Jan. 28, 2025

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Henry Sule, community coordinator at Startup Sioux Falls.

Name: Henry Sule

Age: 23

Hometown: Jos, Nigeria

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I was accepted to and started school as an undergraduate student at Augustana University in 2021. Prior to that, I had never been to South Dakota or even the Midwest at all. I had only visited California in the past a couple of times, but that was it.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Over the four years I attended Augustana and lived here, I’ve made a lot of good friends that I would call family. The sense of community and support for me has been one thing that’s definitely made it harder to leave. Sioux Falls also made the most sense as a place to start my early career after graduating because of its lower cost of living, the relationships I already had with some employers and the balance between not being too small and having an active urban scene. Those were all important things to me.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love how small, collaborative and tight-knit the team is. Every action and initiative I take as an individual, but also as a team, feels heavy — in the best way possible — because I can directly see the impact it has for people in their lives and businesses. I don’t think I’ve ever worked this close to the “end consumer” and been able to see and hear how the work I’m contributing to is translating to results for the end user. Additionally, I love the passion of the people who come through the doors of our facility. It’s motivating to be around people who love what they’re doing and are taking leaps to bring their dreams to reality.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I interned at Startup Sioux Falls during the first iteration of the MVP Internship program during my junior year. That internship introduced me to the work that Startup Sioux Falls is involved in: entrepreneurship, co-working and the nonprofit sector. Before that, I had always been interested in entrepreneurship and the creative drive that moves people to start and grow their businesses.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Dynamic. Collaborative. Energizing.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I completed the Outdoor Campus’ Hunting 101 course and had the opportunity to learn how to hunt, skin and cook deer. It only took me four tries.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

As someone who had to navigate moving to a new place and adjusting to a new culture at the same time, helping people make that cultural/community shift is important for me. I worked a lot for Augustana University’s International Programs Office on the Cultural Exchange Ambassador Program, and I would like to continue similar work in the Sioux Falls community. I also enjoy playing soccer so would like to get involved as a referee or coach at some point for the local leagues.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I’d love to see a West African-style cuisine restaurant.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

I would create modular vertical farming solutions for local communities. Access to fresh, healthy food is becoming increasingly limited in some areas, and food deserts are becoming more prevalent. These stackable, self-contained DIY units would use hydroponic, aeroponic or aquaponic systems to make fresh, healthy food more accessible while empowering people to grow their own food and embrace healthier lifestyles.