ICYMI: Fedorchak, Bismarck small business owner highlight real-world impact of Working Families Tax Cuts

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) joined the Republican Study Committee alongside her State of the Union guestKristin Chorne for a roundtable discussion to spotlight how the Working Families Tax Cuts Act'sno tax on tips policy is delivering relief for hardworking North Dakotans.

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak:

"I'm honored to be here with all these Americans who are making a difference in their communities and to highlight the real impacts of these bills.

"My guest is a small businesswoman. I'm very honored to have Kristin Chorne here with me.

"She started a business in Bismarck, North Dakota, five years ago. It's a salon called Gratitude Spa and Salon. She started it because she wanted to create a positive environment for her employees. She had worked in other places and thought she could do better by providing a better environment, so she started her own. She has 20 employees.

"I met Kristin at a Chamber roundtable just a few weeks ago in my town, and she was there talking about the difference that no tax on tips is going to have on her employees. This is somebody who, we didn't tell her about it, we didn't gin this up. She came to talk about the impact that no tax on tips is having on her employees.

"I could tell you the story, but I want her to tell you the story, because it's very compelling. Thank you, Kristin! So honored to have you here. Thanks for making the trip and thanks for sharing your story."

Gratitude Spa & Salon Owner Kristin Chorne:

"Thank you so much for having me. I'm honored to be here. My name is Kristin Chorne, and I'm from Bismarck, North Dakota. I own Gratitude Spa and Salon.

"We have 20 employees-11 of them are full-time employees-and their income is mainly commissioned. Their income ranges anywhere from $45,000 a year up to $125,000 a year.

"It was important to me when I opened my business that we were financially taking care of the employees because I felt that this was an industry that mainly females go into, and they really don't have a lot of financial education.

"It was really important that we gave that to them, and that they had knowledge on retirement planning and things such as this.

"When this bill was introduced, I actually emailed the senators and our representative, asking to include salons and the beauty industry in the no tax on tips policy because it wasn't originally in the bill. It has made a huge impact.

"I can tell you, in 2025, the salon took in $160,000 in tips. It's a significant amount for our employees. Our average full-time employee earns between 11,000 up to $25,000 a year in tips. So, it's real money!

"We have an all-female staff-lots of single moms, single females just starting out, and I'm hearing amazing stories as a lot of them have already filed their taxes and are not paying in this year. They're getting a great return that they can put to use in real life. So, thank you for voting for this bill."

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