Josiah Kopp Arielle Windham (Ladyboss Lifestyle) Bryce & Brittany Wuori (Pavewise) Doug Sanzone (VBOC of The Dakotas)
Nick Schommer
Paul Hoefer
Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Sam Winter Sam@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Al Anderson
Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Tori Helland
Tori@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Dave McSparron
Dave@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Austin Cuka
AustinCuka@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Jenny Johnson
Jessica Mullen
John Stuber
Editor's Note:
EMPOWERING NORTH DAKOTA
appy July, readers! This month, I'm thrilled to showcase an inspiring program that's uplifting not only Bismarck-Mandan but the larger North Dakota as a whole. The Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program in North Dakota is a refreshing initiative that is reshaping the small business landscape across our state.
In our cover story, dive into the discussions I had with the Program Director of Goldman Sachs' 10,000KSB ND Karmen Sorenson about the program's foundation and its impact. Additionally, we'll share firsthand accounts from various small business owners who participated in the first round of the 10KSB program. Their stories reveal unexpected benefits and key takeaways from the program, displaying how it has not just supported but also surprised our local small business owners.
Additionally, learn about the personal journey of Greg Molinaro and the path that led him to develop Center Counseling, and hear insights from Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz and Doug Sanzone of the VBOC of The Dakotas. And, as always, don’t miss out on this month’s "Women You Should Know" feature, which continues to spotlight influential female leaders who are making significant contributions to our community.
Let’s remember the power of community and collaboration in driving growth and innovation—here’s to a month filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities, reminding us why Bismarck-Mandan is not just a place to do business, but a community to grow with.
As we soak up the summer sun and enjoy the great weather, it's the perfect time to relax and make memories with friends and family. But let's not forget to stay sharp in our businesses. Keeping your eye on the prize now will set us up for success throughout the year. Here's to balancing work and play this season and making the most of every sunny day!
Sincerely,
Bis-Man INC! Editor
HOW CYBERCRIMINALS USE AI TO POWER THEIR ATTACKS
By NorthStar Technology Group
anaging a business on your own is full of challenges. The day-today grind can be difficult enough on its own, but now you also need to consider cyber threats to your organization. There is cause for alarm as hackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to launch sophisticated cyberattacks to steal your data and disrupt business operations.
The good news is there are steps you can take to protect your business. This article will explain how AI is being used in cybercrime and what you can do to safeguard your business.
HOW HACKERS USE AI
Here are some of the ways cybercriminals are exploiting AI:
DEEPFAKES
Hackers use AI to create highly realistic fake videos or audio recordings to impersonate someone you know, like your boss or a trusted friend. These deepfakes can be used to trick you into sending money or sharing sensitive information.
HOW TO SPOT IT: Closely look for details like unnatural facial movements or sloppy voice synchronization.
AI-POWERED PASSWORD CRACKING
With the help of AI, cybercriminals can effortlessly crack common and easy passwords. Hackers with access to advanced computation offered by AI can automate the breaching process, which means they can try millions of combinations to guess your password.
HOW TO FIGHT BACK: Always use unique passwords. Consider using a password manager.
AI-ASSISTED HACKING
Hackers no longer need to spend hours looking for vulnerabilities. Instead,
with the help of AI, they can create automated programs that not only identify weaknesses in your system but also create new types of malware.
HOW TO STAY AHEAD: Keep your security systems and software updated. Also, a mandate should be set up to scan for vulnerabilities routinely.
SUPPLY CHAIN ATTACKS
Threat actors use AI to insert malicious code into legitimate vendor products, which eventually will compromise your system as well.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Only download software from trusted
sources. Always be vigilant with updates and patches.
BOOST YOUR DEFENSES
AI-powered cybercrime is a growing threat. That's why having a strong IT partner like NorthStar Technology Group by your side can be the ultimate weapon in your arsenal.
By Grant Ayers
Courtesy of Bismarck Public Schools
Qualifications
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. While previous kitchen experience is beneficial, it is not required, as on-the-job training will be provided. The positions require physical endurance, including the ability to stand for long periods and perform tasks such as lifting and carrying.
he Bismarck Public Schools (BPS)
Child Nutrition Department plays a pivotal role in the health and well-being of their students, serving approximately 13,000 meals daily across 27 sites. With over 100 dedicated staff members operating in 24 buildings across the district, the BPS Child Nutrition Department ensures that students enjoy nutritious meals. Furthermore, they support local agriculture through the BPS Farm to School program, partnering with eight local producers and a local beef rancher.
Employee Benefits
Eligible employees (working 20-40 hours per week) will enjoy a competitive benefits package, which includes personal days, sick leave, paid holidays, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance, alongside retirement benefits. Detailed information about the benefits can be found on their website at bismarckschools.org.
Join the Bismarck Public Schools' Child Nutrition Team!
Career Opportunities in Child Nutrition
BPS is currently seeking enthusiastic individuals to join their team in various capacities:
6 - 8 hour shifts
These roles are crucial in meal preparation and cooking. Responsibilities include serving lunch and performing end-ofday clean-up.
4 - 5.5 hour shifts
Ideal for those who can cover breaks and assist with meal prep and serving. This role involves minimal cooking.
Perfect for individuals looking to assist with last-minute preparations, serving, and clean-up.
*Middle and high school positions will require cashiering.
*All new hires will receive comprehensive training, ensuring you are well-prepared for your role.
These positions are aligned with the school calendar, making them ideal for parents with children in the district, as you will have the same days off as your children!
Apply Today!
Working in school nutrition is not just a job; it's an opportunity to grow in a fulfilling career where you can make a significant impact on students' lives. For many students, the meals you serve may be the most substantial they receive all day.
If you are looking for a meaningful career that offers both flexibility and the opportunity to make a difference in children's lives, consider joining the BPS Child Nutrition Department. Visit their website to learn more and apply directly. Be part of a team that nourishes the children of our future every day!
*This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
A LOOK INTO GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAM IN NORTH DAKOTA
HOW GOLDMAN SACHS IS EMPOWERING SMALL BUSINESSES
BY GRANT AYERS
oldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program was founded 14 years ago. Over those 14 years, the program has served more than 15,000 small business owners nationwide, surpassing what was initially imagined for the initiative's efforts. With a mission to "promote economic development and job creation, both regionally and nationally," the program equips small business owners with the critical tools required for success.
I had the pleasure of connecting with Dr. Karmen P. Sorenson, Executive Director of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program for North Dakota. In our conversation, we discussed what requirements small business owners in North Dakota should be aware of, the long-lasting benefits of the program, and how you can apply to jumpstart your small business growth. I also had the privilege of connecting with several North Dakotan small business owners who went through the program's first cohort, to discuss how the program benefited their businesses, what valuable information they took away from it, unexpected benefits they were unaware of when entering, and more.
Check out North Dakota's first 10KSB graduating cohort!
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs 10KSB program is a 12-week initiative designed to help address issues and struggles for small business owners when growing, including finding and retaining talent and accessing capital. "Small businesses are engines of economic growth in North Dakota and nationwide," Sorenson said.
Designed to tackle the core challenges small businesses face, the program takes a "three-pronged approach," according to Sorenson, to provide business owners with the tools needed to create jobs and power the local economy. The approach is structured around three pillars: comprehensive business education, capital access, and an extensive entrepreneurial network.
HOW IT WORKS
Over the 12-week training course covering a wide array of topics from finance to marketing, the program aims to equip entrepreneurs with a sharp skill set that they can use in real-world settings. The program brings in different panelists to discuss and share both opportunities and resources in our community and region.
In North Dakota's program, participants meet in person at the beginning and end of the cohort, allowing small business owners to facilitate connections and network on the front and back ends of the course.
"We're starting to see some of the momentum and impact on our end, and real small business owners have already seen the program's impact since graduating," Sorenson said. "We expect to see a lot more success here in North Dakota in the coming months."
DR. KARMEN SORENSON,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAM ND
It's a unique opportunity to have something like this at Bismarck State College, and partnering with Goldman Sachs to offer it in our own backyard is amazing. We do this to help small businesses in our state, and it is a wonderful opportunity for small business owners to take advantage of at no cost. The focus is to help them grow their businesses, which then positively impacts their communities, so it's a win-win all around."
- Karmen Sorenson, Executive Director
DID YOU KNOW?
Goldman Sachs pays for participants' hotels, transportation, and meals so they can focus, growing their businesses and taking home a new set of skills.
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs 10KSB
A LOOK INTO GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAM IN NORTH DAKOTA
Activities, such as cup stacking, at the 10KSB program provide fun team-building opportunities.
