Ever since he was in high school Kale McCollum, a 2023 business administration graduate, knew he wanted to open his own business.
In 2022 that dream came true when McCollum and his brother, Casey, a 2018 horticulture graduate, opened Botanical Brothers in downtown Fargo. The store offers a variety of houseplants, pottery, soil, plant care products and more in a welcoming environment where people can simply hang out.
McCollum, who co-founded the store when he was a college junior, said NDSU paved the way for his success.
“I met so many great people during my time at NDSU and it gave me so many opportunities and opened so many doors within the Fargo community,” said McCollum, who is originally from Ulen, Minnesota. “I didn’t need to go anywhere else to get an opportunity because an opportunity was already there when I went to school.”
NDSU has always felt like home to McCollum, who spent many days on campus as a middle schooler and high schooler as his three older brothers earned NDSU degrees. When it came time to decide where he wanted to go to college, choosing NDSU was a no-brainer.
The high-quality, well-rounded education McCollum received prepared him for operating a successful business and provided him with lifelong connections. Even while he was running a business and going to school simultaneously, McCollum said he was supported.
“I felt that being in school while also starting a business was great because the things I was applying in my business I was currently studying,” he said. “It makes you care a lot more about the classes you’re in when the things that you learn today might directly influence what you’re going to do with your business the second you leave class.”
Outside of classes, he was active in Alpha Gamma Rho and built up professional and social skills that have transferred to his business.
“Alpha Gamma Rho is a great fraternity when it comes to learning leadership roles. I would highly recommend it if you’re looking to grow socially and professionally, to push your boundaries or just want to get involved on campus. It’s crucial to having a good NDSU experience,” he said.
Additionally, the strong entrepreneurial spirit in Fargo stood out to McCollum, who said there is no better place to start a small business.
“The community is really close-knit and NDSU is a great bridge between growing up and actually joining the professional life,” he said.
McCollum’s business has already made its mark on the FM community. Botanical Brothers was nominated for the 2024 “Small Business of the Year” ChamberChoice award by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.
McCollum’s advice to students is to step outside of your comfort zone.
“Make yourself as uncomfortable as possible,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to join organizations and to talk to people.”
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