Fargo INC! August 2023

Sponsored Content: A Fresh Approach to Benefits in a Tight Economy

Sponsored Content: A Fresh Spin on Healthy Cuisine

Ask The Expert: Why Your Business Needs to Beef Up Employee Security Awareness

Groundbreaking CEO Christie Hefner

Pavewise is Paving the Future of the Asphalt Industry

Lifelong Learning = More Opportunities

How Impact Dakota is Optimizing North Dakota's Business Landscape

5 Tips for Government Contracting Building Ecosystems and CrossSector Collaboration

Are You Being Found on Google by Customers?

Looking to Spruce Up Your Office Space?

The First Annual Spotlight Invitational Atmospheric Spaces

10 Questions with John Machacek: Gemsho

Women You Should Know: Julia Schott

The Comprehensive Estate Planning Guide with an LGBTQ+ Twist

Empowered Women Empower Women

Community Matters

Awesome Foundation: MSUM Oceanarium

Awesome Foundation: Indigenous Association

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Cherishing Love, Life,

MEET THE TEAM.

MIKE DRAGOSAVICH

GRANT AYERS

TORI HELLAND

BEN BUCHANAN MEGAN BERGESON TOMMY UHLIR

JOHN STUBER

MIRANDA KNUDSON JESSICA MULLEN

NICK SCHOMMER

KELLEN FEENEY

GARY USSERY JENNY JOHNSON PAUL HOEFER AL ANDERSON

KIM COWLES TY BETTS

GENEVA NODLAND

BRADY DRAKE

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

Are you overwhelmed trying to plan for your big day? You're not alone. We've done our best to provide all types of local resources, expert guidance, de-stressing tips and everything in between. Your wedding day is one of the mos important days of your life. Hopefully, this issue will help you prepare for that day so it's all about you.

A Fresh Spin on Healthy Cuisine

Cooper's Journey in Opening a Franchise in Fargo

t's always interesting to hear about entrepreneurs' and business peoples' origin stories and what their "ah ha!" moment was. For Cooper Wahlo, it was a combination of two things: a love for health and fitness, and a podcast.

Wahlo and his family moved to the United States from Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, when he was just three months old, and eventually settled in Woodbury, MN. Fast forward to college, Wahlo formed a passion for exercise and the human body and played football for NDSU while earning a degree in exercise science.

It was when he was listening to a podcast one day that Wahlo first heard about Mahana Fresh. "I’m a big workout guy; I love to stay healthy and clean and they fit my lifestyle of healthy living and healthy eating, and at the time, there were no fast,

quick, and healthy [eating out] options," he said. "I was in a very interesting time in my life and in 2019, I was looking to do something on a bigger scale."

Fast forward to February 2020, Wahlo was at the gym one day and received an email from the podcast he was listening to called "Bigger Pockets Business," a business podcast. "I never get emails from podcasts so I felt like this was the universe telling me to listen," he said. "I knew Mahana was a great fit for me because I had my wife try the food as well as my kids and they all loved it. It’s a quick healthy fast option, which was unique at the time."

Wahlo was also impressed by the franchise's business model and the fact that they were able to open two new locations during the 2020 pandemic, which alone was impressive since many franchises and businesses were scaling back.

The fact that we are 100% gluten-free down to our dessert is something that I think helps Mahana Fresh stand out."

- Cooper Wahlo, Fargo franchisee

Everything on the Mahana Fresh menu is gluten-free, including the dessert!

Building a Mahana bowl is as easy as choosing a base, with options like basmati rice, macaroni noodles, and more, then selecting your veggies, with delicious options like sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and more, then choosing your protein, with savory options like BBQ chicken or even vegetarian options, and finally finishing with a wide selection of sweet and savory sauces and addons to make it your own personalized treat. Don't forget to top it off with their delicious sweet teas!

Although the pandemic posed challenges in getting started, especially in finding the right bank that believed in the business model, as well as the construction process, Wahlo was committed to bringing a Mahana Fresh to Fargo, which would be the first in the entire Midwest region—the next closest location was Idaho Falls, ID!

"The great thing about a franchise is they can guide you through that process, so, operationally, you’re not having to worry about what you need when it comes to the business side of things," he said. "One thing that was definitely a shocker was equipment and supplies, which arrived a lot earlier than expected." Wahlo and his Mahana team were trying to order things as early as possible, thinking that they would have delays given supply chain issues were plaguing businesses everywhere during this time, but that was not the case for them.

Prior to Mahana Fresh, Wahlo had never been in the food industry so everything has been an exciting learning experience, filled with new opportunities to better understand the food and restaurant market and how to connect with the FargoMoorhead community. "One thing that’s been very interesting to learn is understanding food cost and labor cost and how to make the numbers work," he said. "It’s also been fun getting to meet a lot of great people in the community and pick their minds on being an entrepreneur/ restauranteur."

Another aspect of the business that Wahlo has found very interesting is how much marketing is needed to get people to understand where you are, who you are, and what you do. "I also didn’t realize how saturated the food market is," he noted. "The fact that we are 100% gluten-free down to our dessert is something that I think helps Mahana Fresh stand out." The big thing Wahlo is aiming to

I knew Mahana was a great fit for me because I had my wife try the food as well as my kids and they all loved it."

- Cooper Wahlo, Fargo franchise

rganizations today are increasingly aware of the everchanging cybersecurity landscape. However, despite billions of dollars being spent worldwide to fend off cyber threats, cybercriminals still manage to break through even the strongest security defenses.

They exploit vulnerabilities with one primary target in mind: employees. Cybercriminals see employees as the weakest link in an organization’s cybersecurity perimeter. The good news is that you can address this vulnerability through proper training and bolster your organization’s security.

Strengthening employee security awareness is of utmost importance in protecting your business. Read on to learn why employees are prime targets for cybercriminals and explore the significant impact of improving their security awareness. By recognizing vulnerabilities, we can take an active role in mitigating risks and empowering your workforce to defend against cyberattacks.

The Vulnerabilities Within

Is your organization dealing with any of the following?

Lack of awareness

One of the key reasons employees fall prey to cybercriminals is their limited knowledge of common cybersecurity threats, techniques, and best practices. Cybercriminals can launch phishing attacks, malware infections, and social engineering ploys by exploiting this knowledge gap among your employees.

Privileged access

Employees often hold privileged access to critical systems, sensitive data, or administrative privileges that cybercriminals crave. By compromising your employees’ accounts, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to valuable assets and wreak havoc within your organization.

Social engineering tactics

Cybercriminals are masters of manipulation. They often use social engineering tactics to deceive employees into disclosing sensitive information, sharing login credentials, or unintentionally compromising security measures. These tactics can exploit human emotions, trust, and curiosity, and make your employees involuntary accomplices in cybercrime.

Bring your own device (BYOD) trend

The rising trend of BYOD can expose your organization to additional risks. Employees accessing business information and systems from personal devices that often lack the robust security controls of company-issued devices create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.

Remote/hybrid work challenges

The shift towards remote and hybrid work arrangements introduces new security challenges for businesses like yours. Unsecured home networks, shared devices, and distractions can divert employee focus from cybersecurity best practices, increasing their susceptibility to attacks.

Best practices for creating an engaging employee security training program

To strengthen your organization’s security, implement an engaging employee security training program using these best practices:

Assess cybersecurity needs

Understand the specific cybersecurity risks and requirements your organization faces. Identify areas where employees may be particularly vulnerable.

Define clear objectives

Set concrete goals for your training program by outlining the desired outcomes and essential skills employees should acquire.

Develop engaging content

Create interactive and easily digestible training materials for your employees. Use real-life examples and scenarios to make the content relatable and memorable.

Tailor targeted content

Customize the training to address your organization’s unique challenges and risks. Make it relevant to employees’ roles and responsibilities.

Deliver consistent, continuous training

Establish a regular training schedule to reinforce cybersecurity awareness and foster a culture of ongoing learning. Keep your employees up to date with the latest threats and preventive measures.

Measure effectiveness and gather feedback

Continuously evaluate your training program’s effectiveness through assessments and feedback. Use the data to refine and improve the program.

Promote a cybersecurity culture

Encourage employees to take an active role in cybersecurity by promoting open communication, incident reporting, and shared responsibility for protecting company assets.

Collaborate for success

Ready to empower your employees as cybercrime fighters? Contact NorthStar Technology Group today and let’s create a robust security awareness training program that engages your team and strengthens your organization’s defenses against evolving cyber threats.

Investing in employee security awareness can transform your workforce into a formidable line of defense. With it, you can safeguard your business from cybercriminals and ensure a more resilient future.

By Geneva Nodland | Geneva Nodland

GROUNDBREAKING CEO

CHRISTIE HEFNER

Internationally Known; Locally Involved

hen you talk to Christie Hefner, who's backed by unwavering confidence that you'd think someone would have to train for in order to display so cooly, you start to understand that some things just are what they are. You see that confidence when you examine her decision to take on the position of Playboy Enterprises' president at the age of 29. She talks as if her successful efforts to move said company into a digital expansion where no other publication had gone before, was no different from picking between the steak or the chicken at dinner.

In 1982, Christie took the reins and stepped into the role of president of Playboy. With that new title came additional weight as the company had run into financial issues, but with fearless ambition (and with lack of an MBA she reminds us), Christie greeted the business that she would spend a good chunk of her career navigating and growing into an immensely successful legacy.

Taking over as CEO in 1988 and simultaneously becoming one of the youngest female CEOs of a major public company at the time, Christie oversaw Playboy's expansion from print into cable TV, video production, online accessibility and e-commerce, international publishing, and licensing of the Playboy brand. The company's revenues grew from $76 million in 1988 to over $500 million by the late 1990s under her leadership.

During Christie's tenure, Playboy's international presence expanded by launching over 20 foreign editions of Playboy magazine and taking the company public on international stock exchanges. She modernized Playboy with investments in digital media and entertainment. As a supporter of women's empowerment, she pushed for Playboy to feature more substantive articles and accomplished women in addition to the infamous pictorials.

When Christie was in the role of CEO at Playboy, she took on another role as project director to aid the opening of a healthcare facility called the CORE Center. The CORE Center would go on to be the first comprehensive outpatient facility in the Midwest for people living with AIDS. The project surpassed its goal of $25 million and raised more than $30 million by 1998 and opened its doors in October of that year. The Center has remained one of the largest HIV/ AIDS clinics in the United States. In an interview with TimeOut Chicago in 2005 Christie said this:

In the early '80s, [Playboy] started to write about AIDS with the goal of countering the scare tactics that were out there about transmission. [Playboy] historically has been an important force as far as issues related to health and particularly issues that also touch on human sexuality."

| Christie Hefner presents

In her last year as CEO, Playboy generated close to $1 billion in global retail sales, with 80% of the sales to women. When she left the company in 2009, over 40% of her executives were women.

In her years after stepping down as Playboy CEO, Christie has served on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards and was named one of America's most influential women executives by Fortune magazine. And, believe it or not, one of those boards is one that locals of the FM area may be quite familiar with—R.D. Offutt Company (more on that from the board member herself later).

Beyond her corporate achievements, Christie is known for her enduring commitment to social change and advocacy work, particularly in the areas of social justice, civil liberties, and women's empowerment. She is an avid

supporter of free speech and speaks highly in her support of the First Amendment.

When you look over Christie Hefner's resume, you can understand why many look at her in awe—she accomplished so much during her 25+ years of leadership at Playboy and in the years after. You could describe her as an unparalleled entrepreneurial spirit, but you should know there's more to her than that—Christie Hefner waivers not in decision-making for a billion-dollar company, but at naming her favorite movie—a reminder that she is human after all. When she visited the FM area to speak at the annual TEDxFargo event in July, we had the chance to pick her brain on leadership, courage, and everything in between while reliving some of the critical moments in Playboy's history.

| Christie Hefner shakes hands with Emerging Prairie co-founder Greg Tehven

Q&A WITH CHRISTIE HEFNER

Q: Tell me a little bit more about the First Amendment and civility, as you [spoke on it at TEDxFargo] and also touched on it in an interview with the Inforum. So, reiterate a bit why that is so important to you.

A: I grew up with an interest in reading and writing and then got interested in journalism. My first job out of college was working as a film critic for the Boston Phoenix, which is no longer around, but was one of those free alternative weeklies that became very popular and focused on a combination of arts and culture coverage, progressive politics, and investigative journalism. I started with a strong interest in the power of the written word and the importance of journalism. When I wound up coming to work at Playboy, thinking I would only be there for a couple of years initially, nevertheless, I was offered the opportunity to join the board of the American Civil Liberties Union—which I did for about 20 years. When I was on the board of the Playboy Foundation, we started the HMH First Amendment Awards, which were designed to celebrate, in contemporary times, the battles that people were fighting— whether they were whistleblowers, librarians, school book editors, or authors. It's been a throughline for me. Christie Offutt originally asked if I would consider coming out for TEDx and I talked to Greg [Tehven] about it. We got on the phone, and he asked, 'Well, what would you like to talk about?' And I said, 'What do you think people would be interested in?' We just started kicking things around and that seemed to resonate.

Q: You talk a little bit about the local press in your TEDx Talk. Tell me why that is so important to you as well?

A: I worked with the Chicago Reader, the first alternative weekly in the country, in helping it transition to a nonprofit business model, which is not the right business model for all press, but it's nice to have that as an option. And, out of that, I have started working with a couple of large foundations to raise charitable money for independent local media. So to answer the question of why I think it's important—there are a number of reasons. First of all, I think we're all conscious of the fact that trust in many institutions, the media included, is much lower than it used to be. That's a problem because, as I mentioned in my remarks, we should look to the media for information, for perspective to hold government accountable, whether it's the school board or the state legislature; so if

people aren't trusting the media or if they're only going to their media bubble, democracy itself is harmed. And, in fact, there's a fair amount of research that when a local newspaper dies—because there are now what is called news deserts, where there is not a local newspaper anymore— the percentage of people who vote goes down, the percentage of incumbents who get reelected goes up, the confidence in government goes down. So at some level, I think local media is really important just in terms of democracy. And then there are issues like, there are about 100 local media outlets in Chicago in all different languages because Chicago is very multicultural. They don't all publish physical print papers, some of them are podcasts, and some of them are digital and print. But, they were really instrumental and effective in educating people around the census, because there was a lot of misinformation that was leading some people to feel they shouldn't fill out the census, because maybe they didn't have their green card. They were really instrumental in educating people about vaccinations and about voting registration. Some of it is just about a trusted source of information. The last piece of it is I think it's a pipeline for both stories and journalists. Chris Hayes at MSNBC started his career at The Reader. There are a lot of people, whether they're arts columnists, or political columnists, who got their first jobs in smaller independent places, whether they were in smaller markets or big markets. And so for all those reasons, I think that it's really important for readers and advertisers to support media.

You can watch Christie's and all of the other TEDxFargo speakers' TED Talks! Keep an eye out on the TEDxFargo's social media and website to see when this year's TED Talks are uploaded.

Q: You were 29 years old when you became President of Playboy—why do you think you had the courage to take that step?

A: In hindsight, it was just a WTF moment. I mean, really, what was I thinking? But, contributing factors would include, I was raised by my mother—who I'm still very close to, she's 97 and she's fabulous—and I had what every child hopes and deserves to have, which is unconditional love and the belief in me that I could do whatever I wanted. I had a really good education, a great high school [education] and I went to Brandeis University. So, I felt like I learned critical thinking skills, communication skills, and useful skills beyond business, per se.

I spent the early years at Playboy taking some business courses in marketing, strategy, organizational development, and culture, so I had some background, and I have a high degree of intellectual curiosity. I'm a pretty avid reader and a strong believer in building a network of people whom you can look to for advice and counsel. I actually have said more than once to groups of women, particularly women because often they are encouraged to find a mentor—don't turn [finding a mentor] into a professional version of looking for Prince Charming, [thinking] 'If I don't find the one then I can't have a happy life.' Build a network, because everyone can build a network. The advantage of that is the person that you turn to when you're trying to decide if you should move to a different company is maybe not the person you turn to when you're having negotiating problems over salary or the person you turn to when you're having personal problems. So, I built a network of people in the different industries that we were in that I felt I could draw upon. I had been [at Playboy] for seven years, and I had been on the board for three years, so it

wasn't like I was brand new, but there's still an element of it that is, as I say, in hindsight, very difficult for me to look back on and think, 'Why did I think I could do that?'

