Weber Mowing: You Grow It, We Mow It!

This month, we are fortunate to be meeting with two of Wishek’s youngest entrepreneurs. The owners of Weber Mowing, Aaron and Joel Weber share their insights on running a successful business and their insights are valuable to people of any age. At 15 years old and 13 years old, the Webers have been in business for several years already, when Joel started mowing lawns in fourth grade.

It all began when their dad, Jim, received a phone call from an elderly resident who needed her lawn mowed. Through the years, Weber Mowing has grown (no pun intended). When other kids their age are spending their summers playing video games and hanging out, Aaron and Joel spend about 3 days each week mowing lawns.

Even at their age, these two have been using savvy business practices. They have paid for their own equipment, gas and repairs. They have learned that running a business is about minimizing costs to maximize profits.

To drum up business, the Webers advertise. Their slogan, “You grow, we mow it” catches the attention of Wishek residents.

When asked what advice they would give other young entrepreneurs, Aaron stated, “Do something you like.” Joel says, “If you are going to do something, do a good job.” This is very good advice indeed.

What do these two like best about doing business in Wishek? The answer is simple. You know your customers. They say that they can trust who they are mowing for. They don’t have to worry about not getting paid. Plus, they have a short commute, which is a good thing when you are driving a mower!

Entrepreneurship is in the Webers' blood. Dad, Jim, is owner of Jim Weber Ford, located in Wishek. Uncle Greg is owner of Weber Plumbing, and Uncle Don is a painter. Both uncles also live in Wishek. When they grow up, Aaron wants to go into engineering and Joel wants to be an athletic trainer. With a successful business under their belts, these two will be able to take on any challenge their future careers may hand them.

If you are a budding entrepreneur, check out the U.S. Small Business Association’s website for teens at http://www.sba.gov/teens or contact Katie LaBree, Wishek Economic Development Coordinator at (701) 452-2371 or wishekjda@bektel.com

First Community Credit Union is Building Relationships One Customer at a Time!

Todd Schnabel, Manager at First Community Credit Union in Wishek, tells us why he enjoys doing business in a small town.

How long has FCCU been a part of Wishek?
We have been serving members in Wishek since 1995. Our current office with convenient drive-up service was built in 1997.

How many people do you employ?
We currently employ two full time positions and two part time.

Tell us a little bit about FCCU and what you offer? How does a credit union differ from a bank?
First Community Credit Union has 13 offices throughout North Dakota. We differ from a bank in that are a member owned financial institution. We offer many services including: checking, savings, certificates of deposit, online banking, mobile text banking and all types of loans. Membership is available for anyone living within 50 miles of our location. We have a large member base in Wishek and the surrounding rural areas who have supported us very well over the years.

What do you enjoy most about doing business in Wishek?
Wishek is a community of hard working honest people. They support their friends and neighbors through good times and bad. I feel First Community Credit Union serves the Wishek community with the same purpose. We work hard to find financial solutions for our members, and by doing so, earning their trust and respect. Our tag line at First Community Credit Union is “It’s the little things we do”.

What are some key principles that you use to help FCCU succeed in a small town?
One of the keys to success in any business is exceptional customer service. Our members expect the same services they could receive in a larger town. We aim to deliver those services with the personal touch you may not receive anywhere else. Building relationships with our members is a large part of our success.


What do you like best about being a business man in a rural, agricultural based community?
There are many reasons I decided to be a business man in a rural community like Wishek. First of all I get to stay close to my agricultural roots. Wishek is a great community to raise your family. There are also many recreational opportunities within a few miles including fishing, boating, hunting and a nine hole grass green golf course. We have pretty much everything you need in Wishek!

You can find more information about FCCU on the web at http://www.firstcommunitycu.com/.

Wishek Chiropractic is thinking BIG in a small town!

Dr. Eric Froehling, owner and chiropractor at Wishek Chiropractic shares his journey and business insights.

How long have you been in business?
We started in April of 1995. Almost 15 years and it has gone by fast.

How many people do you employ?
Two full time and two part time.

Tell us a little bit about your journey and how you ended up in Wishek.
I was already in practice as an associate with another doctor in Bloomington, MN. I traveled to Bismarck to take the State Board Exam and met Dr. Schubert who was selling his practice in Wishek. I did drive here to look at it. Since my wife was an office manager for a chiropractic clinic as well, we decided to venture out on our own. We were the only chiropractic clinic in the county and business grew very quickly.

What do you enjoy most about doing business in Wishek?
There are good people here. The area has supported us well and it has been a great place to raise a family.

What are some key principles that you use to help your business succeed?
Successful people spend 10% of their time focused on their problems and 90% of their time focused on their solution. You can eliminate a lot of stress with this mindset. Remember that success comes from you not to you. You can’t wait for something great to happen to you, you need to make that happen. And finally my favorite quote of all time is from Helen Keller. “So much has been given to me I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied.” It is a profound statement I think about often.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to become an entrepreneur in rural North Dakota?
Think big in a small town! You need to have the confidence that your goods and services offered are every bit as good as your Bismarck competitors. If you can offer great customer service, you can keep that business local.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Wishek Business Blog! This blog will highlight local businesses and what they can offer you, the consumer! From our infamous Stan's sausage to the Wishek Disc, our business community has a little something for everyone!