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 »
A sixth-generation owner of one of the nation’s oldest family businesses will help other families as they look to the future at an upcoming retreat. Kevin Hancock is the CEO of Hancock Lumber Co., a 620-person company established in 1848. Hancock Lumber operates 12 lumberyards, three sawmills and a truss manufacturing facility in Maine and
How do hundreds of USD students feel about joining a family business? De Vee Dkystra asked them. “Not very much research has been done on this topic, and we wanted to know how college-age students feel about joining either their family business, if they have one, or any family business,” said Dkystra, professor of business
New research offers family business insight across generations Read More »
If you’re not familiar with the business, your first guess likely is that Auto Body Specialties is a place to take your vehicle for body work. “It’s common for people to think we’re a body shop instead of a body shop supplier, but we’re 100 percent wholesale,” president Jim Roddel said. “We sell to body
Family-owned Auto Body Specialties grows into third generation Read More »