Anyone who wants to start a business in their rural community will have an opportunity to be inspired at Energizing Entrepreneurs, a conference North Dakota State University Extension is hosting May 16-17 in Hazen, North Dakota.

“What’s special about this conference is that it will take place in a rural community targeted at rural entrepreneurs or anyone else with an idea and passion to make their opportunities right where they are,” says Jodi Bruns, NDSU Extension leadership and civic engagement specialist.

During the conference, keynote speaker Kevin Black, CEO of Creedence Energy Services, will share his entrepreneurship story and insights from co-founding Creedence in 2014 with two of his cousins.

Since 2014, Black has guided the company’s growth to a national reach. The company provides energy partners with chemical solutions that generate value for their business through developing cutting-edge technology. Family ties to the industry run deep for Black who followed the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather into the oil industry.

Matt and Katie Chausse, from Fargo, North Dakota, will share their story as co-founders of Be More Colorful in 2016.

By creating interactive virtual tours and virtual reality (VR) experiences for anything from residential real estate to products to travel, the business has grown to provide immersive career exploration experiences to students and adult career seekers. Be More Colorful has grown from a team of two to a team of eight since 2016.

In addition to the keynote presentations, participants will be able to attend breakout sessions that focus on four tracks:

• Meeting rural health care needs
• Business succession for the next generation
• Business branding
• Getting creative to make a living

“The Energizing Entrepreneurs conference is a concept that has been popular in other states,” says Bruns. “This conference is different in that it won’t be held in a convention hall, but rather the breakout sessions will be held in local businesses around Hazen.

“If you’ve ever thought about starting a business in rural North Dakota, this conference will give you the spark and the tools to get started.”

Space is limited, so those planning to attend should register as early as possible. Visit ndsu.ag/energize for more information and to register.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – April 6, 2023

Source: Jodi Bruns, 701-210-0445, jodi.bruns@ndsu.edu

Editor:  Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu