Fargo INC! June 2023

Sponsored Content: 14 Things You Didn't Know About The Wildflower Golf Course

Sponsored Content: Mobile Pro Setting The Standard for Live Production

Sponsored Content: The Economic Advantages of Bringing a Water Park to Fargo

Sponsored Content: Border Bank: More Than Bankers

TEDx Takes Fargo!

An Investment in Our Future

Trending Now in Business Fashion

Good Ol' Fashioned Marketing Still Works

Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D

Plug & Play Preview

Untapped Talent: Why Your Company Should Open Internships to International Students

Meet the New Owner of Deckmasters Josh Smook

Inventors, Innovators, & Business Owners, Listen up

11 Sales Tips with Neil Keltgen

10 Questions with John Machacek: Learn or Teach

Women You Should Know: Molly Swanston

Awesome Foundation Grant Award Winner: Ocean Stars FC

Everything Begins With an Idea S

MIKE BRADY KIM

LEVI TY

GENEVA

GRANT

SAM JOSIAH

JENNY

AL DEVAN TORI

HAILEY MIRANDA

JESSICA

NICK

KORY MEGAN

JONATHAN

RYNE JOHN TOMMY

Publisher EDITORIAL

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Contributors

INTERACTIVE Business Development Manager Business Development Associate Videographer Director of Digital Advertising Results

Director of Creative Strategies

Graphic Designer Web Developer Social Media Specialist

ADVERTISING

VP of Business Development

Sales Representatives

Mike Dragosavich

Brady Drake Brady@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

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Kim Cowles

Ty Betts, Levi Dinh

Josiah Kopp

Gary Ussery

John Machacek, Ladyboss Lifestyle, Brandi Malarkey, SW&L Attorneys, Samantha Gust, Neil Keltgen

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Jonathan Chicka

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Ben Buchanan

Kory Powell-Oliver

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Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

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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.

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14

By Brady Drake

THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE WILDFLOWER GOLF COURSE

We all know business is best done on the golf course, but at Fargo INC!, we argue that better business is done on a better golf course. And if that is the case, you won't find many golf courses in our region better than the Wildflower golf course.

Named to National Geographic Traveler's list of "Classic Summer Lodges" Fair Hills Resort is a wellrenowned place to stay, vacation, and, of course, golf.

Photos provided by Fair Hills Resort

WILDFLOWER IS AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL COURSE.

The light is magical on the course and the views are spectacular. You almost feel like you are back in time and out on the prairie. Depending on where you're at on the course, you'll find yourself under a canopy of oaks, putting next to an abandoned farmhouse, or gazing out over the prairie. Wildflower was designed as a prairie links style course by Joel Goldstrand, a highly regarded golf course architect in the Midwest, and also features beautiful oak savannahs. The primary goal was to blend these two landscapes together to create a unique and beautiful course to play.

1. 3. 2.

THE DRIVING RANGE IS WONDERFUL.

Wildflower is rebuilding their chipping green this year to improve the practice facilities they have to offer. You never have to hit off mats and can drive the ball over 350 yards.

THE COURSE IS IN THE BEST SHAPE IT HAS BEEN IN 20 YEARS.

In addition to blending the prairie and the oak trees, the other initial goal when building Wildflower was to make it the best golf course possible. The team is all committed to making this the best track it can be.

4. THEY HAVE THE BEST STAFF AROUND.

They are committed to making your time with them wonderful from the moment you walk in the door. It is at the heart of what they do.

5. 6. 7.

STAY-AND-PLAY PACKAGES AT FAIR HILLS RESORT ON PELICAN LAKE.

Guests can stay at the resort and play unlimited golf on the Fair Hills executive 9-hole course, and golf on Wildflower and other courses in the Minnesota Golf Trail network.

30 YEARS STRONG

They are celebrating their 30th season this year, opening their doors for the first time in 1993.

MONTHLY TOURNAMENTS

Wildflower is hosting monthly tournaments open to the public that are a great time for all! They began hosting tournaments again in 2021 and have had great turnouts.

8. 9. 10.

THEY VALUE YOUR TIME.

They want you to be able to play and enjoy a round without committing your whole day to the golf course. "We keep the pace of play in the forefront of our minds when creating and booking our tee sheet," Wildflower Golf Course Director of Operations Emily Meyers said.

HOST PRIVATE EVENTS AT THE COURSE OR BOOK GROUP OUTINGS.

They will take fantastic care of you while you are here. Additional options for food and other entertainment can be arranged across the street at Fair Hills Resort.

A NEW CHALLENGE EVERY TIME.

Given the geography and location, Wildflower can play differently each time you play it. This gives you a wonderful opportunity to use all the clubs in your bag. You also get a true sense that you are in lakes country while playing the course, which allows you to take in views of Pelican Lake, Lake Eunice, and Lake Maud playing the course.

11.

INTERNATIONAL FLAIR

You'll run into staff from all over the world working at Wildflower for the summer. They have had people from over 20 countries including Turkey, Poland, Ukraine, Jordan, Macedonia, Belarus, Bulgaria, and France who have joined their staff. It is a wonderful part of the experience of the course.

12.HOMEMADE DONUTS AND ROLLS.

On the weekends there are homemade donuts and rolls from Fair Hills Resort for sale in the pro shop. You don't even have to be a golfer to stop in and enjoy those treats.

13.

7,000 YARDS OF COURSE.

Wildflower is a long course. It is over 7,000 yards from the black tees. While that is certainly a feature for advanced players, the course now has six sets of tees ranging from the black tees to their new set of forward tees for super seniors and junior golfers. "We want to encourage players of all ages and skill levels to come out and play at Wildflower," Meyers said.

14. PRAIRIE HOUSE #2

The prairie house on #2 has long been one of the most memorable vistas on the course. It is a remnant of one of the five homesteads that were built on the land back in the day. Golfers love the nostalgia for the past that it evokes on the course.

By Josiah Kopp

ou have a big event coming up, and you're feeling the pressure of making it a home run with your guests. Maybe you've worked with live production crews in the past and the experience was overwhelming. With so many moving pieces that go into an event, that's completely understandable, which is why you need a team that's going to make everything from planning to execution a breeze. That's exactly where Mobile Pro shines. From lighting, sound, video and visuals, the team at Mobile Pro are your go-to gurus for an out-of-the-park successful event. The team at Mobile Pro is here to make your next event a huge success, all while relieving pressure from you, the client.

| Photos submitted by Mobile Pro

University of Jamestown's Dine and Bid Gala

Nick Walters switching live video content at a morning event in Grand Forks.

The entire process of working with the Mobile Pro team couldn't be more seamless. From day one of booking an event, Whitney Wright executive director of client services is at the forefront of communication with the client, asking all the right questions to ensure a seamless planning and estimation process. This is especially important when working with nonprofits on fundraising events. "We want [our clients' fundraisers] to be super successful, so that drives us to do things differently," Wright said.

Once Wright has confirmed the booking and their vision for the event Mobile Pro's Director of Client Experience Shannon Jacobson takes the baton. Jacobson is there from beginning to end to make sure the client has a great experience and every detail of planning is treated with care. “The best part of my job is working with my production crew to bring our client’s vision to life.”

"We often work directly with the venue and hired event planners to ensure everyone has the same details and is on the same page. The more we can correspond directly with each other helps to alleviate that stress from the client," Jacobson said. "We will also coordinate details and answer questions with keynote and breakout session speakers, musical acts, and other talents to ensure all of their technology requirements are met."

But what if you as the client aren't sure of everything you want? Rest assured—as the live production experts, Jacobson and the

Before (top) and after (bottom) shows how Mobile Pro is able to take a space and magically transform it to fit any style or theme of event, creating an unforgettable experience.

Mobile Pro team are always ready to provide thoughtful recommendations and guide the initiative for the best possible outcome.

"Whether it’s a gala fundraiser, an important company meeting, or a multi-day conference, first impressions play a major role in event success. We’re here to be the experts in production," Jacobson reassures. "Tell us your vision and with a few answered questions we can offer our insight and suggest the right technologies to make your guests’ experience unforgettable from the moment they step in the room."

This is the moment! It's the day of your event, and it's time to bring every planned detail to life. This is where Nick Walters Video Specialist (more from him on the next page) and the rest of the technical team come in, executing every detail seamlessly behind the scenes, ensuring the entire event runs smoothly and creates an impactful experience engaging all the senses.

And it doesn't end when the night is over; after each event, Jacobson sends out a survey to the client and internal meetings are held to ensure constant room for growth and efficiencies. For them, it's all about finding a formula that works and then personalizing each experience so that every event is unique from the next.

This approach has proven to be successful for the Mobile Pro team, as they're continuing to reach new growth goals and setting themselves apart as a long-term player in the

industry; as other businesses are scaling back, Mobile Pro is scaling up.

As Mobile Pro continues to grow, Bestge's hope is that people will be attracted to Mobile Pro's journey and mission, whether working with them as a client or joining the team. When you work with Mobile Pro as a client, you're treated like family: "We always call our clients family members, because you become part of the family once you're a Mobile Pro client," Bestge said. "And even with our employees, it's the same thing. We're a family. We look at the person as a whole not just as an asset that does work for us."

With values like this in place, it's no wonder people love working with Mobile Pro and continue working with them year after year. Mobile Pro isn't just another live production crew—they go above and beyond the status quo, from providing unforgettable experiences for clients and longlasting nurturing for team members. Below are a couple of client testimonials on why they love working with Mobile Pro for their events, as well as hear from Nick Walters, one of Mobile Pro's team members, on why he loves working at Mobile Pro and learn about what his role looks like.

Mobile Pro is the production company we at the University of Jamestown use for a variety of events but primarily, our annual gala fundraiser, Dine and Bid. Mobile Pro constantly takes our events to the next level, which is why we have worked with them for over 10 years and counting! Their attention to detail and wide array of equipment is perfect for any themed event we could ever envision. Their staff is accommodating, creative, and diligent in creating the best production possible."

- Bryce Nybo, University of Jamestown

Mobile Pro has been our go-to event production company at BIO Girls for years. Brian and his team have never failed to fuel our event vision with creativity and passion. Each year they bring new ideas to the table to help us share our mission in unique ways. Their organization, communication, and ability to go above and beyond are unmatched! This fall will be our fourth gala produced by Mobile Pro."

- Macy Kraemer, Bio Girls

WAVE BY EPIC

The Economic Advantages of Bringing a Water Park to Fargo

By Josiah Kopp | Photos provided by EPIC Companies

"The Wave by EPIC Water Park Resort... coming soon!"—As Fargo-Moorhead greatly anticipates the completion of North Dakota's largest indoor water park, one might wonder what goes into making a project like this a possibility. When EPIC Companies first dreamed of bringing a water park to Fargo, they knew it needed one of the best experts in the industry to help bring that dream to fruition. That's when EPIC teamed up with S & L Hospitality CEO Eric Lund, who is now helping shape one of Fargo's biggest attractions ever.

With Eric Lund's outstanding portfolio in both the hotel and water park industries in the Wisconsin Dells area, EPIC knew working with him on The Wave project was a sure fit for success. The Wisconsin-based CEO of S & L Hospitality has been in the hotel industry for 35 years and in the water park industry for 26 years; few understand the business better than Lund.

As a founding partner in the Great Wolf Resorts chain as well as a franchise owner of many hotels (including Marriott, IHG, Choice Hotels, and more), Lund was in an optimal position to expand the destination water park experience to places beyond the Dells. Fast forward to today, and The Wave is part of Lund's first big venture with EPIC Companies.

Eric Lund

CEO of S & L Hospitality and consultant behind the Wave by EPIC project

• 7-Story, 135-room hotel

• Indoor waterpark with 50,000 square feet o net-play area

• Parking ramp with 500 stalls

Reasons Fargo-Moorhead Businesses Should Be Excited

The Wave won't just be North Dakota's largest indoor water park, it will be a destination experience for all surrounding areas to visit—Fargo's very own Disney World, if you will. This 50,000-square-foot indoor water park and 135-room hotel resort will drive traffic from all over the region, boosting Fargo's already-impressive economic growth.

