Fargo INC September 2021 by Spotlight Media

SEPTEMBER 2021

Disrupt: The Rebellious Future of HR

Q&A With YPN's One To Watch

10 Questions With John Machacek: Unglued

PG.46

PG.76

PG.79

For 40 years, Herzog Roofing has been treating everyone like family whether they are or aren't.

// SEPTEMBER 2021

FEATURES

Sponsored Content: Business Lending at its Best

Sponsored Content: Finding a health insurance plan that puts people first

Herzog Roofing: 40 Years of Success Built on a Family Atmosphere

Disrupt: The Rebellious Future of HR

Q&A With YPN's One to Watch: Sara Hand

10 Questions With John Machacek: Unglued

Academic Insight

Minding The Digital Literacy Gap

Ladyboss of the Month: Kelci Boniface

Events Calendar

SEPTEMBER 2021

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E d i t o r ’s n o t e

Family Matters

he origin story of Herzog Roofing truly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. From a small loan and some hard work, Mike Herzog has built a business that anyone should be proud of. However, I think the most impressive part of the company is the family aspect. I love my family, they are great. However, I'm not sure I could work professionally with any of them. I'm always so impressed by these people in the business community that are

able to thrive in those types of situations. I'm sure they have their quarrels. For whatever reason, we as humans seem to fight more with those closest to us. However, after talking to the Herzog clan, I'm genuinely convinced they enjoy working with one another. That is impressive to me.

work from everyday life with your family? Do you even try to? Email me at fargoinc@ spotlighmediafargo.com

Brady Drake Fargo INC! Editor

I would love to learn from those of you running a family business out there how you manage that dynamic. How do you separate

Brady Drake, Fargo INC! Editor

fargoinc@spotlightmediafargo.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

KRISTINA HEIN-LANDIN

Lead Content & Public Relations Strategist

STEVE DUSEK President & CEO

Dakota Business Lending

GREGORY WALD

ERIC WILKIE

Moore Holding Company

FM Area Foundation

Acquisitions/Communication

CEO

United Way of Cass-Clay

Every night here in our community, approximately 1,000 people experience homelessness. Of those who are homeless, about 20% are children. These same children will grow up to be our community members someday – our coworkers, employees, and workforce. At United Way, we believe that all kids deserve a home where they feel safe. That’s why we’re working to prevent homelessness for children and families before it starts. We’re inviting the community to join us at LIVE UNITED Give United Day on October 15. When you give, you help provide a warm, stable home for local families – setting them up for success for years to come. In the wake of one of the most challenging times in history, we all want to maximize the impact of our donations – LIVE UNITED Give United Day is the time to give because all donations up to $50,000 will be matched thanks to support from local companies. Join us in preventing homelessness on October 15 – learn more and give at liveunitedgiveunitedday.org.

SEPTEMBER 2021

Build safety. Share vulnerability. Establish purpose. According to Daniel Coyle, author of The Culture Code, these are the three keys to highly successful groups and company cultures. Some of our team has been spending some time reading through this book together this summer, and these three concepts have opened our eyes to a variety of meaningful questions and exciting opportunities as we work to grow our organization and its culture. If you’re looking for a book to read by yourself or with your team, The Culture Code comes highly recommended!

Uncertainty is always so … uncertain, isn’t it? We don’t know whether our decision will result in Outcome A or B or Z. We can never remove all uncertainty. It’s the nature of business and all of life. But we can hedge against it through preparation. We can listen. Hear the many perspectives with a stake in the decision. Understand the human and process dynamics of the situation. We can learn. Seek knowledge from history or economics or mentors that will help make your situation seem less novel and more knowable. Finally, we can practice. We all get better at things the more we do them. Uncertainty is no different. Becoming comfortable with uncertainty and learning how we best cope with it will help us deal with the current uncertainty so we can move on to the next one. And there is always a next one. That is certain.

On August 10th, the FM Area Foundation celebrated 61 years in our community and $61 million granted out to charitable causes. I’m so thankful for our citizens, supporters, and donors who have made this community foundation so successful. As the new CEO of the FM Area Foundation, I couldn’t be prouder to work at a place that has such an amazing impact on our community. I am so excited for what the future holds. Annually, the FM Area Foundation grants $6.5 million to nonprofits, and we are dedicated to seeing growth in the coming years by working with our local citizens to create the most generous place on the planet. The amazing nonprofits in our communities are doing fantastic work making this a place full of opportunities for everyone. We want to help the citizens of Cass and Clay County be great philanthropist to create a vibrant community and the kind of place that anyone would want to call home. If you want to maximize your philanthropy, make giving back a priority in your family or business, or simply want to learn about some of the benefits of making charitable donations, please give me a call today!

ANDREW JASON

KURT MCSPARRON

JOHN MACHACEK

SHANNON FULL

Emerging Prairie

The Executives Club of Fargo - Moorhead

Greater FM Economic Development Corporation

FMWF Chamber of Commerce

Director of Ecosystem

When I was a kid growing up in the country, I had an unparalleled view of the stars. I remember my grandpa got me a telescope and I'd be fascinated looking up at the great beyond. For thousands of years, space has fascinated mankind to think about what's possible. As Grand Farm hopes to solve the biggest problems in agriculture, our eyes go upward to think about how mankind will continue to grow food as we become an interstellar species. I had the most fun in my professional life last month hosting the Space Ag Conference. By dreaming big, we hoped to accomplish three big things. 1. Highlight how space technology is advancing agriculture 2. Dream big about what's possible in agriculture by thinking about how we cultivate other planets 3. Energize a new generation of agricultural enthusiasts by looking at farming in space. This was a great reminder that we should all remember what inspired us as kids.

Founder and Director

My message this month is actually more of a plea. Our region is home to some of the greatest entrepreneurial and business success stories… never told. Some of the big ones are well known, but many of our small business success stories, along with the insight, wisdom and entrepreneurial experiences of their owners, go the grave with them. My plea is to area business owners, to find a way to share your story with us. You’ve lived it, so it may not seem as interesting to you…but that’s not how the rest of us will see it. Every business owner’s story is unique and is guaranteed to be of interest and value to someone, likely, to many. Whether you reach out to us here at Fargo INC! magazine, contact someone at the local Chamber or The Executives’ Club of Fargo-Moorhead, we’d love the opportunity to hear your story.

Chief Innovation Officer

In my monthly “10 Questions With” feature, I normally interview primary sector type entrepreneurs (tech, manufacturing, science, etc.), as that is the focus of my role at the EDC. However, for this issue, I decided to interview Ashley Morken of Unglued. The Unglued brand AND Ashley are both super interesting. They are so much more than a store on Broadway (festivals, workshops, retreats and more), so this could easily have been 20 Questions. Ashley and the Unglued vibe are great examples of what I love about our community. Their work inspires creativity and also helps creatives sell their products. They exude positivity, inclusion, fun, personal well-being, boldness, collaboration and so many more qualities that lead to us being better individuals who can make a better place to live, work, play and create in. Thank you Ashley and Justin Morken and the team for being important assets of our community.

President and CEO

It is an unbelievably exciting time for the region, and our community should be proud of the landmark accomplishments we have seen recently. Nearly a decade ago, The Chamber formed a Business Leaders for Permanent Flood Protection Taskforce to passionately advocate for and advance permanent flood protection for our region. Today, The Chamber, other community organizations, residents and policymakers celebrate the selection of Red River Alliance as the PublicPrivate Partnership developer for the project. Talent and Workforce efforts have also been a top priority for our region for a long time, and July 2021 marked the groundbreaking of the NDSCS Career Innovation Center in Fargo. Soon, the Moorhead Career Academy will open its doors to the students of Moorhead and the businesses of our region. This fall, The Chamber will launch Ignite FMWF – a comprehensive workforce strategy that will encompass all levels of our workforce ecosystem; more to come on that very soon. We have a lot to be proud of and look forward to as we continue building a thriving and vibrant community for generations to come.

