa: I think just figuring out all of the steps you needed to take with the state to get it all started and also learning how to become a leader.
What was a typical day in your life like when you were beginning Silo Salon?
Matt: There were more difficult days than fun days. Plenty of long hours and many hard mistakes were made during the first few years. It's one thing to go to school for a business degree but it's a different thing to actually own and run a business. It can't be taught and it’s only learned through experience. However, as the years went on and we gained more and more experience, things became easier and more fun!
Alexa: I literally did not stop working when I first started the business. I did pretty much every role at first but now I have been able to step back and focus on the parts of being a business owner that I am actually good at.
With years of experience at Fabyoulous Spa & Salon, Alexa Frank is ready to help with all of your hair needs, just look at this work!
What would you have done differently if you could go back and start again, knowing what you know now?
Matt: I have no regrets and I wouldn't change anything. There are so many paths or options that can be done to start a business. Understanding this, it becomes more of a question of which route to take.
Alexa: I don't think I would change anything because even though we have had many challenges, I believe they helped to get us to the point that we are at now. I've learned so much over the years.
What advice do you have for readers considering taking this leap?
Matt: Try to find mentors and learn from them for the first couple of years. Follow and shadow them. Alexa: You truly need to have a passion for the business you go into. Don't go into it because you think you're going to get rich. You don't ever really get a day off when you are a business owner, so it’s a huge dedication. You have to consider how it will affect your home life because it is hard sometimes to separate work from personal time.
What else would you like to add regarding your personal experience in taking this risk?
Matt: Owning a business definitely changes the dynamics of your family. Setting boundaries with your own business is a must so it doesn't disrupt your own family life and is very hard to juggle. Definitely have mentors and peers that can help you navigate these issues. However, there are a lot of positives such as creative freedom and financial rewards that come with having a hard-working attitude. Alexa: I was very young when I purchased the first salon and had no idea what I was doing. I am so thankful for a supportive family and community who helped me figure it out.
What made you decide that the BisMan area would be a great place to start a business?
Matt: It's a tight-knit community along with all of our family and friends who still live here. Without them, we wouldn't be able to do life!
Alexa: I grew up in the Bismarck area and know that it is a very supportive community that loves small businesses!
What do most people not know about Silo Salon?
Matt: Most people think we are a franchise since we are associated with Aveda, but we are locally owned (by my wife Alexa and I) and we pride ourselves on being a commissioned salon, not a booth rental.
Alexa: We are a commission-based salon (not booth rental) and we have such a tight-knit team. We love being there through our team's ups and downs to help support and encourage them.
What is a day in your life like for you now?
Matt: I started out working 40 hours behind the chair and then another 10-15 hours handling all the behind-the-scenes of a business. Now I'm about 20 hours behind the chair and do 20-25 hours of working on the business.
Alexa: I am still behind the chair most of the time so I work on clients all day and do work on the business in between that. I am also a mom of two toddlers so they keep me quite busy as well.
Are you looking to expand Silo Salon? If so, how?
Matt and Alexa: Yes! At some point, we would love to own our own building and not be renting/leasing.
What is something you wish more people knew about Silo Salon?
Matt: It didn't happen overnight as it takes a lot of time and patience. Having the ability to understand that bumps are going to happen along the way but to be able to learn from them is also necessary.
Alexa: A lot of people think we are owned by corporate Aveda and don't realize that we are a locally owned business.
What’s one thing the local business community could do to help Silo Salon?
Matt: Come and get your hair done by us!
Alexa: Spread the word about the good services you've received from us!
(701) 751-7374
silosalon.com
610 Kirkwood Mall Bismarck, ND 58504
Did You Know?
The name Ope Unlimited stems from the Midwest expression “Ope” so that if Massie ever leaves the Midwest, his company will always have ties to the area.
Fun Fact!
Massie has nearly a decade of experience, as he’s been making skincare products since 2013!
Owner/Creator Ope Unlimited
Ope Unlimited offers a soap and skincare line with a mission. Robert “Bert” Massie set out on a mission to create homemade bath and body products that aim to keep extra chemicals out by using the fewest (and healthiest) ingredients possible. While he may be the creator and owner of Ope Unlimited, he’s also much more than that, as he handles social media, sales, shipping and much more.
What was your journey like for you to get to the position you're at today?
My skincare journey started back in 2013. I traveled for about 10 years with a live entertainment company, touring North and South America. Being in a different city every week with different water sources began to irritate my skin. One week, I purchased some Melt-n-Pour soap, took it back to my hotel with some essential oils and made soap in the microwave. My skin was no longer irritated!