One of the key features The Wave will implement into its stays to create more value is through bundle packages where wristbands are included in visitors' stay to have access to the water park. This is a unique model that Lund has implemented into other projects in order to create more value for visitors while boosting local economic growth.

"What we found in every market where this was being introduced was that [everyone in the community] prospered and benefited," Lund said.

With a destination resort like The Wave, driving traffic from neighboring states to Fargo will help put dollars into the state of North Dakota while also boosting Fargo's occupancy tax. Local businesses like restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, and many others will benefit from increased traffic for restaurants, shopping, gas stations, and other local businesses.

With Fargo having extreme seasons (especially in the winter), local businesses are in a position to help create attractions, events, and community activities for people—and The Wave is a perfect example of how Fargo will be able to keep the community engaged all year long. And since Fargo has a busy hotel market, The Wave by EPIC Water Park Resort will offer guest access pass for the public to utilize!

The latest renderings from EPIC Companies give a glimpse of what the exterior of The Wave will look like.

The Wave by EPIC Water Park Resort by the Numbers

Why Fargo?

With water parks now spread across the nation, Lund and S & L Hospitality have proven a formula that works, creating destination experiences that will attract visitors year-round, making these sustainable projects from an economic standpoint.

And with the ever-changing climate the Red River Valley brings, finding consistent family activities is a seasonal challenge since so many local recreational activities are weather dependent. The Wave is a great solution to that for two reasons:

1. It provides a consistent activity that families can enjoy year-round.

2. It brings in a steady stream of visitors to local retail, especially from Canada, further boosting local retail.

Placing North Dakota's largest indoor water park in Fargo was no mistake; it was strategically placed to maximize regional reach from neighboring areas.

"We're generating a significant amount of room tax for the community, and that gets put back into the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, which can help market and advertise for more people

Did you know?

The Wave by EPIC will be located at 2500 45th St S Fargo, next to the Tharaldson Baseball Park.

to come to the area," Lund said. "And that just enhances every community; communities love to have these."

Another important reason why this project is great for Fargo is because of the unique way EPIC Companies builds communities through their mixed-use developments. With all of the interactive elements EPIC creates through their projects, such as The Lights, there are unique opportunities to bundle packages, concert tickets, and more with the way EPIC is creating its own ecosystem of experiences.

Additionally, with the EPIC Companies' involvement in charities, there will be unique charitable opportunities for providing experiences at The Wave for kids and families who may not otherwise have that opportunity. And as part of the American Disabilities Act, The Wave is inclusive and equipped in ways to support people with disabilities to still be able to enjoy all The Wave has to offer in a safe manner. This project isn't just about boosting the local economy, it's also about connecting the community through the experiences EPIC is creating.

Did you know?

Supporting Fargo's Record-Low Unemployment Rate

One of the greatest hallmarks of the Fargo metro is the recordlow unemployment rate, which ended 2022 at around 1.4%— the second lowest in the nation. Bringing a resort like The Wave to Fargo is going to further feed into those nation-leading trends.

Upon completion, The Wave will host approximately 130-160 employees year-round. Employment opportunities will include competitive 401K benefits and offer positions unique to FargoMoorhead, including year-round lifeguards, aquatic engineers, and educational opportunities for the kids club, plus all the other roles a resort requires. Some roles within the water park may even be titled "Ambassador of Fun," as Lund put it.

For Lund, it's an exciting venture to be a part of, and he's excited to help bring something new and different to the Fargo-Moorhead area. "It kind of gives me the chills, kind of like

when we opened up the first one in Sandusky in 2001," Lund said. "That was the first one in the United States (Ohio) that opened up outside of the Wisconsin Dells, and no one believed that could happen." Now, indoor water parks are proving to be successful all over the nation, and Lund is ecstatic to be pairing with a team like EPIC Companies on such an endeavor. "I'm just excited to be able to see all the smiling faces of families," he said. The other thing that local businesses can get excited about is that the return rate for repeat visitors is "tremendous" for developments like this, according to Lund.

The Wave is not only going to be a jam-packed fun experience for the whole family, but it's also going to stimulate economic growth for businesses in the community, continuing the already amazing trend of opportunity here in the Red River Valley. Stay tuned for the public groundbreaking ceremony to be held in August!

The latest renderings from EPIC Companies give a glimpse of what the interior of The Wave will look like.

MORE THAN BANKERS

MEET THE PEOPLE Behind Border

Bank

By Brady Drake

f you have been a longtime reader of this magazine, you know about Border Bank. Their commitment to responsiveness and relationship-building have been well documented in the past pages of Fargo INC! But, do you really know Kory Shae, Jordan Cook, and Dan Doeden? If you don't, you should!

Josiah Kopp

MEET Kory Shae

Kory Shae, Corporate President, has called the FargoMoorhead area home since graduating from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He lives with his wife, Kristi, who grew up in the same town as him, Ulen, MN, his 14-year-old son, Carson, who just got his learner's permit, and, last but not least, their five-year-old red poodle, Charlie.

"I have a really special family," Kory said.

Kory's love for his family is evident, and he makes sure that the majority of his hobbies are shared with those closest to him.

"I love playing golf and Carson and I play a lot together. I like playing by myself as well, but I really enjoy playing with Carson," Kory said. "He also shoots traps through the school. I shoot traps as well, but because he does that with the school, we don't do it together much. However, we do hunt together and I really enjoy that."

Other activities that Kory does with his family include lots of skiing on Detroit Mountain, relaxing at their cabin on Long Lake, and jet skiing.

Like most people, Kory also has a need for solitude at times.

"I like to read," Kory said. "I read a lot of Malcolm Gladwell, Ryan Holiday, and a lot of business-style reading. I've also always been very into quantitative mathematics so I've read a lot of books about mathematics and statistics as well. Outside of reading, I also really like to hunt. I love hunting with Carson—we hunt a lot of pheasants and things like that in Minnesota—but right now, he's not quite ready for some of the bigger hunts that I like to do in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. I really enjoy those. I really enjoy the primal nature of the hunting and the solitude of the mountains."

Kory Shae the Banker

"The bank is here to serve the needs of the clients and I'm involved in the strategy around that. I also meet with clients and really work to understand the marketplace and understand what's happening with them. I'm able to shift and make decisions for the bank and that allows us to be able to meet their needs going forward whereas at a multinational bank, you're not going to get that. So, a big part of my role really is accessibility."

- Kory Shae

Kory, his wife Kristi, and their son Carson,v on the golf course in Arizona.

Kory, his son Carson, and their poodle, Charlie, hitting the links.

Hunting for pheasants is one of Kory and his son Carson's many shared passions.

MEET Jordan Cook

Jordan Cook, Market President, is a proud father in a budding young family.

Jordan and his wife Hannah, who married in 2014, have two children—a son, Julius, who will turn six in August, and a daughter, Haven, who will turn three in July.

"With the age that they are at right now, parenting is really an all-day thing from when they get up to when they go to bed at night," Jordan said. "But they're awesome kids. They're both funny and they're completely different from each other. Julius has blond hair and blue eyes like me and is very soft, and very sweet—he loves being in the action and around people. Haven looks more like my wife and she is kind of a tough little girl who loves her mom. They get along great together."

Thankfully, Jordan and his wife both have family nearby, allowing them to get some free time every once in a while.

"Our kids are getting to an age where they are pretty easy to take care of and we are very thankful that our parents are able to help out," Jordan said. "This year, we were able to take about a week-long trip to Palm Desert and I think that going forward, that's going to be our goal, to take one extended vacation together a year. For smaller things, we try to get away for golf or a date night or meet up with friends. I'm also a huge Ohio State football fan and my wife and I got to go to a game in Columbus this year. She loved it and said now we're going to have to go every year. I'm not mad about that."

The Cooks also have a cabin on Otter Tail Lake and love going to the lake almost every weekend in the summer.

"My kids love it out there. They get to see their cousins and get ice cream, and fires, and pontoon rides, and they get to swim—it's super fun."

Julius and Haven getting ready to trick or treat

Jordan the Banker

"Work is a big thing for me. I love what I'm doing. I think what differentiates Border is that we're very personal. If you work with us, you've got our cell phone numbers and we're available at any time."

- Jordan Cook

Cole Papers

"We are very fortunate to have a relationship with a client like Cole Papers. Chuck, Connor, Cole, and Brian are all great people. We have golfed with them. We have gotten dinners and lunches with them. They've grown considerably over the last few years and it is an honor to be able to help them out."

InterOffice

"In 2022, Aubree Leiser purchased Interoffice and we were the bank that was able to facilitate that purchase. I've gotten to know her so much better and we've grown it a lot. She and her husband are such fun people to visit with. They're down-to-earth and are hard workers, she's always working. That really aligns with our culture too—we're workers. We also work to have a really deep understanding of each other."

Julius proudly displays his MASSIVE catch!

MEET Dan Doeden

Dan Doeden, a familiar name in Fargo-Moorhead's financial services industry, is the newest addition to the Border Bank team after joining as Chief Banking Officer this spring.

Doeden, a family man, has spent the last 22 years raising his family. His eldest daughter, Emily, just graduated from Colorado Christian University. His middle child, Madison, just finished her freshman year at Bethel University. And his youngest child, Tanner, just spent his sophomore year at Park Christian School.

All of them golf competitively and share a deep passion for the sport, and it's no wonder why. Their father golfed collegiately at Wyoming and played in tournaments alongside the great Tiger Woods.

"A lot of what we do as a family revolves around golf, and, although, Tammy doesn't play golf, we both love to watch and support the kids. We also try to get together as a family for two or three weeks in July and go to Brainerd where we just hang out and relax and, of course, golf. We like to do some hiking and are heavily involved in church and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In fact, Tammy has coordinated an FCA summer girls golf camp for the past 10 years."

Dan has also been a mentor to his kids and has coached golf at Park Christian for the past 11 years.

"It is a lot more stressful watching than playing," Dan said. "But it has been fun being able to watch them grow on and off the course."

Dan and his wife Tammy

Dan and his son Tanner on the course

Emily graduating from Colorado Christian

Courtesy of Alissa Adams

Courtesy of Brian Murray

Courtesy of Christie Hefner

Courtesy of Gary Vernon

Courtesy of Jake Joraanstad Courtesy of Jon Absey

Courtesy of Michelle Curran

Courtesy of Nick Hall

Courtesy of Penelope Hartogensis

Courtesy of Dr. Rupak Gandhi

Courtesy of Samata Pattinson

Courtesy of Thomas Dambo

Courtesy Morgan Schleif of M.Schleif Photography

"How might your life be better with less? Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known to their 4 million readers as 'The Minimalists,' are the executive producers of MINIMALISM, the #1 indie documentary of 2016. They spoke at TEDxFargo about the benefits of letting go and living a meaningful life with less. For more info about The Minimalists visit theminimalists.com

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known to

their four million readers as 'The Minimalists,' have written four books, including the bestselling memoir, Everything That Remains. They write about living a meaningful life with less stuff at TheMinimalists.com. Their new film, Minimalism, is currently the #1 documentary of 2016."

- TEDx Talks YouTube

"...Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle discusses why the gut microbiome is the most important organ you’ve probably never heard of. The gut is the second brain, and gut health affects your overall health. This means that you are what you eat, but you are also the metabolites that live in your gut and produce the substances you need for emotional balance, energy level, and disease prevention. Poor lifestyle choices cause gut imbalances, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and even anxiety and depression.

Angle talks about three critical molecules and how they work in the body to affect your overall wellness. She also shares some tips about what you can do to maintain a healthy gut microbiome through diet and lifestyle choices.