FARGOINC.COM

SEPTEMBER 2021 Volume 6 Issue 9

Fargo INC! is published 12 times a year and is available at area businesses and online at FargoInc.com.

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CHECK OUT SPOTLIGHT MEDIA'S OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Fargo Monthly is highlighting some of the area’s finest international dining destinations. Whether you like curries, tacos or a nice kung pao chicken, this is the issue for you.

Fall football is back and that means the herd is ready to roll. Check out this issue to learn a little bit more about this year's squad.

They say home is what you make it–but what makes a living space truly feel like ‘home’? In this issue, we want to recognize the artistic imaginations of those design-on-a-dime thrifters who can take any space, dream an idea, and bring it to life.

Since the dawn of man, we as a human race have looked to the stars. In this month’s issue, we’re talking space agriculture!

Business Lending at its Best

From SBA loan programs to local economic development programs, the right lender will help identify the best financing packages for each client

Financing is a necessary component of doing business. Whether starting up, expanding, making an acquisition, or purchasing assets, capital is needed to make it happen.

SEPTEMBER 2021

Most banks offer business lending, but they don’t all have the expertise and capabilities to provide the appropriate financing package for every situation. Terms and conditions vary, and so do the types of loans available for certain businesses and purposes. There are almost as many financing options as there are types of businesses; the right lender will use their skill and creativity to develop a plan that helps their client achieve their goals rather than keeping them up at night.

Pandemic Considerations Despite widespread uncertainty at the beginning of the pandemic, many businesses actually fared quite well, such as construction and home renovation companies. Those businesses may now want to expand — organically or through acquisitions — or invest in other business enhancements. The additional liquidity brought on by federal government stimulus programs means banks are ready to lend and rates are favorable. But scrutinize the

Cole Keney

Senior Business Advisor Alerus

full loan terms and ensure you are working with a lender who has your best interest in mind rather than theirs. “Banks have a lot of liquidity right now so they are eager to get loans on the books, but that also means lenders may not be doing everything they can to put together the best financing package,” says Cole Keney, senior business advisor at Alerus. “That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced lender who views your business as a long-term partnership instead of a transaction. They will focus more on the available opportunities and how they fit into your overall plan and can provide guidance that will help you through good times and bad.” Of course, other businesses were negatively impacted by the pandemic and are just now

beginning to build back. The service industry was particularly hard hit by regulations and labor issues. In other industries, supply chains broke down, disrupting business operations and preventing them from meeting demand. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) kept many businesses afloat during the worst of things, but as those funds dwindle businesses still need capital to recover. It can be more challenging for those types of businesses to obtain financing, but not impossible. “From a banking standpoint, we look at your history, so if 2020 wasn’t the best year for you due to COVID-19, what was your business like prior to that year?” says Mark Yahna, senior business advisor at Alerus. “If your business was a PPP recipient, we’ll factor that in, and then we look at how 2021 has been going and how you expect the rest of

the year to perform. We’re going to really lean on your prior history and projections, because we understand the past year or so has presented unprecedented circumstances.”

Financing Options Every lending request should start with a conversation between the business owner and their advisor. From there, they can determine what options might be available and if the lender can meet their needs. Not all lenders are the same. Smaller institutions may not have the capability to meet large requests. National institutions may have the lending capacity but lack the personal connection or drive to put together the best possible financing package.

“A lender who is working in their client’s best interest go the extra step to find opportunities and introduce all options to them,” Keney says. “If the right combination of financing includes other lending agencies, they will make referrals and introductions to organizations that can help and foster those relationships for the client’s benefit.” For example, banks can collaborate with certified development companies (CDCs) to secure U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-backed 504 loans for fixed asset purchases up to $12.5 million. These types of loans provide long-term, fixed-rate terms and require a smaller down payment from the client than traditional loans, which can make them an attractive option building purchases or other expansionrelated initiatives.

Disclosure: The information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Alerus does not provide legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Alerus Financial, N.A. is Member FDIC. FARGOINC.COM

Cole Keney

Senior Business Advisor Alerus There are eligibility requirements and restrictions on what the loans can be used for, but a skilled lender can help a business owner quickly identify whether this type of loan is an option worth exploring. As a board member for Dakota Business Lending, North Dakota’s largest CDC, Keney is well-versed on CDC options as well as the current lending climate for business clients. CDCs have been busier than usual in 2021 as business owners take advantage of SBA incentives, including a guarantee fee waiver that runs through September 30, 2021, but that type of financing isn’t right for everyone. “There can be a little more work involved in those types of packages and some borrowers simply just don’t need CDC financing,” he

SEPTEMBER 2021

Mark Yahna

Senior Business Advisor Alerus

says. “The right lender will be a true business partner and identify all available opportunities to produce the best combination of financing to help you succeed.”

SBA Loan Resurgence When business owners think about the SBA, many now immediately think about PPP, but the SBA has a long history of providing small business owners with attractive loan options. “SBA loans can be intimidating for business owners because there are a variety of programs and they all have strict criteria and requirements,” says John Kimball, director of SBA lending at Alerus. “You shouldn’t have to become an expert in the alphabet soup

of SBA loan programs to benefit from them. That’s the lender’s job. When a lender has the correct systems in place and the expertise to navigate SBA programs, they can identify the best options quickly and prevent any surprises from happening at the closing table.” SBA programs have enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity, due in part to PPP and helped by incentives put in place through the CARES Act, which makes SBA loans even more attractive, says Kimball. “SBA loans provide stable, affordable rate loans for the borrower, but the trade-off has traditionally been a higher guarantee fee,” he says. “The fee can be financed, and the SBA uses those guarantee fees to finance the program, but the guarantee fee has been a deterrent for some borrowers. Waiving the

Finding an Advisor The type of financing a business secures can directly impact its potential for success. A trusted lender will care as much about the business as the owner and will take every step possible to enable their long-term success. Alerus advisors put their clients’ first in everything they do and are supported by experts in every area of financial services, allowing them to provide holistic service and insight into all types of business financing, treasury management, retirement and benefits, payroll services, wealth management, and succession planning.

John Kimball

SBA Lending Director Alerus guarantee fee through September 30 has had the intended effect of increasing interest in the program. Additionally, borrowers that meet the SBA deadline qualify for up to three months of waived loan payments.” The range of businesses and loan purposes that may be eligible for SBA financing is also much broader than some may realize. Fixed asset purchases qualify for some SBA programs, while other programs are available for businesses seeking capital as they recover from the pandemic, for example. As acquisitions continue to be a business trend across many industries, Kimball points out SBA financing as a viable option to consider early on. “Conventional financing doesn’t always work as well for buying a business because

there may not be a lot of collateral and risk always increases when management changes,” he says. “SBA financing is designed to help banks reduce risk and guarantee loans when collateral is lacking, so they can be a great tool for someone who wants to buy a business, buy out their partner, or acquire another business.” They also benefit the borrower. Keney recently assisted a client in obtaining SBA financing to acquire a business. In addition to the low down payment and low interest on the loan, Keney helped his client secure payment waivers that saved nearly $30,000 over three months. “That is a significant savings and makes a real difference in the bottom line for this client,” Keney says.

