Small businesses are the lifeblood of local economies, fostering innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to the unique character of communities. However, navigating the complexities of starting, running, and growing a small business can be daunting. This is where the invaluable support of Small Business Administration (SBA) advisors becomes crucial. These dedicated professionals act as mentors, guides, and strategists, empowering entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable success within their local ecosystems
Expert Guidance and Counseling:
One of the primary ways SBA advisors contribute is by providing expert guidance and counseling. Often free or low-cost, these services offer a lifeline to business owners who may lack specific expertise in areas like business plan development, financial management, marketing, and operations.
Access to Capital:
Furthermore, SBA advisors play a vital role in facilitating access to capital. Many small businesses struggle with securing funding from traditional lenders. SBA advisors help entrepreneurs understand the various financing options available, including SBA-backed loans.
Access to Capital:
Furthermore, SBA advisors play a vital role in facilitating access to capital. Many small businesses struggle with securing funding from traditional lenders. SBA advisors help entrepreneurs understand the various financing options available, including SBA-backed loans.
Community Knowledge:
Beyond individual counseling and financial guidance, SBA advisors often foster a stronger sense of community and collaboration among local businesses. They may organize workshops, seminars, and networking events that bring entrepreneurs together, allowing them to share experiences, learn from each other, and build valuable relationships. In a closeknit community, these connections can lead to mutually beneficial partnerships, joint marketing initiatives, and a more resilient local business environment.
About The SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing critical resources, guidance, and support to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. Established in 1953, the SBA offers a variety of services, including business financing through guaranteed loans, counseling and mentorship programs, disaster relief assistance, and advocacy for small businesses in policy-making. By supporting the backbone of the American economy, the SBA aims to foster economic growth, innovation, and job creation nationwide.
SBA advisors are indispensable assets to small business communities. These advisors play a critical role in strengthening local economies, creating jobs, and enriching the unique character of their communities. Their dedication to the success of small businesses makes them true champions of local economic development
Meet Mike Benson
SCORE , Praire and Lakes
Q : What is your niche/ specialty area?
A: We’re basic information generalists of mostly retired volunteers who have experience and knowledge in many areas of entrepreneurship. We have 20+ volunteers in the Fargo/Moorhead area and Southeast North Dakota.
Q: How long have you been working with small business owners?
A: From 2011 to present day.
Q: What is your favorite part of helping small businesses?
A: Working with new clients and listening to them talk about their product, idea, or concept. What have they already done? What do they want to do? What kind of help are they looking for?
Q: What do you think is the hardest part of starting or running a small business?
A: Developing and following a business plan that predicts covering expenses, and debt and making a profit.
Q: Why do you think small businesses enhance our community?
A: Small businesses including farming were and are the foundation of our economy. It is in small businesses that people are able to do the work for their customers that allows them to provide for their families. It was from individuals and small businesses that innovations and inventions have, over time, led to mediumsized and larger businesses
Q: If you could tell all entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would you tell them?
A: Write your ideas, plans, and problems down. One can’t do something about what’s been forgotten. Keep moving forward.
Score Prairie and Lakes
score.org/prairieandlakes
Facebook | /SCOREPrairieAndLakes
Linkedin | /company/score-mentorsprairie-and-lakes
“A client working with a mentor has a higher predictability of success than someone trying to do it alone. Plan your work, work your plan!”
Meet Michael Danielson & Doug Sanzone
Outreach Center Director, Veterans Business Specialist, Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas
Q: What is your niche/ specialty area?
A: The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) specializes in providing support to veterans, service-disabled veterans, and their spouses in starting, managing, and growing small businesses. We offer a range of services, including business counseling, training, and mentoring, as well as assistance with business plans and accessing funding. The VBOC’s goal is to help veterans transition from military life into entrepreneurship successfully and navigate the challenges of running a business.
Q: How long have you been working with small business owners?
A: While Michael and Douglas have been working for the VBOC for approximately one year each, we both have a history of small business ownership experience in our families.
Michael is married to a photographer in Grand Forks, ND who has been in business for 15 years. He also has a son who has opened an online apparel business and a daughter who recently started an alteration, sewing, and costume design business.
Douglas has over 40 years of small business ownership experience including owning a Wall Street trading firm and running a restaurant for over 10 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of helping small businesses?
