Is it Christmas already? The calendar waits for no one in North Dakota apparently.

Is it Christmas already? The calendar waits for no one apparently.
However, this is time to take a breather and reflect on our many blessings
(i.e. health, home, career, good friends, love, etc.), hear from the good
people in our lives, and share the meaning of the season. I am most
grateful for the blessings in my life, and that includes having good and
supportive people like you as part of my life. My accomplishments have
been possible only through the support, encouragement and investment of
wonderful people. Better living through good relationships, I say.

2004 has been a hectic celebrating our 20th year, pushing the Center
forward in programming, and building the second tech incubator. In the
last three years $7.4 M has been invested in the Center for Innovation by
entrepreneur donors and other $1.55 M by the State of ND and the US
Economic Development Administration (EDA). That is awesome support, but
also an awesome responsibility. And there is more to do. As a sign of
success, this fall UND was ranked #14 among America’s Most Entrepreneurial
Colleges by Forbes/Princeton Review in their first ranking of 357 top
colleges (top 4%) in the nation and more than 2000 nationwide. When I was
in my twenties, it did not occur to me that I would have an opportunity to
play on the national stage in my career. Life is good, even better than I
expected, although more competitive and hectic than I envisioned. When the
landscape was moving faster than she ran, the Red Queen from Lewis
Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass said, "It takes all the running you can
do to keep in the same place." That is the competitive but exciting world
we live in. No one stands still so we can catch up.

In January, we move into the Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center. The new
facility allows us to rise to the next level on developing innovation,
entrepreneurship and seed capital. It doubles our incubator space and the
James C. Ray Idea Lab provides ideal meeting/education space for
conferences, seminars, and the Entrepreneur Forum. There will lots of art
work in this facility that speaks to innovation that will be inspirational.
The environment in which we work, live and play is important. A sad note:
Ray Rude of Duraflex diving boards died Dec. 16th . He was the lead
benefactor on this facility and a world-class entrepreneur and friend. The
world is an emptier place without his entrepreneurial zeal and support. I
will miss him.

I am busy with two stellar venture capitalists are helping us form a $15 M
venture fund for North Dakota as well as other entrepreneur initiatives.
Luckily through all of this, the Center is staffed with great homegrown
talent who are bright, hard working, terrific people. And we have fun. As
you can see, entrepreneurs and innovation remain central to my life and it
is where my passion lies. I hope you find your passion as well, and are
surrounded by people who share your vision.

Nothing great is built without vision and talent and the support of angels
disguised as people. Progress and change is a miracle with so many
naysayers and negative influences. I truly believe our future depends on
innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and productivity: Not only in the
private sector, but also in the public sector. From Proverbs 29:18a,
"Where there is no vision the people perish."

This was going to be the year of more balance in my life. I am thankful to
my friend Mark who has helped me work on more balance. I am a poor student,
but do try. Well, sometimes. I did manage to explore art museums, read good
books, see movies and travel some. Next year will be my sophomore year
majoring in balance. Hope my instructor gives me a passing grade.

My standard Holiday closing: think deeply, speak gently, love much, laugh
often, work hard, give freely, pray earnestly, be kind?.and call or email
once in awhile. All best wishes for a joyous and Merry Christmas and a New
Year filled with love, passion, prosperity and happiness!

Bruce Gjovig

H: 701-775-3484 O: 701-777-3134 Cell 701-739-3132 email:
[email protected]

PS. Here are some lessons I have learned from working with entrepreneurs
for 20 years:

1. Passion for your venture and life is more important than money

2. Leadership is key: especially vision, communication and integrity

3. Hire people who are better than you, but share your enthusiasm

4. Need a bias for action: so get going now, make something happen

5. Different is good: ideas, innovation and differentiation matter
6. Seed the clouds and make rain: share your ideas with potential vendors,
suppliers, customers and investors

7. Suck down, not suck up: people who talk to customers often have more
important info than most executives (oxygen is more rare up there)

8. Create a business model that generates profits and cash flow

9. You don’t know what you can get away with until you try: do not expect
blessings from entrenched experts and competitors

10. It is important to be a community leader, philanthropic, and generous