SBA Celebrates [South Dakota] Small Business Person of the Year and other Local Honorees for their Success and Impact

SBA Celebrates [South Dakota] Small Business Person of the Year and other Local Honorees for their Success and Impact
Awardee in competition for National Small Business Person of the Year to be presented during National Small Business Week in May

SIOUX FALLS — Today the U.S. Small Business Administration’s South Dakota district office is celebrating South Dakota’s Small Business Person of the Year and 5 additional honorees as it prepares for National Small Business Week, which will take place May 4-10, 2025. Along with awards ceremonies, the week will include a national small business roadshow with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, a two-day virtual summit, community events and educational
sessions about manufacturing, digital marketing, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency, as well as online business resources and renowned speakers.

“Tara not only has an incredible business, but an incredible story. Tara and her husband, Greg, started their small business like many do – with their humble savings, grit, determination, and belief in their work. With Greg’s knowledge in the ag industry and Tara’s talent in accounting, they formed their own American dream which is now called Valley Ag Supply,” says South Dakota District Director Bryson Patterson. “After many years in business, Greg suddenly passed away. Determined to keep Greg’s dream alive of Valley Ag Supply for their three sons and community, Tara kept the business going. With support from their town and utilizing many of the SBA resources, Greg and Tara’s dream is not only thriving, but a true American success story.”

The SBA is recognizing Tara Olson, owner of Valley Ag Supply for her impact and economic contributions in South Dakota. Tara runs a successful company because not only does she provide an important service to her community, but she has utilized many SBA resources such as: SBA Loan programs, The Small Business Development Center, The Women’s Business Center, SCORE, Government Contracting, and others. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler will acknowledge Tara Olson, who is in the running for the National Small Business Person of the Year and national runner up, on May 5 at the National Small Business Week kick off and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Rob Hrabe of VRC Metal Systems; Box Elder
South Dakota Small Business Exporter of the Year
VRC Metal Systems specialize in cold spray technology. They currently manufacture portable, high pressure cold spray systems & provide process development for both government and private industry customers allowing for fast, cost-effective restoration and repairs that otherwise would need to be replaced.

Kenita Jensen, Jensen Automotive; Belle Fourche
South Dakota Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Jensen Automotive is a local farm and agriculture dealership that sells products such as tractors, side by sides, balers, and hay cutters. They have multiple locations all over western South Dakota.

Stephanie Holman, FourFront Design; Rapid City
South Dakota Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year
FourFront Design is based in Rapid City but operates across all 50 states. They offer a range ofservices including architecture, landscape architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, CAD, BIM, interior design, and electric vehicle (EV) services. Jackie Hoven & Darci Ford, Spot-On Printing; Watertown/Groton & Webster/Volga South Dakota Women Owned Small Business of the Year Spot-On Printing offers embroidery, screen printing, laser engraving, logo design, signage, and promotional items. They offer their services in multiple rural communities of South Dakota.

Brienne Maner, Startup Sioux Falls; Sioux Falls
South Dakota Small Business Champion
Brienne Maner is the President of Startup Sioux Falls which is an ecosystem organization that empowers founders by offering resources to network, launch, and grow their ventures. They ignite innovation by being a thought leader in the state to bring new ideas to life and offer better support for founders.

Details on National Small Business Week, the virtual summit, registrations and speakers are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and identifiable by searching with #SmallBusinessWeek.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.