From Public Service to Entrepreneurship

Learn how a lifelong Thief River Falls resident transitioned from law enforcement to building three local businesses.

Local entrepreneur and longtime Thief River Falls community member Brady Meunier will be the featured speaker at the next TREK gathering on Tuesday, September 1, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 102 Main Avenue North in Thief River Falls.

Meunier is co-owner of Northstars Properties, Northstars Construction and Energy on Main. He and business partner Drew Erickson launched Northstars Properties approximately four years ago. They expanded their entrepreneurial efforts about a year and a half ago by starting Northstars Construction and becoming partial owners of Energy on Main.

Born and raised in Thief River Falls, Meunier has deep roots in the community. Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, he spent 10 years in law enforcement. He began his career as a jailer for Pennington County, later served as a part-time deputy and then joined the Thief River Falls Police Department as a patrol officer. He eventually advanced to an investigator position before leaving law enforcement in 2024 to devote his full attention to the businesses.

For Meunier, entrepreneurship offers both flexibility and personal responsibility.

“You have the flexibility to make your own schedule,” he said. “While that usually entails working late at night, going to work earlier in the morning, and answering phone calls and emails on weekends, it also means that if your children have events going on, you can move your schedule around to make it to their events.”

That flexibility allows Meunier to remain actively involved with his family and the community. He coaches the junior varsity boys hockey team, assists with the varsity program and helps coach both his daughter’s 15U girls team and his son’s Mite team when his schedule permits.

Meunier also values the direct connection between effort, decision-making and business success.

“You make your own fortune,” he said. “How your business turns out is a direct reflection of how you’re running it.”

Meunier and his wife, Mickey, have been married for nine years, although their story began much earlier—they have known each other since attending preschool together. They have three children: Kenzie Miller, Barry Meunier and Maizie Meunier.

Join us at TREK to hear more about Meunier’s transition from law enforcement to business ownership, the growth of his three local ventures and the rewards and realities of entrepreneurship.

TREK provides an informal opportunity for entrepreneurs, business professionals and community members to connect, exchange ideas and learn from one another. The September 1 session is free and open to anyone interested in entrepreneurship and the local business community.