Mike Seminary & Friends

Rebecca is working to transform and grow not only her small town of Oakes, North Dakota, but the region surrounding it. Leading by example, she has purchased a building her grandparents bought exactly 40 years before she signed the papers, providing a co-working space and more. 

Once he decided the implement business wasn't in his future, Eric Hardmeyer found that the banking business was. Working his way up at the Bank of North Dakota, he held the President and CEO position for over 20 years, retiring in July. Episode 35

Like a lot of people, Jonathan Holth worked in the restaurant industry growing up. Unlike a lot of people he then decided to start a restaurant, which has since expanded across North Dakota and caused a lot of people to go crazy for deep-fried pickles. 

My friend Shane Balkowitsch was searching for his place in the universe. He has found it, and more. This oncology nurse turned successful business owner has become a renowned wet plate photographer with works in 32 museums around the globe. 

Not a fan of baseball? That's ok. Larry Tye's book on Satchel Paige is about way more than baseball and he has some great stories to tell. Learn about Satchel's time in Bismarck, North Dakota, his incredible pitching arm and more.

I wrap up my focus on female business owners with Former North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner, Michelle Kommer. She joins me this week to talk about her new business, High Road Partners.

When Nicole's boss asked if she wanted to buy the business, she took out a second mortgage to do so, and told her husband about it later. Hear some of her story and how a fire actually saved her restoration and construction company. 

When Leititia Hanke realized she wasn't going to make much money as a musician, she took a job as a receptionist at a roofing company. Hear how she eventually became the owner of that roofing company and along the way has made it possible for others to make a living in the trades, and other areas, through her foundation. 

Bismarck native Anne Mahlum joins me to talk about her passion for exercise and keeping others fit, as well. That passion led to starting a successful non-profit and most recently, solidcore, which has grown to 71 studios over the past 7 years. 

How does a California native decide to become a welder solely to get a job in the North Dakota oil patch? As she says, 'You've really got to want to weld when you want to do it in negative thirty-five degrees.' Kara's story of struggles, ingenuity and successes is one you don't want to miss.