That sense of seeing both perspectives or in some cases, multiple perspectives, that sense of empathy—that's a pretty useful way to navigate the world, even if you're not in a negotiation."

about it. There's a great expression: You won't get in life what you deserve, you'll get in life what you negotiate for. I think that sometimes people think that negotiation is something you need if you're [working] in the State Department or if you're a mediator, and other people don't. But if you really think about it, it's everything from [deciding where you're] going to have dinner tonight, how much screen time do [your kids] get to have, to when you're wanting to apply for a promotion.

I do believe very strongly in it, and it is a learnable skill. I don't have any single [resource], there are many books on it, and most universities offer courses on it. What I do say is that it's a learnable skill, and a lot of what makes people successful, in my experiences with negotiators, are the same skills that are useful beyond negotiating, because it has to do with a certain kind of empathy for the other point of view. If I'm negotiating with you, and I'm going into it knowing what I want without really bothering to learn what you want and what you need, the odds are that it's not going to turn out as well as if I understand what you need and why you need it. I can help solve your problem and needs at the same time as mine. That sense of seeing both perspectives or in some cases, multiple perspectives, that sense of empathy—that's a pretty useful way to kind of navigate the world, even if you're not in a negotiation.

Q: Talking about negotiation, do you have resources that you would recommend for people wanting to dive into that more, and to build confidence in their skills?

A: I'm a very big believer in the value of that as a skill, so I'm glad you asked

Q: What was your experience like when you joined the MPA (The Association of Magazine Media, formerly known as Magazine Publishers Association until 2010) board, I believe there were only two women and yourself at the time.

A: A woman named Gertrude Crane, whose family founded a family of magazines called Cranes, there's

"...[Negtoating] is a learnable skill, and a lot of what makes people successful, in my experiences with negotiators, are the same skills that are useful beyond negotiating because it has to do with a certain kind of empathy for the other point of view...

Crain's Chicago Business, Crain's Detroit Business, and Crain's New York Business, and they also own Ad Age, was on the board; a woman named Pat Carbine, who was the publisher of Ms. Magazine; and me, and the board was about 30 people. Pat and I spoke up, but Gertrude [didn't], maybe because it was a generational thing. She was a lovely and smart woman, but I think she came of age at a time when women didn't tend to assert themselves quite as much. But, I always felt whether I was the only woman in the room or one of the few women in the room, that if I was in the room, I was there to try and make a contribution. That was a combination of hopefully asking good questions and then also making comments.

I met Christi Offutt when she was about to become CEO [of RDO], succeeding her father. We met at a conference for a group that I helped—a nonprofit called Women Corporate Directors that works to get more women on boards and they have chapters all over the world. They do a global conference once a year and at this, it was maybe eight years ago, I had been asked to moderate a panel on governance in family business and Christi was one of the panelists. So as you know, if you're doing an interview or you're monitoring panels, you do your research ahead of time to find out about the companies and the people, then you do the pre-call, and then you do the event. I had learned a fair amount about the RDO company and after the fact, Christi said, 'In conjunction with my becoming CEO, two of our directors are going to retire and I honestly came to this conference in hopes that I might meet someone who I would be interested in having on our board. We don't have any women on our board, I would love to talk to you about that.' And I actually said to her at the time, 'I am very impressed by your company, and your family, and I really like you personally, but I know nothing about the ag business, construction business, farming, and I just think there are other people who can bring more into the boardroom.' She had a very interesting and wise answer. She said, 'I have subject experts. I'm looking for a strategist, someone who understands marketing, and someone who has some sensitivity for family business.' I thought, 'Okay, those are things I actually do feel like bringing into the boardroom.'

But I tell that story because I said to her at the time, 'I don't have a problem being the only new director, I don't have a problem being the only female director, that won't stop me from, from engaging, and trying to contribute; but group dynamics are such that given that you're just becoming CEO, it's going to be a new

"We concluded that our most valuable asset, given the market, was not our publishing expertise, but the brand."

Being so active in the theater as she was growing up, and working as a film critic before her time at Playboy, we thought it was only right to ask Christie if she had any film reccomendations for our readers.

"Well, I'm really looking forward to seeing Oppenheimer, but I haven't seen it. I'm a huge Christopher Nolan fan, and I think it's a fascinating subject. So, of what's out there right now, that would probably be my my top recommendation."

dynamic with the board. You'll have an easier time if you put two new people in that room than just one person.' That's just the way dynamics work. So, she found a second director, who also happens to be a woman... But from the beginning, even in that situation, where mostly you're just asking questions—I'm pretty comfortable doing that.

There's a great expression that is: Are you listening to learn? Or are you listening to respond? If I'm talking to, for example, MBA students who are always super smart and very acutely aware of how smart they are, I say, 'Stop listening to respond, you're not really hearing me, you're just waiting for me to pause so you can make your super smart comment.' And if that's what's going on in a boardroom, or in an executive committee room, a newsroom, or in any room, then you're not getting the best ideas.

Q: You said you just felt comfortable in those situations. Have you always been like that or was that learned?

A: Pretty much. I did theater from the time I was very young. I was

at a private grammar school, and then my mother remarried, and in junior high, I went to public schools. At the private grammar school, we did a production of Sleeping Beauty all in French in fifth grade, I played sleeping beauty. I did theater in junior high, high school, and college, and I spent six summers at the National Music Camp (in Interlochen, Michigan). Along with debate—which I never studied, but I think is great and should be required—I think those courses give you a sort of sense of self-confidence and the ability to speak in public and organize your thoughts. That probably helped along the way. It certainly helped with public speaking, although when I first was at Playboy and was asked to give a talk, I'd never given a speech before. I wrote out every word, and I read it. It was well written—I'm a pretty good writer—but I could tell early into it that it wasn't working. I'm up there reading the speech, and [I'm] not connecting with people. So, I vowed at that moment that I would train myself and force myself to get away from that, and I did. I moved from reading a speech to an outline, and then bullet points, and now I don't take any notes with me. I've just come to believe over the years that, yes, there's a reasonable risk that

there's something that you thought you would like to say that in the moment you forget, but the tradeoff for that is you're so present in the moment. If you open yourself up to that, in my experience, you are very likely to be able to say something that comes to you in the moment, and because of the feeling in the room, your connection to people, and letting them feel they're connecting to you, it's a good trade-off.

Q: You ultimately changed the trajectory of Playboy when it went digital. What was your mindset and your decision-making process like during that time?

A: When you talk about strategy for business, it all comes down to the intersection between opportunity and your assets. When I took over the company, it was in financial trouble. The first few years, were really just about selling the businesses that weren't working. If I had an MBA, I would say, we rationalized the lines of business; I don't have an MBA, so I say, 'we dumped the losers.' Cutting costs and getting the balance sheet in order, paying down debt, getting the company to be cash positive, right-sizing it, and all that. Then the question

DID YOU KNOW

becomes where's your growth going to come from? The traditional growth strategy for a company that had a successful magazine, whether it was Time Magazine or anybody else, was that you should either buy or launch other magazines because that's your most valuable asset—you know how to publish. But we tried to at least challenge ourselves to think before we say for sure that's what we should do. We just try tothink a little bit more expansively about what our assets were. I hired a small strategic planning firm and put together a group, drawing on my network both internally and externally, around the question of, 'What's the intersection of market opportunities and our assets?' We concluded that our most valuable asset, given the market, was not our publishing expertise, but the brand. That the brand represented a style of content, it represented a lifestyle, and if we could leverage that, that was a bigger opportunity. That was partly because the market was changing, and cable television was just beginning to explode. When I was growing up, there were literally three channels of television, the three broadcast networks. Nobody sought out a channel, they sought out a TV show. But all of a sudden, there were 50 channels that were being rolled out across the United States and home video. So it just seemed to us that the potential for branded destination viewing on video and TV was there. That period in the 80s is exactly when

not just Playboy TV, but Disney, CNN, and MTV, and all of these brands [began] with the idea that you would turn on MTV, ESPN, Playboy, or Disney. Then once we made that successful move, it became more logical to think about what the potential was as the internet was expanding.

What was early on called new media, which was like the early versions of digital, there would be conferences, and I would go and look for companies to partner with where we could provide content and they could provide format and distribution. We worked with IBM and did a multimedia Playboy interview disc, we worked with Philips to do a series of sensual massage discs, and we worked with a different company and did a multimedia art project—all to learn what it meant if everything was digitized, whether it's text or photo, or audio or video, everything can be combined. It just seemed like that was where the world was going. At the time the big internet providers were AOL and Prodigy and CompuServe, so a couple of the magazine companies had licensed magazine names to one of those services that would just pay them some money and it was almost like they had a little mall of different magazine brands, but they control the content and commerce—and, I was just more ambitious than that, I guess is the truth of it. At one of the conferences I went to, I met a man named Jim Clark, who had started a

firm that was originally called Mosaic but became Netscape, which was one of the first ways that people started to actually access the internet and the World Wide Web. We were chatting, and I knew who he was, and I told him I had this vision of what would become Playboy online, but I don't know how to do it. This is around 1992. He said, 'Well, I could build you an interface where people could just type in playboy.com, and then they'd be on your site, and you could do whatever you wanted on it.' I never thought for a moment that he couldn't do it, because he was already famous, but I did think it would probably be super, super expensive. ...He said it wouldn't be very expensive and said, 'I think it'd be cool, I'll do it.' So, Jim Clark actually built the first physical infrastructure for playboy. com and we became the first national magazine to go online and create our own site. Then, we had gaming and social and commerce and advertising and then, as other countries moved in that direction, we looked for partners and did that overseas with our international publishing partners, then we went into mobile, and took the brand through licensing into a lot of consumer products. It's a great example of challenging yourself to ask the question, 'What business are we in?' In hindsight, it's really interesting to look back because you think Playboy, maybe was a more natural brand to go online and to go into TV; but in truth, at the time, Time Warner owned

"The challenge for companies that are very successful in one business that becomes their legacy business is that they rarely innovate when the market changes. Kodak created digital film and didn't take it to market because they thought it would cannibalize the physical film business. Blockbuster could have owned everything that Netflix owns, but they were making a lot of money from late fees and they didn't want to risk cannibalizing that. It's one of the business challenges that I work with companies on all the time, which is how to constantly innovate and how to constantly challenge conventional thinking."

cable systems and owned Time Magazine, and yet, never thought to launch a cable news network. The challenge for companies that are very successful in one business that becomes their legacy business is that they rarely innovate when the market changes. Kodak created digital film and didn't take it to market because they thought it would cannibalize the physical film business. Blockbuster could have owned everything that Netflix owns, but they were making a lot of money from late fees and they didn't want to risk cannibalizing that. It's one of the business challenges that I work with companies on all the time, which is how to constantly innovate and how to constantly challenge conventional thinking.

Q: Bouncing off that, what advice do you have for businesses navigating such a quickly changing environment? For example, with AI?

A: Well, I'll go back to the earlier conversation about culture and building a culture that is made up of people who are intellectually agile and are able to challenge conventional thinking. I made the comment in my TED Talk, and it's true, there's so much research that says, if you want to have the most creative ideas, the best solutions for any situation, any problem, then put a group of people together who have different backgrounds, different

experiences, and different vantage points. If you're trying to build a company that is needing to innovate in a fast-changing world, one of the things you for sure don't want to do, is have a company where the people in leadership all went to the same schools, are all the same gender, and same race—that's just not going to get you a very good outcome. I would definitely say it starts with that.

I'm also a big believer in partnership, and this was true, even in the 80s, when it was very much in vogue to grow through acquisition. I've done acquisitions, and I'm not against them, but there's a lot to be gained from partnering. I think, especially in a world where all companies basically have to think of themselves as technology companies, whether you're a fashion company or a bank. I used to say all companies are media companies by which I meant, you need to be able to tell your story to your stakeholders. I used to use the example in trying to describe how everybody's product, now, is like a story. Like free-range chicken, right? Why would you pay more for free-range chickens? It's a story. I like the idea of the story of happy chickens, not in a terrible little cage—they are out, wandering in the grass eating, and I'm buying that story. I do still think that in shorthand, every company is a media company, but for sure, now every company is a technology company. And AI is a great example because it's going to impact everything from how

companies recruit, to how they set up their legal departments, to how they engage with their consumers. I'm fundamentally an optimist about everything, politics, business, and relationships, so I am on the side of, it has a lot of promise, which doesn't mean it doesn't have risk, but it does a lot of promise. Just this morning, I was listening to NPR, and seven tech companies have committed to work with the administration on a voluntary initial list of regulations that include an external review of any new AI before it goes to market and includes more commitment to transparency, so anything that is generated by AI has to be clearly labeled that that's how it was generated. It was all the big companies. The fact that the tech companies themselves have been saying for some time now, we need a regulatory framework is what's encouraging.

Q: You spoke a little bit about how you got connected with Christi at RDO. I think it's very cool that you are involved with the Fargo community. How many times have you visited the area? What do you think?

A: I was asked by a number of people during the rehearsal time on Wednesday and then at TEDx if this was my first trip to Fargo, which is a completely logical question to ask me, but I get to actually say no!

We have four board meetings a year for RDO, most of them are here, and I've been on that board for eight years. So [I've been to Fargo] at least, two dozen times over the years; and not all the time, but some of the time when I come here for the RDO board meeting, I stay an extra day to work with Bill Marcil Jr. and the Forum on strategy, which has been going great. All our papers are profitable now and we've had really robust digital offerings, we've invested in more journalism in all the markets, we actually bought the paper in Rochester, Minnesota, and we're buying TV stations.

...I find [Fargo] a delightful town, and the people are really lovely. At the [TEDxFargo] speaker's dinner Wednesday night, they had the speakers, the sponsors, and previous speakers, and the mayor of Fargo came over and introduced himself and said, "We're so happy that you're here." You know, that doesn't usually happen in a big city. And there's something very nice about that. Chicago is a very friendly big city, and people who move there from particularly New York or LA will often comment on that, that people are more engaged in the life of the city, it's less siloed, and people work across industries and with nonprofits and the government, and there's a kind of a Midwestern friendliness to it. But in a city of this size, there's even more of that, you feel like everybody knows everybody.

Q: My final question is, what advice do you have for women in business?

A: Sheryl Sandberg is a friend, and I did think that her fundamental point about women leaning in is an important one in that, again, there's a lot of research that shows that women are slower to raise their hand to say, 'I'd like to be considered for that job,' or 'I think I'd like to be considered for promotion.' So, having the confidence to bet on yourself and your potential, down to my 'Why did I think I could turn around a company, that was a publically traded company, at that age?' I think that's really important. But at the same time, none of us do it alone. With the leanin, leaning on other people—back to my point about building a network of people that will help you, and in turn helping them—I have found to be a really important thing. Back to the theme that we've been talking about, which is this idea of intellectual agility, of innovation, I'm a big believer in being a lifelong learner.

When I think back a couple of generations ago, almost everybody had three distinct chapters. You went to school, you worked, and you retired. That was life. And everything about that has changed. First of all, everybody I know expects to work their entire life; they may work the same all their life. I've changed from having an all consuming CEO of a public company job to a portfolio of

companies I work with, but I can't imagine a time where I wouldn't want to be working.

Secondly, I think the things that people use to defer to retirement, like travel, learning another language, taking up a new activity, even spending time with family—people do not want to wait. They want to have that balance sooner in their lives. And lastly, the idea that you stop learning because you graduated from high school or college, or got your masters, or whatever formal education you complete, at the very least, that's not optimal. I would argue it's even a mistake, you want to be a lifelong learner.

My criteria for what businesses I work with, starts with if I would want to have a long dinner with these people, then, do I find the business genuinely interesting and do I believe I can help them, but the last is asking, 'Will I learned something new?' And that's why being on the RDO board is valuable to me, as well as I believe I'm valuable to them. ...That idea of just constantly challenging yourself, for business, but also it's sort of what makes life fun—learning new things, whether it's because you travel or read or you're meeting interesting people. That's why TEDx is so great, it exposes you.

PHOTO BY GARY USSERY

Bryce and Brittany Wuori are aiming to push the asphalt industry to new levels by incorporating technology that could change the construction landscape entirely. After meeting on the Missouri River, Brittany and Bryce soon married and have since gained significant experience in the industry through a multitude of business ventures whilst supporting one another.

Bryce has been in the paving industry for 17 years as a consultant and project manager, among other positions. They’ve both always had a passion for promoting new technologies, with Pavewise representing yet another step in their journey. I sat down with Bryce Wuori to discuss what led them to develop their forward-thinking platform

Pavewise, their goals and ambitions with the platform, future plans within the industry, and more.

THE BIRTH OF PAVEWISE

Founded in 2019 by Bryce Wuori, a seasoned consultant with a passion for efficiency, Pavewise has emerged as a unique and pioneering force in the field. Together with his partner in business and life, Brittany Wuori, the two have created a comprehensive software platform that tackles the challenges faced by contractors, revolutionizing the way road construction projects are planned and executed. With a focus on integrating weather data, optimizing project schedules, and prioritizing employee well-being, Pavewise stands at the forefront of innovation in the industry. In this article, we will delve into the history of Pavewise, explore its groundbreaking platform features, and gain insights from Bryce Wuori himself on the journey and future of the company.

Bryce's journey with Pavewise began in 2018 when he embarked on a mission to address the quality issues in paving projects caused by weather and other variables. Drawing upon his extensive consulting experience, Bryce began to develop the Pavewise software. When the business was formally launched, Bryce, together with Brittany as the COO, set out to build a platform that catered to the core needs of contractors, striving for efficiency and effectiveness. After identifying the industry's struggles and adapting to the ever-

BRITTANY WUORI

changing landscape, Pavewise gained considerable traction, earning recognition for its successful software and consulting services.

“I began developing the software in 2018, but the business itself was founded in 2019. That’s when we started researching and building out a platform to test. After seeing what the contractors’ biggest issues were, we made a few pivots with the technology based on those core needs. We spent the first four years identifying the biggest struggles and needs to be as efficient as we could be for the clients since we knew that nobody else would have software like this. It was a crazy few years, especially during COVID, but we’ve gained a lot of traction since launching. The Pavewise software that we’ve built and used to assist with consulting has been very successful,” Bryce said.

Bryce is far from a one-man show when it comes to Pavewise, however. Brittany, the COO of Pavewise, balances work and life with her husband and business partner. While business can be tricky with multiple partners, Bryce stated that they work well together in the toughest of situations.

BRYCE WUORI CEO AND CTO OF PAVEWISE

DID YOU KNOW?

Pavewise has run upwards of 27 projects through its unique software. In 2022 alone, they ran it on two large projects, one worth $7 million and the other worth $27 million.

Photos Courtesy of Leslie Livengood Photography

PHOTO BY GARY USSERY

PAVEWISE’S KEY FEATURES

Project Location Mapping

Project Pin Drops, Descriptions, and Haul Route Information

Project Location Sharing

Dynamic Weather Tracking

Current and Future Condition Notifications

Project Specific Details including Goals, Team Members, and Equipment for Every Project

Resource Catalog and User Help Center Providing Professional Support

it’s hard work and long hours,” Bryce said.

Employees can check in daily and rate their mental health and happiness on a scale of one to five. If they check in at a ‘one’ or ‘two’ for two consecutive days in a row, corrective action is taken to ensure that contractors know there’s a problem if employees are getting burned out or unhappy. If an employee is getting burnt out, they’re given a break to reset before they fall further into a rabbit hole of work burnout.

“If you give them a few days off, they’ll come back refreshed and ready to give it their all. Honestly, if there's one thing that I can get out of building this program, it’s tackling that issue within the industry. It’s important to make it a little better for employees and communicate their mental health effectively so that contractors can understand their breaking points and avoid them,” Bryce said.

Furthermore, they have integrated Google Maps into the Pavewise

Pavewise has ambitious plans for the future. Bryce Wuori, together with his dedicated team, aims to build upon their momentum and expand the company's reach. As Pavewise gains recognition in the asphalt industry, they are actively seeking a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to bolster their management and software expertise. By strengthening its team, Pavewise aims to accelerate its integration into the market and industry by 2024.

Upcoming projects and partnerships are already shaping the company's path forward. Collaborations with prominent contractors in North Dakota, Wyoming, Florida, and along the East Coast demonstrate the growing interest in Pavewise's software. Their goal is to work closely with both larger paving companies and smaller enterprises that need more expertise. By forging partnerships and offering innovative solutions, Pavewise strives to improve road systems, enhance efficiency, and save taxpayers money.

THE WUORIS' ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

Bryce and Brittany Wuori's entrepreneurial journey with Pavewise has been a testament to their dedication and passion for driving positive change in the asphalt industry. Together, they have overcome challenges, embraced innovation, and built a company that is reshaping the way road construction projects are executed.

Throughout their journey, the Wuoris have emphasized the importance of collaboration and learning from others in the industry. They actively seek feedback from contractors, employees, and industry experts to continuously improve their software platform. By incorporating realworld insights and staying connected with the needs of their users, Pavewise remains agile and adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry.

Beyond the software platform, Pavewise also offers consulting services to assist contractors in optimizing their operations. By leveraging their expertise and industry knowledge, the team at Pavewise provides tailored solutions and guidance to address specific challenges contractors face. This holistic approach sets Pavewise apart, as they not only provide cutting-edge technology but also offer the support and expertise necessary for successful implementation.

the asphalt industry. They recognize that their software platform and approach to project management can be applied to other construction sectors, opening up new avenues for growth and impact.

Pavewise previously announced the public release of their software at the 2023 North Dakota Asphalt Conference. Attendees at the event had the opportunity to sign up for a trial and provide valuable feedback. Recognizing the potential of Pavewise, Bryce and Brittany have engaged in discussions with prominent software companies who have expressed significant interest in the product. In pursuit of their vision for success, they have personally met with several of these companies to explore potential collaborations such as integrations, mergers, or expansions.

Photos Courtesy of Leslie Livengood Photography

continuous improvement, Pavewise is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals and make a lasting impact on the way road construction projects are planned and executed.

“We’re seeing success because nobody else in the asphalt industry is doing this. We’ve found our niche and we’re focusing on quality over quantity. We have a huge passion for this industry. If we can help improve the road systems by making them even 10% more efficient so that they last even 5 years longer, that saves millions of dollars, which is our goal,” Bryce said.

Pavewise is revolutionizing road construction through its innovative software solutions and consulting services. By integrating weather data, prioritizing employee well-being, and collaborating with contractors, Pavewise is driving efficiency and quality in the industry. With a visionary leadership team and a commitment to ongoing innovation, Pavewise is poised to shape the future of road construction and expand its impact beyond the asphalt industry.

IT’S NOT GOOD TO HAVE 60 EMPLOYEES WITH NOTHING TO DO FOR 3 DAYS ON A NEARLY $30 MILLION PROJECT. THIS HELPS PLAN MAINTENANCE AND OTHER TASKS AROUND THE WEATHER SO THE OPERATION IS AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO ASSIST WITH THAT EFFICIENCY AND ULTIMATELY HELP THE CONTRACTOR BUILD BETTER ROADS THAT LAST LONGER, EQUATING TO FEWER TAX DOLLARS.”

BRYCE WUORI CEO AND CTO OF PAVEWISE

WHAT SCALE OF PROJECTS IS PAVEWISE CURRENTLY TARGETING?

Our target market is asphalt paving contractors on high-profile projects, such as LAX airport. There are a lot of incentives and dollars that could be made or lost on those high-risk projects. We have some clients in Bismarck that are only running 2 or 3 crews with 5 to 10 people on them.

Contractors are using Pavewise as a way to track project location because you can pin your project locations and put in notes regarding material and other aspects of the project. Quite honestly, we're getting a lot of interest from smaller companies. Those companies don't have that expert like some of the bigger companies, and we’re more than happy to work with them.

DOES YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE AND SCHEDULE VARY BETWEEN WINTER AND SUMMER?

Yes and no. In the Midwest with winter, there isn’t much paving going on, but this is the busy time of the year for paving in Texas, Southern Arizona, Nevada, and other Southern states. It’s a nice balance throughout the year since there are busier and less busy times depending on the weather and temperature difference between the north and south. The winters also get busier as we do a lot of conferences and presentations on technologies in the industry.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO SETTLE IN NORTH DAKOTA AND CONTINUE PAVEWISE FROM THE BIS-MAN AREA?

I was born and raised in North Dakota. I’ve traveled and seen other beautiful places, but it just wasn’t the same as North Dakota. We have a lot of great things going on in this community and sometimes you don’t realize that until you get away from it. I’ve been offered jobs all across the country, from California to Boston, and there’s no way that I could leave here.

I always come back here and see how huge the entrepreneurial community is in North Dakota with its programs, state funding, and opportunities to meet with the legislature. There aren’t many other places where you can go up to the capitol and request a meeting with a government official to talk about road conditions.

“MOST POTHOLES YOU SEE ARE USUALLY FROM A LACK OF QUALITY WHERE IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE BEST CONDITIONS TO WORK IN, WHERE WEATHER CONDITIONS DIRECTLY AFFECTED THE PRODUCTION, EFFICIENCY, AND OVERALL QUALITY.

PAVEWISE TRACKS DIFFERENT VARIABLES TO MAKE THE MOST OF A CONTRACTOR’S TIME AND MONEY BEING INVESTED INTO A PROJECT.”

A Q&A WITH BRYCE WUORI, CEO OF PAVEWISE

-BRYCE WUORI

DID YOU KNOW?

Since 2018, Bryce Wuori has been using his past experiences and expertise to bring knowledge to projects spanning from the East Coast to the West Coast as a consultant. During that time, he has also been working on the Pavewise software to track weather and other variables that have been causing issues in paving projects, which ultimately cause quality issues in the road.

HOW DO YOU AND BRITTANY JUGGLE A WORK-LIFE BALANCE? DO YOU HAVE STEPS OR BOUNDARIES THAT SEPARATE WORK AND HOME LIFE?

Yes, we do. When you're working on something that you enjoy, it's more of a dream than a job. I'm around quite a bit. I’ll do these spurts where I work from home for a week, then I'm gone for a week. I try to schedule myself to not be gone too long from the family. Brittany stays and runs the company here when I'm not around and does it very well. We're very fortunate to have a good team and work well together.

We have four kids and love actively spending time together on trips, such as Disney. We do a lot of things that aren’t normal. For example, we take the kids on vacations, rather than buy them Christmas gifts. When I’m traveling a lot on business, we make it work. I was recently down in Las Vegas for eight days and Brittany came down and joined me for four of them. When I was on another trip, I brought my kids out to Wyoming, so they get to travel and see some of these places as well.

Also, my brain never shuts off. It's hard not to work sometimes because of constantly thinking about it but you have to find hobbies and things to do. I love volunteering, spending time outside, and biking. One of the bigger reasons that I can’t leave North Dakota is the North Dakota Badlands, which I absolutely love. I go out there for shed hunting and bowhunting, and I’ll bring the kids out to do some camping. We also have a lake cabin where we spend time together and get away from work.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEUR HOPEFULS LOOKING TO TAKE THAT LEAP AS YOU TWO DID?

I was sitting and spinning for a year, not knowing what I wanted to do or what the next step was. Not too long after, I tapped into the entrepreneur community that North Dakota has and started connecting with other entrepreneurs through events like 1 Million Cups or StartupBREW in Fargo. Once I started connecting and tapping into other entrepreneurs, I found that they were having the same struggles or they had already been through what I’m going through.

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Lifelong Learning = More Opportunities

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE FARGO-MOORHEAD AREA TO BOLSTER YOUR RESUME

By Sam Kise

ne of the most important things we can do as professionals is continue to learn and improve our skills. Continuing our education not only helps us get better at what we do, but it also helps us serve our clients and community better and can often give us new skills, too. It can provide you with more opportunities for growth and development within your company and beyond. And while informal learning is a great way to learn new things, formal learning builds camaraderie between you and your classmates and widens your professional network in addition to providing you with knowledge. The colleges and universities in the Fargo-Moorhead area allow us access to professional development opportunities all the time, including continuing education through certificate programs. Check out some of the certificate programs that our local higher education institutions offer to business professionals in the area!

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Corporate Financial Management Certificate

Course Requirement: 3 courses/9 credits

Mode: On Campus

The Corporate Financial Management Certificate will help you better understand investment as a career choice. Learning outcomes include applying Net Present Value and other investment criteria; evaluating capital budgeting proposals by generating pro forma financial statements and cash flows; applying the capital asset pricing model to estimate required return on investments; estimating the cost of capital for a corporation; evaluating the effects of alternative capital structure proposals; and more!

Learn more at mnstate.edu/academics/majors/finance/corporatefinancial-management

Concordia College

Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate

Course Requirement: 4 Weeks of Weekly Course Work Mode: Online

This certificate is designed to help you develop your entrepreneurial mindset to better recognize opportunity, create value, and foster innovation in your classroom or organization. An entrepreneurial mindset shifts perspectives in a way that exposes opportunities, ignites ambition, and fosters innovation. In this online training, you will learn about the research behind the entrepreneurial mindset as well as the best tools to facilitate and encourage entrepreneurial behavior in the classroom, organization, and community.

Investment Management Certificate

Course Requirement: 3 courses/9 credits

Mode: On Campus

The Investment Management Certificate uses courses that are part of the Finance major to help professionals working in the investment management field better understand the industry. Learning outcomes of the certificate include distinguishing among major assets that trade in money and capital markets; discussing capital market theory and the use of CAPM in security selection; describing the process of bond valuation and various measures of returns; discussing bond features and sensitivity of its price to interest rates; describing the top down approach to security analysis; and more!

Learn more at mnstate.edu/academics/majors/finance/investmentmanagement

In addition to live weekly Zoom sessions, the training will use an engaging mix of recorded presentations, small group and individual activities, discussions, and experiential, problem-based learning taking you through an Opportunity Discovery Process to solve real-time issues with your peers. Upon successful completion of the certification training, participants will receive an Entrepreneurial Mindset Facilitator Certificate qualifying them to facilitate any of ELI's Ice House Entrepreneurship Programs.

Learn more at concordiacontinuingstudies.com/professionaldevelopment

North Dakota State College of Science

Business Management Certificate

Emphasis Options: Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management/ Supervision, or Sales

Course Requirement: 16-18 credits, dependent upon emphasis

Mode: Hybrid (On Campus and/or Online)

The Business Management Certificate consists of four independent plans of study in the areas of Entrepreneurship,

North Dakota State University

Business Analytics Graduate Certificate

Course Requirement: 4 courses/8 credits

Mode: On Campus

This graduate certificate equips working professionals with the methodologies and analytical tools needed to analyze data available in modern organizations. You will learn to use advanced spreadsheet functionality, dashboard visualization tools, and report generators for descriptive analytics to understand and report on historical data. Participants will use data mining and other advanced methodologies for predictive and prescriptive analytics to understand future trends.

Learn more at ndsu.edu/programs/graduate/business-analyticscertificate

Leadership and Managerial Skills Graduate Certificate

Course Requirement: 4 courses/8 credits

Mode: On Campus

The Leadership and Managerial Skills Graduate Certificate is designed to help participants improve their skills relating to decisionmaking, communicating, negotiating, working in teams, and leading. In addition to learning theoretical aspects of these areas, the courses in the certificate also provide opportunities for students to improve their “soft skills” relating to working with other people and organizations.

Learn more at ndsu.edu/programs/graduate/leadership-andmanagerial-skills

Finance, Management/Supervision, and Sales. You may choose to complete any of these individual plans of study to earn a certificate in Business Management with an emphasis in that respective area.

Learn more at ndscs.edu/academics/academic-departmentsprograms/business-management

Digital Marketing and Innovation Graduate Certificate

Course Requirement: 4 courses/8 credits

Mode: On Campus

The Digital Marketing and Innovation Graduate Certificate advances participants' knowledge and skill in areas such as marketing strategy, communication, and customer intelligence. Students learn about such topics as new product development, strategy analysis, search engine optimization, marketing analytics, integrated marketing communications, various media vehicles, and much more.

Learn more at ndsu.edu/programs/graduate/digital-marketing-andinnovation

Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate

Course Requirement: 4 courses/12 credits

Mode: Hybrid (On Campus and/or Online)

The Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity is delivered cooperatively among North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, and Minot State University. Students will learn best practices, new technology, and research in Cybersecurity. The certificate program can be completed completely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses.

Learn more at ndsu.edu/programs/graduate/cybersecuritycertificate

Minnesota State Community & Technical College

Cisco Networking Certificate

Course Requirement: 4 courses/12 credits

Mode: Online

This certificate helps to prepare to take the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and the CompTIA Network+ certifications. Cisco-certified technicians have career opportunities related to designing, building, and maintaining information technology infrastructure. Prior experience with computer hardware, binary math, and basic electronics is desired but not required to enroll in the program. Learning outcomes include analyzing networking models and protocols; configuring local area networks and wide area networks; defining common industry terms and standards; and troubleshooting LAN/WAN systems.

