Startup Sioux Falls introduces Fall 2024 CO.STARTERS Core Participants
This project is made possible through a partnership with Startup Sioux Falls and sponsorship through First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard.
Learn more about our programs here.
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On October 1, 10 founders gathered for their first of ten sessions at Startup Sioux Falls for the fall CO.STARTERS accelerator program.
The cohort is facilitated by multi-talent entrepreneur Melissa Johnson, founder and CEO of Oh My Cupcakes!, Sweet Cream Candle Co., and Melissa J. Creative. Melissa is a passionate speaker and writer who is committed to spreading the message of empowerment, growth, and positivity.
"I believe in people before they believe in themselves" she said. “I find purpose in helping people discover and engage their own greatest gifts and I'm on a mission to spread the message of empowerment and growth with a positive mindset."
At the end of the 10-week program, participants will have gained clarity and direction, walking away with an actionable roadmap for their business venture.
Meet the founders
Ready to meet this next class of starters? Scroll through our Founder Q&As below to learn more about the entrepreneurs and their business ventures.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
- Alicia Schumacher, Alicia Schumacher Co.
- Natalie Micheel, 605 Tutor
- Crista Pick, Nude Custom Spray Tanning
- Cora Ragaini & Maxon Keating, Cora Natural Wellness LLC
- Skyler Hoiland, Bluestem Bistro
- Ashley Rigge, Ashley Rigge Virtual Assistant
- Sami Zoss, Zoss Collaborations
- Content Compass Consulting
- Ayris Cheval, K9 Sports Academy
Founder: Alicia Schumacher
Business Name: Alicia Schumacher Co
Tell us about your venture.
I recently started a coaching business focused on women with ADHD, offering leadership and marketing coaching as well. My ultimate goal is to build a center in Sioux Falls to support neurodivergent individuals and their families.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
To learn the fundamentals of starting a business, including key areas to focus on for the greatest impact, and build connections with other new business owners. Explore ways to engage with and support Startup Sioux Falls.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
The energy, intention, and support from Startup Sioux Falls have made starting a business here much more comfortable for me. I’m committed to bridging a gap I see in the Sioux Falls community, and I align with the values of being inclusive, innovative, collaborative, authentic, and curious.
Founder: Natalie Micheel
Business Name: 605 Tutor
Tell us about your venture.
I currently offer in-person tutoring for K-8 students in reading and math, focusing on the homeschool market, and I'm aiming to expand into a national online tutoring agency with remote contract tutors.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
I am hoping to gain momentum, accountability, community and guidance from this program.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
I'm at the start of transforming my business, eager to focus on the program's value where it will make the greatest impact, leading to abundant results. I'm teachable, fully committed, and ready to support and collaborate with others through our business transformations.
Founder: Crista Pick
Business Name: Nude Custom Spray Tanning
Tell us about your venture.
Starting a spray tan business is about more than offering a cosmetic service—it's about empowering individuals to feel confident in their own skin. By providing high-quality, natural-looking tans in a welcoming environment, the goal is to help clients of all ages, body types, and skin tones feel beautiful and self-assured.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
Being able to grow my business, network, and hopefully open my own location in Tea, SD.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
Enrolling in this course is a strategic move to elevate my tanning business to its full potential. With deeper insights and advanced skills, I'll be equipped to offer exceptional service and implement specialized programs, particularly for those who could benefit most from a confidence boost, like cancer patients.
Business Partners: Cora Ragaini + Maxon Keating
Business Name: Cora Natural Wellness LLC
Tell us about your venture.
Cora, a registered dietitian and yoga teacher, runs a primarily virtual business alongside Maxon, a horticulture enthusiast. Together, they aim to expand into more in-person sessions, workshops, and corporate wellness programming, focusing on a functional nutrition approach to address root causes in clients' health.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
They are seeking direction and accountability to grow their business into a full-time venture, focusing on a solid marketing plan that leverages their role as an insurance provider and builds referrals from local doctors. They also want to establish yearly income goals and build more social connections through their work.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
We are aspiring full-time entrepreneurs in need of mentorship and guidance for business decisions, particularly in optimizing community engagement and expanding in-person events and sessions. As locals of Sioux Falls with a flexible schedule, we are eager to grow and build our business.
