ND Small Business Development Centers

Powering the creation, growth, and success of small business in North Dakota.

Success Story: Victorious Christian Kids Academy

Categories: ND SBDC Success Stories

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 […]

2026 January

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 […]

Defining Milestones for the Business Owner

Categories: Advisor Knowledge Base

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 […]

Success Story: Rustic Orchid Floral

Categories: ND SBDC Success Stories

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 […]

Success Story: Impact Marketing & Consulting

Categories: ND SBDC Success Stories

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 […]

Success Story: Schlittzen Liquor

Categories: ND SBDC Success Stories

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 […]

Success Story: Golden Valley Veterinary Clinic

Categories: ND SBDC Success Stories

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 […]

2025 December

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 […]

Success Story: Gunsmoke Grace

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 […]

What is Working Capital and Why Is it Important?

Categories: Advisor Knowledge Base

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 […]