Women-owned businesses help drive local economy I’m a big fan—some might say a fan boy, of a few things in life: poetry, hiking, and, of all things, peanut butter. I can’t get enough of the stuff. As a kid, I used to mix honey and peanut butter in a vat and eat it for lunch and sometimes dinner. Chase it with some chocolate milk and—well, you just arrived in heaven, my friend. That’s why it was so cool when I got to Rapid City last year and found Nerdy Nuts, a locally produced peanut butter company. The company’s toffee peanut butter was love at first sight. With my love of peanut butter, a container lasts me only about thirty days. And my days of Jif Peanut Butter are long gone. Starting a business is tough. Starting a business in Rapid City as a woman can be even tougher. Erika Peterson and Nerdy Nuts have transcended both. With only their wits, charm, a clever marketing campaign and some of the best peanut butter in the country, the company has recently ascended like a rocket ship to the national stage. Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where we explore not just peanut butter, but a lot of things women-owned businesses have been starting (and completing). There’s the story of how Nerdy Nuts helped turn a food desert into an oasis. There’s also the story of Western Mailers, where a stay-at-home mom turned owner shows that degrees and offices aren’t necessary to build a successful business. And our story on WAVI, a local women’s domestic violence shelter, brings attention to a issue that has become more pronounced during the recent pandemic. All of these stories, and the women who drive them, elevate the region for all of us. We couldn’t be more excited. We hope you are too. Stay safe (with some Nerdy Nuts) and god-speed.
6 ELEVATE • MARCH 2021
Tom Johnson, President & CEO Dana Borowski, Director of Finance and Operations Matt Brunner, Economic Development Director Shiloh Francis, Communications Director Anna Hays, Public Policy Director Brandis Knudsen, Dir. of Small Business Development & Investor Relations Mitch Nachtigall, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Rachel Day, Events & Training Manager Andy Greenman, Creative Services Manager Liz Highland, HR Coordinator/Office Manager Becky Knox, Executive Assistant Debbie Leber, Finance Manager & Investor Coordinator Samantha McGrath, Workforce Development & Talent Attraction Manager Loni Reichert, Data Analyst & Program Support Coordinator Design and layout: Andy Greenman Published by the Rapid City Journal Bill Masterson, Publisher, bill.masterson@bhmginc.com Advertising: Eddie Hebron, ehebron@amplifieddigitalagency.com, 605.394.8354 Printed by Simpsons Printing Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant. PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 // elevaterapidcity.com
On the cover Farmers markets to Fox Business, Erika Peterson has taken Nerdy Nuts global. Photo by Andy Greenman.
