From Beadwork to Business Plans: The Journey of a Native American Entrepreneur

Join us in this inspiring story of a professor, entrepreneur, and enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Based in Vermilion, South Dakota, she shares her journey from a young, crafty 4-H enthusiast to a successful businesswoman and academic. Discover how her early passion for beadwork and quilting evolved into a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to write her first business plan at 21 and launch an art quilting business. Education has always been a cornerstone of her life, as she started college at 16, juggled multiple majors, and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship. Learn about her close-knit family, especially her mother, who played a pivotal role in her business ventures. Together, they created a popular fry bread mix, packaged in charming rustic bags, and successfully marketed it to stores across South Dakota. We also visit with a Navajo jewelry artist and Mother Earth Eco Remediation, a company dedicated to combating water pollution with environmentally friendly products. Their stories are a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the importance of maintaining cultural integrity while breaking new ground.