Meet with an Alerus advisor to get insight into ways your business can get started, recover, expand, improve, or plan for a change.

Let’s Talk IN PERSON Alerus has offices in downtown Fargo, south Fargo, and West Fargo. Visit our advisors at: • 51 Broadway, Suite 150, Fargo • 3137 32nd Avenue South, Fargo • 901 13th Avenue East, West Fargo ONLINE Learn more about our advisors at alerus.com/team. You can also email the advisor of your choice directly for more information. BY PHONE General questions or not sure where to start? Our Client Service Center can help. Call 800.279.3200

Providing the Essentials The first step for any business owner interested in a loan is to meet with an advisor and provide an overview of the business’ history, and an outlook for the future. There are several standard financial documents that advisors will request in order to gain a clear understanding of the business and its expectations. Financials to review include: • Tax returns (past three years) • Income statement (past three years) • Balance sheet (past three years) • Personal financial statements for individuals owning 20% or more of the business • Personal taxes (past three years) • Business plan with projections

Yahna also recently utilized the SBA’s 504 loan program and combined it with other local and state financing programs to help a business client acquire a building under enviable terms.

business’ recent history and future. Owners should remember to disclose their business partners and be frank about their goals and plans so the advisor can help make the best decisions for everyone.

“My client runs a specialty industrial business and had purchased the business two years ago but didn’t yet own the building where the business is located,” Yahna says. “They were a good fit for the 504 program, but I knew there might be additional programs this entrepreneur might qualify for, so I did some digging. We were able to put together a package that included an interest buydown grant using the Bank of North Dakota’s Flex PACE program and the Grand Forks Growth Fund, and an SBA 504 loan with Alerus financing. That allowed my client to complete a low interest $1 million purchase with just $100,000 up front.”

If the business is a start-up or otherwise relying on projected cash flow to pay the loan, the lender may need to lean more heavily on personal financial information since the business won’t have a performance history yet. Owners may also be asked to supply a more detailed business plan with shorter and more frequent milestones. These steps help the financial institution evaluate the risk level of the loan, but it’s also done with the client’s best interest in mind. Not only can it help prevent taking on a loan that isn’t feasible, going through the exercise can also help the owner identify more firm business goals.

SBA programs like the 504 and 7(a) loan programs can be very useful to entrepreneurs, but they can be complex and can also be just one component of a larger package, so it is important for SBA experts to join the conversation early. “We can help quickly identify if the borrower will qualify, and if they don’t, we can determine if there are steps they can take to help improve their chances,” Kimball says. “It’s important for business owners to get answers quickly and know their path forward. Our job is to know the options, match them with the business, explain them to the client, and let them make the decision.”

Getting Started Before an advisor can help identify the best financial way forward, they will want to review the business’ existing financials, identify any shortfalls, and understand the borrower’s long-term goals. The advisor then works with the proper specialists to identify all potential opportunities. Established business owners seeking financing should be ready to discuss the

SEPTEMBER 2021

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For Syverson, everything comes back to cost savings and convenience and wanting to educate her employees about how to live a healthier lifestyle and be better consumers. “The health, well-being and mental health of our employees are major concerns for us, especially after the past year,” she adds. “And HealthPartners was extremely proactive throughout the pandemic, encouraging us to utilize our Employee Assistance Program and providing additional digital wellness tools like their Wellbeats fitness program and various telehealth options. They didn’t try to figure out how to create these tools during the pandemic – they already had them.”

Syverson meets monthly with her HealthPartners representative who takes a highly personal approach to making their plan work for them. Being that it’s an entirely self-funded plan, they want to stay on top of the costs and expenses. “Our reps are committed to meeting with us monthly to give a snapshot of where we are, what incremental changes we might need to make or things we should be continuing to promote and communicate to keep us on the right track," she exaplains. They provide us with the tools we need, help us brainstorm new ideas and they have the vendor relationships to make it all happen.

A seamless approach to providing administrative support and claims processing was equally critical. “HealthPartners has been there for us from the beginning—whether it's through emails, hosting private lunch and learns, or showing up at open enrollment.”

SEPTEMBER 2021

With their People First philosophy always top of mind, Syverson adds that the overall level of customer care HealthPartners offers will continue to make a big difference moving forward. “When it comes to customer service, we know really quickly if a health plan is working for us or not,” Syverson says. “That’s something I hear about daily. And HealthPartners is a great company to work with – they have amazing customer service and super-fast turnaround times. Our employees now have more time to spend on what’s most important to them, rather than being stuck on hold dealing with an inaccurate bill. That’s huge.”

Ask your broker about HealthPartners small group solutions in North Dakota. We offer a wide variety of fully-funded and level-funded options for small employers, including integrated benefits with dental and pharmacy. Our products are flexible, affordable and designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce. We can help you maximize saving without sacrificing quality. Visit healthpartners.com/northdakotase to learn more about our available health solutions or call 800-298-4235.

Herzog Roofing: 40 Years of Success Built on a Family Atmosphere

In 1981, Herzog Roofing was born in the Detroit Lakes area with a $30,000 loan from mother, some guidance from father and the hard work of two brothers. 40 years later, the company, which just opened a new location in Fargo, stands strong with a solid team and a family feel.

SEPTEMBER 2021

FARGOINC.COM

I think, for me, personally, the turning point in the business came when I got married in 1987. Her dad was a veterinarian and we hit it off right away. He was a great influence on me, business-wise, and provided great advice. During that time period, I just developed a lot of confidence through the support of my wife and her dad."

The Early Years

In the early years, equipment was sparse and the budget was tight. The most either brother took in take-home pay during the first four years of the company was $15,000. Mike was actually living in the company office at the time. "There was one day during that first summer that we had a semitrailer show up at our shop to deliver us a bunch of 2x4 wood," said President and Founder Mike Herzog. "The driver asked us where our forklift was and we had to explain that we didn't have one. We unloaded that entire thing by hand." However, what the young entrepreneur lacked in original funding and equipment, he made up for with a few key hiring decisions. During that first year, Mike and his brother were able to hire several long-term employees. One stayed with the company for over 35 years until their retirement. The other was with the company until their death five years ago. Another, Alan Boehne, continues to work with the company as a project manager and estimator

and has been a major part of the company's success. Since then, a lengthy tenure has been a major point of emphasis for the company. If you look down the team roster you'll see that it's littered with people who have been with the company for 10+, 20+ and 30+ years. In fact, the average tenure of Herzog Roofing's 27 employees listed on their company website is over 15 years. That is unheard of in today's market, but how do they keep people around for so long? The answer is simple, pay people the right way and treat them the right way,, like family. "So many of our employees have known our kids since the day they were born," said Mike. "They aren't just people that I work with, they're friends. They're friends to the family. My kids understand how important having those types of relationships are."

FARGOINC.COM

First Memories of the Family Business "Some of my first memories of the roofing company come from riding around with my dad. We would visit job sites and I would just tag along with him."

