Problem + Solution = Opportunity
This is common formula when someone starts a business.
The entrepreneur sees a problem, come up with a solution and BAM! ...an opportunity presents itself.
Not every business starts the same way and there are many reasons to launch a new venture:
- It’s a dream!
- It’s a necessity...
- It’s just crosses your path.
There is no “right answer” and there is ALWAYS a story!
Get ready to be inspired as six women (including one mother and daughter team!) share their stories of successes, challenges and what they have learned along the way when it comes to owning a business in South Dakota.
Meet our speakers
Kristen Bell
Dough Trader, Good Day Cafe, Dough Fairy Delights
All located in Spearfish
Kristen Bell was raised in the Black Hills by a family of small-business people. She has lived in California, Texas, Kentucky and Arizona- earning a BFA in Performance of Theater Arts, with work experience spanning from cleaning motel rooms to gas station clerk, from fashion modeling to politics, from restaurant/bar industry to a farm-to-table endeavor. She opened Dough Trader Pizza Company in 2011, The Mission at Minder Binder (Tempe, AZ) in 2014, Liberty Farm in 2016, and Good Day Cafe in 2018. She loves cooking and washing dishes, and explaining some bit of science behind technique to anyone who will listen.
Erin Burmeister
Doc & Alice
Rapid City
Erin Burmeister is co-founder/owner of Doc & Alice, Black Hills Boutique, providing a fashion fix for all those in need. She’s a SoDak Soul Sister, wife of Ethan for twenty-four years, and mother of four. With Art & Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design/Decor, Real Estate, Music, and Ministry as background, her passions include fashion, people, spaces, and the Black Hills . . . celebrating the color and joy of life. She loves sharing those things with a community and helping others express on the outside who they are on the inside.
Sharon Goodman,Owner
Doc & Alice
Rapid City
Sharon Goodman is a co-founder/owner of Doc & Alice along with her daughter Erin Burmeister. The two have worked together on previous projects, including Real Estate & model home interiors for builders. Although her degree is in music and education, she found a home in sales while owning her own store. For over 50 years she has been selling both her own products and products from many other sources with side gigs in jewelry making, music performance, and teaching. She has a long-held passion for fashion and a deep love for music and her family. Her hobbies include reading, art, and riding motorcycles - officially obtaining her motorcycle license at the age of 75! Her family includes her husband, Marshall, 2 adult children, 8 grandchildren, 1 grandson-in-law and a new great-grandchild.
Jess Czerny, OD, DVM
Mountain Valley Vision Center, Spearfish
Deadwood Eyecare, Deadwood
Veterinarian at Animal Care Center of Spearfish, Spearfish
Jess Czerny is both an optometrist and a veterinarian. She has owned Mountain Valley Vision Center and Deadwood Eye Care for the last 8 years with her husband and continued to practice optometry while getting her second degree in veterinary medicine. She became a doctor for the second time in 2017. She is a Black Hills State Alumni and graduated as Valedictorian from the Michigan College of Optometry and summa cum laude from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She is passionate about utilizing excellent medical technology to help provide the best care to her human and her animal patients. Jess loves the adventure of being a business owner, doctor, and now mom to a three-month-old, and in any spare time she can be found cross-fitting, mountain biking, or country dancing with her husband! .
Lyndy Ireland
Triangle Ranch Bed & Breakfast
Philip
Lyndy Ireland was born, the 4th generation, on historic Triangle Ranch near Philip, SD. After high school she married her cowboy/teacher/coach sweetheart. When they were blessed to become parents, they determined to raise their children, the 5th generation, on the ranch. In doing so, her roles included mother, ranchwife, part time singer, horsewoman, typesetter for the local weekly newspaper, nursing home activities director, seamstress, interior painter and manager for the World-Famous Wall Drug's Western Boot Department. In her mid-40's she realized that “God didn't cut me out to punch a time clock”. After convincing hubby that it was perfectly logical to renovate their historic Sears & Roebuck ranch home as a Bed & Breakfast she came home to “bloom where she was planted”. 24 years later they continue to offer unique lodging and our special South Dakota hospitality to visitors from around the world.
Stacie Suedkamp
Fig Tales
Flandreau
Stacie Suedkamp creates custom desserts and
enchanting stories. She turned a hobby and love for baked goods into her
full-time sugar cookie business, Fig Tales. With a background in sales,
marketing and training combined with a family history of hard work she doubled
down on her strengths and works her dream job. She firmly believes you
are one Google search away from learning any new skill. In addition to baking
beautiful cookies, she’s a phenomenal idea generator and connector of people.
Dr. Helen Usera
Aspiring Business Consulting
Moderator
Dr. Helen Usera is Assistant Development Director for Abbott House. She provides community outreach for the organization specifically in West River. Helen also owns a consulting firm that provides strategic and organizational planning for small and large businesses. She is a certified John C. Maxwell Team mentor, coach, and speaker. She has her Doctorate in educational administration from University of Kansas. Helen had a ten-year career in the United States Army Reserves which allowed her the opportunity to complete her education. Helen has 2 sons and two grandchildren. Her current nonprofit and community service includes Rapid City Chamber of Commerce board treasurer, Western Dakota Tech Advisory Board and Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader.