Sept. 2, 2021

The entrepreneurial speaker series 1 Million Cups is back for the fall with a lineup of local entrepreneurs who persevered through the pandemic.

1 Million Cups is a national program organized locally by Startup Sioux Falls. For the fall, the plan is to meet in person only at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Museum of Visual Materials, 500 N. Main Ave., but there’s a plan to go virtual should COVID-19 cases warrant it.

“This fall, we are featuring entrepreneurial leaders that have untold stories of trial and triumph during the pandemic,” Startup Sioux Falls board member Matt Paulson said. “For example, many people know that Grand Prairie Foods produces food for hotel chains and Scooter’s Coffee shops, but most people don’t know about the dramatic pivot that occurred in the business during the pandemic.”

This season also includes a “Future of Philanthropy” day where thought leaders Cindy Peterson and Rich Merkouris will talk about long-term trends that are changing how nonprofits operate.

“They will discuss how a new generation of business decision-makers are impacting community nonprofits, among other topics,” Paulson said.

The full schedule includes:

• Sept. 8: Jeff Scherschligt and Anne Haber, Cherapa II
• Sept. 15: Larry Young, Boiling Frog Development
• Sept. 22: Tyler Blake and Mona-Lisa Perez: Wake
• Sept. 29: Valerie and Kurt Loudenback, Grand Prairie Foods
• Oct. 6: Steve Schmidt, Tidal
• Oct. 13: Brian Carroll, The Grand Farm Initiative
• Oct. 20: Eric McDonald, Coin Lion
• Oct. 27: Cindy Peterson and Rich Merkouris on The Changing Nonprofit Landscape
• Nov. 3: Kristin Johnson, Fair Market

Organizers also are introducing new core values for 1 Million Cups, with the hope of helping shape the purpose of the community:

The “Core Four”:

• No. 1: Give back. You should be asking “How can I help this founder?” not “What can I get from them?”
• No. 2: Inspire the future. Our primary purpose is to inspire and educate the community by telling entrepreneurial stories.
• No. 3: Offer positive encouragement. We foster a safe, supportive, inclusive and encouraging environment for all entrepreneurs.
• No. 4: Foster community. We are the primary weekly connecting point for small-business owners and startup founders in Sioux Falls.

To connect with 1 Million Cups, click here.