2023 New Year’s Resolutions

Written by: Brady Drake

New Year’s Resolutions are often made in our personal lives, but what about our professional lives? We were lucky enough to interview a handful of local entrepreneurs looking to make lasting changes in 2023.

Jesse Azure

Founder, Spadesso

About Jesse Azure

Jess is a former massage therapist and a licensed master esthetician. With over 80% of the salon and spa industry being women-owned, she’s proud to have created a space that supports women entrepreneurs and helps them grow their businesses. Being a champion for women in business is an important part of her journey and she participates in many of Fargo’s women-focused entrepreneurial events.

Prior to starting Spadesso, she spent four years working in sales and marketing within the Real Estate Industry. She is a self-professed homebody that loves spending time with her husband, daughter and bulldog Rakken while also making them try new recipes she’s discovered. In the summers, you can find her at the golf course with her golf friends.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

We are dead set on changing the way you search and book appointments when you don’t have an established salon or spa provider. In 2022, we were really limited in how we sourced the data to make that possible for our consumers. In 2023, we’d like to change it up a bit and offer another way for our providers to get their open appointments to our platform.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

In 2023, we’ll be introducing our provider self-serve station where licensed providers working within the salon, spa or massage industry can bring any of their openings to our site to advertise. This new feature will open the door to providers that might not be utilizing scheduling software or to those providers that only have occasional openings. It’s a really exciting development for our consumers because we’ll have a much wider selection. With this feature, no two days will look alike and you’ll always want to check with our platform first because you’ll never know which providers will be posting their openings!

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

As with any feature or update to our Platform, it’s an opportunity to test our MVP (minimum viable platform). With the addition of our provider self-serve station, our biggest challenge will become the maintenance and freshness of our appointment data.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

We’re working closely with our development team to build in opportunities to test and relaunch as needed with the feature.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever come across recommends sharing your goals with someone else, as it helps keep you accountable. We’ve shared our 2023 goals with several mentors, coaches and our community of loyal consumers and providers. We know they’ll be expecting to see some of these changes in the new year. And on that note, I know we’ll need to improve our channels of communication to keep them up to speed on our latest developments.

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

As a newer startup, we’ve worked through a process of slowly testing our platform, building our list of trusted providers and developing a small base of consumers.

It has felt painfully slow at times, but these first steps that test our MVP were necessary steps in the journey to building something that can be bigger than the FM area, and something that’s more than just haircuts and massages. Securing another source of funding, along with feedback from our consumers and providers has also helped pave the way for the changes ahead in 2023.

What is Spadesso?

Spadesso is a platform that offers last-minute salon and spa appointment search and booking with local providers.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

My favorite lesson, which I’d love to share with you, is to just keep going. Data crashes? Just keep going. Sent out a piece of media that had imperfections? Just keep going. Scared to put the application in? Do it, and just keep going. Reach a business milestone? Celebrate! But, keep going.

I can be a bit dramatic when problems arise, so the reminder to take a breath and just keep going has really served me well this year!

Do you have any personal new year’s resolutions?

In years past, I’ve put more energy into goal setting than resolutions, per se. This fall, I participated in one of the Positive Intelligence pods with the Mental Fitness Guy (highly recommend) and want to continue to identify those moments of thought sabotage while challenging my brain to operate out of what they call your “sage” (calm) brain.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

What isn’t on my professional bucket list!? Entrepreneurs are curious about everything. Coming from the spa world, I’d love to open a retreat or wellness center that focuses on meditation. But my most treasured bucket list item, the third reason to my “Why” as an entrepreneur, is to bring back a beloved frozen pizza brand (which shall remain nameless for now) and restore it to its former glory. I have many treasured memories surrounding that brand, and I think many other North Dakotans do too. So, to do it collectively, as a point of pride for the people of our state, would be really special. But if that can’t happen, there’s always writing and creative projects or the dream of a giant bulldog sanctuary to fall back on!

spadesso.com
Facebook: /Spadesso
Instagram: spadesso

Clayton E. Cottman

Founder, Uncle Charlie’s Gourmet Snacks

About Clayton E. Cottman

Clayton is the Founder and CEO of Uncle Charlie’s Gourmet Snacks based in Fargo, ND. His background in Performing Arts and Jazz Improvisation led him to a 20+ year career in Culinary Arts. A lifelong creative, Clayton began the company known as Uncle Charlie’s Gourmet Snacks featuring their flagship product, “Charlie’s Chow,” in 2018 and officially released it in 2020.

