Bis-Man INC! January 2023

KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR

As people form yet another round of New Year's Resolutions, many are reevaluating their goals and plans as they enter 2023. Whether you're a business hopeful that's aiming to launch a new business, or looking for small tips and tricks on how to improve your plan for the coming months, Bis-Man INC! may have some of the answers to your questions. As I enter the new year, I'm looking forward to discovering more noteworthy businesses, shining a spotlight on new entrepreneurs and startups, as well as giving a metaphorical megaphone to the voice of the Bismarck-Mandan business community.

If you, or someone you know in the Bis-Man and surrounding areas, has a business that you believe is worth sharing, please reach out. We're looking forward to releasing 12 full issues this year, aiming to make an impact on the community, spread small business awareness and create positive change locally!

Please reach out to magazine@ spotlightmediafargo.com with any story ideas for 2023.

Bis-Man INC! Editor

MIKE

BRADY

KIM

LEVI

TY GENEVA

GRANT JOSIAH SAM

PAUL DEVAN TORI KACEY

HAILEY

MIRANDA

JESSICA

NICK KELLEN BEN

TOMMY KELLAN JONATHAN JOHN

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SPOTLIGHT MEDIA'S OTHER PUBLICATIONS

At Design & Living Magazine, we love to share all of the fantastic local art, architecture, home decor, interior design and landscaping in the FMWF area with our readers.

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Bison Illustrated is your number one source for all of the behind-the-scenes action inside the North Dakota State University Athletic Department.

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Fargo INC! is our very successful business magazine which covers all things business in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

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Fargo Monthly is an award-winning publication dedicated to highlighting Fargo-Moorhead and what makes it a truly enjoyable place to live.

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Future Farmer is our farming publication which brings great tech-focused content to readers across North Dakota and Minnesota.

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You may already be familiar with our Faces of Bismarck-Mandan publication which we publish once per year in order to highlight the faces behind all of the great businesses in the community.

Amos Kolbo Amos Kolbo Amos Kolbo

By Grant Ayers

Photos Courtesy of Carly Loves Amos Photography

he board shop was always much more than just selling a pair of boots. When someone would tell me, “I need a pair of snowboard boots,” I would always respond by asking where they were going, what they were doing and what kind of terrain they were expecting. I think that education of asking questions put me on a great trajectory in life,” Amos said. “I kept asking questions and wondering what people wanted and needed to continue to make my business better. I'm very much a maximizer and dot connector. I love connecting with people and pulling the right team together to build something awesome. I love investing in the community and seeing people come through the door. I love hearing people's wants and needs and finding ways to help them achieve them.”

Since opening his shop, Kolbo has been riding the entrepreneurial roller coaster. Despite finding success in many corners of the BismarckMandan business landscape, he can’t take all the credit. According to him, the greatest teammate he’s ever had has been his wife, Carly Kolbo.

“She’s an absolute rock star and she's the best counterpart to balance my strengths and weaknesses, and vice versa. It’s been a blessing having her in every aspect of my life,” Amos said.

Amos and Carly teamed up to launch a handful of entrepreneurial ventures in a wide range of industries, including photography, real estate, life consulting and other ventures. I sat down with Amos to discuss his different businesses, his entrepreneurial goals for 2023 and more.

CARLYAMOS

Carly Kolbo’s first venture into photography was when she attended Bismarck State College (BSC). Through the program and her work, Amos became interested in photography and discovered that he had a knack for the profession. The two collaborated to create Carly Loves Amos Photography, a photography business venture that focuses on not only the BismarckMandan area, but has taken them across the globe.

“Carly was really into photography and design and went to school at BSC. They have a really strong design and photography program. A lot of great people have gone through that school and program. Carly started shooting photography and I just love aesthetics. I could tell when a good picture was a good picture, but I wasn't a photographer like Carly. We would go on shoots together and I would help her carry the gear. Eventually, Carly was asked to shoot her first wedding and she asked me to be the second shooter,” Amos said. “She told me that we’d just put it in auto mode, I’d shoot what I can and we’d figure it out. We had such a

blast. It was amazing to be involved in and help orchestrate someone's best day of their life. Since I enjoyed it so much, I went to 'The School of Carly' where she gave me the rundown on apertures, ISO and all that. It just took a little practice and time. After doing weddings together for quite a few years, we decided that we wanted more since we felt like we were plateauing.”

To avoid the plateau, the two hired a branding firm that would help them focus on more destination photography sessions that were both out of the state, as well as out of the country. From there, the two shot in Jamaica, Mexico, Australia and many locations across the United States.

“It helps to hire people who are better than you. You can take the slow route by yourself, which is completely fine. Or, you can grind it out with a good team behind you. We ended up shooting at so many different places out of the country and national parks. We were going to places that were completely bonkers because we followed our passion, loved what we did, cared about our clients and

created an experience for people in photography,” Amos said.

While photography has de-escalated from their primary focus, they’re still more than open to the idea of taking more adventures together for destination weddings. Contact Carly Loves Amos Photography for wedding photography or for one-on-one mentoring sessions to learn more about pursuing your own photography business!

CO-sTUDio CO-sTUDio CO-sTUDio

Located in Downtown Bismarck, CoStudio is an event venue and creative space born from Amos and Carly’s passion for the Bismarck community. The space was originally created with the vision of videographers, photographers and other creatives collaborating with one another.

The space is also available for baby showers, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, intimate weddings and much more. The idea for Co-Studio was first brought forth when the Kolbos were traveling across the country and saw a different way of interaction between creative minds.

“We would travel to Nashville, [TN,] see other photographers and all hang out. Then, we would go to Oceanside, CA to shoot, and we met other photographers who

were all collaborating. We decided to open Co-Studio as a space for Bismarck creatives to collaborate. We wanted a low barrier of entry. We asked ourselves how we could bring creatives together to collaborate, talk with one another and hang out together,” Amos said. “When we opened Co-Studio, we flew in the firm that branded us to put on a branding workshop. We hosted a launch and invited every photographer. The goal of the workshop was [to create] a place without the feeling of competition.”

Now, the space is equipped for a variety of events, celebrations and more. Co-Studio is the perfect space for events that are too large for a host’s house or garage, yet too small to rent out an overwhelmingly large venue.

“We bought tables, chairs, linens and more so that people can have their bridal/baby showers, rehearsal dinners, grad parties, corporate events or intimate weddings in a downtown setting. Co-Studio is a beautiful, historic, blank canvas for people to host parties the way that they want to,” Amos said.

costudiobismarck.com

Back in 2018, Amos noticed that the cleaning industry as a whole was “quite archaic and very slow.” To solve this problem, he, along with two business partners, developed a company known as WeClean Local. The company provides a software that allows cleaning companies to instantly give quotes and let the customer easily book their house cleaning.

