Stay ConnectedWilliston Works brings you in-depth discussions with entrepreneurs, small business owners and investors that are getting it done in Western North Dakota.
Hosted by Shawn Wenko, the Executive Director of Williston Economic Development, Williston Works finds out what it takes to make it in the Bakken.
Copyright: © Williston Economic Development
In this episode of the Williston Works Podcast, host Anna Nelson sits down with Katie Ralston Howe, Deputy Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, to discuss the innovative programs and partnerships that are reshaping North Dakota's workforce.
They cover public-private collaborations, efforts to retain talent, and how workforce development is being reimagined across the state.
Learn about the challenges facing North Dakota’s labor force and the bold strategies being used to close the talent gap.
Learn more about North Dakota Workforce Development:https://www.commerce.nd.gov/workforce
Learn more about Williston Economic Development:https://www.willistondevelopment.com
In this episode of the Williston Works Podcast, host Anna Nelson is joined by Kenzi Brown, Haley Jeannotte, and Jana Jirik to talk about how Career and Technical Education is opening new doors for students across the Williston Basin.
They discuss how CTE programs are helping high school students earn certifications, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for in-demand careers.
Learn how the Williston Basin CTE Center, partnerships with industry, and events like Career Signing Day are reshaping the future workforce of Northwest North Dakota.
Check out the Williston Basin CTE Center:
https://www.willistonschools.org/o/wbctec
Learn more about Williston Economic Development:
https://www.willistondevelopment.com
In this episode of the Williston Works Podcast, host Anna Nelson sits down with Lenny Johnson, owner of Genesis, to talk about his journey from military service to small business ownership, what inspired the creation of Genesis, and how Williston's growth has shaped his business.
Learn about the evolution of Williston’s retail scene, the opportunities available for entrepreneurs, and how Genesis has become a trusted name for clothing, footwear, and eyewear in Northwest North Dakota.
Plus, hear how Williston Square is creating new possibilities for local businesses and the community.
Explore Genesis online at shopgenesis.com
Learn more about Williston Economic Development:https://www.willistondevelopment.com
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Sartwell and Morgen Martelle of Preferred Restaurant Group to talk food, family, and the future of Williston.
From the early days with Taco John’s to launching new brands like Slim Chickens and Rocky’s, Mike and Morgen share their journey of growing a regional restaurant empire rooted in North Dakota values.
Hear how Williston’s support, community engagement, and the vision behind Williston Square made it the ideal place to invest and expand.
Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or someone who just loves a good success story, this episode is packed with insights on building something that lasts.
The Small Business Development Center in Williston focuses on helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses throughout Northwest North Dakota.
In this episode, Keith Olson, Regional Director of the SBDC, shares how the program partners with local entrepreneurs through every stage of the business journey. Keith, Cyrena, and Anna dive into the tactical guidance the SBDC provides, from starting an LLC to accessing financing, and discuss who the program is best suited for.
Want to learn more about the Small Business Development Center?
Visit https://ndsbdc.org
Learn more about Williston Economic Development:
https://www.willistondevelopment.com
Chapters:
00:00 - Teaser
00:12 - Episode Intro
00:30 - Williston Works Podcast Intro
00:48 - Meet Keith Olson
03:01 - What is SBDC?
05:24 - Cyrena Weeks Role in SBDC
06:15 - How Does SBDC Help Launch Businesses?
07:47 - What is SBA?
08:55 - SBDC Demand
10:31 - What Types of Businesses Does SBDC Work With?
12:08 - Non-Profits
13:37 - Most Common Mistake
15:55 - Business Bookkeeping
17:52 - Williston’s Business Landscape
20:40 - How Does SBDC Help Businesses Navigate Challenges?
23:38 - The STAR Fund
25:30 - Advice for Long Term Success
29:50 - Continuous Support
32:05 - Closing Remarks
The Northwest North Dakota Job Fair is connecting employers and job seekers to create new career opportunities in the region.
In this episode of Williston Works 2.0, Anna and Susan explore how this job fair helps businesses find skilled talent and connects workers with great job openings.
Whether you're an employer looking to hire or a job seeker exploring new opportunities, this event is a game-changer for Northwest North Dakota.
If you’re looking for more information on The Northwest North Dakota Job Fair, head to: https://www.jobsnd.com/williston
For more information on Williston Economic Development, check out: https://www.willistondevelopment.com/
In this week’s episode, Anna Nelson and Cyrena Weeks, talk about how to drive economic growth and impact.
They discuss how Tri-County RDC helps businesses secure funding, access grants, and navigate loan programs to fuel local development. Cyrena shares insights on how Williston’s business landscape has evolved, the challenges entrepreneurs face, and how strategic partnerships have led to major infrastructure projects, including the region’s new airport and workforce training programs.
If you’re looking for more information on Tri-County Regional Development Council, you can reach them at https://tricountyrdc.com/
For more information on Williston Economic Development, check out https://www.willistondevelopment.com/
Chapters:
00:00 - Teaser
00:12 - Episode Intro
00:30 - Williston Works Podcast Intro
00:50 - Meet Cyrena Weeks
01:56 - What is Tri-County RDC?
03:21 - Williston’s Business Culture
07:12 - Challenges for Small Businesses
08:33 - $117 Million in Business Funding
09:08 - Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
11:21 - Successful Business Partnerships
14:43 - The Future of Williston’s Growth
16:23 - Goals for Tri-County RDC
17:53 - Workforce & Childcare Initiatives
18:22 - Supporting Entrepreneurs with SBDC
19:48 - How to Contact Tri-County RDC
20:47 - Closing Remarks
In this exciting relaunch of the Williston Works podcast, meet new host Anna Nelson, Executive Director of Williston Economic Development (WED). North Dakota was recently named the best state to start a business by Forbes for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), and Williston ranks as the seventh-best city in the nation to start a business (WalletHub, 2022).
Anna sits down with two of her team members—Ann Kvande and Brenda Schmidt—to talk about Williston’s continued growth, the city’s history supporting entrepreneurs, and the innovative programs shaping the community.
Whether you’re a business owner, investor, or local resident, this episode provides an inside look at how Williston is fostering growth and maintaining its reputation as a top place to start a business.
🎧 Listen now and stay connected with Williston Works for more inspiring conversations about the people and projects driving the city's future at WillistonDevelopment.com.
Join us in Season 6, Episode 3 of the Williston Works podcast as we dive into the sweet success of Dirty Dough! From the challenges of bringing a gourmet cookie franchise to the heart of Williston to the sweet victory of being a top-performing store, James and Summer Wilda share their entrepreneurial journey! Watch the podcast now!
Get ready for an important and insightful conversation about workforce challenges and solutions in Season 6, Episode 2, of the Williston Works podcast. In this episode, Dr. Bernell Hirning, Kristal Schmit, and Paula Lankford, explore the obstacles and opportunities in tackling the labor shortage.
www.cityofwilliston.com
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