Clayton founded Uncle Charlie’s Gourmet Snacks with a mission: to make delicious snacks you can feel good about eating! He believes that food should be fun, unique and made from high-quality ingredients—and that’s what he strives for every day at the factory.

He loves all things creative and enjoys reading and listening to music when he’s not in the office or kitchen.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

We are so excited for the new year and all the opportunities it holds!

Our goal is to have our gourmet chocolate snack food, “Charlie’s Chow,” distributed nationally. We want to continue to grow regionally first, but we want to eventually introduce our snack to more markets, even internationally, one day!

We believe that by making this resolution, we will be able to help more people experience the joy of eating Charlie’s Chow and sharing it with their friends and family.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

Building relationships with our vendors and suppliers is one of the most important things we can do to ensure our continued growth. Our investors are also extremely important to us. And of course, it’s always great to receive feedback and support from your local community.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

It’s not easy competing with some of the big names in the snack industry. It’s a real David vs. Goliath-type thing, but our product really is better than anything else out there. I know that as we continue to get our product on shelves—which I’m confident we can do—we’ll be able to show everyone what we’re made of!

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

As a growing business, overcoming challenges is something we’re very used to. We plan to overcome our challenges by having a consistently tasteful product, continually innovating our flavor profiles and paying close attention to customer feedback.

We know that in order for our business to thrive, we need to make sure that our customers are satisfied. We want them to come back again and again because they know what they’ll get from us: an excellent product that’s crafted with care.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

Yes, we rely heavily on data from our accounts and key business advisors! We’re also very excited to continue building our infrastructure and company culture. As we continue to add key positions within our team, such as salespeople, marketing specialists and production managers, we can’t wait to see how our company culture of creative innovation continues to spread. A whole team working on one accord can do amazing things!

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

When it comes to running an entire business, I’m still learning as I go. Like most startups, access to working capital has always been challenging. Still, as we gain more exposure, support and sales revenue, we move closer to the resources needed to support those critical additions to our team.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

I’ve learned that it takes more than just making great food; it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Running a company is a different ball game than making food for customers. It’s been challenging, but we’re getting there!

The most important lesson I’ve learned in 2022, is that you have to be very resilient in this business. You’ll have setbacks, but you can’t let them get you down—you have to keep going and keep moving forward. You need to be ready for anything because there are so many variables that come into play when running your own business: finding clients, working with employees, ingredient suppliers, etc. You have to be prepared for anything at any given time and ready for anything because every day is different from the last day!

Do you have any personal new year’s resolutions?

My personal new year’s resolution is to facilitate prosperity and growth for my family, friends and community. And to take a much-needed vacation!

I love the idea of setting goals, but I’m not sure that they work for everyone. For me, they’re more of a way to focus my energy on what’s important to me. I think having a clear idea of your priorities is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, so being able to make those priorities explicit is really helpful.

In terms of how this relates to my work life? It’s not something that comes up too often in the office; most people are focused on their own projects rather than thinking about how their work supports other people. But once we start talking about our personal goals, it becomes easier to see how our work fits into the bigger picture—and this helps us get motivated and excited about what we’re doing every day!

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

This may sound crazy, but one of our bucket list goals is to become the official snack of a favorite sports team. We also want to do promotional content with a beloved local pro athlete whose last name rhymes with “Squints.”

We love the idea of being integrated into people’s daily lives in such an intimate way—and if we can get people eating more snacks while they’re watching their favorite teams or athletes, then that’s just the cherry on top.

eatcharlieschow.com
Facebook: /UncleCharliesGourmet
Instagram: eatcharlieschow

Patty Post

Founder and CEO, Checkable Medical

About Patty Post

Patty Post is the Founder and CEO of Checkable Medical, a company providing products to “help people make clinical, evidenced-based decisions from the comfort of home.” Post has been a wife to her husband Andy for almost 20 years and is a mother to Will, Topher and Lily.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