“Before WeClean Local, a cleaning company would have to come into someone’s home, give the client a quote and time estimate, then they're going to charge by the hour and the price isn’t fixed, but we don't know how long it's going to take or how much it will cost. We realized that we needed to change the cleaning industry to make it work in our modern world. We wanted people to

be able to get their house cleaned in a much easier way,” Amos said.

“Why can't you just simply go online and select only the areas of your house that you want to be cleaned? After a series of drop-down menus, you get an instant quote. Next just check the availability of your cleaner that best suits your family's needs. All with no contracts, so if you only need a cleaner this one time, great. Or you can book a recurring cleaning for a discounted rate. Our software will be smart enough that it'll be able to analyze and calculate everything. That's what we're in the building stage of for the software right now,” he explained.

WeClean Local may only be in the development phase of the software currently, but this is far from the

Amos’ first experience in the cleaning industry. WeClean started out by building branches of the cleaning company in five different cities in five different states. Learning what the wants and needs are of both the cleaning companies and the customers they serve in order to learn firsthand the ins and outs and to see the industry’s strengths and weaknesses. Now that they have the information and knowledge needed to enhance their software, they can take that information and build something better that will serve the industry as a whole.

“It's also smart enough to analyze when cleaners arrive and leave the client’s space through GPS, so you'll know how long the cleaner was there. Then, the cleaning company using our software will

wecLEAN wecLEAN wecLEAN loCAL loCAL loCAL

know that Person A is taking two times longer than Person B. We're providing the data and information to know the true costs of service and the knowledge to promote internally or where education needs to be implemented to your staff when there are individual needs. We’re creating efficiencies that small businesses can then build off of to create better decisions. Plus it will handle all the billing and accounting for you,” Amos said. “Now, we are strictly softwareoriented to equip people to make their jobs easier. We're in the middle of the development stage, putting all this together to bring cleaning companies to the 21st century while making it very easy, user-friendly and costeffective for cleaning companies

Did You Know?

Amos Kolbo opened his first business when he was only 16 years old!

all around the country. We're pretty proud that we get to build an amazing company here in North Dakota that will reach around the country.

wecleanlocal.com linkedin.com/ company/WeCleanLocal

Did You Know?

One of the Kolbo’s rental properties recently won Best Airbnb in North Dakota as voted by Condé Nast!

KOlbOS’ KOlbOS’ KOlbOS’

Located one block from Co-Studio, Carly and Amos Kolbo offer an Airbnb for those visiting Bismarck. The Kolbo’s have a few real estate properties across the BismarckMandan area, and also one with Carly’s family. Their Airbnb opened roughly a year and a half ago and is yet another example of the high standards and expectations of their business ventures. Their Airbnb recently won Best Airbnb in North Dakota, as voted by Condé Nast.

“We just thought about what people would want, in terms of comfort, location and aesthetics in order to build an experience that would bring people joy and comfort while visiting our great city. To create a place that actually works in that vein and have it succeed has been really awesome. It's been a lot of work, but it’s been fun,” Amos said. “That's kind of our retirement plan being that we're self-employed. We've always thought that real estate is one of the wisest

investments you can make. I asked some of my friends who are experts in the real estate field how they did it and where to begin. That simple phone call gave me the knowledge and confidence to settle my fears and lean into learning something new. We’re loving it.”

Carly and Amos Kolbo may have multiple significant businesses under their umbrella already, but that’s not stopping them from venturing into what really inspires them. The Kolbos are now beginning to venture into life consulting.

“Over the course of my life, I’ve always loved people and really listening to them. I love getting into the nitty-gritty of people's lives. People are fascinating and so unique. I've had my own coaches, consultants and counselor that have helped me so much. So what I want to do for the rest of my life is learn how to love and care for people where they're at, whatever they’re facing, and be a resource to them,” Amos said. “People think they’re messed up and I say, ‘No, you actually make sense and there’s a reason why you are where you are.’ I want to get into the weeds with people to find out how they got where they are and how to break

those barriers, belief systems, pains, shames and more.”

Amos and Carly have been training under emotional health experts for almost three years, taking classes and more to advance their knowledge. Through life consulting, the Kolbos connect their clients to compassion and empowerment.

“Our approach is not behavior modification or a new set of goals. We meet people in their own story and start a journey to thriving. Our goal is to be a resource to people. We’re still doing our other businesses, but we also want to be available for people because people have been there for us,” Amos said.

Amos Kolbo Life Consulting

https://carlykolbo.as.me

Q&A Q&A Q&A

AMOs KOLbo AMOs KOLbo AMOs KOLbo

better everything in my life, whether it be relationships or business ventures.

I've always been such a starter when it comes to business plans and companies. Honestly, my goal for 2023 is to slow down, look at the seeds that I’ve already planted and see how I can take care of the stuff that’s happening in my life currently. I love to build and create, so it’s a much different discipline that I need to get used to.

I think that there's more meat on the bones of each business if I take the time to water the things we’ve already built. It’s time to slow down, be truly present and see how I can

I started the board shop when I was 15 years old by calling a guy who had a board shop in Montana. He essentially gave me the keys to the kingdom. He said, "Oh, I'll help you. Here's how you do this and that.” When I wanted to get better at photography, I just asked Carly. She supported me when I

asked questions and my skills grew because of her help.

Just pick up the phone and take the first step. You don’t actually know what things are limiting you or holding you back. There are so many options and possibilities on the other side of asking. Plus, having people in your corner is more fun and less scary.

Your idea might be amazing, or it might not be a winner, but you won’t know unless you talk to people about it. Have a mentor, and then survey a bunch of people. Getting a new perspective helps you not only invest in yourself, but helps you invest in other people. Be caring,

" " "

compassionate and available to take care of each other. You will grow faster with help and it will be more fun than doing it alone. I’m so thankful for every cup of coffee I've had with someone who was more of an expert than me and helped me build my life. I've also never regretted paying to learn from other people that know more than me in any area. Consultants, coaches and counselors shaved years of trial and error in my life.

on and emphasize your strengths. It’s important to have a community that can all build each other up.

Doing so allowed me to go further by asking for help, rather than trying to do something I’m not as good at as others. Learn how to double down

I think that we're all created so uniquely and so differently, yet we sometimes expect ourselves to be good at or know everything. It's just not possible to be good at everything because you're only one person. Ask or pay for the help you need. You are where you are because of your lack of knowledge or experience. We live in a world where there's so much knowledge and technology at our fingertips. Whether it's personal assistants or software, we have endless resources that are just waiting to be used to make our lives easier.

While the Kolbos have already had extensive, significant experience in the entrepreneurial industry, they’re just getting ready to perfect the business models that are already in their hands. With an impressive entrepreneurial portfolio and a steady direction planned for the coming business year, Amos and Carley Kolbo are heading into the new year with an optimistic outlook on their business ventures.

Your Premier Economic Development Event:

What Can You Expect from Elliot Eisenberg?

“Gain a better understanding of market conditions and what may lay ahead and why. Join the alwaysentertaining Bowtie Economist Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. as he discusses the latest data about the current and expected condition of the economy.

