How empowering female leaders is impacting workplaces across our community march 2019
UNITED WAY’S
// MARCH 2019
COVER STORY
20 United Way’s 35 Under
35 Program
We talk with current and past members and volunteers about how the program is empowering women and impacting our area workforce
FEATURES 8 Editor’s Note 10 Editorial Board 50 Leadership 101 The NDSU Women In Business Group is providing the ultimate business experience 54 Women to Watch These girls became CEOs before they could drive 58 Strength in Numbers Why this Women In Technology group is on track to become the largest in the nation 62 Faces of Fargo Business Melissa Rogne, President&Founder, Rejuv Aesthetic Clinic Sarah Koustrup, Chief Operating Officer, National Hospitality Services Dr. Carrie Brimhall, President, Minnesota State Community and Technical College 68 Too Strong for a Woman? Women’s leadership coach, Nukhet Hendriks, teaches us how to lead with strength and without fear
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72 Branding on a Budget 74 Ladyboss of the Month: Theresa Garrett 77 EXPOSED: How to Keep your Information Safe and Secure High Point Network’s Jamie Maguire provides tips on how to protect your sensitive information
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80 Cut the Crap: Communicating with Confidence 82 Finding Love in the Unexpected Local business woman, Whitney Walker, builds her dreams in a way she never imagined 86 Out of the Mouths of Sages 90 Your Game Changing Books 92 Event Calendar
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editor's note
Finding the Middle Ground
I
have been having so much fun on this issue, an issue dedicated to the wonderful and impactful women in our community. As a female myself, I didn't want to come in and be "that girl" pushing my own or some group's agenda. However, when the editorial director came to me and said that he was talking to our publisher and that they would like me to center the entire March issue around women, I was instantly excited. What an opportunity! I thought this editor's note would be easy. After all, I am a woman, so I can easily relate, right? However, there are so many polarizing topics that come about when we start speaking to women's rights, our place in the workforce, the #metoo era, the list goes on. Each time I begin to write, I find myself deleting
everything out of fear that I may offend someone. Then, I find myself asking, "Would a man do that?" I feel lucky. I have never felt overlooked because I am a woman, even though I have worked in many male-dominated fields. I have had jobs where I was the only female on staff but never felt like I shouldn't be there. That's not to say that I have been immune to some of the issues we women talk about. Yes, I have had un-welcomed advances at work; I have had male co-workers report sexual harassment on my behalf when I didn't even feel like it was worth reporting. Maybe I have faced more adversity in the workplace than I initially realized...I can feel my neck tense already as I tread into these polarizing waters.
On the other hand, I also tend to "use the cards I'm dealt." A man offers to lift something for me because I'm a woman and shouldn't have to? Okay! Sounds good to me. I guess there has to be a middle ground, and finding it can be difficult. I don't know that anyone will ever "win;" it's more of a game of continual change and, sometimes, situationally dependent. Regardless of your position on women's issues, we have made progress. We are in boardrooms and leading teams. This issue is filled with women who are making a difference and turning heads. Stand tall! Get out your power suits and stilettos—we are making waves!
Here are some items that help me, personally, feel ready to conquer my day:
1. Book "How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having 'Female Brains')" by Valerie Alexander. Don't lose me, here! Alexander looks at biology, sociology and her experience in various careers to outline some of the ways our natural tendencies as women can hold us back and what we can do to present ourselves more effectively in the workplace.
2. Shoes! Regardless of what kind you like (I prefer a tall skinny heel), upgrade your outfit with a pair of statement shoes. Look good, feel good!
3. Lipsense If you haven't yet discovered this trend, you should really look into it. No lipstick stains on your coffee cup (gasp! how will you know it's yours?), and no need to reapply.
Jennifer Gades, Associate Publisher 8
MARCH 2019
4. Other professional women Get a network of likeminded women. There are many networking groups in the area set up to support and push each other forward, some of which are outlined in this issue. Regardless of if you find a networking group, you become a Ladyboss or you have a group of friends who are all "cashing checks and taking names," find your circle.
JenniferGades@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
5. Power suit Everyone should have one. You don't need to wear it every day, but there is something about rocking a tailored suit at an important meeting that can make you carry yourself just a little differently.
EDITORIAL BOARD We at Fargo INC! want to make sure our content is unbiased and reflects the FMWF business community. That's why we meet regularly with our five-member editorial board to discuss local business issues and trends and ensure we are living up to our core values.
JOHN MACHACEK
CRAIG WHITNEY
Greater FM Economic Development Corporation
FMWF Chamber of Commerce
Chief Innovation Officer
The 7th annual Techstars Startup Weekend Fargo is coming up soon, with this impactful event happening 4/12-4/14 in downtown Fargo. This event is consistently a catalyst to push innovation in our metro as well as strengthen the wonderful interconnected web of collaboration that our community is known for. Last year’s event went very well and we had a great crew of participants. Extra special was the fact that the winning team (idea pitched by Sadiyo Hassan) went on to create an actual business (Rising Tide Software). To quote Sadiyo from a post-event email I received, “Startup Weekend is an incredible experience that has changed my future and my view of my community.” This story is an example of what I love about Startup Weekend and keeps the GFMEDC in coming back each year to put forth the time, effort and sponsorship to plan these – the fun & welcoming opportunities to let some Fargo-Moorheadserendipity run its course. For more information, visitstartupweekendfargo.com or email our organizing team at tswfargo@startupweekend.org.
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President and CEO
Things at the Chamber offices have been pretty busy lately. Of course, we’re always up to a lot, but right now we are on the cusp of many new and exciting plans. As you’re reading this, the all-new Chamber website should be live. We’re thrilled to finally update our online presence to something that is a better user experience. Just last month, we held the launch event for our newest program, Professionals of Color. We’re invigorated by the energy around this new group and can’t wait to see how it affects our diverse professionals in the metro. The last week of June, we’ll be hosting our first-ever Young Professionals Week. Our committee and staff is diligently working on identifying speakers, venues, activities, programming and more. And, this year will be the tenth annual Voices of Vision! We’re determined to make this anniversary event a special one. We’re also staying focused on advocating for the FM Diversion. It’s a critical project that is the best way to protect our community. With both states’ legislatures in high gear, we must remind of its importance and see it through to fruition.
GREGORY WALD
Communications Manager
Moore Engineering, Inc.
Winter is a great time to commit to improving your skills and knowledge. If you don’t already have a stack of books to get through, here are some classics to consider: The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni – jam-packed with tips for setting up a simple structure to lead Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin – President Lincoln’s timeless, post-election leadership lessons teach us how to foster healthy dissenting perspectives and discourage bubble thinking Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven – based on his famous commencement address (find it on YouTube), this quick but impactful read applies Navy SEAL training lessons to any life Spring is in sight, but there’s still time to take advantage of indoor time to keep getting better. Happy reading!
TIM BEATON
Executive Director
FM Area Foundation
The Women’s Fund, an endowed fund of the FM Area Foundation, was created 19 years ago by the FM Area Foundation in partnership with a group of women in the community who saw a need to do more for women and children in Cass and Clay counties. Through the support of 120+ committee members, hundreds of donors, and grants from several foundations, the Women’s Fund created a $1 million endowment. The fund continues to grow today and has awarded 122 grants to 56 local organizations totaling $317,220 since its inception. Because the Women’s Fund is an endowed fund, it allows gifts of all sizes to be pooled together to make an even greater difference today and for years to come. The Women’s Fund promotes programs that inspire, empower and educate women and girls, and provides grants each year to nonprofits making a difference for women and girls in Cass Clay. The Women’s Fund is accepting grant applications until April 12, 2019. Learn more about the Women’s Fund at areafoundation.org/ womens-fund.
KRISTI HUBER
STEVE DUSEK
United Way of Cass-Clay
Dakota Business Lending
How well an organization manages their internal talent pipeline is an important predictor of future success. Participants of the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program have shared the three most important takeaways from their experience which have helped them grow as leaders. • Understand Your Strengths Participants take the CliftonStrengths assessment and learn ways they can maximize their strengths. • Take Risks to Grow We challenge participants to commit to get out of their comfort zone and get comfortable with taking risks. The result is a willingness to be open to opportunity and an increase in self-confidence. • Build Communication Skills LinkedIn’s CEO Jeff Weiner named communications/interpersonal skills the number one biggest skill gap for millennial employees in the U.S. While women in the program focus on their public speaking skills, they also realize that being an effective communicator is more than public speaking – it is ensuring that you have the skills to confidently articulate ideas, information, and in a way that inspires others.
The most valuable piece of business advice that Breezee Hennings, founder and owner of Wild Terra Cider & Brewing, ever received and why was, “Be Open to the advice and comments of others but always trust your instincts. It would be naive to think you hold all the knowledge in the world on every subject but it is the prerogative of a business owner to sift through and glean what is most impactful to his/ her business, because at the end of the day, it is your discernment that got you this far.”
President
President & CEO
Started in 2018, Dakota Business Lending presented a number of ‘’Activate Women’’ learning workshops across the State. While financing is a major aspect of starting or expanding any small business, the journey does not end there but only just begins. Our team holds both personal and professional growth in high regard and wishes to join you on that quest as well. That is why Dakota Business Lending has decided to continue to offer its very own FREE “Activate Women” Learning Workshop Series! Register today: http://bit.ly/ ACTIVATEwomen
March 2019 Volume 4 Issue 3
Fargo INC! is published 12 times a year and is available at area businesses and online at FargoInc.com.
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Here at Design & Living Magazine, we believe that your home—whether it is an apartment, condo, townhome or house— should reflect your experiences and personality. After all, each piece of furniture and decor that we surrounds ourselves with is an extremely personal choice, whether we are aware of it or not! This month, join us as we visit three very unique homes in the FM area, then try to match the homeowner to their living space!
The reasons to live in and love Fargo are ever growing. From our booming downtown or our exciting tech and start-up scene or our championship athletics, the list goes on. In addition to all these easily advertizable things, Fargo also boasts a impressive scene for families. We’ve collected stories, tips and tricks from local families to help prove why so many people choose Fargo as the place to grow their family.
North Dakota State brings in student-athletes from all corners of the globe. Some of the most successful and beloved Bison come from our very own backyard in North Dakota. These athletes embody what it means to be a North Dakota State student-athlete and know what it takes to succeed as a Bison. They possess the values of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. That is pride on the prairie.
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UNITED WAY
35 UNDER 35 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Since 2009, 350 women in the Fargo-Moorhead area have participated in the inspiring United Way 35 under 35 Women’s Leadership Program. In the following pages, we celebrate the 2019 class who have been teamed up with local leaders and dedicated themselves to personal growth and development. They focused on leadership, public speaking and other developmental topics to better serve themselves, their companies and the community. Meet nine women who volunteer and impact the program as presenters and leaders. Together, they are growing and empowering our economy and the young female workforce. BY Jennifer Gades | PHOTOS BY J. Alan Paul Photography
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35 UNDER 35
Kristi Huber United Way of Cass-Clay President & CEO
It has been nearly a decade
since Sheryl Sandberg’s TED talk “why we have too few women leaders” sparked the business world, ignited the “Lean In” movement and launched meaningful conversations across our country, and the world. Locally, the success of the first 10 years of the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program has been the strategic focus on equipping the participants with skills and experiences to give them the confidence to take leadership roles, be at the table in their workplaces, and engage their unique strengths to give back to the community. Women who have completed this program have: • Been promoted to leadership roles within their companies • Have become entrepreneurs and started their own businesses • Continued to positively influence their corporate cultures • Become productive and influential board members and volunteers for organizations • Created leadership programs and events within their own company so that more women can benefit from the skills they acquired during their time in the program When the 2019 participants complete the program this June, 385 women will have been empowered by this program since its inception. It is exciting to realize how our companies, non-profit organizations and community has benefited and will continue to thrive because of the commitment United Way of Cass-Clay has made to continue to invest in the program and our future community leaders. 22
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35UNDER35
2019
Elissa Berg
Shauna Erickson
Jocelyn Johnson
Marie Buchli
Elissa Berg
Jocelyn Johnson
Who has most influenced your drive in investing in your career? U.S. Bank has been an incredibly supportive company to work for and has greatly influenced my career development. Each manager I’ve worked for has had an open-door policy, and they’ve taken interest in me as a person. I’ve always felt supported when I’ve shared my career aspirations, and they’ve worked alongside me to accomplish those goals! I’m thankful to work for a company that has empowered me each step of the way.
