Mike Brevik - CEO & Owner, Cyberdogz & DogDayz Apparel
Describe yourself in one word.
Tenacious
Who is your biggest inspiration or someone you admire?
Anyone who has the guts to bet on themselves and pursue their dream. If you look around, it doesn't take long to find people that have done some amazing things. The first step of each and every one of those examples was having the guts to jump in, take a chance, and believe in yourself. You can't knock anyone for trying. Someone I admire—Evel Knievel. That guy had guts!
What are your success habits?
For me, it starts with a mindset and staying committed to what I've set out to accomplish. Being on the lookout for opportunities and staying open to new ideas. Seeking ideas that others have said won't work, or that's not the way it's done. I never stop learning and try to surround myself with the right people.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
That rebounding from failure is simply having the strength and confidence to pick yourself up, learn from it, and get back to work. It's the best medicine.
What kind of impact do you want to have?
I will continue to cultivate a style of marketing, a level of creativity, and a customer experience that not only redefines excellence but always positions the people first.
What’s your favorite thing about the Fargo-Moorhead community?
The desire and drive to restore, revive, and improve all aspects to benefit our growing community.
Do you have a favorite local nonprofit?
Unseen - Their mission is very specific and impacts a global problem and injustice that we're somewhat sheltered from in the mainstream media.
Cory Rogne - Co-Owner, Rejuv
Describe yourself in one word.
Analytical
Who is someone you admire?
I've admired my wife from the day I met her. You can feel her zest for life. She lives her family and professional life with passion every single day. Her glass is always half-full and winning the game of life is top of mind daily. As her business partner, I've watched her lead our business to national recognition by putting her team first and pushing them to their fullest potential.
What are your success habits?
For me, the success habit is routine. I like a plan and love to make to-do lists that bring order to my day.
What kind of impact do you want to have?
I don't need to make an impact on the world, but I'd like to know I made a positive impact from the everyday interactions I have encouraging my family, my team and others to be their best!
What’s your favorite thing about the Fargo-Moorhead community?
I love how supportive our community is toward small business. Rejuv has been able to achieve great success due in large part to the support of this amazing community.
Do you have a favorite local nonprofit?
Roger Maris Cancer Center. I've lost family and friends to cancer and I've been a cheerleader to those fighting and beating cancer. It touches so many lives.
"I like a plan and love to make to-do lists that bring order to my day."
Beau Flom - Real Estate Broker + Owner, FpG Realty
Describe yourself in one word.
Focused
Who is someone you admire?
Robin Williams has always been a big inspiration to me. His quote, “Carpe diem,” from the movie Dead Poet Society is a reminder that life is precious and our time on earth is limited so make the most of it. He’s had a positive impact on so many, making millions laugh and feel good about themselves yet suffered himself behind closed doors. The impact his life has made on the world is inspiring.
What is your favorite quote?
Mindset is very important to me so there are many that I quote routinely, but Henry Ford’s “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” is one of my favorites.
What kind of impact do you want to have?
When I was ten years old, I wondered that same question about my stepfather. He was an alcoholic, not respected by his peers or family and was an untrustworthy friend. I have spent my life knowing what I don’t want to be and made a vow many years ago to never be that. I wish I could say I haven’t stumbled along the way, because I have, yet I’m committed to lifelong self-improvement and am grateful for all the wonderful people in my life.
What is your favorite thing about the Fargo-Moorhead community?
It has to be the people because it is certainly not the weather! We’re so blessed to live in a community where people really care about each other and will go out of their way to help those in need. I think back to the floods of 2009 and 2012 and how our community rallied around each other. We’re in the land of hard workers and that challenge showed our community’s true grit.
Andy Maus - Director & CEO, Plains Art Museum
Describe yourself in one word.
Jovial, but in a Midwestern sort of way.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
After watching Indiana Jones, I really wanted to be an Archaeologist. As I grew older, I wanted to be an artist or architect. I guess in some ways, being an art museum director is a combination of all of these things.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Innovations are usually the result of persistence through failure. Like many people, I have created several innovations and exponentially more failures. If you learn about the arts throughout history, this is a consistent lesson to be learned.
What kind of mark/impact do you want to leave?
Fargo-Moorhead is the cultural center of the Red River Valley, but I always see room for growth. When it is all said and done, I would like everyone in the greater region to live a creative life and to make things, to look and think critically about how something can be done differently and improved, and to embrace and elevate one another with cultural understanding.
What’s your favorite thing about the Fargo-Moorhead community?
The arts! We have it all in Fargo-Moorhead.
Do you have a favorite local nonprofit?
Plains Art Museum is obviously my favorite, however, there are so many good local nonprofits. I tend to gravitate toward those that, like Plains Art Museum, use something to build community. The YMCA does good work—much more than people realize. Growing Together is a cool organization that builds community through community gardens. Folkways organizes some of the best community events in town and exemplifies Fargo's creativity.
“Innovations are usually the result of persistence through failure.”
Wade Borth - Wealth Strategist, Sage Wealth Strategy
Describe yourself in one word.
Mentor
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A farmer because it was a family legacy and within the surrounding community. After that, a life insurance salesman because through personal experience, I wanted to help others prepare for the unknown.
What are your success habits?
To simplify things, empower others, think long term, and commit to a distinct set of principles and beliefs that you follow.
What kind of impact do you want to have?
The impact of teaching others how to create and leave a financial legacy for themselves and their families.
What’s your favorite thing about the Fargo-Moorhead community?
The compassion. I love how the community comes together in times of need.
Do you have a favorite local nonprofit?
The New Life Center. It's focus and commitment of supporting those who need a little help getting back on their feet.
Myles Brooks - Doctor of Chiropractic, Neurolife Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Center / Director of Care, People’s Rising Academy
Describe yourself in one word.
Mysterious
What are your success habits?
Always subtracting things from my life. Limit the quantity and increase the quality. Most importantly, work smarter not harder.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Just tell the truth. It’s absolute, painful, forward-thinking, and lets you sleep well at night.
What’s your favorite thing about the Fargo-Moorhead community?
I like the quiet reserved nature of Fargo. At every corner, you meet people that remind you of the American Dream.
Do you have a favorite local nonprofit?
People Rising Academy. They are blending the best, evidence-based care through chiropractic, chiropractic neurology, functional medicine, and rehabilitation to help people that have persevered through major life trauma(s). They provide hope for people suffering from metabolic, physical, mental, and neurological manifestation-type disorders and guide them back to living an autonomous, healthy life.