You'll learn the most recent statistics on a multitude of key topics such as: current economic growth prospects, the likelihood, timing and magnitude of any upcoming recession, auto manufacturing activity, inflation, the Fed’s thinking, the path of interest rates, energy prices, the health of labor markets, the impact of the pandemic, the condition of supply-chains, the shape of the yield curve and savings and default rates.

Dr. Eisenberg will then shift his focus and spend time looking at construction activities including home construction and non-residential construction including, but not limited to, retail, lodging, warehouses, office tower activity and nonbuilding construction such as roads, bridges and other public works projects. Be ready to take plenty of notes.”

The event, Focus on Bismarck-Mandan, was launched last year with the purpose to reinvigorate the Bismarck—Mandan business community through a new event. While the annual Economic Outlook Forum found success in the community for years, it was time for a change to spark residents’ interest.

“We noticed that attendance was declining as each year went by, so we had to do something different. So, we came up with Focus on Bismarck-Mandan, which is a combination of other past events in the hopes of getting everyone interested in what’s to come in the economy and business community,” Nelson said. “This is the premier economic development event that we have. While there were many negatives surrounding the pandemic, one shining glimmer of hope that we were able to take away was the ability to step back, think about what we can offer to the community and present it to them.”

Focus on Bismarck-Mandan 2023 will have no shortage of forecasting and other exciting information presented. Taking the stage as the main speaker is Elliot Eisenberg, an internationally-acclaimed economist and public speaker. Eisenberg will be forecasting the 2023 economy as a whole during the keynote presentation,

while other speakers will also be giving insight into the Bis-Man economy.

“I feel like this is a really good event for people who have questions about what's going on with the economy and what's happening around them, both near and far. There are a lot of different topics that Elliot himself is going to dive into and answer,” Byrd said. “He's going to be talking about the current economic growth, the likelihood and timing of a potential recession and a lot more. He's going to go over auto manufacturing inflation, energy prices, the health of labor markets and the impact of the pandemic, so he has a lot that people in both Bismarck and Mandan can get value from.”

The crowd can look forward to Eisenberg’s presentation, as it’s sure to be filled with beneficial information for any business owner, entrepreneur or Bis-Man resident regarding what 2023 holds in the business world. Not only should Eisenberg’s presentation support the event’s success, but it should kickstart the benchmarks and goals for this event’s success for years to come.

“For those that are unaware, this event’s Presenting Sponsor is Starion Bank. They have taken a huge step into it with us, and are really helping us bring this event to life and make it what it is. We always want to see a sold-out event, or face the task of upgrading venues, in the future. Of course, we love to see completely sold-out sponsorships and attendance,” Nelson said. “Focus on Bismarck-Mandan 2023 is going to be really special and totally different. It’s already different in the sense that the event starts in the middle of the afternoon, goes for two hours and then goes right into a social with appetizers and drinks, which is different than any other of our events.”

With Focus on BismarckMandan 2023 shaping up to

be bigger and better than its debut in 2022, it’s evident that the event is going to hold valuable information for business owners and hopefuls alike. For any BisMan community member planning to excel in the business world this coming year, this is a landmark event that you’ll want to look forward to.

“With economic forecasting alone, this event affects everyone. It doesn't just affect small businesses and it doesn't just affect big businesses. This forecasting and ‘having a leg up’ on something like this is crucial for any business owner. Economic development affects everyone and it's not just for one person. If you want to be in the know, I think that this is the perfect event to be part of,” Nelson said.

THE BUSINESS PITCH5CHALLENGE TH ANNUAL MANDAN

Each year, Mandanbased entrepreneurs are offered the opportunity to grow their businesses exponentially through the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge. This year, event leaders are hoping for the event’s best year yet, filled with ideas and potential to expand Mandan’s business landscape. I talked to Ellen Huber, Business Development & Communications Director for the City of Mandan, to discuss the event’s history, past winners, hopes for the event moving forward and more.

When the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge first launched in 2018, many didn’t know what to expect from the new event. Despite venturing into the unknown, City of Mandan leaders quickly found success and the support needed for the event to prosper in coming years. Business leaders receive the chance to boost their company or entrepreneurial dream to the next level through the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge.

“Business owners and entrepreneurs receive some very good publicity from this event. It’s extremely helpful whether it's connecting

them to customers, if they're a B2B business or any other networking connections that come out of the event,” Huber said.

While the team behind the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge always appreciates a high turnout with many hopeful contestants, they’re more focused on the depth and substance behind each submission and business plan.

“Rather than measure success based on the number of applications received, we look at the quality of those business plans. We had 11 applications in 2018. However, year

Photos Courtesy of The City of Mandan

after year, the quality of those applications has still improved more than we expect. We're always impressed by the variety and the different types of business models and concepts that none of us ever would have imagined. It's always intriguing to see what others come up with,” Huber said. “We're just always looking for concepts that will bring value to our community—whether that's filling a missing product line or service category, bringing about innovation through technology and high-quality jobs or filling in a vacant storefront. There are so many ways they can bring value to our communities. We're looking to continue to strengthen the competition and make it meaningful and helpful to those that participate. I think [that’s] one of the factors in continuing to improve Mandan’s overall business environment this year.”

While the event’s organizers are always looking to improve the event, changes and clarifications are always being made as the event grows and expands. For example, one applicant was unsure if they could apply again this year due to their entry the previous year. This year, organizers are emphasizing that the opportunity is for business hopefuls in the area, regardless of if they came short of placing in a prior year’s competition.

“Any applicant, other than prior winners, is allowed to re-enter. Even a prior year's winner could enter with a different business if they were a serial entrepreneur. Applicants can be either home-based or mobile-based anywhere in Mandan or the surrounding 10mile radius outside of Morton County. Every year, we continue to learn and strengthen

some things. When we started this competition in 2018, before the pandemic, the majority of applicants had brick-andmortar businesses,” Huber said. “Since COVID-19, however, we’ve really seen that change. Food trucks are more popular and we’ve seen some new, refreshing business trends emerge. Whether the business sticks around or fades, depending on the concept, these applications have prompted a lot of conversation amongst our growth fund committee members. That board oversees a portion of our 1% local sales tax that's devoted to economic development throughout Mandan. The prize money is a forgivable loan, releasing 20% each year over the course of five years as long as the business is open, operable and Mandanbased.”

The use of a forgivable loan to disperse the prize money over five years to a business with certain qualifications both allows it to prosper for years to come, as well as ensures that funds are directly impacting the Mandan community. The Mandan Business Pitch Challenge has a five-person selection committee, as well as a different five-person panel of live judges.

This makes it unique, as the four finalists selected have the opportunity to take feedback from the selection committee and refine their application and executive summary of their business plan and turn in a new one a week prior to the finals. With a wide variety of judging backgrounds and criteria, comes an equally broad variety of applicants and entries.

