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North Dakota SBDC Helps North 9 Bar & Grill Revive Rural Community Gathering Spaces

July 22, 2026

Brian Gullickson describes himself as an entrepreneur at heart. For years, he envisioned owning a bar and restaurant that would serve as more than a business. He wanted to create a place where people gather, connect, and build community.

In 2023, he purchased and restored a bar in Kathryn, North Dakota. Through that experience, he saw firsthand how important local gathering places are in small rural towns. When historic bars and restaurants close, communities lose more than a business. They lose a place to meet.

That realization led him to look for additional communities where a bar and grill could fill a meaningful need. His search brought him to Valley City, where he took over operations of North 9 Bar & Grill, formerly a country club facility, in March 2025. After renovating the interior and stabilizing operations, he purchased the building outright in December 2025. North 9 is now open year-round, providing a consistent dining and gathering space for residents and visitors.

The restaurant offers a comfort food menu built around familiar, satisfying meals, paired with a welcoming bar atmosphere. For Gullickson, the most rewarding part of ownership is the people. He values providing local employment, interacting with customers, and building relationships that strengthen the community.

Planning Around Real Community Demand

Although Gullickson brings a background in marketing and prior ownership experience, he knew expansion required careful analysis. Through his lender, he connected with ND SBDC and worked with Southeast Center Director Paul Smith.

Together, they developed a formal business plan, completed market research and data analysis, and built financial projections to support financing. The process focused on understanding what services were already available in the area and identifying gaps North 9 could realistically fill. That clarity was instrumental in securing bank financing and gave Gullickson a stronger understanding of operational expectations.

A Model for Rural Revitalization

Running a restaurant in a smaller community presents challenges. Gullickson notes that finding reliable employees has been one of the most significant hurdles. Even so, he remains focused on steady operations and long-term sustainability.

Community response has been encouraging. Residents show up for specials, events, and entertainment. Many have expressed appreciation for the building’s facelift and the renewed investment in the property.

North 9 is not an isolated project. With assistance from the ND SBDC, Gullickson has since repeated the process in Fort Ransom, renovating and reopening another rural bar and grill. His broader vision centers on preserving the history and character of these gathering places while updating them with thoughtful improvements and restored vintage elements.

When asked what success depends on, his answer is direct: people. “Without customers and employees, you don’t have a business,” he said.

His advice to other entrepreneurs reflects his own experience. Understand the market. Identify what is missing. Do not get distracted by ego or aesthetics alone. A business succeeds when it meets a genuine community need.

For Gullickson, that mission continues. Through North 9 and future projects, he is working to ensure rural communities maintain places where neighbors can sit down, share a meal, and stay connected.

Safie Specialty Foods: How Michigan SBDC Helped a Family Business Expand Operations & Exports

July 8, 2026

Meet Mary Safie, president and owner of Safie Specialty Foods Company, Inc., a true go-getter and excellent entrepreneur who’s turning a family legacy into a modern manufacturing powerhouse.

More than just a job, this business is a century-long tradition of Michigan agriculture and pickled perfection. Located in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, Safie Specialty Foods has expanded from a home-based startup—in the very house Mary’s grandfather began his business during the Great Depression—to a thriving enterprise, focusing on clean, natural, hand-packed specialty pickled vegetables while working with and giving back to the community. Her tenacious spirit and visionary leadership have been the driving forces behind the company’s incredible growth.

As the business grew, Mary and her dedicated team knew they needed strategic support. She relies on the exceptional talents of Chuck Drogosch, who runs Operations, and the incredible efforts of the Human Resources team, including Theresa M. Pavone and Sandra Collias. Their collective expertise and commitment are vital to the company’s success and expansion.

Seeking direction, Mary and her team turned to the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development team, who connected them with the Michigan SBDC and Business Growth Consultant Julie Oldham.

Julie began with a comprehensive assessment, helping Safie’s establish a stronger foundation and answer critical questions about growth, mission, and how the SBDC could help them achieve their goals. Julie’s extensive background in food & beverage, export and strategic analysis was instrumental in several key areas:

  • Financial Analysis: Securing crucial information to conduct a financial analysis to obtain a loan.
  • Export & International Growth: Assisting with export knowledge, connecting the company with the export community, and helping with foreign labeling compliance and landed costs analysis.
  • Market Expansion: Strategizing on gaining new accounts both domestically and internationally.
  • Digital Presence: Enhancing the company’s online visibility with domestic and international Search Engine Optimization (SEO) reporting.

The Safie’s partnership with Julie and the Michigan SBDC has been a game-changer. The result? A significant increase in revenue and staff expansion. Mary purchased necessary equipment, added an entire shift, and successfully branched into a new territory: food service (institutional sales). This division, primarily focused on peppers—an item Mary’s family was the largest U.S. producer of decades ago—is now a major area of growth, with a new dedicated production line being installed.

