Susan and her family

With a degree in Elementary Education, she debated getting back into the teaching profession or doing something entirely different. “I prayed a lot about which direction I should go, thinking perhaps I could focus on some sort of ministry work but also do something that might bring in a little income. With five children, I thought it would be great if I could help pay for future weddings or allow my husband to retire a few years earlier!”

But owning a handbag store was not on her radar screen at all.

Susan’s father-in-law passed away from cancer in early 2007, shortly before she started her soul-searching. Several months later, her sister-in-law called and asked if she would bring her two daughters to Minneapolis in her father-in-law’s honor for a cancer foundation fundraiser.

“We made it a girls’ weekend and I was so moved by the Sara’s Dance Foundation and their mission, which is to build a wellness center in the Minneapolis area to serve women who are seriously ill and/or fighting cancer,” said Susan. “I loved it! I stood in the ballroom that night thinking, ‘I want to be a part of this!’”

She knew the co-founders of Sara’s Dance Foundation owned “some handbag store.” She knew nothing about the store, but figured there must be some connection, considering the people involved. The excitement led her to meet the founders that night. “I actually said to the women at our table, ‘Maybe I should open a handbag store and then maybe I will be involved with the Foundation that way,’” said Susan. “I figured, how tough can it be to be a store-owner,” she laughed. “You must just shake someone’s hand and start selling handbags. I could welcome people in as if I was welcoming them into my home.”

Susan came back to Bismarck and started emailing Cindy Deuser and Sue Olmscheid, co-founders of Lillians, the handbag store she learned about at the Sara’s Dance Foundation event, about the possibility of opening a store in Bismarck. At the time, the franchise was not yet available in North Dakota, but was soon to be. Ten months later, the first weekend of August 2008, the first Lillians in North Dakota opened in Bismarck.

The Lillians franchise was started by the two sisters from Minnesota who were looking for something ‘fun’ to do one weekend a month. They opened a handbag store that was only open four days a month and have now expanded the selection to include a wide variety of fabulous fashion, jewelry and many accessories. The first store opened in 2005 and the franchise has grown into 39 shoppes and counting.

There were many steps Susan had to take before the Lillian’s doors opened, but Lillians had an operations manual set up with everything mapped out. “I had to take a profile-survey to see if I matched what the company was looking for,” she said. “They discovered I was a good match for working with people, but questioned if I was going to be getting some help with the business side of things. I am sure my accountant had a few laughs over me the first year. She just told me to do what I do well and they would take care of the rest. Thank heavens for helpful people!”

Susan also found immediate support from her husband, Gary. “He has always been the realist in our marriage,” she said. “I’ve been known to have some crazy and idealistic ideas now and then, so I count on him to bring reality to many situations. He came to Minneapolis with me to Lillians Passion Day, an informational day for very interested parties considering joining the franchise. He knew to ask the tough questions that I didn’t want to ask. He is also supportive in helping out more at home since I am not as available there as I used to be.”

Until she opened her store in Bismarck, Susan carried the same handbag for about a year at a time. “I really didn’t care,” she said. “It was just something I put my ‘stuff’ in. It usually had to be brown or black so it would go with most things. Obviously, that has changed now. I have discovered there is far too much ‘fun and personality’ in a handbag to have just one each year!”

Community Involvement
Susan quickly realized there is no direct connection between the Lillians shoppes and Sara’s Dance Foundation. However, each individual shoppe has the option to donate, but, most importantly, the Lillians founders encourage each franchisee to get involved in their own communities and find ways to give back. Schwieters hooked up immediately with the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation, held a fundraiser within the first months of opening and has since held a Diva Night fundraiser for the Foundation each year.

But that is not the only organization she has helped. Countless non-profit organizations and individuals have benefited from Lillians Diva Nights and private events. Schwieters held eight fundraisers last November and December alone. “We do events for kids who are looking to raise money for mission trips and band trips, individual cancer survivors, as well as non-profit organizations,” she explained. “People can schedule private events with Lillians and at the end of the night we look at the till tape and write them a check for 10 percent of that evening’s sales. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out I am not writing checks for thousands of dollars at a time, but it all adds up. Lillians is a little shoppe, but the value of what we do goes far beyond the money a group can make, especially when girlfriends, family members and friends come together to support and cheer someone on.”

She said she has gained many valuable lessons as a shoppe owner. “I have learned so much through owning Lillians. I never thought I would be where I am, but each stage of our lives can bring new and exciting things to our journeys,” said Susan. “Regardless of age or where we are in life, we shouldn’t stop meeting and helping people and making a difference in the world. I look back to my roots where service to others has always been important. My parents lived a conservative life where kindness and love toward others was of the utmost importance. I have now surrounded myself with family and friends who have that same attitude. I figure if I have been blessed, then it is only right to give back.”

