South Dakota Again (Sioux Falls, Rapid City: school, college, living in)

[aloisius]

Hello,

30 years ago I started my professional career in Rapid City. I spent 3 years fresh out of college at my 1st job in my field. Since then I have lived and worked in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Montana, and Idaho. I found South Dakota a great place to start out professionally and now am considering relocating myself and family to Sioux Falls. We have been to the area numerous times and enjoy the small town feel the city presents. From reading previous threads in this forum we recognize the benefits of the area and are aware of potential drawbacks. We are currently living in the Minneapolis area.

I am 52 married with 2 children 8 & 12.My wife and I have had our own business for 16 years dealing with children's activities. We have the potential to sell our business and engage in this sort of business in the Sioux Falls locale.

A couple of questions I would like to pose to the forum:

1) Is Sioux Falls a town which would be applicable and a have a market for the " Boutique " type of children ancillary activities available in larger metro area's ?

2) How does Sioux Falls welcome or reject outsiders coming in to set up a business which is not " Big Box corporate " and is a genuine Family run caring business ?

3) Are the young families of Sioux Falls willing to spend a little extra regarding children's activities to get a very well refined product or service ?

4) How does the school system both public and private assess outside student academic abilities in regards to ability appropriate curriculums ?

Any insight to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

[Jammie]

HI Al, you really ask hard questions. I wish I could help you, but I know someone will be able to. Sioux Falls really is a nice place, isn't it? It's kind of funny cause you've lived in such big towns that you consider Sx. Falls small. I think it's huge. Welcome back to SD.

[MrMarple]

Originally Posted by aloisius

Hello,

30 years ago I started my professional career in Rapid City. I spent 3 years fresh out of college at my 1st job in my field. Since then I have lived and worked in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Montana, and Idaho. I found South Dakota a great place to start out professionally and now am considering relocating myself and family to Sioux Falls. We have been to the area numerous times and enjoy the small town feel the city presents. From reading previous threads in this forum we recognize the benefits of the area and are aware of potential drawbacks. We are currently living in the Minneapolis area.

I am 52 married with 2 children 8 & 12.My wife and I have had our own business for 16 years dealing with children's activities. We have the potential to sell our business and engage in this sort of business in the Sioux Falls locale.

A couple of questions I would like to pose to the forum:

1) Is Sioux Falls a town which would be applicable and a have a market for the " Boutique " type of children ancillary activities available in larger metro area's ?

2) How does Sioux Falls welcome or reject outsiders coming in to set up a business which is not " Big Box corporate " and is a genuine Family run caring business ?

3) Are the young families of Sioux Falls willing to spend a little extra regarding children's activities to get a very well refined product or service ?

4) How does the school system both public and private assess outside student academic abilities in regards to ability appropriate curriculums ?

Any insight to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding questions 1-3: The people of Sioux Falls are much like those from where you have lived, conservative and pragmatic. If your business survived for 16 years where you were previously it should do well in Sioux Falls. Question 4 because of its technicality should be posed directly to the educational departments.

Best of luck,

Greg