Learn more at minnesota.edu/programs-and-degrees/cisconetworking

Cybersecurity Certificate

Course Requirement: 10 courses/30 credits

Mode: On Campus

Students in M State’s Cybersecurity program will gain a strong foundation in computer and network security, preparing for careers in the expanding and crucial fields of information security. The program focuses on IT security and networking skills with an emphasis on protecting data and networks from cyber threats. Students learn to perform penetration testing, perform and document results for security risk assessments and implement security measures. Many of the courses utilize specific industry certification standards. An industry advisory board actively guides class and curriculum development,

ensuring that students are learning the skills that are in demand in the IT and cybersecurity fields. Learning outcomes include using mechanisms available in an operating system to control access to resources; configuring infrastructure server roles; investigating various countermeasures and security controls to minimize risk and exposure; supporting the ethical responsibility of ensuring software correctness, reliability, and safety; illustrating through examples the concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and exploits; analyzing known security incidents to trace and document the steps in the incident; and more!

Learn more at minnesota.edu/programs-and-degrees/cybersecurity

Human Resources Certificate

Course Requirement: 6 courses/18 credits

Mode: On Campus

This program is designed to prepare students to enter the Human Resources field and supports continued professional growth for those currently in the field. This certificate will provide students with a basic understanding of key human resource practices and how to support and manage them. Learning outcomes include understanding and applying applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations to human resource functions; understanding the strategic impact that human resources has within today's business environment; and utilizing critical thinking skills to analyze and solve problems related to human resource programs and situations.

Learn more at minnesota.edu/programs-and-degrees/humanresources

Though these aren’t the only certificate programs in the Fargo-Moorhead area, this list gives you a good place to start!

By Grant Ayers

HOW IMPACT DAKOTA IS OPTIMIZING NORTH DAKOTA'S BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

mpact Dakota has been at the forefront of driving growth and success for businesses across the state of North Dakota. With innovative approaches and a commitment to excellence for their clients, Impact Dakota has become a trusted advisor for organizations of all sizes, helping them navigate the ever-evolving business landscape. We connected with Jodie Mjoen, CEO and President of Impact Dakota, to discuss Impact Dakota’s history, their tailored solutions, and how you can get involved.

Impact Dakota is an independent business and manufacturer support organization brought to life with the help of the US Department of Commerce. The nonprofit organization is governed by a board of directors made up of manufacturers and related industry experts, while they’re supported by funds from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) system to assist in North Dakota. Furthermore, the ND Department of Commerce supports as a program partner.

Jodie Mjoen has always held a special place in his heart for our state and business landscape. Taking this passion and using it for good, Mjoen is a leading member of the initiative to create a more efficient and innovative North Dakota. “I’ve always been a North Dakota guy. In our communities,

everything hits home. I grew up here, so I’m always thinking about how we can keep and even grow job positions in the manufacturing industry. Injecting money into the local economy from their customers buying their products, manufacturers have a significant positive impact on that small town, which is exactly what we aim to see with Impact Dakota,” Mjoen said.

Impact Dakota acts as a unique public-private partnership that was created by Congress in the mid-90s. Congress created the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program with the US Department of Commerce. Impact Dakota was created as a unique investment in the growth and maintenance of the infrastructure of US manufacturing, as much of our country’s manufacturing was increasingly heading overseas.

The businesses that were still here were struggling with some of their OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers), or the big “brand name” products produced for the original manufacturer. When products were sourced overseas, manufacturers were struggling with how to survive and continue building their organizations close to home.

As a public-private investment, Congress allocates funds to the MEP network to support the build-up of manufacturing infrastructure in the United States. The partnership allocates up to one MEP center in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico, bringing Impact Dakota to life.

The investment made by a manufacturer helps access federal program dollars to offset costs so that Impact Dakota is able to build an infrastructure with the strongest

Impact Dakota working closely with Elinor Coatings.

Photo Courtesy of Holly Anderson, CEO of Elinor Coatings (of Fargo) & Impact Dakota Board of Directors Member

industry experts in their respective fields. Rather than retaining an entire staff full of trained experts that are only needed in certain instances, Impact Dakota focuses on collaborating with partners who are experts in their field that aim to support their clients as well.

“We support large manufacturers with thousands of employees, but will primarily help small to medium manufacturers with 500 employees or less, as they don’t have the infrastructure built out yet. When we’re helping those smaller manufacturers, one of the biggest challenges they’re facing is workforce shortage issues,” Mjoen said.

Over the past decade, the gap between available workers and job opportunities has grown, according to Mjoen. In addition, when COVID-19 hit, millions of people suddenly lost their jobs, causing them to make significant changes in their lives. Some families had to adjust to

DID YOU KNOW?

Most companies similar to Impact Dakota will charge a fee for coming in, spending time analyzing and discussing the problem, and providing a solution at hand. Thanks to Impact Dakota’s public-private partnership, there is no initial cost to the client for assessments and sharing of solution options you can implement if you have the time, talent, and resources.

living on one income, while others downsized or gave up owning additional vehicles to save money. People did whatever they could to take care of themselves, creating a situation where there is now an 11 million-person gap in the workforce shortage in the United States. With jobs available but no people, Mjoen believes that manufacturers could benefit greatly from something as simple as a shift in mindset to continue forward.

At times, manufacturers may feel inclined to give up and consider closing their businesses, according to Mjoen. The COVID pandemic exposed the vulnerability of our country's economy, highlighting the trade imbalance between imports and exports, as well as the lack of domestically-made products. To address this issue, the US Department of Commerce aims to increase manufacturing capacity by 50% over the next decade. This is a substantial goal that calls for

innovative approaches. To support this endeavor, the country is investing in expanding the MEP network and organizations such as Impact Dakota, which forms the base for the future of manufacturing.

“What we used to do with 100 people, we can now do with 60 people. We need to be very innovative in figuring that out. It’s critical to ensure that employees are maximizing their time and being as efficient as possible. Some companies place machines randomly throughout their location, which is fine until the facility grows over time. When that happens, companies are now moving items miles around their plant from one location to another. We can help them re-layout their facility so that it makes sense with the flow of their operation, saving hundreds of hours per week in the facility, which in turn could be millions of dollars being put toward a more efficient operation,” Mjoen said.

Jodie Mjoen, CEO & President of Impact Dakota

Photo Courtesy of Gordon Court, Impact Dakota

Impact Dakota’s goal is to help people create the most innovative organizations possible and maximize their production efficiency. While larger organizations may have established systems in place, smaller ones often lack the necessary resources and streamlined processes. Although they may develop great products, Impact Dakota can help them identify and eliminate waste from their operations.

“Manufacturers are paid by customers for their value-added activities, such as painting, cutting, or assembling parts. They don’t build non-valueadded activities into their customers’ quote times but they pay employees to walk around and look for tools, move parts all over their facilities, etc. We help eliminate those things and be innovative in their processes. You can buy a water spider to move parts around your facility, or you can simply get your materials in line so that it doesn’t have to be moved around. For many manufacturers, it can be as

simple as a mindset shift. I’ve worked with manufacturing lines that were creating products from beginning to end; from metal to ready-toship. What used to take 41 people, now only takes 4 people by having efficient process flow and some automation,” Mjoen said.

Beyond optimizing manufacturers and striving for efficiencies within operations across the state, Impact Dakota also specializes in training and certifications for compliance guidelines. Whether it be ISO9001/ AS9100 quality management systems, OSHA safety regulations, cybersecurity, food safety, operations optimization, leadership training requirements, or any other opportunity, Impact Dakota uses their team of experts or collaborates with partners, who pass through as needed, to save costs and provide the most skilled experience possible.

“Collaborating with partners is much cheaper than hiring and training a full-time staff with benefits to do this year-round. Each project requires a different approach and skill set, which is why we value our partners as much as we do. In the chance that we don’t have expert information that a manufacturer needs, we’ll pull from neighboring states’ Manufacturing Extension Partnership organizations within the region to find the skills needed to be of assistance.”

- Jodie Mjoen, President & CEO of Impact Dakota

“The organization's dedicated staff engages with partners in North Dakota that are just as passionate about the

One of Impact Dakota’s Cybersecurity Workshops

Photo Courtesy of Laurie Schaffer, Impact Dakota

work as they are. We look for those partners in the state to continue boosting our local economy. We don't turn manufacturers away, as most organizations need some form of technical support. Some of the training that we do revolves around large manufacturers who want to reduce their risk by having certified manufacturers working on their teams. Essentially, we’re looking for the ones that don’t know what they need so that we can guide them along the right path so that they can focus on making their awesome products for customers.” Mjoen said.

DID YOU KNOW?

Impact Dakota also supports nonmanufacturers, such as universities, with how to optimize their lunchlines, bookstores, and more.

system security and organizational fortification. These workshops attract diverse participants, including manufacturers, universities, and professionals from various industry sectors. During these sessions, organizations acquire invaluable techniques, such as the implementation of 20 controls that can substantially mitigate the risk of cybersecurity breaches by up to 80%. These measures include adopting multi-factor authentication and regularly updating passwords.

As of late, cybersecurity infrastructure has been a concern for many with the rise of AI and increasingly tech-incorporated workplaces. As companies automate their manufacturing processes and rely more on electronic communication with customers and suppliers, a large amount of data is being exchanged, which could result in a data breach.

For the past three years, they have organized one-day workshops in collaboration with cybersecurity experts, aimed at enhancing participants' comprehension of

“We're helping to lower the risks and expenses associated with data breaches by taking preventive measures. While these measures do require an upfront investment, it's much cheaper than dealing with the aftermath of a data breach. It's especially painful to see small manufacturers suffer from a data breach, losing important information like intellectual property, bank account numbers, and private customer data,” Mjoen said.

What makes Impact Dakota unique is how they leverage their aforementioned public-private partnership to minimize expenses and save the client money on projects such as cybersecurity protection or efficiency implementation.

Photo Courtesy of Jodie Mjoen

Photo Courtesy of Joseph Ballard

In contrast to the steep price range of $30,000 to $60,000 that manufacturers would face if they were to seek cybersecurity implementations in the open market, our offerings can be around $10,000 and $15,000 with Impact Dakota. This cost advantage extends to other services provided, whether it be manufacturing processes, layouts, strategic planning, or any other enhancements.

In North Dakota, many manufacturers are regular folks who stumbled upon innovative products while trying

to solve problems. They're used to figuring things out on their own but shouldn't hesitate to ask for help. Some avoid spending extra money without knowing the potential benefits. By reaching out for help and exploring available options and solutions, manufacturers can achieve significant growth.

“Our aim is to optimize our communication methods, prioritize our focus areas, and deliver innovative solutions that bring maximum value to manufacturers. We can help identify their largest pain points and

what support services are needed to improve or fix them without requiring a cost until the actual training or implementation. We’re very collaborative. If an organization is willing to do a portion of the work but doesn’t have the time or resources to implement the entire solution, we’ll come in and work only on what you need. We’re here to help reduce the risk of any disruptions coming from their supply base to help them see growth,” Mjoen said.

Jodie Mjoen and Impact Dakota work closely with the State of North Dakota to ensure that North Dakota manufacturers are on the path to more efficient operations.

Photo Courtesy of Josh Carter, Senator Hoeven Office

5 Tips for

Government Contracting: Empowering Women-Owned Businesses

By Laiken Aune, Advocacy Director, NDWBC

omen-owned businesses play a vital role in driving economic growth and innovation in North Dakota and beyond. Recognizing the importance of supporting these business owners, the North Dakota Women's Business Center (NDWBC) provides coaching and connection to other resources to help them succeed. One significant and under-utilized avenue for business expansion is government contracting, which offers numerous opportunities for growth and stability. This article offers five tips to consider when seeking government contracts.

1: Leverage Government Contracting Resources

Government contracting can be complex, but fortunately, various resources are available to assist, including the NDWBC and ND APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC). These organizations provide educational resources, training workshops, one-on-one coaching, and networking opportunities to equip you with the necessary knowledge and support to navigate the government contracting landscape successfully. It’s a jungle out there!

2: Conduct Thorough Market Research

Before pursuing government contracts, conduct comprehensive market research to identify potential federal, state, and local opportunities, and target agencies that align with your business's capabilities and expertise. Take time to explore government procurement websites, such as the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps), and the North Dakota Procurement Office sites to find current and upcoming contracts. Additionally, researching the needs and goals of specific agencies can help you tailor your proposals effectively and showcase how your business can fulfill their requirements. Pro Tip: Don’t pay to register with SAM.gov. You can lean on the resources mentioned in the first tip to help you navigate the process for free.

Throughout the article, be on the lookout for advice in government procurement from Solli Frank and Angie Milakovic, founders of Kajaer GeoConsulting LLC, a North Dakota Certified Women-Owned Business that works in procurement to fill government contracts.

“Find keywords that relate to your ideal contract situation and search with those words on SAM.gov. to avoid the government-website rabbit hole. Researching is an opportunity to understand what the government is putting out bids for, how you can fill their needs, the types of contracts posted, and who is getting them. We make it a point to go to SAM.gov daily to learn the terminology and acronyms. We look at in-progress or contract opportunities that have been awarded and research the company that received the award.”

-Solli Frank and Angie Milakovic

3: Develop a Strong Proposal Strategy

Crafting a compelling proposal is essential to win government contracts. Take the time to understand the requirements of each contract and align your proposal accordingly. Clearly articulate your unique selling points, emphasize your qualifications, and highlight your past performance and success stories. Develop a solid pricing strategy that is competitive and reasonable and ensure your proposal is compliant with all the specifications outlined in the solicitation. Engage in continuous improvement by seeking feedback on your proposals to enhance your chances of success in future bids.

4: Build Relationships and Collaborate

Networking and building relationships are crucial for success in government contracting. Attend industry conferences, trade shows, and matchmaking events to connect with government representatives, prime contractors, and other women-owned businesses. Collaborating with other businesses, both as a prime contractor or a subcontractor, can open doors to new opportunities. Strategic partnerships and teaming arrangements can help you access larger contracts and complement your capabilities with those of other businesses, increasing your chances of securing government contracts. For a list of regional procurement events, visit ndptac.org.

“We should reach out and work with the most talented and resilient professionals. We know that talent and credentials are traditionally recognized, but one of the most overlooked professional skill sets is resiliency. Women support women-owned businesses because they tend to exude resilience. That is what makes us relatable to each other.“

-Solli Frank and Angie Milakovic

5: Certify as a Women-Owned Business (CWOB)

Obtaining certification as a Women-Owned Business is a crucial step for women entrepreneurs seeking government contracts. NDWBC offers certification at the state level and can help you determine if federal certification is right for you. Becoming certified enhances the visibility and credibility of your business, making it more attractive to federal agencies and prime contractors. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program and NDWBC offers the Certified Women-Owned Business program for the state, providing access to set-aside contracts specifically for CWOBs. As such, you can gain a competitive edge and open doors to lucrative contracting opportunities.

“When registering with the state and Federal governments, you will see that certain contracting opportunities can be obtained through various certifications. We immediately recognized that personal credentials opened doors, so we certified our business.”

To learn more about certifying your business as women-owned, visit ndwbc.com.

For detailed information about how to do business with the government, visit ndptac.org.

-Solli Frank and Angie Milakovic

Solli Frank (left) and Angie Milakovic (right)

Building Ecosystems and Cross-Sector Collaboration

By Jenny Sheets, Director of Startup Programs, Emerging Prairie

Irecently had the privilege of attending two fantastic summits: first, the Minnesota Young American Leaders Program in Minneapolis; second, the Startup Champions Network Summit in Washington DC. Both were full of ecosystem builders and people doing a job just like mine: building up their startup communities through economic development and quality of life initiatives. The content of the two summits focused on the importance of ecosystem building and crosssector collaboration.

What is Ecosystem Building?

What is an ecosystem? Well, according to Khan Academy, “Populations and communities are groups of organisms. A population is a group of the same species living in the same area. A community is a group of different species living in the same area. An ecosystem is all of the organisms in an area plus the nonliving (non species) parts of their environment.”

Just like a single population of fish can’t survive on its own because it needs food, water, and habitat, an entrepreneur can’t survive solo either.

Using the definitions above, when it comes to “startup ecosystems” think of an ecosystem as the founders, employees, customers, government, academics, law firms, CPAs, and all of the entities that help startups thrive. Without a supportive ecosystem, great ideas have nowhere to go.

Ecosystem building is intentionally bringing all of the startup elements together in a community. Sure, a founder's ecosystem could be global. Maybe their lawyer is in London, their business advisor is in India, and their customers are in South America. However, that founder is not part of an active, integrated ecosystem. Establishing startup support in a community benefits everyone. Suddenly, a business advisor may be working with a dozen local founders. Then, those founders meet each other and start sharing resources. Those resource providers become champions and make referrals to startups hiring employees, and the list goes on and on.

