Meet Carmen Dyar from Rapid City, South Dakota.  What you'll read here is Carmen's own story right from her own lips, figuratively speaking. As owner of Travel Backroads, I met Carmen at a Dakota Resources RuralX Conference held in Mitchell SD.  Carmen was just one of several entrepreneurs showcased there.  Read the story of her journey, then know that "slvrlinings is not just a new chapter , but a whole new book": 

Florals and Finds has been such a success in Clear Lake SD that owners Margit and Sharon decided to add on to their business.  Florals and Finds Boutique opened this Fall next door and features women's fashions, jewelry, some footwear, scarves and more.  The great thing as far as this storyteller is concerned is that they include Plus Size clothing too so they are a woman's "all-size shop!"  (We need to create an urban dictionary name for this--because it's necessary and great when boutiques are inclusive to all-size women! )

Arla Olson, a favorite salesperson, that could be found across the street at Joyce's in Clear Lake joined the team along with Kayla Fritz Bucknell, daughter to Margit. Joining the two stores together, they began their commitment to continue great service and bring new and unique boutique items to the area.  Arla adds her 40 years experience in helping women find their perfect fit and desired style.  Her many years experience is quite the asset to Floral and Finds Boutique.  Arla has an uncanny memory of women's styles and sizes and once you get to know her, she's got your style.  Even husband's trust her expertise to let her do the shopping.  

Kayla adds her own flair and expertise to the equation.  Having started to sell Plunder jewelry after her and her husband moved back to Clear Lake, it has grown amazingly in the east central region, and beyond.  Kayla sells their boutique items via Facebook Live and they ship their styles and fashions around the world.  It is a unique concept and one our small rural communities need to grasp. Online sales is necessary along with the personal touch of 'hands on."  Of course if at some point you are not happy with your choice if purchased online, they stand by their product and sales.  Kayla also adds touches of youthfulness being a young mother of two little boys.

The biggest sales pitch for their shop is they listen to their customers and when they go to market they're thinking of their clientele. If you're coming through Clear Lake and the shops are not open, be sure to call them as well to set up an appointment.  Between the four of them, they'll try to meet whatever need you have.

If you recall in reading our previous article here, Margit was a grade school teacher for many years, So be sure to scroll down and find the original downtown story of how this team in Clear Lake got their start.  Or click here.
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Hello Brooke!
Brooke Hockett that is; newlywed, college student, and entrepreneur.  Perhaps you've met or seen her at one of the many art festivals in eastern South Dakota or running to class or to work.  She is a busy girl and loving every minute of it. 

Brooke is the designer and owner of Brooke Co. What started out as a hobby as she made gifts for friends and family, her talent soon had people seeing what she was capable of and Brooke Co. was born.  Brooke is a small town girl that has talent pouring out of every pore. She loves her rural beginnings and never wants to leave and in a way that part of her is included in the products she creates. She's a lover also of supporting local and strives to encourage and desire to see her rural community progress.  

Brooke puts love, devotion and care into each product that she makes. Hand painting and hand-scripting each quote without stencils or vinyl and making signs from real wood, her products are authentically made.  Her T-shirts, pillows and more too are hand-scripted, then screen-printed in her studio as well.  Not stopping with individual sales, Brooke also welcomes wholesale and custom orders.  

Brooke is an outstanding young lady and everyone that knows her loves her. Her passion for life exudes from every pore and her zest for what is real and genuine radiates from her including her faith. Brooke loves what she is doing and is thrilled to be kicking off her new website Brookecohome.com 
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I've given you a peek into Brooke Hockett's story here, but check out her website for her products and look for her on Facebook as well.  You'll enjoy the journey!! 

Jenilee tells her amazing story on the start of her business to the place she is today.  Having started in 2016 and reaching out to Deuel Area Development, Inc. in Deuel County, SD to use their kitchen incubator, Jenilee began making her dream a reality.  Using the Deuel Community Kitchen in Toronto, SD Jenilee began her finished recipe to begin making and selling her product.  Watch the video, as it's the best way to hear in her own words how her love for cooking began, her grandmother, her family and how her idea came to fruition.  

Deuel Area Development, welcomes others who are on the path to becoming an entrepreneur for E-coaching, making a business plan or other.  But what Jenilee realized was how this licensed kitchen could help her dream come through.  The kitchen incubator is located in Toronto, SD and thanks to the Deubrook School System, this incubator is a growing enterprise to help individuals who have a recipe they want to get off the ground.  This incubator makes it possible because it is licensed and that is a requirement to make a product that can be sold in stores.  A goal of a kitchen incubator is to help grow business.  Thanks to a USDA Rural Development grant, it was realized by DADi and is growing in the number of chefs.  To read more about it go to Deuel Area Development's website in the drop down under Success Stories; and a video that was produced by South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Jenilee, with the help of her family members and especially her husband Luke and son Dylan have worked countless hours to make this happen.  See here her beginning photo journey from the beginning to where she is today.  It's just the beginning for Jenilee. For her business information and how to reach her, check her out on the Catagory & Map page here in Travel Backroads. 

Here's an interview that we did with Megan Fritzsche, Office Assistant for Miller, South Dakota's On Hand Economic Development.

Here's the backstory: last year Tammy Caffee, On Hand Economic Development Director, recognized that Miller only had one business signed on to represent the town of Miller, South Dakota. Tammy then reached out to inquire how Miller could have a larger presence, as a community, for the 'Go Local' publication.

Here's where the story gets pretty neat.
In May of this year, 2017, we reached out to Tammy Caffee again to inquire how we could help their community have a larger presence: the ability to showcase their own small businesses in their town, community. This is where Megan stepped up and walked the streets in her community and asked so many business owners what they would like to do. But, we were pressed for time: the business owners wanted to do photos, and stories and be able to tell about their brands and products they sell. 

When speaking with Megan today, here's a little take-away for everyone in our state to find valuable: Megan stated, "I was at the bank this week and noticed one women from Faulkton that I knew. She was with four other friends and I asked her what brought her to town." Her friend stated, "We wanted to spend the day in Miller, to shop and eat at your local businesses." 

How cool is that! <Traveling Backroads>

Megan also shared with us, "Miller often has business women come to town to shop at specific stores here. Those women are from Pierre, Huron and beyond." 

What Megan and the community of Miller did was to pool together to highlight why you should stop - take the backroads - as you travel across the state. So many businesses are unique in their own way - offering products that you just can't find anywhere else. But, do people know about you? 

Megan stated that she was very pleased with how Miller teamed up to help one another in their venture of supporting local businesses as a team effort. Miller had 13+ businesses sign-up to list their shops and stores, and it has proven to be a community where people pride themselves in each other's crafts.
 
Thank you Tammy, Megan and the town of Miller for believing in your community and for trusting us to keep working alongside you. - Find your avenue, Travel Backroads

Deuel Community Kitchen (Toronto, SD) - A Kitchen Incubator Story

Incubators can help a small community and food producers because they are designed to grow business!

Incubators make it financially possible for a start-up food manufacturer to take advantage of available professional kitchen space while they grow their business. This commercial kitchen facility is available to producers and packagers of specialty and gourmet food, caterers, and individual chefs that want to get their special recipe off and running. Those individuals who want to take a special recipe to market or create a food or natural resource business will want to consider the use of this kitchen. A kitchen is for start-ups and existing food processors.