1. business and industrial

Vol. 5 Iss. 5 May 2015
get inspired
NOW
inspiring the creative spirit in every business leader
PLUS
MATT PAULSON:
Juggling 3 Businesses
ALL IN THE FAMILY:
Brother & Sister Entreps
LEGAL ADVICE
TO IGNORE
5 TRAITS OF A
GREAT BOSS!
SERIAL ENTERPRENEURS
BRIAN RAND:
MAN WITH A
GOLDEN TOUCH!
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contents
Vol. 5 Iss. 5 May 2015
get inspired
NOW
leader
every business
eative spirit in
inspiring the cr
PLUS
MATT PAULSON:
Juggling 3 Businesses
ALL IN THE FAMILY: s
Brother & Sister Entrep
4 PIECES OF LEGAL
ADVICE TO IGNORE
5 TRAITS OF A
GREAT BOSS!
RS
ENEU
SERIAL ENTERPRBRIA
N RAND:
MAN WITH A
GOLDEN TOUCH!
ABOUT THIS ISSUE:
Biz celebrates serial entrepreneurs
this month. These are the movers and
shakers, the leaders who are changing
our landscape! It’s their vision and action
that drives the economy and creates the
demand for excellence.
Brains, talent and charisma -- our cover
model’s got it. It’s Brian Rand, owner of
multiple businesses in Sioux Falls. Photo
credit goes to Julie Prairie, who just
happens to be a busy serial entrepreneur
herself!
This month you’ll find additional insights
from serial entrepreneurs Matthew
Paulson and Renae Eidenshink. Brotherand-sister entrepreneurs Ben Duenwald
and Stacy White talk about what
motivated them to leave their day jobs and
start their own businesses.
Think you might be a Serial Entrepreneur?
Find out the 5 top traits in our
centerspread and see how you measure
up.
Want to get your new business off on the
right foot? Attorney Scott Swier reveals 4
pieces of bad advice people often get in the
start-up phase. A must read!
If courage, honor and resilience are part of
your mantra, don’t miss serial entrepreneur
Jeremy Brown’s motivational tips on
Warrior Leadership.
So if you’re a serial entrepreneur – or an
aspiring one – this is the issue to get you to
the next level! It’s all here – in BizNOW.
20
10
articles
5 5
Qualities of an
Exceptional Boss
22 Consolidation
Advantages
7 M
oney, Money,
Money: Not all bonds
are created equal
25 All in the Family:
Brother and Sister
Entrepreneurs Ben
Duenwald and Stacy
White
8 R
ight Time to Buy:
Knowing the Market
Cycles
11 Brian Rand: Serial
Entrepreneur with a
Golden Touch
14 M
atthew Paulson:
Juggling 3 Businesses
20 W
hy One Serial
Entrepreneur
Combined Two
Businesses
29 Wetland
Mitigation Bank:
Farmers are Moving
to the Wetlands
30 4 Pieces of Legal
Advice that South
Dakota Business
Owners Should
IGNORE
32 Three Ways to Think
Like a Warrior
25
REGULAR
FEATURES
Biz Editor Note 4
Biz Ag 29
Biz Experts 18
Biz Finance 7
Biz Legal 30
Biz Real Estate 8
Biz Spiritual 32
What's NOW 34
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 3
NOW
from the EDITOR
ENTREPRENEURIAL
Thinking
© Julie Prairie Photography
Pink Trees with Silver Leaves
I was 7 years old when I realized I see the world a little
differently. I came home from school with a “C” on an art
project. I was crushed. When my mother asked the teacher
why I had gotten a “C” the teacher said, “She was supposed to
draw a tree. A tree is brown and green. She drew a tree with
a pink trunk and silver leaves. That’s not a tree.” My mother
brought the picture back to me and asked, “Why didn’t you
draw a tree?” I said, “But I did. That is a tree. It’s a tree at
sunset.”
Entrepreneurs see things in a different way. Our educational
system teaches people how to have a job, not how to be an
entrepreneur. We’re taught to conform, follow rules, to listen to
authority and not to question ways of doing things. We’re taught
that a tree has a brown trunk and green leaves. We’re taught
one way of seeing something. But the ability to color outside the
lines is the exact quality that an entrepreneur needs.
Entrepreneurial Spirit isn’t just doing. It’s a way of thinking. You can have an entrepreneurial
spirit even when working as an employee for someone else. It’s the spirit that does more, does it
better, and comes up with innovative solutions to company challenges – even when no one else
thought there was a challenge. Entrepreneurial thinkers never go to the boss with a problem
without already having a solution in mind. Usually 2 or 3. That’s a part of the entrepreneurial
nature – they are solving problems before others even know there is a problem.
Ninety percent of Americans work for someone else. Most of them will never own their
own business, for their dream is to have a good job and support their family, according to
Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia. The other 10% are the ones who are excited by the
possibilities of the unknown, who are willing to risk it all and take the leap of faith even when
they know they might fall.
If you are the boss of someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, the best gift you can give them is
the freedom to be creative. Encourage their adventurous thinking, listen to their half-crazy ideas.
Companies that reward entrepreneurial thinking are the innovators and are leading the market
today. Think Google, Apple, IDEO.
If you are an employee who isn’t fulfilled in the corporate culture, it may be time to follow
another path. You’ll know if it’s the right decision for you: there’s this persistent voice inside that
keeps pushing you forward, telling you to follow your dream. Sometimes you can do that in a
corporate setting. Sometimes you can’t. Some companies will label you a “rebel.” That’s ok. It
just means you think on a different level – the Entrepreneurial level.
Editor
Charlotte Hofer
605-376-3758
char@biznowmagazine.com
Design Director/
Senior Creative
Ally Vogel
605-759-5615
ally@allysart.com
Director of Marketing
Tim Cummiskey
605-366-1489
tim@biznowmagazine.com
Director of
Business Development
Alan Dooley
845-235-5381
Social Media Coordinator
Jessica Newell
Contributing Photographer
Julie Prairie Photography
Reproduction or use of the contents
of this magazine is prohibited.
BizNOW Magazine is published monthly
by BizNOW Magazine, LLC and strives
to publish only accurate information,
however BizNOW Magazine, LLC cannot
be held responsible for consequences
resulting from errors or omissions.
All material in this magazine is the
property of BizNOW Magazine, LLC
and cannot be reproduced without
permission of the publisher.
Send magazine feedback and
advertising and sales inquiries to
tim@biznowmagazine.com
©2015 BizNOW Magazine, LLC
All Rights Reserved.
Connect
with us!
Visit us online at:
www.biznowmagazine.com
Follow us
@BizNowMagazine
You see the pink tree with silver leaves.