-Josh Herzog

The Family If you were to say roofing is part of the Herzog clan's DNA, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone to argue that claim. When asked at school what he wanted to be when he got older, Josh used to always say, "a roofer." After Josh graduated high school he began working on the roof, always volunteering for the nastiest jobs in order to earn his stripes. Maddie Herzog is still in school at North Dakota State, however, a career in the business seems probable. Christine took a less direct approach to work in the family business. "When I was young, roofing was such a male-dominated industry so I didn't even really consider working in it," said Hvidston. "However, once I went to school and started studying business, and after I worked at a different company, I realized

there were some things that we weren't doing that we could've been doing. I jumped on and have been doing what I can to help make the company better." "Christine has proven me very wrong," said Mike. "Originally, I was a little too old school and wasn't sure about having my daughter working in the industry, but she has been tremendous for us as a company." "I feel very blessed and excited to come to work every day," said Hvidston. "I get to work with family, which can be difficult at times, if I'm honest, but at the same time, there's always that constant love and trust amongst them that you aren't going to have at other companies. It makes me very emotional."

"Growing up, I used to wear this big baggy Herzog Roofing shirt with one of our logos from the early days. I would just run around with it on at home. I also remember coming out to the office and Sally Askelson would always have coloring crayons or markers for me to play with."

-Michael Herzog

"I remember coming out to the office quite often with my dad on Saturdays. He still continues this tradition of coming out and working on Saturdays. Back in the day, I think my mom wanted some peace and quiet, so Josh and I would sit in his office while he worked. I remember him having this little putter in his office and this little cup, and we would putt while he was working. I also remember a lot of the employees bringing us treats while we were there. A lot of the memories I have about the company involve the people."

-Christine (Herzog) Hvidston

Herzog Roofing is Now in Fargo This spring, Herzog Roofing opened its third location and first in the FargoMoorhead area. FARGOINC.COM

Sally Askelson has been with the

company for 21 years. Askelson started as a receptionist. Now, she is Herzog Roofing's COO.

Like Family

Nearly every long-tenured employee at the company will tell you that even though they may not be family, they sure feel like it. Talk amongst the ranks and you will hear dozens of stories of how the Herzog family was there for an employee when they needed them most, whether that was a family tragedy or otherwise. One employee's story that sticks out among the rest is that of Sally Askelson. When Askelson started with the company 21 years ago, at the age of 20, she was the receptionist. However, the company and family has supported her during her tenure and helped her become the company's COO. "The company has supported me in a lot of different ways, not only professionally, obviously, moving from the secretarial position into the position that I'm in now, but also

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personally," said Askelson. "I can't even put into words how much I've grown and how much my family has grown during my time here. My family has really benefited from Herzog Roofing. The family is great." That's the reason Askelson and so many others have stuck around with Herzog Roofing for as long as they have. It's also a huge reason why they have been able to stay successful over the last 40 years. To learn more, visit herzogroofing.com

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FARGOINC.COM

SEPTEMBER 2021

What will you be presenting on at Disrupt HR? The effect of bias on beliefs, reasoning and decision-making. Bias resides comfortably in our human DNA. It helps us make decisions quickly by taking mental-shortcuts. Our ancestors found it helpful to stay alive in the face of danger, and not end up as lunch. Today, bias continues to influence our beliefs, what we think and how we make decisions. And while we may never be rid of bias, being aware of its influence will help us determine when it’s positive and when it can be harmful. Why participate in this event? I feel the position HR managers play in business is akin to what I do every day–and that's to look for understanding and match roles to goals. I might even suggest HR should be known as 'human research.' What do you hope attendees get out of the event? I'd like to share what I've learned about bias with the attendees to arm them with insights and actionable items HR professionals can implement on a daily basis. How do you "Disrupt HR"? I believe the way to disrupt HR is to examine what's working and what's not, innovate the former and eliminate the latter.

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How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? Anyone who is working with someone going through grief, or if they are grieving themselves, needs to know the pain of the second year is normal. They or their co-worker are not stuck. It does get easier, but always give yourself and your co-worker grace, time, and space. In your mind, what is one thing our business community/ business community members can do right now to perform better?

What will you be presenting on at Disrupt HR? Grief at work Why participate in this event? I want to bring my unique approach to dealing with grief at work to a new audience. What do you hope attendees get out of the event? I want attendees to understand that the second year for a person grieving is almost always harder than the first year after an incident. I hope this will assist HR professionals in anticipating issues that may arise with an employee who goes through a loss of any kind. This is especially important to know in the year after COVID.

Acknowledge the grief process is going on right now all over the world on a macro scale. People and employees are going to do odd things based on a realization that life is out of their control. How do you "Disrupt HR"? I disrupt HR by helping individuals understand that grief timelines are not what is taught in a textbook. An employee may come back a short time after losing a person, thinking everything is ok, but may actually need MORE help in the second year. They are not weak or stuck. They are normal. Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? Be kind to all of those around you. We are all grieving in some way and it can come out in the oddest actions. If you are grieving, extend that kindness to yourself. If a co-worker is grieving, give them grace to process their loss on the timeline that is healthiest for them..

What will you be presenting on at Disrupt HR? You Can’t Handle the Truth– Discovering what your culture ACTUALLY looks like: What happens when you think you know what your organizational culture is like, just to find out your employees think otherwise? That gap between perception and reality may not be just a gap, it might be a gaping crater! It is easy to say you want to build an organization with a strong, healthy culture, but seeing the data and dealing with reality can hurt. The best way to fill a job is to make sure that job never becomes vacant, especially in these times. Measuring and understanding your culture is not only important but also a necessity in retaining top talent. Can you handle the truth about YOUR culture? Why participate in this event? I love the idea of people coming together to share new ways of thinking about why we do the things we do. Doing things the way we’ve always done them will, at best, get us the same results, but will likely leave people questioning their sanity. What do you hope attendees get out of the event? I hope attendees leave this event with a new willingness

to look at everyday work with a new perspective. How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? Your perspective matters. Whether you’re an employee or a business owner, you all want to feel appreciated and heard. You want to know that the work you do is not only seen but also matters. The gap between perception and reality can be vast and very real, whether you know it or not. So, let’s go from thinking we know what’s going on inside our organization to really knowing. How do you "Disrupt HR"? I’m willing to be bold and help HR professionals hear what they might not want to hear about what’s actually going on in their organization. Although they might not want to hear the truth… If they’re willing to ask, listen and take action on the truth, they can see immeasurable results. Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? Don’t let your ego get in the way. Be willing to get vulnerable and do things others before you weren’t willing to do so you can be a leader worth following.

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What will you be presenting on at Disrupt HR?

processes and systems is beneficial for staying nimble in your industry.

I will be presenting on Gen Z and #TikTokResumes, and how optimizing the end user experience for the right audience is critical to consider when competing for talent.

In your mind, what is one thing our business community/ business community members can do right now to perform better?

Why participate in this event?

In the age of maintaining your digital presence on social media, I think as it is in real life, we can fall trap of comparing ourselves to others. To that, I say, best not to overthink it! There is definitely a value to building a network or following online, but doing it as your best authentic self is the only way that will add value to the relationships you are building and the opportunities they bring.

This topic is all the hype right now and I think the older generations (yes, even millennials) are quick to see the negative in an online trend that disrupts the way we recruit and retain talent. As a "zoomer" myself navigating the corporate world, I also see some red flags to this, but in my presentation I will identify the positives from this trend and weigh some future implications that could benefit the business community! What do you hope attendees get out of the event? I hope attendees gain fresh perspectives from all our speakers, discover the positives out of new technological concepts and boil down what about "the status quo" is important and what about it could be challenged! How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? When a new online trend or tool arrives in your inbox, no matter what field you are in, define what it is for, what problem it solves, any issues it creates with current ways of doing things, what from the past it replaces and how that can inform you how to best prepare for the future! There is nothing wrong with old fashioned, but being open-minded about streamlining

How do you "disrupt HR"? I have a passion for creating awareness for my generation. We are new to the workforce, and as with every generation past, we have our quirks that older generations are eager to point out on day one. However, the best qualities I have seen from my peers are being adaptive, quick on our feet, technologically savvy and having the desire for an authentic experience. Having the know-how on cross-generational values can streamline ways HR can communicate and collaborate in the workplace! Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? This is my first DisruptHR! I work in marketing at a biologics manufacturing company and wholeheartedly believe everyone in our community has something to bring to the table at this awesome event, whether you are attending or speaking, and no matter what role you play in the organization(s) you serve.