Working Hard and Having Fun
The concept of being open only four days a month was somewhat of a motivator for Susan. She does not, however, work only four days a month. “I doubt that I would have considered it if it would have been a traditional retail store where I needed to be on site every day for 12 hours. Having flexibility is wonderful. Many people are surprised at how many hours my employees and I put in each week to get ready for our four-day event each month,” she said. “It is really a full-time job for me. I spend three or four hours a day on the computer, then go to the shoppe and spend several hours unpacking, pricing, displaying, marketing for the next event. The week of our event we spend many, many hours at the shoppe.”

Two years ago, Lillians of Bismarck was one of the test stores that introduced clothing into its inventory. “The clothing has really taken off,” said Susan. “Originally, we had six vendors we were buying from; we now have 90. Those various lines collectively are named ‘Moon Goon—-the fashion side of Lillians.’ Selecting each month’s new inventory is probably one of the most stressful parts of my job. I sort through thousands and thousands of pieces trying to figure out what our customers want, which ones will give us the best quality for the best price so we can pass it forward. I look to my customers for input and feedback.”

There are many options in the apparel at Lillians. Shoppers can find everything from everyday camisoles, leggings and cardigans to boutique-style tunics, dresses and tops, all at Lillians’ affordable prices.

As a Lillians franchisee, Susan has followed the store’s “recipe” from the beginning and yet has found ways to bring her own personality into the store. Different colored balloons are put out each time they are open to symbolize a party going on, and women have learned to watch for those balloons. Everyone who enters the store is greeted by a, ‘Hello, welcome to Lillians!’ and tunes by the old crooners, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Sometimes Susan gets out her megaphone and calls out a random special, and the “Lillians’ virgin bell” rings on a regular basis. Cookies and coffee are always available and entering the store is like being welcomed into her home.

Since Lillians is a women’s gathering place, Susan and the store’s patrons make it a big deal when a man walks through the door. Susan rings the “man bell” and announces very loudly, “Oh ladies, there’s a man in the store!”

“Every once in awhile we get someone who thinks we are dissing him and thinks he is supposed to leave, but more often than not, we have men coming in pumping their fists and getting into it,” she said. “It is just our way of making sure they get a little attention, too. Then we lead him to the ‘man chair,’ give him a hunting or fishing magazine and offer him coffee. Most men are great sports and the longer they stay, the more they realize why the women love being here!”

Susan’s family has always called her ‘The Cheerleader,’ something that may have its roots in her younger years. “My three older sisters were allowed to be on the cheerleading squad as tenth graders,” she explained. “However, I desperately wanted to try out for the squad as a ninth grader. I was reluctant to bring my desire to my parents. Eventually I did and was allowed the earlier start! It all prepared me to be my kid’s #1 cheerleader in the stands these last 20 years,” she said.

Now, Susan has turned herself into a cheerleader for the community, holding fundraising events and creating a fun atmosphere in her shoppe. “I love what I’m doing, what we’ve become,” she said. “I love my customers and the anticipation each four-day event brings. I am not sure who gets more excited, us or them.”

When women come into Lillians they are welcomed with open arms. “We are a women’s gathering place,” said Susan. “There is social healing that happens here. Women are laughing and hopefully they feel a little light hearted or happier when they leave.”

She has painted on the wall the phrase, “Together…. Scatter Joy” and she hopes women take the opportunity to scatter joy after they leave and make a difference in someone’s life.
Susan summed up the last few years this way: “I pray about my business a lot. I pray for wisdom and guidance. I asked the Lord to be my business partner, to help me in all aspects involved in owning my shoppe. Without the grace and help I have received, the last three-and-a-half years would look completely different,” she said.

“It all goes back to when I was wondering where I was being led. I remember asking, ‘Can retail be a form of ministry?’ I now realize it can be. I have the opportunity to reach out in various ways to every person that walks through our doors,” said Susan. “One of my favorite quotes by Mother Teresa is written on one of my walls in the shoppe, and it sums up so much, ‘Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless!’”

“Yes,” she continued. “I call this a ministry.”

Lillians is located at 108 N. 5th Street, downtown Bismarck.

General David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell

Since that induction, Broadwell has continued to add titles and accolades to her bio, the latest being author. Her focus for the past year has been “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus,” which began as her Ph.D. dissertation three years ago. In a few weeks, after she is finished with the initial promoting of her book, she will again become a PhD student, a virtual research assistant at Harvard, and an Army Reservist assigned as an assistant teacher at West Point. “Yes, I wear a number of hats,” said Broadwell. “But my most important title is mom and wife.”

Finding a balance between her professional and personal life is something Broadwell seems to excel at, just like everything else she attempts. “I was driven when I was younger…driven at West Point where it was much more competitive in that women were competing with men on many levels, and I was driven in the military and at Harvard, both competitive environments,” she explained. “But now, as a working mother of two, I realize it is more difficult to compete in certain areas. I think it is important for working moms to recognize family is the most important. It doesn’t mean you have to put all of your dreams, hopes and ambitions on hold. Just find a way to find a balance and, if you can, outsource the non-essential work.”

