Aug. 19, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Startup Sioux Falls.

Some work there most days and others stop in occasionally, but together they’re creating a community that’s growing together in the downtown Startup Sioux Falls building.

“Some people need a dedicated desk or office. Others need a place to stop in occasionally or host a meeting, and we can accommodate all of them,” Startup Sioux Falls president Brienne Maner said.

“We’ve been excited to see demand for all our membership options, including our social membership, which allows you to connect to our startup community without ever working here.”

To learn more about all levels of membership, click here.

“What’s been even more fun is getting to know the huge range of people who have come together in this space,” Maner said. “Their skills and experiences really are creating a thriving community of entrepreneurs and remote workers.”

Here’s a closer look at membership options and those who are finding value in them.

Hot desk

Aanna Chase took a first step toward her future career at age 8 when she received her first camera. Fast-forward and she’s now a professional photographer specializing in family, wedding and brand photography.

The owner of Aanna Chase Photography, she and her family moved to Sioux Falls from Chicago a couple of years ago, and she joined Startup Sioux Falls in April 2023 with a hot desk membership.

What prompted you to join Startup Sioux Falls?

When I first moved to Sioux Falls, I knew I was going to need to find a group of people — and ideally a physical space — that I could work, network, collaborate and be both inspired and challenged. Between word of mouth and googling, I came across Startup Sioux Falls and was instantly intrigued. I attended one of the first Startup Sunrise events and was hooked. Not only is it an established space and group of people with fantastic mission but is also in the midst of growing and blossoming. Being new to Sioux Falls, I was especially attracted to being part of something that was excited for growth and development.

How do you utilize your membership in Startup Sioux Falls?

I have a hot desk membership and cowork a few days a week and attend many of the events. It has been great to have a space away from my home office that allows me to focus in fresh ways and be around others as well!

What’s the greatest value you find in Startup Sioux Falls/what keeps you a member?

That is a tough question because there are so many benefits! But the very first thing that comes to mind is the people. Every day I walk into Startup, I get to see old friends and meet new ones. The energy that permeates the space, along with the ideas and collaborations that are born, is all because of the people.

Dedicated desk

Ethan DeCosse is a security sales technician for Kidwell who started working at Startup Sioux Falls early this year.

“I sell commercial security systems and other low-voltage technology, then go out and install it,” he explained. “I wear two hats for Kidwell currently: sales and installation.”

What prompted you to join Startup Sioux Falls?

I was working out of my home. I had no separation from home and work. I was missing the work atmosphere and missed seeing people and interaction with other competitive people who are trying to grow a business. I like it when the office space is a little louder with people on the phones and talking to each other. It is a contagious productive work environment to me.

How do you utilize your membership in Startup Sioux Falls?

Right now, I have just utilized the dedicated desk and phone booth. As the time comes, we plan on using the huddle spaces for meetings.

What’s the greatest value you find in Startup Sioux Falls/what keeps you a member?

Startup Sioux Falls was able to give me the separation from work and home, making my time at each place more efficient and enjoyable. I can focus on what I’m supposed to be focusing on at that time. I have also formed some friendships that have extended outside of work through Startup Sioux Falls.

Dedicated office

Jim Masloski, a licensed U.S. Customs broker, is the owner of Customs Direct LLC, which operates out of Startup Sioux Falls.

“We are involved in the U.S. Customs clearance of product coming in from other countries on all modes of traffic,” he said.

What prompted you to join Startup Sioux Falls?

So with the move of Startup Sioux Falls to the downtown location, I was just thinking this is the best resource that will help me put on a good impression with our local clients, and I am thinking any type of experience that I could pass on may be a neat thing to be able to provide. They started the Founders Club, and I’m thinking “I am in.” So I started out with the hot desk as soon as they opened up the availability and moved into an office this year and hope to become more involved in the startup ecosystem and be able to have my family/team take advantage of the different programs that they are building out.

How do you utilize your membership in Startup Sioux Falls?

I use my membership in a couple different ways, trying to show the downtown location as a business site, using the different areas of the facility to entertain and meet existing clients and present to potential clients; that has always been a good thing. I have been able to present a respectable presence/infrastructure to show the clients that we are something you can touch and feel.

What’s the greatest value you find in Startup Sioux Falls/what keeps you a member?

What keeps me a member is the information they put out and the resources they make available to members. I’m attempting to get my family/team more involved in some of these areas so they can see the benefits of the networking and program information that Startup Sioux Falls is putting out. The IA workshops and the Founders Meetup have been interesting. I think Sioux Falls is fortunate to have this type of facility/ecosystem available. The energy it takes to follow a dream/idea and get accesses to the resources is pretty cool.

Social club

Jennifer Hoesing, chief development officer at Girls Scouts Dakota Horizons, joined Startup Sioux Falls as a social member in 2023.

“I love mission-focused work,” she said. “We support more than 11,000 girls and adults in 955 ZIP codes across 164,000 square miles in South Dakota and North Dakota, plus portions of Iowa and Minnesota. I lead our fundraising and communications team to connect others to the work we do building girls of courage, confidence and character.”

What prompted you to join Startup Sioux Falls?

Two reasons: Entrepreneurship is one of Girl Scouts’ pillar areas, and we see the value in being active in the ecosystem. Second, we wanted to explore use of the space for a team gathering. It ended up being the perfect place to host our first in-person, all-team gathering in eight years. Our team is spread geographically throughout the Dakotas, so we don’t gather in person often.

How do you utilize your membership in Startup Sioux Falls?

As a social member, I stop into Startup Sioux Falls to work a few times a month when it makes sense for my schedule. I find I’m always connecting with partners, kicking up new ideas and learning who learned valuable skills from Girl Scouts as a child. In addition to my use of the co-working space, we’ve been a part of Startup Sunrise and even hosted an event in the MarketBeat Theater.

What’s the greatest value you find in Startup Sioux Falls/what keeps you a member?

I love the opportunities to build connections with other Startup Sioux Falls members. The co-working is also a great fit for my needs.

To learn more about all levels of membership, click here.