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Jessica Kunz worked in construction for nine years before becoming the owner and president of Berg’s Towing in 2008 and Berg’s Crane in 2010. She was named the 2019 Woman of the Year by the Women of the Towing and Recovery Association of America. A Medina, North Dakota native, Jessica is married to George, who she says inspired her to become a business owner. She has a son, Philip, and daughter, Emily. Her company’s tow trucks are impossible to miss — they are the pink ones! Jessica says her pink tow trucks are in memory of her sister-in-law who passed away from cancer.

What is one of the biggest obstacles in your work? Finding employees.

What is the best part of your work and what gives you the most sense of accomplishment? Helping others out of their stressful situations. Donating money back to the community.

Describe what you do: Answer phones, make sure tow calls are done in a timely manner, accounting, payroll, and, on some days, problem solver.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Learning how to persevere after losing employees. It’s helped me get back to the core of my company.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and how would it help your career? Surprisingly, it would be Bismarck. I have traveled a lot but I love to come home to my small town. We have great customers that I love to help!

If your employees claimed you had a superpower, what would they say? Being able to multitask in stressful situations.

What is one hobby you have and how does it contribute to your professional life? Listening to leadership books has helped me be a better leader.

If you could have a billboard anywhere with anything on it delivering a message to masses of people, what would it say and why? Slow down and move over for tow trucks. One tow driver is killed every six days!

What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? Our new building and my pink tow trucks.

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life? Learning how to deal with my stress. I try and walk every night to help me de-stress.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world?” I only completed an associate’s degree but every job that I worked at I strived to learn as much as I could to be able to apply it to my future jobs.