The following paragraph, written by Donna McAleer in Role Models / Honored Role (part 15): Paula Broadwell – Arc of a Driver, illustrates how the balance may come at a price:
“As a senior Army Captain, Broadwell cleared many of the hurdles to enter into the world of black operations. But despite deep professional satisfaction and a unique opportunity, Paula traded her active duty commission for one in the Army reserves. ‘It was my own inability to balance work and family. I had just become engaged. Entering black ops was a lifelong dream and I questioned the choice for sometime but soon realized I would find my way via other professional outlets, which I truly have! And I am blessed to have an incredible family life, and a sense of work-life balance. The important lesson for me is that you can have it all, just not all at the same time.’”

Broadwell couldn’t have accomplished all she has without extreme discipline and following her dreams. “I always wanted to be a public servant and work in international security,” she said. “I was just following my passion, I found a way to do that through the military, and now through war correspondence and book writing.”

THE BOOK
When Broadwell began to pursue a Ph.D. in 2008, her dissertation was to conduct a case study of Petraues’s leadership. After two years she realized there was a book in the making and spent another year embedded in Aghanistan observing Petraeus and his team.

What follows is an embed scenario and excerpt from the preface of “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus”

Broadwell spent quite a bit of time with this unit in the Arghandab, Kandahar Province:
An eerie calm fell over Bakersfield as the first of Flynn’s soldiers arrived at first light. Flynn, accompanied by members of his battalion staff and his personal security detail, set out on foot toward Bakersfield shortly before 8:00 a.m., following a convoy of engineers who were clearing the route of IEDs. But as Flynn approached, an IED detonated and the Taliban opened up with a barrage of small-arms fire. Then another IED went off and Flynn saw Specialist Michael L. Stansbery, 21, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, down on the road, injured by the blast. It had ripped his torso in half. A huge cloud of smoke hung in the air. Captain Andrew Shaffer, one of Flynn’s commanders, remembered how, at that moment, time seemed to slow to an agonizing crawl. “Medic!” he heard someone shout. Radios crackled with reports of small-arms fi ring coming from the south.

Minutes later, yet another IED exploded, leaving two of Flynn’s sergeants bloodied and dazed. Then he saw Sergeant Kyle B. Stout, 25, of Texarkana, Texas, in the choking black smoke, gravely wounded on the road. His face was frozen, mouth open. There was a blank look on his face. Three limbs were gone. Shaffer knelt beside him and forced a tourniquet over exposed bone and pulled it tight on flaps of skin and muscle. He remembered thinking how strange it was that Stout wasn’t bleeding—his body was “shunting,”instinctively cutting off blood flow to its extremities in a last-ditch effort to protect its vital organs. Flynn knelt by his side and tried to talk him back to consciousness. A call went out for medevac. A Black Hawk helicopter soon landed in a field fifty meters to the northeast and evacuated Stansbery and Stout from the battlefield…
Flynn learned later, as the fighting raged and they maneuvered soldiers across the battlefield, that Stansbery, Stout and Pittman had died of the wounds they suffered in the opening moments of the battle. It soon became clear to them how important this simple crossing was to the enemy.
The fighting continued for five days before Flynn’s soldiers finally cleared the objective.
***

(from Preface)
I first met General David H. Petraeus in the spring of 2006, when I was a graduate student at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. After two tours in Iraq, including command of the 101st Airborne Division during the 2003 invasion, he was visiting Harvard to speak about his experiences and a new counterinsurgency manual he was developing as the three-star commander of the Army’s Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. It would get its first real test run a year later, during the surge in Iraq, with Petraeus himself in command.
 
I was among the students invited by the school to meet with the general at a dinner afterward, because of my military background. I, too, was a West Point graduate, and I had been recalled to active duty three times to work on counterterrorism issues in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. I had since joined the Army Reserve and begun graduate studies with the intent of returning either to active duty or to the policy world. I introduced myself to then–Lieutenant General Petraeus and told him about my research interests; he gave me his card and offered to put me in touch with other researchers and service members working on the same issues. I later discovered that he was famous for this type of mentoring and networking, especially with aspiring soldierscholars.

In 2008, I began to pursue a Ph.D. in public policy and to conduct a case study of Petraeus’s leadership. A few months into my research, General Petraeus, who was then leading Central Command, invited me to go for a run with him and his team along the Potomac River during one of his visits to Washington. I figured I could interview him while we ran. Soon I learned what Petraeus means when he says, “The only thing better than a little competition is a lot of competition!” My intent was to test him. I’d earned varsity letters in cross-country and indoor and outdoor track and finished at the top of my class for athletics at West Point; I wanted to see if he could keep stride during an interview. Instead it became a test for me. As we talked during the run from the Pentagon to the Washington Monument and back, Petraeus progressively increased the pace until the talk turned to heavy breathing and we reached a six-minute-per-mile pace. It was a signature Petraeus move. I think I passed the test, but I didn’t bother to transcribe the interview. I later
learned that, at the time, he was nearing the end of eight and a half weeks of radiation treatments for prostate cancer.
 
I intended for my dissertation to trace the key themes—education, experience and the role of key mentors—of Petraeus’s intellectual development and to examine these principles in action over his career. But when President Obama put him in charge of the war in Afghanistan in the summer of
2010, I decided to meld my research with an on-the-ground account of his command in Kabul—his last military command, as it turned out. He would again become the face of a highly unpopular war, with a surge of 33,000 U.S. troops deploying.
 
