Ciara Stockeland, has owned and operated businesses since the age of 12. Her business mindset and tenacity led her to opening her first store, Mama Mia, a high-end maternity store located in Fargo, ND in 2006. Shortly after, she developed and opened MODE a designer outlet store located next to Mama Mia. In 2008, Ciara chose to merge her two concepts into MODE and has successfully developed the concept into a thriving franchise. Stockeland now serves as the CEO of MODE and under her leadership has successfully expanded MODE to locations across the Midwest and South Carolina with more on the way.
Ciara and MODE were recognized as a Small Business Champion through SCORE, awarded the Outstanding Franchise Small Business Award and were most recently selected as a the Midwest Region finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Small Business of the Year award.
Ciara is a highly active member in SCORE, the International Franchise Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council and the Coalition to Save Local Businesses. In 2015, she testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and in 2016 testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship regarding the “joint employer” standard for businesses and its effect on small businesses and franchises. Additionally in 2015, she represented small businesses at a White House Summit on Worker Voice.
Ciara strives to motivate women to dream big and take risks in all areas of their lives and truly believes in the role of mentors. She was recognized by Prairie Business Magazine in 2015 as a recipient of the 40 under 40 for her leadership in business. She and her driven team are driven to achieve their goal of opening 75 stores by 2024!
She currently resides in Grand Forks, ND with her husband (and business partner) Jim and their two children Harrison and Isabella.