JUDGE'S CHECKLIST

The judges score each pitch based on six sections. For each section, a score will be given on a 1-5 scale; 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. The sections that are scored are as follows:

Clear and thorough with supporting information, reasearch and analysis.

Is the idea distinctively creative or different from other products/services on the market OR in the community?

Clearly identifiy who will buy or use the product or service and why. Market is carefully chosen and the company has the ability to reach and retain them.

Adresses a market need or opportunity.

Potential to grow and generate income beyond self-employment and other expansion opportunities.

Expertise to manage the business in it's current state and/or has addressed the need for additional key people and strategies to attract these individuals.

"Having the selection committee and judges come from different backgrounds brings unique and differing perspectives to the table. One business in contention may be small, yet offer a lot of public benefits, while another one may have strong B2B elements,” Huber said. “There are just so many different things to look at…. Nathan [Schneider] and I, as contest organizers, love to see when the applicant has already committed some significant skin in the game themselves and view the prize money as more of the frosting on the cake, rather than the cake itself. I think it helps to have that mix of criteria among applications and at the end of the day, it shakes out pretty well.”

With each applicant as unique as the one before it, each business plan offers both draws and setbacks for earning the top prizes at the event. Having a variety of judges using similar criteria to measure the unique candidates allows for some fairness in measurement and scoring participants.

For those on the fence about submitting their business plan and getting involved in the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge, Huber elaborated on why most entrepreneurs should look into the event and its dual benefits for the applicant, as well as the city of Mandan.

“Go ahead and enter because even if you’re not selected as a finalist, you'll still get some immensely valuable feedback. It’s a great way to get some external perspective surrounding your business or idea. Oftentimes, we’ll look at some of these applications and have to ask ourselves what the value proposition is, what it is that they're selling, how they’ll make money and more,” Huber said. “Sometimes, they just need to re-approach it in a way that simply and succinctly tells whether it's going to be a lender or a potential investment and what is that business model in one or two sentences. This really helps them refine their plans and develop connections with new people that can help them. I like to say ‘Don't let the excellence of today be stopped by the perfection of tomorrow.’”

Endless unique paths can be taken to find success with different obstacles and challenges. While some applicants may want their business plan fleshed out in its entirety, Mandan Business Pitch Challenge organizers don’t expect you to have the answer to every question on the first attempt. Rather, they’re looking for entrepreneurs who have plenty of room for growth and success with their business plans.

“One of the other factors we're looking for is either new business concepts or those that are in the very early stages. They can't be more than two years old, nor have generated more than $250,000 in revenue. You could have entered last year, gained valuable feedback and entered again this year with a stronger application,” Huber said. “Furthermore, it’s important to remember that you don't have to win this to be connected to other types of assistance programs for the Mandan business community. We're able to help connect people to the resources that they need. Learning how to succeed in the world of business just takes time and patience to nurture and see those fruitful results.”

While the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge has an array of benchmarks and criteria to measure the success of many different businesses,

immediate success in the business world isn’t as likely as most entrepreneurs would hope. While a strong business plan requires significant work put into this challenge, Huber emphasizes the importance of attending no matter the progress made on your dream business.

“I would encourage people to attend the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge whether they're thinking of starting a business yourself or just like to support people who are. It’s one of the most inspirational things I have a chance to attend and be associated with every year. Everyone should enjoy attending it since they’re supporting these entrepreneurs and having a chance to vote for the People's Choice award. Anyone interested in Mandan and rising businesses should feel free to come out and watch, listen, learn and support these people,” Huber said.

Entries are open now for Mandan’s fifth Business Pitch Challenge through January 26, while the event is scheduled for March 23, 2023. The competition overview, prize list and application are posted at cityofmandan.com/businesspitch

Nonprofit of the Month: Theo Art School

By Grant Ayers Photos by Josiah Kopp

Founded in 1992 by three local Bismarck art teachers, Theo Art School is a non-profit art school offering educational enrichment to the youth and the adult population in our community through a strong fine arts program. Theo Art School offers year-round programming and brings art programs across the state of North Dakota.

I had the opportunity to discuss the nonprofit’s origins with Executive Director Liliana Norby. She delved into the meaning behind Theo’s origins, and what separates it from other art programs and nonprofit organizations.

This year marks Theo Art School's 30th anniversary of being involved in the Bismarck-Mandan community. While the past three years have upended the lives of many, the “little art school that could,” as Norby put it, didn’t give up and found success in the long run. While they were unable to remain open during the worst parts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Theo Art School did transition to a virtual setting, adapting as the obstacles came their way.

Now back in person, entering its 30th year, Theo Art School continues to provide art education for all ages and skill levels in the Bis-Man area, as well as a large portion of the state of North Dakota. Looking ahead, Theo aims to provide a welcoming environment and well-rounded art experience through its art programs available to the public.

“We’re going to continue creating constructive relationships within our community. Not only with families and friends, but

also with local businesses, schools and other local nonprofit organizations by promoting our mission with low-cost tuition, free full scholarships and all art supplies included. Theo Art School is committed to making a positive impact and to continue providing art to generations to come,” Norby said.

What is Theo Art School’s goal?

Theo Art School strives to encourage students to pursue their dreams of creating art by keeping our classes low in cost and providing scholarships to those who would otherwise be financially unable to participate in our programs. Our studios are a great place for everyone to further their artistic abilities, create, learn and discover. Whether you're interested in art classes for kids and adults, summer art camps, workshops or just looking for a new hobby, Theo has it all. In Theo Art School’s “Art for All-Share the Love of Art” program, students of all ages, as well as cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds, develop artistic imagination,

self-expression and understanding of differences and similarities among cultures.

Theo Art School provides art education for all ages and skill levels in the Bis-Man area and surrounding communities. No other fine arts organization offers free classes and full scholarships. Theo Art School is committed to making a positive impact and providing art for generations to come. We also strive to ensure access to the arts for all ages, encourage the community to be creative, as well as support, partner and collaborate with other committed art organizations.

Did You Know?

Theo Art School is the ONLY nonprofit art school in North Dakota!

Did You Know?

The school is named after Theo Van Gogh, the brother of Vincent Van Gogh, who encouraged Vincent to pursue his dream of art and supported him financially to make it possible.

Liliana Norby, Executive Director of Theo Art School

How can people donate to Theo Art School?

When supporting Theo Art School financially, donations will be placed towards both scholarships and art supplies for those in need. For those that want to donate in other ways than financially, Theo Art School gratefully accepts art supplies of any kind that they can use.

Additionally, donating your time to the organization through volunteering or registering for a class allows anyone in the community to support Theo Art School including through family events and coming to classes. Furthermore, leaving positive reviews and spreading word of mouth can greatly help our organization!

What’s next for Theo Art School?

We aim to continue offering art at little to no cost to the artist. We are working toward the future of Theo and another 30 years of sharing the love of art by bringing in new ideas, art opportunities and funding. Art opportunities include adding more guest artists, art mediums and more to our event calendar. Our role in our community continues to be more important than ever before because of the shifting of the arts in the public schools, demographics and economic growth in our state.