Petraeus had a year to make the gains in Afghanistan that the president would need in order to begin his promised drawdown of forces in July 2011. Every minute counted. He commanded from his fourteen-hundred-person headquarters in Kabul and traveled frequently throughout Afghanistan,
visiting the more than 150,000 soldiers from forty-nine nations, of which 100,000 were from the United States. By the fall he seemed to hit his stride. But every day in Afghanistan was hard, and no one was certain how it would end.
 

Broadwell in Zabul with school boys

This was the story I would report across several months in Afghanistan, observing Petraeus and his team, embedding with combat units, and interviewing dozens of senior officials, officers, soldiers and Afghans. I spent time with infantry, artillery, Special Operations Forces and other military and civilian elements. I reported from the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and the U.S. Embassy. I flew by helicopter to the sandy desert of Helmand Province, the jagged mountains of the Hindu Kush in eastern Afghanistan and Kandahar’s lush Arghandab River Valley. I broke bread with Afghan ministers, businessmen and barefoot villagers. I ate MREs and T-rations in the field with our soldiers, some of whom were my former peers or West Point classmates. I traveled with retired general Jack Keane on a theater-wide assessment in February, and I covered Petraeus’s trips back to Washington for his testimony on the war before Congress, his drawdown discussions with the White House, his confirmation hearing to become director of the CIA, and his last week in Kabul. Throughout, I had numerous interviews and innumerable e-mail exchanges with Petraeus and his inner circle.
 
One of Petraeus’s favorite quotes comes from Seneca, a first-century Roman philosopher: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” This has been true for Petraeus at many turns; his greatest “luck,” however, might have been the opportunity to lead the world’s finest troopers over six and a half years of deployments since 9/11.
 
I’ve had some luck, too, with this endeavor, and I am grateful and wiser for the journey.

***

”I’m grateful to have had this book writing opportunity and eager to use the book to draw attention to those who have served and incurred battlefield wounds that have changed their lives forever,” said Broadwell. “I’m giving book proceeds to veteran support organizations that help troopers recover, especially from “invisible wounds.” 

Paula is married to Dr. Scott Broadwell; they have two very busy young boys, Lucien and Landon. They live together in Charlotte, NC, and when Broadwell is not on the frontlines, online, or writing lines, they love to run, ski, and surf together.

To order “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus” visit paulabroadwell.com
Visit Team Red White and Blue, a veteran support organization benefitting from the sale of “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus”

“Having a bunch of medals and badges doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve achieved anything, you’ve got to do something beyond yourself to make a difference in life. Seek to be consequential in whatever you do.” ~Paula Broadwell

Ardie and Jeri

How did you finance your business?
We shopped around checking with a few local banks and looked at a SBA loan. 
We wanted to work with local peoples so we financed both businesses through a local community bank.

How many employees do you have?
Plato’s averages right around 10-12 employees and Clothes Mentor normally has 6-7 employees. During the Back-to-School months we hire a few extra high school kids for Plato’s. Jeri spreads her time between both stores managing sales, marketing and the employees, Ardie works in the store for special sales or events and manages the financial side, and Jerry, Ardie’s husband, handles everything in between.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Affordable health insurance has been our biggest challenge. We do have employees that need health insurance so we shop around try to find the best product for our group. Shoplifting is another huge challenge for us. Even though the staff is trained on how to handle this, shoplifters are constantly finding new ways to steal.

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’?
I don’t know that we have yet or that I want to feel we have because we may not push as hard to be successful. If anything though, it would be comments from customers about what a great store we have and they are going to tell all their friends about us. Also returning customers and being recognized while skiing in another state, that makes me feel we “made it”.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
We want to be “a $1 million in sales” store and we will get there. We are in the talking stages of eventually expanding the Plato’s store. We need more fitting rooms and we’d like to have more inventory on the floor. As far as Clothes Mentor we want that store to be a household name just like Plato’s Closet. To be our customers first stop to shop!

What makes your business different/unique selling proposition?
In both stores we pay “cash on the spot” for items we can accept which sets us apart from a consignment shop. Our merchandize needs to be clean, current style and in ready to wear condition. Every customer that walks through our doors are greeted within 30 seconds with a smile and a welcome!

What business idea do you wish you had thought of?
The business we are running now! These two brands are growing so rapidly across the US and Canada, helping the earth be greener!

What is the most fun you have at work? What do you most enjoy.
The most fun at work is when we are busy. When the staff’s energy level is at it’s highest. The customer feeds off that and sees how much we love our job.
What I enjoy most is seeing people buy what they couldn’t afford else where. Knowing our customer is walking out with a happiness and feeling better about themselves.

What do you wish you had known before you opened the doors?
As far as the business side, I wish I had known that everything is negotiable rather than just taking as offered.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner?
The day we opened the doors on Plato’s Closet and my daughter and I were standing together arm in arm watching the customers rush in the door! That’s when I felt we “did it”, we actually achieved our dream!