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Why participate in this event? One of our core values is to be learners. In the same breath, I want to be a teacher to help people really understand the depth of branding and the benefits it can have on a business when done well. What do you hope attendees get out of the event? I want them to understand that their people and the customer experience are their biggest branding assets. How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? This message is for any human working in a business. We all play a role in branding regardless of our title or job description. In your mind, what is one thing our business community/business community members can do right now to perform better? Focus on asking more questions instead of racing to what you think or hope is the right answer. How do you "disrupt HR"? By being who I truly am and allowing our team to not only see my strengths but also my weaknesses. One of our other core values is to be FUN-havers, so I do my best to make sure we live that out. We often spend more time with our co-workers than we do with our family and friends. So if we are not having fun, what are we doing it all for? Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? If your organization doesn't have core values, come up with your own for yourself and let those act as a guide in your career.

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What will you be presenting on at Disrupt HR?

with less effort than throwing a party to get employees energized.

Embracing common sense and effectiveness with psychological safety.

In your mind, what is one thing our business community/ business community members can do right now to perform better?

Why participate in this event? Now more than ever, we need to focus on other means for creating a great working environment. Retention isn’t just created through great benefits and a few good people. Retention is the job of everyone in the organization and when leaders make psychological safety a priority, everyone is truly a part of that family-like feeling that most organizations strive for. For this reason, I feel that my message can help leaders think differently about how to create a more effective and safe working environment. What do you hope attendees get out of the event? I want the attendees to be able to see that there are different ways to create a better working environment for employees and that not every engagement strategy has a cost and can have more to do with happiness and respect. How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? Psychological safety is something that everyone can participate in at any level and in any department. Having awareness will empower them to create a better working environment for themselves and their coworkers which will not only create efficiency, but also build trust and authentic engagement

The biggest thing is to be okay with not being perfect and not expecting perfection from others. We need to realize that we are all human and learn from being empowered to make mistakes and trusting others to take the lead and to speak up without fear. How do you "Disrupt HR"? If you asked my boss or even the VP of HR this question about myself, they would probably say that I always push them to think differently and never shy away from sharing ideas or new ways to improve things. I am a learner at heart and will always continue to research new information that can be used to make a difference in my life and that of others. Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? Just know that you can make a difference and help others no matter your level in an organization, and no one knows all of the answers. If you have a message to share or a calling, then don’t let others discourage you from what you know you can achieve.

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MIA DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

What will you be presenting on at Disrupt HR? A unique approach to the everchanging benefits package we offer our employees, specifically focusing on our newest sabbatical offering. Why participate in this event? Flint tries to be very forwardthinking in our benefits offering to attract and retain employees. I look forward to collaborating with other HR professionals who are facing the same workforce challenges our region is seeing. What do you hope attendees get out of the event? Flint invested a great deal of time and resources into investigating the point in

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tenure when employees left the organization. We developed the sabbatical to counteract those findings. In addition, this benefit will allow a necessary break from our fast-paced environment and place a strong priority on mental health. Flint also benefits from a sabbatical offering by encouraging delegation and facilitates succession planning. How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? We find thinking outside the box to provide unconventional benefits based on generational preferences results in a happier and higher-performing workforce.

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Why participate in this event? I love our community and want to help it flourish. Figuring out what connects our employees to the work that they do and feeling supported as human beings is instrumental in growing our local economy. What do you hope attendees get out of the event? The way we’ve “always done it” isn’t cutting it. To stay relevant and to attract/ retain high-quality talent we need to redefine our business and people practices to see our employees as people first and employees second. This is a constant growth and development opportunity for all businesses. How is your message applicable to those outside of the HR workforce? People are complex. What motivates, inspires and supports one person is not universal. We are all better for taking a compassionate and specific approach toward those we encounter both personally and professionally. In your mind, what is one thing our business community/ business community members can do right now to perform better? Learn from your employees. They have wonderful ideas of how to make your work place stronger, your processes more

efficient and your customers happier. It's important that they have the tools and support they need in order to share this insight. Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? Be engaged with the opportunities your company provides for offering feedback. Employers can't improve if we don't tell them what they need. If you don't trust that you can give honest feedback, make sure they know that too–especially HR.

WITH YPN'S ONE TO WATCH: SARA HAND Each quarter, a Young Professionals Network member is selected through a nomination process to be featured as one of the upand-coming professionals in the business community. We sat down with the most recent award winner Sara Hand who works as a Communications Coordinator for Cass County Electric Cooperative. Why did you want to start being involved with the Young Professionals Network? One of my coworkers suggested it and I just decided to join because I love networking and I love talking to people. Meeting people is my jam. I just love to hear people's stories. The first event I went to was a sort of speed dating but for networking opportunities and I loved it.

How often do you attend YPN events? I try to attend events every chance that I get. After a while, you start to kind of see the same people so you start to get to know them on a deeper level. I'm actually on the Social Committee and will be joining the Marketing Committee as well.

When did you start working with the social committee? Shortly after I started. I joined the social committee because I wanted to get to know

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people more. Now, I'm able to see those people at least once a month on a more personal level.

talked to and just start a conversation. That's a skill that I feel like everybody can benefit from no matter what you do professionally.

How has it been helpful to you in addition to building those relationships?

What does it mean to you to win the award?

It has definitely helped me gain confidence to go out of my comfort zone. I would say I've always been an outgoing person, but I think YPN definitely helps. It helps you train that ability to walk up to someone that you've never

It did feel pretty special. because I feel like I work hard at my job and I work hard with YPN. I'm honored to be YPN's is One To Watch.

You're three years out of college right now, is there anything you wish you would have known at the beginning of your professional career that you know now? I wish I would have known to always be open to learning new things. Things are always going to be changing and what you learn in college isn't necessarily always going to translate over to your real job. If you're looking at a job description and you're not fitting every single bucket, it's okay. Just apply for the job, even if you don't think you're going to get it. Because you never know.

Is there anything else you want our readers to know? When you find that job that you want, be willing to put in the hard work. Because, at the end of the day, the right person is going to notice your hard work. Maybe your boss right away doesn't notice, but maybe it's the CEO or one of the VPs. Just keep working hard. In the end, it'll pay off and you'll feel better all the way around.

10 Questions

Questions ohn Machacek, Chief Innovation Officer for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, has worked with countless startups throughout our community over the past seven years. He knows their ups, their downs, but most of all, he knows the questions to ask them. Here are John Machacek’s 10 questions for Ashley Morken, Founder of Unglued.

By John Machacek Photos by Josiah Kopp and Hillary Ehlen

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01 Tell us your Unglued elevator pitch? Unglued is a modern handmade gift shop that connects you to over 200 local and regional makers and artists. We also organize crazy awesome events to inspire creativity with things like our epic adult sleepaway summer camp, kids downtown camps, private and public workshop parties and our annual craft fest. We’re like Etsy in real life and all the inspiration you’ll need to want to get creative again.

