Built on Service, Rooted in Community

A jar of locally made jam and a custom-built motorcycle may have little in common at first glance. Yet both demonstrate how military experience can influence entrepreneurship and how business advising and support can help turn an idea into a successful business. These are just two examples of the veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs contributing to communities across the Dakotas.

It is a story worth celebrating as we mark Veterans Day on November 11 and National Veterans Small Business Week, November 9-13. This year’s theme, “Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made,” reminds us to look beyond the storefront and recognize the people behind the businesses.

And there are plenty of people to recognize. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, veterans owned approximately 1.6 million businesses nationwide in 2023. Here in North Dakota, that included 1,026 veteran-owned businesses with paid employees, a count that does not capture those operating without employees. These numbers highlight the important role veteran-owned businesses play in our economy, but the individual stories help us better understand the people and experiences behind them.

In Mandan, Cassandra Mosbrucker turned a childhood love of gardening into Ginger Leaf Garden, offering starter plants, jams, sauces, and more. Getting there took more than a green thumb. She carried forward the discipline she developed in the Army National Guard and sought guidance from the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) of the Dakotas as she worked through the demands of business ownership.

A different kind of hands-on work brought Andrew Hahn and Christopher Fischer together at War-Torn Cycles in Hartford, South Dakota. These veterans built their motorcycle shop around craftsmanship and camaraderie. Hanging in the shop is a banner signed by every veteran who visits, a meaningful reminder of the connections they’ve made along the way. They also turned to VBOC and SBA resource partners for help with business planning and preparing to approach lenders. As Andrew shared, “Don’t hesitate to use the free SBA resources out there; they exist to help small businesses succeed.”

Business Resources Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs

The path to business ownership comes with decisions that require planning, research, and specialized expertise. Through the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) of the Dakotas, veterans, service members, and military spouses across North and South Dakota can access no-cost business advising and entrepreneurial training, including Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot.

In North Dakota, that support is complemented by the ND SBDC’s expertise in business planning, financial management, and growth strategies, and the ND APEX Accelerator‘s specialized assistance with government contracting. Together, these programs provide access to resources that address different business needs and help entrepreneurs make informed decisions as their businesses develop.

Our stakeholders and community partners are an important part of connecting military-connected entrepreneurs with these resources. Whether someone is transitioning from military service, considering business ownership, or looking to grow an established business, a timely referral can introduce them to guidance they may not have known was available. We encourage our partners to continue making those connections and recognizing the veteran-owned businesses contributing to their communities.

To our veterans and military families, thank you for the many ways you serve, including your contributions to your community through business ownership. And to our partners, thank you for helping turn appreciation into opportunity. In this season of gratitude, we appreciate the privilege of supporting veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as the partners who help make that work possible. Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening small business communities across North and South Dakota.

Tiffany Ford, State Director
And all the Staff of the ND Small Business Development Network