Charlotte Hofer
4 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
Publisher
BizNOW Magazine, LLC.
Publisher/Editor
for news that affects the Sioux
Empire business community
Smart BIZ
by Steph Laska
5 QUALITIES OF AN
EXCEPTIONAL
BOSS!
Are you an exceptional boss? Here are some top qualities exhibited by many Fortune 500
bosses that inspire loyalty, excellence, and improve employee morale:
Make company goals employee goals: Employees
need to feel that their part matters, and need to understand
how their role fits into the overall goals of the company. The
more “ownership” they have in a project, the more they will
work to make that outcome successful. Make sure each goal
or duty lines up with and challenges the employee’s skill set.
Take the fall for your team: Employees trust leaders
who take responsibility for their team. You are in charge of
those who report to you, so don’t throw others under the bus.
Evaluate what went wrong, fix it, and move on. Employees
will work harder if they feel you are on their side.
Forgive and forget: When you do take the fall or
someone does miss a deadline, forgive and forget. Say what
needs to be said so the problem does not occur again.
This is a business environment, stay professional; don’t let it
become personal.
Give credit where it’s due: Find out what motivates
your employees and their personal career goals. Give
employees the opportunity to achieve those goals and then
give credit for their good work.
Encourage innovation: Let employees come up with
ideas to streamline processes or make work better. They will
not only be happier at work, but they will remember how you
listened to their ideas and allowed them to contribute and
they will want to come to work.
Happy employees make a happy boss and a happy boss
makes happy employees. It’s up to you to create a work
environment that everyone wants to be part of —including
YOU! u
Stephanie Laska is a Graduate Student
Teaching Assistant at the University of South
Dakota. She is working on a Master's Degree
in English Literature.
Smart BIZ Sponsored by:
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Craig Libis
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 5
BizBUZZ
a little more about
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6 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
BIZ Finance
Biz Staff Reports
MONEY,
MONEY,
MONEY:
NOT ALL BONDS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Every time a toilet flushes, someone makes money. Water is consumed and disposed, and
yes, eventually recycled. Water and other utility bills are paid directly by consumers or via
community property taxation. Water, sewer and runoff systems are often built and maintained
by local municipalities. When major infrastructure work needs to be done, municipalities will
typically issue a bond to raise the money to pay for it and collect revenue for years to come to
pay back the bond holders, with interest.
These loans to local governments are called Municipal Bonds or
“Munis”.
to only 1.7 cents of every $100 invested into cities or states that
might default.
When an investor buys a muni bond, the cash loan could be used
to build water and sewer systems, roads, schools, or other public
buildings. In exchange, the local government promises to make
regular interest payments and after a fixed time will actually pay
back the original loan principal.
On the upside, municipal bonds might pay from 3% to 7%,
depending on the city or state of issue and their ability to collect
tax revenues. Another advantage is that the income from munis is
exempt from federal income tax. If you live in a state that collects
income tax and purchase bonds from your state, your bond
income will most likely be state tax free as well. Check your local
laws.
There are different types of munis for different services. A
"revenue bond" will be tied to a specific project such as a stadium
where the rent is used to pay the investors. A "general obligation"
bond is perhaps the safest. They are backed by both the state and
municipality, meaning that if the municipality fails, the state will
find the funds to continue paying bondholders.
Investment-grade municipal bonds (rated A to triple-A) have
had a default rate of only 0.017% over the past 40 years, according
to Forbes.com. Bonds with a Baa or lower rating may carry a
higher return, but they also carry more risk. With less than two
of every 10,000 investment-grade municipal bonds failing, these
government backed promises are a rather safe investment when
compared to corporate bonds that carry no government backing
but might be insured. These statistics indicate that with a wide
range of investment-grade munis, you can reduce your risk of loss
For example, if you are in the 25% tax bracket and earn 6% on a
municipal bond, it would be the same as earning 8% on a taxable
investment.
With over 1.5 million bonds available, sorting them out can be
difficult. Transactions can be complex and carry high brokerage
fees, often with high minimum investments. To simplify the
process, look for an investment fund specializing in municipal
bonds that will give you a diversified portfolio carrying returns
that are commensurate with your risk level. Your financial advisor
can help you determine what is best for you.
So don’t flush away your savings, wipe away your fear and
consider taking the plunge: maybe a “muni” is right for you. u
Sources: DailyWealth, Wikipedia
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 7
BIZ Real Estate
by Alan Dooley
RIGHT
TIME TO
BUY?
KNOWING THE MARKET CYCLES
The definition of ‘market cycle’ depends on the context. Today the term is broadly used in
reference to national economic trends with respect to the supply and demand of single family
housing. However, specific market cycles occur within every niche - retail, apartments, condos,
commercial office space, rentals, hotels, recreational housing and by specific geographical
area. Each segment has its own set of behaviors and repercussions and every type of market
has its leading cycle indicators and goes through four stages with some regularity - discounting
of course government intervention or natural tragedy.
Armed with data from the National Association
of Realtors and Case-Shiller analysis of past
real estate cycles and trends, one can make
reasonably educated assumptions as to what
the future may hold in any given market niche
or area. When an economist refers to ‘the
strength of the market’ be sure you understand
the context or geographical area referenced,
otherwise it’s akin to a single weather report for
the entire nation, wrong somewhere.
While every real estate niche has a pattern to
its cycles, it is not always easy to predict when it
will evolve from stage to stage. The four stages
are:
Recovery - While there is no formal start
Source: IncomePropertyUSA
8 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
to a cycle, the market is in ‘recovery’ after
the last downturn or retraction phase. This
means the plunge in demand has slowed to a
trickle and speculators are starting to consider
opportunity in the segment. This is the time
to buy if you have the resources and fortitude
to hang in there in case the market trolls along
the bottom for a while, like we did for several
years from 2008 through 2011. In this instance,
it’s OK to have a national perspective because
we know the housing bubble was created and
decimated over a 30 year period by government
intervention in the form of forced lending to
underqualified buyers and the overspending by
almost everyone, everywhere.
Leading indicators for the recovery stage
include low rental vacancies, high but stable
unemployment, a high number of homes in
foreclosure, and a general fear of the market.
Recovery goes into full swing when contractors
begin to build and investors are snapping up
what the speculators left behind.
Expansion – When businesses start to hire,
unemployment dips and consumer confidence
starts to rise as people become optimistic about
job stability. Consequently there is upward
pressure on real estate demand and prices.
Contractors will be in full swing and banks
are again anxious to lend. Look too for new
commercial building or renovations. Follow the
number of building permits being issued and
the expansion of related service industries that
cater to the demand.
!