Julie shared that she has had the wonderful pleasure of being able to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people, including Mary, Chuck, Theresa and Sandra.

Mary extended her deepest gratitude to the Michigan SBDC, stating they were “instrumental in our foundation” and helped Safie’s “to grow and to achieve the success we have had.”

Zo’s Mini Donuts Finds the Recipe for Growth with Michigan SBDC

May 27, 2026

For sisters Zoey and Lydia Heyn, the mission of Zo’s Mini Donuts is simple and sweet: bring hot and fresh donuts to the community. What started in 2023 as a single food truck in Sawyer has blossomed into a thriving business with three mobile food trucks and a plan to double that number in the next year. This extraordinary growth, however, presented a new set of challenges for the young entrepreneurs.

The duo was confident in their family recipe and their ability to sell delicious donuts, but they needed guidance on the business aspects of how to grow their company. As they hired more employees, Zoey and Lydia found themselves needing a deeper understanding of financial management and human resources – which is exactly where the Michigan Small Business Development Center came in.

“We applied to our Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber HYPE pitch competition and we actually won,” said Zoe. “When we won, we were given a list of all these resources that we had access to that we didn’t know about.” One of those resources was the Michigan SBDC, which connected them with Southwest Region Senior Business Consultant Wendy Spreenberg.

“What we really needed was things that we couldn’t find on a Google search,” Lydia explained. “We needed contacts for suppliers, we needed contacts for packaging.” Wendy worked with the pair on their financial management, helping them understand cash flow and how to get the most out of their wholesale suppliers. She also provided them with invaluable knowledge and contacts for the behind-the-scenes operations of their business, which made their busy summers run more smoothly.

“Lydia and Zo were tremendously skilled already,” Wendy said. “What I brought to the table was helping them understand a little bit more about their finances.” 

With Wendy’s guidance, Zo’s Mini Donuts has been able to win additional competitions, expand its fleet of food trucks, and grow its team to 15 part-time, seasonal employees, with plans for more. The Heyns’ vision is to make Zo’s Mini Donuts a tradition in Southwest Michigan and eventually expand to college campuses and even retail.

“It was just so helpful to have someone to turn to when we hit a wall or we didn’t know what to do next.”

Zoey Heyn, Co-Owner of Zo's Mini Donuts Tweet

The Michigan SBDC is proud to support ambitious young entrepreneurs like the Heyn sisters. Their energy and drive are a perfect example of how a great idea, combined with the right resources, can lead to incredible growth.

“The best thing about working with the Michigan SBDC is working with the clients,” Wendy said. “They have unique stories and unique business approaches. Specifically for Zo’s, they brought the energy, the enthusiasm, the will and the desire – as well as the ambition to get their business not just started, but grown to the next level. I love working with them.”

 

A Hub for Rural America: The Hank’s Reno Junction Success Story

February 25, 2026

From humble beginnings catering out of his mother’s kitchen to owning the bustling Hank’s Reno Junction Travel Plaza in Wright, Wyoming, Hank Pridgeon’s story is one of entrepreneurial spirit, devotion to community, and a passionate drive to succeed. 

Hank’s journey began in 1982, the day after his high school graduation, with a $10,000 loan and a vision. “I always knew I wanted to be in the foodservice business,” Hank recalls. “It was just a matter of finding my niche.” That niche evolved from catering to a steakhouse, then a cafe, and finally, the comprehensive travel plaza that stands today, a testament to his ability to adapt and expand. Notably, this expansion has been marked by strategic growth, moving from a 2,100 square foot leased space in 1987, to the current expansive travel plaza, which includes a 4,000 square foot kitchen upgrade and corporate offices added in 2021. 

The Reno Junction Travel Plaza isn’t just a truck stop; it’s a destination. With Sinclair fuel pumps offering various octane levels and DEF, a restaurant serving everything from buffalo burgers to prime rib, a bar, a convenience store, and even the newly acquired 18-room Reno Junction Lodge motel, it caters to the diverse needs of travelers and locals alike. “We like to have fun,” Hank explains, a philosophy that permeates every aspect of his business, from quirky decor like the saddled dinosaur out front, to exceptional customer service. “We like our customers to have fun, and we join them.” 

 This unconventional approach has paid off. Hank’s business thrives on a foundation of genuine connection with his customers, particularly the truckers who frequent his establishment. “Truckers and bikers are the most loyal customers ever,” he says. “If you treat them right, they’re not only going to come back but are going to tell friends they should stop here. It’s like having an extended family.” 

 Hank’s commitment to community extends beyond his business. He supports local charities, volunteering his time, and even providing emergency assistance during crises, such as the EF-2 Tornado Response at the North Antelope Rochelle Coal Mine. As Robby Gallob, Town of Wright Emergency Manager, attests, “His heart is bigger than any person I have ever met.” Hank’s generosity is not just about financial contributions; it’s about being present and responsive to the needs of his community. He has also dedicated many years to community boards, including the Wright Town Council, the Wright Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Wyoming Liquor Association. 

 A key element of Hank’s success has been his ability to navigate the economic landscape of Wyoming. He credits the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with providing valuable support throughout his business journey. Assistance from P.J. Burns, Northeast Regional Director for the Wyoming SBDC, and utilization of the Wyoming Business Council’s resources has helped Hank make informed decisions and adapt to changing market conditions, especially during difficult times like the 2020 pandemic. 

 “2020 was undoubtedly our most challenging financial year with the government mandated shutdowns,” Hank admits. “But as an essential business, the truck stop remained open, and we continued to pay all of our employees.” This dedication to his employees has fostered long term loyalty, with multiple staff members having been with Hank for over a decade. 

 Hank’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to addressing the challenges facing his community. Recognizing the shortage of workforce housing, he purchased apartment buildings and a motel to provide affordable accommodation for his employees and visitors. “We’re a bit unique because we’re not on an interstate highway,” Hank explains. “We’re on the busiest intersection in the state, because of the energy industry around here.” This strategic location, combined with his understanding of his customer base, has allowed the business to thrive even during economic downturns. 

Hank’s success is also due to his genuine love for his work. “I get bored real easy, and I always have to have something to do,” Hank says. “People tell me I’m a workaholic. I do take time with family and friends, but a lot of that involves business because all of my daughters and my ex-wife have been involved in my business too.” 

Hank Pridgeon’s dedication to Wright, and his ability to see opportunity where others see obstacles, has created a thriving business and a legacy of community support. His story isn’t just about business success; it’s a testament to the enduring power of rural entrepreneurship, proving that with hard work, genuine care for others, and a dash of unconventional spirit, one can build a lasting and impactful legacy. 

Learn more at www.hanksrenojunctiontravel.com. 

From Home Kitchen to Storefront: The Galvan’s Bakery Success Story

February 4, 2026

WILLISTON, ND – When Alberto Galvan and his family began baking from their home, it was simply a way to share their love of traditional Mexican breads and pastries with friends and coworkers. But demand quickly outgrew their kitchen, and they started envisioning something bigger – a storefront where the community could enjoy their conchas, empanadas, turnovers, and, more recently, donuts on a regular basis.

With limited experience navigating the complexities of launching a retail business in the U.S., Alberto and his wife turned to the ND SBDC in Williston. Language barriers, legal paperwork, and financial uncertainty could have made the process overwhelming. But with the guidance of advisors Keith Olson and Cyrena Weeks, the Galvans found both practical support and encouragement.

Cyrena worked closely with the couple to establish their legal entity and obtain an EIN, marking their first formal steps into entrepreneurship. From there, discussions quickly turned to securing a commercial space. Though retail costs in Williston posed a concern, they found a strategic entry point: subleasing space from a struggling pizza restaurant. That decision provided a critical runway to test their concept. When the sublease ended, the Galvans were read, taking on a direct lease and launching a full build-out with help from the Williston Star Fund Grant. With that support, they acquired essential equipment including a commercial mixer, oven, refrigerators, and display units.

The shift from home-based baking to a fully operational storefront in November 2022 was transformative. Alberto was able to leave his current job far earlier than expected to work in the bakery full-time, a milestone made possible by careful financial planning and a growing customer base.

Reflecting on their journey, Alberto shared, “Without the help of SBDC we wouldn’t have known how to start our business the right way. We thank God, our family, and the ND SBDC for the support.”

The Galvans continue to recognize the roles both the supportive Williston community and the ND SBDC have played in their journey. As Keith shared, “More than the numbers, we helped reinforce their confidence.” That boost in confidence has paid off. They have expanded their offerings to include donuts by popular request, and the business continues to grow with the full involvement of their family.

In recognition of their hard work, growth, and the positive impact they’ve made on the community, Galvan’s Bakery was named the Williston SBDC 2024 New Business of the Year. The honor was presented during a special ceremony held in September 2024, celebrating outstanding local entrepreneurs. The event, hosted in partnership with Williston Economic Development, showcased the bakery’s inspiring journey from a home-based cottage business to a thriving storefront that has quickly become a local favorite. It was a proud moment for the Galvan family, and a testament to what can be achieved with vision, resilience, and the right support network.