Amanda Olson's entrepreneurial journey began the way so many do: with an idea that had been quietly taking shape for years before she ever thought to act on it.

She had spent more than two decades building expertise as a registered OB/GYN ultrasound technologist. "I started paying attention to what I really enjoyed doing every day,” she said. “And what I found was that I really enjoyed explaining things to people and making the ultrasound experience fun and as stress-free as possible."

Over time, that clarity about what energized her led her to ask a big question: what would it look like to venture out on her own? “I stepped back and asked myself what I actually wanted my future to look like,” she said. “I started doing a ton of research and trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go.”

The answer became New Beginnings Imaging, a fully mobile ultrasound service with offerings that include first trimester scans, gender discovery, 3D/4D imaging, and more – all from the comfort of clients’ homes.

That's the short version of the story. In reality, the entrepreneurial journey takes time — and a great idea is only the beginning. Turning her vision into a viable business would require resources, structure, and guidance that Olson knew she didn't yet have. “Coming from the medical field, you know medicine, but you don’t know a lot of business,” she said.

Her first call was to the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC), where she connected with Mary Beth Votava, the Assistant State Director of Programs & Development. The ND SBDC offers advising to entrepreneurs at every stage – from early ideation to established businesses – at no cost.

That relationship was essential for Olson. “Mary Beth ended up being a huge asset in building my business and developing what it is today.”

It also connected her to Start Up Minot Academy, the Minot Area Chamber EDC’s 10-week cohort program powered by CO.STARTERS. The program is designed to take entrepreneurs from concept to launch through hands-on curriculum, expert guest speakers, and collaborative work with like-minded people.

Votava encouraged Olson to sign up – but she was hesitant. “Looking back, I think I was just scared,” Olson said. “I was doing something completely outside the norm for me. But signing up for Start Up Minot ended up being the best thing I did for my business.”

Over the course of 10 three-hour sessions, Start Up Minot Academy helped Olson build a strong foundation for her mobile ultrasound business. “It made me think more like a business owner,” she said. “There’s no way I could have watched YouTube videos or online modules and gotten what Start Up Minot Academy gave me. It made me go through the steps. It gave me exposure to all the little areas that you may not realize matter when you first start building a business.”

The program also gave her valuable feedback from new sources. “When you’re pitching an idea to your family and friends, they’re almost always going to tell you it sounds great because they love and support you. But you don’t really know how other people will respond.”

Olson was encouraged by the results. “People were genuinely excited and invested in seeing me succeed,” she said. “That really gave me the courage I needed to move forward and let go of the fear.” Some cohort members, she said, later became her clients.

The Minot Area Chamber EDC Ambassadors cut the ribbon on New Beginnings Imaging in August of 2023. Today, nearly three years later, Olson has expanded beyond her original vision. She partners with area midwives to reach more people. She has added diagnostic services to her offerings, including breast screenings and provider-ordered ultrasounds. And she travels to living rooms all across North Dakota to serve clients. “I think owning a business is about adapting constantly,” she said. “You have to pay attention to what people are asking for and what feedback they’re giving you.”

She says the resources available in Minot for budding businesspeople are strong. “I was very pleasantly surprised by the programs that were available to us here,” she said. “Having access to programs like Start Up Minot and the Small Business Development Centers was priceless to me. I recommend them all the time to anybody who asks me about starting a business.”

And to anyone sitting on a business idea and wondering whether to act, Olson’s advice is simple: “Just do it,” she said. “Even if it's maybe not the greatest idea at the beginning, by the time you're done with Start Up Minot, you're going to know what changes to make — or you'll know this just isn't right for you right now. Either way, you stop wondering. You become confident in your decision instead of always asking yourself whether you should do it or not."

Our fall 2026 cohort of Start Up Minot Academy Powered by CO.STARTERS is scheduled to begin September 16. Register to be a part of it by emailing Mark Lyman at mark@minotchamberedc.com or by calling 701-852-6000.