The
18 Year
Theory
It can still be a good time to invest in the
market as prices and rents are going up
and foreclosures are still available for those
willing to work to find them. As excitement
and prosperity grows, the latter part of the
expansion phase is characterized by the
entrance of the unseasoned speculator. These
are the people who jump in, wanting to take
advantage of the growing market and need it to
grow in order to make the numbers work for
them. Some will pay too much and lead us into
the next stage.
Over Supply – Look back to the early
and mid-2000s, for a classic over supply
model. Skyrocketing home prices, massive
developments, condos, second and third
homes, McMansions bought on the speculation
that 12 to 18% increases were the new normal.
Everybody wanted to buy something, anything.
Builders are anxious to accommodate the
anticipated increase in demand and rents,
and therefore pay too much for land and
construction. Rehabbers also overpay
anticipating someone else will pay even more
after they pretty it up. Eventually the supply
equals the demand, but like a locomotive, the
construction started in stage two is hard to stop,
so supply overtakes demand and vacant units
grow.
This phase is hard to recognize because
everyone is happily making money – at least on
paper - and that is the key to look for. When the
capital gains far outpace a reasonable increase
based on initial numbers, the savvy investor will
sell into this market, capture the gain and wait
for the inevitable...
Retraction – Simply, a collapse in the
market. The speculative projects don’t
sell, prices drop suddenly and foreclosures
start mounting with decreasing rents and
underwater mortgages. This phase is typically
tied to an economic recession, job loss, and
overspending by government.
Alan Dooley is CEO of Grathia Corp, a private lending
and real estate investment firm. He has a BS in
Computer Science from Rutgers University and serves
on the board of the Lake County Historical Society. He
is Business Development Director with BizNOW.
ey
Al an Do ol
nt
81
84 5. 23 5. 53
om
lop me
sin es s De ve
Dir ec to r, Bu
nowma
alan@biz
gazine.c
When the previous 100 years
in American housing prices are
examined, with the exception
of WWII, it has been found that
the real estate market generally
operates on an 18 year cycle
with peaks in 1989 and again
in 2007. Can we predict the
future? No, but we can learn
the market forces and better
understand why and how the
cycles evolve.
Looking for the bottom is like ‘trying to catch a
falling knife’ as they say on Wall Street. Smart
investors will wait for
supply to drop below
BIZ Real Estate Sponsored by:
demand and then pick up
some great deals, starting
GRATHIA CORPORATION
the cycle once again. u
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it
tive spir
the crea
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The 18-year real estate cycle
theory was initially advanced by
economist Homer Hoyt in the
1930s and again by economist
Fred E. Foldvary, who accurately
predicted the real estate collapse
of 2008 in his report, The
Depression of 2008.
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May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 9
BIZ Interview
10 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
Interview by Charlotte Hofer
BIZ Interview
BRIAN RAND:
SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
WITH A GOLDEN TOUCH
Brian Rand was 23 when he started his first business. Just seven years later, he’s
on his third venture! Known as an innovator and creative business strategist, he
talks to Biz about his philosophy on entrepreneurship and what has inspired his
dynamic rise to success.
1. How many businesses do you own
and how did you come to be a serial
entrepreneur? I currently own 3 companies,
they are a web design firm, Revolutionary Designs,
a strategy and consulting firm, Fluxxr, and an
entrepreneur center, The Bakery.
© Shalista Photography
2. D
o you prefer a partnership or sole
ownership? One of my companies is sole
ownership and two are 50/50 partnerships.
In my experience, both have their own set
of rewards and challenges. If you are
considering stepping into a
partnership, I would strongly
encourage you to sit down and
discuss business and hiring
philosophy with your
partner, and the vision
Don’t ever let anyone tell you
of what your future
that you can’t live out your
holds. My partner and
dreams… I have failed more
I started in a basement
than I have succeeded, but I
and never imagined
learn from my mistakes, I move
we’d be where we are
on and I never give up.
today. With growth
comes situations you
– Brian Rand
may not have planned
for, we have had to have
some hard conversations to gain 100% clarity
and focus on where our companies are headed,
but through it all it has thankfully made us
stronger.
3. Starting a business is risky; what
creative strategies did you use to
control cash flow? First of all, I started
my first business in the middle of a recession.
I knew people wanted cash so when I started
my first company I did a campaign asking my
friends to name my company for $200 cash. I
sent out an email to 1,500 people and received
over 500 responses, 2,000 names to choose
from, and 20 web design projects. I then used
the profits of that company to fund my second
company, and the profits of my second to fund
the third.
4. Competition is a fact of life; how do you
set yourself apart from competitors?
Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger
than themselves. I make sure any project we
take on starts with the idea, ‘The world will be
better when we are done because…’
continued >
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 11
BIZ Interview
5. What are 5 secrets to your success?
Surrounding myself with mentors. Building
a strong network. Building a strong team.
Never being afraid to ask. Oh, and don’t
forget caffeine!
6 Looking back, what’s one thing
you wish you had known
about entrepreneurship?
If you want to run the best
business in town, think of
every customer that walks
in as having a sign on their
forehead that reads, ‘I just
want to be important to
someone today.’ If you’ll
treat them that way, they’ll
never leave.
– Brian Rand
To keep my mouth shut. As
a natural promoter, I have
the tendency to get ahead
of myself. There is a time
to build hype and a time
to do the work. With
experience I have learned
the difference and
continue to strive to be
better at this balance.
7. If you could offer a
first-time entrepreneur
only 1 piece of advice,
what would it be? Don’t ever let
anyone tell you that you can’t live out your
dreams. Learn from your mistakes, and when you
fall, get up and try again. I have failed more than I have
succeeded, but I learn, I move on and I never give up.
12 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
8. What creative things do you do to
develop a positive company culture?
We focus on education and development of our
people. We allow dogs to come to work. We
supply plenty of snacks. We allow our employees
to work where they want and when they want.
9. How do you turn a one-time consumer
into a loyal customer? If you want to
run the best business in town, think of every
customer that walks in as having a sign on their
forehead that reads, ‘I just want to be important
to someone today.’ If you’ll treat them that way,
they’ll never leave.
10. Is running several businesses different
from what you thought it would be?
Not really, my 3 companies naturally play off of
each other so it is not as difficult as I thought
it would be. They may get a website done,
Revolutionary Designs, need strategy, Fluxxr,
and use The Bakery as work space.
11. D
escribe the Bakery and how it can
help entrepreneurs. What makes this
concept unique? The Bakery is a memberbased space in Sioux Falls for people to work,
think, and grow ideas together. The idea is to
build a community for all of the entrepreneurs,
business leaders, creatives and educational
institutions of the area and give them a physical
space to collaborate. We will be hosting
educational workshops ranging anywhere
from topics on marketing to professional
photography to fly-fishing; potlucks and
lunch-n-learns. Members have 24-hour access
to the building with internet and coffee provided.