A: Our favorite part is helping turn ideas into something tangible. It’s exciting to witness the transformation from a vision or concept to a fully functioning business and to be part of the process that empowers business owners to take those first steps. The passion and drive entrepreneurs have is contagious, and helping them navigate challenges, find solutions, and build a foundation for success is incredibly rewarding. It’s inspiring to see how small businesses can make a big impact on their communities.
Q: What do you think is the hardest part of starting or running a small business?
A: Often the hardest part of starting or running a small business is managing cash flow. Many small businesses struggle to balance income and expenses, especially in the early stages. Cash flow problems can affect everything from paying bills to hiring employees and investing in growth. Without a solid financial plan and discipline, it’s easy to run into liquidity issues that can jeopardize the business
Q: Why do you think small businesses enhance our community?
A: We believe small businesses are paramount to the health of national and local economies. Specifically, small businesses enhance North Dakota by driving local economies, creating jobs, and fostering innovation within communities. They often cater to the unique needs of local residents, helping to maintain a sense of community and offering personalized products and services. Small businesses also contribute to North Dakota’s diverse economy, balancing sectors like agriculture, energy, and technology. By supporting local entrepreneurs, the state strengthens its economic resilience and helps maintain a closeknit, entrepreneurial culture.
Q: If you could tell all entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would you tell them?
A: We want entrepreneurs to know that hardships will arise and that business ownership is not easy. However, there are a multitude of resources available to help overcome virtually any challenge that business owners may face. Entrepreneurs do not need to work through problems on their own. We highly encourage our clients to work with the various free small business resources available to them through the Small Business Administration, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, APEX, SCORE, etc.
Veterans Business Outreach Center Of The Dakotas
und.edu/dakotasvboc/index.html
Facebook | /dakotasvboc
Linkedin | /vboc-of-the-dakotas
Twitter | @DakotasVB
Meet Paul Smith
Fargo/Southeast Region Center Director, ND Small Business Development Centers
Q: What is your niche/ specialty area?
A: Small business finance and funding.
Q: How long have you been working with small business owners?
A: I’ve been with the ND SBDC since 2015 and working in and with small businesses for 20 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of helping small businesses?
A: Seeing the passion founders bring to their ideas and helping them turn those ideas into thriving businesses is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy being a small part of their journey, celebrating their wins, and having the opportunity to continue to support them as their business grows.
Q: What do you think is the hardest part of starting or running a small business?
A: Balancing all the roles—sales, marketing, operations, finance, HR—can be overwhelming, especially in the early stages. Many entrepreneurs underestimate the time required to work ‘on their business’ while sustaining growth.
Q: What do you think is the hardest part of starting or running a small business?
A: Balancing all the roles—sales, marketing, operations, finance, HR—can be overwhelming, especially in the early stages. Many entrepreneurs underestimate the time required to work ‘on their business’ while sustaining growth.
Q: Why do you think small businesses enhance our region?
A: Our small businesses reflect the unique character of this region and contribute to our great quality of life, which attracts many from other parts of the country. They also create jobs, drive innovation, and enhance the overall economic prosperity of this region.
Q: If you could tell all entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would you tell them?
A: Start with a solid plan, take time to learn at least the basics of finance, and don’t be afraid to ask for help—we’re fortunate to have a robust ecosystem of resources so you don’t have to do it alone.
NDBSCD
ndsbdc.org/index.html
Facebook | /ndsbdc
Linkedin | /company/score-mentors-prairie-and-lakes
Meet Christy Dauer
Executive Director, North Dakota Women’s Business Center
Q: What is your niche/ specialty area?
A: Our center’s niche is Main Street businesses that drive economic impact in their communities. We are your thinking partner as you ideate your business idea, market validation, business planning, growth, and succession planning/wealth management.
Q: How long have you been working with small business owners?
A: I’d like to say my whole life. I started at the OG Sandy’s Donuts in 9th Grade and wrote a business expansion plan for my DECA project. From there it was selling Cloverdale hot dogs for $1 at the Red River Valley Fair, and using those lessons learned to assist small business owners on margins, team building, and other important operating procedures.
Q: What is your favorite part of helping small businesses?
A: My favorite part of helping small businesses is witnessing the passion and dedication entrepreneurs bring to their ventures. It’s inspiring to see ideas transform into thriving businesses and to support them. I enjoy the diversity of businesses we work with, which keeps our team learning and adapting to current trends continuously. The most rewarding aspect is seeing the tangible impact of our efforts, knowing we’ve made a real difference in their success. Ultimately, it’s helping entrepreneurs connect with the resources they need to make informed business decisions that are best for their business.