Entrepreneur and biochemist Erika Ebbel Angle, Ph.D., has dedicated her life to studying the gut. Dr. Angle is the CEO and co-founder of Ixcela, the Internal Fitness™ company. Ixcela evaluates the gut microbiome using a blood sample

and then offers personalized recommendations to restore gut health. Angle shares her lifelong love of science in many ways, including through her nonprofit, Science from Scientists, which brings scientists into classrooms to promote STEM careers and science education. A graduate of MIT and Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Angle is also a former Miss Massachusetts who used her platform to encourage students to pursue STEM careers and scientific discovery.

Erika Ebbel Angle, Ph.D., is the CEO and Co-founder of Ixcela, a biotechnology company aimed at developing tests and interventions to improve gut microbiome efficacy and health. She is also the Executive Director and Founder of Science from Scientists, an award-winning National nonprofit focused on improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) attitudes and aptitudes for children aged 9-13. Outside of work, Erika enjoys scuba diving, skiing, and classical piano..."

- TEDx Talks YouTube

"... Cam Adair tells a story of our society's collective nightmare: rejection. It's a story we've all lived through before but this one ends with a plot twist. He speaks to the universal experience and paralyzing fear of rejection while exposing his own inner turmoil he trudged through as a teenager. After years of intense bullying starting at age 13 where the fun game was 'Who can stuff Cam into a trashcan?' he dropped out of high school. Twice. Next he found himself recoiling from the world, playing video games up to 16 hours a day.

But something surprising happened that changed the way he saw his rejection forever. This turning point allowed him to shift gears to become a successful entrepreneur. Now as a public speaker he travels around the country sharing his message about overcoming the heartbreaking pain of rejection and using it as fuel for

growth, connection and purpose. Learn more about Cam at camerondare.com. Connect with him on Twitter, @camerondare.

Cam's mission is helping others live life with intention. Feeling trapped in a career he wasn't passionate about at the age of 20, Cam founded Kingpin Social, a company with a mission to empower young men to live life on their own terms by understanding the social side of their lives. Cam believes in the power of creating your own path, contributing to your community and the magic of youth. Currently you can find Cam traveling full-time speaking around the US & Canada on topics of Building Stronger Relationships, Bullying and Gaming Addiction."

- TEDx Talks YouTube

Courtesy Morgan Schleif of M.Schleif Photography

By Monte Gehrtz Financial Advisor, AdvisorNet Fargo

Photo by Hillary Ehlen

Overall, saving for your children is important because it can help provide financial security, reduce the burden of future expenses, and teach children about the importance of financial responsibility. Now, let’s take a look at a few common questions I get asked about financial preparedness.

Q&A on Financial Preparedness

Q: I have a child (or children) and am looking to save money for them to eventually be able to go to college one day. What kind of savings account would you recommend for me?

A: 529 college savings plans are a popular way for families to save money for their children's higher education expenses. These accounts offer a number of benefits, including tax advantages and flexibility, that can make them a smart choice for many investors.

One of the biggest benefits of 529 plans is their tax advantages. Contributions to these plans are made with aftertax dollars, but the investments grow tax-free as long as the money is used for qualified higher education expenses. This can include tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other expenses related to attending college or other postsecondary educational programs.

In addition to their tax advantages, 529 plans also offer a great deal of flexibility. The account owner (usually a parent or grandparent) can make contributions at any time and in any amount, up to the lifetime contribution limit set by the state. Many plans also offer a variety of investment options, so families can choose an investment strategy that aligns with their risk tolerance and investment goals.

Finally, the 529 plan is a great way to encourage family members to save for a child's education. Anyone can contribute to the account on behalf of the child, so grandparents, aunts, uncles, and

other relatives can all help contribute to the account and benefit from its tax advantages.

Q: What if my child doesn’t go to college, or is already funded from scholarships like a GI Bill or grandparents?

A: The best option is usually to set up a UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) account. This is a type of custodial account that is created by an adult for the benefit of a minor child. Here are some benefits of UGMA accounts:

• Tax advantages: Contributions to UGMA accounts are considered gifts to the child, and as such, may be subject to gift tax rules. However, UGMA accounts are taxed at the child's lower tax rate, which can result in significant tax savings. Additionally, UGMA accounts may offer tax benefits if the funds are used for qualified educational expenses.

• Flexibility: UGMA accounts can hold a variety of investments, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, which can provide flexibility and diversification. The account can also be used for any purpose that benefits the child, such as paying for educational expenses, funding a down payment on a home, or supporting the child's hobbies or interests.

• Control: The adult who creates the UGMA account, known as the custodian, has control over the account until the child reaches the age of majority—age 18 in ND and MN. This allows the custodian to manage

the investments and make decisions about how the funds are used.

• Easy to set up: UGMA accounts are relatively easy to set up and can be opened at most financial institutions. There are typically no minimum contribution requirements, and the account can be funded with cash, securities, or other assets.

When the minor becomes an adult, they have full access and control of the account to do as best seen fit. Hopefully, they use it to start a business, to put a down payment on a house, or to reach other life milestones at a young age.

Q: I own a business, and I’m worried that if something happens to me, my child(ren) won’t know what to do with the company or its finances. How can I prepare for any worst-case scenarios and make sure my child(ren) are not overwhelmed with businessrelated financial issues?

A: The most important thing to do is to create a family business estate plan. A family business estate plan is a legal document or set of documents that outlines how a family business will be passed on to future generations after the death of the current owners. A well-designed estate plan provides clarity around business succession, minimizes estate taxes, and ensures that the business will continue to operate smoothly after the current owners are no longer able to manage it.

Some important considerations in a family business estate plan include:

• Identifying heirs and successors: This involves identifying who will inherit the business and in what proportion. It may also involve identifying a successor who will manage (but not own) the business after the current owners pass away.

• Tax planning: A well-designed estate plan may include various strategies to minimize estate taxes. For example, the plan may involve transferring assets to family members during the current owner's lifetime or using trusts to hold assets.

• Business structure: The estate plan may involve evaluating the business's legal structure (e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation) and determining whether changes should be made to maximize tax benefits, limit liability, or facilitate succession planning.

• Management and control: The estate plan should clearly outline who will manage the business after the current owners are no longer able to do so. This may involve passing on management to a family member or identifying an external party to manage the business.

• Contingency planning: The estate plan should also include contingency plans for unexpected events such as disability, incapacitation, or death of key personnel.

Ultimately, a family business estate plan is a crucial tool for ensuring the successful transfer of the business to future generations while minimizing taxes and facilitating an orderly transition of management and control.

Final Tips for Parents & Their Children

Below are a few general financial tips for parents to pass on to their children to guide them as they transition from living at home to independent life:

Teach the importance of budgeting:

Parents can teach their kids how to budget by giving them an allowance and helping them allocate that money toward different categories, such as saving, spending, and giving.

Encourage saving for big goals: Set specific savings goals, such as saving for a car or a down payment on a home. Parents can help their kids set goals and create a plan to save for them, like setting up automatic savings deposits.

Advise avoiding debt: Avoid debt whenever possible. Parents can teach their kids to save for purchases instead of using credit cards or loans, and to avoid taking on debt unless it is absolutely necessary.

Emphasize the value of hard work: Parents can encourage their kids to take on chores and other tasks to earn money, and also to save a portion of their earnings.

Model good financial behavior: Modeling good financial behavior for your children is important in setting them up for success. Parents can set a good example by being responsible with their own money, sticking to a budget, and prioritizing savings.

By teaching kids these and other principles of good money management, parents can help them develop healthy financial habits that will serve them well throughout their lives.

I believe the most important thing is to make a plan and stick to it. Monthly contributions are the safest way to help ensure a proper funding method for college savings. Passing on a family business takes time and thought to ensure all kids are included and the business carries on as desired. Professionals such as Financial Advisors, CPAs, and Estate Attorneys are worth relying on—that is what we are here for.

Disclosures

Monte Gehrtz is a Financial Advisor offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer and Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

808 3RD AVE S STE 205, FARGO, ND 58103.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities before investing. This information is found in the issuer's official statement and should be read carefully before investing.

Investors should also consider whether the investor's or beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits

BUSINESS FASHION

By Ashley Nowacki, Owner, Jade + Jasper Boutique

unnecessary mental parameters for one to follow. We want to follow trends, but not appear like we’re trying too hard. Much like working in an office, fashion has a few rules that shouldn’t be broken. However, your outfit can be a powerful tool for expressing individuality both in and out of the workplace, and the dress code shouldn’t come with quite as many rules as the company handbook.

Just as the working world has changed in the past couple of years, so have the expectations around workplace fashion. In a few short years, we’ve moved from the majority of us working in an office surrounded by co-workers and sitting in stuffy business meetings, to functioning in a much more lax and convenient, workfrom-home, or work from anywhere environment. Trends for professional attire have followed suit, and have opened up to a more flexible standard when it comes to business fashion. Here are some summer trends, and tips for trying them.

Photos provided by Ashley Nowacki

BRIGHT, BOLD COLORS

A major shift we are seeing in the fashion world is the re-introduction of color. In recent years, many of us flocked to a colorless, neutral-chic wardrobe. Social influencers and celebrities have shared countless outfit inspiration photos full of nothing but beige, tan, and creamy whites, completely lacking color.

The trends we are seeing for summer ‘23 and beyond are the opposite: completely full of color, and the brighter the better. We’ve spent so much time erasing it from our closets that we are now longing for the colors that we haven’t seen since many of our parents wore them in the 80s. Bright pink, fuschia, orange, and even neon green are making a huge comeback.

Want to try this trend? An easy way to sneak a pop of color into your professional style is to add it through statement pieces. Start with a bold blouse in a bright hue, or with an oversized colorful blazer layered over a simple white tank for a look that is playful, yet professional.

BLAZERS ARE A MUST

Speaking of blazers, this trend is one that we don’t see disappearing any time soon. The great news is that blazers are no longer viewed as stuffy or only for execs. They don’t have to contain shoulder pads and appear rigid like they used to. Today’s blazer rides the fashion line between professional and casual wear, and we are here for it. There are so many ways to style blazers that they really are an investment.

If your wardrobe needs a refresh, start by purchasing just two blazers. One in a classic tailored style that is neutral in color, and one that is more modern and fun. A chic tan or ivory blazer is a piece that you can wear for years to come, and might be worth spending a little more money on. On the other hand, an oversized, colorful blazer is fashionable at the moment, but might not be worn forever. It’s still worth buying because it can be paired with dressier tops for work, or repurposed for casual wear when worn with a graphic tee and jeans. There really is no right or wrong way to experiment with this trend!

BUTTON UPS FOR DAYS

Button up shirts are a classic piece that will never go out of style. Not only are they 100% professionally acceptable, they are a versatile option that can be worn for almost any occasion. Depending on how they’re styled: tucked versus untucked, buttoned or open, with dress pants or jeans, these tops can be portrayed as either professional or casual wear.

Similar to blazers, you can never have too many button ups in your closet. You can also get year-round wear out of these by purchasing them in different fabrics, colors, prints, and textures.

THE POWER OF BASICS

Everyone’s closet should include a few basic tees and tanks in neutral colors. These pieces can be mixed in with other staple items to create multiple outfits. For example, a crisp white is elevated when paired with a blazer. Create a pulled together look by combining a high quality, basic tank with a pair of wide leg pants or maxi skirt and denim jacket. Bodysuits are also on trend, and come in a variety of sleeve lengths, fabrics, and colors. They create a sleek look that is perfect for layering under all of your blazers. By investing in a few key pieces you’ll be well on your way to a professional capsule wardrobe.