As a start-up CEO, I must move swiftly and be visionary. This is an excellent skill set but it can be detrimental because I tend not to stop and reflect or ask others how they’re doing with the rapid amount of changes and the pace at which we’re working. One business resolution is to be more intentional with each person who reports to me. I’ve spent my career in business development, independently running my territories or managing reps. My personality is a lone wolf, which is great for sales, but it’s not great for being an internal operator and, as a start-up CEO, that’s what I am.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

Two ways—first, bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with those who report to me. Second, bi-annual company retreats so we can have some fun and bring those out-of-towners to our Fargo crew to get to know each other better.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

My schedule. Traveling, raising money, business development, research, I’m always meeting with people and most of the time, their availability dictates my schedule.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

My social media marketer is working a double role and is my executive assistant at the same time of managing social media. If I tell her not to break the schedule, she makes it work another way. I deleted the Calendly on my email signature so people can’t throw meetings on my calendar either. I also have a set agenda for each meeting, so it’s not labor intensive but it’s super informative and the time is important.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

My team, I expect them to call me out because I call them out. We need to hold each other accountable.

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

I didn’t realize what I needed to do until recently when I became more self-aware through having someone manage my schedule. I was able to zoom out and see where and who I was spending my time with. I’ve let my schedule dictate me and have only focused on group meetings.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

That my life is 100% better alcoholfree. I’m a better CEO, I’m a better wife and a better mother without it. I feel my feelings, I don’t escape them. I have meaningful conversations and relationships. Alcohol was a staple of my lifestyle, and I realized in 2022 it was a filter on my life experiences.

Do you have any personal new year’s resolutions?

Sticking to a budget with my husband equals not eating out and meal prepping instead. I also want to plan vacations well in advance and stick to a monthly shopping allowance for clothes, groceries and activities. Are there any books you are looking to read this year? Yes! I read a business book a month. My first three are: “Dream Manager” by Mattew Kelly, “Topgrading” by Bradford D. Smart and “The Ultimate Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

Going into Target and taking a picture of Checkable Products on the shelf.

checkablehealth.com
Facebook: /CheckableHealth
Instagram: checkablehealth
Twitter: @CheckableMed

Hannah Stelter

Founder, Designed by Hannah and Scribble Lady

About Hannah Stelter

Currently located in Fargo, Hannah is 24 years old, and is a content creator, influencer, advocate for self-love and body positivity, competitive pole dancer and working Artist and Founder of Scribble Lady and art supply and gift shop. Known for her scribble ladies and glass pen work, she has built quite a large following on social media and in the local community. From teaching drawing classes with the glass pen, to showing her passion for embracing imperfections in her fine art, she has a little bit of something for everyone. When she is not working, Hanna can be found at Zero Gravity Alternative Fitness, training for her next pole dancing competition or traveling to just about anywhere in the world.

“I have a lot of future goals, but at the end of the day, I let the universe guide my decisions.”

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

Looking to 2023, a huge goal of mine is to create better systems for my business so that things run even more smoothly this year. Some things I am looking at are hiring new team members, delegating more of what I do to others to streamline things and putting other additional workflow systems in place. For Scribble Lady, I have a lot of big plans— one being adding more virtual workshops and adding new products to our art supply line.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

One step at a time. I am a big list person, so organizing and prioritizing the things that need to get done first is key.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

With Scribble Lady, it’s a new business, so all my 2023 projections are most likely going to be super conservative, whereas, with Designed By Hannah, I have three years of sales to aid with my projections. It’s going to be really interesting to see how things play out with Scribble Lady, but I have big dreams, so I think this will be my best year yet.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

I couldn’t do everything without my amazing team, and as mentioned before, I might be bringing another person on to help out, so I guess my answer is teamwork.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

I have a loose year-plan for both businesses that I am going to be following, but again, with Scribble Lady being so new, I am anticipating the need to pivot here and there. I am always trying new workflow management systems and such, so I am sure there will be a mix of those helping me keep on track as well.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

The biggest thing I learned was that hiring your first employees can be really scary, financially, and also just because you are now managing people, but in the end, it can help your business grow so much faster. Making that step this year was big for me, and now I am already looking at taking on a fourth employee going into 2023.

Do you have any personal new year’s resolutions?