Q: What do you think is the hardest part of starting or running a small business?
A: The hardest part of starting or running a small business is navigating the unknowns and overcoming the challenges that come your way. At the end of the day you have to have a product or service someone other than your friends and family is willing to pay for, so doubling down on the importance of market validation. Another significant challenge is maintaining a competitive edge in a constantly evolving market. Lastly, dealing with the unpredictability of customer demands and market conditions. We are in a unique market, the supply chain issues are real, accessibility to childcare is real, human capital is real, and the pressure of big box stores is very real for our local businesses. BUY LOCAL FRIENDS.
Q: Why do you think small businesses enhance our community?
A: Small businesses enhance North Dakota by driving economic growth and creating job opportunities, which strengthens our local communities.
Our economy depends on thriving small businesses that in turn hire local, stay local, and support other local businesses. They bring diversity and innovation to the market, offering unique products and services that cater to the needs of residents. Our clients contribute to the state’s resilience by adapting quickly to changes and challenges. Small businesses are the backbone of North Dakota’s economy, enriching the state’s character and prosperity.
Q: If you could tell all entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would you tell them?
A: If I could give entrepreneurs one piece of advice, it would be to stay resilient and adaptable. The journey of building a business is filled with challenges and unexpected obstacles, but your ability to pivot and persevere will set you apart, and sometimes you are too close and need to zoom out. Embrace change, learn from failures, and continuously seek opportunities for growth and improvement. Keep your vision clear and your determination unwavering and embrace community. I see this every day. Our community wants to support you!
NDWBC
ndwbc.com
Facebook | /ndwbc
Instagram | ndwbc
Linkedin | /company/north-dakota-womens-business-center
Meet Ian Carlstrom
Regional Director, West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center
Q: What is your niche/ specialty area?
A: For me, I help entrepreneurs simplify complexity, get unstuck, and move forward with clarity. My background includes years of hands-on business management, advising thousands of small business owners, and serving as a fractional integrator—working both on the big picture and in the day-to-day operations. I’ve recently added advanced AI certifications to my toolkit, which I use to introduce smarter systems and decision-making tools that make a real impact. At the West Central SBDC, what makes our approach unique is the team behind it: a group of a dozen specialized consultants who bring deep expertise across every stage of the business lifecycle. Together, we serve entrepreneurs throughout our rural region with practical, modern solutions that help them build strong, lasting businesses.
Q: How long have you been working with small business owners?
A: I’ve been working with small business owners for over ten years, both as a consultant and an entrepreneur myself. Our team collectively brings decades of experience across industries and business types.
Q: What is your favorite part of helping small businesses?
A: What I love most is helping entrepreneurs reconnect with why they started. Too often, they get lost in the pressure, the chaos, or the grind—and forget that their business was supposed to give them freedom, purpose, and possibility. My vision is a world where many people wake up inspired to do what they love, feel safe going out into the world, and go to bed fulfilled at the end of the day. But getting there isn’t always easy; sometimes we must face hard truths, let go of old habits, and do the uncomfortable work. Still, what’s on the other side of that—clarity, momentum, and meaning—is always worth it.
Q: What do you think is the hardest part of starting or running a small business?
A: One of the hardest parts is realizing that the business you’re building is just as much about who you’re becoming. Entrepreneurship constantly stretches you—it asks you to grow, to let go of perfection, and to solve problems in new ways. That can feel heavy at times, but it’s also where the transformation happens. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about building the mindset and systems that help you move forward, even when things are uncertain. That journey is tough, but it’s also incredibly empowering.
Q: Why do you think small businesses enhance our community?
A: Small businesses shape the identity of West Central Minnesota. They don’t just drive the economy— they bring life to main streets, create space for creativity and connection, and reflect the values of the people who live here. In a region where resilience runs deep and relationships matter, small businesses have the power to lead by example, create opportunity, and build the kind of communities people are proud to be part of.
Q: If you could tell all entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would you tell them?
A: Get clear on what success looks like for you—not what you think you’re supposed to chase. Too many entrepreneurs build around someone else’s vision and end up burned out. Build with intention. Create something that supports your life, your values, and your future. Every decision you make is either adding weight or building freedom
WCMSBDC
westcentralmnsbdc.com
Facebook | /WCMnSBDC
Instagram | @wcmnsbdc
Linkedin | west-central-mn-sbdc
Twitter | @MnSBDC
Youtube | @WestCentralMnSBDC
