Dave Diebel

Name:  David Diebel

Age:  23

Hometown:  Bismarck,ND

Education:  BS Mass Communications Minnesota State University Moorhead

 Name of Business:  D&N Cinematics

Business Type (partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.):  LLC

How did you get started?: I had done freelance photography and videography for a number of years.  I metCarson while employed at an ad agency and we discovered we had a similar vision for a new kind of production company.  We launched the business in the middle of July this summer and life has been an adventure every day since.
What I do every day:  Our business model is based on the fact that we are the only two employees.  This means we can offer a top quality product at an affordable price.  This also means that we do absolutely everything. We are videographers, editors, accountants, project managers, graphic designers and more on any given day.  To me, that’s what makes it so exciting, we get to be involved with every aspect of a project from start to finish.

Successes (best part): My favorite part of owning a business is that constant variety I mentioned.  I also am grateful I get to work one on one with a wide range of people on a daily basis. Developing those relationships with clients is a really fun and rewarding part of job. We put our hearts and souls into each and every thing we do.  We’re excited about what we do, and when a client gets as excited about a finished product we created, it’s a fantastic feeling.

Challenges: I think some of the challenges are also some of our strengths.  We are young, and that may intimidate some clients.  There are several similar businesses inBismarckthat customers have been going to for years.  It’s hard to convince people to leave what they are comfortable with and try something new.  But, if we can gain the trust of some individuals or businesses, our perspective enables us to deliver a unique product.
Advice for other YPs: Take a risk.  Making that jump from a secure position with a constant salary to something that’s not such a safe bet is scary.  However, it’s also extremely gratifying.  Do what makes you happy, life is too short to be doing something that doesn’t give you sense of satisfaction and accomplishment every day.

Carson Nordgaard

Name: Carson Nordgaard

Age: 26

Hometown: Bismarck, ND

Education: BA, Film Production at MSUM

Name of Business: D&N Cinematics

Business Type (partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.): LLC

How did you get started?: It seemed like the perfect timing, everything seemed to line up. I had the right circumstances in my life to be able to transition into a new business venture.

What I do every day: We take on all the roles so one day I can be an editor, the next im a sales person, the next im a carpenter. That’s the fun of it. One of my specialties is visual effects and motion graphics. Getting to do some creative special effects is probably my favorite part of the job.

Successes (best part): I find a lot of fulfillment seeing a direct correlation between my hard work and the ultimate payoff. It’s very rewarding to hear clients say they are happy with a product that we created from scratch.

Challenges: It was a challenge starting in a market where business are somewhat set in their ways regarding their advertising and media. Our goal is to make these individuals and businesses see that we are a new and fresh option and that, by hiring us, we can differentiate them from their competition.

Advice for other YPs: It sounds cliche, but if you have a passion for something, follow it. Bismarck isn’t always accustomed to youth, but the landscape is changing and it’s the perfect climate to start a new buisness. You just have to work harder to overcome those obstacles.