Success Story: Rustic Orchid Floral

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 her laundromat. Cheryl and her husband have owned the laundromat for several years, purchasing it to create another source of income for their family. That first business gave her valuable experience managing operations and customer service, lessons she’s now applying to the floral shop.

Building on Guidance and Grit

Even with prior business experience, Cheryl knew launching a retail floral shop would bring new challenges. She wanted a clear plan to manage cash flow and steady growth. Through the ND SBDC office in Bowman, she connected with Business Advisor Sarah Nagel, who helped her turn that plan into reality.

Together they developed a detailed business plan and financial projections that helped Cheryl secure financing through Dakota Western Bank. Sarah also shared sample expense categories and researched floral industry startup costs to strengthen the proposal. With each step, Cheryl’s confidence grew. “Sarah simplified the process,” Cheryl said. “She helped me see the numbers clearly and believe I could do this.”

Cheryl’s relationship with the ND SBDC began even earlier. She previously worked with Advisor Laura Weber to apply for a SW REAP loan and a grant from the Adams County Development Corporation to make improvements to the laundromat. Laura guided her through business planning, projections, and the application process, setting the foundation for her next venture.

Because Cheryl’s background was in social work rather than retail, Sarah encouraged her to reach out to other florists to learn how they operated. Cheryl embraced that advice, pairing creativity with determination. “She never took no for an answer,” Sarah said. “She worked closely with me and Dakota Western Bank to make the financing work.”

Growing with the Community

Today, Rustic Orchid Floral is filling a long-missed need in Hettinger and the surrounding area. Customers now have a trusted local option for meaningful occasions, and Cheryl enjoys providing quality products and personal service that brighten people’s days. “The community has been wonderful,” she said. “I love being able to serve my hometown.”

The support was clear during her recent ribbon cutting, where Cheryl thanked the ND SBDC, Adams County Development Corporation, and Dakota Western Bank for helping make her vision possible. “Thank you to the great people who gave me the opportunity to provide this beautiful service in our community,” she shared.

Cheryl’s focus now is steady, sustainable growth. She continues to learn the rhythm of inventory and cash flow, refine pricing and purchasing, and build lasting customer relationships. Her advice for other entrepreneurs is simple: work with the ND SBDC. “Passion matters,” she said, “but planning makes it possible.”