1 week Ago By Pamela Knudson
GRAND FORKS – The winners of the Grand Awards were announced Tuesday evening, April 8, at The Opal Event Center in The Olive Ann Hotel. This was the third annual Grand Awards event, which honors outstanding entrepreneurs in Greater Grand Forks. Seven business leaders were honored, including Grand Forks native Deanna “Dee” Decimus Holmes, who was recognized as North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year.
She was selected for this honor by the U.S. Small Business Administration for her hard work, innovation and dedication to the small business community.
ADVERTISEMENT As the event began, the master of ceremonies Blue Weber looked over the crowd and expressed his delight at the number of attendees. “This event has grown from a room of 40, to this,” said Weber, a SCORE Grand Forks mentor community outreach liaison with Bolton and Menk, Inc., an engineering, design and planning solutions firm.
Official headcount was later reported as 102. This year’s Grand Award recipients are: Sky’s the Limit Award – Three Farm Daughters (Mollie Ficocello, Annie Gorder and Grace Lunski). Award presenter Sadie Gardner said the sisters took a multi-generational family farm business “and created an entirely new venture,” developing products that can be found at Bernie’s, Ely’s Ivy and Toasted Frog restaurants, among other businesses.
Gardner cited a nomination letter that read “(this company) has hit the world’s stage running.” True Grit Award – Coty Kraft, a hair stylist who owns her business within Attractions Salon. A nomination letter lauded her dedication to her clients, including an elderly woman who could no longer come to the salon, so Kraft goes to her home to provide hair-styling services.
Social Impact Award – Klaudia Holkup, founder of Klaudia & Company and former international model and Mrs. North Dakota America. Presenter Kay Derry cited Holkup’s deep-held interest in giving back to the community by involvement with Northlands Rescue Mission, the CVIC, and Project Dignity, among others.
Trailblazer Award – Alyssa Kaste, owner, Express Employment Professionals. An introduction cited her as “a woman who deserves recognition” and a nomination letter praised her as “a remarkable leader and visionary business owner. Kaste, who could not attend in person, provided a video of her thanks and appreciation.
ADVERTISEMENT Deep Roots Award – David Badman, metalsmith, jewelry designer and owner of Badman Design, who started his business 37 years ago, shortly after graduating from the art program at UND. He has mentored many artists and has a presence on the shopping channel QVC, according to an introduction. He was unable to attend the event.
Forkin’ Grand Award – Pat Boppre, co-owner, with Nathan Shepherd, of the Blue Moose Bar and Grill. Presenter Justin Auch, representing the Urban Stampede, said the Blue Moose “is one of the most generous businesses I know.” With a few exceptions, the awards were presented by last year’s winners.
All the nominees for each award were displayed on a screen at the event. Statewide recognition The North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year, Dee Holmes was unable to attend, but provided a video for the event. Her husband Stephen Holmes accepted the award on her behalf.
Dee Holmes owns and operates All Embracing Home Care, a home health care service that has expanded in recent years to provide services in nine North Dakota and two Arizona counties. She and her husband also own other businesses. In her video address, Holmes cited the strong support she’s received in starting her business.
“There are so many organizations that support businesses,” she said, noting several by name. ADVERTISEMENT “Small business makes up 98.8% of businesses in North Dakota,” said Holmes, who was in Washington, D.
C., attending a Farmers Union advocacy conference. “That’s 74,202 small businesses (in the state).
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