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business?
It definitely is scary starting up a new business but if it’s your dream and it feels right, take the risk. It will be well worth it. Do your homework. We talked to a lot of people before we made the final decision. Life is too short for regrets!

Plato’s Closet, 204 West Front Avenue, Bismarck
Clothes Mentor, 100 West Front Avenue, Bismarck

Follow them on Facebook

How many employees do you have: There are seven employees. I have two business partners who are also physical therapists. They are Steve Churchill and Jay Fischer. We also have four additional employees who keep our facility running smoothly, manage accounts and do billing.

What has been your biggest challenge: The biggest challenge has been the competition between larger medical providers and making our business known to the general public. We educate the public to their right to receive medical attention at the facility of their choice.

When did you realize you finally ‘made it’? I think there were a number of areas which gave us encouraging signs that we were going to ‘make it’. The first is beating the statistic that only 10% of new businesses survive the first five years. Since then, we have been able to purchase the building we were renting. In addition, we recently have added a satellite clinic.

What is the vision for the future of your business? From a quality standpoint, I envision the continued deliverance of quality physical therapy services utilizing physical therapy techniques which are unique to the local area. I have recently attended the Advanced Primal Reflex Release course and am able to deliver manual therapy techniques which are highly effective and which no one in the area is doing. My business partners are highly specialized in the treatment of jaw pain and utilize special skills for this as well. In addition, we are very successful in the treatment of the neck and back and I anticipate we will continue to do so. In addition, I would like to see us expand to the point of hiring additional staff.

What makes your business different/unique? We are unique in that the staff has attended a number of educational courses which allow them to provide PT services not available at other facilities. In addition, patients always see the same physical therapist for each session. In general, we provide a lot of manual therapy techniques and quality time spent with each patient.
We also have the best support staff. Becky Dillmann is our office manager. She and the team keep our office and gym running smoothly. They have a great attitude and laughter can often be heard all over the building.

What business idea do you which you had thought of? I am currently looking into ways to provide physical therapy related information to the masses utilizing social media. This has not been an area that we have focused on in the past.

What is the most fun you have at work? What do you most enjoy? The most fun is the receiving the appreciation from patients, who did not think they were going to be able to get help, but then receive relief of pain and improved motion based on the techniques provided. It is a real humbling experience to have someone overcome with emotion based on something you have done. It makes this job rewarding.
I am a person who is constantly changing and trying new things, I enjoy many aspects of my job. I am involved in patient care, marketing, as well as taking care of bill paying and payroll. These activities give me the variety I need to suit my individual personality. We recently established a satellite clinic which has allowed me the opportunity to set another facility as I would like. It allows me to be creative in this regard.

What do you wish you had known before you opened the doors? The best advice I have for someone else wishing to open their own business is to be well networked. This can be done through individuals or specific networking groups. The best advertising is word-of-mouth, so the more people who know who you are and are willing to talk about your business the better you are able to let others know about your services.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner? The proudest moment is when I hear patient’s tell others about the quality of service they receive at our facility and that they are willing to travel for hours or go out of network just to receive the care that we are able to deliver.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business? Pick something you for which you have a passion not a career due to the amount of money you will make. When you are happy with what you are doing, your customer can sense the difference.

AIM Physical Therapy is located at 2945 N. 11th Street in Bismarck, east of Century High School.
aimpt.net

Kay in her Mary Kay Escalade!

Kelly: Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, I always knew I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps and have my own Mary Kay career. Having the flexibility to work all over the USA and globally, if I chose to, fit well with my horse show travel schedule. I learned from both my parents to always expect excellence and be willing to work hard to achieve my dreams. I earned the use of my first pink Cadillac when I was 21 years old, the same year I earned the AQHA National High-Point Championship in Amateur Western Pleasure. I believe these accomplishments were a reflection of my mom’s example of dedication and perseverance, and my dad’s coaching talents, belief and passion for each of us to excel.

How did you finance your business?
Kay: Fortunately this business has the option of keeping product inventory on-hand for immediate delivery, so I invested in full inventory from our savings account.

How many employees do you have?
Kay: My dear husband, Chuck, just passed away unexpectedly in August, so I outsource help in accounting, etc. now. No other employees.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Kay: I have learned to embrace challenge, because that means I am still growing in knowledge and experience. When I adapt that mentality, I use a challenge as a stepping-stone to reach higher heights, eventually. I think we each have to come to that realization in our own way as business owners.

