BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – Small businesses are at the heart of every community; Many fought the plague and made it to the other side. For the first time, Small Business of the Year was recognized at the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC’s annual Bismarck Mandan Invitational. Krista Kidrowski caught up with the winner to find out what sets them apart from the rest.
Bismarck’s symbol is in the name. In the year They started as a sign company in 2018, but soon the pandemic halted sales and forced them to cancel their focus.
“Everything has stopped, big corporate companies have stopped spending. So we moved from a focus on signage to our graphics, which ended up being an unexpected explosion in our graphics department,” said Alexandra Lund, Co-Owner of Bismarck Signs.
One way they were able to take advantage of the pandemic slowdown was to use their graphics department to help other small businesses shut down due to Covid.
“Driving to businesses with Covid, we’d go up to the door, and you’d see a paper hanging in the door, but the door was painted, and you couldn’t read it very well. is it open Is it not open? Do you wait outside or come in,” Lund said.
They came up with the idea of creating these yellow stickers for businesses to hang on their windows and clearly state their status. This effort, along with others, makes Bismarck Sign Company a perfect candidate for Small Business of the Year.
“So to be eligible for the Small Business of the Year Award, you need to be a member of the Chamber’s EDC; you have to have fewer than 50 employees. The committee takes into account growth in the community and community service,” said Christine Nelson, events and sales manager.
This is the first time a small business has been recognized at the Bismarck Mandan Celebration, and Christine Nelson believes businesses large and small can make important contributions to the community. Nominations for the 2023 Small Business of the Year will reopen in April.
Copyright 2022 KFYR. all rights reserved.