What is your favorite thing you have learned from the program that you are excited to apply to the workplace? It has taken time and experience for me to learn and know who I am as an individual. What I know for sure is that every person I have interacted with on this journey has brought something unique and valuable to the table. This experience furthers my belief that it truly takes personalities and strengths of all different kinds to reach goals and achieve new heights in the workplace. I would encourage anyone out there doubting what they bring to the table in their place of work to identify and own their strengths, accept and encourage others for theirs and be a leader from whatever role you are in.
Branch Assistant Manager U.S. Bank
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Megan Hills
Regional Sales Director Discovery Benefits
Shauna Erickson M.S., LMFT
Marie Buchli
Megan Hills
What is one thing that you have personally focused on improving? I think the culture of one’s life and workplace is directly related to her life satisfaction and investment in the agency. I am focused on continued growth in how I positively contribute to culture in my work and personal life. There is a contagiousness to positive culture, thus by taking initiative in this area, I aim to improve the culture of those around me within my organization, the people I serve and our community.
What goals do you have to personally continue developing your leadership after the program? I believe that every person should be working toward becoming the best version of themselves every day. I plan to continue to utilize the amazing resources provided by the company I work for and the community to keep growing as a person and a leader. When you are only in competition with yourself to develop and evolve, you can feel good about every accomplishment you make. This then encourages you to grow and develop those around you.
Why is it important for women to get involved in groups and programs where they can grow together? Even though we all work in different fields, we have a lot in common. Our struggles and successes are similar. Being able to explore these situations and concepts with 34 other talented, intelligent women is invaluable. We all have so much of our career ahead of us and this experience will certainly shape the way we lead in the future.
Clinical Supervisor and Child Therapist The Village Family Service Center
Senior Program Manager Wells Fargo Bank
Nursing Practice Specialist Sanford Health
35UNDER35
ALUMNI
Brooke Erstad PT, DPT, WCS, CAPP
Title: Co-Owner & Doctor of Physical Therapy Organization: Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center
Can you give me a brief background on what you do and your journey? I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) specializing in Pelvic Rehabilitation. Physical Therapy is an awesome profession by itself, but the specialty area of Pelvic Rehabilitation has been nothing short of amazing.
tasks and see them through to follow up. That way there is more of my time left to laugh, snuggle, play and be silly with my kids or have a meaningful conversation with a co-worker. In both arenas of my life it has helped to let go of a few things to allow me to place the value of my time on things that bring me joy.
In addition to leading your business, you are also leading your family and children. How have the skills and experiences you have gained transferred over to your parenting style? Both my business and my family have grown larger than I probably ever imagined! As a business co-owner and mother to four children (age 7 and under), I would now describe my leadership style as Project Manager! I find myself relying on the help of others more often than I used to, but I’ve realized that it’s ok to do that. I don’t have to be the one doing everything on a project around the house or at work, when often someone else will complete it just as well. It’s been freeing to realize that I am still relevant if I delegate
As a business owner, why did you want to get involved with the 35 under 35 program? I thought the benefits of getting some business training and connectedness would be helpful too, but I didn’t know what to expect. I continue to be so thankful for my time in the program because of the training, connectedness and personal growth that I received, but what has proved even more rewarding is that it is a gift that keeps on giving. I continue to grow my involvement and connectedness through the social media groups, by attending the retreat held to commemorate the 10th year of the program and connect alumnae, and by meeting the great people along my United Way 35 Under 35 journey.
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35UNDER35
2019
Hannah Savoy
Mallari Ackerman Kelly Lauinger
Ashley Eastwell
Stacy Kemerling
Mallari Ackerman
Director of Sales Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau
Why is it important for women to get involved in groups and programs where they can grow together? Whether we are entrepreneurs, new moms, fueled by coffee or all the above, as women, our tribe is the glue that holds us together. It’s the sense of community where we can be transparent and press into real life struggles that bring growth and friendship on the other side. As part of a group like this, these 35 ladies can count on encouragement and accountability from one another that helps us grow as individuals and as a community. Best of all, it’s a place where we know that we’re not in it alone.
Ashley Eastwell
Hannah Savoy
What does leadership mean to you? We assume people will be good leaders if they work hard and demonstrate competence; however, the best leaders I know are strong at connecting with people, gaining trust and ultimately building relationships. Thus, leadership, to me, is the ability to value people over power.
What advice would you give the next generation of aspiring female leaders? The worst thing that will ever happen is someone telling you no. Just GO FOR IT!
Human Resources Generalist II Doosan Bobcat
Why is it important for women to get involved in programs where they can grow together? It is important for any person to take an opportunity to network. We limit ourselves if we don’t take advantage of building relationships where we can learn from others, partner on projects, or understand different perspectives.
Marketing Manager dogIDs
What hurdle do you feel you have had to overcome in the workplace? In a team of 10, it was a big challenge to realize and recognize what type of leadership we each brought to work. It took me a long time to feel comfortable in understanding I was still a leader even in a small group.
Stacy Kemerling
Account Assistant Dawson Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, company
Who has most influenced your drive in investing in your career? My family raised me to be independent and to go after what I want. As I got older, that translated to my career and to always strive to be the best that I can be at whatever I am doing. Whether it was working retail, as a receptionist or as a supervisor, I always work hard to do my best and to keep improving.
Kelly Lauinger
E-Commerce Product Merchant Lead Scheels
How does the United Way 35 Under 35 Program impact more than the 35 women in the program? This program makes you STOP and THINK about what you are doing and what you are trying to accomplish. It helps you look within to see who you are and who you want to be. With that, there is a trickling effect… people will see that confidence that the 35 program has given them and truly ask others, “How can I excel in my career? How can I feel better about who I am? How can I do better for myself, my family and my community?” And really, the motivation and drive from other women that have had the chance to experience this program, will inspire others to be their best selves, do more, see more and feel more. FARGOINC.COM
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35UNDER35
2019
Kacie Weber
Megan Myrdal
Tessa Hand Larissa Kunde
Jessica Ridout
Jessica Ridout
Group Finance Manager Microsoft
What advice would you give the next generation of aspiring female leaders? Do things that make you nervous and uncomfortable. Don’t discount yourself. We can’t all be great at the same things, so don’t compare yourself to others, and focus on what you bring to the table. I guarantee others see the value you bring more easily than you see it yourself, so walk into the room like a boss and know that you belong.
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Megan Myrdal
Director of Domestic Marketing and Communications Northarvest Bean Growers Association
Why is it important for women to get involved in groups and programs where they can grow together? At this stage of life, I think many women lead busy, if not wildly hectic lives. It can be challenging to find time to just maintain work, family and other life commitments, let alone find new opportunities to meet other women for personal and professional growth. Getting involved with programs or groups that are focused on connecting women at similar stages of life and allowing women to share struggles, successes, goals and aspirations is powerful. It helps women to feel understood, supported and to ultimately grow.
Kacie Weber
Larissa Kunde
Tessa Hand
What unique perspectives do women bring to the table? I believe women have a special skill set in emotional intelligence and instinct. We are all different, of course, but there is something special about our ability to see things others may not. I believe when women are put into positions to make a difference, they will work hard to do so. But we also recognize that we can’t always get to where we want to be on our own. We build strong networks of people who can help us learn and grow as we strive to reach our goals.
How have you seen workplaces evolve to empower women? “Empowerment stems from feeling fully-supported.” Workplaces have evolved by encouraging women to pursue continued education and attend trainings to stay abreast of industry trends. Women are now more likely to pursue higher education and an advanced degree than in previous years. More women are becoming entrepreneurs and changing the status quo. Flexible work schedules, mentorship and managerial openness allow women the ability to balance family, receive the support they need and builds rapport between employees and management.
How have you seen workplaces evolve to empower women? Nursing, in particular, is a unique profession because it has been predominately female since its beginning. It was founded by women and has evolved into what it is today because of passionate women. I love being a part of an industry that has been driven by women. Women have started using their nursing degrees in new ways, whether by continuing on with higher education degrees, working in management roles or even working in roles that aren’t traditionally held by nurses. Nurses, and women, continue to pave the way in the healthcare industry, and I’m so excited to be a part of that.
Talent Recruiter CoreLink Administrative Solutions
HR Specialist Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Registered Nurse Essentia Health
35UNDER35
ALUMNI
Stephanie Roers Beiswanger DC Title: Doctor of Chiropractic Organization: Summit Chiropractic
Can you give me a brief background on what you do and your journey? I am the owner of Summit Chiropractic in Fargo. I opened my clinic 8 years ago with the desire to help people get beyond their aches and pains and improve their overall health and function. In addition to leading your business, you are also leading your family and children. How have the skills and experiences you have gained transferred over to your parenting style? Being a parent and an entrepreneur are both very challenging and yet, rewarding, roles. Being a business owner, you must be adaptable and always be learning and growing. You are constantly trying to learn how to better reach and serve your clients and step outside your comfort zone. I have found this is also true with parenting. Honestly, parenting is not a process that comes easily to me and just like business ownership, there is no manual! I am always responding to new challenges and not always sure if I am making the right decision.
Being a business owner has given me confidence, even when I don’t have all the answers. It’s more about understanding the journey, trying your best, learning and continuing on. The same can be said for parenting. What advice would you give other women hoping to start their own business? DO IT! It is scary as heck but you’ll never know what you can accomplish unless you step outside your comfort zone. There will absolutely be times when you wonder what you got yourself into. But the important thing is to have faith in yourself. Also, surround yourself with the right people. Find a mentor to guide you through the process and a support network that you can call on to help keep you on the right path. You will absolutely stumble. Just give yourself grace and grit and get back up when you fall. It will be scary, challenging, and hard. Owning a business is no joke. But when you look back, you’ll see the business and life you created. You’ll be proud of yourself (and you should be) and you’ll be a better, stronger person for it.
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35UNDER35
2019
Jessica Anderson Jesseca White-Tuton
Alison Molony
Annika Perkins
Sonja Stang
Annika Perkins
Jesseca White-Tuton
How does the United Way 35 Under 35 Program impact more than the 35 women in the program? After the first session, I immediately implemented my learnings into my job. The learnings are applicable in many aspects of our life and community. One session focuses on philanthropy and giving back to our community to strengthen it. We also utilize a tool that highlights each woman’s strengths, and it’s amazing to not only see the variety and diversity of strengths within the group but also to recognize how vital each strengths is in enacting positive change in our community. The program isn’t just a personal experience; it’s one that will affect our companies, colleagues and community in lasting ways.
Who has most influenced your drive in investing in your career? I would have to say my younger self. I look back at when I was first starting out as a police officer and how unsure of myself and how timid I was. I told myself, early on, to "Fake it till you make it." I'm not sure if I've made it quite yet, but I'm definitely not the timid, self-conscious person I was back then, which has influenced my career greatly.
Associate Client Consultant Sundog Interactive
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Resource Officer Fargo Police Department
Sonja Stang
Director of Community Relations PATH
What goals do you have to personally continue developing your leadership after the program? My goals are to be mindfully open to new experiences I can learn from and take something from. I strongly believe we are never done learning and working on ourselves. We are lucky to live in a community that has so many opportunities for connection and networking with others. I’m amazed at what I’ve already learned from this exceptional group of women, and it has me excited to expand my personal and professional relationships and get involved.