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs 10KSB
"Throughout the program, we facilitate panels with alumni and business leaders in our communities to connect with our small business owners," Sorenson said. "We also have a strong network of like-minded individuals trying to do this together."
Upon their graduation, they are welcomed into a significantly larger, interconnected alumni network. "If you're operating a unique business in rural North Dakota, feeling as though there's no other quite like yours within the state, entering this network can change that," Sorenson said. "With more than 15,000 graduates from our program to date, it's possible to encounter businesses with similar models in the most unexpected of places across the country."
A recent instance showcased the network's power, where a group of small business graduates collaborated with a local commercial realtor—also an alum—to locate suitable business premises. This showcases Goldman Sachs' cross-regional collaboration through its alumni network.
WHAT TO KNOW WHEN APPLYING
THE GOLDMAN SACHS 10KSB PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BUSINESS GROWTH .
"We specialize in the growth phase of a business, so it is a very attractive program for small business owners who are focused on taking their business to the next level. This program is for anyone with a growth mindset; it truly transcends the type and size of any applicant's industry. Part of the program's magic is bringing different companies across different industries together to bounce ideas off each other and peer-learn from one another."
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
"The minimum requirements include being the owner of the business and in business 2+ years, having business revenues over $75,000, and at least one additional employee in the business. There are no upper limits on employees or revenue, and we are agnostic to business industries."
THE INITIAL APPLICATION PROCESS TAKES LESS THAN 15 MINUTES.
"The initial application simply asks a handful of basic questions to determine if you meet the program's guidelines (2 years in business, $75,000 in revenue, and 2+ employees). From there, we go into the second and third rounds of applications, so it's a very easy process to get started."
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs 10KSB
We're not studying the theory of marketing; we're actually learning marketing, which I believe underpins why we're offering this program. Through learning modules, participants are actively working on their own businesses, which is very beneficial to them."
- Karmen Sorenson, Executive Director
DID YOU KNOW?
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program cohorts typically consist of 25 to 35 small business owners, while never exceeding 40.
Pictured: Karmen Sorenson and Bryan Klipfel, a community and state leader who has led both the ND and SD GS 10KSB cohorts over the past year.
A LOOK INTO GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAM IN NORTH DAKOTA
THE 10KSB PROGRAM'S ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Access to capital remains a significant hurdle for many small-business owners. Through strategic partnerships with community development financial institutions (CDFIs) across the country, including Dakota Business Lending in North Dakota, the program strives to bridge this gap. The initiative offers a range of support to small business owners, including assets, insights, and tools.
For example, they will organize panels with community experts to address critical topics, such as securing funding.
One particularly helpful panel focuses on financing options, featuring speakers from CDFIs, angel investors, and commercial lenders, where they share their knowledge, experiences, and personal advice regarding acquiring capital.
"There are so many practical topics that we're able to teach and share with business owners through the program," Sorenson said. "For example, we fly in a negotiation expert to facilitate a negotiation workshop with small business owners when they're with us. Our goal is to provide small business owners with resources that not only aid in their current operations but also encourage them to think more expansively about their growth potential."
"In North Dakota, we recently introduced small business owners to Dave Kleppe (pictured left), manager of the ND APEX Accelerator Program, which assists North Dakota businesses with local, state, and federal government contracting. Kleppe connected participants with officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC), Women's Business Centers (NDWBC), and others. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and the resources in their communities that they might not have known about. We want to introduce them to as many resources as we can in our communities to help them grow their businesses, which in turn impacts their communities and the entire state of North Dakota."
- Karmen Sorenson, Executive Director
Courtesy of Dave Kleppe
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs
A LOOK INTO GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAM IN NORTH DAKOTA
NETWORKING & ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES
Bringing together like-minded, growth-oriented entrepreneurs, Goldman Sachs provides alumni coordinators in each of its markets, as well as at the national level. Furthermore, it hosts region-wide, statewide, and nationwide alumni gathering events. "We're proud to have created such a vast network of entrepreneurs who can connect, bounce ideas off each other, and work together," Sorenson said.
A SYNERGISTIC PARTNERSHIP WITH BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE
The collaboration with Bismarck State College showcases their shared vision of practical, hands-on learning learning for local leaders. As North Dakota's first and only polytechnic institution, the college provides the perfect backdrop for the program's mission. Small business owners can learn handson, actionable, and practical information that can be brought back to their business within 12 weeks.
" 10KSB is an educational 12-week program created and designed for busy small business owners, so it's much more accessible than an MBA for many busy small business owners," Sorenson said. "[The program] fits in nicely with Bismarck State College's polytechnic mission. While it's a noncredit program, it allows our small business community and workforce to take advantage of hands-on learning experiences."
WHAT IS A POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE?
DID YOU KNOW?
The 10KSB Connect Online platform was developed internally by Goldman Sachs exclusively for their program's graduates. This platform allows users to look at a particular sector, search by state or industry, and more, offering a more formalized and structured way for alumni to connect and engage.
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs 10KSB
A polytechnic school, such as Bismarck State College, combines the in-depth study found at universities with practical, handson skills training experiences for students.
Courtesy of Karmen Sorenson, Goldman Sachs 10KSB
LOOKING AHEAD
With the recent launch of the Investment in Rural Communities initiative, Goldman Sachs has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering rural small businesses nationwide. This $100 million initiative, focusing on 20 rural states over five years, including North Dakota, signifies a major expansion of the program's reach and impact in the coming years.
"This investment by Goldman Sachs in rural communities is huge, and we're grateful for that," Sorenson said. "It's
not every day that North Dakota gets to be involved in something like this, so we're really excited about this expansion. We've rolled out to North Dakota, we're in South Dakota right now, and we're launching a new cohort in Minnesota beginning this fall."
"While the 10,000 Small Businesses program just graduated the first cohort in South Dakota, they are preparing to launch in Minnesota and Nebraska."
"We offer two cohorts each year and rotate through a four-state area. We plan to be back in North Dakota with a new cohort in 2025."
or small business owners in North Dakota and beyond, the 10,000 Small Businesses program represents a unique opportunity to achieve new heights. By combining education, access to capital, and networking, the program addresses immediate challenges faced by entrepreneurs and lays the groundwork for positive community building. As many businesses across North Dakota continue to thrive postparticipation, the program's mission for growth promises a brighter future for small businesses across the state and the nation.
10KSB SUCCESS STORIES INSIGHT FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS
Courtesy of Angela Nicole Creative
: CAN YOU TELL ME HOW YOU INITIALLY CAME ACROSS THIS PROGRAM AND WERE INTRODUCED TO 10KSB?
: I have a relative and friend who works for Bismarck State College. She reached out and thought it would be a great opportunity for me to apply and get some additional resources and education to grow my business.
: WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR THE PROGRAM AND WENT THROUGH IT?
: I submitted my application in early July 2023. From there, they conducted interviews and requested additional information about our business, followed by another interview in August. We started the program in September, which ran through December.
KEELY GRAVES
OWNER OF KEELY'S CLEANING CREW
: WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME HIGHS AND LOWS, OR BENEFITS AND HURDLES, FOR YOUR BUSINESS AS YOU CONTINUE TO GROW KEELY'S CLEANING CREW?
: It just depends on where you are in your business to know if it's a high or a low. I've definitely gone through times when finding employees was easy and times where it was more challenging. Finding employees can be both good and bad, a high and a low, depending on the market. Additionally, finding customers has been a journey. There came a point in my business when I had to start investing in marketing, which was something I never had to do before.
Early on, I ran the business by adding employees and clients as they came to me, without pushing for growth. But eventually, I reached a stage where I wanted to grow. However, seeing the potential in BismarckMandan and recognizing the opportunities, I decided to take a leap, push for growth, and see where I could take the business. Now, I've grown to have 14 hard-working employees.
: WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS WHEN EXITING THE PROGRAM THAT PERSONALLY STUCK OUT TO YOU, AND THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO BRING BACK TO KEELY'S CLEANING CREW?
: One of the biggest benefits of going through the program is gaining knowledge in many areas of the business that you may not have had before. As I’ve said many times, owning a small business means wearing many hats, and you may not be an expert in all of them. Nobody starts a business knowing how to handle all aspects of marketing, HR, and payroll; you learn as you go.
Going through the program provided the opportunity to grow in areas where I wasn’t an expert. One of the most beneficial parts of the program was gaining contacts and resources and knowing where to turn if you have questions. That was huge for me and has been very helpful since completing the program. I’ve reached out to many people and discovered more avenues for asking the necessary questions.
: FOR OTHERS CONSIDERING APPLYING, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFOREHAND, ANYTHING HELPFUL TO KNOW GOING IN, OR ANY UNEXPECTED BENEFITS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT?