SAY YES TO DENIM

Denim in the office? Umm, yes! Long gone are the days when wearing jeans in the workplace is a no-no. If you can work from your kitchen table or a corner coffee shop, why can’t you wear jeans? You totally can. Denim trends have shifted to an almost “anything goes” state. Meaning jeans of all cuts, washes, and styles are currently out there for you to find, purchase, and wear. Currently most popular are wide leg and relaxed fit jeans. Mom jeans, dad jeans, boyfriend jeans…they come with several names, but the perfect cut is out there if you’re willing to do the leg work.

A non-distressed, wide leg pair of denim can present an almost professionally tailored appearance, and can certainly pass for business casual. Simply pair them with a dressed up top or power blazer. The point is, don’t be afraid to mix denim into your workwear. We are ready for jeans to move beyond casual Fridays!

ROCK THE MODERN PANTSUIT

If you really want to stand out at the office, or in an interview, the business power suit is a definite must try. "Sets" of all kinds have been popular since the pandemic, and from lounge sets to suit sets, the options are endless. The latest twist on a set is to combine comfort and style with a blazer and matching pants (or shorts) for a cohesive look. You can try a suit set in a neutral palette or go all in with a bold color. Either way, you’re sure to feel and look confident rocking a

Are you ready to try some of the latest business fashion trends? If you’re doing a complete closet overhaul, start by creating inspo boards on Pinterest or Instagram and use them as a vision board to shop from. It is always wise to try before you buy, and shop around for what suits you and your personal style. Stop by your favorite local shop to try on, and don’t be afraid to ask a stylist for help

No matter what, have fun with what you wear!

Good Ol’ Fashioned Marketing Still Works

By Wendy Klug, VBOC of the Dakotas Director

Photo Courtesy of VBOC of the Dakotas

About the VBOC

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.

"Back in my day, we used to pick up the phone and call our clients to let them know that their photos were ready to be picked up,“ exclaims Wendy. “Now you receive some automated message that tells you when your items are ready for pick up." It may seem like Klug is as old as a dinosaur and that she needs to realize it is 2023, but the fact is she is not that old. She is actually me and I’m forty-something! Times have changed extremely fast due to technology. 15 years ago, which is not that long ago, people were still using other marketing methods other than social media. And guess what, they worked!

This brings me to ask you a question. When was the last time you received a handwritten thank you? When was the last time you received a special request to present at a small business after-hour

event? It may have just been yesterday (lucky you if it was) or it may have been so long ago you can’t remember.

How did you feel getting something personalized in your mail or inbox? Did it make you jump for joy and holler loud enough for all your neighbors to hear, “I didn’t just get junk mail today! I received a letter hand-addressed to me! Yeah!”

Times have changed but people still want to feel special and sought out. Whether you are marketing online or sending a personal greeting card, it is still considered marketing. The core concept hasn’t changed, just the delivery methods have! All marketing methods are to reach out and let someone know they are special and you are thinking of them. Good ol' fashioned marketing may take more time, but the return on investment (ROI) may have a greater impact with a lasting impression which can result in dedicated customers.

What are some of the good ol’ fashioned marketing methods that work and how do you go about completing them? Let’s get started.

1. Handwritten

Notes/Letters:

My Realtor just sent me a birthday card with a free dessert or drink ticket for a local restaurant. Not only was I pumped about mail, but now I get to enjoy a free dessert. Guess who I will call when it is time to sell our house and look for another one? There is nothing sweeter than seeing your name handwritten on the envelope. It’s almost nostalgic. Think about special opportunities that you could send this out such as holidays or customers’ birthdays. Do make sure you do more than just sign your name, that itself is generic! This way you aren’t taking too much time writing letters every month and the customer doesn’t start to feel like it is no longer special, but annoying.

2.

Personalized Email:

Worried you don’t have good handwriting and nobody will be able to even read what you write? You are in luck! A personalized email to a customer is the next best thing to a handwritten letter. You can send these out with a little less effort but still make the customer feel special. Just be sure to not sound too sales-pitchy in this email. If you are going to personalize it, refer to a service you provide them or even about the last time they were in the store (something that shows that you know them separately from all the other customers). Simply putting their name in the subject field doesn’t make it personalized. If you do want to talk about a special, perhaps put it in the footer section with a link for them to view the specials, discounts, and events happening. Of course, time is of the essence. You want to send out personalized emails to your biggest cheerleaders, those that utilize your services often and will spread the word about your business.

3.

Message On Invoice/Receipt:

Taking the time to even write “thank you for your order” with your signature will make you stand out from other small businesses. It seems like such a small gesture, but it is one that will not go unrecognized. It is something that makes you stand out from all the big box names!

4.

Support Another

Business: There are so many great reasons to support another small business but don’t get me started! Not only are you supporting other entrepreneurs and your community, but you are also building an ecosystem of support for your business. Nobody can do it all on their own. This is where I believe we talk about karma. The good you do for other small businesses and your community will be rewarded back to you and your business when you most need it!

5. Host a Special Event:

Just recently, Lovely Lashes in Fargo ,ND held a special venue event for other veteran-owned small businesses to come into the studio and sell their products. Lovely Lashes is a veteran-owned small business supporting other veteran-owned small businesses to celebrate Veteran’s Day. Now that is a special event! Not only does it celebrate a national holiday, but it also supports other businesses.

Hosting a special event is a good excuse to provide extra content for social media or word-of-mouth which gets your business out in front of others. Holidays are always a great time to host a special event! Throw in “limited to only 20 attendees” or “VIP event” and people will feel special and want to attend the event.

6. Speak at a Local Event:

This is something that we do right here with VBOC of the Dakotas. We know that when we provide education and support for other organizations, we will see a few benefits in return. We will speak at local base events, chambers, and more. We aren’t in it just to see how it benefits us, but let’s be honest. We all need to make sure that where we put our valuable time somehow returns a benefit for our business or program. I highly suggest putting together a plan for how much time you must do events because quantity is not quality. You want to make sure that the event aligns with your business goals and mission.

7. Share Your Expertise:

Share your skill set and share that with others by hosting a workshop or speaking at a university to students that are looking to major in your expertise area or field. This will help circulate word about your business and how you give back and care about others. It will also help potentially reach new customers that would otherwise not filter into your sales funnel.

8. Sponsor Another Event:

Sponsoring another event doesn’t mean that you must spend $1000 on a booth at a tradeshow. Get creative! Perhaps you can hold a clothes drive for the homeless shelter and have the drop-off station located at your business. Or perhaps you can donate some of your employees' time to serve at a local food bank drive. This is a great way to show your support for the community while having an excuse to market your business at the same time.

9. Attend Networking Events:

Word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to market your business because people trust people, not generic advertising. When you attend a networking event, you are making valuable connections with others while also having the opportunity to promote your business. Don’t forget to bring with you a few business cards with your QR code that connects them to your social media pages.

10. Ask For Referrals:

Unfortunately, great service is not enough to get a consistent flood of word-of-mouth referrals. If your customer has purchased a service or product from you and is happy with it, they likely know somebody that would like it too. Be sure to guide your customers on how to make a referral. Are you just hoping they are going to go tell someone how awesome you are or do you have a plan in place? What does your referral system look like and how are you going to implement it?

Do you believe me when I say that old-fashioned marketing still works? And the bonus is you can take all these methods and combine them with online marketing to create even more marketing for your business. This can seem overwhelming and quite honestly daunting, but let team VBOC of the Dakotas get you started. We can show you how to start some of these marketing strategies above and how to develop them into a year-long marketing plan. Once you see how to complete your first month of marketing using old-fashioned methods combined with online marketing, you will have a blueprint of how to continue your marketing for months to come.

By Sam Kise

Searching for a new summer meeting space?

Look no further! These local businesses have outdoor patio space that is perfect for your internal gatherings, client lunches, or even just personal work time! Check out some of FargoMoorhead’s favorite patios that are finally opening with the summer weather.

DID YOU KNOW?

Camp Lone Tree is part of the 701 Eateries building. Below the rooftop patio is Prairie Kitchen, an open concept kitchen with unique Midwest-inspired (but not typical!) food. Then, on the lower level, the Dain Room offers a private setting for small private events up to 24 people.

The beautiful view of the city that the Camp Lone Tree rooftop patio at 701 Eateries provides is the perfect addition to your workday. Spend some time working away from the office in the comfortable seating on the patio, and during your breaks you can play some yard games with coworkers or strangers!

701eateries.com 701 N University Dr, Fargo, ND (701) 532-0734

Camp Lone Tree opens at 4 p.m. Tues-Fri

Granite City

Granite City is a fan-favorite, conveniently located on 42nd St near the West Acres Mall. Their large, spacious patio is the perfect place to get some fresh air during your work day. Grab a juicy bison burger or a refreshing Italian chop salad while you enjoy the outdoor dining, and pair your meal with a handcrafted beer made in-house by Granite City brewers to enhance the experience.

gcfb.com

1636 SW 42nd St S, Fargo, ND

(701) 293-3000

DID YOU KNOW?

Granite City’s “Lawless Brunch,” which happens Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., expands to the patio for the summer! Featuring delicious build-yourown creation stations for omelets and breakfast sandwiches, as well as infinite mimosas and a customizable Bloody Mary bar, this weekly event is one that will keep you coming back for more!

Junkyard Brewing

FUN FACT

Junkyard Brewing encourages you to bring your own food or order delivery to the taproom to enjoy with your brews!

If you’re looking for a place to relax after a hectic work day, Junkyard Bewing Company is the perfect spot away from the hustle-andbustle of downtown Fargo. Located on 1st Ave in Moorhead, this brewery offers their own unique drinks to enjoy on their beautiful, open patio space. Junkyard is located right next to the delicious Sol Ave. Kitchen, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat while you enjoy your Junkyard brews!

junkyardbeer.com

1416 1st Ave N, Moorhead, MN (701) 936-5545

Third Drop Coffee

FUN FACT

Need a little pick-me-up to get your work done? Stop by Third Drop, grab a cup of coffee, and hang on their patio while you get some work done! The coffee shop’s Moorhead location offers a beautiful and bright patio that’s sure to help you focus.

thirddropcoffee.com/moorhead 115 4th St S, Moorhead, MN (218) 233-0900

Nancy and Brent Nerland’s first venture into the FargoMoorhead business scene was a store called “Freddie’s Fudge Factory,” which sold homemade fudges, caramels, taffy, and almond bark, among other sweets and treats.

Rosewild

One of Fargo’s favorite patio spots, situated in beautiful downtown Fargo, is the Jasper Hotel’s restaurant, Rosewild. This patio allows you to really appreciate the downtown area. Choose Rosewild’s patio during your workday for easy access to many of Fargo’s favorite restaurants and meeting spots for client meetings and a relaxing place to work between meetings.

jasperfargo.com/rosewild 215 Broadway N, Fargo, ND (701) 532-5170

DID YOU KNOW?

Rosewild boasts a “farm-to-table” experience unlike any other in the Fargo-Moorhead area. According to their website, “[their] hyperlocal take on farm-totable dining celebrates hearth cooking and traditional preservation methods. Regional farmers, ranchers, and other vendors share their bounty, and [they] do right by it crafting seasonal menus full of hearty vegetables and shareable fish and meat dishes.”

The most recent edition of our sister publication Future Farmer highlights 12 of the latest startups to join the Agtech accelerator, Plug and Play. This is just a snippet of the content. Check for the latest copies on news racks around town or head to issuu.com/fmspotlight to see online versions of all of our publications!

With agriculture being one of the largest industries in the Midwest, it is not surprising when ag-focused companies bring their businesses here. A few years ago, global innovation platform Plug and Play created a North Dakota AgTech Accelerator program that provides resources to two batches of up-and-coming agtech startups each year. This March, they announced their seventh batch of startups for the program, which included 12 agtech companies ready to get their names out in the world. These companies were chosen from all over the world because of their innovative approach to agriculture. We at Future Farmer are always excited to hear about the new technology being made to make farmers’ lives easier, so we asked some of Plug and Play's newest startups some questions to get to know what their company is all about!