Jessica Anderson
LCSW- School Social Worker Fargo Public Schools
What does leadership mean to you? To be a leader is to accept responsibility that others look to you for guidance, direction and support. It is a commitment to meet people where they are at without judgment and encourage them to meet their goals. To lead is to be authentic, honest and recognize that your example carries as much weight as your words. I have been fortunate to have mentors who have demonstrated genuine leadership and have had the opportunity at Fargo Public Schools to work for some of the most caring, thoughtful leaders who have continuously encouraged my pursuit of knowledge and supported my role with the students and families I serve.
Alison Molony
Director of Membership and Events Oxbow Country Club
What unique perspectives do women bring to the table? I think that it is important to realize that women bring a wide variety of skills to the table based on their own individual skill set. Women don’t all necessarily hold the same collective perspective but can be a valuable voice to add to the conversation. As more and more females are promoted to leadership positions and enter into industries that are typically dominated by men, you gain fresh insight and ultimately open the door for talented female leaders to follow.
35UNDER35
ALUMNI
Smita Garg Title: Assistant Director of Employer Engagement Organization: North Dakota State University
Can you give us a brief background on what you do and your journey? Do: Connect people, advocate and practitioner of inclusion and representation. Journey: Entrepreneur, domestic engineer, interpreter, marketer, researcher, work/ career/life skills mentor, and community developer. You prepare employees for the workplace every day, how do you feel that programs such as the 35 under 35 program shapes individuals for success in their workplace and career? This program has the power to encourage, inform, motivate, and remind participants of the distinct attributes that women bring to leadership, which impact people interact with others and sets the stage for their own success and the success of others. You have lived in six different countries, how has women’s roles in the workplace varied across the countries you have lived and done business in? I have lived in countries which are considered nonprogressive in terms of women’s roles and status, and yet have had women in leadership roles such as fierce freedom fighters and heads of state. I have also lived in countries that are considered
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progressive and yet, struggle with basic issues such as pay equity and maternity leave. It is a complex issue, but the common leadership traits in women that transcend borders are courage, patience, humility, desire to collaborate, and seeking what is ‘good for the most’ vs ‘good for a few.’ Why would you encourage other women to get involved in programs such as the 35 Under 35 program? Because of the networking, self-awareness explorations, fun, because of the doors and windows it opens…and so much more! What challenges do you find that you help women with the most, in preparing them for success in the workforce? Each woman brings a different backpack of experiences that have influenced their realities. However, broadly, I would say lack of confidence, not being assertive, and trying to fit a mold. How do you hope to make a difference in the lives of the 35 under 35 participants as a speaker this year? I hope participants will start approaching inclusion and representation with intention and courage not just in their workplace, but also their family and community.
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Anamaria Olson
Rayonna Hystead
Amanda Huggett
Laura Maeyaert
Courtney Posch
Amanda Huggett
Manager of Marketing & Communications Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce
How does the United Way 35 Under 35 Program impact more than the 35 women in the program? Each woman who goes through the 35 Under 35 program brings skills and tools with them to their other circles. Their workplaces benefit from their experience, training and development. When one person learns and grows, their families, friends, co-workers also reap the benefits. When one thrives, we all thrive. Communities are strong because of the people in them, and we’re fortunate to have such a program contributing to the success of so many individuals, businesses and our metro.
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Courtney Posch
Anamaria Olson
What goals do you have to personally continue developing your leadership after the program? I want to always be open to be a student and continue to learn new things to grow both professionally and personally. I also want to continue to surround myself with inspirational people who enjoy what they do. I will continue to connect with the strong women I have met through this amazing journey. We learn so much from one another as we each bring such a unique viewpoint to the table.
Who has most influenced your drive in investing in your career? I was in first grade when I first realized my mom’s drive and what such drive can do for a woman. Until that point in my life, she was a chemical engineer. At that time, many of the factories were closing down in the region where we lived in Romania, and she found herself in her 40s not just without a job, but also in a field where her knowledge was no longer needed. While I was learning to read and write, she went back to school to become an accountant and proved herself in a new field. Her influence drove me to work hard and look for opportunities to grow and better myself every chance I get.
Pricing Specialist Supervisor Border States Electric
Loan Admin Support II Bank of the West
Laura Maeyaert
Rayonna Hystead
Who has most influenced your drive in investing in your career? My husband has always been my biggest supporter. Shortly after we were married, I went through a career change, including going back to school. He is always pushing me to learn more and to stand up for myself in my career. There are days I have come home frustrated about something. He knows when something is bothering me and helps me to talk through it. He has helped me to realize my career goals and dream big about the future. He is very driven himself, which is easy to feed off of.
What unique perspectives do women bring to the table? Women often strive to bring out what is best in a group of people and cares about each individual and their personal growth. I also believe women listen differently. Instead of taking words at face value, women tend to try to understand the context of a conversation, body language, and deeper meaning to put it all together into a different and more effective way to converse. Because of the greater understanding for more than just words, women can understand more of the people around them and use that to effectively lead by showing compassion, understanding and connectivity.
Sales/Marketing Coordinator Edgewood Senior Living
Marketing Assistant GOLDMARK Property Management
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Katie Ehlis Title: Owner/ Learning Specialist Organization: Katie Ehlis Learning & Development
Can you give me a brief background on what you do and your journey? I support organizations in identifying their learning opportunities and help them develop a strategy to be successful. I partner with clients all over North America across a variety of industries and am lucky enough to be part of developing their greatest asset – their people! What challenges are your clients asking for you to assist them with? What areas of their business are they looking to improve and how are you helping them work toward success? Most clients are tasked to train their people on something specific, but what we typically uncover is the need to develop a strategic program that is relevant and applicable to a learner’s success. A lot of organizations don’t fully understand the difference between communicating something vs a learning initiative. It tends to all get
bucketed as training. Therefore, I try to help them distinguish the difference and focus on how we can best set their people up for success in an engaging and fun way! What is one tip you give young business men and women looking to grow their own skills in the workplace? Don’t wait for someone to ask you if you’d like to be part of something, create that something for yourself! I believe that you are surrounded by opportunities to grow and develop your own skills in the workplace, it just may be something informal. Surround yourself with people who challenge the way you think or the way you do things. Ask to spend time with those in roles or positions you have interest in, ask them to be your coach or mentor. Finally, develop your own professional development plan and share it with your manager/leader… you’ll be surprised how they’ll be willing to support you!
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Chris Thompson Title: Director of Leadership and Learning Organization: State of North Dakota
Can you give me a brief background on what you do and your journey? Currently I am on a one-year civic leave from Microsoft serving as the Director of Leadership and Learning for the Great State of ND. In this role, I am focused on coaching, training and designing leadership development experiences for our current leaders as well as our leaders of the future. You are serving as a speaker and mentor for the program this year - what do you hope women will gain and/or what leadership lessons do you hope to share? I hope that people will gain an understanding that the way they manage their mind, their strongest muscle, is everything on the way to achieving success. There is an ocean of leadership topics out there and I believe they all are important, but I also am positive that having a leadership mindset is foundational to applying any of these topics in a sustainable way. A leadership mindset to me is one that thinks on purpose, looks for smart risks, fails and learns from that and has the confidence to lead with their values. What is one tip you give young business men and women looking to grow their own skills in the workplace? The one tip I give to anyone looking to grow their skills is to focus on massive action vs. passive action. Massive action 38
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is taking action until your goal is achieved…no matter if there is a setback, a failure, it’s scary, you grow tired of it, there is something shinier…it isn’t massive action until you stick with it and make it happen. The difference between a successful leader or entrepreneur and someone that dreams about it is massive action. You have been involved as a volunteer with United Way for a long time, how has your volunteer experience shaped your career? I’ve always found that the more I’ve focused my work on others, the more my career has progressed. Whenever I’ve had that combination, I’ve also enjoyed it the most. Volunteering with United Way has been an opportunity to focus on helping other leaders to grow their skills, clarity and confidence. It doesn’t matter that I am positive they will all continue to be amazing success stories. What matters most is that they understand that and are ready to take action until they get there. As I’ve served with the United Way, I’ve taken on larger and more complex roles at Microsoft. I’ve gone after and achieved my coaching certification and taken on a role with the state of ND. Every year, I’d talk with the group about taking risks, failing, achieving goals, moving forward if not only by a step, and I guess since I was saying it out loud, that meant I had to do it myself.
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2019
Kristin Taffe
Brittany Butler Heather Eken
Sarah Nupdal Meagan McDougall
Brittany Butler
Meagan McDougall
Kristin Taffe
How does the United Way 35 Under 35 Program impact more than the 35 women in the program? Participants are taught a new language, a new way to think about things and challenged to focus on aspects of themselves and their communities that they have never looked at before. This causes a cascade effect of conversations that may never have been had, connections that may never have happened, and new passions being brought to light in the community. Just look at the group of accomplished, hilarious, passionate women. There is no way that this year’s program will end with a whimper. Once this group of women has their hearts on fire and their feet firmly planted on the paths they want to follow, Fargo won’t ever be the same.
What is your favorite thing you have learned from the program that you are excited to apply to the workplace? In the first session, we focused on understanding each of our individual strengths and how they relate to and work with the strengths of others. I enjoyed the perspective of focusing on what individuals bring to the table and how to capitalize on it instead of focusing on areas of improvement. While we all have tasks in our day-to-day jobs and lives that are not motivating or don’t feel natural, we learned that the more we can capitalize on what we do well, the happier and more productive we will be in our personal and professional lives.
Who has most influenced your drive in investing in your career? Amber Ferrie, Partner in Transactions Services of Eide Bailly, has demonstrated the importance of investing in one’s own career. She has shown me that I shouldn’t be afraid to be ambitious and that I cannot be a bystander in my own career. A career is not something that happens to you; it is something you help create. I have watched Amber take risks where at times it would have been easier to let things remain unchanged. When I became a remote employee, she said, “Don’t take yourself out of your own career path with this move.” She continues to ensure I am passionate about growing professionally and pushes me to want more.
Product Champion Myriad Mobile
Account Manager High Point Networks
Manager - Business Valuation Eide Bailly LLP
Sarah Nupdal
Heather Eken
How does the United Way 35 Under 35 Program impact more than the 35 women in the program? Developing leadership skills starts at the individual level and overflows into each aspect of the individual’s life, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the 35 Under 35 program. As women learn and grow, they become empowered to share their skills, experiences and information to benefit others. This has a positive impact on their friends and family, their organizations and our community as a whole.
What advice would you give the next generation of aspiring female leaders? I would share with them that life will continue to present them with opportunities to discover who they are, and the most authentic and genuine version of them is truly amazing. Mere moments can open new doors to opportunities. Within those moments, they should choose to love themselves, to communicate effectively and with sincerity, and focus on the greater good for all.
Vice President – Legal Counsel, Banking Bell Bank
Physical Therapist South East Education Cooperative (SEEC)
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Sarah Nikle Title: Financial Advisor Organization: Edward Jones Investments
Can you give me a brief background on what you do, and your journey that led you to where you are today? As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, I work with individuals and businesses to identify and implement strategies to reach their longterm financial goals. We’ve established a process that works alongside clients as their lives and goals change. What have you drawn from the program and applied to your own business that has surprised you? I didn’t come into the program expecting to come face to face with the fact I had doubts about my own thoughts and accomplishments. Even less so did I expect to hear from others that had similar thoughts and feelings. Suddenly I found myself on a stage, sharing with others about how I have learned to identify those
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hindering thoughts coined as “the impostor syndrome.” Most importantly I came away learning tactics to identify those thoughts, avoid comparisons, and concentrate on gratitude. These are principles I now not only apply to my business, but every aspect of my life. Why would you encourage other women to get involved? The United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program is a wonderful experience — it is an opportunity to focus on who you are and where you want to go. It’s about growing and learning and giving back all while having fun with a group of women who support each other. The program takes you a bit out of your comfort zone, gives you the time and the space to dig deep on what you want, and a tribe of people to support you in getting there.