There are people, like myself and other startup cheerleaders in our community, whose jobs are not necessarily to offer business services, but to build the ecosystem. This requires bringing in all the players

required to support startups for the betterment of the greater community. At Emerging Prairie, we put founders and startups in the middle of the circle. When planning all our events and programming, we ask: “Does this support founders and startups?” Depending on the need, we build the ecosystem by inviting in investors, the Small Business Development Center, the Economic Development Corporation, universities, students, legislators, or artists. Ecosystem building is about evolving and adapting to the needs of specific populations as well as the greater community.

What is Cross-Sector Collaboration?

Cross-sector collaboration happens when individuals and organizations, across diverse sectors, work together to address challenges and opportunities impacting the community. For example, if community leaders were to address the challenges of homelessness with cross-sector collaboration, they may bring together stakeholders from different backgrounds and expertise to address the issue, such as: nonprofits, corporations, families,

Jenny Sheets is the Director of Startup

Programs at Emerging Prairie, a company focused on uplifting the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

schools, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and more. Usually, cross-sector collaboration is required when an issue is larger and more complex than a siloed entity can address, such as health care, equal access to education, crime, epidemics, etc.

Collaborating across sectors is not easy. It’s complex and timeconsuming—carving out time on the calendar for busy individuals, facilitating challenging conversations, creating action plans, and holding people accountable—but the benefits far outweigh the costs. For example, there are bills being introduced in Washington DC right now by the Center for American Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit that would encourage more diversity in venture funds, which would lead to more diverse portfolios. Did you know that women receive less than 2% of venture capital funds and black founders receive 1%?

These bills require collaboration between private venture funds, elected officials, nonprofits, and startups. It’s not easy to get everyone to agree on common goals, or even common challenges, but the positive impacts of cross-sector collaboration can be world-changing.

Ecosystem Building + Cross-Sector Collaboration in the FM Metro

Ecosystem building and cross-sector collaboration start with knowing the players and understanding roles. The Fargo-Moorhead area is extremely lucky to have very knowledgeable professionals supporting startups, nonprofits, academics, and so many diverse industries. If you consider yourself an ecosystem builder, continue to be present in the community, especially at events that intentionally bring together different sectors, such as events put on by Emerging Prairie, The Chamber of Commerce, or Concordia’s Lorentzsen Center. Additionally, keep strengthening the ecosystem by encouraging more startup activity and elevating other ecosystem builders.

Ecosystem building is great, but let’s take it a step further. It’s one thing to network and be present in the community. It’s another to bring people together to facilitate, address, and find solutions to a challenging, complex issue. There may be a need for a formal facilitation organization in the Fargo Metro, but cross-sector collaboration can also happen on a case-by-case basis as long as

organizations are willing to participate. An example, on a very small scale, would be Emerging Prairie’s hosted event last year called “Who Builds Fargo? A Conversation on Attracting and Retaining Talent for Fargo Startups.” We had a panel of speakers that crossed sectors: Kilbourne Group, Microsoft, Checkable Health, and the Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation. Collectively they discussed what it would take to attract and retain startup-ready talent in the area. Everyone had the expertise to share, and opinions differed, which was the point.

Emerging Prairie continues to engage these individuals in conversations moving forward, and the discussions are fantastic, but it’s not a perfect system. We don’t have a designated facilitator; we don’t have a clearly defined goal with metrics; we don’t have a timeline and a way to hold people accountable. The point is: it’s a start. There will never be a perfect system. But, I believe that given Fargo’s increasing population, as well as the support of business, the arts, and education, the city is ready for more organized ecosystem development and cross-sector collaboration. Let’s start the conversation together.

By Kellen Feeney, Business Development Associate, Spotlight

ARE YOU BEING FOUND ON GOOGLE

BY CUSTOMERS?

today's digital landscape, user experience (UX) and search engine optimization (SEO) play pivotal roles in the success of local businesses. With consumers increasingly relying on the internet to discover and engage with local businesses, a well-designed and user-friendly website, coupled with effective SEO strategies, can significantly boost visibility, customer engagement and, ultimately, profitability. In this article, we will explore the vital relationship between UX, SEO, and their combined impact on the growth and success of local businesses.

Establishing a Positive First Impression:

A local business's website serves as its virtual storefront, and it only takes a few seconds for visitors to form an impression. A visually appealing website with an intuitive interface creates a positive initial experience and reinforces a sense of professionalism and credibility. By focusing on user experience, businesses can engage and retain visitors, encouraging them to explore further and potentially become loyal customers.

• At Spotlight, we get into the mind of the consumer and design our clients' websites based on how the end user wants to see and interact with the website, all while making sure to include the things Google wants on your website: video content, easy-to-read content,

a good clean design, and plenty of call-to-actions with multiple ways for customers to reach out to your business.

• According to a survey by WebFX, 75% of consumers judge a business' credibility based on its website design. A professional and user-friendly website helps establish trust and credibility with potential customers, making them more likely to choose your business over competitors.

• A study by Adobe found that 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive.

Why a website is so important for local businesses.

Improving Search Engine Visibility

SEO plays a crucial role in improving a local business's visibility on search engines. By optimizing website content, incorporating relevant keywords, and implementing local SEO techniques, businesses can increase their chances of appearing in the top search results when potential customers look for products or services in their area. A website that provides an excellent user experience, combined with effective SEO practices, enhances the chances of attracting organic traffic and reaching a broader audience.

Enhancing Navigation and Usability

User experience revolves around simplifying navigation and ensuring that visitors can easily find the information they need. From wellorganized menus to clear calls to action, a website that prioritizes usability helps visitors quickly and effortlessly navigate through the site. Search engines also consider user experience factors when determining search ranking, such as page load speed and mobile responsiveness. By focusing on these aspects, businesses can provide a seamless experience for both users and search engine crawlers, positively impacting their visibility and ranking.

Optimizing for Mobile and Local Searches

The majority of local searches are now performed on mobile devices. A website that is optimized for mobile usage and provides a seamless mobile user experience is essential for local

businesses. Mobile-friendly websites load quickly, adapt to different screen sizes, and offer intuitive navigation, ensuring that potential customers can easily find and engage with the business. Additionally, optimizing for local search terms and incorporating location-based keywords further enhances a business's chances of appearing in relevant local search results.

• All of our websites are designed with mobile users in mind and developed to be responsive on mobile, tablet, and desktop computers. This is one of the most important steps for building a better user experience and building it the way Google wants you to.

• Google reported that 53% of mobile site visitors will leave a webpage if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load.

• According to a survey by BrightEdge, 57% of internet users say they won't recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.

• Google reports that 50% of consumers who conducted a local search on their smartphone visited a store within a day.

• According to Google, as page load time increases from 1 second to 5 seconds, the probability of bounce increases by 90%

• A study by Akamai found that 47% of consumers expect a web page to load in 2 seconds or less, and 40% of users will abandon a website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.

Boosting User Engagement and Conversions

A well-designed website with a strong user experience encourages visitors to spend more time on the site, explore

its offerings, and engage with its content. Engaged visitors are more likely to convert into paying customers or take desired actions, such as filling out forms or making purchases. By providing a smooth and intuitive user experience, businesses can increase user engagement, improve conversion rates, and ultimately drive revenue growth.

• HubSpot found that websites with a higher average session duration tend to have higher conversion rates. In their study, they reported that websites with a session duration of 2-3 minutes had a 10% higher conversion rate compared to sites with shorter session durations.

To thrive in today's competitive local business landscape, prioritizing both UX and SEO is paramount. A well-designed website that offers a seamless user experience, coupled with effective SEO strategies, boosts visibility, customer engagement, and revenue generation. By combining intuitive navigation, mobile optimization, and local SEO techniques, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract a wider audience, and foster meaningful connections with potential customers. By recognizing the synergy between user experience and SEO, local businesses can position themselves for success and achieve sustainable growth in the digital age.

LOOKING TO SPRUCE UP YOUR OFFICE SPACE?

ave you found yourself looking at the walls of your office and wishing you had the perfect piece to hang there, but weren't sure what you wanted? Maybe you want something that feels meaningful, plays on the color scheme of your brand, or gives nods to local landmarks and Fargo-Moorhead culture. Whatever your taste may be, check out these seven local artists who provide a wide array of beautiful artwork that are perfect for public and office spaces.

THESE 7 LOCAL ARTISTS CREATE STUNNING ART FOR

BUSINESSES!

These are far from the only artists in town! Want us to show someone else off? Email us at editorial@

HELPFUL TIP

See an artist whose work you love, but looking for something specific? These artists also create custom commissioned paintings, so you can work with the artist to dream up exactly what you're wanting for your space!

FOX & SQUIRREL CO.

Sarah Geiger created Fox & Squirrel Co. as a way to make cool stuff with her fiancé, Paul Koppinger. She has a graphic design background and an eclectic view of artwork. F&S Co. mostly creates laser-cut wall decor and accessories that look great anywhere and give a homey feel to your office space.

Geiger's biggest goal for 2023 is to work more with local businesses, from wholesale to custom pieces. The process would be unique to each client depending on the type of artwork they’d like. "We would love to collaborate on design style, imagery, color, and material to create something special for each business," Geiger said.

To view more of their work or to get in touch regarding a custom piece, shop their Etsy page by visiting etsy.com/shop/FoxandSquirrelCo or email them at foxandsquirrelco@gmail.com.

EMILY BROOKS

For the past decade, Brooks has been making custom pieces of art for her clients through her creative business, Taea Made. Her specialties include large-scale murals, creative machine embroidery, and upcycling. Some of Brooks' recent work includes custom embroidered pillows for the guest rooms at Jasper Hotel in downtown Fargo, a collection of works through The Arts Partnership ArtWORKS program in Fargo's new City Hall, and ice cream wings on the side of Silver Lining Creamery, which can be seen from Fargo's Broadway Square (and is also one of Fargo's most Instagrammable photo ops).

"Most of the work I do is custom—I enjoy working directly with my clients to make their ideas come to life," Brooks said. "We start with a free consultation to discuss the project and then work through sketch ideas until we find a great concept. The exciting part for me is bringing someone's vision to life with the skills I can contribute to the project."

To view more of Brooks' work or to contact regarding a custom piece, visit taeamade.com, or email her at emilybrooks27@hotmail.com

KNASK DESIGNS

Knask Designs owner and artist Jessica Korynta's artistic journey began over 30 years ago in a cabin in the Minnesota north woods surrounded by people speaking and learning the Norwegian language. At Skogfjorden, Concordia's Norwegian Language Village, all the staff and villagers wear wood-burned nametags that show their new Norwegian persona while spending their summer learning about Norway. Over the years, her passion for pyrography developed and she now looks forward to creating hundreds of these little creations every summer and has even presented one to Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway as a gift from Concordia Language Villages.

While pyrography will always be a passion for Korynta, she has evolved her art into unique lasered wood creations as well, always keeping the natural beauty of the wood as the shining star in any piece. "My goal with my art is to create positive, uplifting, and encouraging artwork," she said. "I find inspiration in quotes of people I admire, song lyrics, and more."

From small pieces to sit on a desk to large wall hangings (her largest to date being 2 ft x 8 ft), she hopes her work helps to create a positive atmosphere wherever it is displayed.

Interested in a custom piece for your office or public space?

Visit

LAURA RETTIG

Local Fargo abstract artist Laura Rettig creates a mix of bold and neutral pieces and utilizes materials such as raw canvas, locally built wood frames, acrylics, inks, and oil sticks. She creates commissioned pieces for individuals and businesses. "The process is really enjoyable and we dive into your creative ideas," she said. "We gather ideas and you share your vision with me, then I get started! Some clients like to be involved in the steps and some like to be surprised in the end. The involvement level is up to the individual.”

To view more of Rettig's work or connect about a custom piece, visit laurarettig.com or email her at hello@laurarettig.com

DENNIS KRULL

Dennis Krull is a Midwest-based encaustic artist, who uses abstracted imagery and clear, bright colors to create his artwork. His work is created with one of the oldest mediums still in use today called encaustic, which is made of beeswax, damar resin, and pigment.

Krull began working as a photographer, but when he began using encaustic as a medium alongside his photographs, he was enticed by the process. "I have told many that it is like being a painter and sculptor at the same time," he said. "Although this medium has been around for ages, not many know about it. But when they see encaustic work, they are amazed by the translucency of the pieces and the depth of the layers."

Looking for a custom piece? Krull creates custom work with encaustic, photo encaustic, and photography for any space. To view more of his work or to connect regarding a custom piece, visit 5foot2.com or email him at dkrull@5foot20.com

MARK HOLTER

Mark Holter is a visual artist who works primarily with acrylic paint, mixed media, and digital art. Mark has been involved with art most of his life, from painting murals while in the US Navy, creating set pieces for the stage in Lake Forrest, IL, to exhibiting his paintings in galleries across North Dakota. Mark is currently a premier artist at Gallery 4 in Fargo and participates in various art events in the region.

When creating custom art pieces for professional settings, Holter works with the office designer to create a piece that would fit with the style they are capturing for the space. "I’ve worked a lot in the abstract, which I feel lends itself to being more flexible," he said. "For me, creating a piece of commissioned art isn’t about just matching colors; it's about adding to the space’s energy. I think about how the piece will affect not just the visual flow but the overall feel of the space. While the piece is a representation of me as an artist, it’s also a representation of that company."

For custom pieces, Holter prefers to visit with those involved with commissioning the art to understand what they want to accomplish with it.

To view more of Holter's work or to connect regarding a custom piece, visit markholter.wixsite.com or email him at mark_holter@hotmail.com

being met—she believes communication is of the utmost importance throughout the artistic process.

To view more of Baier's work or to connect with her regarding a custom piece, visit riverbendstudioart.wixsite.com/ riverbendstudio or email her at phantomom@gmail.com

By Geneva Nodland | Geneva Nodland

THE FIRST ANNUAL SPOTLIGHT INVITATIONAL

AT FAIR HILLS RESORT & WILDFLOWER GOLF COURSE

ou may know Fair Hills Resort as a vacation spot, a place of relaxation for you and your family away from the busy every day; and while the resort offers exactly that, it also serves as a place for other types of celebration and retreat.

We've recapped before just how accommodating and unique of an experience the team at Fair Hills Resort offers businesses and other parties, but this summer we were able to experience that on another level—and we want to share that with you (meaning, yes, you can steal this idea for your business)!

Last month, Spotlight hosted the First Annual Spotlight Golf Invitational at Wildflower Golf Course. The day was filled with some (friendly) competition,

"When I was approached with the idea to host a golf tournament by the Fair Hills team, I jumped at the opportunity! We have partnered with them for the last few years on their marketing, hosted a Spotlight team retreat in 2022, and I have personally enjoyed the resort with my family for summer vacations for years. Whenever I have been at the resort, everything is top-notch so I jumped at the idea of hosting some of our clients and partners to a casual, no-pressure tournament. They pulled out the red carpet and our guests were impressed with the experience and it gave us the opportunity to strengthen business relationships. The best part was they took care of everything. I highly recommend doing your next corporate event at Fair Hills and Wild Flower Golf Course."

Mike Dragosavich, CEO, Spotlight

a few broken tees, a boat ride around Pelican Lake, and burgers and prizes on the big porch. And right by our side for all of the ins and outs of hosting an event like this was the Fair Hills team, led by the Director of Operations at Wildflower Golf Course and Creative Director at Fair Hills Resort Emily Meyers. The day began at the Wildflower clubhouse, where the resort had coolers with grab-and-go lunches, plus a few drinks for the course. They played a Scramble game with Lone Ranger and Money Ball Competitions. And while Emily herself has led quite a handful of these events before, she hadn't led this format—but was still more than willing and very efficient in going over rules and configurations with Mike to explain it best to the teams.

After a team huddle to go over the rules once more, the players headed off to their designated holes and began the game with a shotgun start.

The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent perusing the rolling hills of Wildflower. The lush green landscape and bright blue skies brought forth a perfect summer day for not only golfing, but spending time out of the office, out of the city, and in good company of others. While some can take their play pretty seriously, there were, of course, times for good laughs too.

With the game coming to an end, the evening was just starting. Golfers took their carts across the highway to the Fair Hills Resort area to get some well-deserved appetizers and drinks and get ready for an evening boat ride.

We hopped on the 55-foot Big Pelican Pontoon boat in the warm sun and cruised along the bay, admiring the landscape that is created on the Minnesotan lakeside. Back at the resort, some stayed back inside The Perch on Pelican, one of the resort's many meeting spaces, complete with small plates like bacon-wrapped scallions, a variety of dips, and many more small bites, plus a full-service bar.

