Nominations open for the 2024 Outstanding Women In Business Awards
Award applications for 'Enterprisng Young Entrepreneur,' 'Enterprising Woman Entpreneur,' and 'Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur' are open February 12th through March 19th at 11:59 p.m. MT.
Enterprising Young Entrepreneur
- 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 Woman Entrepreneur
- 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 Intrapreneur
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
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
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.
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
Friend of A Small Business
Retired in 2019
2019 - Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart Etiquette Catering LLC, Rapid City
2018 - Dr. Helen Usera, Aspiring Business Consulting, Rapid City
2017 - Leah Braun, Harney Business Group, Rapid City
2016 - Jennifer Baloun, Great Western Bank, Spearfish
2015 - Megan Whitman, Main Street Square Rapid City, Rapid City
Tanya Fiddler, Four Bands Community Fund, Inc., Eagle Butte
2014 - Linda Salmonson, East River Electric Power Cooperative, Madison
Julie Johnson, Absolutely! Aberdeen, Aberdeen
2013 - Sheryl Eisenbraun, Pioneer Bank & Trust, Sturgis
Jane Swenson, Reliabank Dakota, Watertown
2012 - Beth Davis, Dakota Resources, Renner
Tawney Brunsch, Lakota Funds, Kyle
Enterprising Business Team
Retired in 2019
2018 – Black Hills Ultra Sound, Rapid City
2017 – Anderson, Nill & Associates Inc., Pierre
2016 – Quik Signs, Spearfish
2015 – Midwest Marketing LLC, Rapid City
2014 – Dakota Business Center, Rapid City
2013 – Coreen Lerwick State Farm Agency, Spearfish
2012 – Project Solutions, Inc., Rapid City
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