GRAND FORKS — Sandi Luck, founder and CEO of Bully Brew Coffee and ND Coffee Roastery, has been named the 2026 North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Luck, of Grand Forks, will be among the state and territory Small Business Persons of the Year to be honored at an awards ceremony May 3 in Washington, D.C. She will also be recognized at the Grand Awards event Tuesday, April 7, at The Opal Event Center.
“This prestigious award recognizes Luck’s visionary leadership, the sustained growth of her coffee enterprise, and her unwavering commitment to the North Dakota community,” said Steve Moser, chairman, Grand Forks SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives).
Luck oversees Bully Brew Coffee locations in Grand Forks, Fargo and Devils Lake, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Hallock, Warren and McIntosh, Minnesota.
Through her multiple retail locations, “Luck has transformed a passion for coffee into a thriving ecosystem that supports local jobs and fosters community engagement,” Moser said.
She has strategically leveraged her professional network and SBA resources, including SCORE, North Dakota Women’s Business Center and the statewide Small Business Development Center network, said Moser, who nominated her for the award.
A pivotal event in her entrepreneurial journey occurred four years ago when she purchased a 27,000-square-foot warehouse to house roasting operations and educational programs, he said. “This expansion allowed the ND Coffee Roastery to secure over 120 wholesale accounts, including becoming the official coffee roaster for North Dakota State University and UND.”
According to SBA North Dakota District Director Al Haut, “Sandi Luck embodies the spirit of North Dakota entrepreneurship. From her roots in Grand Forks to her expansion across the region, she has proven that a small business can be a powerful engine for both economic growth and community connection.”
In addition to shepherding her business enterprise, Luck has also been dedicated to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, Moser said. Through the ND Coffee School, she translates her classroom expertise into real-world success for aspiring coffeehouse owners and managers. By fostering a culture of “business over competition,” she ensures that North Dakota’s emerging business leaders have the tools and support to thrive in a competitive market, Moser said.
Luck set out on her entrepreneurial path 18 years ago when she launched a modest coffee kiosk in Grand Forks, while teaching marketing and entrepreneurship in the UND business school, he said.
In North Dakota, during National Small Business Week, May 3-9, the SBA will host a series of events, including local award ceremonies and networking sessions to celebrate the grit and resilience of small business owners in their own communities, Moser said.
According to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, “During National Small Business Week, SBA is honored to recognize the job creators, builders and innovators who fuel our nation’s economy and anchor communities across America.”
The Small Business Person of the Year award, the SBA’s highest honor, celebrates entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional business success, job creation and innovation, using SBA resources to drive a positive economic impact within their state.
