Small-business owner specializes in graphic, web design
May 21, 2024
This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kendra Cersosimo, owner of Two54 Creative.
Name: Kendra Cersosimo
Age: 30
Hometown: Mitchell
What brought you to Sioux Falls?
I originally moved to Sioux Falls for a corporate job back in 2018. At the time, I had been living in Rapid City and was eager to get back to the eastern side of the state.
What keeps you in Sioux Falls?
I spent the first full-time year in my business traveling the country while figuring out where I wanted to plant my business and own roots. While exploring city to city, I quickly found entrepreneurship to be lonely. The opportunities, resources and relationships I found in organizations like Startup Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls’ Young Professionals Network and EmBe Women’s Leadership Program made Sioux Falls the obvious choice.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with amazing clients and brands! As a graphic designer and web designer, I love taking a client’s rough concept and turning their idea into an aesthetically pleasing piece they are proud to display internally and externally.
How did you get connected to your industry?
After job-shadowing a graphic designer in high school, I knew that was the career path for me. I then pursued a bachelor’s degree from SDSU — Go Jacks! — in graphic design and a master’s degree in project management before landing corporate jobs in in-house marketing departments with titles of senior graphic designer, digital media coordinator and communications specialist.
What made you decide to start your own business, and how would you describe your experience since launching?
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I began freelancing graphic design, social media and web design services on the side of my 8-to-5 job. It didn’t take me long to discover the need that small and midsized companies had when it came to outsourcing marketing projects. Suddenly this endeavor that I began – partially out of fear of losing a job and partially out of boredom during quarantine – really took off.
The beginning phases of my business were full of learning curves and navigating through different services and challenges. A few years in, I have renamed and rebranded the business to Two54 Creative and am proud of the business I’ve created and the clients I have the privilege of serving. These last few years have been filled with entrepreneurial ups and downs, but I am eternally grateful for the resources and community I have found right here in Sioux Falls – especially through Startup Sioux Falls, SD CEO Women’s Business Center and the Young Professionals Network.
What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?
I have won prizes on two different game shows. In 2019, I won a hot tub on “Let’s Make a Deal.” Most recently, I won a 10-day trip to Argentina on a “Price is Right” prime-time show earlier this year.
What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?
As a business owner, I have found different ways to give back to local organizations monetarily through donations and sponsorships. Even more so, I enjoy being an active participant and volunteering my time in organizations like Startup Sioux Falls, Young Professionals Network, the Sioux Valley Optimist Club and more.
What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?
I would love to see Amtrak come to Sioux Falls – selfishly because I enjoy traveling, but also I think it’d be a great addition to our city and state.
If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?
My favorite memories have been made while traveling the world! If I had to start a business — aside from Two54 Creative — I would start a travel agency to plan and coordinate trips for others.
