top of page


Back in Elgin and Back to Work
Last Friday I headed out to Elgin and spent the day helping Steve with some yard work. It felt great to get back into the swing of things and put my skills to use again. Working alongside him reminded me how much I enjoy this work and how ready I am for the new season. With spring coming up, I’m officially getting back to business in Bismarck and opening my schedule. Quiet, clean, solar‑powered lawn care is back for 2026, and I’m excited to get rolling.
Nicole Rude
Mar 41 min read


The Class That Sparked It All: My Start in Solar
Taking the solar installer class at United Tribes Technical College in 2019 was the moment everything clicked for me. It was hands‑on, eye‑opening, and the first time I saw a real path into clean energy. Wiring, safety, system basics—it all lit something up in me. That class didn’t just teach skills; it planted the seed for the solar‑powered business I run today. It was the quiet beginning of everything I’m building now, and I’m still grateful for the spark it gave me.
Nicole Rude
Feb 261 min read


Still Showing Up: Working Through Recovery
Breaking my neck forced me to rethink everything—how I worked, how I moved, and how I kept my business going. The photo of me working in a neck brace is a snapshot of that season: slow, steady, and determined in the quietest way. I did what I safely could, adjusted every day, and kept moving forward at the pace my body allowed. That quiet determination shaped the way I work now—steady, flexible, and grounded.
Nicole Rude
Feb 261 min read


Aurora the Root‑Queen
Aurora isn’t just a fish—she’s a tiny underwater gardener. Every day she swims around like she’s checking on her “employees,” and honestly, she kind of is. Her tank water feeds the pothos roots hanging above her, giving them all the nutrients they need to grow big, glossy, and dramatic. It’s a whole little ecosystem powered by one very determined fish. The pothos have turned into what I call the “thank‑you plants.” They grow faster, greener, and happier because of Aurora’s h
Nicole Rude
Feb 261 min read


Galentine’s Brunch for a Cause
This year’s Galentine’s Day wasn’t just brunch—it was a morning of strength and support at the Abused Adult Resource Center’s Galentine’s Brunch. Being in a room full of women lifting each other up was powerful. The AARC does life‑changing work for survivors in our region, and showing up for them matters. Moments like this remind me why community care is part of who I am and what I want my business to stand for. Small business, big heart—that’s the goal.
Nicole Rude
Feb 261 min read


More Heart Than Profit (For Now)
I’m still growing my little solar‑powered landscaping business, and I’m not profitable yet—but giving back has been part of the plan from the start. When profits come, 5% will go to Special Olympics North Dakota. Volunteering with Special Olympics is one of my favorite parts of life. The athletes, the joy, the community—it’s the kind of energy I want my business to reflect. Even without profit, I can always give my time, my support, and my heart. This business is still growin
Nicole Rude
Feb 261 min read
Rooted in Community, Powered by the Sun
bottom of page