Powering the creation, growth, and success of small business in North Dakota.
Growing Stronger with Every Step: Steady ND SBDC Support on Barnabas Gbeintor’s Entrepreneurial Journey Fargo – When Barnabas Gbeintor launched a faith-based childcare center during the pandemic, it was more than a business decision. It was a response to a pressing need in his community and across North Dakota. Demand for dependable childcare continued to […]
Categories: Stakeholders
As we begin a new year, our team is reflecting on the impact made possible through the continued support and collaboration of partners across North Dakota. The start of the year offers an opportunity to look ahead with purpose, and it reinforces how essential strong partnerships are to advancing small business development, entrepreneurship, and long-term […]
By: Ashley Louw, Devils Lake Business Advisor According to a blog at UpMetrics.com, 20 percent of business start-ups fail within the first year. That number increases to 50 percent by year five. Setting up a solid plan along with realistic goals can help deter this trend and keep a business owner accountable, rather than becoming […]
Rustic Orchid Floral Brings Beauty Close to Home HETTINGER – When longtime resident and small business owner Cheryl Dix noticed her community no longer had a flower shop, she decided to change that. Drawing on her lifelong love of gardening, she opened Rustic Orchid Floral in the summer of 2025 in a vacant space beside […]
A Career of Helping Others Goes Out on Its Own DICKINSON – What began as a handful of side projects soon grew into steady requests, and Julie Obrigewitsch recognized an opportunity to turn the work she most enjoyed into a business of her own. That steady demand sparked Impact Marketing & Consulting, which she launched […]
Cody and Kayce Schlittenhard Find Success with Schlittzen Liquor LANGDON – In February 2024, Cody and Kayce Schlittenhard embarked on a new venture that would soon become a mainstay in their community of Langdon, North Dakota. By July of 2024, they proudly opened the doors of Schlittzen Liquor, a store that quickly became a go-to […]
Investing in Community Care: Golden Valley Veterinary Clinic Expands to Serve Rural North Dakota Park River, ND – When demand for both large and small animal care continued to rise across northeastern North Dakota, Golden Valley Veterinary Clinic knew it was time to expand. Owners Dr. Nathan Kjelland and Britt Jacobson had outgrown their leased […]
Categories: Stakeholders
As we wrap up the year, I want to share my gratitude with all of you on behalf of our entire network. To our partners and supporters across North Dakota – your collaboration makes everything we do at the ND SBDC possible, and I’m thankful every day for the greater good that we get to […]
Categories: ND SBDC Success Stories
Rural Roots, Modern Vision: Gunsmoke Grace Launches in Riverdale Riverdale, ND – Riverdale native Alexis Krehlik graduated from Underwood High School in 2024 and turned a longtime dream into reality in February 2025 when she launched Gunsmoke Grace LLC, an online shop featuring western and hunting-inspired apparel and leather goods. From a small warehouse in […]
By: Nicole Evans, Grand Forks Center Director Understanding Working Capital We often hear the term working capital, and we may even use it regularly in business, but what exactly does it mean, and why is it important to understand? Working capital represents the operating liquidity available to a business and is considered a component of […]