Jan. 6, 2026

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Yazmin Perez Franco, branch manager at Short Staffed.

Name: Yazmin Perez Franco

Age: 32

Hometown: Sioux City

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I relocated to Sioux Falls to step into the branch manager role at Short Staffed Inc. after successfully managing at our Sioux City office.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The city is thriving and full of opportunities. As a mom of two, I’ve found it’s the perfect place to raise a family while building my career and growing professionally. Sioux Falls is a community that values both ambition and quality of life.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love creating opportunities that truly impact people’s lives and building relationships along the way. Helping someone land a job or a business find the right staff is incredibly rewarding.

How did you get connected to your industry?

A friend who was a manager at the time encouraged me to apply. I had never worked in this kind of setting before, but I quickly discovered that I loved it.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Challenging, empowering, impactful.

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

That I love to hike! I recently hiked the Rocky Mountains, and it was incredible.

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

The way I enjoy giving back most is through my work, helping people achieve their goals and helping local businesses succeed. It’s a hands-on way to make a real, positive difference in the community I live in.

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

To be honest, Sioux Falls already has everything I could want: opportunities for work, activities for my kids and a welcoming community.

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

With $1 million, I’d open a restaurant. Cooking is a passion of mine, and I’d love to create a space where people could enjoy great food and a welcoming atmosphere.