02 Creativity is at the core of Unglued in everything you do. What draws you to that business mission? Creativity is everything from the art of problemsolving to the actual art of creating art! Our shop is here to propel makers’ creative businesses, our workshops and camps exist to get you creative again, and all of this to grow the creative culture of our

community. And we don’t think you need to be able to justify making something or getting a crafty hobby by being able to later sell said items in a shop like ours. We’ve seen the difference creativity makes by helping people get out of their routine and their 9-5 and feel like a whole human again by getting creative. ESPECIALLY in a pandemic. We’ve heard countless times that virtual workshops and our craft kits have kept people sane. Having creativity at the core of our business creates a mission we love and strive to live out with a larger meaning behind everything we do.

03 There are many facets to Unglued, that’s for sure, with the store, fests, camps, workshops, getaways, etc.. I know it started with the first Unglued Craft Fest in 2011 but how did the brick and mortar storefront come about?

Yes! Being that I loved creating and hosting events, Unglued naturally started and was only going to be a 1-day craft fest, But the wild success that makers had by being featured together aT a “modern” Fest led to one of the Fest makers suggesting that we consider a fulltime shop! At the time, I was a nurse and hadn’t really considered the idea of a shop but absolutely loved helping give people a creative platform to connect to the community and the events that could happen through it. So, we tried it out! That immediate winter, we found a storefront on Broadway to do a short-term lease for the holidays thanks to a realtor that wouldn’t give up (Jay Nelson), opened Thursdays-Sundays for five weeks, and I worked my nursing job the other days. We found the same thing with the pop-up storefront– featuring modern makers together really vibed along with workshops and craft parties! So, about eight months later, Unglued opened as a gift shop on Broadway year-round in August of 2012 and I went to PRN with my nursing job and shortly after went totally full-time with Unglued.

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10 Questions 04 The store uses a consignment model, which I assume helps keep your overhead lower because you have a lot of product variety and inventory. Is that a common model for a shop like yours and how did you go about your plan for this? This is an interesting point that gets pretty complicated, but ultimately has worked for these past nine years mostly! Before we opened the shop, I took a road trip around the Midwest with my brother and a couple of friends and we visited every single shop down to Missouri that we could find that was remotely like what I pictured Unglued could be–vintage, handmade, coffee shops, workshops, etc. We were able to learn how they worked with local artists and makers and also what they found didn’t work. Just about everyone used some form of consignment with makers–it allowed them to take a larger amount and variety of items to try out and kept overhead lower. But we found by opening (and then closing 2.5 years later)

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our second location shop in Sioux Falls that consignment doesn’t really allow for scalability. Often, and in our case, we have less of a margin on the items we sell by doing consignment, so we need to be more careful with all our other overhead as we don’t have as much income to work with. So, it comes with its own weirdness! Some of the most valuable advice I ever got, and standby, was from that road tripincluding in Des Moines we visited a super fun salvage shop. I remember the owner telling me that we absolutely needed to incorporate events into our shop to keep it sustainable, interesting to people, and enjoyable. Which, of course, was like the best news ever to me because that’s all I could picture– events with a side of retail!

05 Ah yes, events! Unglued is known for its events. Why are events important? Well first, I just love organizing and hosting creative events–ones that connect people to those creating (makers, artists) and ones that get people creative again! In our limited square footage, we do sell from a lot of makers, but we try to not duplicate too many categories to ensure

those working with us the most success we can. So, we definitely have a limit on how much inventory we can bring in! But being able to organize –or help organize–craft markets and just promote those already happening in town, feels like the best possible way to ensure more makers get seen and the creative community grows. Then, doing events to inspire creativity like our workshops, private parties, and camps really fulfills the rest of our mission to connect people to their creative side. All of this leads to more exposure for our business and has really connected people to our mission in a deeper way.

06 Between your Fest, store and events, you’ve been at this for over 10 years now. What have you learned on the marketing side of things through trial and error? I feel like everything we do is one big experiment– including marketing and promotion. Some things work great but only for a time until the next social media trend–and some things just flop altogether. But I’ve ultimately learned that people want to know who is

behind the business–and in our case, who is behind the products we sell, experience behind-the-scenes of it all, and all of this only in a real, genuine and usually fun and snarky way. Which fortunately social media helps all of this be possible. We rarely do “traditional” marketing with our more limited budget but use Instagram and Facebook and our newsletter to connect people to all the things most often! And, again, events are at our core and just so happen to also be a great way to promote and connect all the aspects that are Unglued.

07 I recall your participation in the SBA Emerging Leaders program. What can you tell me about that experience? Jumping into the SBA Emerging Leaders program at the moment that our Sioux Falls location was starting to become unsustainable was one of our biggest gamechangers. Having other business owners in our “CEO groups” to meet with and have outside perspectives on what was happening was insanely valuable. We created a multi-year growth plan that eventually helped me feel confident about what we needed to do with

Sioux Falls. It also helped me become more self-aware of what my risk tolerance was and reconcile what I was willing to risk with the type of decisions I was making. We also were one of the two small businesses in North Dakota that were selected to attend the SCORE American Small Business training in Texas, which was another moment of sticking with our mission and moving forward. Plus, meeting with Paul Smith with the SBDC any time we’ve got really big changes coming up has been another gamechanger in making decisions for us.

08 Will you please tell me more about what you mean by reconciling your risk tolerance? I talk about this a lot now. It can become so easy as an entrepreneur to make decisions that seem like the next natural step to do or maybe you feel pressured to. But if they are leading you to a life you don’t want to live in the first place, then you’ll naturally burn out or want to quit–or you’ll keep doing it and hate it. So, learning how much and what type of risks you’re willing to take in your business is huge! Personally, financially, with your family, etc. I learned with Sioux Falls I was willing to take a lot of risks and even

chose to take out a second home mortgage to keep our payroll afloat–but I wasn’t willing to risk losing Unglued all together and what we created, so I ultimately did close it. But the more I’ve experienced and failed my risk tolerance has increased. This also leads to what I love so much and read in “The Life and Times of a Remarkable Misfit: A Collection of Essays About Changing the World”– sometimes you grow just for sake of growth, but it can too easily become a “sanitized” version of what you created. We think about this a lot with expanding events or before we add on something!

09 If you could go back in time to Ashley from several years ago, what hindsight advice would you give yourself?

10 What can we do as a community to help Unglued succeed? It’s really all about creating the community you want to live in by what you support–which we learned in a huge way this past 1.5 years due to the COVID situation! When a business or a type of event is important to you to exist in your community, it only will if you show up for it. So just showing up is huge! Whether it’s stopping by the shop to check out what new handcrafted goodness makers are making, heading to a local craft market–by us or by others, valuing handmade and the creativity behind it, or coming to hang out to get crafty at a future event, all of it will continue to grow this creative community and the mission we are here to live out.

About John

No one else knows what they are doing either. And you don’t have to fit anyone else’s mold, even in business. It amazes me how much we all think we must have figured out before we just try. But I’d also add in that sometimes following the traditional “rules” of business, or just straight up retail, are necessary to keep your dream a reality.