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Jill Staffne Title: Vice President of Human Resources Organization: Scheels
Can you give me a brief background on what you do and your journey? I am currently the Vice President of Human Resources at Scheels and have been in the HR field for over 16 years. It goes without saying, I have always been passionate about helping people and it has fueled my interest in development opportunities focused on leadership. You helped design the application and interview process for 35 Under 35 - how does participating in this process positively impact prospective participants? I look at my opportunity to lead the application committee as two-fold. I was able to teach women on the volunteer committee best practices of “hiring and selection” while also bringing valuable structure to the application and interview process for this program. With now more than 200 women applying for the program each year, our volunteers have a sound process focused on producing a diverse group of women with varying leadership capabilities, careers and backgrounds to experience the program together. I am grateful for being a part of creating and evolving that process. What do you hope the women draw from their experience in the program?
The success and continued interest in this program shows the value taken from it by the women not only attending, but those involved in coordinating the program as well. The most important take-away from this program, in my opinion, would be confidence. Confidence to ask for a big project at work, confidence to seek out a mentor, confidence to mentor someone else, confidence to speak in front of a group, confidence to take risks, confidence that you CAN have a family and a career at the same time. When you have confidence, you are more likely to reach for opportunities you otherwise thought were beyond your abilities. When you lack confidence, your success and your happiness deteriorate. Women leave the program with a sense of support and “sisterhood” if you will, that give the confidence they need to navigate their personal and professional lives at a much higher level than when they entered the program. Why would you encourage other women to get involved? When you help other people, it fills your soul with grace and gratitude. The need for grace and gratitude in business and in our personal lives is infinite. Good leaders will pass these characteristics on to the next generation.
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2019
Julie Zimny
Kelsey Knutson Amanda Even
Karen Berntson
Molly Johnson
Kelsey Knutson
Molly Johnson
Julie Zimny
Karen Berntson
What does leadership mean to you? I continuously refer to a sequence I learned when I worked at Northwestern Mutual, which is: lead yourself, lead your business and lead others. First, in order to lead yourself, you must be firm in your values and in your goals. Then, it is important to be willing to put in the hard work and understand the processes and systems in place to accomplish your goals at work. Then, I am able to step up and truly lead others. Leadership also means to always be the most positive person in the room and lead by example. My favorite childhood saying is, “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference,” and I think that still holds true as a saying for a leader to live by.
What advice would you give the next generation of aspiring female leaders? You can have it all; it just will look different for everyone. As a female today, achieving a balance among family, professional roles and personal growth is an ongoing balancing act. As women, we want to compare our strengths and weaknesses and how we are measuring up to everyone else.
What does leadership mean to you? Being a leader doesn’t mean your goal is to gain followers but to inspire more leaders. Leaders listen to and encourage others. They know what a privilege it is to serve and work alongside their team. A leader is continuously growing and learning, and they openly share their knowledge with others. They take responsibility for their actions and work not only to correct their mistakes but to learn from them. Leadership is about action, not a title or position.
What do you think is the greatest challenge women have to overcome in the workplace? I think the greatest challenge for women can often times be ourselves. In one of our sessions, we learned about Impostor Syndrome, the belief that you are only successful because of luck or circumstances, not because of your skills or experiences, and how so many women struggle to accept positive feedback about their accomplishments. We need to let go of the thought that we are just lucky and embrace the confidence and mindset that we can do anything!
Director of Public & Resource Relations TNT Kid’s Fitness
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Marketing & Client Event Coordinator Ameriprise Financial
The best advice I can give is to find a group of strong women to support you, be your authentic self in relationships and accept that what is best for you looks different than the woman (or man!) next to you.
Youth Program Director, CF-L1 Trainer CrossFit Fargo
District Director for North Dakota Junior Achievement
Amanda Even
Communications Coordinator Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership
What hurdle do you feel you have had to overcome in the workplace? I struggled for years to find a balance between my professional and personal life. I’ve had seasons where I poured myself into my profession and neglected my hobbies and personal relationships. I was always succeeding on one side and failing on the other. I’ve finally found a blend of professional and personal life with specific priorities and boundaries to keep me on track. This system allows life to ebb and flow with the reality that some seasons require more time in the professional sector but with the promise to take a vacation or a weekend to recharge and spend time with friends and family.
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Casey Steele Title: Owner and Baker Lady Organization: Square One Rental Kitchen, Love in the Oven Bakery
Can you give me a brief background on what you do and your journey? Well, I am an architecture graduate turned childcare assistant turned baker, who then also became a shared kitchen owner. Such a clear path, right? I decided to take on an enthusiastic hobby and start my own baking business in 2010 – Love in the Oven Bakery. The YWCA graciously allowed me to rent their kitchen to create my product and from that experience came the concept for Square One Kitchens – a shared kitchen designed for food startups. What skills do you feel you have used the most in your own business since being in the program in 2017? When surrounded by determined females from a variety of backgrounds you learn a thing or two. Many of the women in my class had very successful corporate careers with a technical emphasis. To say that I sometimes operate on a ‘wingin’-it’ basis in my small business is a slight understatement, or at least it used to be. Though I still go with my gut on several decisions, I’ve learned planning and foresight really pay off. Learning from them helped me
develop policies, formalize my business and find a new level of professionalism that has shown me growth I could not have anticipated without their input and feedback. You faced the unthinkable hardship of a fire in your business. How do you feel this affected how you lead and act in the workplace day-to-day? Going through an experience that nearly destroys your business brings about an array of emotions. Instead of calling it quits I maintained my steady level of stubbornness and knew I wanted back what we had built. The unfortunate situation made me truly reflect on how I much I enjoyed the work that I was doing and the business I was building. Through the support of the community, I further realized how valuable and appreciated this business was and is. I found new levels of confidence in myself and a higher appreciation for the services we provide. Through this experience I realized I am a valuable resource as a business owner and want to share my knowledge with others so they can fulfill their food business dreams while bringing new culinary experiences and products to the area.
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Ashley Hahn BNG Team, Barks & Recreation, Blush Photography, Digital Account Manager, Co-owner/Barkologist, Owner/Lead Photographer
Can you give us a brief background on what you do and your journey? From Reliability Test Engineer to Barkologist, I feel like I’ve done it all. My background in Electrical Engineering has shaped my mindset and developed the critical thinking skills I utilize in every area of running my two businesses, Barks & Recreation and Blush Photography. Aside from having a mind for business planning and management, my compassionate nature leads me to consider the needs of my customers, be they four legged or two. Since I believe empathy is an important aspect of being an entrepreneur, I’ve poured my soul into creating a hospitable pet-centric place where I’d feel comfortable leaving my own fur kids. Within three years, Deborah Hemstad and I transformed Barks & Recreation from a pet sitting business into a luxury pet resort with an innovative daycare enrichment program (opening March 2019). I’m ecstatic to tie in my photography business by including a studio in the new pet resort where I can focus more on families, pet portraits and adoptable dogs! You are in the process of starting and opening a business. How do you feel the program prepared/ shaped you for this new adventure? I grew up an athlete who thrived competing against other women. The United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s
Leadership Program showed me the benefits of lifting up other women instead of judging or comparing myself to them. The program helped me build confidence in myself, see my potential and shifted my focus towards what really drove me towards greatness. I’m so grateful for how it helped me realign (or finally realize) my life’s mission and goals which resulted in a career change. What has surprised you the most about your entrepreneurial journey? How supportive everyone has been. I’ve always had the caretaker-type personality. It was initially hard for me to reach out and ask for help. My family really stepped up to help with our own dogs plus my two-legged son (I was pregnant when we started building Barks & Recreation – oh boy!). A lot of people think it would be so great to be your own boss. The reality is you end up working longer, harder, and for less (or even no) pay at times. The funny thing is, when you pursue your true passion like I have, none of that matters. It doesn’t feel like work that I have to do. It’s something I freely want to do. And enjoy doing. If you’re going to fail, fail fast. Not every idea pans out. My mom has always said, “It’s not a failure. It’s just a test that didn’t work.” Sometimes you pour in so much blood, sweat, and tears that you get emotionally attached to an idea or startup.
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Hannah Lange
Samantha Wojcik
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The NDSU Women in Business Group is providing the ultimate business experience
BY Jennifer Gades PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen
hink back to your first job after college. For many, we were clad in a discount Target suit, knees shattering with nerves, walking with fake confidence and shaking with a hand that resembled a dead fish. The confidence you exude today likely took time to build. You had missed opportunities, didn’t properly negotiate your wages and you probably came up with plenty of great ideas that got presented under someone else's name. If you knew you could do it all over
again and start off with the knowledge you have now, you would, right? A group of women at NDSU are doing just that – they're getting a head start on the real world lessons most of us had to learn the hard way. Hanna Lange and Samantha Wojcik have struck a cord that is resonating with women across the campus. The Women in Business Group they founded this past fall has already grown to more than 90 registered members. Lange and Wojcik had joined the investment club, BisonFun, and were impressed with the resources and opportunities
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The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report found that the amount of female leaders in the workplace has increased by an average of only
the group gave them. They found themselves feeling out of place, however. They were frequently the only females in not only the group, but in the board rooms they visited. "We need to change this. We need more women in this profession," Lange said. Together, they started making calls and forming their new group, Women in Business. The NDSU College of Business Board and various community members donated money and helped them build connections with local businesses to aid in their new venture becoming such a wild success. "There are so many specific groups on campus and something that I struggled with right away was which one do I fit in, and this one just kind of encompasses all women in business," Wojcik explained. Members have the opportunity to attend two business tours or professional speaker events and two community-bonding activities each month. "We wanted to get all the girls to know each other because in our society there is so much of a girlagainst-girl mentality that we wanted to build a mentality
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of women that support each other within the College of Business," Wojcik said. Local business executives have presented to the group about valuable career issues that aren't typically taught in the classroom, such as how to stand out in a crowd, negotiate pay, write a cover letter, goal map and even utilize your LinkedIn account. "I hope to see more women pursuing majors that they otherwise wouldn't have if they didn't have this organization pushing them to do that. We just really want to build confidence in the women in the college and in the community," Lange said. They hope to begin to connect with area high schools and start promoting women to go into careers that have historically been maledominated. Many of their guest speakers have voiced how women tend to stand in their own way. A Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for a job when they meet only 60 percent of the qualifications, but women only apply if they meet all of them. More troubling, the World
over the past ten years. At this rate, the report states, it would take 217 years to close the economic gap.
Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, which looked at data gathered from LinkedIn, found that the amount of female leaders in the workplace has increased by an average of only 2 percent over the past ten years. At this rate, the report states, it would take 217 years to close the economic gap. Lange and Wojick's goal is to remove the barrier women put up in front of themselves. They would also love to partner with more area businesses and attend local and national conferences as a group to gain more exposure to a variety of networking and skill-building opportunities. Women In Business has not only filled a need on campus,
but it has also given Lange and Wojick a crash course in executive leadership. "It has honestly been the best thing that I have done in my entire life," Lange explained. "I have gotten so much out of it. Even learning how to be a leader. Being an executive and having a team of girls that rely on you to be so organized and on top of everything has really taught me a lot and just how to lead effectively and to make sure everyone on your team is satisfied and knows what they're doing and feels happy. "A leader is so many different things. There are so many things that go into being a good leader, and everyone says that they are a good leader but until you actually practice it a lot, it is really hard. You don't actually really know. So I guess this has just really taught me a lot about myself and where I need to improve," Lange continued.
Want to get involved? Contact Hannah.R.Lange@ ndsu.edu or Samantha. Wojcik@ndsu.edu.
For three years, she has been the only girl in the groups she’s joined. Yet instead of finding groups with established female memberships, she stands tall and encourages other girls to join. She’s presented in front of hundreds of people at over 25 speaking engagements and won $1,750 on Shark Tank to start her own business. She is now the CEO of her own company. Did I mention she is only 14 years old? BY Jennifer Gades PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen
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ZOE BUNDY
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Zoe Bundy was the only girl in her sixth grade tech group of 30 people. In 7th grade, she joined a science club that had 20 boys and only one other girl. Now, an eighth grader, Bundy is the only girl on their 41 member LEGO team and she has been actively making sure that trend changes. Through the Entrepreneurs Academy, Bundy was awarded money to start her business, BrainyLadies, and build a website that produces content geared toward encouraging young women to enter into STEM careers. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These fields have been historically dominated by males and that is a trend that Bundy has seen continue in the groups and clubs that prepare young adults for these careers today.