: I would say definitely go in with an open mind. You'll gain much more if you're willing to put in the time needed to acquire as much knowledge as you can, ask questions, and attend all the sessions and extra classes available. Having the time to dedicate to this will be crucial. So, know that when you apply, it is a time commitment, but you'll get out of it what you put into it.
:
DO YOU HAVE ANY
FINAL THOUGHTS REGARDING
THE 10KSB THAT YOU'D CARE TO SHARE WITH READERS?
: I am very grateful for the program and the resources they have offered me. As a small business owner in North Dakota, where small-business make up 99.8% of all businesses in the state, going through this program has been invaluable. The program covers all expenses, providing us with significant access to resources and capital. They don't take any direct involvement in our businesses, but the resources and opportunities they provide are a definite plus.
10KSB SUCCESS STORIES INSIGHT FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS
: WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 10KSB PROGRAM THAT YOU BROUGHT BACK TO FM ARIAL AND MOVEMENT ARTS? WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN THE PROGRAM THAT HAS RESONATED WITH YOU SINCE COMPLETING IT?
: A couple of the biggest takeaways are the community and the resources. The new curriculum used throughout the 10KSB focuses heavily on action and provides further opportunities to audit different modules. Each module touches on various aspects of business, whether it's working on your next hire, operations management, or the financial side. This information was new to me, but the program helped me understand these areas better.
The community aspect was equally important. Networking and building strong relationships with other businesses in the area, along with the mentors provided, was invaluable.
YVETTE REYES
OWNER OF FM AERIAL & MOVEMENT ARTS
: FOR OTHERS CONSIDERING APPLYING, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN BEFOREHAND OR AN UNEXPECTED, LESSER-KNOWN BENEFIT THAT YOU WERE UNAWARE OF WHEN APPLYING?
: Yes, one thing that pleasantly surprised me was the alumni network. Upon completion, the program includes templates and resources to remain updated, the ability to stay connected with other scholars, as well as a broader network of small business owners to collaborate with.
There are various events, such as one that I recently returned from in Minneapolis, that are incredibly beneficial for business networking. I feel like I already made plenty of new connections to help the business grow. The program team is very focused on ensuring we can immediately apply the business skills we learn and build interpersonal connections. The continuous support and networking opportunities available after the program were unexpected but greatly appreciated.
: REGARDING NOT ONLY THE 10KSB PROGRAM BUT ALSO YOUR TIME WITH FM AERIAL AND MOVEMENT ARTS, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY SPECIFIC INSTANCES WHERE YOU FACED A SIGNIFICANT HURDLE OR CHALLENGE, AND THE KNOWLEDGE FROM 10KSB HELPED YOU OVERCOME IT?
: For me, it's specifically about employment. When I first started the business, I had six employees, not including myself. Now, after going through the program and learning about how to actively delegate and create systems, it's not just me working on my business but also them working towards our common goal. I've been able to hire more staff, and we have almost doubled our team. After completing the program, I hired an additional six to seven people. I now have a lot more confidence in hiring and feel much more confident about the business moving forward.
In the past, I often didn't know how to handle various aspects of the business, such as planning for the next month or future business activities. The program has helped me focus and realize the key metrics that are valuable to grow [FM Aerial and Movement Arts]. It has also guided me on how to take steps towards achieving my future goals.
DID YOU KNOW?
Goldman Sachs monitors participants' progress for up to three years after they complete the program. This helps them understand the program's lasting impact on small business owners. They have found that:
72% of rural business owner participants have added jobs since completing the program.
74% of rural business owner participants have increased their revenue.
85% of rural business owner participants believe their business is more resilient as a result of completing the program.
69% of alumni do business with one another or collaborate at some level with one another postgraduation.
10KSB SUCCESS STORIES INSIGHT FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS
Courtesy of Brett Wegleitner
:
HOW DID YOU INITIALLY COME ACROSS THIS PROGRAM AND GET INTRODUCED TO 10KSB?
: I was introduced to the program by a local banker I’ve been working with on a business buyout. She sent me an email about applying for the 10,000 Small Businesses program through Goldman Sachs and mentioned it might be something I’d be interested in as I aim to grow my business.
I started looking into it and was particularly intrigued by their financial module, which showcased opportunities to expand my business. As the process continued, it led to an interview with a local entrepreneur from Bismarck-Mandan and two other panel members from the Goldman Sachs team. They emphasized the selection process for the program, aiming to find the right fit for participants.
I was genuinely interested in the opportunity to grow my business through their financial model. However, I quickly realized it was a comprehensive 12-week program covering critical aspects of running, maintaining, and sustaining a business. Additionally, it provided access to a network of local and national entrepreneurs, which has been a significant asset over the past few months.
BRETT WEGLEITNER
OWNER OF WEST RIVER CHIROPRACTIC CO.
:
WHAT
WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THAT PROGRAM THAT STOOD OUT TO YOU DURING THOSE 12 WEEKS?
: The biggest thing I got out of the program was the ability to create a financial forecast. Throughout this 12-week module, the goal was to develop a growth plan. I like to explain this as essentially a beefed-up business plan. All business owners need to have a business plan in place, especially if they're seeking capital or a loan, to prove their strategy. This program helps build a more detailed version of that plan.
Most entrepreneurs work in their business but not necessarily on their business. They know what they want to achieve and how they want to grow but may not be clear on the steps to get there. This program, with its growth plan component, guided us through that process.
My biggest takeaway was identifying my growth plan opportunity: adding another associate chiropractor and a physical therapist to our clinic. The program laid out the foundation for step-by-step progress—how to begin, reach the middle portion, and eventually add to the clinic while remaining financially stable.
: YOU MENTIONED ADDING SOME EMPLOYEES SINCE THEN. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER IMPROVEMENTS OR GROWTH ASPECTS WITHIN WEST RIVER CHIROPRACTIC CO. SINCE YOU WENT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM?
: We have added another associate chiropractor, a physical therapist, and, at the beginning of January, a massage therapist. This not only creates jobs in the community but also enhances our outreach and positively impacts our patients and local community health.
We have also implemented several other changes in our clinic, including different marketing strategies, growing our social media presence, and tweaking our website based on what we learned from the program. One major takeaway was financial forecasting. It’s a more sophisticated way of budgeting, allowing us to dive into the numbers and assess the feasibility and potential return on investment for business decisions. For me, the biggest benefit of the program was
10KSB SUCCESS STORIES INSIGHT FROM
PAST PARTICIPANTS
understanding the financial side of the business and learning what constitutes a good return on investment, something I didn’t learn in chiropractic school. We were trained to treat patients and help them heal, but we were never taught how to actually run and operate a small business. This program provided comfort and confidence in managing the business side of things, especially if you have a good idea but are not entirely sure how to execute it.
: WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME HIGHS AND LOWS YOU’VE EXPERIENCED WITH THE COMPANY?
: Our biggest success has been the overwhelming support from our local community. As you know, being from Bismarck-Mandan, we are a small community. Every patient you have or person you work with in business is going to be some type of neighbor to some degree—you know just about everyone in town. So, it’s great having the community support us, which has been huge.
One of the biggest setbacks we faced was during COVID-19. We were fortunate in North Dakota that we did not have to shut down our clinic like in many other states. We actually grew our business by about 30% that first year of COVID-19 because most people were trying to stay away from larger clinics and hospitals and were coming to more holistic or smaller clinics. Initially, it was very difficult and stressful not knowing what would happen, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
After the program, the biggest change was gaining new insights into the business. I had wanted to add more employees and become a multidisciplinary clinic for the past few years. This experience gave me the motivation to push forward. I initially thought it would take about a year to implement my growth plan, but I accomplished it within the first four months.
: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN BEFOREHAND, WHETHER IT BE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS OR ANY UNEXPECTED BENEFITS THAT RESULTED FROM THE PROGRAM?
: I don't want anyone to be deterred by thinking they
don't have the time. I've been going through a business buyout, I have a young family, and I run a business, yet I was still able to complete the program. This has been one of the best things I've ever done for my business. It has helped me grow, and I will continue to use the growth plan and tools provided by Goldman Sachs to keep expanding, hopefully adding more clinics to my resume and business throughout the area.
The network of people you meet is invaluable. Not only do you connect with individuals within the program, but Goldman Sachs also brings in various experts during the program. These include people lending capital, networking groups, and others who can promote or support your business.
