DICKINSON — The North Dakota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently announced they have hired Matthew Ellerkamp to serve as the business advisor for their Dickinson Branch. The determination was made in collaboration with the Stark Development Corporation and the West River Business Center, with SBDC State Director Tiffany Ford expressing her excitement on the new acquisition.
“We are thrilled to have Matt joining the ND SBDC network in the Dickinson area,” Ford said. “The region has been gaining significant momentum with small business growth over the last few years and we are excited to have someone with Matt’s passion for community and small business encouraging that entrepreneurial spirit, and powering the ecosystem in the region.”
Ellerkamp earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck and has a background in finance. He and his brother Paul Ellerkamp cut their teeth, and customers’ hair, as the co-owners of de Porres House of Barbering and Lounge in Dickinson. Ellerkamp says he is eager to pay it forward by helping like-minded entrepreneurs accomplish their own business goals.
“Being a business owner, I understand the excitement, struggles, fears, and joys of starting and maintaining a business. The key to my success in business is the ability to establish a solid client practitioner relationship, this is done by being an active listener and effective communicator,” Ellerkamp said. “I like people, building authentic relationships, hearing people's stories, and trying to do what I can to advise or help them along the way. The funny thing is, when I try to help people, I find that I really am the one who benefits.”
In this role Ellerkamp will provide consultation and training to entrepreneurs in all facets of starting, managing and growing a small business from the ground up. In addition, he will oversee operations of their regional center and promote the program to a wider audience.
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Since it was established in 1986, the North Dakota SBDC network has helped business owners through individualized business advising and training workshops. Services are provided at no cost to clients with funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, ND Department of Commerce and private donors across the state.
For more information on these programs or services call 701-777-3700, email leadcenter@ndsbdc.org, or visit their website at ndsbdc.org .