We see The Bakery as an opportunity to create
an environment that encourages collaboration,
education, and innovation in the Sioux Falls
community!
12. What’s the best business idea you have
that you’ll never use? Designing a pill that
gives your body the effect of sleeping 8 hours
without having to actually sleep! If you figure
this out, call me. u
BE ON
TARGET!
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national magazines
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I read cover-to-cover in the
print format. I love learning
about other successful business
people in our region and the
successes they have achieved.”
– Brian Rand, serial entrepreneur
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May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com
| 13
BIZ Interview
BizNOW INTERVIEW
L
G
IN
G
U
3
G
J
MATTHEW PAULSON:
BUSINESSES
Matthew Paulson, Sioux Falls, became an entrepreneur at just 8 years old, recycling aluminum
cans for scrap metal and selling candy to friends at school. He started his first real business
during his junior year of college, which was a network of personal finance websites. He’s now
29, and on his 3rd business venture. There’s no stopping this busy entrepreneur!
1. What kind of companies do you own?
I never intended to become a serial entrepreneur, but a lot of
opportunities come across my desk. Every now and then, an
opportunity shows up that’s simply too good to pass up.
My largest business, Analyst Ratings Network, is a digital
publishing company that publishes a daily investment
newsletter to more than 180,000 subscribers. I also host GoGo
Photo Contest to help animal welfare groups raise money.
Finally, I am a partner with USGolfTV, which produces
a nationally-syndicated television show and educational
products for golfers.
14 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
2. What is your philosophy on partnerships? If your
company has the potential to scale, it’s unlikely you’re going
to be able to do everything yourself. If you need a partner, be
careful to choose someone who will complement your skills.
If you wouldn’t marry your business partner (or want them to
marry your brother or sister), you probably shouldn’t go into
business with them.
3. Do you have to have a lot of money to start
a business? I started my first publication business
with literally no money. My recommendation to new
entrepreneurs is to keep their day jobs until it’s no longer
feasible, and to spend as little money as possible when they’re
just getting started.
I really like markets that have
a lot of competition, because
that means that there are a lot of
different people making money in
that particular market. You just have
to create and market a product as
good as everyone else, then find
one key differentiator to set
yourself apart.
– Matthew Paulson
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 15
BIZ Interview
4. Is competition good for the market? I really
like markets that have a lot of competition, because that
means a lot of people are making money in that particular
market. You just have to create and market a product as
good as everyone else, then find one key differentiator to set
yourself apart. I’ve been able to grow quickly because I’m
willing to outwork everyone else when it comes to marketing.
I’m constantly testing out new marketing channels and
optimizing existing sales funnels in order to get more
customers in the door.
6. W
hat’s one thing you
wish you’d known
about entrepreneurship
before you got started?
matter of creating a great experience for your customer and
implementing a follow-up marketing strategy. If you can
leave your customers smiling after interacting with your
company and can implement a strategy to make them aware
of and interested in your other products and services, you’re
going to have a lot of repeat customers. The key is to create a
system so that every new customer gets sent a set schedule of
marketing pieces by mail and email.
10. You’re also an angel investor. When
investing in a business, what do you
look for in a good deal? When
5. W
hat habits have helped make you
successful? Continuing education.
I listen to as many as 20 podcasts a
week, read between 4 and 6 nonfiction books every month and
regularly attend conferences
and seminars.
9. How do you create a loyal client? It’s really a
If you wouldn’t marry your
business partner (or want
them to marry your brother or
sister), you probably shouldn’t
go into business with them.
evaluating a potential deal, there are really
two key questions that I ask myself:
Do I understand how this business
works, and is this product or service
something that I would personally
buy or recommend to a friend?
If the answer is no to either of
those questions, it’s not a good
investment for me.
– Matthew Paulson
It is a substantial amount
of work to create a profitable
company out of nothing. Launching
a company is not something that you
can do half-heartedly and no one else will
make your company work for you. It takes
years of hard work, sweat and determination to create a
profitable business that has staying power.
In order to minimize risk, the key is
to spread your money across a lot of
different deals. Out of 10 companies
you invest in, 7 will probably eventually
go bankrupt, 2 will offer a modest return,
and hopefully one will offer a substantial
return. By having money in a bunch of different
deals, you’re more likely to be invested in a company that
hits a home-run.
7. M
atthew, what’s your best advice for a new
entrepreneur? Don’t spend too much time coming up
11. W
hat’s the secret to managing multiple
businesses? It’s a unique challenge because you constantly
8. How do you keep your team motivated? All of
12. BizNOW believes in sharing entrepreneurial
insights so everyone wins – how important is it
to learn about successful entrepreneurs? I love
with the perfect business plan before getting started. Your
business is going to have to change to meet the needs and
realities of your market. Anything that you come up with on
your own before talking to actual customers is just a theory
that probably won’t survive first contact with the enemy.
the companies that I’m involved with are made up of small
remote teams. This makes creating a company culture a
challenge, but the two keys are to continually communicate
the vision and mission of your company and keep your
employees happy. Make sure that each member of the team
feels understood and appreciated at all times. You’re going
to get the best work out of people when they’re not mad at
their boss!
16 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
have to shift your attention from one issue to the next. You
have to be flexible with your time because you never know
what issues are going to arise. While it’s challenging, it’s also
incredibly rewarding to see how the businesses that you’ve
created are helping people.
how BizNOW highlights local entrepreneurs and businesses.
I always pick-up a copy whenever I see one. It’s important to
share knowledge.
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May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 17
BIZ Experts
Expert ADVICE ...ON TOPICS
Health
Entrepreneurship
Q
Are you a serial entrepreneur? 5 signs you might be:
1) A sense of humor. Most serial entrepreneurs never take themselves so
seriously that they are afraid of failure. Not every decision to buy or start a new
business is a good one, so when something does not work out, they laugh it off
and try again. They learn from their mistakes and move on.
2) Thrive on chaos. Let’s face it, running one business is frantic enough for
most owners, but anyone who can keep tabs on multiple businesses is probably
an expert at making sense of chaos! While it can be frenetic, the rewards are
worth it. And it really boils down to developing great organizational skills, the
ability to surround yourself with the right team, and the ability to read a financial
statement. “I analyze the profit and loss statements daily to understand if my
businesses are on track or not,” says one local owner who has a staggering 50
businesses in South Dakota!