85% of 10KSB alums end up working with one another after the program or turn to the alumni community for additional skills. This has been a huge asset for me. I've collaborated with others from my cohort in retail spaces, expanding our business lenders for capital or credit lines. Additionally, I've worked with another CPA from the cohort, exchanging questions and advice. It's been incredibly beneficial to have this network to reach.
: DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS REGARDING 10KSB THAT YOU'D CARE TO SHARE WITH READERS?
: Yes, don't squander the opportunities that come your way. These opportunities are very rare for a place like North Dakota. Being a smaller community, it’s uncommon to have a big Fortune 500 company like Goldman Sachs coming in, especially free of charge for what they are offering. Please take the opportunity to apply; you will be so glad that you did in the end. Taking the chance and opportunity to grow your business. Even if you think you know everything about business is so valuable, I can guarantee that Goldman Sachs' 10KSB program is going to teach you quite a few things that you may not have thought about, or will challenge you to think about in a different mindset.
A Q&A WITH KARMEN SORENSON
: IS THERE CURRENTLY AN APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NORTH DAKOTANS?
: We are not actively recruiting North Dakota small business owners until next year, so stay tuned for updates. Interested small business owners can always submit an application early at www.10ksbapply.com
: BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH THE PROGRAM AND ITS SUCCESS STORIES, WHAT IS SOME ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS IN NORTH DAKOTA, REGARDING THIS PROGRAM?
: I encourage any small business owner interested in taking their business to the next level to apply for the program, especially if you're at a comfortable enough point where you want to grow. The program is highly beneficial to small businesses across any industry, and you'll walk away with an actionable, practical growth plan for your business.
SBA Leader and Whitehouse Cabinet Member Sees ND as Important Ag Hub
Q: Why are you in North Dakota?
A: We've launched a rural tour around America as well as a small business tour to lift up our small business successes in helping to propel economic recovery, as well as build the future of everything from manufacturing to tech. In this case, [we're] excited to lift up AgTech in particular [and] celebrate the work of a growth accelerator from the SBA to Grand Farm and [to] see how they and their businesses are doing.
Q: Have you had any previous involvement with Grand Farm?
the morning of Tuesday, July 2, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), a position which makes her the head of small businesses in President Biden's cabinet, had the opportunity to tour the newly opened Grand Farm Innovation Shop and talk to local entrepreneurs about their businesses.
The SBA Administrator leads the SBA to oversee programs that support small businesses with funding, counseling, and advocacy. The SBA sets policies, manages resources, and advocates for small business interests in government. Their role ensures that small businesses receive the necessary support for growth and success, engaging with stakeholders to address concerns and promote economic development nationwide. This stop at Grand Farm is part of Administrator Guzman's Small Business Boom Tour, which aims to educate entrepreneurs about the resources available to them through the SBA and to celebrate past SBA successes.
We were able to sit down and chat with her to learn more about her role and ND's position in ag and small business.
By Brady Drake | Geneva Nodland
Q: So, is this more of an attempt to educate yourself by getting boots on the ground and seeing what's going on?
A: Definitely for North Dakota, this is my first visit to the state. So, I'm excited to learn more about the unique opportunities that are on the ground here. And, of course, [I] have had extensive travel in rural communities, especially in rural California, where I'm from. And, [I've] spent a lot of time in the rural communities as focused on small business. But, this is a full day where we're going [to] have multiple small business stops, including [a stop at] our 2023 Small Business of the Year, Red E... We're excited to lift up some of these legacy stories as well as small business stories and focus in on this specific innovation clustering that's happening around agriculture at Grand Farm.
A: No, we have not... But it has [been] exciting to see them win the growth accelerator phase one directly and [we're] looking forward to learning more about their operations. I know when we look at feeding the future and making sure that we have strong food production in this country, this is a key state and we hope to continue to try and develop innovation here and really promote some of the federal resources that are available to make sure that the community is fully leveraging those resources to help their entrepreneurs.
Q: What are some resources available through the SBA that you think people aren't as aware of as they should be?
A: In addition to the lending [and] investment products that we have, [we have] the step grants for trade abroad, which I know many small businesses in the state participate [in]. We also really focus heavily on innovative startups. And that's by Powering America Seed Fund, which is [The Small Business Innovation Research] SBIR [and Small Business Technology Transfer] STTR grant awards. That $4 billion a year is nondilutive funding for small businesses who are innovating. And this is a program that we'd like to see cultivated here in North Dakota... We've awarded, in the past, a fast grant to the state to try to help direct more SBIR.
What is the growth accelerator phase one?
The SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Phase One is a program by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that awards up to $50,000 to organizations for their ecosystem-building activities.
We'd love to see some ag examples— there is, for example, one exact success story in North Dakota around SBIR. They deploy low-cost flight data recorders for light aircraft—that was their development and we'd like to see more in the ag space in particular to see if we can replicate some of the successes we've had around the country in agtech. This is an important sector. The USDA is a big funder under SBIR and with our partnership and MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that we launched last year with USDA to better align SBA's products with USDA to help small businesses, particularly in rural communities, we hope to direct some of this funding, as well as broadly the SBA resources that help all small businesses and the native startups, manufacturing, [and] main street really grow their businesses.
Of course, this is a celebration of the rural tour in particular with Grand Farm, but I think more broadly as we're visiting with businesses around the state, [we're] really focusing on the small business boom. There have been over 18 million new business office applications done by the BidenHarris administration. This is a strong reversal of and a return to business dynamism in this country and that is exciting to see, but we also see [this] in North Dakota with 28,000, new business applications filed—that's
a strong number of new individuals jumping in to start their business. We want to make sure that they're resourced and connected and aware of SBA offerings at sba.gov, so we appreciate being able to get on the ground and talk to businesses and amplify the successes.
Q: What do you think the reasons for that boom are?
A: I think it's multiple factors. And we're seeing this across the country, across multiple industries... What we do know is that, obviously, the pandemic was one example of an impetus where you had people during the Great Recession, rethink what they were doing with their lives, [they were] really thinking about their life-work balance, their professional journeys, and a lot of people had to make that decision at that time to jump in and start their businesses. There are also opportunities people are seeking. We're seeing a lot of folks in the professional service, and technology services sector, as well as in the digital e-commerce space. We saw businesses adopting e-commerce at such high rates—it really connects businesses to the world global trade and so [we're] excited to see those businesses really taking off as I do think that they're heavy investments being made that touch those categories.
The investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—those are contracts for small businesses to win. Those are opportunities for funds to be distributed locally and benefit main streets as well. The investments in chips and manufacturing and supply chains and innovation are at historic highs as well. So, those numbers and the type of support that we're seeing for small businesses to engage in those activities with SBA lending small-dollar loans... and our lending programs really being revitalized is really a strong support for small businesses because we are focused on startups at the SBA.
Q: In your role, what do you think still needs the most work done as far as getting things to where they need to be so that we can best support all these small businesses?
A: Part of our reforms, during [the] Biden-Harris [administration] have been focused on simplifying our products so that they're more accessible to not only small businesses but our incredible private partners, the lenders, who are part of the SBA network. Funding is king for small businesses. They need to be able to access funding to start and to add to their own resources,
[We're] really growing our networks... [With the growth accelerator] we have deployed this federal network of over 1,200 centers and supports, including in North Dakota where we want to see small businesses get the tools and resources [they need] because it's about your skill sets [and] your toolbox to be able to address the challenges and problems that hit every day. And, we've seen our small businesses really face enormous challenges. We look back to starting in COVID, where they had to pivot and adapt to survive and rebuild. [We've seen] their resilience going forward with dealing with supply chain challenges, inflationary pressures, workforce challenges, you name it. I think SBA's resources, whether that's our Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers that we have on the ground in North Dakota, our Veterans Business Outreach Center, or school partners that are throughout the state, we know that those resources make a difference on success outcomes. So, we've really been focused on building those partnerships and trying to find partners to build that awareness. The businesses I'm visiting today, many of them have graduated from our Thrive program, or Emerging Leaders, as we used to call it. This is
an intensive training to help give them those tools and resources and it just demonstrates that the SBA's potential to really help small businesses grow.
Q: I was reading about the Working Capital Pilot Program that's set to launch. Why did you guys decide to go ahead with that?
A: We wanted to make sure that our products are meeting businesses where they are today, and I think that working capital continues to be an often-cited challenge for small businesses to get affordable working capital lines. Many of them use their credit card debt, as we know, to be able to finance growth and when we're seeing these historic investments in infrastructure—North Dakota has $2.6 billion in funding to date—and the private investment that is being leveraged as well to match the investments in manufacturing and innovation—there's been over $2 billion in the states to date as well. Small businesses need to get the financing they need to go after those contracts or opportunities and working capital continues to be a big challenge. We're trying to power on an ongoing basis, doing business with the federal government—those
contracts require businesses to be ready and able to finance and grow to meet the demands and needs of a contract. So, that's a huge area of opportunity for us to improve the experience for small businesses and really see the growth. So, we're excited to be rolling that out with our lending partners and helping more small businesses beyond our current programs, which many are already being leveraged for working capital, but the Working Capital Pilot Program better aligns the fee structure and terms to support a true working capital life.
