07.14.25
From Experience to Empowerment: A Business Leader’s Take on YPN
Guest post by Jim Buus, President, JBC Commerical Real Estate
Alyssa Lakosky of JBC Commercial connects with other young professionals at Young Professionals Network (YPN) Off the Clock social.
Discover how JBC Commercial Real Estate and business leader Jim Buus leverage the Young Professionals Network (YPN) to empower early career talent, strengthen company culture and invest in the region’s future.
At The Chamber, we believe that investing in young professionals is an investment in the future of our region. That belief is shared by many of our business members, including Jim Buus of JBC Commercial Real Estate. As an advocate for early career development and long-time supporter of the Young Professionals Network (YPN), Jim shares how YPN has helped shape careers, culture and community, starting with his own experience.
It’s often challenging for young professionals to launch their careers without experience, professional contacts or access to resources. Early in my own career, I got heavily involved in networking activities such as a tip club, service club and various Chamber events at the time such as Business After Hours. I even recall using the Chamber membership directory to research companies and find contact info for business owners to reach out to. That proactive approach helped me grow my network—and my confidence.
The Long-Term Value of YPN
I have always encouraged young professionals on my team to network actively around town, and for many that means involvement in the Young Professionals Network (YPN). It’s not just about meeting people or landing a business lead. We view it as a long-term career-building strategy. For example, I still actively work with many business leaders I met early in my career and have always stayed in touch with.
YPN involvement shows up regularly in our company culture through improved professionalism, stronger communication skills and the meaningful relationships our team members build. These are essential qualities that can be hard for young professionals to develop on their own, and we’ve seen how YPN accelerates that growth.
A Foundation of Growth and Belonging
YPN offers a valuable blend of professional networking, leadership development and community connections, much of which is difficult for young professionals to access without support and encouragement from their employers and teammates. At JBC Commercial Real Estate, three of our team members have participated in YPN over the years, and we've seen firsthand the results.
Through different events offered by YPN, our team members have developed a sense of belonging and progress as young professionals. Our team has seen firsthand how it helps emerging leaders find their voice, expand their perspective and discover new ways to contribute both in the workplace and beyond. For JBC Commercial, investing in YPN isn’t just a professional decision, it’s a cultural one. It shows our employees and our community that we’re committed to growth, empowerment and building a stronger region.
Leadership Development Beyond YPN
Our commitment to team development doesn’t stop at YPN. We’ve continued to invest in our team through other Chamber programming, including Leadership FMWF and Women Connect. Commercial real estate agents Brittaney VanderHagen (2022), and Alyssa Lakosky (2026) have both been accepted into the program. We believe the strength of our company lies in the strength of our people, and programs like YPN, Leadership FMWF and Women Connect are vital to that development.
A Team Member Perspective: Alyssa Lakosky
“YPN has played a pivotal role in my professional journey. When I first got involved, I was looking to build connections and see what opportunities were out there. YPN was my introduction to the FMWF Chamber, and through those early events and committee meetings, I became more engaged with the broader business community.
That involvement led me to attend additional Chamber events, where I eventually met Brittaney, who would later introduce me to the opportunity that launched my career in commercial real estate. YPN helped give me the confidence, connections and visibility that directly influenced my career path.”
- Alyssa Lakosky, Young Professionals Network member, JBC Commercial Real Estate Agent
Investing in Talent, Strengthening Our Region
As a business in the FMWF region, we know that retaining and developing talent is key to long-term success, and YPN plays a major role in that for us.
We encourage other businesses in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo region to explore how YPN can support their team’s growth and connection to the community.
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