3) You are a collector. One is not enough, nor is two - or three. Having a
collection of businesses in a similar field, like plumbing, painting and carpentry,
just makes you want to round out the set by adding drywall, flooring and maybe
a heating and cooling business to your collection. Many serial entrepreneurs do
indeed build a collection of complementary businesses in order to provide a total
solution for their client.
4) Challenge motivates you. Success begets success. Once we accomplish
something and feel the euphoric high, we want to accomplish something else just
for the rush, just because we can. Self-motivation and a desire to learn and earn
are the drivers behind the business leaders that own and operate businesses in a
variety of fields.
Q
I’m looking for a
healthcare plan that
will encourage my
employees to stay
healthy. What are
some options?
Many plans today will have a
component that rewards employees
to stay well, which can include such
things as disease and medication
management, information on good
nutrition, smoking cessation and
exercise programs. Some plans
even offer access to a health club
at a discounted rate which can help
employees reach their health care
goals. Rather than just have employees
self-report healthy lifestyle changes,
a health club can help monitor and
verify that employees are meeting their
objectives. Prevention programs like
these can have a great impact on the
well-being of your employees, AND
save YOU on the bottom line.
5) Love and trust. You have to love people, the interaction, the variety of skills
and abilities it takes to run several enterprises. None of this can be done alone, so
the ability to surround yourself with good talent and trust them to exceed your
expectations will keep them challenged and loyal. A good employee works for
more than just monetary compensation, they work harder when they know they
have your respect.
If you have the confidence, conquer your curiosity and blaze a new trail to make the
world a better place. Biz salutes you!
18 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
Trisha Dohn BS, MA, CWC
Director of Health & Well-Being
DAKOTACARE
605.334.4000
www.dakotacare.com
Think how good it could feel to find
the right home and have your
existing home sold. Now, think
how good it would feel to have
saved valuable time, maximized
your dollars and had peace of
mind throughout the process.
BIZ Experts
THAT MATTER TO YOU
Finance We have a vision forReal
Estate
how easy it can
Political
be, whether you’re closing on your
new home or selling the old one.
Think Ratchford. Think Sold.
Q
Do you buy high and
sell low?
Most serious investors know the simple
formula to investment success: buy
low and sell high. It sounds simple, but
it’s incredibly difficult to implement and
involves two steps.
1. Calculate the underlying value of the
asset under consideration. Most fail
this test and buy what is going up and
sell what is going down – confirming
the old proverb “what the wise do in
the beginning, fools do in the end”.
2. Implement a systematic approach to
sell overvalued assets/asset classes
and purchase undervalued assets/
asset classes.
Today, prices of most asset classes are
expensive and we recommend raising
some cash for better opportunities
ahead.
Q
Recent news indicates
the real estate market is
hot and home prices are
increasing? Is this true?
It's true the market is doing well this
year. Home sales are up, and prices
for many have increased since last fall.
However, it is not across the board in all
price ranges.
Q
Should South Dakota have
2 minimum wages?
In November of 2014, South Dakotans
passed an initiated measure that raised
the minimum wage to $8.50. Shortly
after, a bill, SB 177, was introduced
and signed by the Governor to allow
employers to pay a dollar less to
employees under the age of 18.
Sales and prices have increased due to
lower interest rates, more consumer
confidence in the economy, and pent-up
demand.
The South Dakota Democratic Party
feels that it is wrong to pay workers
differently solely based on their age,
whether they are old or young.
There are a few factors that could be a
drag on the market going forward; slow
growth in household incomes, higher
health care costs and taxes, and a
tentative global economy. Sales will most
likely stabilize to normal activity within a
few months.
Consequently, we are pushing for bill
SB 177 to be reintroduced via the
referendum process to have you, the
voter, be the final arbiter on this issue.
What are your thoughts?
L to R: Megan, Tony, David, Diane, Sue
knowledge
Elgethun Capital Management
me Vision. A Registered Investment Advisory Firm
Sioux Falls
5915 S. Remington Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Phone: 605.336.8866
After hours: 605.359.4100
John A. Barker, CFA
Tony Ratchford
Zachary Nistler
jbarker@elgethuncapital.com
(office): (605) 367-3336
1-888-828-3339
Tony@tonyratchford.com
(605) 336-8866
www.TonyRatchford.com
Executive Director
(605) 271-5405
www.sddp.org
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 19
BIZ Interview
BizNOW INTERVIEW
WHY ONE SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
COMBINED TWO
BUSINESSES
You may not have heard of YUM!
Brands, but you've probably heard
of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, all of
which are held by YUM! Sometimes
it makes sense to consolidate brands
under one umbrella to garner
economic, legal, administrative and
social advantages.
Serial Entrepreneur Renae Eidenshink
recently consolidated her two
businesses, Insurance Specialty
Group and ACES which provides
accounting and human resource
solutions into ASSURGO in order to
save time, money and staffing. Here
she talks about that bold move.
20 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
Why did you decide to consolidate your
businesses and how are you consolidating?
What advice do you have for someone who's
thinking of consolidating businesses?
When you only market one company, it is difficult to tell
the whole story. We wanted our clients and potential new
clients to see us as a partner, but it was difficult for them to
clearly understand who we really are and what we can do for
them. Now when a business owner comes to us they have a
better concept of how we can help them be more efficient, and
ultimately more profitable.
When businesses have something in common, their products
and services intertwine or complement one another, it makes
sense to consolidate. While the process is time consuming, it
can be made easier with the right design company. Search for
one that aligns with your goals and vision and make that vision
very visible to them. Allow them the time to organize and walk
you through the process, nothing happens overnight. It took us
6-8 months to create the new name, message, and look.
What are some advantages you're hoping to see
through consolidation?
One advantage we realized immediately was in the reduction
of IT costs. We now have one domain name and one website
to host. Administratively, going to a single letterhead and
combined marketing material will save money and lessen intra
office confusion. We consolidated banking accounts, insurance
and our tax returns as well. Perhaps the most important benefit
is to our customer, enabling us to create a vision for them that
will help drive their profitability.
Has consolidation given you more power in
negotiating a good deal?
Merging the two into one gives us a competitive advantage.
ACES processes the payroll, and reports to Insurance Specialty
Group who then uploads to the insurance carrier, making it
a seamless process for us to better market to our clients. But
I feel the most important benefit from consolidation is to the
customer -- they get a full package of services and don’t have to
go to several separate companies for a complete solution.
Describe the process you went through for
consolidation?
Timing is everything in life. How do you know
when it’s time to consolidate a business?
The process took nearly six months to launch. A qualified
design team kept us on task with an organizational check list
and it was my responsibility to ensure that we accomplished
each step.