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Academic Insight

ne of the many things that I stress to my management students is to learn how to analyze a situation, scenario, or problem in depth before determining a solution to resolve it. This is key because it is my position that the actions we take in response to a situation can be traced back to our understanding and perception of the situation itself. Each of us is faced with a myriad of decisions both in our personal lives and in our careers. Some decisions are easy and straightforward. Others are more difficult and ambiguous. I often marveled at individuals who had the

BY Shontarius D. Aikens, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management at Offutt School of Business at Concordia College

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ability to solve complex problems, and I wanted to improve in this area myself. In my pursuit for selfdevelopment earlier in my career, I was looking for something that would help me to become a better problem solver. The answer for me was found in a book written by Rushworth M. Kidder (2003) titled “How Good People Make Tough Decisions.” In this book, the author presented an explanation on why some decisions are more difficult than others. According to Kidder, decisions that are based on the nature of Right vs. Wrong are easier. In other words, when faced with a choice to do the right thing versus the wrong thing, the obvious answer or choice is to do the right thing. The most difficult decisions we face involve scenarios in which two values conflict with one another. These types of decisions are characterized as Right vs. Right decisions. So how do we, as individuals, learn how to examine and navigate scenarios when there could be multiple right choices available? The answer is to look at each situation, scenario or problem we face and to identify

GARY USSERY

Analyzing Complex Problems Using 4 Paradigms which of the four types of conflicts or paradigms could be present: • Paradigm #1 – Justice vs. Mercy: The conflict is described as a clash between “fairness, equity, and even-handed application of the law” versus “compassion, empathy, and love.” • Paradigm #2 – Short Term vs. Long Term: The conflict is present when “immediate needs or desires run counter to future goals or projects.” • Paradigm #3 – Individual vs. Community: The conflict is characterized as “us versus them, self versus others or the smaller versus the larger group.” • Paradigm #4 – Truth vs. Loyalty: The conflict is characterized as “honesty, candor, or integrity versus commitment, responsibility, or promise-keeping.”

It is my assumption that by reading these descriptions, each of you can probably identify past or current situations or problems that you’ve encountered that could be directly tied to one of these paradigms.

Dr. Aikens can be reached at: saikens@cord.edu

Insights and Application What I love about the Kidder framework is that it helps a person to become more aware of underlying issues or conflicts in a situation. And to reiterate and to re-emphasize my earlier statement, the more perceptive a person is in understanding situations and underlying conflicts, the better they will be in determining solutions. To learn more about these paradigms, I highly recommend reading Kidder’s book in its entirety. But in the meanwhile, I’d like to share some additional insights and takeaways: 1. Be honest about your natural tendencies. Similar to how a computer software program (i.e., Microsoft Word) has default settings, we as humans have default settings, or tendencies, when it comes to making decisions or choices. For example, let’s take the Truth vs. Loyalty paradigm. There are some who adopt a “tell the truth at all times no matter what” mindset, which would indicate their natural tendency to prioritize Truth when facing a problem. Others may adopt a “never break a promise under any circumstances” mindset, which would indicate their natural tendency to prioritize Loyalty when facing a problem. I recommend that an individual do a quick self-assessment for each paradigm to determine which value resonates the most with them under most circumstances. 2. Multiple paradigms can be present in a situation, scenario, or problem. Earlier in my teaching career, I dealt with a scenario that, upon reflection, contained 3 of the 4 paradigms listed above (Paradigms 1, 2 and

3). Keep in mind that it can be difficult to deal with a scenario with just one paradigm present; imagine the complexity of a scenario with multiple present! In situations like this when multiple paradigms or conflicts are present, it could be that each paradigm are equally important, or perhaps one paradigm might be more dominant or prevalent than the others thus requiring more consideration. In that case, prioritize which paradigm to examine first when attempting to understand the situation. 3. Determine ways to utilize this framework throughout the organization. Whenever I share this framework with my students and we utilize it in class, several positive things happen. First, it gives all of us a common language to discuss scenario analysis and decision making. Second, it promotes peer-to-peer learning. For example, I will provide the class with various scenarios and ask them to identify which paradigms are present and to explain their rationale to the entire class. During the discussions, oftentimes one small group will highlight a certain issue that other group completely missed. The result is that all students benefit and learn from one another. Applying this in a business setting, managers could utilize this framework to have a common language regarding decision making throughout the organization and empower supervisees/employees to utilize this when making decisions in their day-to-day work.

Bethlehem Gronneberg Founder and CEO, uCodeGirl | Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow | PhD Candidate | Lecturer of Computer Science | YWCA Woman of the Year in Science and Technology

MINDING THE DIGITAL LITERACY GAP IT IS REAL AND IT MATTERS By Bethlehem Gronneberg

“IT IS NOT THE STRONGEST THAT SURVIVES, NOR THE MOST INTELLIGENT, BUT THE ONE MOST RESPONSIVE TO CHANGE.” – CHARLES DARWIN, 1809

We know technology has forever changed the way we live, work and interact with each other. We also know that we are in the era of great transformation with various technological advancements that converge the biological and digital world, revolutionizing business operations and making processes more efficient. At the same time, the scramble to go virtual during COVID-19 has highlighted the chasm between where we were and where we need to be in terms of preparedness in infrastructure, and digital knowledge investment in schools, higher institutes, companies and the general public at large.

About uCodeGirl

The vision of uCodeGirl is to inspire and equip young women to become the future face of innovation in technology. uCodeGirl is uniquely designed to inspire, engage and equip young women with computational design thinking skills, leadership traits, and an entrepreneurial mindset. uCodeGirl strives to remove roadblocks and bridge the gender gap in technology so that young women can confidently pursue opportunities suitable for the 21st century. By building confidence, enhancing skill sets and tapping into their intellect and curiosity, uCodeGirl helps young women chart a pathway to the T of STEM careers. More information here: www.ucodegirl.org | @ucodegirl |

/ucodegirl

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The pandemic has further exposed the growing digital divide amongst different segments of the population. Despite the ubiquitous presence of the internet and the rampant increase in the use of modern smart technology, there are still groups around the nation who are classified as being digitally excluded or lack the necessary skills to utilize technology to benefit their daily lives. In April 2021, the Pew Research Center reported, “7 percent of Americans, approximately 23 million people, do not use the Internet and 23 percent do not have access to a broadband connection at home.” Access to skills and competencies associated with navigating the digital world and unlocking jobs powered by tech also falls within the digital divide. Another older Pew Research has reported only 17 percent of adults are confident in their ability to use digital tools to pursue learning. Needless to say, it is an economic imperative to ensure the digital literacy divide is bridged. Harvard Business Review observed, ...women and minorities may be “hardest hit” in the pandemic, possibly because they are more likely to hold jobs in industries, such as retail, hospitality, recreation, and manufacturing, which are at an increased risk of layoffs.” The May 8, 2020 Labor Department report shows that Blacks and Hispanics have the highest unemployment rates in the country, and women have a higher unemployment rate than men. While 13 percent of White respondents have already skipped paying a bill, that is true for 37 percent of Black/AfricanAmerican respondents and 39 percent of Hispanic/Latino respondents, according to a recent poll by Data for Progress. As a result of the aggressive spread of COVID-19 and its continuing power to wreak havoc in our communities, we have been exploring innovative ways to center the young women we serve so that they have the tools and bandwidth to stay strong, stay focused and stay engaged. We are zeroing in on the intersection of economic disparities 86

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arising from inequalities on one hand and opportunities leading to exploring one’s full potential with reskilling and up-skilling of technical talent on the other. Focusing on the root cause and leaning on our proven track record, our current task is to remove the multiple barriers that undermine the earning potential and economic stability of young women of color, young women with limited financial abilities, and young women who are new Americans and from rural communities with limited essential resources. Our project will focus on implementing handson, project-based and immersive virtual training programs which will equip participants with practical and employable skills. This transition to a digital learning platform will be supported by solid curriculum and software industry professionals as mentors helping build an entrepreneurial mindset, leadership traits and technical skills.