Theo Art School offers a spacious workspace for creative minds to be fully engaged in their work.

A small display of some of Theo Art School’s works!

Some of Theo Art School’s Many 2022-2023 Programs

After School Art Club: The Art Club has provided a creative outlet for school-age students at our studios for the last eight years. Members meet every Monday and one Saturday a month. Their curriculum includes participating in different art projects in our community and submitting their artworks to local art exhibits and art contests.

Homeschool Art Hour: A unique art program designed to incorporate art as part of any homeschool curriculum. The affordable fee per student and the flexibility of our studios allow them to work around their other activities.

Mommy and Me Art Hour: Our tiniest artists and moms explore a variety of art materials, experience new textures, improve fine motor skills, and enjoy being creative in a group setting. We do get messy, but we give toddlers plenty of room to work and grow!

Preschool Art Hour: Our budding young artists three to five years old get to explore art and express themselves through art without worrying about getting messy. This is a wonderful introduction to a more structured setting, where social skills through art become part of the learning process.

Weekly Youth/Adult Private Art Classes: Not sure of your artistic talent? New to art? No problem. Our art classes are for individuals of all ages. The classes are designed to fit the needs of each student and include both foundational courses and more advanced subjects. Students of all ages and skill levels are welcome.

Theo Art School Field Trips: We host field trips for groups of all ages that are designed with art in mind. All art supplies are included

and the cost per student is very affordable. With ample room at the studios, large groups can include everyone in their field trip. Schools come from as far away as Dickinson before the end of the school year! Furthermore, The Buggy Art Cart travels offsite to rural communities that are not able to drive to Bismarck.

Art Camps: Our art camps were developed to offer parents and children a refreshing, inexpensive alternative by creating days filled with engaging and enriching sessions in the arts. When school is out, Theo is in!

13th

Annual Art Attack Summer Camp

2023: With modified attendance guidelines due to COVID-19, we’re able to offer fourteen weeks of art, field trips, guest speakers and much more! In the company of 25 campers per week, get ready for another rewarding summer of art! Theo Art School is still unable to meet all financial obligations, due to the lack of incoming funds to support the program 100%.

Family Events: Families are very important at Theo Art School. We host family events for all ages, both at our studios and offsite. From family nights at public schools to events hosted by community organizations, we enjoy being part of the community. Our events are free or at a very low cost.

In recent years, we’ve kept the tradition of Family Art Night at Public Schools, just virtually! While a little different, it was the same fun and creativity in place. Supplies were prepared and delivered or picked up. Families gathered at home at the scheduled time to "zoom into art." Over 4,000 art kits were created all in our studios! Even if we were connected virtually, the enthusiasm and seeing familiar faces were priceless. Theo is going back to in-person Family Art Nights at public schools during the spring and fall semesters.

Support! Theo Art School

Art for Seniors: We offer art classes to assisted living facilities, senior centers and nursing homes in the Bis-Man area, as well as out-of-town locations, such as Wishek, ND. Art for seniors has become a very important part of our vision statement. We offer programs such as ‘Intergenerational Art’ and ‘Art Night for Active Seniors.’

Classes for Special Groups: Our partnership with Social Services Agencies provides art opportunities for disadvantaged and young adults with disabilities. Theo Art School goes off-site or the classes take place at studios.

Out in the Community: From free art sessions to face painting and fundraisers, we’ve had the opportunity to bring art through events hosted by foundations, private groups and other nonprofit organizations. This “little art school that could” has been busy with our community partnerships, happy to be back at in-person events.

Theo Art School believes that art is for all regardless of age, disability or financial status. They integrate art into all diverse groups and provide free opportunities to organizations that offer services to disadvantaged and at-risk individuals. Furthermore, they help students foster social responsibility and other skills through art. With more than 95,000 registrations in its 29-year history, Theo Art School maintains an active programming schedule throughout the year. Bound for success in the coming years, the school is proof that a community can bond through art, no matter their age or skill level.

Phone: (701) 222-6452 Web: theoartschool.org Email: theo_art_school@hotmail.com Facebook: @TheoArtSchool Hours: Monday - Friday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Address: 1810 Schafer St Bismarck, ND 58501

EmPowered kids Pediatric Therapy

Courtney Neff and Hannah Zimmerman, co-owners of EmPowered Kids Pediatric Therapy, recently launched the business on August 1, 2022. Their team specializes in evaluating and treating children ages birth to 21 years old through a wide range of occupational, physical and speech-language therapy services. They discussed their goals for the newly debuted business, what their journey has been like being business owners and more with us!

By Grant Ayers

What does EmPowered Kids do for the Bis-Man community?

At EmPowered Kids Pediatric Therapy, we support and empower children and families on life’s journey! We focus on a team approach working alongside families to ensure the best results are achieved! We strive to provide collaborative and innovative outpatient occupational, physical and speech-language therapy services.

We work to create a treatment plan unique to each child to best meet their needs. We welcome collaboration with other

Did You Know?

Between employees, EmPowered Kids Pediatric Therapy has almost 20 years worth of experience in the therapy world!

professionals and we pride ourselves on making long-lasting relationships with those around us! At EmPowered Kids, we are committed to making a difference by empowering lives through passion, purpose and play!

What made you decide to start EmPowered Kids in the Bis-Man area?

Over the years, we’ve built relationships in the Bismarck-Mandan Community and we wanted to foster those relationships as we began this journey. We want to continue to create new connections and find new

The team at EmPowered Kids Pediatric Therapy! Photo Courtesy of Shawna Wing Photography

and innovative ways to support the children and families in the community. We are proud to be a part of the Bismarck-Mandan community and enjoy raising our families here.

passionate about supporting children and families, and they share our same vision of wanting to empower others. The positive relationships that we have built and the work, determination and heart that we have put into providing great care has gotten us to where we are today.

Their Work Includes Their team of Occupational Therapists works with children to improve overall functional skills to empower independence in all areas of sensory processing, self-regulation, fine/visual motor coordination, self-care skills, feeding, lactation, plagiocephaly/torticollis and infant development.

EmPowered Kids started off as a vision to empower people. We wanted to empower families, children, providers and other community members to be the best versions of themselves and to make a difference in the lives of many. Fortunately, we have almost 20 years of combined experience in the therapy world, so with a lot of thought, research and planning, we felt confident that if we had the right people by our side we could build a successful business.

We can't give enough credit to the amazing team we have at EmPowered Kids. They are

We know there are a lot of different ways for us to share our knowledge and passion with the community, and we are excited to explore new opportunities that will continue to allow us to support children and families. We have plans to add other passionate team members to our EmPowered Kids family. Together as a team, we have so much experience and creativity so the sky is the limit on what we plan to achieve!

Their team of Speech-Language Pathologists works with children to provide needed support for successful communication. Their team supports children in the areas of articulation and speech sound disorders, tongue thrust/lisp, oral motor/swallowing dysfunction, feeding, reading support, social skills and stuttering.