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’?
Kay: I was personally trained by Mary Kay Ash in Dallas, TX. Until I met her, I didn’t realize what I had stumbled in to. I was not planning on a career change. In a study conducted in
2003 by Baylor University, Mary Kay Ash was named the greatest female entrepreneur in American history. Her influence on me was profound. I wanted her to know who I was and be proud of this North Dakota prairie girl. She specifically asked me to go home and earn the use of a Pink Cadillac. I promised her I would, and 4 months later it became a reality. I have driven 14 so far, currently the Pink Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. In fact the independent beauty consultants in our unit broke a company record during that time and continue to set records. We are currently ranked in the nation’s Top Ten for sales in our division. There is more publicity recently on the fiscal health of our state of ND, and the boom in our economy. I have always believed the work ethic and loyalty to great customer service of the Midwest people are vital keys to sustaining success. Now I teach at our global headquarters and was asked to educate new NSDs from 35 countries. Seeing women from impoverished countries like India, and former communist countries like Russia, now have a business of their own is highly rewarding.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
Kelly: My mom was the first National Sales Director appointed from the state of North Dakota in the company’s 49 year history. Her portrait is displayed in the Keepers of the Flame museum at the MK world headquarters in Dallas, TX. Her mission is to develop many leaders to follow in her footsteps before she retires in 8 years. My vision is to be one of her Independent National Sales directors. The products are innovative, earning the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, and the business opportunity has unlimited earning potential. The complexion of the future of Mary Kay is focused on being highly appealing to the Generation Y audience. This is my generation and I understand what appeals to this market. Valuing our longtime clients and attracting a new generation of customers is exciting to me.

What makes your business different/unique selling proposition?
Kay: As a highly respected DSA (Direct-Sellers Association) member, Mary Kay Cosmetics is not only a home-based business, but also a locally owned business in each community an independent beauty consultant lives in. There is only one transaction of product from the company manufacturing plant at wholesale directly to the home of the independent beauty consultant to sell at retail. ABC Nightline news program recently featured a segment on the reputation and success of our company. Women love to buy cosmetics, but most do not like to be “sold to”. Our satisfaction guarantee and excellent training helps develop repeat business in a highly competitive market.

What is the most fun you have at work? What do you most enjoy….
Kay: I have fun every single day. Girls just wanna have fun, right? Inspiring women is my passion. Also the free Mary Kay trips around the world I earned for my husband and myself for the last 17 years enhanced who we became as people. I have a cruise to Greece this spring and to Bejing, China next year on my agenda.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner?
Kay: I continue to have repeat proudest moments each time I see a family I influence benefit from the free use of a Mary Kay car, and have choices for the financial future of their families.

Kelly: As simple as this may sound, I am proud every time I help transform a woman’s confidence in her appearance.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business?
Kay: Listen to your intuition. It is your greatest business tool. Honesty and integrity never go out of style.
Kelly: Listen to your mom! (Unless she is discouraging you to try. She may have been taught not to get her hopes up, so you aren’t disappointed if something doesn’t work out.)
We say GET YOUR HOPES UP!

marykay.com/kkelvrum

Jane & Marilee

How did you finance your business?
On a shoe string. They took out a small loan and worked hard to build upon that.

How many employees do you have?
They have six employees right now, but that swells considerably during major floral holidays such as Valentines Day and Mothers Day. We need to call in extra help – delivery drivers, in-store and phone salespeople during those times. Several people come back year after year to help at holiday times, as they enjoy the fun and fast pace as well as the flowers. The delivery drivers love to see the smiles on people’s faces when they receive flowers. It truly makes their day.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Jane: Being away from my family and the long hours we put in.
Marilee: Being a good boss. We have such great employees, I want to treat them with the same respect they give me. We are so lucky to have such a great crew!

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’?
Marilee: Mmmmmm, made it? Things constantly change, nothing stays the same. We are just thankful for everything.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
Marilee: Continuing to grow the flower shop and serve our community.
Jane: Continuing to make people smile, though good times, bad, happy or sad.

What makes your business different/unique selling proposition?
Since we are a smaller flower shop, we tend to know our clients and customers personally. We have helped several girls with their prom flowers, then wedding flowers and then new baby flowers. We have shared life events with families – weddings, anniversaries and funerals – and share in the joys and sorrows with our whole hearts.
Marilee: It can be an emotional roller coaster somedays. I can book a wedding in the morning and be laughing with the bride, then help a family with the sorrow of a funeral in the afternoon. Regardless, I know I am helping someone with an important event in their life.

What is the most fun you have at work? What do you most enjoy….
Jane: I enjoy the satisfaction from helping customers, I am a people pleaser! I also enjoy being able to be creative on a daily basis. I love coming into the flower shop on a cold, winter day – it’s like a tropical paradise, so colorful and fresh.
Marilee: Even if I am feeling blue, I walk in the shop and it enlivens me. I breathe deep…I call it “Flower Therapy”. Plus, I get excited about the beauty of the flowers and plants. Even though I see them everyday, I am still in awe. When you see a tulip bulb pop up from the ground and then turn into a beautiful flower, you just know there is power much great than we are, and you believe.

What do you wish you had known before you opened the doors?
Jane: The hidden expenses and all of the paperwork involved.
Marilee: I am constantly learning and relearning everyday.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner?
Jane: Being able to purchase a building. We had expanded three times at our old locations and when the opportunity came up to buy our new store, it was just the right thing to do. I am also proud when I can add a new employee to the payroll, helping them as well.
Marilee: Knowing my life does have a purpose – helping people. Flowers can soften the hurt of a funeral, brighten the day of someone who is sad or enliven a celebration such as a wedding or birthday. I’m glad to be there for people when they need special flowers Also, I’m pretty proud that we are a woman-owned business. We can do it!!