Through her speaking engagements, website and active voice, Bundy is making an impact. She frequents the UCode Girl and Fargo Air Camps and is always striving to encourage more girls to participate. Fargo Air Camp is a free air camp on the weekends that typically sees about 40 boys - and Bundy. By the end of February 2019, the camp saw 20 girls attending the weekend camp. Club participation is not the only way Bundy is making an impact, however. Local students are grabbing on to her entrepreneurial spirit and starting their own companies as well. Mallory Stavenger, 11, and Haven Meng, 10, were inspired by Bundy and decided that they should take the leap and start their own business as well, Besties Slime Shack. “You never know what it’s going to be like unless you try it,” said Stavenger. “It’s good to start now because then you can be really successful as you get older.”
HAVEN MENG
MALLORY STAVENGER
Visit Zoe Bundy’s website brainyladies.net
Check out slimes ranging from $5-$13 at Besties Slime Shack etsy.com/shop/ BestiesSlimeShack
“It’s not going to be handed to you. You have to work for it,” added Meng. “If you start when you have the mind to do it and the belief that you can do it, it will make you pretty successful.” Bundy has enjoyed seeing the girls start their own business and has even purchased some of their slimes herself. “I don’t think I really had anyone in my life that showed me that you can just do anything. It was kind of more resistant on that area so building a hero is what I needed and I think it’s cool that they’re grabbing on to it. You can do anything, no matter your age,” she said. “I think it’s been going really well. Just to see them too. They have some awesome dreams and passions and they are really going for it. It scares me a little. I think they are going really far but I am really excited to see that it has been making an impact.”
Bundy will be presenting at the TechSavvy and Stemtastic event at the University of Jamestown on March 15th. This event is open to the public and is expected to bring in about 500 seventh and eighth graders that are interested in STEM careers. Bundy, who hopes to one day be an astronaut or a pilot, is passionate about the STEM fields because “it sparks curiosity in people. It also allows them to be who they want to be and be creative.” The girls hope that more young boys and girls will follow their dreams and take the leap into entrepreneurship as well. “You can do it. You can do anything if you believe you can do it. If you’re scared to do it, just go ahead and try it, you can always stop,” said Meng. “Or change your idea,” added Bundy. “And if you’re not successful, you will learn from your mistakes and it will help you.”
Strength In Why This Group Is On Track To Become Largest In The Nation BY Jennifer Gades PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen
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“I feel like it is easier to have a greater impact here because everyone actually wants to do it, to lift each other up.” - Alice Ancel
“I never thought I would be in technology. I never did. And I lived close to Microsoft Fargo,” stated Nicole Sayler, Partner Development Manager at Microsoft. Sayler has been at Microsoft for three years now after being recruited by some friends. When they first approached her about making the move, she quickly dismissed them, thinking there was no way she could thrive in a technologybased company. Not only has she been super successful, she is now leading a team of like-minded women through the Women in Technology group, a team that is quickly making waves in the Fargo area. Microsoft itself hosts the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners where Microsoft employees and partners can come together and network. Within this group, members began to identify a small yet strong group of women and saw a need to form a special network around them. As of November 2018, this group of women has separated from the Microsoft name and become a chapter of Women In Technology (WIT), a global organization for any woman in the technology field. Becoming a chapter of WIT allowed the group to broaden their reach and include members who are in any technology career or pursing a technical career. With more than 80 chapters in 40 countries, local WIT members have found a great support system for what can be an isolating place for a woman. “Right now, Microsoft is 26 percent women, which is insane,” Sayler explained. “Especially on this campus, we have a large sales organization, so you would think you would see the scales shift a little bit. The other interesting part of it is in the deeper technical 60
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roles and in management roles, there is only 19 percent women.” Sayler explained that Microsoft has placed a focus on diversity and inclusion this year, making it one of their core priorities. They even brought Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, to a Women in Technology luncheon during their Partner Conference as a surprise speaker. Despite having a great amount of support from the company, the numbers of women in the field are just not where they need to be. As of December, in a mere two months, the Fargo WIT chapter has already grown to more than 70 members, making them one of the largest chapters in the United States. The Fargo chapter is just getting started, so what makes the Women in Technology chapter in Fargo so different? “I don’t know if it’s about technology, but there is definitely something different about Fargo,” explained Alice Ancel, Canada Channel Manager at Microsoft. “Here, it is a true community. I have lived in big cities, and you don’t find a community where any time you need somebody, someone knows someone who knows someone. Everyone is super welcoming here, and everyone wants to get involved in some type of way in the community. I feel like it is easier to have a greater impact here because everyone actually wants to do it, to lift each other up.” Ancel moved to the United States from Paris, France, 10 years ago and relocated to Fargo through her work at Microsoft in October 2017. After working with Sayler, she was asked to help co-chair the local WIT chapter. “I am
also using this as my network in Fargo,” she explained. “It is one thing to be in Fargo and meet other women. It is another thing to move from another area to Fargo and look for other like-minded women in the community.” Each month, members of the local Fargo chapter attend a Coffee Connect event where they bring in guest speakers, recommend books and network together to support each other. They also stay connected to the members of other chapters with global network calls. On those calls, they talk about what they’re doing in their chapter locally and hear what other groups are doing to make a difference. They even have a WhatsApp group that encourages and supports each other on a daily basis. “We are really using WIT as that platform for any woman to get to where they think they can’t get,” Ancel explains. A prime example of this mission is their partnership with the MISS WIT program. MISS WIT, which stands for Many Individuals Seeking Success, allows members to mentor college-going women on basic success skills. WIT members help the students learn how to do their finances, put together a resume, use LinkedIn and more. In the second half of their semester in the program, they create an application that a local charity can use. Each student submits a request for a scholarship,
and then money is awarded to help put the applications into action. WIT is also about giving back to the FM community. This winter, they are running the “What’s Your Power Suit?” initiative with the Jeremiah Program. The Fargo WIT team is mentoring six mothers who are part of the Jeremiah Program in Fargo-Moorhead and taking them out to pick an outfit they can wear to their first interviews, board meetings and other professional events as they enter the workforce. The women will also receive personalized baskets with feel-good, empowering items like face masks, jewelry, accessories and lipsticks. The WIT women recognize that these mothers are spending the majority of their money and energy on their children all while going to school to better their futures. They wanted to be able to give back to the mothers and do something for the women themselves. Whether they are helping each other find new jobs, recommending a good book or podcast or helping educate young men and women on the opportunities within the technology field, Fargo WIT is making waves globally. Sayler explained, “It is not about the partnership between Microsoft and partners; it is about women and technology and networking and building each other up.” (from left) Tanya Beutler (previous chair), Nicole Sayler (current co-chair), Alice Ancel (current co-chair)
Are you interested in joining WIT? Visit thewitnetwork.com or email Alice Ancel at Alice.Ancel@microsoft.com or Nicole Sayler at nsayler@microsoft.com. FARGOINC.COM
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MELISSA ROGNE President & Founder Rejuv Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Who she is... Melissa is known as a pioneer in the aesthetics industry: she became one of the first Licensed Medical Aestheticians in North Dakota after graduating from St. Paul Technical College. In 2005 she opened Rejuv. Her vision was to create a unique facility that provides a positive working environment for like-minded colleagues in the aesthetic industry – those that had love and passion for the work they do on a daily basis and for the clients they treat. As an innovator, Melissa’s goal is to advance the industry while advancing care and technology at Rejuv. She loves to be on the cutting edge and she loves to learn and use that new information to raise the bar on service offerings and technology. Worst piece of advice she’s ever received... Hide your stress/worries from your team. Don’t ever let them in on things that aren’t going right. Don’t let them see you sweat. I actually do the exact opposite. I am a total open book. We share everything our successes, our challenges, my hopes, dreams and fears. They get the 100% authentic Melissa - not a version of who I think they should see. What she would give a TED talk on... Women in the workplace - and how we can bust all the myths the exist. I’m so annoyed when people say “Oh, poor you, you have to work with all those
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women”. Um - NO - I GET to work with all these women, and they are kind, and supportive, and fun and professional. If she could only thank one person, it would be... My husband, Cory. He has worked up here with me since our daughter was born - 8 years ago. And to be honest - it’s usually him cleaning the dust bunnies and folding towels! He has always done whatever it takes to support me so I can shine, all the while getting little recognition for himself. He is the glue that holds everything together!! I don’t know that I would ever have had the confidence to do all the crazy things I’ve done without him believing that I could do it!! Her media recommendation... I am such a huge fan of Patrick Lencioni’s work - 5 dysfunctions, The Advantage, The Ideal Team player - I read and re read them and have purchased them for my entire team!!! The concept that the true competitive advantage in any industry is TEAMWORK just rings to true for me. Her “why”.... I love making people happy and when they leave Rejuv feeling better than they did when they walked in - it sparks true joy for me. When I take my laps through the lobby to “meet and greet” - and see all of the smiles and hugs - my why is front and center!!
Faces of
Fargo Business
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Faces of
Fargo Business
SARAH KOUSTRUP Chief Operating Officer National Hospitality Services
Who she is... Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, I started my career in Human Resources, working for outstanding companies like Citi and Midco while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management and Business Administration. In 2011, I moved with my husband and daughter to Fargo working for Microsoft before joining National Hospitality Services in 2012. I lead a team of talented individuals both in our Fargobased corporate office, as well as 32 hotels across the country, including the Delta by Marriott, Staybridge Suites and Hawthorn Suites here in Fargo. The worst piece of advice she’s ever received... “Smile pretty and nod.” The manager that told me this was one of the only female managers in that company at the time. She told me that she felt much of her success was because she had the ability to simply listen and get along. I believe in listening, collaboration and a positive work environment, but I think that the very best companies are those where employees feel comfortable sharing feedback, pushing back when appropriate and having leaders with the ability to use that information to make the company better. How her job is different than you may think... My job and type of company is unique, but I think that people have the perception that anyone with a “C Suite” level job manages “on high” from their office and plays a great deal of golf. The reality is that my job is extremely
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collaborative. I spend every day working with members of our team at every level of the organization. I am a strong believer in surrounding yourself with people that are smarter than you, and I love the daily brainstorming, debating and learning that happens with our team every day. I also love going to our hotels getting to know our employees, learning about what works and what doesn’t and listening to their ideas and concerns. As for the golf, I am spectacularly terrible at all sports, especially golf. If she could thank one person she would thank... My grandfather, Joe H. Floyd. As one of the founders of what is today Midco (a regional telecommunications company), he showed me the importance of treating employees well, empowering them to go above and beyond for customers and to never be afraid of change. I am so grateful for his nononsense advice on all topics big and small and his constant push to be brave, work hard and never give up. A local resource she enjoys... I love the work that the FMWF Chamber of Commerce does in our community. We partner regularly with them on local events, and I am always impressed by the range and quality of the work they do. One program I just don’t think you hear about enough is the Young Entrepreneurs Academy that works with high school students to start and run a real business. It’s an incredible program that does incredible work with young people, providing them skills and lessons that they will use for a lifetime.
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Faces of
Fargo Business
DR. CARRIE BRIMHALL President Minnesota State Community and Technical College Who she is.... I have the privilege of serving as the president of Minnesota State Community and Technical College, with campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. With credit and non-credit courses, we have the opportunity to impact the lives of nearly 15,000 students annually. My role is to empower our employees to help students reach their highest potential and achieve their dreams. In my role, I focus on developing and empowering teams, striving for continuous improvement and using value-driven strategies to facilitate culture changes that impact student success.