Q: If you were to look out 10 years in the future, how do you envision small businesses interacting with the SBA?
A: I've told my team that we need to be as entrepreneurial as the small businesses that we serve. Obviously, there's going to be a continuous evolution of challenges. Small business owners will tell you that every day there's a new challenge that they face—so, making sure that they have the skills and resources [they need] and that we're adapting and continuously iterating on our products to meet market demands [is important]. SBA was founded
to fill market gaps, and so we constantly assess and make sure that we're filling those needs for small businesses—especially underserved communities [like] rural communities. There are 1,600 banking deserts for example. We need to see the SBA continue to grow its lending networks, with our banks, credit unions, but as well as our mission lenders and alternative lenders so that we can get all of our resources out into communities equitably around the country. And so hopefully, we continue to grow in those realms of simplifying and creating products and services that meet market demands with a broader network for more competition and innovation.
Q: How do you think being boots on the ground like this helps you in your role?
A: I come from a small business family and grew up in small businesses. I've started my own small businesses, and being able to speak with entrepreneurs constantly on the ground, really, truly gives me inspiration, of course, to continue to do the hard work at the SBA, but it, obviously, also offers me incredible insights. With the feedback that I get from entrepreneurs, we've been able to make tweaks and improvements in our products that make a difference. I attribute being on the ground. the way that we get out and celebrate the successes and build awareness for those new business sites, as well as established businesses, and help them become aware of the SBA, and what we can do for them because I do think it is my responsibility to get out there and market and promote the resources of the federal government
so that more small businesses feel that they're accessible to them with for the growth of their businesses.
Q: What are your thoughts on Grand Farm after getting a tour?
A: I'm super excited because they've really been able to leverage multiple federal programs and agencies to be able to, hopefully, see more innovation and commercialization. But more importantly, becoming the national center and leader in ag innovation. That seems like the trajectory they're on, which is exciting. The other thing is that I want to make sure that awareness of resources is top and center in my visit today.
The fact that the success of the SBIR program is still to come—we need to get more of the innovators here, applying for and winning these federal grants. That is still clearly a problem and one of the top priorities here. So, I'm excited to see how we can be more helpful. That's what the accelerator grant is all about as well—to make sure that they can have better access to us to be able to learn how to leverage the agencies doing SBIR.
Q: You mentioned during your talk with the Grand Farm leaders that you have been to some other places like this?
A: We were talking about who else is leading in this space around innovation that they partnered with. They mentioned, the St. Louis area, and a couple of others, but I talked about one that was in California as well. I think the advantage here is that they actually have plots because
I often hear from farmers that they have all these tech companies coming in pitching them to try to test their innovations and it can be disruptive and not as fruitful. Sometimes the tech doesn't work. So to have actual test plots I think is really special.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers?
A: This is a small business boom and so many entrepreneurs are jumping in finally taking that leap to start a business. It takes incredible risk appetite and bravery. But then as you proceed with a startup, it takes a lot of tenacity. It takes a lot of hard work and effort and the SBA is here to really here to be part of that team. And I want people to really know that sba.gov, our district team that's on the ground, our resource partners that are fueled locally, are here to help them in that journey and to make sure that we can connect them to the capital and the networks that are needed. And so sba.gov/lendermatch [providers] resources and tools that people can use in their own free time to really learn about entrepreneurship and what the SBA can do for them. So I just want to encourage everyone to come and see what's available. There are grants to trade abroad and get your business internationalized. [There are] grants for innovation as SBIR dollars. [There are] funding loans and investments that we have in our portfolio as well as just the knowledge and know-how and people behind you to help you thrive.
Building a Stronger Bismarck Through Center Counseling
enter Counseling, founded by Greg Molinaro, was formally launched in June of 2021. While it was solely Molinaro in the early days, Center Counseling's team has expanded to boast 38 employees in just over 2.5 years. With a mission deeply rooted in fostering strong relationships, marriages, and families, the business has emerged as a fundamental aspect of both mental health support and community engagement in the Bismarck-Mandan community. I had the opportunity to sit down with Molinaro and discuss Center Counseling's growth, the services that the team offers, what unique qualities Center Counseling brings to the community, and much more.
Roughly eight years ago, Molinaro took the first steps to develop his vision of providing great counseling to the Bismarck-Mandan community, while also promoting a healthy work-life balance between couples.
"I wanted to not only provide counseling but also do a lot of community engagement and empowerment," Molinaro said. "I tried to get that initiative started at two previous positions, but it's a bit of a stretch to convince
By Grant Ayers | Josiah Kopp
people to set aside three hours a week for staff to focus on community engagement and training other counselors."
Molinaro earned a business management degree and took classes in social work, but counseling wasn't as prevalent a career back then. Psychology, psychiatry, and social work were the primary fields offered, which didn't intrigue Molinaro as much as making a difference through counseling.
"Out of college, I was a mobile DJ based out of Grand Forks, ND for 10 years, doing weddings and dances, and making people happy on their special days. Then, I went on to have my own business as a furniture salesman for 15 years," Molinaro said. "I tried to take advantage of the best opportunities around me. I was also doing volunteer work for different organizations and clubs around Grand Forks during that time. My family and I moved back to Bismarck in 1999 and I began working with youth and adults in different capacities here."
After returning to Bismarck, Molinaro came across an opportunity for caring at a church, where Molinaro would sit down with people and help them through life changes to help them strengthen marriages, conduct pre-marriage counseling, help people through the grief of recent passings, and more.
"My pivoting point was when I started to really enjoy having 10 of these 'care sessions' a week, and I realized that this is what I had been looking for the whole time," Molinaro said. "I went to my family and asked for their blessing and approval to go back to graduate school at the University of Mary in 2016 and get my degree in counseling. They all said yes, of course, and I earned my degree in 2018."
This pushed Molinaro to step into his own and launch Center Counseling. Now, Molinaro and his team are assisting community members in becoming mentally healthier and encouraging them to invest in their local community.
"If we support stronger relationships, marriages, and families, I believe that we'll have a stronger community," Molinaro said. "Building relationships with so many different people has created a pipeline of opportunities for everyone around us. I love the idea of building up a community and seeing others get interested in what we're trying to do."
Did You Know?
The "CENTER" in Center Counseling stands for "Community Empowerment, Nurturing Training, and Enriching Relationships."
Greg Molinaro, LPCC Clinical Mental Health Counselor
We all have periods in life that are more difficult than other times. It is during these times we need to be in the community, reach out to others, and not do life alone. Counseling can be a part of that community, even if it is just for a while. Many people find counseling helps them find the direction they are seeking and they often experience healing from their past hurts."
- Greg Molinaro
Courtesy of The Good Kids
As evidenced by Molinaro, community engagement isn't a second thought for Center Counseling; it's integral to the team's mission. Molinaro and his team dedicate substantial time to building relationships within the Bismarck-Mandan community. From door-knocking to sharing coffees with local police officers, Molinaro aims to learn more about the great things being done in the community, as well as what else can be done.
"Through those conversations, we've found that many people want to see more parenting classes in the community," Molinaro said. "Sarah, a team member of ours, will present specialized parenting training pro bono to our community members called the 40 Developmental Assets. It teaches parents how they can enrich their children and build healthier individuals while connecting them as parent to child. Because of these relationships, we're getting invitations to other community events to promote and take part in, which is great to see."
The "West Side Story" room at Center Counseling epitomizes this philosophy. Resembling a library from an early Indiana Jones movie, it offers a welcome space where people are invited to come in, sit down, and relax.
Did You Know?
Center Counseling specializes in both Christian and conventional counseling.
"When they come in, they say that they feel so relaxed because all the rest of the world is left behind them," Molinaro said. "We don't have a lot of clinical signage. As soon as you walk in, there's a beverage station to make coffee, tea, or another beverage. We also have a classroom with plenty of space if you're waiting for your child and want to get some work done."
In addition to the relaxing West Side Story room, Center Counseling creates a welcoming and non-clinical environment across the board. According to Molinaro, from the moment that clients walk in, they're greeted with a comforting atmosphere that feels more like a home living room than a counseling center. This even extends to the
The "West Side Story" room at Center Counseling
What is Christian Counseling?
