News

Focus Suite tenant makes Forbes ‘Next 1000’ list

Renee Sobotka, founder of True North Technologies and a tenant in Southeast Community College’s Focus Suites, is one of five Nebraskans named to Forbes Magazine’s “Next 1000” list, which highlights successful entrepreneurs throughout the nation.

“This award is incredibly humbling and means a lot to me,” Sobotka said. “It’s an honor to be recognized after working nonstop, day-after-day, for two years straight. I also believe that a win for me is a win for women everywhere. I want to inspire other women to take the first step in obtaining dreams of owning their own business!”

True North Technologies shifts businesses into the digital age by creating engaging, affordable websites and mobile apps which connect them directly with consumers. It also offers additional digital marketing services such as branding, blog and content writing, search engine optimization, and social media management. 

Sobotka has been a Focus Suites tenant since 2019 and has grown from first occupying one suite to four. Eventually she will find permanent business space, and she also hopes to expand into the Omaha market.

“I aim to ride this wave of support and enthusiasm to become even more successful and inspire countless other community members to find and follow their own True North,” she said.

A native of West Point, Sobotka said she’s always had the entrepreneurship spirit because her family owned small businesses. After earning a finance degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she gained experience working in the banking and financial reporting industry.

“Throughout my career, I was given opportunities to implement new software systems,” she said. “I was able to see how these implementations propelled those companies to their next stage of growth.” 

When Sobotka is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children, traveling, biking, golfing and hanging out with her two dogs.

For more on SCC’s Focus Suites and Entrepreneurship program, click on our website: https://www.southeast.edu/entrepreneurship/

For more on the Forbes Next 1000 list, click here: https://www.forbes.com/next1000/

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Andrea Gallagher
Communications Specialist
402-323-3395
agallagher@southeast.edu