In the heart of Audubon, Minnesota, craftsmanship meets vision. For Nick Olson, owner of Viking Millwork, buying a small woodworking business wasn’t just about making a living—it was about building something lasting, rooted in passion, perseverance, and community. 

Six years ago, Olson wasn’t planning to buy a business. While flipping through the local paper, he spotted a tiny ad for a facility, equipment, and inventory in the wood-processing industry. 

“I called the number more out of curiosity than anything,” said Olson. “Once I met the owner and saw the potential, everything started falling into place.” 

Within two weeks, they struck a deal. The purchase began as a contract-for-deed, but Olson completed it in just two years—an early move that worked out in his favor. 

The company was originally called Country Wood Products. At first, Olson kept the name to maintain continuity with existing customers, but once his business built its own reputation, he knew it was time for a change. In 2024, the business officially became Viking Millwork, a name that reflects its focus on custom, high-quality millwork. 

“We’re not trying to be a Fortune 500 company,” said Olson. “We just want to be the best at what we do. We’ve become the go-to for a lot of custom projects in the region, and we’re proud of that.” 

Through updated processes, better equipment, and expanded capabilities, Viking Millwork has built a reputation for delivering innovative, high-quality solutions while staying true to its small-town roots. 

Olson has deep ties to the region and plans to keep his business—and his life—here. 

“This is a great place to live and work,” said Olson. “Our lives are here. We travel when we can, but we always come home. There’s something special about being able to build a business in the same place where you build your life.” 

One key step in Olson’s journey to growing his business was acquiring a loan through West Central Initiative. “Working with West Central Initiative was fantastic, and the whole process was seamless,” said Olson. “Even after the initial setup, if I ever had questions, they were quick to respond. It was smooth from start to finish.”

With grit, vision, and a relentless commitment to quality, Olson has turned an unexpected opportunity into a thriving business. Viking Millwork proves that sometimes, the smallest ad in the newspaper can lead to something extraordinary. 

For more information about West Central Initiative’s loan program, visit wcif.org.

About West 

Central Initiative 

West Central Initiative is a place-based nonprofit, community foundation, and regional development organization dedicated to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for White Earth Nation and Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties. Since its founding in 1986, West Central Initiative has provided funding, technical assistance, planning resources, and philanthropic services to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the region. The organization has provided more than $62 million in loans and approximately $93 million in grants to businesses and organizations. Learn more at www.wcif.org.