From being crowned homecoming king at Conocordia College to breaking Guinness World Records for most pancakes served in a given time (35,000 in 8 hours), Arday Ardayfio has no shortage of interesting stories. He’s a native of Ghana and came to Fargo-Moorhead to further his education – he ended up starting a company that provides computer services and Xerox sales and is now an American citizen and father to two little girls.

Arday is taking the stage tomorrow, joining native Aussie Martin Olsen to make a very international 1 Million Cups day! You got to know Martin, now get to know Arday as he shares what he appreciates about Fargo, why philanthropy is necessary, and his advice to entrepreneurs today.

Arday Ardayfio: Homecoming King, Pancake Master, Fargo Entrepreneur

1. What brought you to the Red River Valley from Ghana?

In 1998, I left Accra, Ghana to further my education in the United States of America. I came to go to school at Concordia College.  I graduated in 2002 with a double major in Business Administration and Computer Science and a minor in Psychology.

2. What is something you miss about your home country?

My family, authentic food and friends.

3. What is something you enjoy about Fargo?

The people are awesome. I like going to a big city for a few days and coming back home to the peace and quiet of Fargo.

4. What was one of your most memorable moments from Concordia?

Most memorable for sure was being crowned homecoming king. It was such an honor to rule for a week.

5. How did you get into the computer support industry?

I went to school for computer science and I really enjoyed [the] networking part of computing. I did my networking internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I saw the coolest things on a network and decided, that was what I was going to do someday.

6. What’s the most unique aspect about Blueprint IT Solutions? What makes it different?

We love helping small to medium size businesses design how best they can use technology to help their bottom line. So many things have changed in the IT world but people can go crazy and spend a lot of money they don’t have to if they can get some guidance from us. [For example], no need to spend at least $5,000 for an Exchange Server when an $8/Month subscription to Hosted Exchange will achieve the same result.

7. Tell us a bit about your family.

Married to Kara from Fargo, have 2 of the most beautiful girls you will ever meet. They are pretty darn cute and that’s not because I’m their dad. Facebook is the ultimate judge, they get a lot of likes.

8. I’ve seen a lot about a certain world record-setting pancake event that you put together. What was your main strategy for getting people to come eat pancakes?

We didn’t have to work hard at that, people in this town are very supportive of worthy causes. They came out to support us. The media gave us a lot of free publicity to achieve that. What a great town.

9. I also read that you are shipping computers to Africa. That’s awesome. Why is giving back important to you?

I’m here because someone took an interest in me and gave me a chance. From admissions folks at Concordia, to Jeanne Dotson, to my first employer Concordia College, to great mentors. It’s all about giving back. Even in business I could go on and on about partners, bankers, etc., that have taken the chance on me. I cannot help but create the opportunity for someone else. I have to.

[Here’s a photo from when Arday and Greg Tehven worked together to help ship hundreds of computers to Ghana in a project called The Ghana Computer Project.]

 

10. If you had one piece of advice to give entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to jump all in, don’t be afraid to ask for help, don’t be afraid to take the step or make that decision even if you don’t know where it will lead. And no experience is every wasted no matter how expensive it can be.

 

Thanks Arday. Catch this guy tomorrow morning at 9:15 AM, at the Stage at Island Park for 1 Million Cups Fargo! He’ll be presenting with Martin Olsen, a native Australian. Read more about Martin here. Don’t forget your mug!