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The worst advice she’s ever received... The worst advice I ever received was that I needed to care less about people and become “more cutthroat� if I was ever going to become a successful leader. In reality, I believe the more we care about the people we lead and serve, the more successful our organizations will be. A connections-driven culture where people feel empowered, supported and appreciated can drive any organization to higher performance.
What the community can do to help... Reach out to discuss your needs and interests. When people realize my job includes serving four campuses and communities, they often say they don’t reach out to me because they don’t want to bother me. I am never too busy to care about the things that are important to the people and the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on our responsiveness, innovation and adaptability. We consider ourselves a connectionsdriven, value-added institution of higher education. So please, call, text, email, connect via social media or bring me a cup of coffee. I would love to hear how we can partner.
The drive behind her work... As a first-generation community college graduate, I am undoubtedly passionate about the mission of community and technical colleges because I know that education can change lives. Over 22 years at M State, I have witnessed students achieve their dreams after so many obstacles were put in their way. I do what I do because I believe in people, and I believe that with the right support and mentoring they can use their skills and talents to change the world. This is WHO I am, and it is so much bigger than what I DO. It is the reason why I have butterflies in my stomach and a hop in my step every single day when I go in to work.
Nukhet Hendricks, Executive Director of Homeward Animals Shelter is also the Founder of She Leads Fearlessly. She is leading with strength and without fear while coaching other women leaders to do the same. sheleadsfearlessly.com
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Leading With Strength And Without Fear BY NUKHET HENDRICKS Founder of She Leads Fearlessly, Executive Director of Homeward Animal Shelter
“
Y
ou are too strong for a woman. Take it down a notch!”
This was the worst and the best advice I received during the very early days of my leadership in Fargo! It was the worst advice because I allowed it to define me. As a multicultural woman leader, I wanted to fit into my new community I had embraced as my home. So, I spent more years than I care to
remember trying to embrace this advice. Playing down my strength got me a few brownie points, but my leadership became a high-end prison of my own making because I wasn’t living up to my full potential and I felt like I was suffocating. I woke up one day not knowing who I’d become because I had been “dialing myself and my strength down” for so long that I had lost “me” in the process. It was the best advice I received because if I hadn’t gone through this journey, I
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would have never truly understood that “my strength” was the container for my authenticity; that it held the best version of me; my kindness, compassion and love for myself and for others; especially those I was charged to lead. I would have never really understood what it means to lead as “yourself,” not as someone else’s idea of “you!” I learned so much on this journey. There are so many lessons I still keep weaving into my
1
Get to know yourself Take time to get to know yourself very intimately. Get clear on your values that define the way you live your life. Know your strengths, what you bring to the table and how these strengths and gifts weave in to your leadership. Decide who you want to be and how you want to show up as a leader. Figure out your “why,” and have a vision for your leadership. Leadership is an inside/out job. As a result of this, you create space in your leadership for greater self-expression.
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Own your power The power I am talking about is not the power over others. The power I believe in is the power and the confidence that come from knowing yourself so intimately that no one, but no one, can get you off track; you won’t be swayed and walk away from who you are. You will confidently stand up for your worth. You will know what you bring to the table. The kind of power I am talking about is being able to practice empathy and compassion for those you lead and work with. It is knowing who you are at your best and not being afraid to show up that way.
leadership every day. These are the lessons that enable me show up, stand up and speak up as a woman leader. I know the challenge I experienced is not unique to “multicultural woman leaders.” Women leaders out there are being challenged every day in one way or another. I want to share the lessons I learned on my journey, the lessons I wish I had known at the beginning of my career. I am confident they will resonate with you.
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Don’t try to be anyone else You have a leadership potential unique to you that sets you apart from other leaders. But this potential will go untapped and unused if you believe you have to be someone else in order to be an effective and successful leader to meet the expectations of others. You DO YOU! If you have mentors, make sure they are holding up the mirror for you to see your own brilliance. Having mentors and leaders you admire do not mean you need to be “just like them.” Learn from them and use that knowing to bring out the best in yourself. Build your leadership on what you want and who you want to be, not what others want for you and from you! Leading as who you are creates professional and personal success, and you nurture the next generation of women leaders by modeling it. Would your family or friends recognize you if they see you at work? Or would they wonder what happened to the women they know outside of work? Being one person at work and someone else at home is exhausting. It leaves you so tired that you cannot sleep it off. It catches up with you and prevents you from creating the impact you long for.
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Let’s face it! You are leading every day! You are leading your organizations, your own companies, your households. You are leading in the boardroom, in the House, in the Senate. You owe it to yourselves and to the generations of women leaders to come to show up with all of your gifts and talents, and not leave a thing on the table.
Never stop learning Do not ever underestimate your knowledge and expertise you already have and brought you where you are today. In the meantime, don’t stop stretching yourself and expanding your knowledge and skills, but do not allow the “learning” and “growing” to paralyze you from practicing what you already know. Be a lifelong student who also practices everything she learns every day.
Take care of you Self-care is not a luxury or self-indulgence. Self-care is mandatory to a successful leadership. You cannot pour out of an empty cup. Rest, have fun, let yourself enjoy what you enjoy doing with unbridled abundance and passion, so that when you are back at work, you can continue to be the best version of you.
Contribute to change for the next generation of women leaders Model the kind of leadership that you wanted and needed when you first started your journey. Nurture the gifts and talents of those you lead. Give them every opportunity to lead and shine brilliantly. As you move up, always reach back to raise others with you!
The world is ready for the strong voices of women leaders. The world is ready for the strong, confident and fearless women leaders to become the norm, not remain the exception. This is your time. Stand Up! Step Up! Speak UP! Lead powerfully and fearlessly.
OFFICE SIGN COMPANY’S GUIDELINE TO
Branding on a Budget W
e can all agree that signage is necessary to boost your brand, even if it’s not always the first area in which you’d like to spend your marketing dollars. There is a silver lining to this misconception, however. While still receiving high-quality products and services, you can easily save money with tips directly from your local sign shop: Office Sign Company! The signage industry is an excellent resource to build your brand, set your business apart and attract attention. Most sign shops have the means to produce name badges, ADA compliant interior signs, promotional material, event signage, awards, gifts and so much more. We know that all of these signs (especially when ordered in bulk) can cost a pretty penny. Fortunately for you, it doesn’t have to. BY Rylee Wznick PHOTOS BY Office Sign Company
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5 WAYS we can help you save your marketing dollars on your next sign purchase
1 Navigate The Discounts Contrary to popular belief, marketers try to make our discounts as evident as possible. The same is true for the marketing team behind signage companies. For example, every week, part of Office Sign Company’s Marketing and Graphic Design team meet to brainstorm new promotions. Ideation for these promotions is based on popular office signage sold this time last year. Or, we just pay attention to upand-coming trends. Then we give you a percentage off! It’s a relatively simple process on the marketing end, and they aim to make it simple on your end, too. You can typically find these promotions in the following three ways: 1. Subscribe to their e-newsletter 2. Follow them on social media 3. Give them a call!
2 Check Your Inbox Newsletters are typically sent out once a week or once a month to stay relevant to customers. This leaves you a number of opportunities to take advantage of promotions. These promotions can range from BOGO deals to generous percentages off. And sometimes they’ll maybe give out a free t-shirt “just because.” By finding your signage shop on social media, you may come across a spontaneous “Like and Share” competition to win free name badges for your team! And, it does no harm to give them a call and ask what kind of deals they’re running. After all, their number is provided in the “Contact Us” section of their website for a reason! Case in point: their marketing departments are looking for ways to give you deals. Take advantage of them!
3 Order In Bulk When ordering for a business, odds are you’re going to have to order more than one sign, nameplate or promotional swag item. In some scenarios, there may be a “minimum purchase requirement” that requires the customer to purchase at least 100 of a certain item or make an account before proceeding with the order. This is for means of business; it’s nothing personal, though it can be frustrating. This isn’t always the case. At our company, for example, there is no minimum purchase with any of our signage or services. But if you need to order in bulk, quantity discounts are available! In fact, they’re often preferred in the signage industries. Production Personnel requires a certain set-up process depending on your order. If you order in bulk, you’re really doing them and yourself a favor. Thank you for that!
4 Use Alternative Materials If you’re unfamiliar with signage slang and you’re overwhelmed by your options, fret not. Most every signage industry you do business with will be happy to educate you. It never hurts to ask! Whether it’s swapping out a steel substrate for a less expensive aluminum, a highend wrap vinyl for a lesserknown brand or a metal letter for a metal-laminated plastic, there are tons of opportunities for you to save dollars on your signs. If you ask them honestly, “What alternative materials do you have for this sign?” they will not try to up-sell you. They consider all variables before putting your order through: material, mounting, placement, etc.
5 Initiate A Negotiation If the cost of production allows, the account representative you’re in contact with will try to be as competitive as possible with their quotes. The signage industry doesn’t like to be “out-bid,” so to speak, and you have the power to negotiate! Our goal at Office Sign Company is to expand our capabilities with every opportunity presented to us. The same is probably true for the signage company you’re in contact with. If you have a custom project in mind, sell them with the opportunity, and they will do what they can to deliver a fair price. Depending on your company’s industry, signage companies are often open to trade agreements! Keeping a limit per year in mind, there are a plethora of advantages to the “give and take” of trade between businesses. If your agreement is compelling enough, you may be seeing fresh signage in your office before 2020 – all of which was done with a little trade, negotiation, navigation and knowledge of alternative materials.
Don’t let the fear of signage costs keep you from boosting your brand! Take advantage of these budgetfriendly tips the next time you place an order at any sign shop. service@officesigncompany.com 701-526-3838
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BY Laura Caroon
Just a year after moving to the area for a job at Microsoft, Theresa Garrett is working to make tech more inclusive and diverse through Arise! Communities.
Theresa Garrett
Q&A Q In a brief summary, what do you do? A I’m a Customer Success Manager at Microsoft. I educate, assist and empower companies towards success within Azure. Q What’s your favorite part about what you do? A Building relationships and speaking with our customers, hands down! Q We know you are a (somewhat) new transplant to Fargo, ND. Can you tell us what brought you here at how your transition has gone? A I moved to Fargo a year ago to work at Microsoft. Getting involved with Ladyboss within months of being in Fargo and being intentional with people helped make my transition positive. Q What’s this we hear about this new cool organization called ARISE!? A Myself, along with DOPE AF ladyboss co-founders, Kirsten Henagin and April Stevenson, are starting Arise! Communities,
What are your top must-read books for Ladybosses or people in business?
an inclusive and diverse community of tech enthusiasts in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
“Becoming” by Michelle Obama
“Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person” by Shonda Rhimes
“Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry
Arise! provides classes for the FM community to learn tech skills, and have challenging conversations. We want to talk about what it means to a minority in the midwest, or be a woman in a male-dominated industry, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community or those that do not fit the social norms. We want to impact marginalized groups that are often forgotten or not included in the tech industry. We are excited to create this space in the community. All are welcome at Arise! Q What do you hope for the organization and our community of women in tech? A Specifically for women in tech, I want a community that uplifts and pushes each other to do and be better. For Arise!, I hope that everyone feels welcome and part of the community no matter what. We focus on women in tech, but if you don’t identify as a woman or to a gender binary—you are also welcome at Arise! Communities. We are gender inclusive, not exclusive.
Q How do you stay current? A The internet, social media and NPR help me stay current on any and everything. Q What was the best career advice you’ve ever received or have to offer? A Don’t talk about it, be about it. Q Do you have any go-to stress management practices/strategies? A To-do lists help me manage my stress. Every day, I write out the five things that have to get done that day, having the list allows me to see my progress and focus my energy on getting them done. Q How are you taking better care of yourself in 2019? A Taking better care of yourself is a process, and I’m enjoying the process while drinking more water.