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business?
Jane: Be prepared for long hours, hard work and lots of dedication. Always give back and support the community that supports you.
Marilee: Go the extra mile and truly care about what you do.

The Dutch Mill Florist is located at 1731 North 13th Street, Bismarck. Visit their facebook page for beautiful floral photos!
dutchmillflorist.com

How did you finance your business?
Fortunately, I didn’t have much for start up costs.  Just some advertising that I did by placing brochures in hair salons & spas.  I knew women “talked” and word would hopefully spread.

How many employees do you have? I am the sole owner/operator.

What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was getting the word out about Hidden Treasures without spending a ton on advertising.  But quickly, word of mouth began to spread.  But I did realize that you still need to keep advertising of some kind.  Keep your name and face out there.

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’?
I probably realized I made it, when I started being asked to do tv spots, magazine articles and things of that nature.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
I’m very happy with how business has been.  As my children get older  my business gets busier and busier, which has worked out amazingly!  My vision is for this to continue!
 
What makes your business different/unique selling proposition?
I think what makes Hidden Treasures unique is that I can shop anywhere in town or Fargo(if I happen to be there) for my clients.  This way I can accommodate  any budget I’m asked to stay in.  My clients don’t have to buy “my products” to get my business.  It’s very flexible.

What business idea do you wish you had thought of?
One business idea I wished I would have thought of is Pinterest!  How cool, fun and easy is that!  Why didn’t  I think of that!!

What is the most fun you have at work? What do you most enjoy….
Everything about my job is fun!  It truly is a joy and a blessing for me to get to do what I love to do!  I work with the most amazing clients and have great flexibility as far as my hours are concerned.  What I probably love to do the most is go into a home, see that they already have a lot of great things to work with, and then add to it.  I love seeing my clients reaction when I take treasures that they already own, and give them a totally different and cohesive look. Then if I need to, go out and find the finishing pieces!  I also LOVE to declutter  and organize as well!!

What do you wish you had known before you opened the doors?
The only thing I can think that I’d wished I’d known before starting up, is that there will be times that are extremely busy but also times that are very slow.  BUT, it always picks up again!  So enjoy it all!

What is your proudest moment as a business owner?
My proudest moment would have to be when I was asked to decorate  a certain office building in town that has a lot of traffic through it!  I’ve decorated several offices, but this was different.  I received  a lot of compliments on that!  Also, being the decorator at my church brings me lots of joy!   That’s  done voluntarily of course.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business?
My advice to someone wanting to get a business started would be to find other small (or large) business owners and ask questions. Maybe get in a networking group to start spreading the word.  Keep  getting your name out there.  And mostly, if you know if your heart that this is the right thing for you to do, then DON’T GIVE UP!!               
 
Call Ali at 323.0111
 

How did you finance your business?
Kirkwood Bank & Trust trusted my vision & passion and extended a line of credit.

How many employees do you have?
I have five Junk Yard angels that are amazing! We make a great team and I couldn’t do it without them. Everybody brings their own uniqueness to the table which makes it an even more exciting adventure.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Staying unique, fun, and original…to always create a shopping experience for our customers.
We are not just “walls & ceiling & inventory,” Junk Yard Chic has its own heart and soul. In today’s duplication of big box stores, the small, locally owned business gives more to its customers beyond service. At Junk Yard Chic, customers are like friends/family.

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’?
Every day is a gift and we are grateful for that. It is reassuring to watch how customers react to the store and enjoy their purchases when they have found that perfect item. Many have said a visit to Junk Yard Chic is like therapy…a place where they can “exhale”.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
I just hope we can keep fulfilling the needs of our customers and make an impact on our community. It is our goal to stay fresh, fun and keep our customers’ curiosity level high. We often hear people remark every time they stop in, they see something different.

What makes your business different/unique selling proposition?
We work hard on trying to offer to our customers things that they won’t see anywhere else, offering many one-of-a-kind treasures. We have all price points. There is always that “little thing” and that “big thing” you need. Every purchase is handled as a gift and is put into our signature bags with tissue to go home with you in Junk Yard Chic style…something our customers look forward to.

What business idea do you wish you had thought of?
Microsoft! I’d love Bill Gates to be my partner!

What is the most fun you have at work? What do you most enjoy….
I really enjoy spending time in my workshop creating. Beyond the one-of-a-kind furniture, mirrors & décor pieces, I am especially proud of the “Cross of Clarity” necklace. I was inspired to create something to ground us and give us hope and it’s proven to do just that. It has been so heartwarming to see the response from our customers and hear how it has touched their lives.
I also love totally revamping the store from time to time which creates a whole new experience for our customers when they return.