While everyone was decompressing from their day out on the greens, Emily and the team worked behind the scenes to prep for the tournament awards. We smoothly transitioned from boat and bar to the perfect summertime spread of burgers with all of the fixings upstairs on the deck. If the food won't catch someone's

attention, the view sure will. Attached to the main lodge, The Deck overlooks Pelican Lake, configured for a meal at this time but can be adjusted for a cocktail hour or even lounging.

With a bronze light from the June sun coloring everything around, the sounds of the water on the shore, and the late evening sun filtering shadows onto the deck, Spotlight CEO Mike Dragosavich and Director of Client Management Jenny Johnson handed out awards like gift cards to Brewhalla, Mezzaluna, Sandy's Donuts, Boiler Room, cash and much more.

As the day came to a close and guests packed up their clubs, the Fair Hills team checked that everything was wrapped up and made sure to get one more "Do you need anything?" in by the time everyone was loaded and heading to the highway.

A few guests' schedules allowed them to stay overnight in the resort's modern and cozy cabins. The cabins were prepped for guests and after a day on the sunny course, people welcomed the beds and comfort that can only be found resting lakeside and away from the city.

To cap the experience at Fair Hills, those staying grabbed a filling and delicious breakfast at the dining hall the next morning, featuring almost every favorite: pancakes, french toast, eggs any style, sausages, breakfast potatoes (yes, the good crispy kind!), caramel and cinnamon rolls, and so much more! As if that wasn't enough, of course, on the way out, a few of us had to stop at the cafe inside the lodge for some caffeine for the road.

"I was excited to spend the night at Fair Hills after the tournament," Jenny said. "We enjoyed a boat ride on Pelican Lake to Zorbaz and came back to enjoy the serenity of the resort and celebrate the success of our first golf tournament. The accommodations were very comfortable and I enjoyed the delicious breakfast made by the Fair Hills staff in the morning. I left with a stylish new Fair Hills sweatshirt and a vanilla latte from the lobby before heading back to Fargo!"

Needless to say, they made hosting 56 guests at the first Invitational stress-free, and the easy-going energy that Fair Hills Resort always exudes sure helped!

If you're interested in hosting an event at Fair Hills Resort and/or Wildflower Golf Course, head to fairhillsresort.com/meetings-retreats to get started!

FAIR HILLS RESORT WILDFLOWER GOLF COURSE

Atmospheric Spaces

By Geneva Nodland | Geneva Nodland

uccess isn't built by one thing, as we know. Arguably, one of the most important factors to a business finding success is feeling. Now, let me explain—a salesperson is going to make a client feel confident about their purchase; in the same way, a realtor will build good energy in a home they're showing; in the same way, a restaurant will establish an atmosphere to welcome their patrons and make them want to return. There are one, or really three, establishments that can claim that last success, have you heard of Marge?

In 2011, Dan Hurder found himself new in the regional restaurant business, but not necessarily new to the trade. He went to college for hotel and restaurant management, always aiming for the hospitality industry, but didn't necessarily consider himself a "restaurant guy." After purchasing a restaurant in Ottertail, MN (The Otter), Dan would find that his future business endeavors might in fact define him as the restaurant guy.

Dan Hurder is the owner of a few places you may have heard of, including a local restaurant, The Boiler Room; a bar, Marge's Bar; and a new breakfast and lunch diner, Marge's Diner—all of which are extremely popular within their respective crowds, and, all of which, differ from each other in aesthetic.

Taking a step inside any one of these establishments will send at least four of the five of your senses into awe. From lighting to flooring to decor to ceiling height, not even considering the type of food or drink served, each space gives way to its own, unique energy. You may be wondering how spaces like these can be so successfully different yet designed by the same—so were we. So we asked.

The Boiler Room

2014

"The space that we opened The Boiler Room in pretty much dictated the direction we decided to go. We were in the old boiler room of the building, the name worked, and the industrial/steampunk design elements easily integrated into what already existed in the space," Dan explained. "We worked with Theisen Design Studio out of New York Mills, MN, and she really helped pull everything together to complete the half-baked vision that we had."

Dan gives full credit to the designer he worked with in regard to how the Boiler Room atmosphere came together.

"We knew what we wanted in a restaurant, but had no idea how to get there on our own. She really helped us pull together the concept and the decor to make it all make sense," he said.

Upon walking in from a lower-level entry off Roberts Alley, you're greeted with low lights, bronze and silver tones, and wood accents.

Looking up, you'll see gears of all shapes and sizes, fitting together and decorating the ceiling above you. While your own gears are turning to figure out why you're following old pipes along the brick walls, you'll be led to a table sat right underneath the star of the show—an old boiler door.

The Boiler Room, as Dan said, is quite literally an old boiler room.

Venturing down a winding hallway in the same basement, you'll see a door with glowing colorful lights shining through as if to say, "Come inside!"

Marge's Bar

"Marge's Bar is in the space that used to be Stumbeano's Coffee, and I had always thought it would be a really cool place for a speakeasy-type establishment. When they vacated their lease, we knew we wanted to do something with it," Dan said. "The idea behind Marge's Bar is the product of several cocktails with some really great friends. The original intent was to turn it into a 'waiting area' for The Boiler Room where you could grab a drink while you waited for a table. Eventually, it became a homage to tacky Midwest decor, and we decided it needed its own name. It sort of took on a life of its own from there."

A common recommendation from almost any local, Marge's Bar is the not-so-secret, secret nighttime hotspot in downtown Fargo.

Complete with low ceilings, a piano in the corner about half the size of the bar rail, a variety of vintage-esque games at the few tables, a perfectly sunken-in red couch, and nearly no inch of empty wall space—save the brick wall sporting a bright neon sign reading "Marge's."

A large part of what makes Marge's Bar, Marge's Bar is the kitschy midwestern-like decor scattered around the small space. A collection of vintage spoons in a display case, a light-up yard display of Santa Clause, a wall next to the bar covered in notes about friends, memories, love, celebration, or even just a doodle.

The final piece to the puzzle in understanding the ambiance in Marge's Bar is the lighting. Strung above you are a variety of colorful Christmas lights. The bar rail has a few hanging lamps above and a bit more light in the bar area, but the main source of light comes from the warm mini bulbs hanging overhead.

Marge's, in the most comforting way, is reminiscent of going into your Midwestern grandmother's storage closet and hunting for an old scrapbook for the family to mull over.

And as if Fargo couldn't lean more into that, its counterpart is just a few doors above.

Marge's Diner

"Marge's Diner is in a space that had been many things before. We purchased Monte's Downtown from the original owners back in 2012 and had tried a few variations of restaurant concepts over the years. We knew the location was right, we just hadn't landed on a concept that worked just yet. We basically said, 'Hey, this 'Marge' thing seems to be working. What if we did a Marge's restaurant concept?' We also knew that we didn't want to compete in the dinner daypart as there are just so many other options." Dan said. "We took labor challenges, food cost challenges, and the space we had to work with and basically landed on Marge's Diner."

As for Marge's Bar and Marge's Diner, Dan says that he does take some credit, but says he also credits all the people who were part of the brainstorming process through their fruition. The next step was to decorate.

"Once we knew what we were looking for on Facebook marketplace, it became apparent there was no shortage of old, tacky s&#! that we could use to bring the concepts to life," Dan said.

If Marge's Bar is the Midwest's collection from the storage closet, Marge's Diner is the Midwest's kitchen. You're greeted with a 70s color palette ranging from earthy tones to vibrant hues in the seating to the walls. The waiting area at the front is complimented with a vintage-looking orange and brown wallpaper, the ledge behind the booths down the restaurant is lined with figurine sets of salt and pepper shakers, one wall is decorated with an array of porcelain plates, and another with hanging embroidery.

Behind the bar sits sets of retro plating and cups and other random nicknacks, ranging from semitranslucent green, purple, and blue plating, to sets of BlueCorning casserole dishes, to pairs of cute table weights.

Just as in the bar, the diner is capped with string lights hanging above, creating, again, a warm environment that evokes a feeling of nostalgia and welcomeness.

To create not only these spaces that look a certain way but make their occupants feel a certain way, there must be a level of understanding.

"Personally, atmosphere is something I take notice of when I go to a restaurant," Dan said. "The food can be the best food in the world, but if you are sitting in a stark, white room, it just isn't quite the same. Our style of food is competing in a similar arena to so many other restaurants in the area, so we knew early on we wanted atmosphere to be an important part of our entire experience. As Marge's Bar and Marge's Diner came to be, we decided to make how the space looked and felt an even bigger piece of the experience to help differentiate them."

There are truly some things you have to just go experience, and these three spots won't disappoint.

Boiler Room

210 Roberts Alley, Fargo boilerroomfargo.com

/boilerroomfargo

@theboilerroomfargo

Marge's

Bar

212 Roberts Alley, Fargo boilerroomfargo.com/marge-s-bar

Search 'Marge's Bar'

@margesbarfargo

Marge's

Diner

220 Broadway N, Fargo fargomarge.com

/fargomarge

@marges_diner

10 Questions Questions 10

ohn Machacek, Chief Innovation Officer for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, has worked with countless startups throughout our community over the years. He knows their ups, and their downs, but most of all, he knows the questions to ask them. Here are John Machacek’s 10 questions for Tucker Richardson, Head of Product & Operations, GEMSHO.

By John Machacek

Photo by Geneva Nodland

Will you please tell us your GEMSHO elevator pitch?

I’ve always gotten a chuckle out of this question because, in my opinion, every business should have the same answer. That is, we aim to serve our customers by providing valuable, high-quality products at the best possible price. We do this with the greatest degree of focus we can manage, and we execute within the capabilities of our team.

That said, our mission for the next three years is to become the preferred e-commerce supplier in the “golfthemed barware gifts for men” hyperniche. That mission doesn’t represent all of the things we’ve done in the past but it does represent our plans for the future. So that’s probably the closest thing to an elevator pitch we will ever have. I know this sounds like a sidestep, and it probably is, but no matter what your business’s “thing” is, it is always beholden to a changing landscape of customer wants, their definition of value, and your team’s ability to execute in response. If/when that landscape changes, your business must manage an identity crisis before it can respond, then it could spell your demise. So, we don’t subscribe to that thought process. We’re customer-focused, not identityfocused.

02

“What We Do.” Can you tell me more about this process that you list on it?

I could probably write an entire novel on this subject but, in general, what’s written here is our attempt at defining all the things that have made GEMSHO successful in the past in relationship to each other such that they can be simply understood and leveraged for the future. The result is a process aimed at identifying opportunities with limited investment, massive upside, low competition, organic traffic, and a bias toward action. This allows us to limit our risk and get to market quickly so our customers can decide what should live, what shouldn’t, and what needs to be changed. Since this was written on the LinkedIn page, I would probably add something to this about focusing to the greatest degree we can manage. That’s a lesson from the last year that has really hit home for me. The less we focus, the less effective we are at executing for our customers.

What has been your favorite product to date OR sales that have surprised you?

Our golf ball whiskey glass set is a product that was very surprising for me. It was our first sustained success as a business and, to be honest, it’s a product I would never buy. We put our own tastes aside and designed that product because we could see the potential for success in the data we had gathered, and it worked! So, it was surprising to me in that this was the first product I’ve ever developed that I didn’t personally care for, yet it is by far the most successful. This is counterintuitive to how most people analyze opportunities.

They tend to make decisions solely on their impression and experiences. This product taught me to focus on the array of thought processes the product is likely to encounter and to mostly ignore my own bias.

From a process perspective, we identify our suppliers through Alibaba.com and we also process our international transactions through them. Alibaba is an incredible tool because, not only do they connect you with thousands of suppliers,

WHAT IS GEMSHO?

GEMSHO is a company that identifies, designs, and sources simple products with upside and low entry investment.

I noticed that in the About section of GEMSHO’s LinkedIn page, you list a 4-step process to describe

04

In your business, there must be a million moving parts to produce each project, including collaborating with other production and service companies, agents, actors, and whatnot. How have you gone about keeping yourself organized and creating partnerships to get all of this done effectively?

10 Questions

but they will also escrow your funds until you’ve received and inspected your goods. This reduces risk dramatically in comparison to wiring funds overseas and hoping for the best. Jungle Scout is another tool we use that allows us to see the sales history of most products on Amazon, which is where we do most of our business. This allows us to identify products that sell very well with limited competition. If an opportunity also has poor reviews, that’s the holy grail for us because that means people know the product has poor quality but they’re buying it anyway. Our competitors likely utilize many of the same tools and thought processes that I just described. One thing that sets us apart from our competitors, however, is our in-house industrial and graphic design capabilities. I have a rich background in engineering and have come to be quite dangerous in graphic design, so I try to leverage every bit of that experience to produce unique products that our competitors can’t.

To give you some perspective, it would cost us $9-11 to ship a set of golf ball whiskey glasses from Fargo-Moorhead to the west coast in 2-5 days. And that’s just the price of the label. That doesn’t include any of the labor required to pick, pack, apply the label, verify it’s correct, and deliver the order to the carrier. If you use Amazon MCF, they will do all of these things and deliver your product to the end customer for less than $8. They also rarely make mistakes, and they have warehouses all over the country. So once your inventory is in their system, they will spread it out across the country so you can offer 1–2 day shipping more consistently. It’s an incredible value.

06

Most people don’t realize this, but you can actually send all of your inventory to Amazon and then they will pick, pack, and fulfill orders from any platform you choose. For example, you can use Amazon to fulfill your Etsy orders and they will do it at a fraction of the cost of other channels. This is called Amazon multi-channel fulfillment, or MCF, and, given they have such massive volume, their prices are unbeatable.

GEMSHO started several years ago as an attempt to stay productive outside of work during the winter months. It was just a passion project when it all got started and when we saw some success, I was more than happy to spend my nights and weekends working

on it. Fast forward to the end of 2022 and now I’m now married with two kids, and a third is on the way, and GEMSHO has grown into something that requires more than just nights and weekends if continued growth is to be expected. So, in other words, I have less free time than I’ve ever had, and GEMSHO is demanding more. So, something had to give, and it wasn’t going to be family. Either GEMSHO had to fall to the wayside, or I had to make it my full-time job. I knew I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t take a shot at turning GEMSHO into something great, so that’s what I decided to do.

07

Under your GEMSHO umbrella, I’m also familiar with your Mint Hockey shooting pad products. What can you tell the readers about that product line?

Mint Hockey was an offshoot idea from an earlier time when we were quite a bit less focused. Both me and my partner played hockey growing up and we wanted to do something in a space that we knew well. Since we’re now planning to put our focus on the “golf-themed barware gifts for men” hyper niche, we may have to put Mint’s growth plans on the back burner, but I’m still very excited about the Mint Hockey brand and products.

Right now, through Mint, we offer white and black hockey shooting pads made in Minnesota from recycled plastic. We also have a mint green colored pad that, unfortunately, isn’t made from recycled

Once you have the products for you to further customize and package, have you found effective methods for the shipping process?

From knowing you for the past 5+ years, I’m aware that this started as a side hustle while you worked your job at a local tech manufacturer, and that you have been learning, researching, and tinkering for years about selling products via e-commerce. How did you go about deciding to go full-time with this?

PRODUCT SHOTS

plastic. We hand-treat each pad with a layer of silicone, and we personally plant one tree for every pad we sell. Each of our boards is extra thick so they perform well in the grass, and they have a pebbled surface finish to better simulate the feel of the ice. All of that said, we’ve taken a single sheet of plastic and wrapped so much meaning into it that kids and parents all over the country choose us over substantial legacy suppliers. It’s a fun product line.

08

My best advice would be to audit your time and figure out what you need to give up to make it happen. If you go through the process of writing down your activities in any given week, hour by hour, I think you’d be surprised by how much time you have outside of work. The other thing that most people don’t recognize is the power of incremental progress. If you spend just 5 hours a week, that turns into 260 hours of work over the course of a year. That’s 6.5 weeks of work at 40 hours per week. Bump that to 10 hours per week and stretch it out over 3 years and that’s equal to nearly 10 months of work toward your project. Imagine what you could do with 10 months of dedication! You have no idea, really.

You must be willing to do it one hour at a time, though, and you must be willing to delay the gratification. Once you understand how much time you have and the impact of a few hours a week,

What kind of advice do you have for someone looking to turn a side hustle or a nights and weekends thing into something more substantial?

it really becomes a question of what you really want. Do you want to work on your project for an hour or do you want to watch Netflix? Do you want to make a few hours worth of progress, or do you want to go golfing? How important is TikTok to you? What if you deleted it? How important is alcohol to you? What if you didn’t drink for a few months? What do you really want and what can you live without? These are the thought processes that worked for me. Motivation is a function of meaning and meaning is all about sacrificing things now for a chance at something better in the future.