Cattler Corporation’s elevator pitch:

Cattler is digitizing the cattle industry with a one-stop shop platform that integrates all the processes of a cattle farm in a unified app. Our platform helps the farmer save time with quicker operational tasks like feeding and makes it so the farmer does not have to transfer data between spreadsheets or different software. But it also allows them to save money by avoiding overfeeding or underfeeding and controlling inventories automatically. Cattler makes all these tasks easier because it reads from any device and brings all the information together in a very simple way.

How did you get the idea to start your company?

Our founding team is a mixture of cattle farmers and technologists. We began playing with computer vision as a way to predict animal weight—which is a key metric in the cattle business—with imagery instead of scales. We got to a prototype, but ultimately we understood

that even if that was cool, in order to enable the farmer to make better decisions with it, we were still missing all the operational context around it. We discovered there was more value in bringing all the parts of the puzzle together, having a fully user-friendly platform, and not just having one cool sensor. That's how we switched from sensors to what Cattler is today.

What does it mean to be a part of Plug and Play's North Dakota Agtech Program?

It is not only a great honor to be part of this cohort, due to the great reputation of Plug and Play, but also a great opportunity to expand deeper into certain areas in the Midwest. Here, we can have a better chance to expose our system to more farmers, along with companies in the cattle ecosystem that are collaborating with Plug and Play.

If your product/service was already being used by everyone globally, what impact would that have?

It would make for more competitive cattle farmers who are more on top of their numbers but also more accountable to third parties and to society (financially, welfare-wise). Additionally, the cattle farmers would

Cattler Corporation

be more sustainable in the sense that Cattler also connects data from the productive side of cattle farming with the emissions side. It would also help build models to validate sensors for monitoring methane emissions and create new additives for mitigating the emissions.

Ultimately, our platform is helping to create a public asset of information that will drive the industry to a better position, inward and outward. Widespread use would also make the market more fluid—with a higher volume of business happening that we might facilitate and how much information is circulating—while at the same time protecting the privacy of data. It will make a more healthy and competitive industry, rolling out a new paradigm of how information is produced, used, and shared.

How are you incorporating growers into your business plan?

We ask our farmer members to recommend us to other farmers. We also ask feed and animal health vendors to do the same.

Where do you see your company in 10 years?

We see our company as the global leader in digital cattle farming, connecting all sorts of support services and companies to the industry and being the platform where everything happens.

By participating in Plug and Play's North Dakota Agtech Program, what do you hope to accomplish? Have you considered expanding your operations to the Upper Midwest?

We want to achieve certain commercial agreements with the supporting industries (insurance, banks, animal nutrition) and also to expand our operations as much as we can directly with farmers. We already have members in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota (as well as Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri) and we want to turn both North Dakota and Kansas (both states where Plug and Play has a base) into growth hubs with the industry.

This magazine reaches 16,000+ farmers. In one or two sentences, what would you like to tell them?

Check out what we are doing, you might be surprised by what we have—give us a chance to show what we can do. We are constantly improving our platform based on the feedback farmers give us—they are the ones co-creating Cattler with us.

Cattler Corporation Cattler Corporation

Agrointelli’s elevator pitch:

We deliver a fully automated implement carrier for agricultural and horticultural production systems with a complete digital infrastructure enabling efficient planning, execution, supervision, and documentation of all in-field tasks performed by our robot. The robot "Robotti" enables the farmer and grower to reduce uniform repetitive working conditions, save energy, minimize use of pesticides, and improve documentation and traceability in the food chain.

How did you get the idea to start your company?

I [Founder & CEO Ole Green] am a farmer who grew up on a farm and learned to understand the needs of the soil and the plants. I then educated myself as an agro-engineer and agronomist and received a Ph.D. in electronics, all related to agriculture. For the last 20 years, I have been working with automation of plant production and our company is the product of 25 years of education and hard work.

What does it mean to be a part of Plug and Play's North Dakota Agtech Program?

Participation in Plug and Play's North Dakota Agtech Program has given me a lot of new connections and insight into possibilities for how to open the US market as an EU-based company. The Plug and Play team has introduced us to valuable partners and potential investors.

If your product/service was already being used by everyone globally, what impact would that have?

Today we have deployed our Robotti in more than 15 countries, primarily in Europe, enabling farmers and growers to save money and become more efficient and more sustainable.

How are you incorporating growers into your business plan?

We have, in the first years of the company's existence, entered into dialogue with farmers and growers all over the globe to understand their needs and pains. Though we are currently primarily on the European market, our robot has already been tested with farmers in California, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.

Where do you see your company in 10 years?

Hopefully having a global impact on sustainable food production.

By participating in Plug and Play's North Dakota Agtech Program, what do you hope to accomplish? Have you considered expanding your operations to the Upper Midwest?

We hope to create a stronger network and a platform to enter the US market.

This magazine reaches 16,000+ farmers. In one sentence, what would you like to tell them?

Automation and robotics are not futuristic things—they are now, and they can transform your business today.

Agrointelli

wonderful thing.

They provide students with an opportunity to put what they’ve learned in the classroom to use, develop career-specific skills, gain industry knowledge, grow their professional networks, and make sure the path they’ve chosen is the right one before they ever walk across the stage at graduation.

For employers, internships are a perfect way to develop robust hiring pipelines, introduce fresh ideas to the company, increase productivity in a relatively costeffective way, and provide opportunities for your professional team to develop leadership and mentorship skills by working with student interns.

In the eyes of Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) and other local universities, it’s a win-win for both parties. The only problem? There’s a group of talented, engaged, highly educated students that are being overlooked by companies seeking to fill internships— international students.

Earlier this semester, when working with a group of international students preparing for internships, they shared stories of the challenges they face. One described a position description that said the company has a policy of only hiring persons who will not require sponsorship for employment visa status in the future (e.g. H-1B) and to

Untapped Talent:

Why Your Company Should Open Internships to International Students

By Samantha Gust, Director – Career Development Center, Minnesota State University Moorhead

not submit your resume for an interview if you will, in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status. Another talked about being turned down for interviews when the company learned they were an international student because the company didn’t think they had the resources to handle all the paperwork.

These student’s stories are ones we hear all too often.

There’s a common misconception that hiring international students for internships is a hassle. Many believe that sponsorship is required and with sponsorship comes legal fees, paperwork, and regulations that can be hard to navigate. Thankfully, that is simply not the case. At the end of the day, hiring international students for internships is just as easy as hiring domestic students.

We want to break down some of the most common misconceptions, questions, and concerns we hear, hoping more employers will open their doors to our international students seeking internships. The following are questions employers often have about international students and internships.

How many international students are there in the Fargo-Moorhead Community?

Here at MSUM, we’re home to over 150 international students from more than 40 countries including Ethiopia, Canada,

Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Nepal. These students are majoring in programs such as computer science, nursing, biochemistry and biotechnology, business, project management, finance, and psychology, all of which either require or recommend students engage in an internship or other experiential learning experience prior to graduation.

When we add in the international student population from North Dakota State University and Concordia College, the Fargo-Moorhead community welcomes over 1,200 students from overseas. That’s a lot of students and a lot of underutilized talent waiting for an opportunity to shine.

Those of us working in university career centers have seen employers struggling to fill internship roles and by opening up your opportunities to international students, you will increase your potential applicant pool by quite a bit.

Aren’t there a lot of requirements, cost, and paperwork associated with hiring an international student as an intern?

The short answer to that question is no. The only cost associated is related to the time and effort put into interviewing, hiring, training, and supervising the student intern, the same as hiring a domestic student for the same role.

Hillary Ehlen

In terms of paperwork, employers hiring international students for internships will have to produce an offer letter or a letter confirming the internship, but no additional requirements, paperwork, or fees are needed from the employer. Everything else is handled by the student and their university.

From the student perspective, once they have been offered an internship, they’ll submit an online application to their university and provide the dates on the experience, the organization’s name and address, their job title and a detailed job description.

How will employers’ benefit by opening internship positions to international students?

As previously mentioned, one of the main benefits of including international students in your internship requirement process is the increase in the talent pool. We hear firsthand the challenges employers are facing when it comes to filling positions. By opening the doors to all students, you have the potential to engage more students and increase applications.

Hiring international student interns also increases your company’s diversity. According to InsightGlobal, 83% of Gen Z stated that an employer’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is a significant factor when choosing where to apply and work while 75% said they would reconsider applying to a company if they felt their diversity and inclusion efforts were not satisfactory. Additionally, McKinsey & Company found that companies with high rankings in diversity, equity and inclusion were 36% more profitable than their competitors. By simply providing equal opportunity to all students, regardless of their country of origin, you could be making a huge impact on your company’s success.

International students also bring a global perspective. Many of these students are fluent not only in English, but also their native language. They also have knowledge of international business practices, markets, differing company cultures, and more.

Lastly, these students have the courage and grit that employers are looking for in new hires. Imagine leaving your home country for four years to pursue an education where you know no one. Being able to succeed in an entirely new environment is challenging and these students have done it. They’re prepared to take on new opportunities and are excited to put the skills they’ve developed to use.

If an employer is ready to start promoting their internship to international students, as well as domestic, how would they do that?

Each of the four-year universities in the Fargo-Moorhead area use a platform called Handshake, a modern platform for college recruiting, to connect our students and alumni with employers from across the globe. Through Handshake, employers will have access to features including managing all campus recruitment efforts, updating job postings, viewing applicants, and more using Handshake’s mobile experience.

Once a company creates a Handshake profile on joinhandshake.com, they’re able to connect with any university who uses the platform, including MSUM, NDSU, and Concordia. Once you’re connected, you can begin posting jobs for all student and alumni job seekers to see.

Now that those common questions and concerns have been addressed, we here at MSUM hope businesses will welcome our international student population with open arms by providing impactful and engaging internship opportunities.

Ready

start recruiting?

By Brady Drake Geneva Nodland

Meet the New Owner of Deckmasters Josh Smook

Q&A

with Josh Smook

Q: How did you become the owner of Deckmasters? Why did you want to?

A: The journey was simple, it just kind of happened. A few years after starting at Deckmasters, Todd and Laurie Funfar and I were sitting around our fire pit one Saturday afternoon, and it just came up in conversation. I expressed my interest in buying them out when the time was right. There was no crazy off-the-wall idea that came with it, just a good, natural conversation on a Saturday afternoon.

I’ve had a few different titles through the years, but regardless of title, my job was almost always the same; selling and watching out for what’s best for the business. We made decisions together on what we ordered, how we sold, and what direction we wanted the business to go. Eventually, it just sort of happened. The Funfar’s decided it was time to retire, and here we are today.

What are your passions outside of work?

Outside of work, is work, ha-ha. All joking aside though, work is all-consuming. When I take a break to relax though, it’s generally spent camping during the short summer months. Weekends away are one of the only ways to turn

What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve

The worst advice I’ve gotten was “get a four-year degree.” That said, I found the job I have because of a listing at a college career fair I attended. So, it wasn’t completely bad advice, just VERY expensive advice. Unless you’re planning to get a higher degree like a master's, PhD, MD, etc., explore the options for a trade’s degree, or an associate’s degree. Learned skills are so valuable in today’s job market. But ultimately, do what makes you happy. Don’t just chase money—it’s an uphill battle you’ll never

makes them feel safe in the decisions you helped them come to. Making a sale without leaving your client feeling as though they “got sold.”

Q: If you could thank one person who’s contributed to your success, who would it be and why?

A: A fairly typical response, family. But it really is true. My family has instilled in me the Midwest work ethic. Work hard, don’t cause a ruckus, and get the job done even if you don’t like it. They have been supportive and encouraging my whole life. My parents always said, “We are so proud of you and what you’ve done and where you’re going.” The second set of individuals would be the Funfars. Todd, Lori, and I worked for almost a decade together. We became so in sync as to where we wanted to go with Deckmasters and how we would get there. Every day we sat down for lunch in the break room and ate our leftovers from suppers at home. They really are the definition of mentors and friends and became like family.

