MARSHALL — Shauna Bjorklund was interested in owning a business someday, and she found an opportunity sooner than expected.
She purchased The Gambler Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Marshall from longtime owner Tom Pearcy. The sale took effect on Oct. 1.
She decided to follow through on the opportunity based on her experience as an employee and manager at The Gambler over the past five years.
“Tom and I started talking about it several years ago,” Bjorklund said. “He was interested in selling and offered me the chance to be the buyer. I decided to go ahead with it. I wanted the opportunity.”
She graduated from Tracy High School in 2012, then earned a four-year marketing degree from Southwest Minnesota State University. She worked in marketing for the Heritage Pointe senior living facility before beginning to work at The Gambler.
“Owning a business was something I’d thought about,” she said. “It was something I maybe wanted at some point in the future. I didn’t think it would happen this soon.”
She said owning a business has required her to spend more hours at work. It also involves using a wider variety of skills.
“I’m learning a lot about accounting, business regulations and working with distributors,” she said. “I enjoy the learning process. It’s taught me some new things that will be very helpful in the future.”
She said part of what made her comfortable with the idea of ownership is the strong support Marshall gives to its entire business community.
Another reason is the staff and regular customers at The Gambler. She employs 10 people, and considers them vital to the success of her establishment.
“I love this place,” Bjorklund said. “The employees and customers are like family. I always enjoy being here. It’s always nice to come to work.”