Lastly, what can we do as a community to help you and GEMSHO succeed?

I would love to compare notes with anyone in our community that is active in the e-commerce space and seeing some success. I’d also be happy to connect with anybody that is active in the e-commerce space and isn’t seeing success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to connect. We love to help and we’re always thrilled to learn!

We’re also open to hearing from retailers, distributors, and anyone else that’s interested in selling, distributing, or buying personalized/custom barware for events or as a gift!

If anything, I think I would maybe offer myself some encouragement. Something like, “You’re on the right track, keep making healthy sacrifices, and the results will follow.” It would be tempting to want to warn myself of some impending mistakes but I’m not sure that would be helpful. Some lessons need to be learned firsthand if they’re to be respected. Going back maybe 15-20 years, I think I would have offered myself the advice I shared in the last question.

Where to Buy: JEM GLASS

Unglued in Brewhalla at 1702 1st Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102

jemglass.shop

amazon.com/jemglass

etsy.com/shop/GemshoGlass Mint

m1nthockey.com

On that advice track, if you could go back in time to Tucker from several years ago, what hindsight advice would you give yourself?

WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Julia Schott

COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, CULTURAL DIVERSITY RESOURCES

By Arielle Windham | Photo by Karly Schefter Photography

Walking a Divergent Path

FARGO WOMAN FINDS STRENGTH AND ACCEPTANCE WITH ADHD AND AUTISM DIAGNOSIS

The first thing you notice about Julia Schott is her energy. It’s almost palpable. Her charisma might be a result of her Dominican upbringing. Maybe it’s her selfconfidence and authenticity. Or perhaps it’s the warm smile, intense eyes, and animated gestures that draw you in.

You probably wouldn’t guess Julia has ADHD and possibly autism. Not at first, anyway. She didn’t know herself until well into adulthood.

“Growing up, there were several ‘quirky’ people in my family,” Julia said. “It was just accepted. But as I got older, I understood I had to hide parts of myself from the outside world.”

But with the ADHD diagnosis and the discovery of markers commonly associated with autism came a kind of freedom. Today, Julia is embracing her true self, which comes with a number of challenges but also has some unique benefits. By sharing her story, she hopes to help others find acceptance and the confidence to take off the mask and be unapologetically authentic.

Welcome to the Midwest

Moving to the United States wasn’t exactly on Julia’s to-do list. She was very happy raising a family and building a life with her American husband in the Dominican Republic. However, a health crisis prompted their sudden move north.

“He needed to go to the Mayo Clinic. It was a matter of life and death. So, we sold everything. Packed up the baby and the dog and stuffed all our remaining earthly possessions into two suitcases.”

Her husband recovered. But adapting to a new life in the United States was difficult. “Moving to North Dakota from the Dominican Republic was very hard,” Julia says. “I thought it was a culture shock for a long time. But it wasn’t. I was trying so hard to be what people expected—wife, mother,

etc.—that the inner conflict was literally causing me to be sick.”

For years, Julia battled with her mental health behind closed doors, as many of us do, trying to hold the strings of her life together. It wasn’t until 2020 that she found out there was a name and, more importantly, a treatment plan for her personal struggles.

Dealing with the diagnosis

“ADHD, that’s what little boys have,” she thought. Research into ADHD in females is significantly behind that in males. Some studies suggest this lack of understanding prevents a significant percentage of girls and women from receiving timely diagnoses compared to their male counterparts. More and more women like Julia are finding out later in life that they are just wired differently. “My hyper looks different, but it still has a significant impact on my ability to function in what we consider normal society.”

In addition to ADHD, Julia might also have autism. The news was difficult to process, but for Julia, understanding her neurodivergence was the first step to discovering her true self and learning to function in a world that’s not designed for her unique perspective.

“It’s like being left-handed,” she says. “Everything is designed for righthandedness. Things aren’t impossible, but they are more difficult. I have to constantly stop and examine a situation because the ‘socially appropriate’ reaction doesn’t come naturally to me.”

Love being me

But with the challenges, Julia has also found new opportunities where her unique mind can excel. In 2021, she joined the team at Cultural Diversity Resources, a multicultural alliance working to build bridges between smaller nonprofits in our region to better support our community. Cultural Diversity

Resources focuses on financial education to help BIPOC families in our community learn to build wealth. They also offer entrepreneurial classes to help these individuals move from ideation to grand opening.

As a transplant herself, Julia understands the challenges women and new Americans face, and she uses her gifts for communication to help smooth the transition for newcomers and champion their support in the larger community. She embraces the creativity and nonlinear thinking that comes with her neurodivergence. Only now, she recognizes that beyond ideation, she needs the support of others to bring plans to fruition. And she’s not afraid to ask for it.

“I’m learning every day,” she says. “I have to be introspective and more aware of my limitations because they are different than other peoples’, but I also realize I don’t need to cut out parts of myself to be accepted anymore. I’m working to like myself, first and foremost.”

Julia also serves on the board for Kondial Kel International and is working to help develop CASA, a new nonprofit for Latinos in the FM area.

And for those still struggling in silence? Julia recommends getting tested for ADHD. “It can be more difficult for women, but be your own advocate and keep insisting. Educate yourself. Learn to love yourself. There is nothing broken in you.”

For additional resources on ADHD and autism, talk to your healthcare provider.

You can also connect with the North Dakota Autism Center and the Red River Valley Chapter of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).

THE COMPREHENSIVE ESTATE PLANNING GUIDE

with a LGBTQ+ Twist.

ou can take it from an estate planning attorney that estate planning may not be the most exciting topic, but it is a critical step for everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones. Here, we will explore estate planning through an LGBTQ+ lens while ensuring that the information provided applies to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By showing how estate planning can address the unique needs and concerns of the LGBTQ+ community, I hope to make this oftenoverlooked and sometimes mundane topic more engaging and inclusive for everyone.

Ethan is an associate attorney at SW&L and joined the firm in 2022. He practices in North Dakota and Minnesota, focusing on estate planning, probate, and guardianship and conservatorships. Ethan helps his clients by taking into account their individual circumstances and utilizing the legal tools available to draft a comprehensive estate plan that best serves the client’s interests.

UNDERSTANDING HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND THE NEED FOR LGBTQ+ ESTATE PLANNING

The LGBTQ+ community has faced a long and challenging journey toward achieving equality and recognition. Historical struggles for civil rights, such as marriage equality and non-discrimination protections, have brought about significant legal changes. In 2015,

the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, with its opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges. In 2020, the Supreme Court held that gay and transgender people are protected from workplace discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Bostock v. Clayton County. The historic Supreme Court rulings of Obergefell and Bostock undoubtedly marked significant milestones in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, ensuring marriage equality and workplace protections. However, the fragility of these victories should not be overlooked. The interpretation of constitutional rights can change, evolve, and thus, subsequent court decisions may impact the stability of these fundamental rights and protections.

There has also been progress on the legislative front for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1996, Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). It defined marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman for federal purposes. The main purpose of DOMA was to deny federal recognition and benefits to same-sex couples who were legally married in their respective states. In December of 2022, congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act, and required federal recognition of same-sex marriages. However, it does not guarantee complete protection. The RFMA's impact is contingent upon Obergefell remaining in effect. Should the Supreme Court overturn Obergefell, as Justice Clarence Thomas suggested in his concurrence in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., the RFMA would not prevent individual states, like North Dakota, which defines marriage as a civil contract between a man and woman, from

denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples, potentially leaving their legal recognition in limbo.

In light of these potential challenges, it is crucial for LGBTQ+ individuals, including young people, to execute and get counsel on legal documents such as a Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directive, Wills, and Trusts to protect themselves and the ones they love no matter what happens in politics, the courts, or the legislature.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

As a young attorney, I often encounter questions from young individuals who wonder if they need an estate plan at their age. While it is true that estate planning typically becomes more comprehensive as life progresses, there is one crucial document that everyone should have once they turn 18: a power of attorney.

A power of attorney is a vital legal document that empowers someone else to act on your behalf in financial, legal, or personal matters. This appointed individual possesses the authority to make decisions and represent your interests when you are unable or unwilling to do so yourself. In situations where incapacitation occurs, the power of attorney document can be a crucial tool to bypass the need for guardianship and conservatorships. It also allows you to express your preferences for who should act as your guardian and conservator if the need arises. The significance of this document becomes even more evident when considering the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Consider the case of In re Guardianship of Kowalski, which unfolded in Minnesota in 1991. The focus was on a lesbian couple, Sharon Kowalski and her partner, who had been living together for four years, exchanged rings, and named each other as beneficiaries on their life insurance policies. Tragically, Sharon was involved in an accident that left her incapacitated. Sharon's father and partner both petitioned to be appointed as her Guardian and Conservator. Ultimately, Sharon's father prevailed. Being at odds with Sharon's identity and lifestyle, he terminated her partner's visitation rights, resulting in years of separation between them. Fortunately, through the appeals process, Sharon's partner eventually became her Guardian and Conservator, marking a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights.

Sharon’s case exemplifies the critical importance of a power of attorney document for LGBTQ+ individuals. When someone comes out and faces non-acceptance from their family, there is a risk of attempts to alter their way of life. A power of attorney can serve as a protective measure. Having a power of attorney in place allows individuals to retain control over their lives even if they become incapacitated. It acts as a shield to protect their identity and ensure their wishes are respected, despite any opposition they may encounter from others. Regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, a power of attorney is a fundamental document that provides essential protection and support in various situations.

HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES

A healthcare directive is a critical legal document that serves to express an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment when they are unable to communicate or make decisions. It provides guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones, ensuring that the person's preferences for lifesustaining measures, resuscitation, life support, and organ donation are known and honored.

Healthcare directives hold significance for everyone. These documents are vital in empowering individuals to advocate for their healthcare choices and maintain control over their well-being when they cannot. In situations where individuals may face discrimination, lack of understanding, or unique healthcare needs, such as transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming treatments, a healthcare directive becomes particularly essential. It allows individuals to clearly communicate their desires regarding specialized treatments and assert their rights, ensuring that their medical care aligns with their personal values, identity, and overall healthcare goals. By having a healthcare directive, individuals can proactively assert their autonomy and protect their interests, fostering a sense of empowerment and peace of mind in tumultuous medical circumstances.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

A last will and testament, or will, holds significant importance as a legal document that allows individuals to outline their desired asset distribution and provide instructions for the care of minor children, if applicable, upon their death. It ensures that their wishes are respected and serves as a guiding document for the welfare of their loved ones.

The significance of a will extends to same-sex couples and those with children, offering crucial protection and clarity in asset preservation, inheritance rights, and beneficiary designations. As mentioned earlier, same-sex couples may encounter legal challenges and a potential lack of automatic recognition of their relationships. Without a will in place, the surviving partner in such cases might not receive automatic inheritance rights. Intestacy laws, which dictate asset distribution in the absence of a will, may not acknowledge the surviving partner as an eligible heir. This situation can leave the surviving partner financially vulnerable, and without the resources they had built together. Additionally, the absence of a will can limit the surviving partner's authority to make decisions regarding the deceased partner's estate, healthcare, and funeral arrangements.

Same-sex couples face a unique challenge when it comes to having biological children through traditional means. Since reproduction between two individuals of the same sex is not possible without assistance, such as surrogacy or assisted reproductive technologies, there is often only one biological tie to the child. This can

create an interesting scenario in the unfortunate event that the biological parent passes away. In cases where no formal adoption has taken place, the assumption of parental rights by the surviving partner may not be automatic, as state laws can differ. To safeguard the well-being and future of the child, a guardianship provision in a will becomes crucial. By including such a provision, the surviving partner can ensure that they are granted guardianship and parental rights over the child, providing them with the necessary legal protections and rights in such circumstances.

By having a last will and testament, same-sex couples and partners can assert their rights, safeguard their interests, and ensure their wishes are fulfilled, irrespective of the legal recognition of their relationship or marriage.

TRUSTS

A trust is a legal entity created to hold and manage assets for the benefit of beneficiaries. One common type of trust is a revocable living trust, which is created during the grantor's lifetime and can be modified or revoked as desired. In a revocable living trust, the grantor(s) transfers ownership of assets into the trust, designates themselves as the initial trustee, and names beneficiaries who will receive the assets upon their passing. The grantor(s) retains control over the trust during their lifetime and can manage the assets held within.

Revocable living trusts are particularly valuable estate planning tools for couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, as they provide various benefits.

Firstly, a revocable living trust serves as an avenue for couples to own property together. By placing assets into the trust, both partners can have joint ownership and management of shared property, ensuring equal control and rights over those assets. This arrangement can be crucial for protecting both partners' interests and financial well-being, especially in cases where legal recognition or marital status may vary.

Moreover, revocable living trusts offer a seamless and private transfer of assets in the event of one partner's passing. Assets held within the trust do not go through the probate process, which is the legal procedure for distributing a deceased individual's assets. By avoiding probate, the trust enables the assets to pass directly to the named beneficiaries without court involvement or public disclosure.

In conclusion, estate planning is essential for people from all walks of life. This guide highlighted some of the unique challenges and concerns the LGBTQ+ community faces while hopefully ensuring that the information provided was applicable to all individuals. Regardless of the ever-changing legal landscape, estate planning is a powerful tool for individuals to secure their future, preserve their legacies, and ensure the well-being of their chosen family.

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Empowered Women Empower Women

How Women’s Empowerment Events Can Impact the Local Community

By Sam Kise | Spotlight Media

n June 28, YWCA Cass Clay celebrated the Women of the Year 50th anniversary and women’s empowerment with the event “Empowered! Women Who Rise Above,” featuring award-winning actress and best-selling author Ashley Judd. There are many reasons that I wanted to attend this event, one of which is my admiration for Judd and all that she’s done for women around the world. But aside from that, it is important to see women taking charge of their lives and being confident in themselves and their abilities—in other words, women being empowered. After attending the event, it was clearer than ever how important these kinds of women-focused events and communities are for women in both their personal and professional lives. Here are some of the key takeaways from the event.

Ashley Judd greets the audience before taking her seat onstage, and takes the time to thank the event staff who often go unnoticed and underappreciated like janitors and wait staff.

Empowerment [em-pou-er-muhnt]

noun:

1. the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

#1) Mentorship is vital for girls and young women.

So often, those who have support from other women forget that not all women have the same privilege. Throughout the “Empowered!” event, Judd emphasized that having a mentor to help you navigate the difficulties that being a woman can bring is absolutely vital for girls and young women. Without this mentorship, young women may not have the confidence or knowledge to stand up for themselves, and they also may not have anyone who will stand up for them.

In the business world, this is especially true. Being a young professional woman in male-dominated fields is particularly scary. Many believe women don’t belong in business, or that they don’t belong at the top of the business food chain. Luckily for us, the Fargo-Moorhead area has a whole lot of professional women who have been immersed in these fields for years. If you are one of those women, take a young professional under your wing and help them navigate the world of business a little more smoothly.

If you are not sure who might need a mentor in your day-to-day, think about the girls or young women in your personal life that might need someone in their corner. Be an open ear and a shoulder to lean on for them, because you never know if they have support already. Being that mentor for them will build confidence in them and increase the chances that they will empower more girls and women as they grow older. The world needs more empowered women!

#2) Community continues to be important for women of all ages.

Young women aren’t the only ones who need someone to stand with them, though. 50 years ago, when the YWCA Women of the Year event was founded, it was not common for women to gather together for large events. The community of empowered women that YWCA creates is a strong one, and knowing that you have a group of women who will have your back is sure to make you feel safer and more secure.

Though, as we get older, we often move from the mentee role to the mentor role, that doesn’t mean that we don’t need to have a community that will stand by us in our worst times. If you don’t have a community of women that you can count on yet, join one or make one! There are many professional networking groups in the Fargo-Moorhead area that might be the perfect fit for you. If a formal group isn’t really your style, get some friends or coworkers together and have a game night, start a book club, or just go out to eat together. Having a community of supportive women around you who will lift you up when you need it most will encourage you to be your best self and to lift other women up, too.

About Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd is a Harvard Graduate, a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress, a social justice humanitarian, and a NY Times best-selling author. As a humanitarian, she advocates for the rights and health of girls and women worldwide. She has traveled to over 20 countries, spending time in brothels, refugee camps, hospices, and slums while learning directly from the vulnerable and resilient about violence and how to overcome gender inequality. Ashley was Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2017 as one of the Silence Breakers and the United Nations honored her as Global Advocate of the Year in 2019.