Q: What’s one characteristic you believe every great leader should possess?

Honestly, I’m an old soul at heart, and let’s be real, I'm not a young 20-something anymore. I’m usually in bed before 10 p.m. and up by 6 a.m.; I wouldn’t change

What would you give a TED Talk on?

If I could give a TED Talk, it would be all over the place. I have too many thoughts that run through my head to pick a single one. No one would really want to hear it anyway.

From a work aspect, I would talk about sales; specifically, client interactions. Today’s clients don’t always know what they want, or they like to be a little coy and not let you in on all the information. As a salesperson, it’s our job to make them feel comfortable enough to get them to open up. We need to “manage” the conversation without making a client feel like they are being managed. Our clientele come to us for our expert advice. Some days you have to tell them difficult answers like “that’s not possible” or “that may not be a good idea." Asking enough questions and giving honest, professional feedback that is relevant to the situation will develop a rapport with them that ultimately

A: Great leaders should be capable of many things. It’s difficult to try and cater to everyone’s needs, but it is important to at least try and understand. A few things that can help one strive to become a better leader:

1. Listen, regardless of opinion. It is productive to listen and to be able to have honest and open conversations about everyone’s ideas.

2. Be patient. Letting everyone express what is on their mind in their own way goes a long way to improving and maintaining a good relationship with employees.

3. Reflect on yourself. Just like any other employee, a leader is not perfect. Ask “How am I doing?” or “What can I improve on?" You’ll get nowhere if you expect others to adapt and aren’t willing to adapt yourself.

deckmasters.net /DeckmastersSupplyStore

INVENTORS, INNOVATORS, & BUSINESS OWNERS, LISTEN UP:

Your Ideas are Only as Valuable as the Protections You Obtain

today's highly competitive business world, protecting your intellectual property is more important than ever. In any business, it's crucial to safeguard your ideas, inventions, creative works, and overall business. A helpful way to do that is through securing your intellectual property, which covers patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Patents protect your physical inventions and give you the exclusive right to make, use, and sell your product or process. Trademarks safeguard your business's name, logo, and brand identity, helping you distinguish yourself from competitors. Copyrights protect your creative works such as books, music, and artwork, giving you control over how they're used and distributed.

Many business owners overlook the importance of protecting their intellectual property, thinking it's too expensive or time-consuming. However, failing to secure your intellectual property can have serious consequences. For example, one inventor, Catherine Hettinger, the inventor of the fidget spinner, filed a US patent in 1997 in an attempt to secure its exclusive rights. By 2005, Hettinger had failed to commercialize her invention and elected instead to abandon her US patent (by not paying the renewal fee) thinking it wasn’t worth spending $400 on what she

deemed an unfruitful project. Nowadays, the overall market value of the toy is estimated to be about 500 million dollars. Hettinger never received a penny from her invention.

As you can see, it’s easy to lose control of your inventions, and your competitors could make, use, and sell your ideas or innovations. Is it worth building upon an idea only to spend more in court costs or lose out altogether? Is it worth inventing something awesome only to have a million knock offs crowding the market? In fact, the most valuable part of your business might just be your intellectual property. This article provides a rundown of each type of intellectual property. Think about what’s important to your business and the future of where you want to take it

PATENTS:

A patent is a legal document that gives you the exclusive right to make, use, and sell a physical invention or innovation for a certain period of time, usually 20 years from the date of filing. In exchange for this exclusive right, you must disclose in detail how your invention works and how

it's made, so others can learn from it and improve upon it. Patents are published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, so there are no secrets in the patent world.

Section 101 of the Patent Act states that processes, machines, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter are patentable. Under this statute, the United States is one of the most inclusive countries regarding what constitutes patentable subject matter. Inventors of physical devices generally do not have to worry about whether their inventions are non-statutory. However, there are certain inventions that are more likely to be challenged as to whether they fall within Section 101. This includes software inventions, AI, discoveries occurring in nature, and life itself.

Why are software and AI hard to Patent?

Well for starters, AI and software are similar in that AI is usually manifested in the form of complex software. Computer code for software is actually a copyright protection, protectable as a literary work. However, this can be problematic as each version of a computer program is considered a separate work and requires

a separate application (with a few limited exceptions), and Copyright does not protect functionality. Patents for software were impossible to obtain until recently as courts basically said that software does not meet the patentability requirement of Section 101 (stated above). Inventors tried, stating that they can fall under the umbrella of a process. The other problem under Section 101 was that patents also need to be specific, meaning that they cannot cover abstract ideas. One of the first Supreme Court cases addressing this was Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International (U.S. 2014), which held that technologies that merely implement an abstract idea with a generic computer are not patentable (the broad concept of software, potentially AI). It was in 2015 that things started to change. The case of Enfish, LLC v. Microsoft Corp. et al., 822 F.3d 1327 (Fed. Cir. May 12, 2016) took a more direct look at software patents. The Court in Enfish stated a few key things. They stated “We do not read Alice to broadly hold that all improvements in computerrelated technology are inherently abstract ….”. They also mentioned “Software can make non-abstract improvements to computer technology just as hardware improvements can.” Essentially, there was no longer a categorical ban on software patents.

The problem now was that patent examiners had no idea how to handle software patent applications. With the different Court rulings, the USPTO, in 2019, issued a request for comments on the patent eligibility of AI, and other software inventions and subsequently issued a publication for guidance on the topic of patenting AI inventions. Inconsistency in patent examination by examiners decreased by 44% in the 12 months following the issuance of the 2019 guidance. So is it now possible to obtain patent protection for software and AI? Yes, but the application process for these inventions is still new territory that patent attorneys and the USPTO are still trying to figure out.

When it comes to categorizing patents, there are three types:

• Utility patents - A utility patent is the most common type and protects the functionality of an invention. This is the largest area. Utility means that functionality is needed. What one might consider a “classic patent” would fall

into this category. The light bulb, the 3-D printer, a new pharmaceutical drug, and the toilet paper roll are a few examples.

• Design patents - A design patent protects its ornamental appearance of functionality (think of the iPhone home button from back in the day, or the unique curvy shape of the Coca-Cola bottle).

• Plant patents - A plant patent is used to protect a new and distinct variety of plant that has been asexually reproduced (think of those weird items like a sweet hot pepper that never existed prior to seeing it in the grocery store).

Patent protection is particularly important for businesses that rely on innovation to stay ahead of the competition. Without patent protection, competitors could copy your invention and sell it as their own, eroding your market share and profits. A strong patent portfolio can also increase the value of your business, making it more attractive to potential investors or

buyers. For example, there is a reason why Apple is one of the world's most valuable companies. They filed 2,541 patent applications in 2021 alone, and they never sell a product without first obtaining intellectual property protection.

TRADEMARKS:

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes your products or services from those of others. A trademark can be a brand name, logo, slogan, or any other distinctive feature that consumers associate with your business. A trademark can be filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which gets nationwide protection. A trademark can also be filed with the State to get statewide protection.

People get trademarks to protect the name, identity, and reputation of their businesses. Trademark protection is critical in the path to establishing a strong customer base, brand recognition, and loyalty. By preventing competitors from using similar trademarks on similar goods and services, confusion

among consumers is avoided and the reputation you've built for your business remains your own.

That reputation means something as well. Let’s say you start a business and build it into a successful, well-known, quality company with name recognition. This opens the door to licensing and franchising. Licensing allows you to earn revenue by allowing others to use your trademark in exchange for a fee, while franchising allows you to expand your business by granting others the right to use your trademark and business model. Alternatively, if you ever sell your business the value in the name that is protected by a trademark can be sold as an asset of your business.

As a real-life example, take any well-known brand—Rolex, Adidas, Nike. These are companies that have built reputations for themselves and their logos and names mean something. Others consistently try to pass their products off as products of these companies or otherwise try to use the logos in a similar way to mirror these brands. Just recently Adidas sued Forever21 when they created “three stripes” design products which were very similar to Adidas’ goods.

It didn’t take Adidas much time to file a lawsuit against the alleged infringer claiming they had invested thousands to design and protect the “three stripes” that identified its company. Furthermore, the design had obviously been registered as a trademark. The three stripes are a pinnacle of the look of Adidas and having those stripes on a product missupposed to mean said product comes from Adidas. Getting protection for your brand provides the ability to enforce your exclusive rights to your looks and prevent others from invading the market space by ripping off or using your brand.

COPYRIGHTS:

A copyright protects original creative works such as books, music, artwork, and software code. Unlike patents and trademarks, a copyright is automatically

granted to the creator of a work as soon as it's created. However, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is required in order to bring a lawsuit to enforce your rights if it were necessary.

Copyright protection gives you the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display your work, as well as the right to create derivative works based on it. By controlling how your work is used and distributed, you can ensure that you receive proper credit and compensation for your creative efforts.

Copyright protection is particularly important for businesses in the creative industries, such as publishing, music, and film. It can also be valuable for businesses that produce software or other digital products.

The best example of this is Disney. There is a reason why no one messes with Disney when it comes to Copyright. They enforce their rights to the fullest extent. Disney understands the value of a Copyright. Take Mickey Mouse for example. The character was created by Walt Disney in 1928, and quickly became an iconic and beloved character. Like many intellectual properties, the original copyright for Mickey Mouse was set to expire after a specific period, which in the United States was initially set at 28 years plus a 28 year renewal. However, as Mickey Mouse's copyright expiration date approached in the late 1970s, Disney became concerned about losing control over their flagship character. They feared that once the copyright expired, Mickey Mouse would enter the public domain, allowing anyone to use and profit from the character without Disney's permission. To prevent this, Disney actively lobbied for copyright extensions and successfully influenced changes in copyright law. In 1998, the United States enacted the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, also known as the Mickey Mouse Protection Act by its critics. This legislation extended copyright terms for existing works, effectively delaying Mickey Mouse's entry into the public domain.

Under the new law, copyright protection was extended to the life of the creator plus an additional 70 years, or for works created by corporations, such as Disney, 95 years from the date of publication. This extension ensured that Disney would maintain exclusive control over Mickey Mouse and other characters for several more decades.

The Disney copyright story involving Mickey Mouse demonstrates the company's commitment to protecting its valuable intellectual property. By actively advocating for copyright extensions, Disney secured extended control over their iconic characters, preserving the commercial and creative value associated with their brand.

Conclusion

Protecting your intellectual property is crucial for the success of your business and can increase the value of your business in general, or make it more attractive to potential investors or buyers. It's not just about legal compliance, but also about safeguarding what you have worked tirelessly to achieve. In thinking about what’s important to your business and the future of where you want to take it, add intellectual property to the mix.

SW&L ATTORNEYS

4627 44th Ave S STE 108, Fargo 701.297.2890

swlattorneys.com

/SWLattorneys

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Believe or Leave

Sales is a transfer of belief from one person to the next. If you don’t believe in your product or service, you’re not going to be successful. This also goes for your team. If you don’t believe in the mission, vision, or leadership, it’s time to leave otherwise you will be hurting the team. The best salespeople are huge advocates for their products, services, and organization.

Sales Tips

with Neil Keltgen

Smile More

You can be a miserable person and be a pretty good accountant. That doesn’t work for sales. It is the most important profession to have a happy mindset because doing so directly affects the level of success you will have. In my opinion, the key to happiness is to stop looking for it. It’s not coming on the other side of a bigger house, a better job, or a big sale. Be grateful and have perspective in the present and realize everything is actually really good.

NDon't Follow Your Passion, Be Passionate

Rarely do you become passionate if you suck at something. However, usually sales does not go well when you first start. Give it time. You usually find out you’re selling something other than a product. You’re selling an experience, time, or just a better way of doing something. When you get better and learn more, you become passionate.