When I got off the road in 2015, I decided to launch my first soap business in Wisconsin. I primarily did farmers’ markets in the summer and a few craft shows throughout the year. When I moved to North Dakota for my job in 2018, I sold almost all my soap-making supplies. I was moving to a new area and working a lot, so I didn’t think I had time to keep that business going as well. I was wrong! Being a small business owner and working a full-time job, there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. But if you are up for a challenge, the journey is worth it. I would say the journey is far from over!
What does Ope Unlimited do differently?
We try to source the best ingredients with the fewest chemicals possible to create a more natural product, while keeping the extra chemicals off our bodies and out of our homes. We specialize in Hot-Process soap, or “the rustic bars” as people say. Other products include water-based facial serums, flaxseed gel, sugar scrubs, coffee-based skin products, shower steamers and bath bombs. However, we’re constantly adding products. Everybody’s skin is different, and not everything works for everyone. My face does not like to absorb oil, and most facial serums are oil-based, so I created my own water-based products.
Which parts of taking this risk will stick with you forever?
Part of the risk is getting yourself out there. I’m a naturally introverted person, so doing in-person sales and online social media was a major hurdle to overcome. Getting out of your comfort zone is so important. Now, I am much more open and extroverted than I was many years ago.
What steps were the hardest when taking the leap to start Ope Unlimited?
I would say putting yourself out there is the hardest step when starting your own business. Researching what you want to make, perfecting your recipes, getting insurance and setting up your business legally are the easy steps. Becoming the face of the products that you’re selling is the hard part. If you aren’t confident in your products, it will show. The other challenge is when you move to a new city, as it is like being in any personal care occupation where you have to start over and rebuild your clientele.
Ope Unlimited was formed in October of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, yet managed to find success within a short period of time!
What was a typical day in your life like when you were beginning Ope Unlimited, compared to today?
My typical day in the life of starting my business is still the same today. I work my full-time job Monday through Friday. I’m the Food Service Director at the State Capitol, creating menus, cooking, catering and more. When I’m finished with work I come home and start on Ope Unlimited tasks, whether it is making soap, serums, social media posts or getting orders together. My days are never boring between my work, business, board meetings and family life.
Saturdays are reserved for BisMarket, which I am Co-President of and run during the summer at Kiwanis Park, so I am there early to help other vendors and keep that sense of community going. On Sundays, I try to relax. What’s a better way to relax than using my own products like the Cup o’ Dirt mask and scrub for some self-care time?
What would you have done differently if you could go back and start again, knowing what you know now?
I wouldn’t have closed my business when I moved to North Dakota, as I missed out on so much fulfillment in doing so. I also would have started my social media presence sooner and would have started booking more shows, as you can’t sell products if you’re not out there putting in the work.
What advice do you have for readers considering taking this leap?
My biggest advice for starting your own business is to keep track of all the money you put into it. Starting a business will take time to be successful and profitable. Once you have yourself paid back, your personal finances should then be kept completely separate from your company. Get separate bank accounts for business and personal.
Do your research! Find what is going to work for you. Not all suppliers of raw materials are the same. Not all business insurance is the same. Do what works best for you and your business, not what someone else is doing.
Shop local, support small businesses and buy from your local companies when you can, as they’re going to be the ones who support you in return.” - Bert Massie
Lastly, probably the biggest advice I have for someone, especially in the skincare business, is to perfect your recipe and write it down! When you make a product and someone doesn’t like it, they will tell everyone. If they like it, they want it the same every time they buy it, and hopefully, tell others how amazing it is.
What made you decide that the BisMan area would be a great place to start a business?
The Bis-Man area has a strong sense of community, supporting others and shopping local. Bismarck may be the Capitol of North Dakota, but it has a very small-town vibe. Between the cute little shops and community events, this was the perfect place to start my business again. From being a Pride of Dakota member, selling at BisMarket and having products on the shelves of the Bis-Man Community Food Co-op, it feels like being a part of a family. The businesses and customers support each other and there really is nothing else you could ask for in a town than support.
What do most people not know about Ope Unlimited?
Ope Unlimited not only makes products for our business, but we do private label products for other businesses around the state. Creating special formulations for other small businesses to help them succeed drives us as much as creating our own products.
Are you looking to expand?
I’d like to see Ope Unlimited have its own storefront one day, where we can showcase other small businesses, help them succeed and be a one-stop shop for a variety of local products.
Who would you credit as some of your biggest business inspirations?
I’d like to add that if it weren’t for Jaz and Ty Gensrich from Handled Healing, I don’t know how much I would have made it on this business venture. Without them, my business may have never started back up again in North Dakota and I’m beyond grateful for them encouraging me to do so!
Currently, you can find Ope Unlimited products online, as well as at The Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Center, The Ukrainian Cultural Institute in Dickinson and The Crafty Ladies Vendor shop.
opeunlimited.com
bert@opeunlimited.com
@opeunlimited
@opeunlimited
