Powering the creation, growth, and success of small business in North Dakota.
Reviving Community Gathering Places in Rural North Dakota VALLEY CITY – Brian Gullickson describes himself as an entrepreneur at heart. For years, he envisioned owning a bar and restaurant that would serve as more than a business. He wanted to create a place where people gather, connect, and build community. In 2023, he purchased and […]
Turning the Page: Main Street Books Begins a New Chapter MINOT – For nearly 20 years, Main Street Books has been integral to the heart of downtown Minot. In June 2025, longtime manager Lindsey Bertsch began thinking seriously about what it would take to carry that legacy forward. After 14 years working at Main Street […]
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 […]
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: 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 […]
Rocket Express Keeps Rural Business on the Move REEDER – In rural North Dakota, long drives for parts or supplies can stall more than just vehicles; they can slow entire communities. In 2024, Rhonda Knutson saw the toll those delays were taking on local businesses and decided to do something about it. She teamed up […]
Cleaning Up on Opportunity in Devils Lake DEVILS LAKE – For Mariah Eidsness, entrepreneurship was more than a dream; it was a calling. With years of experience in residential cleaning and a strong work ethic, she recognized an opportunity to fill a gap in the local commercial cleaning market. What began in 2018 as a […]