Startup Sioux Falls

Maddie Peschong is one of my most favorite people. She’s built herself into a brand that continues to grow each and every day. She is a talented photographer in our community and she seems to have cracked the code of scaling and expanding a photography business outside of just ‘selling her time’. Maddie gets into…

This was an incredible episode about a couple of farm kids who set out with a dream and they didn’t stop. Overcoming loads of adversity, challenges, and ‘shooting from the hip’, Jason and Justin Stensland bought some dairy cows as teenagers and grew a business that develops local, farm to table ice cream, cheese, milk,…

Jodi Schwan is the name when it comes to business news in our region. Jodi is the founder, author, and creator of the well-known and highly credible website, SiouxFalls.Business. Jodi shares her journey into journalism, media, and content creation, and ultimately, launching her own company. If you’re in the business or entrepreneurship world, or you just…

Greg Koch was an average runner. Having only run only a few races previously, decided to start working part-time at 605 Running Company when they first opened. That ultimately led to him stepping into becoming part-owner of Sioux Falls’ best running store. Check out the story of 605 Running Company and how Greg Koch found…

Mitch Jackson and his wife are world travels. They’ve lived abroad, worked at coffee shops and bakery’s in big cities like New York, and eventually settled back home with an idea to bring the big city bakery to life in Sioux Falls. Queen City Bakery has become a bit of an iconic staple of the…

Have you ever made a mistake in your business? What about 10,000 mistakes? Rebekah Scott is the owner and founder of Rebekah Scott Designs. She has an amazing story about life, business, and gut-punching mistakes and decisions. One thing is for certain, however. Rebekah has a fantastic spirit. She loves God, her family, and sewing.…

“Mom, it’s okay. I know you’ll be late. Your work is always more important than me.” That’s what Korena Key’s 13-year-old son said one day as she was trying to be a mom and manage working life at a local ad agency. What a gut punch. Korena gets really real and really vulnerable in this…

This week, I chat with Tim Karels of Falls Real Estate and 605 Sheds. Tim shares some powerful advice and highlights some tough times in business. He shares his experience with mentors and we really dive into what success means to Tim.   Check out Tim’s episode below!     Show Notes: Link to 605…

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when pumpkin spice becomes a thing again (I’m excited) and the time for another season of Sioux Falls Startup Stories (I’m even more excited!). This is Episode Zero. The intro. The debut. The preamble. You get the idea. So here it is, Episode Zero. Short…

This is a very special bonus episode. Season two is officially done, but I’ve been sitting on this particular interview for over a year. It’s about a tough subject: failure. Failure comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms. But big failure in business, that can be a beast all on its own. This episode is…

Trevor has a knack for tech, marketing, and helping businesses sell their products. But in true entrepreneurship form, he didn’t just start out by launching a company. He started out with a job, that he had to quit…with a family in tow. Trevor shares an amazing story of enduring risk, failures and managing it all.…

Kurt Loudenback is this weeks podcast guest. Kurt is the founder and owner of Grand Prairie Foods, a fascinating food service business that ships and distributes their product nationwide. Kurt shares some interesting and surprising details about the early days of his company. From the purchase of the company, to completely having to start over,…

Matt Paulson is the founder of SiouxFalls.eco, he runs the Facebook group we all know and love, Startup Sioux Falls, he’s the creator and chair of the local Falls Angel Fund, and so much more in our community. But his main business, the breadwinner, is a little personal finance blog called MarketBeat. That’s not exactly…

Travis Rhoades is an interesting guy. From growing up in the family newspaper business, to working at the Argus, he shares a story about getting into digital websites and ultimately opening up one of Sioux Falls’ most prolific drive-through coffee shops: Scooter’s Coffee. Oh, and did I mention that this coffee shop owner NEVER HAD…

Melissa Johnson, of Oh My Cupcakes! shares her startup story this week. She has an amazing journey into what’s now a successful 10-year cupcake business. From job hopping, to a career in radio, and finding a home an unlikely home in women’s ministry that ultimately didn’t pan out, this is certainly a startup story you’ll…

We are truly delighted to have a special guest who shares a very unique twist to traditional entrepreneurship and business. Adam Weber, the lead pastor and church planter of Embrace Church shares an incredible journey of not wanting to be a pastor, to not wanting to start a church, to leading one of the areas…

This week we are so excited to chat with Karla Santi, the CEO, and founder of Blend Interactive. Karla shares some great insight into how she became an ‘accidental entrepreneur’ and the fear of hiring their first employees.      Show notes for this week: Learn more about Blend Interactive online at https://www.blendinteractive.com/ Sign up…

This week, I sit down with the founders of Remedy Brewing Company. They give me the rundown of an amazing startup story filled with nothing but no’s and unending resilience to build their vision. Not only is this an awesome entrepreneurial startup story, but we talk about beer too. Remedy Brewing Co. is located at…

In this episode zero. I give the rundown of what’s to come, where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing, and what to expect for season two! I’m really excited to get back to this project. Episode one with Remedy Brewing Company will be up soon!

Shelly Gaddis is a woman with fun colored hair, and also the owner of Elegant Mommy. Elegant Mommy is dedicated to providing valuable resources and natural products to moms and dads across our state and beyond.  

Kevin Tupy is a Sioux Falls venture capitalist. He’s the founder of one of the nation’s largest Verizon retail stores, Z-Wireless (now named Victra). Kevin is also the man behind franchise startup Phone-n-Fix, CarSwap, and a handful of other ventures as well.

Addie Graham-Kramer, owner and founder of The Event Company, is highlighted on this week’s podcast. Addie is our first woman entrepreneur! She’s got a great story about running a business and being a mom too.

Paul TenHaken, founder and former CEO of Click Rain, and now Sioux Falls mayoral candidate, shares his experience of quitting his marketing job at a major healthcare facility and starting his own online marketing company.

Adam Huber of Adam Huber’s Detailing walks us through his experience of entrepreneurship. Adam runs a successful car detailing shop in Sioux Falls. But as he shares, it’s not an easy venture. But worth it.

Our first podcast is LIVE! We are so excited to bring you John Meyer’s story of founding Lemonly, home of the world’s best infographics. John built an amazing team of 20 people and focuses on a company culture that makes you WANT to go to work each day.

Welcome to what I’m calling episode zero of the Sioux Falls Startup Stories podcast. Get the introduction to the host and find out the mission behind this podcast.