Their team of Physical Therapists assist children in reaching functional independence in all environments to help them live a healthy, active lifestyle. Their physical therapy team supports children in the areas of gait abnormalities, balance and coordination, strength and endurance, motor planning, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal impairments and developmental delays.

What was your journey like for you to get EmPowered Kids off the ground?

How do you see EmPowered Kids growing over the years?

Photo Courtesy of Shawna Wing Photography

Left: Hannah Zimmerman, Owner and Occupational Therapist

Right: Courtney Neff, Owner and Head of Business Operations

Photo Courtesy of EmPowered Kids Pediatric Therapy

While EmPowered Kids has a specific audience, their mission and impact on the community stretches far and wide. As a new business, they can always benefit from word of mouth and support from the Bis-Man community to find success for years to come in the area.

“We want to keep sharing our mission with Bismarck-Mandan and the surrounding areas, so we can continue to gain the trust of people that would benefit from our services,” Neff and Zimmerman said.

“When we welcome new families to our clinic, they are surprised by the fact that we have only been open since August 1, 2022. The successful foundation that we have built in such a short time allows us to have the means to provide a welcoming and functional space, and a team that supports each other to provide collaborative care to treat the whole child.”

Support EmPowered Kids

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!

VETERAN OWNED

Jayar Kindsvogel Owner

GROWING A BUSINESS WITH

Center Machine Inc

By Grant Ayers

CENTER MACHINE INC

GARY USSERY

Center Machine Inc is a machine repair company specializing in welding and industrial equipment repair. While Center Machine Inc has grown into a successful company over the last three decades, a recent change within the company places a new leader at the forefront.

Jayar Kindsvogel worked for Center Machine Inc for seven years before he decided that it was time to take the next step in the world of business by becoming the owner. Jayar shared with us his time in service for the country, his new world of business ownership and more in this Veteran-owned business feature.

What branch did you serve in?

I was a Crew Chief on the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor. I’ve completed inspections, maintenance, launch and recovery and was a Quality Maintenance Inspector on the aircraft for 15 years.

Tell me a bit about Center Machine Inc.

The business was first started by Rick Henke and Todd Bornemann in 1984. Over the years, Center Machine Inc has expanded and travels to Minot, Williston, Wilton, Hazen, Washburn, Beulah, Bismarck, Mandan, New Salem and numerous other places throughout ND to repair agriculture, power plant and mining equipment. I recently bought Center Machine Inc on October 25, 2022.

What does a normal day on the job look like for you?

In my new position as owner, my average day consists of a lot of phone calls, helping

customers and getting the employees on the right jobs and tasks. I also order parts and give guidance on the repairs that come into our shop.

For the service aspect, they were excited and very supportive. When I told them about the business they were all excited to see what will come with the plans I have to better and possibly expand the company.

What do you remember about your first days in service?

I didn't know exactly what to think when enlisting in service. When I left for service, it was my first time away from home in North Dakota. However, I remembered that I had a job to do and I did it. I sure loved working on the F-15 Strike Eagle, the greatest Fighter Jet in the Air Force.

What do you remember about your first days when taking over Center Machine Inc?

Since Center Machine Inc has been around for almost four full decades, I was only nervous because I have to pay the bills now!

What were your friend's and family's reactions when you told them you were pursuing service, and what was their reaction when you told them about Center Machine Inc?

My time in service taught me proper motivation and benchmark standards. We want to get a job done as fast as possible, but we’re also focused on getting it done to our liking and high standards.

The business’ location is great, as people in the area have service needs that we’ve been able to help with. The location is also great with the coal mines, power plants and agriculture around the area.

Being a Veteran, to me, symbolizes honor, integrity and quality in all aspects of life.

the factory-size pin and bushings. This can save a customer thousands of dollars by not having to buy a whole new loader or other pieces of equipment.

Encouragement motivates me to do the best that I possibly can, both in and out of the business. Furthermore, my grandfather, Ernest Seeman, has always shown me that hard work pays off.

Lastly, my uncle, Jeff Muth, showed me a “never quit” work ethic that always inspired me. He also got me into the trades by letting me work on his race car. Those three people have some of the hardest work ethics out of anyone I know. They showed me that if you want something, you have to go after it and not stop until you achieve your goal.

With Center Machine Inc under new ownership from Kindsvogel, the business is bound to grow and excel under the benchmarks and standards of Kindsvogel’s Veterangrown work ethic and ownership for even more successful years to come ahead.

One of the biggest pieces of advice that I’ve learned is that it’s important to get your business name out there through your quality of work. I have found that this is one of the best ways to advertise your business and the work that you offer to the community.

One of the interesting things that we do is called “Line Boring.” Line boring is where we take worn-out pin holes on equipment, weld them up and bore them to factory size with our machine so that the customer can install

How has your service experience changed your business mindset?

What makes the Bismarck-Mandan area so desirable for a business like yours?

What does being a veteran symbolize to you?

Who are your biggest mentors to whom you can attribute some of your successes?

What advice do you have for business owners who are just beginning their endeavors?

What is something that you wish more people knew about Center Machine Inc?

I’m

Kayla Schmidt Women You Should Know:

by Ladyboss Lifestyle

submitted by Kayla Schmidt

Q. Tell me a little about yourself.

A. I was raised in Minot. My mom grew up on a farm in Wilton and my dad is from Minot. We grew up in the house that his parents built, so we are very North Dakotan. I went to Minot State (go Beavers!) because I always liked to write and figured what to do with that would come to me while I studied, but I’m still working on that. While I was there studying English, I happened to walk past the study abroad office and decided to try that. I had a great time but came back to North Dakota to finish my undergrad. I’ve had every job under the sun from video store clerk to working at a balloon store and working at a bank.

Eventually, I decided to go back to school and went to grad school in England, once again, and got my master’s in creative nonfiction and biography writing. That really helped me hone my skills in telling stories and portraying real life in a way that’s interesting. I discovered a lot of people haven’t really heard of that Midwestern experience. It gave me the inspiration to come back to North Dakota and tell those stories. Now I’m really involved in social justice movements; I started the freelance thing and help nonprofits do their social media and newsletters. Last month, the North Dakota Women’s Network needed an interim executive director, so I’ve been doing that along with my own creative stuff.

Empowered

Photo

Women You Should Know:

Advocates for Women, By Women

Photo Courtesy of Ashton Hauff

Q. That’s quite the path. Your days must be really interesting.

A. When I turned 30, I discovered that I have ADHD. Throughout my whole life, I’ve realized that I get really passionate about something and then just roll on to the next thing. I realized it’s because my brain really craves novelty. I’ve been trying to do that for myself and encourage other people to follow what their brain wants. When I was doing those bank jobs, I was like climbing the walls, I felt so bored. So now, day-to-day, I keep it varied. Right now, I’m doing the executive director thing. With the legislative session coming up, the North Dakota Women’s Network is really encouraging women to get involved civically, run for office and get to know their representatives. We’re doing workshops and then I’m working on my personal projects. I’m writing a memoir about teeth and I have clients who need newsletters or other things written. It works for me now that I understand my neurodivergent pathways.