TWO RIVERS ACTIVITY CENTER // Jamestown, ND
ZerrBergArchitects.com
PRESENTED BY
SECURITYONPOINT
EXPOSED: HOW TO KEEP YOUR INFORMATION
SAFE AND SECURE Have you ever been embarrassed by something a co-worker saw on your computer screen? Has someone sent an embarrassing email from your unlocked PC while you were getting a cup of coffee? Is there a chance you gave away information to a stranger looking at your screen in a coffee shop? In any of these scenarios, you could have unknowingly exposed sensitive information. Sensitive information could be user names, passwords, social security numbers or credit card information. Sensitive business information could include emails, financial data, customer records or trade secrets. Unfortunately, prying eyes and unlocked computers can lead to data leaks. That’s why protecting sensitive information is everyone’s responsibility.
By Jamie Maguire
High Point Networks is a value-added reseller (VAR) of information technology providing solutions to both the SMB and enterprise level markets in the upper Great Plains. They offer organizations best-in-class voice and data networking solutions, supported by the best professional services team in the region. Their solutions solve real challenges and provide measurable return on investment.
highpointnetworks.com • 728 E Beaton Dr, West Fargo FARGOINC.COM
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PRESENTED BY
FOLLOW THESE FOUR TIPS
FOR SECURING YOUR SENSITIVE INFORMATION:
1.
2.
3.
Be conscious of what information is visible on your desk when others are in the room. Stacks of paper invite prying eyes. Put printed documents, sticky notes and notebooks in a drawer when you leave your desk. Any documents that you need to keep for a period of time should be kept out-of-site - locked drawers and filing cabinets are good choices. Remove any items such as sticky notes or documents that may contain sensitive information that are no longer needed.
Any files or documents that are removed as a result of your decluttering should be disposed of securely. This includes shredding them yourself with a paper shredder or using a trusted third-party service. Shredding the documents ensures that even if the documents are recovered as a result of dumpster diving, they will be useless. When disposing of computers, the hard drives should be securely wiped or destroyed.
Be conscious of what information is displayed for others to view, even if they are just walking by your workspace. If you’re leaving your desk for even a minute to grab a cup of coffee or water, it is always a good idea to lock your workstation. If your workstation is locked, this prevents anyone from tampering with your PC. A popular prank at our office is to change a victim’s desktop background to an unsavory picture. On a more serious note, leaving your workstation unlocked could expose sensitive information the same way leaving out documents or sticky notes could. Locking your PC is as simple as hitting the “Windows” and “L” key at the same time.
Declutter your Workspace
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Securely dispose of information
Lock your workstation
4.
Protect data outside of the office When working in a public setting such as an airport or coffee shop, it’s a good idea to make sure that sensitive information cannot be viewed by anyone around you. This is often called “Shoulder Surfing” and scammers use this technique to gather information. You might want to consider a computer screen privacy filter. When storing a laptop in a car, place it in the vehicle’s trunk or under a seat so it is not visible. Often vehicle break ins are crimes of opportunity, so it is recommended to keep valuables out of sight. For the IT folks: consider encrypting the hard drives on laptops, then if a laptop does go missing you have less to worry about.
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Amy Hass Senior Vice President
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McKenzy Olson Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations
E H T T CU P A R C
G N I T A C I N U COMM E C N E D I F N O WITH C
BY KRISTEN QUICK
A
few years ago, I sat in a meeting at a new job and ineffectively participated in a brainstorm. In hindsight, I had good ideas. But I sold them short, cautiously chiming in and qualifying my contributions with phrases like, “Well, I don’t know if this would ever work” and “Just throwing it out there.” I was meek, and my boss noticed. I’ll never forget being pulled into his office after the meeting. My boss told me to cut it out and be more confident because we couldn’t have smart people being silent. I took his message to heart and appreciated the feedback, but fast forward five years and speaking up with confidence is still something I struggle with at times. I know I’m not alone.
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I spoke to Cat Kingsley Westerman, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at North Dakota State University about why women especially seem to play it safe in business by using soft language. Dr. Kingsley Westerman said this is common and easy for women to do because we don’t violate stereotypes when we’re “nice” in professional contexts, and in general, we tend to be more focused on relationships than our male counterparts may be. For me, using soft language, qualifying my ideas and playing it safe is often my way of not stepping on toes, or an attempt to maintain credibility if I feel unqualified to speak about a certain topic. Since that moment in my boss’s office, I’ve viewed these tendencies as a weakness. But Dr. Kingsley Westerman said women can use this to their advantage in certain situations.
“Soft language and tone can be effective strategies for leveling the playing field and making others feel comfortable, and this is something that women often do well. This can promote inclusiveness, effective collaboration and idea sharing,” she said. “The key is knowing when to use these techniques and when to avoid them and opt for more direct communication. Your strategy should really depend on the goal of the interaction.” According to Dr. Kingsley Westerman, “politeness theory” might explain why women often constrain their communication. Women grow up being told to be “nice” and society reinforces that expectation even in business, which can make women feel obligated to be polite, either because they were taught that or feel that it’s expected. When politeness theory is at play, we adopt social skills to protect ours and others’ self-image (also
SPEAK UP, LADIES!
Tips for effective communication 1
Know when and how to strategically use politeness. Understand when it’s productive to use “face saving” strategies in business, and understand when it is productive to be direct, even if it’s is perceived as rude for a woman. 2
Edit yourself. Remove distancing language from your vocabulary. Don’t apologize for things that aren’t your fault and stop qualifying your ideas. Your self-deprecation may be funny for a while, but it can do damage over time. 3
Use silence. Stop talking. Silence, while sometimes awkward, can be effective for putting the pressure on someone else. When making a pitch or negotiating something, make your request or question clear, then shut up. The more you say, the more likely you are to start using weak language. 4
Don’t wait to be invited to the conversation. It’s easy to think that the person who’s talking the most knows the most, but that isn’t true. Don’t wait for dominant voices to invite you into the conversation. Speak up if you have something to say. 5
Enlist an ally. Know the situations that may cause you to back down and ask your boss or someone else to be your ally. Talk about strategies for changing interactions that aren’t productive. Dr. Kingsley Westerman likes to use silent brainstorming so that everyone’s ideas are collected. 6
Be an ally for others. In addition to being aware of what situations may cause you to use less confident communication, pay attention to the styles of those around you and create an environment where people are comfortable speaking up (men should do this, too!). Reinforce the contributions of those around you by using encouraging and inclusive language, like “great idea” and “what do you think?”
known as “face”) to feel and provide affirmation in a given social interaction. “Face saving” behaviors are used to strengthen rapport and relationships with those around us. As an example, if you observe someone being interrupted in a meeting, rather than calling out the interrupter, you might invite the original speaker back into the conversation when time allows. Or, if you have an ask for a colleague you may try to minimize the way your request imposes on the other person by verbally acknowledging the inconvenience it may cause, saying things like, “I hope it’s not too much to ask…” or, “I know you’re really busy, but I was wondering if…” So, when are these behaviors appropriate in business? They may be helpful in one-on-one settings that require rapport or relationship-building. Employing politeness theory and facesaving efforts can also be useful in group settings that include one or two dominant people that cause others to back down. Leaders may find these techniques useful for promoting participation in team settings to help less-dominant employees (often women!) feel comfortable speaking up.
While being polite can be an advantage in business, sometimes a more direct approach is needed and that is completely fine. After all, women should be able to play by the same rules as our male counterparts, who are generally able to be direct without anyone batting an eye. What you say and how you say it impacts your ability to influence, which is a big part of our professional success. So, understand what it is you’re trying to accomplish and adjust your approach accordingly. Don’t use soft language, tone or body language during negotiations, when making a pitch, giving a presentation or advocating for something you need. If you tend to struggle and back down in these situations, Dr. Kingsley Westerman suggests taking advantage of other communication channels that may allow you to be more direct, such as email. “Electronic communication affords us time to develop and edit our message. Write out your communication, read it out loud and remove filler language that doesn’t convey confidence,” she said.
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Finding Love in the Unexpected
BY Jennifer Gades
Local business woman builds her dreams in a way she never imagined
R
elentless effort. This is a phrase that encompasses Whitney Walker’s philosophy on life and business. Walker owns both Beauty Bar by Whitney and Texas Best Express food truck in downtown Fargo. “Stop saying hard work,” her brother told her on a phone call before we met. “People associate hard with ‘negative’ and ‘undoable.’ Relentless effort.” Relentless effort is exactly what she has put in. She has opened two businesses in five months. Walker started her food truck business, Texas Best Express: home of the crunchy dog, in downtown Fargo in June 2018. But little did she realize the unexpected turns her journey would take. Texas Best Express is located on 4th street near an apartment building that is home to many people with cognitive delays, mental illnesses and alcohol and drug dependencies. The street is also home to a few bars. When Walker first opened, she became frustrated as she found many of her potential customers were crossing the road to avoid the daily congregation of people, many who
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had been drinking all day, in front of her food truck. Instead of vocalizing her frustration, Walker decided to offer them a cup of soup and a conversation to see where it would lead. Her hopes were that they would move to another block or maybe just go home and sober up. Instead the cup of soup led to much more. “We grew a bond,” Walker explained. “Soup turned into them picking up debris on the ground for me, turned into them being kind of my security guards because I work two shifts for the hot dog stand. So because I was out there by myself, they protected me. They were like my unpaid security for food, which was great. And then we grew a bond.” Soon these people whom Walker once saw as an obstacle to her new business were her biggest helpers. They were helping her clean up and fold up chairs at the Red River Market and other carnivals and bazaars, they put up lights for her and they visited her when her stand was slow. They weren’t the only visitors to Texas Best Express that would have a huge impact on
her entrepreneurial journey. A businessman who owns a few salons in town noticed her Beauty Bar by Whitney t-shirt one day when she did not have time to change between running her salon—then located out of her home—and opening the food truck for the day. After striking up a conversation regarding her shirt, he asked if he could come check out her home-based salon. They too formed a friendship. They met multiple times and talked about her fears. He went over Letter of Intent documents with Walker, he encouraged her and he told Walker to sleep on it. After analyzing the area, getting a good night sleep and a renewed sense of motivation, she decided to relocate Beauty Bar by Whitney to the Block 6 Building on Main Street in downtown Fargo. Her new helpers downtown came to chip in at the Beauty Bar as well, ripping up carpet and helping her decorate. One of the men, Roy, even built her daughter a beautifullycrafted lemonade stand to start her own entrepreneurial ventures in. “After that I said to myself you have to treat people with dignity. It doesn’t matter if they are laying on the floor asleep in the street in the middle
“And I felt terrible that I judged these people so much so in the beginning. That these people essentially, in the end, helped me build my entire dream.” of the day. They are still a person. They still used to do something and be someone. And I felt terrible that I judged these people so much so in the beginning. That these people essentially, in the end, helped me build my entire dream,” she said through her tears. Walker has found an outpouring of generosity and help from the Fargo community. “Everywhere I go there is some small connection or big connection, a business connection, and then my connection for everyone is that I provide beauty,” she continued. This help from the local business community to the new-found customers and friends she has met has helped shape her everyday approach toward business and life.
“My job is to make sure that you leave my salon with your skin feeling fresh and a lasting impression that will make you come back. And now you have turned from a customer to a client. And then you’ve gone from a client to my friend,” explained Walker. She values dedication, faith and kindness. “Relentless effort is what it is. That is how you win. That is how you get ahead. You go to bed at night, you wake up early, you thank God for rising, and you work. And you take care of your family. And you thank God again. And the more that you do that, it gets embedded in your brain and life is so much simpler for you. A lot of people and a lot of things are so unnecessary because we let it be unnecessary. I have learned that in business, in growing, it is best to stick to the simpler things.”
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Out of the Mouths of Sages
W
e have the great honor of working with many savvy women business owners. Each one with a fresh perspective and unique ideology of what it takes to run their business. As we look across our portfolio, there is one thing that they all have in common – wisdom. With experience comes wisdom. With wisdom comes the responsibility to share it. So, in the spirit of facilitating that process, we reached out to several of our woman-owned business borrowers and asked them to share some insights. Their responses will provide some valuable insight that may help other business owners or those thinking about making the leap. And the best part of all – any business owner or professional can benefit. Enjoy!