Kelci Boniface Owner of The Black Frame Boutique

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself. A. I am a wife, a mom of two children–Brayden (8) and Kinsley (6)–a daughter, sister, friend, hockey mom, business owner… I thrive on chaos! I love being a boss–the CEO of my own life is the way I wanted to approach each and every day! Work hard play hard is a motto at our house. We enjoy life and spend time doing what we love as a family. After 12 years of owning The Black Frame Boutique as a “side hustle” it is my full-time business and having a different “day job” is a thing of the past. Q. How did you get involved in your work?

Kelci Boniface took The Black Frame Boutique from side hustle in her basement to her full time job. She knows how hard it is to be a Ladyboss, which is why she thinks you deserve a cold beverage, a good phone scroll session, and a comfortable pair of shoes. By McKenzie Schwark

SEPTEMBER 2021

A. As Brayden told someone when he was four years old, “My mom plays hair and helps dress her friends.” I have always been a people person and love helping others find happiness. I started doing hair in 2009 and always thought it would be fun to have my own business someday. My husband thought I was crazy, but it was a dream of mine. I started the boutique in a spare bedroom in our basement and began doing pop up shops. I put together our website from scratch while having no idea where to start and eventually opened up a small location in Sola Salon to test the market. My husband and I had lots of long talks about opening up a place of our own, so we put all of our eggs and dreams in one basket and decided to open a boutique and spa under one roof. Having my husband and family as my biggest supporters sure helped my dreams come true. Plus, hard work and dedication sure pay off! From shopping in the boutique or getting something made from our very own print shop, we have many services to offer at Black Frame: spray tans, manicures and pedicures, esthetic services, hair services and more. I am so proud to have an incredibly talented team offering diverse services under one roof. A lot of people who come in for the first time as clients have now become lifelong friends. Today we have multiple Ladybosses working right beside us. Amen to women supporting women! Q. What does it mean to be a Ladyboss? A. You may not realize it but every day you have Ladyboss moments. Women supporting women. One of the most powerful things we can do as

women is support other women. Leadership is hardly ever easy, there are always things to do, teams to manage and endless problems to solve. However, it is not for everyone. Those who do it will shine bright in their field and inspire others to do their best work. Follow your dreams and develop yourself in the process. Q. Who inspires you? A. My children inspire me. In this day and age, when children are pulled in multiple directions about who they are and who they should be, they have managed to find and retain their own true identity. My children make me want to be as good of a role model as I can be. I also get inspired by others. Seeing other people perform acts of kindness or listening to someone talk about something great that has happened in their life. I like to listen and take things in, it’s all about having an open mind and letting inspiration find you. And I find inspiration in this quote: “Learn to love the hate. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You earned it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone should have one about you. Haters are a good problems to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.” - Kobe Bryant Q. What is your favorite form of self-care? A. Living in chaos, it is hard for me to find time for self-care–but trust me–I thoroughly enjoy getting my mani and pedi’s along with my eyelashes filled and a good massage every couple of weeks! Enjoying a cold beverage while “scrolling aimlessly on my phone” (as my husband would say) is also a great way for me to stay relaxed! Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve heard recently? A. Learn how to manage expectations. Life is all about managing expectations–most

of all your own. The world will expect many things from you, and you expect many things in return. Going through life trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations can be exhausting. One of the best ways to manage expectations is to communicate with everyone on a frequent basis. When you feel your energy or happiness slipping, focus on softening your expectations. You will be better off not only at the time, but in the long run. Q. What do you think women need right now? A. Does a vacation sound good or is that just me!? You can always tell who the strong women are. They are the ones building one another up rather than tearing each other down. We as women need to support women and don’t find others as competition rather than an inspiration–her success is not your failure. Always be a dreamer. A person with a dream can be a powerful force. In the end, we all need a good friend you can call or she knows she can call you. A little confidence boosting lip-gloss, nail polish or necklace. Comfortable shoes that never give you blisters. A favorite movie you can quote every word. A few minutes to yourself– because girl, you deserve it!! XOXO Check us out at our West Fargo location, 435 32nd Ave E, or get social with us on Facebook or Instagram @shopblackframe – shop online at www.shopblackframe.com

SEPT/OCT

BUSINESS EVENTS

2021 CALENDAR

Fargo Events SEPTEMBER 9

The Landscape of Education: A K-12 Update

Thursday, September 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Join on September 9th to hear directly from local superintendents and presidents as they take a look at what the new school year may look like. With widespread growth across the metro, a high level of education is essential to fulfilling workforce demands. This September, area superintendents and presidents are convening for a K-12 education update. You will hear how teaching styles, classroom activities and expectations have changed due to the pandemic and how classrooms are getting back to normal. Additionally, the superintendents and presidents will provide updated information about enrollment numbers, district growth and long-term plans. Courtyard by Marriott 1080 28th Avenue South Moorhead MN 56560 fmwfchamber.com

on the most common mistakes made by employers AND how to avoid them. Kommer and Velasco Suarez base their presentation on “real life” issues, with practical solutions. If you are a business owner, office manager, or HR professional, this session is for you! Pending approval for CLE’s and HR continued education credits. Hilton Garden Inn and livestream 4351 17th Avenue South Fargo ND 58104 fmwfchamber.com

How to Avoid the Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make Wednesday, September 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Theeeeey’re back! Sisters-in-law Michelle Kommer and Martha Velasco Suarez (real life sisters) are labor and employment attorneys who practice law from two different vantage points, inside and outside counsel, in two different parts of the country. Kommer is the former ND Labor Commissioner and current owner of HighRoad Partners, an HR and Benefits firm, and Velasco Suarez is a former litigator with experience assisting clients with DOL wage & hour audits (and more), and current owner of WVS Law Firm in Houston, TX. They join together to present this session

SEPTEMBER 2021

. Courtyard by Marriott 1080 28th Avenue South Moorhead MN 56560

OCTOBER 7

Discuss, Connect & Reflect

Business After Hours - October

Join on Wednesday, September 15 for a thought provoking conversation brought on by another great episode from the Diversity Gap podcast series. This conversation will dive into the nuances of pf intergenerational diversity, what it looks like to lead authentically, and the importance of having a strategy and pacing in our efforts for change.

Business After Hours continues to set records as the region’s largest networking event. Booth space is often sold out, and attendees can connect with their peers and exhibitors ranging from cell phone companies to financial institutions and more. Join for a great time over apps, networking and fun!

Wednesday, September 15 from noon to 1 p.m.

Find Intergenerational Diversity and Strategic Cultural Change with Glen Guyton via this link or wherever you listen to podcasts! fmwfchamber.com

SEPTEMBER 15

provide topical and timely events to keep you in the know. Every month at Eggs & Issues you can expect to hear from local experts sharing what you need to know. And you can always count on a hot breakfast and networking. Stay tuned to find out what topic they’ll address this month!

SEPTEMBER 30 Networking Before 9

Thursday, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Grow your personal and professional network by joining this Networking Before 9 socializing opportunity. Make sure to invite a friend to join as well! fmwfchamber.com

OCTOBER 5 October 2021 Eggs & Issues

Tuesday, October 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Join for another exciting topic at this month’s Eggs & Issues! The Chamber strives to

Thursday, October 7 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Hilton Garden Inn 4351 17th Avenue South, Fargo Fargo ND 58103

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PLAN DESIGN AND CONSULTING EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS FIDUCIARY SUPPORT Find a full list of services on our website

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1202 27th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 | (701) 235-2002