March 14, 2025

Blend Interactive is turning 20 years old tomorrow — and offering giveaways and discounts at seven downtown businesses to celebrate.

The firm, which specializes in web strategy, design and development, is in the Boyce-Greeley Building at 11th Street and Phillips Avenue.

“Blend has always been part of downtown Sioux Falls, and this community holds a special place in our story,” CEO Karla Santi said.

“Partnering with local businesses felt like the perfect way to celebrate — not just our milestone but the incredible downtown community that we’ve been proud to be part of.”

The 20-year anniversary is March 15, so the business chose that day — also the day of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade — for its special offers:

• Free large house “Blend” coffee at The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co. to the first 50 people.
• Free birthday cake macaron at CH Patisserie to the first 100 people.
• Half-price tickets to Saturday’s showings at the State Theatre – you also can catch a few other Blend-sponsored films throughout March – all from 2005, the year Blend was founded.
• One free drink per customer for the first 20 minutes of every hour at Fernson Downtown.
• Buy one cookie, get a cookie free at The Cookie Jar Eatery.
• 20 percent off all apparel at 605 Running Company.
• Free special dessert for each table at Bibisol during dinner hours.

“The response from businesses was great,” Santi said. “Everyone was excited to join in, and we love that this celebration is something we can share together. This is a little way to say thank you to our community for supporting us for the past two decades. We hope the community sees this as a celebration of not just Blend but the relationships and support that have made the last 20 years possible.”

Blend was founded by Santi, Joe Kepley and Deane Barker. It’s now owned 50-50 by Kepley and Santi.

The team has more than 20 employees who support clients nationally and even internationally.

“When we started Blend, we were just excited to do a job we loved: building websites,” Santi said. “There wasn’t a grand vision — just a passion for the work. We were a small team figuring things out as we went, but one thing was clear: We wanted to create the kind of company we’d want to work at — one that valued collaboration, high-quality work and true partnership with our clients.”

The firm has evolved with technology and honed its niche to include a focus on strategy, content management and user experience — “helping large organizations navigate complex content and digital challenges, partnering with clients across the country,” Santi said.

“But at the end of the day, it’s still about doing great work with great people — and that will never change. This milestone isn’t just about longevity — it’s about resilience, adaptability and the incredible people who have been part of our journey.”