"We believe that we were created in the image of a triune God, that we are multi-faceted and complex human beings, and we are both uniquely designed, yet mysterious. Rather than treating surface symptoms, we work to address the root issue, such as soul wounds and heart issues. This process can only happen in a safe and nurturing environment. We practice counseling from a Christian perspective and believe that healing only comes from Jesus. However, we are sensitive to everyone’s faith journey. We are clinically sound, investing in continuing education and training to provide a variety of reliable therapeutic interventions to our clients."
- Center Counseling
personalized decor of each office, designed with the client's comfort in mind.
"Each office is individually decorated to the flavor of the therapist, but they're also keeping in mind how their clients would like to feel when they come in," Molinaro said. "It's very homey with a couch, chairs, lamps, plants, and cool personalized pictures on the wall. Everything about it is meant to be relaxing. We always have growth plans, but no matter what we do or where we are, we're going to make sure that we keep that feeling in what we do."
With a unique setup, comes unique approaches to the world of counseling for Molinaro and his team. Center Counseling takes a unique approach to expanding its team. Before anyone comes on board, they undergo a six-month period of getting to know one another and proper training. This process ensures that new therapists are both professionally competent and fully aligned with Center Counseling's mission and values.
"Before anybody joins our team, we spend about six months with them, going through a long onboarding process," Molinaro said. "We hope to bring on five new members next year. Additionally, we have about eight more in the pipeline who are currently in graduate school or internships, working their way into the field. We're looking forward to getting to know them better."
I believe that everything revolves around positive relationships. I want to get to know somebody, spend time with them, and support and encourage them to take their next steps to a better and brighter future."
- Greg Molinaro
"It's been about a 50-year process to bring conventional and Christian counseling together. Many people have been very deliberate about trying to incorporate a Christian aspect into counseling and healing. We use all of the good data, researchers, theorists, and training of conventional counseling, but we can also work their faith in God in their healing journey. It may involve prayer, meditation, or simply helping them find their identity, which can be a very special kind of healing."
- Greg Molinaro
Center Counseling's Services and Future Goals
Center Counseling prides itself on offering a wide array of services, catering to individuals across various age groups and needs, with its primary focus on mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. "About 80% of our clients come to us for Christian counseling, while the other 20% of people are less active in their faith," Molinaro said. "All of our clients seem to enjoy the counseling journey that we offer here, and find hope and healing through the counseling process. We want them to feel like they're being welcomed into their second home."
Currently, Center Counseling offers counseling work for ages nine and older, as they help both adolescents and adults through anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, unexpected life changes and challenges, marriages, and more to clients.
Looking ahead, Center Counseling is expanding its impact by deepening community connections and enhancing its range of services. From increasing the number of classes, support groups, and marriage conferences available to the community to facilitating men's and women's retreats, Center Counseling is continuously exploring new ways to fulfill its mission.
"As we add to our staff, the community will see more and more pieces of support and empowerment," Molinaro said. "We want to have experts in our area go into churches, schools, and other organizations to train leaders to do those same things. When we teach a class, we want to train somebody to be able to reteach that class forward in their own organization. We try to duplicate ourselves that way. In the case that there's nobody left to fill that gap, we'll even step in as interim leaders and teachers if needed, which is part of our passion as well."
Promoting A Positive Culture
With a schedule designed to promote work-life balance among its staff, Molinaro promotes an environment of support for the Center Counseling team. "We have a wonderful team here; each one of them truly cares about their clients and is very careful in how they approach their work," Molinaro said.
"One of the ways we stay close as a staff is every Monday morning, we start with what we call our 'attunement time.' We come together for the first hour of every Monday morning, talk about our weekend and how we're coming into the week, and get on the same page with one
another. Then, we all go into our own sessions and routines for the week with our heads on straight."
On Wednesday mornings, the team comes together again to see if any employees need help with a particular client or a fresh idea to propel them into the rest of their work week. Then, they end Thursday with what they call their "end-of-week celebration," by going out for appetizers and talking about how their week went.
"Everybody has to have their notes done by the end of Thursday so that they're going into the weekend completely engaged with their family, friends, and social life," Molinaro said. "That's the culture that we've built here, and I'm proud to have such a great team on my side."
What has Center Counseling's growth meant to you?
"I've traveled to many places around the world, including mission trips in Mexico, and I've found that there are places around all of us that can, and need to, be helped. I think that being a part of a community and investing your life in people is one of the most special privileges there is to have.
We're determined to be part of this community, learn from others' knowledge and wisdom, and share that wisdom with the rest of the world. We aim to encourage people that they can do just a little bit more, whether it be voting for their representative or donating to a charity. When it comes to our community, it's an opportunity to invest in a multi-generational benefit of loving people who value each other and empower others to do the same.
We may not be able to save the world, but we can do significant, beneficial things in our community together to help create a stronger place for us to live."
Coming Soon!
Center Counseling is aiming to launch its very own podcast soon. Follow them on social media to stay tuned for the latest updates!
From the organization's founding by Greg Molinaro to its current status, Center Counseling stands as a shining example of what can be achieved with the right amount of purpose and determination in BismarckMandan. Through its continued efforts to strengthen community ties, promote mental health, and empower individuals and families, Center Counseling is helping shape the future of our local community.
At Center Counseling, each of us is very purposeful about creating a culture of warmth and a sense of welcome, and that's the feedback that we get from our clients. When somebody walks in for the first time, we'll make sure that they feel settled in and comfortable. Many of the people coming in for counseling are in some form of crisis, so we're very careful to meet them where they're at to help them feel welcome. We'll stick with them as long as they need and do counseling in a way that feels comfortable to them."
- Greg Molinaro
by Kayla Schmidt
City of Bismarck Readies its EAB Response
By Mike Schmitz Courtesy of the City of Bismarck
The Emerald Threat on the Horizon
n February 2023, the City of Moorhead’s Forestry Department found Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) larvae during its winter tree pruning. At the time of the February 2023 discovery, 36 states and the District of Columbia had found EAB in their borders.
Moorhead’s discovery of this invasive Asian beetle marked the closest EAB has been identified to the State of North Dakota, and the City of Bismarck, and potentially guarantees that the community will be faced with an EAB response in the near future.
EAB has been active in the United States since 2002 and has killed millions of ash trees since its discovery in southeast Michigan. It is likely to kill millions more. While it has expanded its territory, it largely moves slowly when not aided by humans transporting infected wood.
“The insect doesn’t move quickly from east to west because there is not continuous canopy cover,” said Bismarck City Forester Doug Wiles. “However, once the insect hits the river bottoms in the Fargo-Moorhead area, it’ll move north and south fairly quickly because of the abundance of ash trees it can jump to.”
Moving forward, the City of Bismarck has two plans in place to help manage an EAB infestation: a preparedness plan leading up to an infestation and a management plan dedicated to the post-infestation response.
Mike Schmitz, Mayor of Bismarck
Courtesy of Ken Law
Traditionally, a conspicuous D-shaped exit hole is chewed through the bark of an ash tree by an emerging Emerald Ash Borer beetle.
Getting to know the Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer gets its name from its deep green color. The insect has a darker emerald color along the majority of its body and may have a slightly lighter color around its head.
“It’s a very attractive beetle with dark green metallic coloring,” said Wiles. “But they are very, very small. They are usually a quarter-inch to a half-inch long and maybe one-sixteenth of an inch wide.”
During early fall, adult female beetles lay eggs in the bark crevasse. These eggs hatch in 7-10 days. The hatched larvae then chew through the bark and begin feeding in the portions of the tree that are actively growing and transporting food throughout the organism. Feeding continues throughout the
fall. During winter months the larvae pupate and in the early spring, adult beetles emerge through a conspicuous D-shaped exit hole it chews in the bark of a tree. After the insect emerges, it flies to another tree and begins to feed, starting the process over.
What kills a tree is not the insect feeding on the canopy cover but the larvae feeding under the bark and creating serpentine galleries. As the larvae feed, they damage the layer of tissue in the wood that transports water and nutrients up and down a tree. Think of this damage like pinholes being poked up and down a straw, which makes it more challenging to drink liquid from a cup.
Interestingly, trees in their native Asia have adapted to this pest. However, trees in North America have not evolved the defense mechanisms necessary to withstand the presence of EAB and the damage EAB larvae create.
North Dakota’s harsh winter conditions may prove useful in EAB defense. Wiles said staff in Winnipeg, Manitoba, have reported that winter seems to have some impact on the Emerald Ash Borer and restricts some larvae from growing. Conversely, some investigations have shown that EAB larvae are beginning to adapt to the harsh northern climate and can survive in temperatures as cold as -50º F.