Q. You mentioned you found out later in life you have ADHD. It seems like a lot of women are getting these diagnoses later in life because it’s something we don’t look for in women. Can you talk to me a bit about your experience getting the diagnosis and how it’s affected your professional life?

A. I went to grade school in the ‘90s, and ADHD was just a thing for hyperactive boys, whereas I was the opposite. I was very internal and quiet. Now I know that’s because I had so many thoughts going on. I had no idea I had it. I figured it was just anxiety. I was diagnosed with anxiety and seasonal depression, being in North Dakota. Once I had enough contracts going and could afford to take care of my mental health, which is one of the tough things about freelancing— some of those important things fall by the wayside until you can take care of them—but I was discussing how I felt like so many things had passed me by.

I felt like I was a meteor of potential but was never able to make any impact. My therapist asked if I’d looked into ADHD and I burst into tears. We just weren’t looking for the symptoms in women. Women are better at fitting the societal mold, being polite and quiet. I was getting A’s even though it took me so long to get my homework done or to do standardized tests. My mom was a teacher and it never even occurred to her because no one was talking about girls and women having ADHD.

Professionally, it’s hard. I tried to fit into that box of what I thought I should be professionally for almost three decades and it just doesn’t work for me. I think during the pandemic, once schedules and such were lost, a lot of women started to realize those structures had been keeping them from diagnoses. Having those answers, I don’t think, makes it easier, but it does allow me to find my community.

Q. Has getting a diagnosis helped you understand how to be more productive in your own way rather than trying to conform to this type of workday that just doesn’t work for you?

A. I used to be so hard on myself. Like, I’ll leave the dishes for a while and now I know that dirty dishes don’t have any effect on the value of me as a person. I worked at this office for a while where they were wonderfully creative people but very minimalist and I needed everything scattered on my desk. It looks disorganized, but it’s how I function. In the Midwest, being open about your mental diagnosis can be taboo, but I’m open about it so I can communicate how I work best.

Q. You’re the executive director of the North Dakota Women’s Network. Tell me more about how you got involved in that kind of work.

A. When I was an undergrad, I had an internship with Planned Parenthood, and they were partnering with the North Dakota Women’s Network to put together these casual conversations called Feminist First Friday. We’d meet at a restaurant and discuss the topics of the day, like fundraising for menstrual products or talking about legislative measures. I was pretty shy, but it was something I felt strongly about. I grew up in a really matriarchal environment. What we were going through wasn’t what our grandmothers went through, but I saw there were still so many injustices.

When I came back from grad school, I started working in Bismarck and started going to Feminist Fridays there. They provide a class called We Rise, which is a training and a day at the capitol. I was getting interested and involved in politics and at We Rise, they do “legislation 101.” As reproductive health has gotten bigger, I started going to a lot of rallies, which sometimes in North Dakota can be like 12 people, but they’re the most passionate and brave 12 people you’ve ever met. The Women’s Network will testify on all kinds of different bills, and we are giving a voice to those in our community who typically don’t have one.

ne of my greatest envies in life is when people say they were born and raised in North Dakota. I was born next door in Minnesota and spent the first two years of life in Florida but, I have called North Dakota home for the past 28 years. I was raised in North Dakota and that alone has shaped my life dramatically, even if I don’t get to claim the born portion of that equation.

I have a deep sense of pride for my state, but it wasn’t until recently I learned that feeling isn’t shared by everyone across the U.S. Sure, there are other states where you see this as commonplace. People from Texas wear their state pride on their sleeve and won’t get through the first sentence of introducing themselves without letting you know that they are from Texas and how great it is there. North Dakotans have a similar pride for where we call home, but instead of wearing it on our sleeves, we bottle it up and keep it to ourselves like it would be too flamboyantly arrogant to say something good about our great state.

By Josh Teigen

Instead, we say, “yep, it gets pretty cold here.” Is that really the best we can do? We all need to do much better when giving North Dakota the recognition it deserves. North Dakota is the greatest place in the world to live, work, start a business and raise a family. I truly believe that, and I’m guessing most of you reading agree or you wouldn’t be here. So why are we so apprehensive to tell people why we love it here?

North Dakota has so much more to offer than the default response of being cold for a few months out of the year. Why are we so reluctant to say something positive? We have an ever-booming economy that has us positioned to have the highest GDP per capita in the nation in just a few short years. We have 30 times more job openings than we have people on unemployment, one of the highest standards of living in the entire world, great education, beautiful scenery, a resilient housing market that 2008 could barely cool and, most importantly, some of the best people this world has to offer.

The talent of our entrepreneurs in the state is well documented, and for good reason. Household names like Doug Burgum, Michael Chambers, Barry Batchelor and Howard Dahl are well known for how they

have helped mold North Dakota’s economy into what it is today. However, there is another set of incredible people that may not be household names to most, but they should be. These are our elected officials, state employees, our legislators, our county and city commission leaders, mayors and local leaders and many more who operate in the background to make North Dakota the best place on the planet.

Up until three years ago, I was a hardcharging private sector entrepreneur and investor who believed that the only people who worked in state government were those who couldn’t make it in the private sector. That was a belief I am now incredibly ashamed of ever possessing.

I was ecstatic when Doug Burgum decided to run for Governor. One of the hardest working, most intelligent and innovative thinkers I have ever met in my life decided that he was going to apply his gifts not for personal wealth, but to make the state he loves the best it could be. This was something that I had admired from a distance, but it never crossed my mind that it could be a path that I one day would take as well.

Fast forward to 2019 and the Commerce Commissioner at the time, Michelle Kommer, asked if I would be interested in a new position leading how Commerce approached investing capital for economic benefit in the state. My first reaction was that there was no chance I would be interested in being in state government, that would be admitting defeat that I couldn’t cut it in the private sector and had to resort to state government as a backup. Thankfully, as time went on and I thought more about the work and the scale and impact that it could have for the state I love, I decided to take Michelle up on her offer.

What transpired over the next three years was unlike anything I could have predicted. Instead of finding a bunch of people who were only there because they couldn’t make

it in the private sector, I found a group of amazing individuals with incredible talents that showed up everyday not for recognition or wealth, but because they also love the state of North Dakota, and their efforts went to make it a better place. Not just state employees, but legislators, community leaders, elected officials and even volunteer board members. There was an entire world behind the scenes working tirelessly each day, making hard decisions to improve the lives of everyone who get to call North Dakota home.

Instead of wearing their Texas pride on their cowboy hat each day, North Dakotans show up for their state behind the scenes and humbly work to support their fellow neighbors. This work largely goes unnoticed, but it is what has brought us here to present day, which is perhaps the brightest future the state has ever faced.