What do you wish you had known before you opened the doors?
I wish I had known how much fun it was going to be, I would have taken the leap sooner!
The concept of Junk Yard Chic all started because of an “idea.” If you believe in it, you can achieve it. The key is to stay focused on the positive and not let the obstacles along the way be discouraging. Sometimes Plan B is better than Plan A.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner?
Being recognized by The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber as the “2006 New Entrepreneur of the Year” award winner. It reaffirmed what I am doing is making a difference in our community. It was nice to be recognized for thinking outside the box.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business?
Follow your passion, follow your dreams!
Don’t be afraid to put in the work to achieve success.
If you do what you love, it’s never a “job”. It’s kind of just that thing you do every day because it makes your heart and soul sing.

Junk Yard Chic is located at 201 West Main Avenue, Bismarck
junkyardchic.com
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Gail and Linda

How many employees do you have?
Our staff is made up of an array of individuals to meet the needs of our clients and implement our unique services, including Wellness Coaches, Massage Therapists, Aestheticians, and Service Technicians. Without them, we wouldn’t have the success that we do. We are both very organized and upfront, with no surprises. We feel we have created an environment in which we would want to work in.

What has been your biggest challenge?
We are not only business partners, we are the best of friends. When we started The Body Connection, we were told that partnerships don’t last. It was said that it will ruin our friendship. We thought that was going to be our biggest challenge, but it wasn’t! We both have the same work ethic and thoughts on what we expect out of our business.
In the beginning there was not the competition we have today. Now it seems there is a spa, massage business, gym or weight loss clinic on every corner. We are constantly thinking of new services to provide our clients and keep it exciting. As business owners we have to stay on top of it!

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’?
When we opened our second location and saw new clients coming through our doors, we knew we had made it. We had spent the time researching what was needed to make it happen – the advertising campaigns, floor plan, equipment buying, it all fell into place.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
We look ahead everyday in terms of reinventing our business, having fun and enjoying life! One of the major changes we have seen in the past 20 years is that obesity is at an all-time high and continues to rise, for adults and children. With both families working and their crazy schedules, families need help making healthy choices. We designed a new program three years ago called “Nutritional Boot Camp 101” which helps families or individuals create a healthier grocery list, fast affordable meals and offers them healthier dining out choices. The response has been incredible and parents are amazed at how much their children love the newer, healthier versions of their family recipes.

What makes your business different/unique selling proposition?
We individualize our programs to fit our clients’ needs. We don’t have a “one-size-fits-all” program. We also offer shopping services from healthy grocery options to fashion and organization consultations.
We are constantly training and reinventing ourselves to continue to meet the needs of our clients and our business. Being open to change is very important! We recently attended a “Be Well” seminar in Salt Lake City. The new “Be Well” program incorporates online seminars for stress, relaxation and healthy lifestyle choices. We are very excited to combine these classes with our wellness programs this year.

What is the most fun you have at work?
When someone “gets it”. Our health should be number one and it truly is a small part-time job! The rewards are amazing and it can truly be fun and easy to lose weight. We love to give someone the knowledge and power to see just a few changes in lifestyle can provide a huge impact in their health.
We have made so many special friends throughout the years and still receive thank you cards, phone calls and visits from our past clients. Our very first client is still with us today, after 20 years.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner?
Our proudest moments are when our clients are successful in their journey to wellness. One of our clients lost over 50 pounds and changed her life drastically by getting help with her alcohol addiction and leaving her husband who also had a drinking problem. She was stuck in a rut, but now, over four years later, she is living a fabulous life with a new, healthy relationship and maintaining her goal weight. She now has the self esteem to talk to groups about past addictions and her new found healthy lifestyle.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business? GO FOR IT! If it is your passion, you will be successful. We are so glad we followed our passion.

Health, wellness and spa services – who would not want this to be a part of their life everyday? The choices you make today are your future tomorrow! Education, motivation and the desire to succeed in all areas of our life is what it means to really follow your passion and truly succeed.

Located at 2525 East Rosser, Bismarck
bodyconnectionbis.com

How did you finance your business? By using my retirement fund.

How many employees do you have? My receptionist works for the facility where I lease space. I contract out for transcription, billing and accounting services. The bone density (DXA) scans are performed and interpreted by me.

What has been your biggest challenge? Insurance reimbursement. Medical facilities contract with insurance companies to accept the amount THEY decide to pay. If you don’t sign a contract with them patients will go somewhere else so their insurance will pay the bill. Medicare reimbursement is between 50 and 70 percent of what is actually billed. The facility absorbs the rest as we cannot bill those patients for what is not covered.

When did you realize you had finally ‘made it’? Still wonder about that frequently.

What is your vision for the future of your business? There are some exciting changes in the works! I am joining another provider and will work in family practice. We will still offer bone density testing and specialized osteoporosis care.

What makes your business different/unique selling proposition? My patients are able to have their bone density scan, learn the results and recommendations in one appointment. They like that.

What is the most fun you have at work? Doing what I most enjoy…. educating and caring for patients.

What do you wish you had known before you opened the doors? The truth about how long it would take for Medicare to make a payment. I did not receive payment from them for almost 9 months.

What is your proudest moment as a business owner? When a patient returns and we see an increase in their T-score, meaning the osteoporosis has improved.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a business? Be ready to work long hours.

dakotaosteo.com