EAB Preparedness Plan
While the City of Bismarck’s EAB Preparedness Plan has evolved and changed in its decadeplus existence, its first iteration was instituted in 2012. The goal of this plan is to spread the cost of managing EAB over time. Guidelines are to hold
off on treatments until the pest has been identified within 15 miles of a community. EAB is generally a slow-moving threat on its own, but those moves are accelerated when humans move infected wood into a community.
“We know that if we do nothing to manage EAB, the pest will kill every single ash tree,” said Wiles. “Prior to us investing a significant amount of money in EAB management, we are going to take a number of significant steps to reduce the cost needed when we do have an infestation.”
Core tenets of the plan include identifying trees that will be kept. These trees are identified by condition, location, or size. The larger a tree is, the more benefits it provides, compared to some of its smaller counterparts that would need years of growth to
Courtesy of Timothy Loesch
An Emerald Ash Borer is a small insect, that is usually between a quarter- to a half-inch long and one-sixteenth wide. EAB gets its name from the deep green color found along the majority of its body.
reach a similar status. Trees that conflict with utility infrastructure or future construction projects may be less valuable than trees in a less obstructive location. This identified roster may also include trees that have cultural or community significance. Trees that do not meet the criteria identified by the preparedness plan are slated for removal.
About 23% of the City of Bismarck’s urban forest is ash trees. This puts Bismarck in a good position compared to other communities in the state. While Fargo’s ash tree population is at about 19 percent and Moorhead’s ash tree population is at just about 23%, many smaller communities have a considerably higher ash tree proportion. Wiles’ goal is to get Bismarck’s ash tree population percentage below 20% before EAB is identified in the community, which means the removal of another 800 ash trees on boulevards. This number does not include trees managed by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District or ash trees located on the river bottom or on private property.
The grappling arm of the City of Bismarck’s knuckle boom truck allows Forestry staff to use fewer staff and pieces of equipment while doing a job more safely. The grappling arm of the knuckle boom is equipped with a chainsaw that can cut parts of the tree that are grasped.
With hundreds of ash trees being removed from the right-of-way, the city and its residents are losing a significant number of assets and benefits provided by the trees. While pre-emptive removals will reduce the overall cost once EAB is found, it does not address the lost value or benefits that occur when a mature tree is removed. That is why the Forestry Division is planting replacement trees in boulevards that have had ash trees removed. The Forestry Division has funded this effort through strategic grant awards given by the North Dakota Forest Service. The goal is to replace every tree that has been removed. By replacing these trees, we are ensuring future generations will receive the benefits of having tree-lined streets.
Finally, as part of the EAB Preparedness Plan, $1 million has been earmarked for the initial management and response. This earmarked money allows for instantaneous removal and ash tree injection response when the pest is identified in the community.
Removal of Trees
To assist in reaching the removal goals, the City of Bismarck has established a contract with thirdparty entities to remove up to 200 ash trees this summer.
Courtesy of Kalen Ost
“We’re making a pretty big dent through the efficient use of general fund dollars,” said Wiles. “We’re going to spread the cost of management over time, and the goal is to have a small impact on property tax dollars.”
The Forestry Division also received funds to purchase a knuckle boom truck. This commercial-sized truck has a retractable hydraulic crane mounted on its chassis that has a grappling hand fashioned to one end. Underneath this grappling hand is a saw. The knuckle boom truck can be run by remote control from the ground and eliminates the need to have forestry staff working in a bucket. Additionally, when a tree is infested with EAB, the pest causes the structure of a tree to become brittle. If a tree is cut down, the impact of the trunk hitting the ground can cause it to shatter, sending wooden shards in every
direction. With its ability to grasp, control, and move all portions of the tree trunk, the knuckle boom truck creates a safer and cleaner working environment and eliminates the majority of potential property damage.
“The knuckle boom truck looks like a Transformer,” said Wiles. “It’s a really cool piece of equipment that allows us to more safely and efficiently remove ash trees once they are infested. It is more efficient in that it reduces the number of staff and pieces of equipment needed on-site. This piece of equipment would replace the need for a boom truck on-site. We will just need to have this knuckle boom truck and a chip truck on-site.”
Previously, Forestry staff were required to be up in the air in a bucket to do work around trees. The purchase of a knuckle boom truck allows staff to do all work more safely from the ground.
Courtesy of Kalen Ost
The grappling hand of the knuckle boom truck allows staff to place the sections of the tree directly into the chipper, or alongside the machinery if the chipper is in use. This eliminates staff having to drag and lift limbs, which has a direct impact on the number of injury claims filed by employees.
Replacing Ash Trees
Removing ash trees isn’t the end of the response to an EAB incident. Trees that are removed need to be replaced by a different species. However, this process is complicated by the logistics of an EAB response.
A tree infected with EAB should ideally be removed in the winter when the insect larvae are under the bark. Following the removal of the tree, stump grinders are used to eliminate the remainder of the tree and fresh trees are planted in the spring. At present staffing levels, it is expected to take about two months to remove 300 trees and about one month to plant 300 trees, in addition to ongoing monitoring efforts.
“This is going to be very complicated, and we will need to be creative in finding efficiencies,” said Wiles. “But we are in a good spot. We’ve worked hard over the last 10 years to reduce the number of ash trees overall and increase the diversity across our city landscape. It will be big news when EAB is discovered, and citizens will have the Forestry Division as a resource. Though we’re not going to inject or remove trees on private property, we can still provide best practices and next steps on how to address the tree.”
The City of Bismarck’s urban forest is mapped through GIS software. These maps allow staff to easily identify areas where ash trees are more prominent in Bismarck. Sections in the community south of Bismarck Expressway between Washington and Third Street, and a neighborhood north of Interstate Ave between Washington Street and Fourth Street going north to Calgary Avenue have dense ash populations. These areas of town may see the most change due to EAB.
The knuckle boom truck can be controlled by remote control from an operator on the ground.
Courtesy of Kalen Ost
"We don’t know exactly how much time we have until EAB is in our community, but we also know we won’t be surprised by EAB."
- Mike Schmitz
Next Steps for Trees, Next Steps for Staff
Some movements within the City of Bismarck's organization chart are mixed in with the traditional responses of the City’s Forestry Division and an Emerald Ash Borer Response. In April 2024, Wiles, who had served as the City Forester for about 8 years, was appointed as the City’s Assistant City Administrator. This advancement creates a vacancy in the Forestry Division that is expected to be filled this summer. Until that individual is hired, Wiles will be spending time working between two roles, which can help shorten the learning curve for the individual hired as the new City Forester.
“It potentially could be a great benefit to the community,” said Wiles. “My goal is that the City hires someone who is a better forester than I am and has new ideas and more insight into what we can do to better evolve as a division and a city.”
EAB is a threat, that much is certain. This invasive insect can destroy a significant portion of Bismarck’s urban forest and alter the beauty introduced to this windswept prairie. But North Dakota also has the benefit of more than two decades of
national response and more than a decade of local preparation. Bismarck’s plan, moving forward, is for no tree genus to make up more than 10% of the urban forest’s population.
We don’t know exactly how much time we have until EAB is in our community, but we also know we won’t be surprised by EAB. The City of Bismarck has invested in people and resources that will make our community stronger and more resilient. Together, we will be able to mitigate this threat and overcome the potential problems it poses.
Demystifying Financial Analysis
By Doug Sanzone, Veterans Business Outreach Specialist
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.
Return on investment, discounted cash flow, net present value, etc. The list can go on and on, all differing methods by which we determine whether to make an investment or not. This can seem a little bit intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. The mathematics and accounting processes themselves have been the same for over 500 years.
First, a little history into the development of financial accounting to help put things into perspective. The first financial mathematics book is Leonardo Fibonacci’s “Liber abaci.” In this book from the 11th century, Fibonacci
Photo Courtesy of VBOC of the Dakotas
Doug S
introduces Hindu-Arabic mathematics to Europe. This new way of doing mathematics was not yet widely known. Then two things happened that changed the world of finance forever.
The invention of the printing press and Luca Pacioli’s book “Summa de Arithmetica,” which was the first book to describe double-entry bookkeeping using Fibonacci’s mathematics; currently still the backbone of all our financial calculations. The printing press allowed for the mass distribution of "Summa de Arithmetica." Its codifying and comprehensive explanations led the Medicis in Florence to adopt these methods commercially, directly leading them to their legendary business dominance. From double-entry bookkeeping to probability theory and computing, the mathematical principles of the most vital features of finance are all present in the "Summa de Arithmetica."