North Dakota is steadily on track to continue being a solid model of resiliency as the global economy turns towards what could be a winter tragically marked in history as one where people in developed nations may not be able to heat their homes, people in underdeveloped nations could starve and the global economy could be crippled by rising inflation, economic uncertainty and Putin’s quest to expand his empire at the expense of humanity’s betterment.

Faced with such a somber outlook as the leaves turn and we head into a realm of uncertainty, people in North Dakota should wake up each day with immense gratitude that our state insulates us from the global tribulations that others face. We have ample and diverse energy sources and crops, rainy day funds stockpiled with small fortunes that even some countries would envy, a state-owned bank and mill and even a sovereign wealth fund that is nearing $10 billion of assets under management. There is no better place in the world to be right now than North Dakota. Sure, our winters may be cold, but our state protects us from economic winters that other parts

of the country and world will face. I’ll take that trade off any day. Not only do we take care of our people, but we also help feed and fuel the world. North Dakota is part of the solution to solve the global challenges for food and energy security that we face globally. We are perfectly positioned to step up and play at the global stage to change the world for the better. The people who show up to work every day here take that up on their shoulders with pride and advance the mission.

"We should all wear on our sleeves that humble little North Dakota is where the world is going to look to when the most challenging tribulations emerge. We step up and solve the hardest problems when no one else can or don’t have the courage to try. We need to be proud of that."

As citizens of the greatest place on earth, we should feel immense gratitude for what we have, and for all the future holds for our state and its people. As the next Commerce Commissioner, it is a tremendous honor to play a role in crafting the future of our state alongside the Governor, and everyone else who contributes to making our state, country, and world a better place. I look forward to sharing stories with you about why we should be grateful and proud to claim North Dakota as home. It is with gratitude that I get to show up to work everyday and help continue the legacy of those who went before me to further cement our state’s place in history as the greatest place on earth to live.

Photo provided by the North Dakota Department of Commerce

Did you Know?

Since launching, Jones Physical Therapy has grown into three locations with nine therapists.

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.

Did You Know?

“Our second daughter thought her name was ‘Maysa Rae Jones PT’ until she was four years old. It makes me giggle as it shows just how much your family is involved in your business when you build it from nothing.” - Liz Jones

Photo Courtesy of Rachael Neva

PT Jones Physical Therapy

Liz Jones opened her private physical therapy practice, Jones Physical Therapy, in 2007. There, she and her team provide a plethora of specialized care in women’s and men’s health, including pelvic pain issues, back pain, post-surgical care and much more. She discussed the challenges that she’s experienced along her journey, a day in the life of Jones Physical Therapy today and more with us.

What was your journey like for you to get to the position you're in today?

It hasn’t been at all what I would expect! I started with a vision of what the clinic would look like and it continues to evolve and grow into what it is today. It started with the encouragement of my husband, Josiah, who has a very entrepreneurial mind. There have been unexpected bumps along the way that we learned from and, hopefully, we are wiser for it!

Which parts of taking this risk will stick with you forever?

I think in general, just how hard it was will stick. And yet, that is what taught me the

most valuable lessons. Those hard times made me step back, reevaluate, anchor myself more deeply and learn to be more intentional. Simply looking back now at all that we went through, the good, the hard and how we have grown, continues to amaze me.

What steps were the hardest when taking the leap to start Jones Physical Therapy?

Not knowing what I didn't know was one of the hardest steps. Many of the issues I thought would be difficult weren’t at all. It was all of the aspects I didn't even realize existed that would seem to knock me off the tracks at times. Insurance and billing in the medical world is a beast… that was definitely one of the hardest things to wrap my head around.

What was a typical day in your life like when you were beginning Jones Physical Therapy?

In the beginning, I wore all of the hats. It was a mix of seeing patients, marketing, documentation, maintaining relationships with referral sources and accounting. I would often see five to six patients and spend many early morning and evening hours working on all the other aspects.

What would you have done differently if you could go back and start again, knowing what you know now?

I would have delegated more often earlier. I would have hired out my billing and we would have had my husband come on full-time to the office much earlier! I am grateful that I learned how to wear all of the hats since it’s good to know your business from the ground up. Since my husband has been on-site full-time, the whole clinic runs more smoothly for everyone. If I could change anything, it would be having him here earlier.

What advice do you have for readers considering taking this leap?

Find a mentor in your profession. Talk to someone who has done what you would like to do and learn from their experience and wisdom.

What else would you like to add regarding your personal experience in taking this risk?

I often say it’s like preseason training for a sport. It was hard and you are grateful you made it through stronger, but you would rather not do it again! I feel as if I have grown a lot personally. I have been blessed to have a husband who is a brilliant business mind and together we have been able to build a team of therapists that I am beyond grateful for.

It was hard and there were times when I was exhausted and wondered if it was worth it. But I’ve realized when it’s something that you deeply believe that you are supposed to be doing, including helping others and providing a nurturing work environment for your team, it is definitely worth it.

What made you decide that this area would be a great place to start Jones Physical Therapy?

My husband and I are both from North Dakota. Bismarck-Mandan is a beautiful area, and I am not too far away from my home farm. When we started Jones Physical Therapy, there were not many private practices in the area and no one was offering significant pelvic health services, so it just seemed to fit.

I often wish I had a way to express how our whole team genuinely cares for the whole body. We understand the intricate connections of the body from neuro, physical, stress/hormonal and emotional and that we are made of multiple systems all working together. Our therapists have all worked hard to continue to grow and learn as therapists and, therefore, we as a clinic provide care for such a broad spectrum of issues.

What is something you wish more people knew about your business venture?

“We treat the whole body. We address the intricate connections of the body with complex issues, this is what so many patients note is ‘different’ than any other care they have received. We treat a very broad spectrum of issues from incontinence and pain with intimacy, to neck and back pain and post-surgical issues.”

-Liz Jones

What is a day in your life like for you now?

As the business has grown over the years, so has our own family. Joe and I have 5 kids from the ages of 8 months to 13 years old. A typical day is getting our family off for the day, seeing six to seven patients, getting notes done and then back to being a wife and mom. I have been able to let go of having to wear all of the hats at the office.

While I can step into them if needed, we have good people in place helping everything flow. I still have to handle a lot of administrative work, but I am able to focus more on patient care than I did during some of our painful growth stages.

What’s one thing the local business community could do to help you?

I think we should all continue to support each other by being of service to our community and truly being a part of Bismarck-Mandan’s community.

On a more serious note, I honestly hear "I wish I would have known about your clinic sooner" or "I have never received care like this from a physical therapist" or the most recent "My time with your therapists here has been life-changing. What you are doing here is truly revolutionary" on a weekly basis. It always brings a wave of gratitude that we are truly serving our community and helping others on their journey.

Are you looking to expand?

Yes, we are actually looking to hire another pelvic health therapist as this is an area of high demand. We have seven therapists that treat in this area of expertise but are in need of another. Beyond that, we will see where the road takes us.