June 12, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Startup Sioux Falls.

There’s a moment in almost every founder’s journey when the burnout creeps in.

The inbox is overflowing. The team needs answers. The next funding decision looms. And yet, something deeper begins to whisper: Why am I doing this?

For many entrepreneurs, that question gets buried beneath the daily grind. There’s always another task, another problem to solve, another late night to push through. But what if you were able to stop for just one day to refocus?

That’s the idea behind Founders Reset, a brand-new, retreat-style experience from Startup Sioux Falls, happening from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 23. The Reset isn’t about scaling faster or executing smarter — it’s about stepping back to see the whole picture and stepping back in with clarity.

“As founders, we are constantly pouring ourselves into our businesses, and it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Founders Reset is about reclaiming a single workday — just one day — to pause, reflect and reset,” director of programming Jeff Hayward said.

“Especially in a time of economic uncertainty, clarity and intention are more valuable than ever. This experience gives founders space to step out of the weeds, reconnect with their purpose and return with renewed focus. You spend time and money on your product, your team, your customers — this is your chance to invest in the one thing everything else depends on: you.”

The experience will blend light wellness practices, guided reflection and peer conversations, all curated to help founders reconnect with what truly matters — not just in business but in life. There will be no pitch decks, no panels and no pressure. Just presence.

“Attendees can expect to come away from this experience reinvigorated about the vision for their business or to create a compelling vision for the first time,” EOS implementer Craig Morris said.

“We will be using a set of simple yet powerful tools to help give them clarity about where they are going and how they plan to get there. In addition, we will cover tools to help them discover how to create a culture of discipline and accountability to make sure they are getting traction towards their vision.”

As entrepreneurs and business owners, “we often sacrifice the good work of thinking and creating vision and taking a deep breath, instead focusing on the day-to-day work of running our businesses,” said Melissa Johnson, founder and CEO of Oh My Cupcakes!

“Whether a person is in the early stages of their business journey or well established and ready to focus on future growth, this day will be a day filled with inspiration, collaboration and exploration of the possibilities that lie ahead.”

The Reset will take place at Startup Sioux Falls — familiar ground for many founders but reimagined for a different kind of day. No desks. No meetings. No notifications. It’s the same space where ideas are built and businesses grow, but on June 23, it becomes a place to pause.

Laptops stay closed. Phones stay quiet. Instead of diving into work, founders will have the chance to step back, breathe and reflect.

Because for many, the real value isn’t just the time to think — it’s being surrounded by others who understand what it’s like to build something from scratch. The reset is personal, but it’s also shared.

“I see the Founders Reset as an opportunity to refocus on why I started this business in the first place and what I hope to accomplish in the future,” said Megan Raposa, founder of Sioux Falls Simplified. “I also think anytime you have a bunch of entrepreneurs in the same room, cool things are going to happen. There is just a naturally innovative energy that people bring to Startup events, and it feels like fuel for my own business just to be around other business owners.”

Lynsey Prosser, founder of Lynsey Prosser Photography, wanted a chance to connect with other founders who are involved in the Startup Sioux Falls community and to learn and exchange ideas with them.

“I think the Reset will be a great opportunity to learn from the facilitators and take a better look inward at my business so I can set myself up for success in the months ahead,” she said.

The idea for Founders Reset came from countless conversations with local entrepreneurs who shared a common thread: Even when things were going “well,” they felt disconnected, overwhelmed and alone.

The path of building something from nothing is exhilarating — but it’s also exhausting.

In response, Startup Sioux Falls created this experience not as another learning session but as a container for clarity, rest and realignment.

Founders Reset is open to entrepreneurs at any stage — early or established. There’s no revenue benchmark, no application to impress, no need to justify where you are. Just a commitment to showing up, taking a breath and honoring the human side of entrepreneurship.

Because sometimes, the most important move you make for your business is stepping away from it.

To learn more and sign up for Founders Reset, visit here.