Protect Your Energy

Daily habits are so important because they will determine whether or not you have the energy to perform.

• Get better sleep. Go to bed at the same bedtime and wake up at the same time, even on weekends.

• Put down the energy drink and replace it with water.

• Eat less processed food and more protein.

• Move your body—go for a walk for your next meeting.

These will all help create more energy. Once you have it, you must protect it. No person or circumstance can take it away.

Love Problems

If the customer doesn't have a problem, you don’t have a sale. So, love all problems. If you have hard decisions and big problems, congratulations, you’re doing big things.

Use Social Media, Don’t Get Used by Social

A personal brand is so important today, especially since attention is the new currency. Be careful, social media is a double-edged sword—you can either be the news or the person watching. Most of us are just watching and watching doesn't usually get us very far in sales.

If You're Not First, You're Last

It’s all about timing, that’s why the fortune is in the follow-up. Hence you follow up like the liquid terminator, you’re first in the customer’s mind. So, when they finally decide they want to try a new service or product, they think of you first because of the last email and voicemail you sent. The customers’ needs change at different times, and you have to make sure you're first in their minds when they need your solution.

Become Unattached to the Outcome

Don’t cling to the outcome of a sale. Let it go, and who knows, the universe might send you something even better.

The Man in The Mirror

Stop blaming everybody else when you lose a sale. It's so easy to blame the customer or outside forces, but 99% of the time, it’s your fault. That’s great because that’s a lot easier to fix.

They Don't Have to Like You to Buy From You

I buy things all the time from places I don’t like. Take Amazon for example. I’d much rather buy local. It’s just so easy and frictionless to buy from Amazon so that creates value. Be an expert in what you do. Be fast in your response. Deliver what you promise. Do that consistently and it would be hard for them not to like you.

Discipline is Better Than Motivation

If you’re going to wait to feel like cold calling, you’re going to be waiting for a long time. Nobody feels like getting up early and working out. Nobody feels like having a tough conversation. Nobody feels like prospecting. The discipline of doing hard things daily creates habits that make you unstoppable. When you keep commitments to yourself to do the hard things you get confident and that creates motivation. Action kills all fear.

So go!

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 past nine 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 Clever Mukori, Founder, Learn Or Teach.

By John Machacek

Photo by Josiah Kopp

Will you please tell us your Learn Or Teach elevator pitch?

At Learn Or Teach, we wear many hats so you don’t have to! We empower organizations through customized training and dynamic marketing solutions. Our expertise lies in creating engaging training videos and providing a user-friendly Learning Management System. We also amplify brands through strategic social media management, compelling content creation, and leadgeneration campaigns.

So, as you connect with your client to help them with the content and process for their marketing or training needs, how does that process and client relationship look?

Our implementation process is designed to deliver exceptional results with a clear and concise approach. I’ll summarize our step-by-step process:

• Discovery: We engage in in-depth discussions to understand your unique training or marketing needs and goals.

• Analysis: Our team conducts a comprehensive assessment of your existing materials, strategies, and target audience.

• Customization: We create a tailored plan aligned with your objectives, offering services such as customized training videos, engaging content creation, and targeted marketing strategies.

• Content Creation: We leverage our expertise to develop captivating training videos or marketing content that resonates with your audience and effectively conveys your message.

• Implementation: We seamlessly integrate the developed content into our user-friendly Learning Management System for training, or deploy strategic marketing campaigns across multiple channels.

• Monitoring and Optimization: We closely monitor progress, track engagement metrics, and make necessary adjustments to optimize the effectiveness of your initiatives.

• Ongoing Support: Our dedicated team provides continuous support, addressing any questions and making enhancements as your needs evolve.

Through our meticulous approach and commitment to excellence, we ensure clear communication, timely delivery, and outstanding results at every stage of the implementation process.

You may ask, why do you focus on both marketing and training? Imagine a scenario where a customer discovers your brand through a compelling marketing campaign, only to have a lackluster experience when interacting with your employees. By investing in comprehensive training programs, you equip your team with the skills to deliver exceptional customer service, reinforcing the positive impression created by your marketing initiatives.

Are there any certain niches of industries, or ideal customers, you work with, or can this be fairly broad?

At Learn Or Teach, we cater to a wide range of industries because we believe that training and marketing are vital for every organization. For instance, we've had significant success in the construction safety training niche, delivering comprehensive onboarding courses that meet state and federal requirements. We take pride in simplifying the complex and ensuring compliance for our clients.

But it doesn't stop there. We also excel in HR onboarding, providing organizations with a streamlined and standardized training process to enhance the skills and productivity of their new hires. We understand the importance of a smooth onboarding experience that sets employees up for success right from day one.

In addition, we offer channel sales enablement training to empower your sales team and boost revenue generation. Our user-friendly LMS ensures seamless training delivery and keeps your team engaged and equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive exceptional results.

So, whether you're in the construction industry, HR, or looking to supercharge your sales efforts, Learn Or Teach is here to support you. We believe in tailoring our solutions to meet your specific needs and objectives. Reach out to us today for a complimentary assessment, and let's explore how we can help your organization thrive and achieve remarkable success.

04

I first met you when you were a budding entrepreneur as a Concordia College student. In fact, I looked it up to see when that was and found that first email you sent me in January 2016, and I

Initially, my bright-eyed and bushy-tailed self had a rather idealistic vision. I wanted to offer free online education to kids from lower-income families worldwide. I thought, "Why not provide an education buffet where everyone can feast on knowledge?" However, reality quickly slapped me with a financial reality check, and I realized that even dreams need to pay the bills.

As I waded through the corporate sales world, I noticed a glaring gap in corporate training. It was like finding a dinosaur in a conference room—a fascinating but outdated creature that needed a major revamp. So, I donned my entrepreneur cape and set out to save the day! Armed with creativity, a love for education, and a sidekick named Learn Or Teach, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize workforce development.

We began offering a smorgasbord of courses akin to an educational buffet. Do you want to learn about marketing? We got you covered. Need to sharpen your coding skills? We've got the secret sauce. But as we dived deeper into the training trenches, we discovered that our true superpower lay in providing a corporate LMS and crafting tailor-made content that was as unique as a snowflake. It turns out, the world needed more than just another online course provider—it craved a hero who could customize the learning experience to fit every organization's needs.

So, whether you're a corporate warrior seeking to unleash your team's full potential or a superhero-in-training looking to level up your skills, Learn Or Teach is here to save the day, one customized training program at a time.

05

You were a part of that very first cohort of the Emerging Digital Academy code school. Will you please elaborate more on how that technical training helped you, even though it’s not like you ended up going down the path to be a full-fledged software developer?

I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my parents who instilled in me the importance of education. With 11 siblings, our household resembled a bustling academic factory! My parents, a medical doctor and a mechanical engineer, took education seriously, which means I had both the honor of setting a stellar example and the financial responsibility of funding my siblings' educational endeavors. It's a good thing I have an entrepreneurial spirit because college textbooks don't come cheap!

While larger companies were busy fitting square pegs into round holes with their rigid SaaS offerings, we swooped in like caped crusaders to save the day. Our nimble approach allowed us to be the Robin Hood of the LMS world, stealing away the hearts of small and midsized companies craving personalized solutions. At Learn Or Teach, we believe in being big enough to serve any customer, but small enough to care about every single one. Think of us as your friendly neighborhood LMS provider, ready to flex our creative muscles and adapt to your unique requirements.

Before I went to the Emerging Digital Academy, I thought I could save some money by hiring a software team on Upwork to build our product. Boy, was I in for a surprise! After shelling out $50,000 and waiting for months, all we had was a half-baked minimum viable product. Thank goodness Jake Joraanstad from Bushel advised me to apply to the Innovate ND program. We got accepted, but my journey was about to take a wild turn.

One day, while working at the Emerging Prairie coworking space, they made the EDA Bootcamp announcement. It was like the universe was whispering in my ear, "Hey, this is your chance!" I signed up right then and there. I had realized that my true calling wasn't in medical school but in the thrilling world of entrepreneurship and tech.

also recall that we formally met when I sat along with President Craft to have you practice your pitch. Working with you, on and off for these 7+ years, you’ve made several pivots, though the basis has always been connected to education. Will you please share a bit about these pivot stories?

EDA opened my eyes to the challenges of building enterprise applications and the importance of project management. I learned how to juggle time, budget, and scope to make things happen. Armed with newfound knowledge, I teamed up with seasoned developers to rebuild our platform using Innovate ND funding. And let me tell you, things went a lot smoother this time around.

EDA not only gave me a solid foundation but also taught me the art of selfdirected learning. I discovered how to tap into online resources to expand my knowledge and dive into new technologies. Sure, EDA covered React, Node, Express, and C#, but we took it a step further. We built our own learning management system using Angular, Node, and other cool libraries. It's like that saying goes: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."

EDA is making a real impact on our community, and I believe we should spread the word far and wide. Let's inspire high school students and help those looking for a fresh start to find their place in the tech world. Together, we can turn our region into a buzzing tech hub. I owe a huge thanks to visionaries like Greg Tehven and Blaine Booher for paving the way and being my personal heroes.

Ah, the journey of entrepreneurship! It's like having a baby, except instead of diapers, you deal with pitch decks and investor meetings. Now, I'm no doctor, but I've learned that shielding your idea from the world is like keeping your baby in a bubble. Sure, it's safe, but it won't grow strong and resilient.

That's why I believe in diving headfirst into programs like EDA, Innovate ND, ILT Academy, and more. They're like crash courses in baby-proofing your business. And they don't sugarcoat things.

You see, these programs connect you with fellow entrepreneurs who have been through the trenches. They're the ones who can tell you which pitfalls to avoid because, let's face it, they've fallen into a few themselves. So whenever there's a program on the horizon, I eagerly raise my hand. Worst-case scenario, I spend a few hours learning something new. Best-case scenario, I stumble upon a game-changing insight.

From 1 Million Cups to StartupBREW, CO.STARTERS to Y Combinator startup school, I've gathered a wealth of free knowledge that has boosted my chances of success. And here's my advice to budding entrepreneurs: embrace networking like your business depends on it, because it does; always be willing to share and receive value; and remember that the real secret sauce is in the execution, not just the idea itself. Trust me, no one's out to steal your baby.

So, my philosophy is simple: keep learning, keep connecting, and always be open to refining your ideas. It's a journey worth taking, even if it means a few bumps along the way.

06

Knowing you, it’s very apparent your appreciation for learning systems as a business but you obviously enjoy learning yourself— between being a part of EDA as well as participating

in startup validation programs like Innovate North Dakota, ILT Academy, and CO.STARTERS. As I work with entrepreneurs, some of them are scared off by the time commitment but also sometimes maybe not wanting to hear about some of the warts and blemishes of their ideas. What has been your philosophy of investing time into programs like these?

When it comes to finding partners and skilled talent, my go-to platform is Upwork.com. I've gained valuable experience in utilizing Upwork effectively to connect with top-tier professionals. Here are a few tips that have helped me:

• Invest in quality: It's worth paying for skilled professionals who deliver high-quality work. Trying to cut corners often leads to more expenses in the long run.

• Attention to detail matters: Look for freelancers who pay attention to the details. Take time to review their work history and proposals. If they don't show a genuine interest in your job post, it's best to move on to other candidates.

• Communication is key: Before making a hiring decision, have conversations with potential candidates. This allows you to gauge their communication skills, responsiveness, and compatibility with your project.

• Check reviews: Reading reviews from previous clients is a great way to gain insights into a freelancer's performance and reliability.

• Prioritize experience: Consider freelancers with a proven work history on the platform. Taking risks on those without established track records can be a gamble.

