Laura Weber honored with 2023 State Star Award of ND SBDC

BOWMAN, N.D. – Laura Weber, business advisor in Bowman, N.D., has been awarded the 2023 State Star for the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers, an esteemed recognition that highlights her outstanding commitment and contributions to the small business community in North Dakota.

Every year, the America’s SBDC State Star Award is presented to individuals like Laura Weber who have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, made substantial contributions to their networks, and championed the success and growth of small businesses within their state or region. Laura was celebrated at the national level during the annual America’s SBDC conference, which took place the first week in September, in Nashville.

Tiffany Ford, ND SBDC State Director, praised Weber’s dedication, stating, “Laura’s commitment to her clients is where she really shines. Her heart lies with the smallest and most rural clients, where she is the loudest cheerleader for their success. Laura is engaging and encouraging not only with her clients, but also with her peers. She is a highly valued member of our statewide team, which is evident by the honor she was given this year, being selected as our State Star.”

Weber’s roots in rural North Dakota run deep, having grown up on a farm/ranch near Ralph, S.D. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in business management and art history from Concordia College. Weber and her husband reside in Scranton, N.D., and are proud parents of four children.

Weber’s passion for rural entrepreneurship is evident in her role as the business advisor for the Bowman SBDC since 2013. She specializes in helping small businesses in rural areas thrive. In addition to her work with small business clients, Weber has also dedicated her time and expertise to various nonprofits.

Reflecting on her achievement, Weber said, “It is an incredible honor to be selected by my peers for the 2023 State Star Award. Each day, we have the privilege of collaborating with entrepreneurs and business owners who contribute to the vibrancy of North Dakota.”

Committed to helping others, Weber’s work at the ND SBDC allows her to assist clients in their process of exploring, starting, and building their businesses. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our rural communities, and Laura Weber firmly believes that there are no limitations for rural businesses—only opportunities for significant results. Through her advising, she empowers clients to create their own impact and contribute to their communities in North Dakota. She is also a lead coordinator of FUSION, a significant annual conference held in her small community which focuses on regional business needs, developing workforce, and offering both professional and personal development topics.

The ND SBDC is a statewide outreach program of the Center for Business Engagement & Development within the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration at the University of North Dakota. The ND SBDC is North Dakota’s largest and most impactful small business development organization, and since its inception in 1986, the network has helped small business owners and entrepreneurs across the state, providing expertise, insights, and connecting and leveraging resources to ensure client success, resulting in economic impacts that strengthen local communities. Services are provided at no-cost to clients thanks to funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bank of North Dakota, and local supporters across the state.

For more information on the ND SBDC programs or services, call 701.777.3700, email leadcenter@ndsbdc.org, visit our website, ndsbdc.org, or find on social media (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram).