1 Million Cups Fargo: Where Are They Now? Mike Dragosavich with Spotlight Media
We reached out to past 1 Million Cups Fargo speakers to reconnect with them on their time since speaking at 1 Million Cups. When 1 Million Cups began in Fargo, this event took off and was a primary way for entrepreneurs to expand their connections while also collaborating with others. After six years of consecutive gatherings, 1 Million Cups concluded their time in Fargo, although you can still tune in to 1 Million Cups events across various cities in the country. Shortly after 1 Million Cups left Fargo, Emerging Prairie had the idea to curate StartupBREW Fargo, which is what we know today! Read about Mike Dragosavich’s journey with Spotlight Media since speaking at 1 Million Cups!
The Transition from 1 Million Cups Fargo to StartupBREW Fargo
1 Million Cups was formed by the Kaufmann Foundation; a Kansas City, MO based non-profit that focused on education and entrepreneurship. The idea was to familiarize the communities where 1 Million Cups was chaptered with local entrepreneurs, as the individuals of the Kaufmann Foundation thought that there were not many networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and a place to share their accomplishments. When 1 Million Cups was brought to Fargo, they met weekly and eventually after six years of consistent efforts, 1 Million Cups wrapped up their time in Fargo in 2021. Shortly after, Emerging Prairie announced the launch of an event that we all now know and dearly love, StartupBREW Fargo! StartupBREW is a weekly event hosted by Emerging Prairie that focuses on engaging entrepreneurs and connecting them with the Fargo/Moorhead area, as well as fueling the minds of aspiring entrepreneurs or any member of the community interested in entrepreneurship.
About Spotlight Media
Spotlight Media began its journey as a publisher, managing every aspect of the editorial process, design, distribution, sales, and digital platforms right from the start. Since its inception in 2010 with just one employee, Spotlight Media has experienced significant growth and evolution. Today, the team boasts a diverse group of talented individuals, each bringing unique skills and perspectives from various backgrounds. This dynamic mix strengthens Spotlight Media, enabling continuous innovation and a well-rounded approach to everything they do.
What has been the biggest success of your journey since speaking at 1 Million Cups Fargo?
What is something beneficial that you were able to take away from speaking at 1 Million Cups Fargo?
“It opened my eyes to how much people genuinely care about other entrepreneurs and businesses. When I spoke, I could tell that the attendees weren’t just there for coffee—they were truly interested in learning and supporting each other.”
Do you have any advice for future entrepreneurs?
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and don’t underestimate the technical knowledge you need to succeed. The challenge for entrepreneurs like me, who are more bootstrap, younger, or lacking in financial resources, is that we often don’t realize how important it is to solve problems in multiple ways. The only way to continue forward is to become more knowledgeable about every aspect of your business. If direct sales are crucial for your business, don’t just hire someone to handle it—learn everything about sales yourself. Dive deep into resources like Google, YouTube, and online communities. As soon as you think you’re a subject matter expert in your field, you’ll find there’s still so much more to learn. So, ditch Netflix at night and get on webinars to learn everything you can. But remember, generic motivational content like Tony Robbins’ is just a band-aid; if you want to avoid burnout and not get discouraged, find content that is very specific to what you do.”
What are you currently accomplishing within your organization, any wins?
“Most people know us for our magazines, but our Marketing Services Division has really taken off. We’ve built a business model where our magazines and services complement each other beautifully. We’ve now built 250 websites, manage over 75 companies’ digital marketing operations, created 100+ videos, and are working with regional and national companies on advanced marketing efforts.”
What can our community continue to do to help energize your organization?
“It’s always challenging for me to convey the positive impact we make on businesses and the community. We often get lumped together with large, advertising-driven corporations, but the more the community can help spread the word that we are different and that we work hard every day to provide valuable community resources and help local businesses succeed through our marketing services, the better.”
What are you grateful for today?
“This community. As a transplant from the south side of Chicago, I can tell you without a doubt that this community is the best in the world when it comes to family and business. It’s really special.”
Readers can learn more about Mike and Spotlight Media by checking out his Linkedin and website!