Founder: Skyler Hoiland
Business Name: Bluestem Bistro
Tell us about your venture.
Bluestem Bistro is a custom food trailer bringing chef-inspired cuisine to Luverne and the surrounding areas. Our mobile kitchen aims to deliver a restaurant-quality experience right on the street, offering dishes that will excite your palate!
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
I fulfilled my dream of owning a business with The Bluestem from 2012-2021 and launched Bluestem Catering Co. in 2016, which has reached full capacity. To reignite my creativity, I recently purchased a food trailer, and I’m ready to take my businesses to the next level of success.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
Even after 13 years of owning and operating businesses, I know there’s still a lot to learn, and I want my business to truly succeed to continue providing for my family. With the challenges of a turbulent economy, I believe that guidance and mentorship will be essential for navigating the road ahead.
Founder: Ashley Rigge
Business Name: Ashley Rigge Virtual Assistant
Tell us about your venture.
I'm a virtual assistant and have been in business for a little over a year. My goal has always been to support business owners I believe in, though I’ve learned that not every client is the right fit—and that's okay. My focus is on building a gentle and purposeful business that aligns with what’s best for my family and me.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
I feel like I need direction for my business and clarity on how to grow without feeling isolated, as I'm currently working solo. I want to connect with like-minded individuals, invest in myself, and build the business I’m passionate about.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
I believe being part of this program would jumpstart my mind and business in a truly impactful way. I need more clarity, and I think this could be the key to a successful year ahead!
Founder: Sami Zoss
Business Name: Zoss Collaborations
Tell us about your venture.
I aspire to support nonprofits with their logistical needs, helping good people do good things. However, I'm struggling to refocus and find it challenging to charge nonprofits the rates needed to make this a sustainable living.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
I'm hoping that CO.STARTERS can help me identify key support areas like bookkeeping and filing, where I have limited experience. I’m also hopeful that it will guide me in developing a larger strategy to sustain my operation and turn it into a full-time venture.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
I'm confident in my expertise, but I have a lot to learn about running a business. I have the passion but need the guidance to make it work.
Business Name: Content Compass Consulting
Tell us about your venture.
Content Compass Consulting, founded in 2023 by two award-winning journalists with 50 years of combined storytelling experience, helps small to medium-sized businesses and non-profits create impactful social content through a variety of strategic services. With one founder stepping back, the other has taken on a larger role to continue advancing the business.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
I hope to gain the insights, strategies, and mentorship needed to scale Content Compass Consulting into a full-time, sustainable business. My focus is on refining client acquisition, streamlining services, developing a scalable model for consistent revenue, and strengthening our marketing strategies to better reach medium-sized businesses and build long-term client relationships.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
Content Compass Consulting is a women-led business in Sioux Falls, dedicated to empowering local and regional businesses through strategic storytelling. This program can provide the support we need to scale our impact, helping more businesses manage their digital presence effectively and contribute to the community's economic growth.
Founder: Ayris Cheval
Business Name: K9 Sports Academy
Tell us about your venture.
As an avid dog enthusiast who competes regionally, I see a need for a local sporting venue for dog sports and a high-end boarding and training facility on the west side of Sioux Falls. My vision combines these services with a dedicated facility for canine sports injuries, attracting regional participation and boosting travel revenue for local businesses.
What are you hoping to get out of this program?
I have a solid start on the steps needed to pursue this venture, but the scale of my vision feels a bit overwhelming and, honestly, a little daunting. Through this program, I’m hoping for feedback on my ideas, guidance from fellow entrepreneurs, helpful resources, and encouragement from others who may also be navigating similar challenges.
Why are you and your venture a good fit for CO.STARTERS?
I have an entrepreneurial spirit, and while this is my third business, I haven't taken on something of this scale before, presenting new challenges. I'm motivated to see it through, but progress has stalled, and I believe the structure of this program can help jumpstart the next steps, benefiting other Sioux Falls businesses and filling a critical service gap.