When you get frustrated trying to tell someone who you are
and what you really do. u
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 21
Smart BIZ
Consolidation Advantages
Economic - It is easier and more
cost effective to deliver a product if a
company owns the supply chain. Offset
this thought with the need to stay
technologically adept. For example, if you
are making toothpicks, owning the forest,
lumbering company and manufacturing
plant would make sense, but open
competition for high tech chips might be
better if you produce computer games.
Here, your strength is in the creativity
of the game, not the ever evolving chip
manufacturing process.
Secondly, consolidation increases
purchasing power. If you own multiple
restaurants, you can order in bulk and
spread the cost.
Administrative - Consolidating
any two or more businesses will save
administrative, management and
perhaps manufacturing costs if facilities
can be easily geared for different
product lines.
Second, merging two similar businesses
will reduce some of the cost of
competition and advertising, allowing
for more resources to be directed into
expansion or providing new products and
services.
Legal – Well-defined business units
can be incorporated as a division of a
parent company, allowing its profitability
to be managed and easily sold if or
when desired. In the interim, there is the
advantage of filing a single consolidated
tax return.
Combining complimentary businesses will
eliminate the overhead of negotiating for
supply line services, allowing a business
to better meet its legal obligation to
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maximize shareholder profit.
However, when similar and powerful
businesses combine, it may attract the
anti-monopoly government eye.
Social – When cost savings can be
realized along with an increase in quality,
the commodity becomes more easily
consumable by more people, thereby
increasing the quality of life for society
in general. For example, the cell phone
was a luxury and prohibitively expensive
at first, but open competition and quality
improvements made it accessible to
almost everyone. Government subsidies
completed the picture, making the
commodity essentially an entitlement
for everyone – and the providers
extremely wealthy. Secondly, high quality
production provides jobs and stability for
an area and society as a whole. u
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22 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
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Office: 605-275-0555 • juliebruflat@kw.com
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 23
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All IN
BIZ Feature
THE FAMILY
BROTHER AND SISTER ENTREPRENEURS
BEN DUENWALD AND STACY WHITE
Ben and his sister Stacy have a lot in common. They both love being their own boss, they
both love fresh homemade donuts, and they both love the exhilarating freedom that
entrepreneurial life brings them. Today he owns Flyboy Donuts in Sioux Falls and Stacy,
CSW-PIP has her own counseling practice. While they have different businesses, they have
the same entrepreneurial roots, borne from a life of true entrepreneurialism: farming. Here
they share their recipe for success and some insights – about a Baker’s dozen!
Being an
entrepreneur gives
you more ownership
in the community,
because as a business
owner I think you are
much more engaged
in your community; it
matters more.
– Ben Duenwald
Q&A >
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 25
BIZ Feature
Char: Ben, can you describe your management
style?
Ben: I am a hands-on owner, not a desk manager. Never
have been, never will be.
C: S
tacy, what are 2 qualities an entrepreneur
needs to have?
Stacy: Confidence in yourself and curiosity.
B: And I’d add honesty. You have to be honest about whether
something did or did not work. If the result shows nobody
is going to buy it, or it’s a bad idea, give it up.
S: And fear can’t hold you back. You have to be willing to take
the risk.
26 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
Interview by Charlotte Hofer
B: Optimism is another quality. If you are constantly looking
at what if, what if, what if, you’ll never make a move. You
have to have the ability to not listen to friends and relatives.
(laughs) It also takes creativity and imagination.
C: C
an there be entrepreneurs within the
corporate world?
B: I think being an entrepreneur can mean stepping out and
building your own business, but it can also mean being happy
at your current workplace if you’re doing things you enjoy.
Entrepreneurial thinking is doing your task better, smarter,
faster. It’s coming up with innovative ideas to move the
company forward. That’s why I left that world. I knew in my
heart I was an entrepreneur, and whenever I did something
really innovative, they acted surprised, and probably
wondered, ‘Why haven’t we figured this out before?’ I knew I
needed a change.
BIZ Feature
C: Are entrepreneurs born or are they made?
B: I think it’s a little of both. It’s personality certainly, but
personality based on experience.
C: C
an you teach someone to have an
entrepreneurial spirit?
S: I don’t know about teaching it, but I think you can uncover
it. People have it, but they might not realize it. You
may have the ability but not the confidence to use that
ability. Confidence can be encouraged and ability can be
strengthened. But you have to be born with that spirit.
C: W
hat is the best thing for each of you about
being an entrepreneur?
S: For me, it’s about the flexibility of deciding what, when, and
how much I want to do.
B: If you want to change something, you can. You don’t need
to ask anybody. If I want to create a new opportunity I can.
There are no limits. An entrepreneur does not count hours.
It’s fun, you do it. It’s like the best video game. There are so
many scenarios; it’s like a big chess game.
C: W
ho keeps you motivated, on track, inspired?
Who gets into that inner circle?
B: It’s very important, both on a personal and professional
basis. Stacy has been a rock for me. My family and my
wife were very supportive and that has been crucial to my
success.
C: But not everyone has that.
B: Sometimes relatives ask, ‘Why would you risk it, you have
a good job, good insurance.’ They’re protective, but it can
hold you back. Some people define success as stability. But
corporate is not stable anymore. And if you’re not happy,
money doesn’t mean anything. I wouldn’t go back to a
corporate setting for a million dollars. I wouldn’t do it.
C: S
tacy, what motivated you to go out on your
own?
S: It wasn’t an easy decision for me. It wasn’t something I
thought I would ever do, because I liked the job and my coworkers. I was comfortable.
B: It's life experience that motivates you and pushes you
out the door. I think the majority of people aren’t
entrepreneurs because they are comfortable in their job.
C: What do you want your legacy to be?
B: I want to be a family man, and I want to have ownership
in what I do. I think being an entrepreneur gives
you more ownership in the community,
because as a business owner I think
you are much more engaged in
your community -- it matters
more. I feel like you become
part of a community--a
business community.
S: Another
entrepreneurial skill is
lifelong learner.
B: Never be satisfied.
S: Always be curious
about things.
B: Goal-oriented.
C: W
hat has surprised you
the most about being an
entrepreneur?
B: I think it’s just in our blood. We were raised on a farm. We
learned early how to deal with pressure and the unexpected.
S: Work was expected and it’s not like we counted how many
hours we worked on the farm, we just worked every day.
When it’s your own business, the hours can be long, but the
work is fun.
B: And the reward is there – whether it’s monetary or the
payoff is pride in your accomplishment. u
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 27
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28 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
BIZ Ag
by Alan Dooley
It’s Raining,
It’s Pouring,
The Farmers
Aren’t Snoring.
They’re Moving
Wetlands.