These two texts led to the development in Europe of many of the tools of financial capitalism we still use today. Some of the financial products created were share ownership of limited liability corporations, long-term loans, insurance,
annuities, mutual funds, derivative securities, and deposit banking. All are based on the premises described in these texts.
The business of financial calculation goes back a long time. There were no computers or sophisticated quantitative models. There are basic rules and simple algorithms to follow to be able to glean the information needed to operate a business. Financial data is nothing for you to be afraid of. The needs of small business financial calculations are very straightforward. The calculations themselves are easy; however, finding and using the correct numbers to make your calculations may take some creativity.
However, you, the business owner, can now feel comfortable about this because the information that truly matters to a small business will be known by you, the owner and entrepreneur. Your financial accounting ability is not what you need to worry about. The domain knowledge about your business will lead you in the correct direction. It only takes a basic commonsense knowledge of finance.
Key Numbers to Know
What are the most important financial numbers to know about your business? It is so easy to get bogged down in the minutia of your financials. Look at the basics that you already know, income and expense. The numbers themselves are not the value, but how you use, perceive, and project the numbers.
Let us look at one of the most common financial measures and see how it can be a powerful tool in evaluating your business.
Return on investment (ROI), ROI = (Total Income - Total Cost / Total Cost) x 100, will give you a percentage return on your investment. This calculation has obvious limitations since ROI does not consider the time it takes to make your return. The key here is for the business owner to understand whether this time is important or not.
For most small businesses, for most small purchases it will not be. When making a more costly purchase or when buying an item
or making an investment that will have a long-term lifetime; time will be especially important.
As the business owner you will need to ask yourself; do I have a way to get a better return on my capital than the benefit I will receive in making this investment? But before we move on there is another factor other than ROI that must be taken into consideration. We must consider the risk involved with the investment.
Every investment is different
It is important that before you make an investment you do a case study to determine your expected ROI. Use the intimate information that you know about your business. Remember different investments justify different returns. A rule of thumb of higher risk should equal a higher return is obviously a good place to start but there is a myriad of types of investments you can make in your business.
Capital improvements, equipment purchases, leasing additional space, hiring new employees, starting a new division, etc., are just a few of the ways you can invest. No matter the investment you are potentially going to undertake, doing a case study of the investment is extremely useful. Like any estimate, a case study can only give you an idea of how things will turn out but just like the projections you made for your business plan before you started your business, these projections can be used as a guide as to whether an investment has the appropriate potential ROI for the risk you will assume.
A case study should contain the following items:
1. Objectives: A clearly defined set of objectives and expected outcomes.
2. Costs: Measure all costs associated with the investment. This will include both direct and indirect costs.
3. Benefits: Quantify the benefits resulting from the
investment. This will include not only increased revenue but items such as increased productivity, improved employee turnover, or other tangible or intangible benefits.
4. Calculate ROI: ((total benefittotal cost) / total cost) x 100.
Once you have calculated your ROI, you can decide whether the investment is warranted depending on whether the expected return corresponds with the business’s overall risk appetite and if the riskadjusted return is better than the alternatives.
Examining what you are currently spending on your business by calculating the ROI for each expense item as an exercise, will be immensely rewarding. Along with finding ways that you are misallocating your hard-earned dollars, you will find you can make improvements in areas throughout your organization.
None of this analysis takes anything other than the knowledge you already have about your business. A deep knowledge of
accounting and financial degrees is not necessary to do this type of analysis. Do not hesitate to do your own analysis. Do not become intimidated by balance sheets, income statements, and tax forms. Those documents are why you have an accountant or financial professional as part of your team.
ROI provides a valuable means to assess individual facets of your business independently. In essence, it boils down to one question: am I receiving adequate value for my investment?
VBOC of the Dakotas
701-738-4850
und.edu/dakotasvboc
/DakotasVBOC
@DakotasVBOC
4200 James Ray Dr Grand Forks, ND
Women You Should Know
Beth Demke
Photo Courtesy of Beth Hill
Executive Director of North Dakota's Gateway to Science (NDGTS)
By Arielle Windham
Empowered by Ladyboss Lifestyle
Bismarck Woman
Finds Purpose Bringing Science To All
For Beth Demke, executive director of North Dakota’s Gateway to Science (NDGTS), the formula for success isn’t the neat, polished equation at the end of an experiment. Rather, it’s the whole journey from hypothesis to conclusion.
“We have this idea as a society that the path to success involves getting good grades and attending the prescribed four years of college for a particular program,” Demke said. “At the end of that program, you will become something—fill in the blank with whatever profession.”
This model limits creativity, though.
“Things have not been defined for our young people,” Demke said. “There are jobs out there that haven’t been invented yet! We focus on career connections so students and their parents understand how a STEM background can open up opportunities in our state.”
For 30 years, Demke and NDGTS have engineered opportunities that connect North Dakota students to the jobs of the future in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). As the team prepares for an exciting summer of programming both in Bismarck and across the state, we caught up with Beth Demke to talk about success, science, and STEM.
The Science of Success
Opening the Gates of
Knowledge
“When Frank Koch and Tina Stroh brought the project idea for a hands-on science center to the BismarckMandan Junior Service League, I was president of that organization,” Demke said. “The two groups— science professionals and JSL members—formed a powerful partnership. The science professionals designed and built the exhibits, and they also provided engaging educational programs. JSL members assisted with the organizational structure, organizing the volunteer schedule, and the financial recordkeeping.”
While Demke didn’t have a background in science or education, the NDGTS team quickly realized that she had the right qualities to help lead the organization.
“A lot of people will assume that I’m either a scientist or an educator,” she said. “But we already had that skill set.
What we really needed to run the place was someone who understood business, accounting, and people. I’ve often said my passion is helping people find their passion. I enjoy finding ways to fit people with the things they are good at, matching their talents to the project needs. We needed someone to get the right people into the right places.”
The best leaders recognize the talent of individuals around them and work to position them in places where they can do the most good. In this way, Demke has helped influence NDGTS' trajectory over the last three decades, watching it grow from a small group of dedicated scientists, educators, and volunteers into a state-of-the-art scientific destination that promotes STEM accessibility for all North Dakota students.
Building a sense of belonging
The journey hasn’t always been an easy one, though.
“STEM became an acronym around 2010, nearly 16 years after NDGTS started inspiring the discovery of science through hands-on experiences,” Demke said. As the first organization of its kind in North Dakota, the NDGTS team had a lot of ground to cover, both literally and figuratively.
“The rural nature of our state, with few larger population centers, can result in an inequality of opportunity for students,” she said. “I understand what that feels like. I grew up at a time and in a place when girls weren’t encouraged to pursue careers
in science. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are important to make sure STEM opportunities are made available to everyone. However, I think ‘B’ for belonging is the most critical aspect of broadening opportunity. It reminds us that inclusion is more than a numbers game. Without a sense of belonging, it’s easy for anyone to become discouraged and potentially drop out of STEM programs.”
STEM for Everyone
The journey hasn’t always been an easy one, though.
The NDGTS team has worked diligently to foster a sense of belonging across the entire state through its new science center in Bismarck and a mobile “Gateway
to Science on the Go” program that brings STEM directly to students. This program recently expanded to include a second van, increasing outreach opportunities.
Additionally, NDGTS is excited to mark one year in their new facility this summer.
“The new facility supports our team’s efforts in obvious ways,” Demke said, “with more room for exhibits, larger groups, classroom space, and more. Also, we can host events like science fairs and robotics competitions that we could never have hosted in our former location. This means more direct connections are made between students and our STEM programs. Community and private events provide earned income to support the mission and introduce our facility to people who might not otherwise have a reason to visit.
Photo Courtesy of Beth Hill
North Dakota's Gateway to Science Building
We now have a home base that supports our statewide outreach program."
It promises to be a busy summer for NDGTS. Demke and the team are currently preparing for a full schedule of STEM Adventure Camps planned for elementary and middle school students as well as a special 30th anniversary celebration planned for the weekend of July 20-21 with familyfriendly entertainment and activities. Learn more about programming and opportunities at gatewaytoscience.org.
“STEM shouldn’t be an exclusive club where only certain students get to participate,” Demke said. “Each time I see parents or grandparents actively engaged with their children in the gallery, I realize how far we’ve come. We’ve built
an incredibly talented and dedicated team who are continually looking for new ways to expand our audience and share their passion for STEM.”
North Dakota's Gateway to Science
gatewaytoscience.org
gscience@gscience.org
701-258-1975
/GatewayToScience
@GatewayToScience
1600 Canary Ave, Bismarck, ND 58503
Check out all the fun at North Dakota's Gateway to Science—there's something for every age to explore.