I’m hoping to have Scribble Lady working like a clock this year so that I can focus more time on my fine art. I have also closed my commissions so I can explore some more personal projects, which has me really excited. I also took home two second-place medals for my pole competitions this year, so maybe, in 2023, I will bring home a first-place medal!

Are there any books you are looking to read this year?

So many! I’m planning to re-read “Clockwork” by Mike Michalowicz, and also on my list are “F*ck No” and “You Do You,” both by Sarah Knight, “12 Rules for Life” by Jordan B. Peterson and so many other books.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

Forbes 30 under 30—go big or go home right?

Designed By Hannah
itsdesignedbyhannah.com
Facebook: /designedbyhannahart
Instagram: designed.by.hannah
TikTok: hannahstelter2
YouTube: Hannah Stelter

Scribble Lady
scribblelady.com
Facebook: /scribbleladyco
Instagram: scribbleladyco
TikTok: scibbleladyco

Ricky Pallay

Founder, Pallay Enterprises

About Ricky Pallay

Ricky Pallay is the founder of Pallay Enterprises, which is an umbrella company for DJ 1PrettyRicky and WEAREONE. He started his own DJ company in 2017, and as 1PrettyRicky, he brings his uniquely LA style to the Midwest, seamlessly blending Hip-Hop, R&B and House music, creating feel-good environments for corporate, club, festival and mobile events. He also started WEAREONE, a Fargo-based social agency that designs audio and visual events, artist-led playlists and radio content as well as event promotion.

Ricky is an alumnus of Minnesota State University Moorhead, before completing his BS in Management from the University of Phoenix. He has a consistently upwardly mobile career that spans banking and electronics sales to senior level management. Specifically, he has led various concentrations of hospitality in the fields of food service, event management and overnight accommodations.

In his career and life, there was one consistent theme that compels him to forge forward in the Fargo community. The capacity to change lives through community service has been the driving force in keeping reaching out for more. Whether it is wearing a white suit and greeting people from all over the world at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, or mentoring and praying with those in recovery, Ricky is there to serve!

He takes pride in his various volunteer capacities by co-leading a Young Adult Grow Group team at Prairie Heights Community Church in Fargo, being a part of the North Dakota Problem Gambling Advisory Council, a board member for the Greater Grand.

Forks Inter-Agency Forum and being appointed to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Community Advisory Board.

Ricky realizes it is humbling to serve others and it keeps him grounded in his faith and belief that anyone can return from addiction and mental health issues with help from those who care. He entered a recovery program in February 2018 for compulsive gambling and through continued, active participation in an anonymous organization that supports those striving to recover from gambling has been a part of turning his life around completely. Ricky is also a certified Peer Support Specialist II, which enhances his lived experience with recovery, and he finds joy in extending a “hand up, not a hand-out” to enrich his life and the lives of those he interacts with every day.

He met the love of his life, Lelsa, in 2011 and they married in 2016 in Fargo, ND, where they currently reside. Ricky is also a champion for regular self care, which he practices with his love of gas station hot dogs and monthly pedicures.

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

My biggest business New Year’s resolution is to find more nonprofits to do pro bono events for and to do more volunteer opportunities outside of playing music. One thing I have sincerely loved about Fargo is our thriving community of nonprofits, and I have been able to serve the F5 Project, Prairie Heights, Fred’s Dissonance, FM Derby Girls and New American Consortium for Wellness and Empowerment, just to list a few. Giving back in service feels so good and I would like to make more intentional time to do that for these organizations and more!

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

I know of the “bigger” organizations in town, but Giving Hearts Day has always been great for finding more charities in our community. I believe there were over 500+ charities who participated in Giving Hearts Day in 2022 and I can only imagine how many more they will have for 2023! I have the talent to share and I would love to find a few new organizations I can partner with and do something special with them.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

I think one of the biggest challenges for anyone who operates in a service or hospitality industry is the variability of time. There are some seasons that are incredibly busy, like the summer, and there are other seasons where things slow down significantly. There are always exceptions, and I do have my indicators to pre-plan for those months when I have reached capacity on doing more events.

How do you anticipate overcoming them?