WETLAND
MITIGATION BANK
For decades, farmers have had to be careful not to disturb any wetlands on their parcels.
Between EPA rules and regulations on wetland preservation, and the fact that if you diverted
water from your farmland it would become someone else’s problem, the farmer’s hands were
tied. Consequently, it is difficult to do anything with low spots in the middle of a field that collect
water and kill crops. The South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) hopes to change that by the end of
August, 2015.
In cooperation with a $75,000 grant from the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), South Dakota will
develop its first agricultural wetland mitigation bank in cooperation with several industry and ecology or preservation
groups such as the South Dakota Soybean Association, South
Dakota Corn Growers Association, Izaak Walton League,
Ducks Unlimited, Beadle County Conservation District, and
Eco Asset Management, LLC.
“Our goal is to develop a structure and framework for the
agricultural wetland mitigation banks in South Dakota that
will allow for degraded wetlands on continuously cropped
fields to be put into production while offsetting equal acreage
into a protected wetland where it will have higher value and
function,” says Wayne Smith, Executive Director of the SDFB.
The Farm Bureau is in the process of establishing the eligibility
rules for the statewide program along with a verification
system, registries and trading methods to reclaim valuable
wetlands within viable crop producing parcels.
“The farmer will deal directly with the mitigation bank and the
bank will then work with the NRCS to complete the mitigation
process,” says Smith.
On the flip side, there are plenty of production acres that
cry out for water. South Dakota has 370,000 irrigated acres,
according to the 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey.
The number of irrigation permits has seen a gradual, cyclical
increase, going from 29 in 2001 to 139 in 2008, then dropping
below 70 for three years prior to maxing at 354 in 2013,
tapering off again to 144 in 2014. Sprinkler systems seem to be
favored over gravity systems, as of 2013.
Founded in 1917, the South Dakota Farm Bureau is a
grassroots agricultural organization representing more
than 14,300 member families across the state. The wetland
mitigation group continues to meet and resolve concerns
to ensure environmental protection while maximizing crop
production. They hope to have a framework drafted this
month.
For more information on the mitigation project, visit
www.sdfbf.org. u
Sources: Department of Environmental & Natural Resources, South Dakota Corn Publication: emerge,
Wayne Smith, South Dakota Farm Bureau Executive Director (605) 201-4262 / wsmith@sdfbf.org
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 29
BIZ Legal
by Scott Swier
4 PIECES OF LEGAL ADVICE THAT
SOUTH DAKOTA BUSINESS OWNERS
SHOULD
IGNORE!
As a current (or potential) small business owner in South Dakota, you’ve undoubtedly
received plenty of advice - good and bad. Here are four pieces of “bad” legal advice
that you should quickly disregard:
1
“Just get the business going and worry
about legal issues later.”
One of the worst pieces of advice given to
South Dakota small business owners is to
delay the “legal issues” until your business
achieves a certain income.
Delaying the “paperwork hassle” and “legal fees” may
sound like a good business strategy. However, failing to
incorporate could result in your personal liability for injuries
or damages. For instance, if your flower shop delivery driver
accidentally hits a motorcyclist, there could be serious legal
consequences.
Also, avoiding the “legal issues,” such as forming a
corporation or limited liability company (LLC), can result
in expensive litigation to resolve later disputes about
company structure, company ownership, and company
profit distribution.
2
“Bypass the attorney and go online.”
Generic legal documents are all over the Internet.
Unfortunately, these documents are probably
inadequate for your business and may leave you
exposed to future legal problems. Every business
document must be tailored to your specific
situation.
Relying on online legal advice is also risky. Unfortunately,
you may spend a significant amount of time and money
trying to “unring the bell” and undo what you've already done
based on bad online advice.
30 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
3
“Noncompete agreements are worthless.”
Small business owners often believe that
noncompete agreements “are not worth the paper
they’re written on.” This is simply not true.
In South Dakota, noncompete agreements can
be enforced under certain conditions. For some small
businesses, a well-drafted noncompete agreement is often
one of its most valuable legal documents.
4
“Always designate your ‘employees’ as
‘independent contractors.’”
Most small business owners worry about initial
start-up costs and continuing overhead expenses.
One popular myth that small business owners often
hear is that designating your workers as “independent
contractors” and not as “employees” is a great money-saving
technique.
However, there are strict legal definitions of employees and
independent contractors. And any business that misclassifies
its workers can create significant legal liability relating to
taxes, workers’ compensation, wage-and-hour issues, and
unemployment insurance. u
Scott Swier is the Founder and Managing
Member of Swier Law Firm, Prof. LLC.
The firm’s Business & Corporate Law
Practice Group works with a wide array
of clients, from individuals and families in
rural South Dakota to small businesses,
government officials, and Fortune 100
companies throughout the United States.
BENEATH
THE SURFACE.
Swier Law Firm can help you resolve deep
issues and provide an anchor of trust for
you and your business.
Our attorneys thrive on delivering
exceptional, yet creative, legal services to
local, regional, and national clients with high
expectations. Having four offices in the heart
of South Dakota, Swier Law Firm stands
apart based on our nationally recognized
experience, responsiveness, and results. We
proudly provide innovative legal services
while keeping our client’s needs in mind.
The attorneys at Swier Law Firm make
business law easier so you can get back to
doing what you love... running your business.
Visit Swierlaw.com for helpful articles and tips on business issues.
Scott Swier –
Brooke Schloss –
Bill Blewett
Robert Burns–
Jake Fischer– Michael Henderson Chris McClure–
Amanda Work
Nationally Recognized Legal Solutions
SIOUX FALLS OFFICE
5024 S. Bur Oak Place | Suite 214 | Sioux Falls, SD 57108
605.275.5669
With additional offices in Avon, Corsica and Winner.
Please join us on:
BIZ Spiritual
by Jeremy Brown
THREE WAYS TO THINK
LIKE A
WARRIOR
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a stay-at-home-mom
or brand new sales rep – developing a warrior mentality
will make you resilient, courageous and honorable. And
those three characteristics are exactly what the world
desperately needs.
Our nation and our youth must idolize men and women
brave enough to try, loving enough to care and strong
enough to lay down their life for the sake of others. We
need warriors!
Here are 3 main attributes that are common among all
true Warriors. Adopting these characteristics will help
you develop a warrior-metality:
1 – The Cause
“He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
The warrior knows
endurance comes
through rest, bravery
from reflection and
wisdom gained from
wise mentors.
Warriors have a deep sense of calling. They are absolutely
all-in and give their entire lives for a cause bigger than
themselves. Warriors don’t think about what they are
going to get but rather what they are going to give for the
cause. Their ultimate gift is themselves, their life, their
devotion, their resources and all their energies for the sake
of something greater.
