Start Smart, Grow Strong: A Founder’s Guide to Turning Vision into a Thriving Business
Launching your dream business isn’t just about passion — it’s about structure, vision, and strategic execution. The difference between an inspired idea and a thriving enterprise often lies in how well you align creativity with operational clarity. Below, we’ll explore actionable steps and systems that help founders build sustainable, growth-ready businesses. Clarify the Vision and Market Fit Every dream business begins with purpose — but purpose alone isn’t a business model.Before investing in
Vermillion Public Library Hosts Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat Event
The Vermillion Public Library is excited to announce it will host its annual family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat event on Friday, October 31 from 4-6 p.m. The event will take place in the library's parking lot, located at 18 Church Street. Held in conjunction with the popular Downtown Trick-or-Treat festivities, the library’s event offers a safe, centralized, and fun-filled destination for children and families to celebrate Halloween. We invite all participants to come in costume and collect candy and other
Retailers Launch NextGen Business Builders
Business owners in South Dakota have a new tool to boost their network and their knowledge. It’s the NextGen Business Builders program offered by the South Dakota Retailers Association. NextGen Business Builders is a 13-month program for individuals who have owned their business for five years or less. Through in-person and virtual sessions, participants will expand their knowledge in marketing, human resources, customer service, and other important skills, while networking with newer business owners from
Clay County Law Enforcement Center & Jail Ribbon Cutting Set for October 7
The new Clay County Law Enforcement Center & Jail – home to the Vermillion Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Office – will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting and open house event on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. Tours and refreshments will follow. The 54,000-square-foot facility includes 54 beds with the potential to add 44 more in the future. The Vermillion Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Office will share support spaces including a break room, multipurpose room, locker
South Dakota Shakespeare Festival Receives Endowment for the Arts Grant for Juvenile Justice Program
The South Dakota Shakespeare Festival has been awarded $22,000 to enact their Staging a Difference with Shakespeare curriculum at the Minnehaha Juvenile Detention Center from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The South Dakota Shakespeare Festival was one of seven nonprofits that provides theatre education for students in juvenile justice settings to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. “We are incredibly grateful for the funding from the National
MASABA Opens New Fabrication, Office Facility in Vermillion
MASABA, Inc. is proud to announce the official grand opening of its new state-of-the-art steel and metal fabrication facility in Vermillion, South Dakota. The company will officially celebrate this occasion with an open house event on October 16, 2025, from 3-6 p.m., marking the completion of its major investment in its future, in American manufacturing, and in the local community. The 147,500 square foot facility — located at 1400 317th St, Vermillion — is situated adjacent to MASABA’s existing plant,
Mazing Acres is Paying Tribute to Lainey Wilson with Corn Maze
In celebration of her current Country Music Association (CMA) honor of Entertainer of the Year, Mazing Acres is preparing to open a corn maze paying tribute to country music icon Lainey Wilson, one of many popping up this fall that will collectively draw up to a million visitors. The 5-acre maze is scheduled to open for its sixth season on Sept. 13, 2025. Mazing Acres is one of 36 farms across the U.S. and Canada inviting guests to “Get Lost with Lainey” in their corn maze this year. Continuing a tradition
How to Promote a Local Event on a Shoestring Budget
Promoting an event without a big budget doesn’t mean you’re stuck with half-baked flyers and empty chairs. In fact, some of the most effective tactics cost little more than creativity, timing, and sweat equity. If you're a small business owner trying to get people in the door, the rules are different—you don’t need a national campaign, you need one that cuts through in your zip code. Here’s how to do it right, without draining your wallet. Start with Creative Guerrilla Buzz Tactics You don’t need
Buying a Struggling Business? Here’s How to Revive It for the Market You’re In Now
There’s a kind of pull that happens when you spot a business with bones. Maybe it’s the walk-in traffic. Maybe it’s the brand equity that’s still whispering through the dust. Or maybe it’s just the price tag — irresistible, because it comes with risk. But let’s not romanticize it: buying a failing business is a knife’s edge move. One that demands clarity, rhythm, and brutal specificity. If you’re going to do it, you need to know exactly where to look, what to keep, and what to rip out.Spot the spark, not
How Small Businesses Can Handle Organizational Shifts
Organizational change isn’t just for sprawling corporate skyscrapers with mission statements etched in glass. It’s for you, in the corner café with the espresso machine that rattles like it’s alive. It’s for the two-person accounting firm working out of a garage that still smells like oil. The moment you decide to shift how your business runs—whether it’s hiring a new manager, switching software, or moving your entire operation online—you’ve entered the ever-messy, deeply human, and rarely linear world of
Strengthen Your Business with a Streamlined Client Onboarding Experience
In the competitive landscape of service-based industries, the client onboarding process is a pivotal moment that can set the tone for future interactions. A well-executed onboarding experience not only enhances client satisfaction but also lays the groundwork for enduring partnerships. By integrating smart strategies and leveraging technology, businesses can transform onboarding from a routine task into a strategic advantage. This approach not only streamlines operations but also demonstrates a commitment