About YWCA Cass Clay

“YWCA Cass Clay is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”

“[They] carry out this mission through the pillar of empowerment, by helping women gain confidence as they recover from the damaging effects of poverty and violence. Each woman who comes to [their] door is given the tools needed to transform her life. Without judgment, [they] offer safe shelter, food, clothing, childcare, education and employment services, health counseling, and transportation assistance on each woman’s personal journey to independence.”

- YWCA Cass Clay Website, ywcacassclay.org

VIP members of the audience received some goodies at the event, including a copy of Judd’s book “All That is Bitter and Sweet,” which details her ongoing recovery from childhood trauma and her journey to aiding and empowering women across the globe.

#3) Stand up for girls and women.

The YWCA speakers, along with Ashley Judd, all emphasized the need to stand up for those who are most vulnerable and may not be able to stand up for themselves. Whether it’s your best friend, your mom, or a random stranger, supporting women when we see or hear that they need it will help strengthen the relationships between women in our community.

When women are empowered to stand up for themselves and others, it improves conditions for everyone slowly but surely. In recent years, as women have spoken up about the way they’re treated at work, work environments have improved around the country. Speaking up about mistreatment has also helped bring attention to gender inequality in society in general, as well, and while things are getting better in many ways, there are many ways that women still experience unfair treatment. As women continue to stand their ground and speak up when they are being treated unfairly or poorly, we will see continued improvement in work environments, legislation, and our personal lives.

#4) Confidence and strength come from inside you, then you can empower others.

There is a lot of emphasis on supporting each other, but another of the many important messages from this event was that we need to believe in ourselves in order to be able

to be truly empowered. When we fully believe in ourselves, it’s a lot easier to take on those mentoring roles with confidence and trust that we will do well by our mentees. It’s also easier to stand up for others when you are confident in who you are and why you are helping them.

Judd noted that your confidence and strength have to come from inside you—no one else can make you feel confident if you don’t believe in who you are and what you are doing in life. But of course, believing in yourself and having confidence isn’t always the easiest thing to accomplish, especially with limited resources. It can take a lot of work to get to the point where you can sustain that trust in yourself and your abilities, which is where Judd’s faith contributes to her peace and empowerment.

#5) Be comfortable with who you are, and have faith—you are worth it, and you

The overarching message that YWCA sends every day, and the message that Ashley Judd provided, is that every woman deserves to be cared about and supported—no matter her life circumstances. This is a message that is hard to remember or believe when our day-to-day lives are so busy with work and personal life, or when we are so stressed about external factors out of our control.

Judd, who often referred to her “Higher Power” throughout the afternoon’s discussion, stressed that—whether it’s

deserve to thrive.

due to your faith in a higher power or not—knowing and believing you will be okay internally despite external circumstances is what gets you through the tough situations you might find yourself in. The more faith you have that things will turn out okay, the less stress you will have about those external pressures. Judd attributes her calm demeanor to this faith—she does not feel like she has to panic or yell when she is treated unfairly due to her gender because she trusts that she will be okay no matter what happens.

#6) Be kind.

The final lesson that this event imparted to the audience is to be kind. Judd didn’t have to say this directly—she just embodied kindness. Even with such a calm demeanor, she fully engaged the audience and inspired so many to be more compassionate. She spent hardly any time talking about herself and focused on the women who changed her life for the better. She held herself with such confidence and passion for empowering women and spreading kindness that it would be hard to not believe what she was saying. It is clear that she dedicates her life to lifting others up, and she does so with grace. Despite all of the hardships she’s been through in life, she remains hopeful. If we all have just a fraction of the compassion that Judd has, we will find ourselves in a much kinder world.

Concluding Thoughts:

Empowerment is all about strength and confidence. What I like most about the definition of empowerment is that it’s called “a process.” Like so many things in our lives, building confidence doesn’t happen overnight. The process of empowerment is ongoing, for each individual and for our world as a whole. After attending YWCA’s “Empowered! Women Who Rise Above” event and hearing stories of so many women who pushed through their trauma, it is clear that the process of empowerment WORKS—empowered women empower women. Next time you interact with a coworker, a friend, or your mom, think about what you can do to empower her or what she does to empower you. Take the time to express your gratitude for their support and love. And if you meet someone who needs empowerment, don’t be afraid to be the one who steps in and helps—your actions matter, and you may change someone’s life.

ywcacassclay.org

Previous years’ nominees for YWCA’s Women of the Year mingle at their class reunion following the event with Ashley Judd.

hat makes a vibrant community? In North Dakota, we have 357 incorporated cities. Nearly 60% of North Dakotans call our 10 largest communities’ home, while approximately 40% live in communities under 10,000 people, many much smaller. 86% of our cities have populations under 1,000 people.

This is not to say small communities lack vibrancy. On the contrary, part of the beauty of our great state is the unique character of each town, the deep roots we have in our varied landscapes, from rural to urban, agricultural to metropolitan (yes, we have metro areas). Our task within the Division of Community Services is to help all our communities, regardless of size or population, access programs and resources to

Community Matters

By Maria Effertz, Director of Community Services, North Dakota Department of Commerce

become vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and play. Specifically, we assist local governments and state agencies in their efforts within community development, energy efficiency, housing, and selfsufficiency.

The following is a brief overview of programs we administer in partnership with local governments and agencies to support the growth and enrichment of North Dakota communities, of all sizes.

Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides financial assistance to local governments in the form of grants to fund projects like rehabilitating affordable housing,

improving roads and sidewalks, creating job opportunities, or providing services to people in need. The primary beneficiaries of these projects must be low to moderate-income individuals.

Community Services Block Grant

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) assists communities in implementing anti-poverty programs. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CSBG programs and services are designed to promote self-sufficiency, family stability, and community revitalization. Services to eligible low-income individuals and families include emergency assistance, housing counseling, workforce training, and referrals. The program has impacted 35,246 persons in North Dakota, including 13,000 children and 5,600 persons with disabilities.

North Dakota Department of Commerce

Weatherization Assistance Program

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help incomequalified households improve the energy efficiency of their homes with free or low-cost energy efficiency upgrades and improvements. These may include insulation installation, weather-stripping, sealing air leaks, upgrading heating and cooling systems, and replacing inefficient appliances. The program aims to make homes more energy-efficient, which in turn helps reduce energy bills and provides a healthier and more comfortable living environment for low-income families. Since 2020, more than 1,200 homes have been weatherized, including 623 homes of families with children.

State Energy Program

The North Dakota State Energy Program is a state-level initiative aimed at promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy conservation within North Dakota. The state office collaborates with stakeholders, local governments, and businesses to advance energy efficiency efforts across the state. The program offers funding, technical assistance, and educational resources to help individuals, communities and businesses adopt energy-saving practices and technologies. More than $1.34 million in project funding was granted for 42 projects in 2020-2022.

Manufactured Home Installation Program

Since 2003, the Division of Community Services has overseen the manufactured home installation program, where all new manufactured homes installed for residential purposes are inspected to ensure safe and proper construction and installation. From July 2020 through June 2022, 542 manufactured homes were installed.

Coming Soon: Energy Efficiency Grants

The Federal Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide additional funds for home efficiency and appliance rebates for individuals. This federally funded program is expected to be available in late 2023 and some of the guidelines will be subject to federal regulations.

Coming Soon: Rural Food Access

To succeed, communities need to have certain amenities, including access to fresh food and grocery items. The 2023 North Dakota Legislature created a pilot grant program to support the expansion and growth of food opportunities in areas of need. Existing or new food access ideas will be entertained to meet the basic needs of fresh food in rural areas. Priority will be given to pilot programs that can be replicated. This initiative will be rolled out in the fall of 2023.

Coming

Soon: Rural Workforce Housing/Slum and Blight Removal Grants

Additionally, the 2023 North Dakota Legislature created a pilot workforce housing/slum and blight removal grant program for communities with populations under 10,000. This grant will target housing opportunities in communities where workforce housing has been proven needed to support growth. In-fill and multi-use buildings will be given priority for this program. This initiative will be rolled out in the fall of 2023.

Community development and growth don’t occur overnight. It takes hard work and collaboration with all hands on deck working together to build vibrant and thriving communities and inspire future generations of North Dakotans. While the state offers many programs, the leaders of the community must first have the willingness to tackle its challenges. We are excited to partner with local champions to see projects to completion and then look at what more can be done. To learn more about the resources available from Community Services and connect with us to start the conversation, visit commerce.

nd.gov/community-services

MSUM Oceanarium: An Ocean of Possibilities

oorhead, Minnesota is one of the furthest places from the ocean. Yet, near-shore sea life thrives at the MSUM Oceanarium, promising fun, educational opportunities for members of the Fargo-Moorhead community.

Haven’t heard of it? You’re not alone. This gem, hidden in the basement of MSUM’s Langseth Hall, has operated quietly for eight years, offering tours and marine education opportunities to local K-12, YMCA, and homeschool groups. It has also been a permanent attraction on MSUM campus tours. During COVID, as student help and monetary opportunities receded, the Oceanarium almost went belly up. But now, with a new space and renewed support from the university, the Oceanarium is breaching the surface as a unique, interactive, investigative marine experience thousands of leagues from the nearest ocean.

Turning Tides

Surrounded by freshwater lakes and rivers, land-locked MSUM might not seem like the obvious choice for an oceanic sea life enclosure. In fact, today’s Oceanarium is the result of lots of hard work and a few lucky breaks from dedicated students and faculty.

Brain Wisenden, Biosciences professor at MSUM, and Phil Larson, Oceanarium Facility Coordinator and former MSUM Biosciences student, have been involved with the program since the beginning.

“In 2014, a small group of undergrads got together and wrote a proposal to build a small tide pool system,” Wisenden said. “It was fun, educational, and had a powerful effect no one foresaw. Students were drawn to it—to help run it, feed it, and, ultimately, expand it.”

But the student group soon found they had a lot to learn about building, maintaining, stocking and ultimately paying for this type of facility.

“I’m a fish guy,” Larson jokes. “I didn’t know anything about running a business.”

So, the team got creative and little by little, the Marine Ecology Lab found financial footing through grant writing, tours and educational outreach.

Then COVID hit. In 2020, MSUM, like other educational facilities in the area, essentially shutdown. Feeding and organism care fell to a core group of students and their main revenue stream was lost as tours were canceled indefinitely.

Wisenden, Larson and a dedicated skeleton crew managed to hold on through the worst of the pandemic. However, as the tides shifted and students returned to the classroom, they were left with a difficult decision. Rebuilding, and growing the facility, would require casting a larger net. From an inward focused mission of providing a living laboratory for curricula at MSUM, the organization began to look outward and consider how they could contribute to the university’s mission to serve the FargoMoorhead community. To do that they rebranded the facility as the Oceanarium. They also needed money. This came in the form of a $25,000 “Shark Tank” award from the MN System Office

BY ARIELLE WINDHAM

Surging Forward

On World Ocean Day, June 8, the Oceanarium officially reopened with a renewed commitment to educational outreach and helping support oceanic literacy in our area. In addition to welcoming the public to their renovated facility, the Oceanarium also received money from local organizations. They were awarded $1,000 from the Cass Clay chapter of the Awesome Foundation to help pay for salt for the saltwater tanks, and the Red River Zoo donated $1,250 from their ticket sales that day to help launch the Oceanarium.

“We might be hundreds of miles from the ocean,” Wisenden said, “but the choices we make here impact the ocean and vice versa.” From weather patterns to ecosystems, all of Earth’s water systems are tied together and even students in the Midwest need to understand their impact on the larger world. To this end, the Oceanarium held its first session of Junior Aquarist Camp for Kids (JACK), a multi-day experience designed by MSUM

students to teach ocean literacy and provide a unique learning opportunity for local kids.

Taking the Plunge

The staff and students behind the MSUM Oceanarium are diving in to provide a valuable marine resource to our community.

“The nearest aquarium is in Sioux Falls or the Cities,” Larson said. “We’re offering the chance to get up close and touch some of these organisms right here in your backyard!”

Currently, the facility is home to over 150 organisms spanning seven ecosystems. The fan favorites are the horseshoe crabs, but the new jellyfish exhibit is offering some stiff competition. Later this year, staff will add a 600-gallon reef tank and are already setting up a habitat for an eel.

The Oceanarium continues to work with local K-12 educational groups in the region and is partnering with the MSUM Planetarium to offer a “sea to sky” field trip experience. And while the site

currently doesn’t have standing open hours, Fargo-Moorhead residents are encouraged to reach out to schedule a tour at mnstate.edu/academics/collegesschools/biosciences/oceanarium/visit/. Tours require a minimum of 12 people with a $5 per person charge. Private tours are available for smaller groups with a $60 charge.

You can also learn more about Oceanarium events on their socials: @msumoceanarium /MSUMOceanarium

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

Photo provided by Brandi Malarkey

Innovation Education grant program to pay for renovations and new exhibits.

AWESOME FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD WINNER

Indigenous Association: Offering New Programming for Native Community

ewing machines hum. People talk quietly about the week as they work. The younger generation in attendance learns more than just how to sew a skirt—they are experiencing an important part of their indigenous culture.

The Indigenous Association’s new regalia class, happening every other Tuesday at their downtown location above the Plains Museum Center for Creativity, offers Fargo-Moorhead’s native population a chance to gather, share and create. It removes barriers for those looking to connect with their culture by taking part in traditional powwow dances.

“The regalia for certain dances can be quite ornate,” said Brandon Baity, interim executive director for the Indigenous Association. “And for those that don’t have access to regalia or the ability to make it themselves, it might be that little thing that’s holding them back from exploring their heritage.”

Gathering Together

The Indigenous Association was founded in 2020 to help provide programming and

BY ARIELLE WINDHAM

opportunities for the Fargo-Moorhead native population to come together.

“We felt that a lot of help that was out there for Native Americans was focused on crisis services,” Baity said. “This solved individual problems, but didn’t necessarily bring the community together. The Indigenous Association provides a bridge to crisis services, but our main focus is on sharing cultural knowledge with the next generation. We offer a space where people can come together.”

As part of this mission, the Indigenous Association works to secure funding for programs and equipment that will bring native communities together and strengthen the bond between generations. The association works to provide programming for free or at a reduced cost, to encourage everyone to participate. Programming builds on previous grants and acquisitions and works to provide more opportunities for outreach. For example, the association purchased 17 sewing machines for a sewing circle with a grant from the Department of Health. These machines are also being used in the regalia class, as well as other crafting collaborations. An additional $1,000 from the Cass Clay chapter of the Awesome Foundation allowed organizers to purchase many

of the base materials for the regalia class, removing the monetary barrier for many. Pieces will also be donated to area indigenous education programs to help local students take part in cultural activities.

“It’s about giving people access to their culture,” Baity said.

Creating a Community

In addition to the regalia class, the Indigenous Association offers a number of other services aimed at providing education, resources, and support for our Indigenous community. Young mothers can find information on breastfeeding and early-childhood nutrition from a registered lactation consultant that understands the unique challenges Native American mothers face.

With the regalia class, sewing circle, and open crafting night, there are plenty of opportunities for individuals and families to come together. These nights, the space is alive with laughter and community. Young children play while parents and grandparents share stories, experiences, and crafting tips.

“A lot was done to essentially kill the native culture,” Baity said. “And while that is in the

past, the effects still negatively impact our community. We are working every day to reverse some of that damage. To offer healing to our community and bring the people back together through our programming, outreach and just offering a safe space where everyone is welcome.”

Building for the Next Generation

There is a belief among many native cultures that you should not focus on the current generation. Instead, look to lay the groundwork so that the seventh generation to follow you thrives. That philosophy is at the heart of the Indigenous Association’s efforts.

Programming brings together young and old. It provides a sense of community for those deep in their roots and those just discovering their heritage. It is a place where knowledge is passed down and support is given for healing and growth.

The group hosts a variety of programming from crafting to community meals as well as entrepreneurial education opportunities and is always looking to provide needed resources.

The next public event is a Native American Picnic planned for August 19 from noon to 5 p.m. at M.B. Johnson Park in Moorhead. This is a great opportunity for those in the area, whether they have indigenous heritage or are just interested in different cultures, to come together for a meal, music, and cultural education opportunities.

“Everything starts with understanding,” Baity said. “We want everyone in the Fargo-Moorhead area to understand our mission and come together with our community.”

For more information on the regalia class or other programming at the Indigenous Association, check out their Facebook.

/IndigenousAssociation

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

Photo provided by Brandi Malarkey