2 – The People
“The more generous we are, the more joyous we become.
The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we
become. The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive
we become. The more serving we are, the more prosperous
we become.”
- William Arthur Ward
Yes, warriors are called, and they are not so much called
to a thing or a work as much as they are called to a
32 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
Biz Spiritual Series:
people. They feel a strong and compassionate
love for a certain people and it is that love that
compels them into action every day. Typically,
it is a group of people that are going through
a struggle that the warrior themselves went
through at one time. Whether it’s helping
someone in recovery for an addiction, someone
facing cancer or even helping to mend a broken
heart, the warrior, filled with compassion, steps
in with an offering of time and presence to
walk with the hurting. The warrior treats the
outcasts as royalty. Warriors don’t want the
spotlight, they want to help others shine, they
want to help the ones who are overlooked.
3 – The Work
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win
glorious triumphs even though checkered by
failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who
neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in
the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor
defeat.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
Warriors work extremely hard. They pour
everything they have into everything they do.
Called forth by a powerful sense of calling, they
do what is worth doing – doing “mighty things”
as Roosevelt put it. Their work is to serve, to
add value and to show support for the ones they
love. They absolutely refuse to quit. They have
a goal and they do not look to the left or to the
right – their eyes are fixed on their target. They
see failure as a chance to grow in strength and
wisdom. The warrior knows endurance comes
through rest, bravery from reflection and wisdom
granted by wise mentors.
Remember these three things each day and
you will begin to feel your inner warrior
awakening and being inspired into action. The
first glimmer will be a powerful love you will
feel towards others. That is the great warrior
summoning you into action.
You are needed and the time is now. Rise up
and move onward to serve your people! u
Jeremy Brown, serial entrepreneur, is the owner of Throne Publishing and
president of Link, a company that assists in career development in Sioux
Falls. He has also established a nonprofit mentorship program for young
men, called Warrior Leadership.
!
Biz Spiritual
Series:
Has a principle of
faith helped YOU
in business?
Tell us about it.
Submission guidelines:
500 words or less on
how a principle of faith
has helped guide you in
your professional life,
such as: compassion,
honesty, humility, gratitude,
forgiveness, generosity,
kindness, courage,
integrity, patience) to:
info@biznowmagazine.com
If your article is selected
for publication, you will
be notified.
at Your service. at Your side.
At Your Service. At Your Side.
at Your service. at Your side.
Fischer, Rounds & Associates, Inc. is an independent insurance agency with
a broadRounds
range of
personal, commercial,
health and
life insurance
products.
Fischer,
& Associates,
Inc. is an independent
insurance
agency with
a broad range of personal, commercial, health and life insurance products.
call us in siOuX Falls
1101 W Russell Street • Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Phone: 605-336-4444
• Toll Free: 877-789-3773
• Fax: 605-274-9034
Fischer,
Rounds & Associates,
Inc. is an independent
insurance agency with
aOffices
broadalso
range
of personal,
commercial, health and life insurance products.
• Pierre • Rapid City • Watertown
in Mitchell
www.FischerRounds.com
call us in siOuX Falls
1101 W Russell Street • Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Phone: 605-336-4444 • Toll Free: 877-789-3773 • Fax: 605-274-9034
May 2015 | BizNOWmagazine.com | 33
BizNOW Calendar
Send items to: info@biznowmagazine.com
what's now
May 1, 2, 3
Downtown Arts Festival
Sioux Falls
1
May 1
Ag Committee Meeting
7:00 - 8:00 AM
Second Street Diner
610 S. Washington Ave., Madison, SD
All welcome.
May 2
Kentucky Derby Gala
3:30 – 7:30 PM
Sioux Falls Convention Center
1201 N West Ave, Sioux Falls, SD
Benefits Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Attire:
Derby Fashion (don’t forget your hat!)
May 6
YPN Morning Buzz
7:30 - 8:30 AM
Panera Bread
Network with other YPN members
6
May 6
Young Entrepreneurs Meetup
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Hegg Realtors
1000 E 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD
Topic: What do small business owners
want? Rsvp: www.meetup.com/Siouxfalls-young-entrepreneur-meetup
Biz Lunch Spotlight
May 12
Sioux Falls Membership Mixer
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Carnaval Brazilian Grill
2401 S. Carolyn Ave., Sioux Falls
$5 for members
May 19
SME Membership Meeting
11:30 – 1:00 PM
Holiday Inn City Centre – Starlite Room
100 W. 8th St, Sioux Falls
Mark Cotter speaking on The Growing
Needs of Sioux Falls
Members free, guests $40
May 14
Brandon Chamber Mixer
5:00 – 6:30 PM
Oakridge Nursery & Landscaping
2217 S Splitrock Blvd, Brandon, SD
Network with members.
May 20
YPN power Lunch
Noon – 1:00 PM
Grille 26
1716 S. Western Ave, Sioux Falls
15 20
May 15
A Seat at the Table with Craig Lloyd
Noon – 1:00 PM
Chamber of Commerce
YPN members only
May 21
Business After Hours
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Rasmussen Mechanical Services
2425 4th Street, Sioux City, IA
Free for Siouxland Chamber members &
their guests!
May 19
Brandon Networking @ Noon
Noon – 1:00 PM
212 Boiling Point
328 S Splitrock Blvd, Brandon, SD
Get to know members and their
businesses.
May 20
Young Entrepreneurs Meetup
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Hegg Realtors
1000 E 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD
Speaker: Matthew Paulson on Marketing
Hacks: Cheap Ways to Gain Customers
Rsvp: www.meetup.com/Sioux-fallsyoung-entrepreneur-meetup
Need a nice spot for a quick lunch to conduct business? Red Lobster
An extraordinary atmosphere with a great selection of fresh seafood.
Extra wide and private tables for a casual business meeting or serious
conversation. Impress your clients with a woodfire grill selection or classy
lobster tail and shrimp followed by a luscious brownie a la mode or key lime
pie. Conveniently located near I-29 on 41st at the Empire Mall.
Got a place we should know about? Send in your own review in
75 words or less - we’d love to hear about it! info@biznowmagazine.com
May 21
SD Real Estate Investors Association
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Keller Williams RE Office
5915 S. Remington Place, Sioux Falls
28
May 28
May Off The Clock mixer
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Falls Overlook Café
825 N. Weber Ave, Sioux Falls
YPN networking
GRATHIA CORPORATION
Private Lending & Trust Deed Investing
We finance residential real estate
projects for investors.
fast funding
Don’t let a deal pass you by
34 | BizNOWmagazine.com | May 2015
GRATHIA.com
845-235-5381
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