ND Small Business Development Centers

‘Tis the season once again! Our 2023 Annual Report is now available, highlighting our growth and success throughout the year. Inside, you’ll find a letter from Tiffany Ford, ND SBDC State Director, along with impact figures both collectively and for each center. Explore inspiring success stories from every region and messages from our business advisors. […]

Happy New Year to you! We hope you welcomed in 2024 surrounded by family and friends! Given the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and trying to get back into the swing of things in these first few weeks of January, we are going to keep this month’s message simple. Here are a few […]

Popplers Music – Grand Forks 2023 GRAND FORKS – From a young age, Joshua Gratton had a passion for music and a dream of owning a music store. This dream began when he was only 17. He has worked at Popplers Music since 2017 before he purchased the business in March 2022, in hope of […]

By: Matt Ellerkamp, Dickinson Business Advisor There are four phases in a business life cycle, and each phase presents excitement and challenges. As a small business owner, awareness of where their business is in the life cycle provides key insight into keeping the business healthy and avoiding detrimental decisions. Phase 1 – Start-Up This is […]

Valkyrie Fitness – Devils Lake 2023 LAKOTA – The journey of Katie Peavy, founder of Valkyrie Fitness Training, is an inspiring tale of determination and success. Katie had always dreamed of owning her own business, and her passion for fitness led her to embark on a personal training career over a decade ago. However, it […]

Pawsitive K9 Care – Bowman 2023 BOWMAN – Gracie, a dog lover, took her fondness for animals and turned it into a thriving business when she was just in 8th grade. She founded her pet care company in the spring of 2019, offering services such as pet sitting, dog training and agility. She reminds us […]

The Boom Closet – Dickinson 2023 MOTT – The Boom Closet, a firearms store specializing in new and used guns, optics, accessories, and more, is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of western North Dakota. Owned and operated by Ben Boyll, this family and veteran-owned business not only serves the needs of its customers but also embodies […]

Holiday Greetings! The end of a year and the beginning of a new one encourage us to reflect and plan ahead all at the same time. This applies to many areas of our lives, and if you are a business owner or a manager, it likely also applies to your business! Over the past few […]

Home Comforts – Williston 2023 WILLISTON – Dale and Bev Salmen embarked on a unique entrepreneurial journey in their sixties, allowing for new purpose in their lives. Their move from Minnesota to western North Dakota was unexpected. Dale first arrived in the area to take on drywall projects and was drawn in by the local […]

583 Therapy – Devils Lake 2023 DEVILS LAKE – In the heart of the Lake Region, a group of dedicated therapists embarked on a journey to create a place for occupational, physical, and speech therapy services. Jessica Anderson (center), Heidi Brown (right), and Emilee Luehring (left), all with years living and working in Devils Lake, […]