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BY STEVE DUSEK
DakotaBusinessLending.com Questions or comments? Email us at Insight@DakotaBusinessLending.com
Looking historically, if you could change one thing or make one decision differently for your business, what would it be & why?
I believe that everything happens for a reason, the journey that life gives you are lessons. I wouldn’t change anything that has happened during this journey, including the negatives. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I never had the path that I followed. Rebecca Alvarez - With Room Coffee, Minot
If I could change one thing about my business it would have to be technology, I wish I would have invested more on new technology because data is the best way to verify you are making good sound decisions. Shannon Michels – Karma Convenience Stores, Minot
I should have expanded quicker. I hesitated and that is my regret. Marcia Humphrey – Eddie and Barkus, Fargo
I wish that I knew when I first started that everyone will give you suggestions about what you should be doing to make your business better, or what you should sell. Make sure you weigh the suggestions move heavily of the people who are in your target market versus those who would be further on the fringe. A lot of people will make suggestions based on what they think would sell versus what they would actually buy. So, listen to your customer, just make sure it is YOUR customer who you are listening to. Amber Sander – Boots & Heels, Fargo and Devils Lake
Never underestimate the experience, knowledge you have and the difference you can make. You are worth more than you think, although you have to get down the road two to three years in your business success to truly realize that. MaryJane Nipstad – MJ Nipstad Management Solutions, Fargo
What is the most valuable piece of business advice that you have ever received and why?
“Learn how to do every job in the company.” Our company started out small (just the two of us and two patients, essentially!), and we were the receptionist, the billing department, the janitorial staff and the therapy staff. As our company has grown, it’s given us good perspective specific to the demands of each position and each department and helps us appreciate the great work and success that goes into a well-run company.
“Failure doesn’t exist. All actions in life produce results, the question to focus on is “What have I learned?” Never stop trying. This is the only key you need for success. The key to not stop trying is to believe in yourself. This is the advice I go back to over and over again. Andrea Grigsby – One Massage at a Time, Bismarck
Heather Arnt, M.S., CCC-SLP & Kelli Ellenbaum, M.S., CCC-SLP – Red Door Pediatric Therapy, Bismarck
Don’t let the one elephant in the room linger, you know what you have to do and do it. **Hire slow and fire fast. Bridget Gerhardt – Bridget’s Room, Bismarck
A good family friend told me “Hire out your payroll,” which I did and I’m glad I did it! Rachelle Sian – Spectrum Fitness, Minot
“Just get started”. As I am often challenged with perfectionistic tendencies, it can cause me to wait on taking action until I have everything perfectly in place and all plans in order. I have learned that in business, as well as in life, nothing is ever going to be perfectly in place or planned and what I needed to do most was to take action and just get started. The plans I had been developing were sufficient in getting me started and, once my business was opened, it allowed me to gain increased perspective and a reality-based view of what next steps I needed to take. Debby Moen – Me Time Relaxation & Wellness Studio, Fargo
Years ago, when I was dealing with a work crisis, a mentor told me, “worry about what you can control.” That advice seems simple but is it a fundamental point that I often have to remind myself to think about. As a small business owner, there are a wide variety of tasks that need my attention at any given time. Plus, our industry has undergone significant change and we have had to adjust our product line to accommodate that. By focusing on the things that I can control or have impact on, my time is spent efficiently. Beth Ehlis – FunShine Express, Dickinson
Don’t get emotional! (From my accountant in reference to a rejection on a bank loan). Things always work out the way they should! Cherie Harms – Leonardite Products, Williston
Your Game-Changing
BOOKS LINCHPIN
12 RULES FOR LIFE
ORIGINALS
By Seth Goodin
By Jordan B. Peterson
By Adam Grant
Recommended by Hannah Savoy, Marketing Manager at dogIDs
Recommended by Josh Humble, Finnu President, Hurd ProNetwork - Co-Founder, Cerulean Properties - Co-Founder
Recommended by Becky Walen, Senior Vice President - Senior Wealth Management Advisor
According to Jordan B Peterson: Order creates a well functioning world, it’s a place where things go according to the plan. It’s the all known world. On the other hand chaos is accidental by nature. It’s when things take a wrong turn, where you face the uncertain. You will learn how to alleviate yourself to higher standards so that you can live your life in the most satisfying way possible. You will learn how to not be a burden on others and become the hero of your own journey.
In Originals, Adam Grant addresses the challenge of improving the world from the perspective of becoming original: choosing to champion novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battle conformity, and buck outdated traditions. How can we originate new ideas, policies, and practices without risking it all?
There used to be two teams in every workplace: management and labor. Now there's a third team, the linchpins. These people figure out what to do when there's no rule book. They delight and challenge their customers and peers. They love their work, pour their best selves into it and turn each day into a kind of art.
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Every day, we're talking to business leaders in our community about their best business advice. That's why we asked them for a few of their favorite business book recommendations.
MARCH 2019
HOW TO WIN FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE By Dale Carnegie Recommended by Irina Sagert, Sanford Health
One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you six ways to make people like you, 12 ways to win people to your way of thinking and nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.
PRESENT OVER PERFECT: LEAVING BEHIND FRANTIC FOR A SIMPLER, MORE SOULFUL WAY OF LIVING By Shauna Niequist Recommended by Jayne Gust, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Sanford Health
In these pages, New York Times bestselling author Shauna Niequist invites you to consider the landscape of your own life, and what it might look like to leave behind the pressure to be perfect and begin the life-changing practice of simply being present, in the middle of the mess and the ordinariness of life.
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CALENDAR
BUSINESS EVENTS
2019
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EVERY WEDNESDAY 1 Million Cups 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Join the vibrant entrepreneurial community of Fargo-Moorhead and Emerging Prairie by participating in an event filled with guest speakers, plenty of coffee, ideas and excellent networking opportunities. Speakers: March 6 Jeff Young of Evolution1/WEX and Craig Rupp from Sabanto March 13 Dhiraj Sharan of Query AI March 20 Kevin Black of Creedence Energy and Joel Brown of Mineral Tracker March 27 Marguerite Scott of Take 12
1millioncups.com/fargo The Stage at Island Park 333 4th St. S., Fargo
MARCH 6 Leading Ladies Luncheon Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The North Dakota Women’s Business Center is celebrating Women’s History Month with a panel that features five of North Dakota’s leading ladies. Join us to learn from, connect with and be inspired by this network of visionary women. Tickets range from $30 – $35 Find tickets on eventbrite.com DoubleTree by Hilton & West Fargo Conference Center 825 East Beaton Drive, West Fargo
MARCH 12 MARCH 8 Social Media Breakfast
Activate Your Marketing: Creating Your Brand Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Learn more about the power of employee advocacy, a strategy that empowers your employees to share their unique perspective on social media. Kirsten Jensen, the Chief Marketing Officer at Minnesota State University Moorhead and founder of Next Action Digital and Anna Larson, the Development Associate/Volunteer Coordinator at CCRI will speak at this event.
While financing is a major aspect of starting or expanding a business, Dakota Business Lending knows the journey does not end there, but has only just begun. They have started their very own FREE “Activate Women” learning workshop series - Activate Your Marketing: Creating Your Brand. Learn from entrepreneurs throughout the community and dive into perhaps one of the most crucial aspects of your business: your brand.
Register for free on eventbrite.com Avalon Events Center
Register for free on eventbrite.com Dakota Business Lending
2525 9th Avenue South, Fargo
5630 36th Avenue S, Fargo
Friday, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
MARCH 13 The Culture of Meeting
Wednesday, March 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Before your next meeting, learn how to influence a meeting’s success when you’re leading or participating. With deliberate planning and strategies, every meeting – regardless of size – is an effective communication tool to engage a group in a specific dialogue and directed outcome. In this session of Business Training, learn to make your face-to-face meetings effective every time you and your organization bring people together for a meeting, event, retreat or group conversation. Chamber Members: $30 per person in advance | $35 at the door Non-Members: $40 in advance | $45 at the door fmchamber.com DoubleTree by Hilton & West Fargo Conference Center 825 E Beaton Dr, West Fargo “We’ve all suffered through awful meetings, but it doesn’t have to be that way. During this business training session, Rachel Asleson (from Reach Partners!) will share how you can turn meetings into productive, purpose-filled gatherings. I may be a bit biased, but I’ve seen Rachel do this with clients time and time again. Come learn from her!” -Anita Hoffarth, Co-owner of Reach Partners. Reach Partners helps organizations hold stand-out events and manage successful projects. Learn more at reachpartners.com
MARCH 19 Off the Clock
Tuesday, 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.
MARCH 19 American Advertising Federation Speaker Event: Ken Krimstein Tuesday, 3:30
Cartoonist, author and teacher, Ken Krimstein, is the featured speaker for the AAFND series. Each ticket also includes a free drink coupon. AAF members: Free Non-members: $50 aaf-nd.org/events Sanctuary Events Center
Join YPN for our monthly networking happy hour at BLVD Pub! Network with other young professionals while checking out one of West Fargo’s great food and beverage establishments. As always, drinks are on your own, apps are on us and networking is free (don’t forget your business cards)! fmchamber.com Blvd Pub
670 4th Ave N, Fargo
3147 Bluestem Drive, West Fargo
MARCH 20 11 Dirty Words: Executive Series Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The third Wednesday of each month, three area business leaders will give candid 10-minute talks on the dirty word-of-the-month, followed by an open-forum, high-level discussion. This month’s subject is conflict. Tickets: $30-$50 Tickets are available on eventbrite. com Avalon Events Center 2525 9th Avenue South, Fargo
MARCH 27 Reality-Based Leadership - Cy Wakeman Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cy Wakeman, drama researcher, and international leadership speaker introduces a new wave of reality-based leadership principles. These principles allow the leader to accept the reality of a situation, conserve team energy and anticipate upcoming changes while avoiding drama and defense. Approved for SHRM & HRCI credits. Tickets: $129 fmhra.com The Fargo Theatre 314 Broadway N, Fargo
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A LOOK AHEAD Eggs & Issues: A Local Look at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tuesday, April 2nd from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Port Director for Field Operations in Warroad, Minnesota, will speak about Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Programs to include NEXUS and Global Entry. These new technological advancements allow for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Additionally, Olafson will discuss the Remote Offsite Arrival mobile application that allows travelers to check in with CBP at the Northwest Angle, MN and in certain remote parts of the country. Chamber Members: $30 in advance | $35 at the door Non-Members: $40 in advance | $45 at the door
fmwfchamber.com Courtyard by Marriott Fargo-Moorhead 1080 28th Avenue South, Moorhead
Coaching for Success
Wednesday, April 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MARCH 27 The Extreme Leadership Experience Wednesday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
In this full-day experience based on the work of Steve Farber, author of The Radical Leap, you will learn to expand your leadership influence in powerful and personal ways. You will master a proprietary leadership method, work with real-life material, and leave with the start of an action plan to change the world for the better. Tickets: $195 Tickets are available on eventbrite. com 1351 Page Dr, #300, Fargo
Coaching to the other person’s strengths is more effective and produces better results. Attendees at this session will learn the importance of transparency, accountability and communication as it relates to giving and receiving feedback. Coaching is an effective method to build your human bank account within an organization. Jill Berg presents and is the owner/president of Spherion in North Dakota, South Dakota and West-Central, MN with offices in Fargo and Bismarck, Sioux Falls, and Perham, MN. fmwfchamber.com Chamber Members: $30 per person in advance | $35 at the door Non-Members: $40 in advance | $45 at the door
Delta by Marriott 1635 42nd Street South, Fargo
Techstars Startup Weekend Fargo 2019
Friday April 12th from 6 p.m. to Sunday, April 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Techstars Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide experiential education & meaningful connections for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Techstars Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night presentations. The weekend is centered around action, innovation, and education. Tickets: $40-$60
Tickets are available on eventbrite.com Prairie Den 122 1/2 North Broadway Drive, Fargo
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