Craig Snyder calls his company a “laboratory of human development.” He says it everywhere from new-hire orientations to executive committee meetings and all-staff trainings. Including to his children. Snyder, CEO of VIKOR, has built a family business from the ground up – all the way up, to thousands of feet off the ground, where its […]
Industry-leading tower business sets sights on supporting next generation Read More »
They came from 27 businesses across five states. And with 60 next-generation family business members, the group that spent two days in Deadwood recently marked the largest attendance at the Next Gen Retreat in the 31-year history of the Prairie Family Business Association. “It exceeded our expectations and tells us that the next gens are
Next-gen family business members connect, learn at popular retreat Read More »
Cole Weller acknowledges this is “the all-American story” of entrepreneurship. He and younger brother, Brent, started Weller Brothers Landscaping while they were students at Brandon Valley High School in the early 2000s. “High school kids mowing lawns – that’s how we started,” he said. “We just are the ones who never quit, and now we’re
From high schoolers mowing lawns, brothers become multi-location family business owners Read More »
John and Doralee Lynch had decided to give it five years. “I told my wife, if we can’t make this go in five years, I guess I’ll have to do something different,” Lynch said. “I always call it cutting the umbilical cord because we were on our own.” A self-described sheep industry lover born into
From southeast S.D., family grows business into sheep equipment industry leader Read More »
For Agatha Johnson, the roots of business ownership go deep – back to her great-grandfather Edward Kappenman, who immigrated from Germany and purchased farmland in north-central South Dakota in 1919. Edward’s son, George, took over and grew the operation, and his son Wilfred continued it. Johnson’s brother Damian then led it, and now his daughter,
Aug. 22, 2022 This paid piece is sponsored by the Prairie Family Business Association. Less than one-half of 1 percent of businesses reach their century anniversary. Even fewer can claim 150 years in business – a milestone First Dakota National Bank is celebrating and the result of early pioneers along with modern family leadership combining
First Dakota National Bank marks 150th anniversary with family focused on its future Read More »
South Dakota is home to a greater percentage of family businesses than any state in the nation. That’s according to a recent report from OnDeck, a global online small-business lending company. Using data from earlier this year, it analyzed information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual business survey to identify the states with the highest
South Dakota named America’s No. 1 family business state Read More »
The newest member of the Prairie Family Business Association team is a small family business owner himself with a history of helping other entrepreneurs. Peter Hauck is the new assistant director for the organization, which is the region’s premier resource for family businesses, helping them thrive through generations by providing a resource network for success.
Family business owner, startup leader joins Prairie Family Business Association team Read More »
It’s an often overlooked role in a family business, despite the fact that spouses can play a significant role in the business’ success. At Iowa-based Weiler Products, that became clear in recent years as three second-generation owners’ spouses stepped up to help create a spousal employment policy. “We waited until everyone was married to have
Spouses of family business owners take center stage at upcoming webinar Read More »
To find a 28,000-square-foot shoe store in a community of about 22,000 people tells you this isn’t a typical shoe store. Actually, Trav’s Outfitter is the South Dakota Retailer of the Year, honored in 2022 by the state retailers association, and with good reason. It has all the classic ingredients of an entrepreneurial success story:
South Dakota’s Retailer of the Year finds right fit with family-owned shoe business Read More »