Cooks on Main | North Dakota Woman Owned Business Series
Angela Skogen is the owner of Williston’s own Cooks on Main and the next feature in my woman-owned business series! Whether you’re an aspiring home-chef or already a pro, Angela offers products & services for everyone. I joined her in her store for a personal branding session. While there, she gave me an inside look at how she’s built her brand from the ground up.
Meet Angela Skogen
Angela is a local native who graduated from Williston High School. Growing up, her mother was a Home Ec teacher and her father owned Walt’s Meat Market, a specialty meat store. “I grew up with all the important things in my life revolving around the kitchen table. Birthdays, anniversaries, neighborhood parties and celebrating personal success as a kid,” Angela explained. A love for all things culinary was cultivated in her early on, which makes her storefront the perfect fit!
Cooks on Main
Following high school graduation, Angela continued her education at North Dakota State University and launched the first part of her career. For 10 years, she was a buyer for Target Corporation where she gained experience & great advice about business. Like her father, Angela always knew she wanted a storefront of her own but didn’t expect it to happen until retirement. Following the oil boom in the area, Angela returned to Williston to be near her family and to launch her business: Cooks on Main. Within a year of her return, she had not only opened a successful storefront, she also met her husband, John. While John is a 4th generation farmer, he’s been known to help out with the store or visit with customers over coffee. “We laugh that we have 2 kids: Cooks on Main and the family farm!”
Shop Local in Williston
Angela combined her experience as a corporate buyer and her love for all things culinary to deliver a best of both worlds storefront for the locals. At Cooks, you’ll find an assortment of quality products normally found in the big city like Le Creuset, Wusthof, Ankarsurm, Breville, and many more. Angela and her staff pride themselves on being the culinary cornerstone for the everyday chef. In addition to quality housewares & kitchenware, they also sell gourmet foods and boast the largest selection of Pride of North Dakota products in the region. If you’re a beginner, you can attend one of their cooking classes or even hire them to cater your next event. The best part? They provide the type of customer service that you can only find in small towns, but you don’t have to sacrifice the big city craftsmanship or expertise.
Prioritizing Family in Business
Aside from delivering high end merchandise and top tier customer service, Angela has also made it her mission to put family first for both herself and her staff. “I think what I am most proud of is the amazing team I have been able to assemble and work with over the years.
So many of my staff think of the Cooks on Main team as a family. In addition, I was able to keep all our staff busy and working during the Covid 19 pandemic because I know so many stores across the nation that weren’t able to do this and ultimately closed.”
North Dakota Women in Business
Her commitment to her team and the drive to deliver quality products & services are no doubt why Angela has so many accomplishments & awards under her belt! She was named the 2010 Woman of the Year in Business, 2012 North Dakota Top 40 Business People Under 40 in North Dakota, and she serves as a board member for both the Williston Development Foundation along with the National Buying Group Gourmet Catalog. As she continues to serve the downtown district, Angela also hopes to create more full-time career opportunities for her team “I think so many people think of retail as a part-time gig, but there are so many long-term professionals in our field. You can be a buyer, inventory analysis, store managers, financial planners, and full omni marketing.”
Be sure to stop by & visit Angela for all of your culinary needs or follow along online:
IG: Cooks On Main
FB: Cooks on Main
Get to Know Angela
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DRINK?
Fresh margaritas (rocks only) and my husband’s twist on a classic Old Fashion.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK OR PODCAST?
Two podcasts that are regular for me are:
1. SmartLess with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett
2. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd
[My] favorite book is hard since I am an avid reader when I get the chance, but for a classic, “Gone with the Wind” and anything John Grisham.
WHAT’S A FAMILY TRADITION THAT BRINGS JOY & LAUGHTER TO YOUR HOME?
- Unplanned trips to the lake for a late evening pontoon ride at Lewis & Clark State Park.
- Our New Year’s Day gathering with homemade Tom and Jerry’s
- Game Night with friends and family. We love cards and board games!
North Dakota Branding Photographer
Hey, I’m Kellie, a Williston-based branding photographer who focuses on authentic, heartfelt, inspirational photos that tell my clients stories through my lens. Are you a business owner looking to up your marketing game through brand photos that feel like you ? Let’s make it happen! Take a look at my branding packages and let’s chat about how we can make your dream branding photos a reality. Want some inspiration in the meantime? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest or come say hi on IG, FB, and TikTok!
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