Like all businesses, it is important to know what you can and cannot do, and I am a firm proponent of open communication. I have been blessed to have great mentors, partners and collaborators who have helped me countless times to stay afloat and to make sure that events happen as planned. For a moment of transparency, I need to work on making sure my goals of more collaboration are realistic, and also ensure the time frame when I want things to happen is realistic too. I have added undue stress on myself before by overdoing and overworking, and in the long run, that affects my business and my personal well-being.

Are there any tools or things you plan to use to keep yourself on track/accountable?

I mentioned earlier about my mentors, partners and collaborators who have been vital to my success, and I have communicated my desire to serve more charities/non-profits in 2023. Considering how many goals I have accomplished with their help since being in business, I think I am in a prime position to have the guidance I need to make a bigger impact in Fargo, and hopefully in more areas of North Dakota too!

What has kept you from making this change in the past?

I have always had a servant’s heart, so I don’t think it was anything I needed to “change” to make this happen. My parents instilled in my sister and me early on the importance of service and volunteerism, and I still seek ways to do that now. I think the difference for this goal in 2023 is naming it; I am writing it down in my personal journal, including it in my updated business plan and telling Fargo INC! I firmly believe this is not just lip service and I hope I am invited to do a follow-up piece at the end of 2023 and can report on how well I did with this goal!

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

The biggest lesson I learned in 2022 was I do not know how far I can go until I push myself to go the distance. When I started my own company five years ago, I did not imagine the significant improvements I would make in all aspects of my business and be as busy as I have been. 2022 has been my biggest year yet and it certainly took concentrated planning, a lot of heart and effort, more sleepless nights than I could ever glamorize and saying yes to a little more and more. Honestly, I surprised myself that I had so much grit in me! That was a fun piece to add to my growing self-awareness, but I also know that this growth can be sustainable if I move smarter in 2023. I want to see 30 years in business; that is the distance I want to go.

Do you have any personal new year’s resolutions?

I don’t have any specific resolutions this year, but I do have some advice I read from Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year that I have been applying already. In an article for Men’s Health, he said, “Do a little more today than you did yesterday, celebrate yourself and then do a little more tomorrow and celebrate again. That’s how you stick to a resolution,” and that’s what I am sticking to and will do more of in 2023.

Are there any books you are looking to read this year?

Yes! I have been interested in more nonfiction lately, and Barack Obama released his Summer reading list, with a book I am definitely going to tackle this season. It is called “A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance” by Hanif Abdurraqib, which is a series of essays about Black performers, many of whom I admire and look up to.

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

I have a big, lofty goal, but what is a bucket list without dreaming big? I would love to own my own venue one day. I would host events, business meetings, small concerts, hold a DJ school and much more.

djprettyricky.com
Instagram: 1prettyricky

Kirk Anton

Chief Visionary/Partner, Heat Transfer Warehouse

About Kirk Anton

Kirik Anton is a partner in Heat Transfer Warehouse, a business providing heat transfer products of all sorts to customers across the United States and beyond. Anton helps steer Heat Transfer Warehouse in its four locations: Fargo, ND; Cincinnati, OH; Las Vegas, NV and Jacksonville, FL.

“I want to build the best influencer/partner program in the industry and find more vertical platforms.”

Looking back on the year that was in 2022 and the year to come in 2023, what is your new years business resolution?

I want more collaboration. I want to utilize more technology. And I want to build the best influencer/partner program in the industry and find more vertical platforms.

How do you plan to accomplish this resolution?

Grinding away and by visiting more of our technology partners to learn more about what we can do.

What do you anticipate the challenges to be?

Our biggest hurdles would probably involve the technology not working.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2022?

Keep an eye on the pulse of the industry and be prepared to rapidly change.

Do you have any personal new year’s resolutions?

I do not like resolutions. I feel if you want to change or do something different the time is now, why wait till the end of the year? But if you want one, it will be getting my son safely off to college.

Are there any books you are looking to read this year?

“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson

Looking even further out, what is something on your professional bucket list?

Working more from Florida or a warm climate.

heattransferwarehouse.com
Facebook: /HeatTransferWarehouseSupply
Instagram: heat_transfer_warehouse
YouTube: @HeatTransferWarehouse
TikTok: heattransferwarehouse1
Pinterest: @heattransferwhs
Twitter: @HeatTransferWhs

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Brady is the Editorial Director at Spotlight Media in Fargo, ND.