Outstanding Women In Business Award Winners - Black Hills State University

Outstanding Women In Business Award Winners

Women In Business Awards are designed to celebrate the impact of outstanding businesswomen across the state of South Dakota for their business acumen and contributions to their community and the state.

Nominations open for the 2025 Outstanding Women In Business Awards

Award applications for 'Enterprisng Young Entrepreneur,' 'Enterprising Woman Entpreneur,' and 'Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur' are open February 13th through March 18th at 11:59 p.m. MT.

Enterprising Young Entrepreneur

This woman entrepreneur has created a successful business by demonstrating outstanding skill and commitment. She demonstrates leadership qualities in her community and/or industry. This woman:

- Owns the business (51% or more)
- Has owned her current business for a minimum of 3 years
- Is 35 years or younger as of May 2025
- Is a small business entrepreneur as defined by the U.S. SBA (500 employees or less for manufacturing and mining industries and $7.5 million or less in average annual receipts for non-manufacturing industries; is organized for profit; operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; is not dominant in its field on a national basis)
- The business must be located in South Dakota.

Our awards committee will review your and the other nominations to select the top 3 candidates as finalists for the awards ceremony. If your nominee is chosen as a finalist, you and the candidate will be notified via email.

Enterprising Young Entrepreneur Nomination Form

Enterprising Woman Entrepreneur

This dynamic business woman has achieved substantial success and demonstrates significant leadership in her industry and community. She demonstrates outstanding skill, commitment, and accomplishment, while successfully navigating obstacles. She also mentors and encourages others. This woman:

- Owns the business (51% or more)
- Has owned her current business for a minimum of 7 years (as of May 2, 2024)
- Is a small business entrepreneur as defined by the U.S. SBA (500 employees or less for manufacturing and mining industries and $7.5 million or less in average annual receipts for non-manufacturing industries; is organized for profit; operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; is not dominant in its field on a national basis)
- The business must be located in South Dakota.

Our awards committee will review your and the other nominations to select the top 3 candidates as finalists for the awards ceremony. If your nominee is chosen as a finalist, you and the candidate will be notified via email.

Enterprising Woman Entrepreneur Nomination Form

Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur

This woman may work for a business of any size. She is not the owner, but has used her entrepreneurial qualities to implement or serve as a catalyst to innovative changes within her organization that have led to increased revenues, expansion/growth of the company, improved systems, or other quantifiable improvements/advancements of the organization. She can work at any level of the organization, and demonstrates significant leadership qualities at work and within her community. The business the woman works for must be located in South Dakota.

Our awards committee will review your and the other nominations to select the top 3 candidates as finalists for the awards ceremony. If your nominee is chosen as a finalist, you and the candidate will be notified via email.

Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur Nomination Form

Enterprising Young Entrepreneur

This woman entrepreneur has created a successful business by demonstrating outstanding skill and commitment. She demonstrates leadership qualities in her community and/or industry.

2024 - Marcela Salas, Salas Salsas

2023 - Jesika Floyd, Heartland Home Health, Belle Fourche

2022 - Tia Berens, The Barn At Aspen Acres, Spearfish

2019 – Katie Wagner Washnok, Blackout Industries, Spearfish

2018 – Samantha Schmeltzer, The OWN, Rapid City

2017 – Miranda Papendick & Brooke Bradsky, Aj’s Wicked Salon & Spa, Rapid City

2016 – Jessica Castleberry, Little Nest Preschool LLC, Rapid City

2015 – Lindsey Richards, Alpine Impressions Screen Printing and Embroidery, Spearfish

2014 – Amy Colgan, Lemonly, Sioux Falls

2013 – Janie Hett, Peak Motion Physical Therapy, Spearfish

2012 – Kelsie Darling, Quik Signs, Spearfish

Enterprising Woman Entrepreneur

2024 - Jenny Schmidt, Black Hills Advocate, Rapid City

2023 - Allison Russell, Twisted Wire Design, Mitchell

2022 - Carrie Gerlach, Black Hills Adventure Tours, Rapid City

2019 – Linda Lea Viken, Viken & Riggins Law Firm, Rapid City

2018 – Marvie Tschetter, Lankota Group, Inc., Huron

2017 – Mona Patton, Lil’ Angel’s Inc., Kyle

2016 – Sandra McNeely, Abbey Group Ltd., Rapid City

2015 – Lezlie Snoozy-Kaitfors, Comfort Keepers and Belle Estate Senior Living, Spearfish

2014 – Nancy Barron, Sandstone Senior Living, Spearfish

2013 – Kari Jo Karst, BX Civil & Construction, Dell Rapids

2012 – Dixie Olson, Properties Unlimited Realty, Sturgis

Outstanding Women's Choice Award

This award was voted on live at The Women's Business Summit to recognize one of the top 9 finalists from 2022 Outstanding Women in Business for their excellence by the nominee's peers.

2024 - Jenna Farrar, Rushmore Athletics, Rapid City

2023 - Rhonda Pearcy, Fork Real Cafe, Rapid City

2022 - Tia Berens, The Barn at Aspen Acres, Spearfish

Black Hills State University Alumna Entrepreneur in Excellence

The inaugural Black Hills State University Alumna Entrepreneur In Excellence was created in partnership with the BHSU Foundation. This honor recognizes an exceptional woman who embodies entrepreneurship, leadership, and community engagement, modeling the values of Black Hills State University through her work.

2024 - Kelsey Stine, Vela Creative Co. & Accessible Black Hills, Rapid City

Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur

NEW Award in 2019

This woman is not the owner of a business but has used her entrepreneurial qualities to implement or serve as a catalyst to innovative changes within her organization that have led to increased revenues, expansion/growth of the company, improved systems, or other quantifiable improvements/advancements of the organization.

2024 - Amber Vogt, Lawrence County, Deadwood

2023 - Lori Finnesand, GROW South Dakota, Sisseton

2022 - Marnie Herrmann, Security First Bank, Rapid City

2019 – Sarah Carlson, Historic Homestake Opera House, Lead