Additionally, building relationships through networking is essential. I actively engage in various networking opportunities, including referrals, LinkedIn connections, in-person events, and trade shows. I firmly believe that everyone has a unique story to share, and leveraging that personal aspect opens doors to meaningful conversations and valuable relationships.

By combining the strategic use of platforms like Upwork and a relentless focus on networking, I've been able to find exceptional partners and skilled professionals who contribute to the success of my projects.

What are your goals and hopes for Learn Or Teach in the next year and the future?

In the coming year, our top priority is to grow and strengthen our team. We have ambitious plans to hire talented individuals for both sales and technical roles, allowing us to expand our reach and deliver exceptional services to our clients.

But our vision extends beyond the immediate future. We want to be the go-to resource for organizations seeking top-notch training and

marketing experiences. We believe that continuous learning and innovative marketing strategies can truly transform businesses. We look to shape the landscape of training and marketing, making a positive impact along the way.

Via our LinkedIn page, we recently created a newsletter and blog called “Training + Marketing Re: Imagined”. Through it, we’ll share content, webinars, and other info to keep up with the latest and greatest in training and marketing.

If I could go back in time to Clever from several years ago, here's the advice I'd give myself:

• Dive into Lean Startup: I'd say, "Hey, read 'Lean Startup' by Eric Ries ASAP! It's full of wisdom that would have helped me avoid some key mistakes. Start with building a minimum viable product quickly and get user feedback right away."

• Talk to Users Early: I'd tell myself, "Before coding, talk to potential users! Find out their pain points and validate market demand. It would've saved time and ensured the product met real needs."

• Treat Ideas as Experiments: "Don't get too attached to your idea. Treat it

I can already tell you are aware of reflecting on past mistakes and learning from them, but if you could go back in time to Clever from several years ago, what hindsight advice would you give yourself?

You’ve mentioned to me before that with the things you’ve learned, you look to partner or contract out for the needs and skills that aren’t in your sweet spot or you are choosing not to devote too much of your time on. Will you please give me some examples of how you are finding these partners?

as a hypothesis and be ready to adapt based on feedback. It's all about learning and iterating."

• Master B2B Sales Sooner: "Learn how to sell to businesses earlier. Sharpen those communication, prospecting, and account management skills. Building a customer base is crucial."

• Find a Co-founder: "Consider partnering with someone who complements your skills. Two heads are better than one, and a co-founder brings diverse expertise and support."

• Tap Startup Resources: "Make the most of startup resources around you. Join startup schools, like Y Combinator's online program, and engage with your local startup community."

• Deepen Domain Knowledge: "Become a domain expert or build a team with deep industry knowledge. It'll give you an edge in decisionmaking and market positioning."

By following these lessons, my next startup will hit the market faster, armed with valuable insights from past experiences and the ability to adapt and succeed.

Lastly, what can we do as a community to help Learn Or Teach succeed?

Glad you asked! Here are a few ideas of things that I think would truly be impactful.

• Introductions: If you know individuals or businesses who could benefit from our training and marketing services, connect us.

Introductions are a powerful way to expand our network and reach potential clients.

• Collaboration Opportunities: Let's explore opportunities to collaborate on projects, events, or content creation. Together, we can create impactful training and marketing initiatives.

• Attend our monthly Webinars: Join our monthly webinars to enhance your knowledge and skills while supporting our initiatives. Your participation contributes to a vibrant learning community. Reach out to us on our website if you are interested.

• Feedback: Provide feedback on our services, website, or marketing materials. Your insights help us improve and deliver better experiences to our clients.

• Share Social Media Content: Follow us on social media platforms and share our posts to increase our visibility and reach a wider audience.

• Professional Recommendations: Recommend Learn Or Teach to industry associations, professional networks, or business communities that could benefit from our expertise.

Your support in any of these areas will greatly contribute to Learn Or Teach's growth and success. Together, let's revolutionize training and marketing for businesses across our community!

WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW:

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From Newcomer to Trailblazer:

MOLLY SWANSTON’S JOURNEY TO LEADERSHIP

Family businesses often follow a traditional path of passing down the keys to the next generation. But for Molly Swanston, the decision to take the reins of the family business was a journey of selfdiscovery and purpose.

Molly Swanston (left) with her wife Alexa and their two children.

Craft Beer to Construction

After pursuing communication studies in college, her passion for people and her knowledge of craft beer pushed Molly to switch gears and move to Michigan, where she worked in sales at a popular craft brewery. But when another company approached Molly with a job offer, she called her parents, Mike and Linda, for some advice. What she got was another job offer—to come back to Fargo and work for the family business.

Molly and her parents discussed the idea for nearly a year as Molly considered the offer, but she had more to consider than simply whether the

By Wendy Christiansen |

construction industry would be a good fit for her. While in Michigan, Molly met her now-wife, Alexa, who also lived and worked in Michigan.

“I don’t know if you have ever tried to convince someone to move to North Dakota,” Molly said. “But to people who have never lived in the state, it takes some time to go through all the selling points.”

After a little persuading, Alexa agreed to move with Molly to Fargo to explore whether the family business was her calling. “I didn’t know a ton about the business, so I started out answering phones and then moved on to other roles so I could really get a sense of

how things ran. When I started, I had three questions I needed to answer for myself:

• Would I like it?

• Would I be good at it?

• Would the people at the company accept me?

It turns out, the answer to all three questions was a resounding “yes,” and in 2020 when her dad retired, Molly became the fourth generation Swanston to take the helm at the family business.

Photo by Annie Goldade

Family Values

“I give so much credit to everyone who has made the company what it is today,” said Molly. “My dad hired some of the smartest, most talented and genuine people, and I am grateful to have them working by my side.”

Molly has learned a lot from her colleagues at the company, and when asked if she goes to her dad for advice, Molly is quick to answer, “I’d be foolish not to. He ran a very successful company.” She added that she also goes to her mom for advice and that her entire family is extremely important to her.

And family looks a lot different to Molly today than it did when she moved to Fargo seven years ago. Molly and Alexa were married in 2016 and they welcomed their first son in 2021. Things changed for the better again in February, when their second son made his appearance (three weeks) ahead of schedule.

So, how does Molly find a balance between her work life and her personal life? “Balance?” Molly joked. “There is no balance.”

For Molly, it’s more like a teeter-totter than a balancing act—sometimes work requires more attention, and at other times, family needs come first. What makes it work for her is communication. “When our son was born early, I needed to be with my wife and the kids. I couldn’t go into the office every day, but the team kept me informed so I could focus on my family and be where I was needed most. And now, it is our busy season at work, which keeps me away from home a bit more. But my wife was born to be a mother, and she makes sure everything runs smoothly. She keeps me updated so that I always know what’s going on at home, even when I can’t be there. So, in both my professional life and my personal life, me and the people around me play to each other’s strengths and it all just works.”

Forging Her Path

And when it comes to work, Molly recognizes the weight of her family history and the advantages that her last name has afforded her. However, Molly Swanston is not one to rest on her family’s laurels. Her determination to prove herself based on her own merit and hard work is what sets her apart. She believes that she was not only given the opportunity to run the business but also to elevate it to new heights.

“I have so much appreciation for my family and all of the people who worked hard to establish and grow the business, Swanston Equipment,” said Molly. “I believe I owe it to every one of them to do what I can to make it the best it can be, and I am passionate about that.”

Her unwavering sense of responsibility towards her family drives her to work toward the betterment of the company, but it’s obvious Molly’s commitment to the business goes beyond familial obligation. She has developed a deep passion for the industry and a drive to uphold the values and legacy that her family has built. All the Swanston Equipment Company presidents have shared strong principles and held a common belief in serving the customer.

“Many of my dad’s best friends started out as customers,” said Molly. “That kind of bond only exists when there’s mutual respect between both parties. My dad always valued his customers above everything else, and I feel the same way. If the customer doesn't exist, the company doesn’t exist.”

In addition to her appreciation for the customers, Molly cannot help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the team at Swanston Equipment that has supported her on every step of her journey. “They welcomed me with open arms, and I have learned so much from them,” said Molly. “Without them, I could not have come as far as I have, and none of this would be possible.”

Paving the Way

Molly also understands the value of representation and the significance of paving the way for future generations. She feels honored to be in a position where she can be a role model for other women who may be struggling to establish themselves or break glass ceilings. When asked what advice she would give these women, Molly says she encourages women to be vocal about their aspirations. “Why would anyone give you something if you don’t have the courage to ask for it? If you are told no, ask what needs to be done to achieve your goals, and then do those things. If you are told no again, move on and achieve your goals elsewhere.”

Defining Success

For Molly, success is not just about achieving her goals; it's about making a positive impact on the people around her. Professionally, she wants to be remembered as a strong leader who cared about her team, who lifted them up, and helped them reach their full potential. As a mother, she wants her children to grow up as strong and independent individuals who know that the world is full of opportunities. She hopes to instill in them the belief that there are no limits to what they can achieve.

Molly's journey has been challenging, rewarding and inspiring. It has taught her the value of hard work and reinforced the importance of family. She is grateful for every obstacle she has faced, as they have made her a stronger, more empathetic leader, partner, and mother.

As she looks to the future, she knows that there will be more challenges to come, but she is ready to face them head-on. With her family behind her, her team by her side, and a passion for her work, Molly Swanston is unstoppable.

AWESOME FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD WINNER

Ocean Stars FC

ongtime friends

Abdikarim Ibrahim and Abdi Isaack were on a trip to Minneapolis together when they discovered they had each come up with the exact same idea on the exact same day. Enthused, the two teamed up to create Ocean Stars FC.

One of Fargo’s newest nonprofits, Ocean Stars FC aims to help kids in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area find confidence and build community through a mentorship program designed around summer soccer, providing a mentor for every four to five kids as well as resources to participate in the popular sport.

Abdikarim started helping kids participate in soccer endeavors in 2021, though it was difficult to be consistent without steady funding. In addition to field rental fees, soccer equipment like jerseys, cleats, and shin guards all require investment.

While a few kids were able to pay for their own equipment, most of the initial resources came out of pocket, or from a few local businesses, like Moonlight Grocery and Café on Main Avenue in Fargo who generously contributed.

Transportation is an additional not-so-hidden and substantial cost of running this type of program, as most kids participating neither drive nor have access to convenient transportation. While it is acknowledged that tournament travel is expensive, getting participating kids to local practices and games is also a challenge. Currently, Ocean Star relies on individual carpooling, which is not always dependable. Looking at a consistent method of transport is one of the new nonprofit’s primary hurdles.

The 18x26 Academy, which provides soccer coaching and organized training to kids in Minneapolis, has provided not only a blueprint of what

BY Brandi Malarkey, Owner, It’s All Malarkey

is possible but also feedback and guidance to Ocean Stars as they move forward with their program. Abdikarim and Abdi hope Ocean Stars' new nonprofit status will make it easier to gain community support, as well as obtain possible grants to help solidify and expand their program here in the FargoMoorhead-West Fargo area.

To give them a small nudge on their quest to prepare for the 2023 summer soccer season, the Cass Clay chapter of the Awesome Foundation names Ocean Stars their April 2023 grantee. Their gift of $1000 will go toward getting things started for the 25 kids already signed up for the program.

“As a refugee, we face problems such as not having transportation to sporting events or resources for fees and transportation to games and practices,” Abdikarim states.

While financial costs are a necessary consideration for any sports-related endeavor, Abdikarim emphasizes that the main focus of the program is not the sport itself, but rather the one-on-one mentorship Ocean Stars strives to provide.

“I started this program because growing up I did not have guidance or resources to help me excel in the classroom and enjoy sports,” Abdikarim says.

“99% of the people in the program have been refugees. It’s important to help them enjoy the sport, build that relationship with the kids, and provide

that mentoring and guidance. It’s showing them that the community is behind them and wants to help them reach their goals.”

@o.c.stars_fc

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