March 2024 Elevate Magazine

Downtown spa celebrates 25-years

Military retiree designs her next chapter

Black Hills an Adventure playground

Women doing

women's history month edition

Work

8 EVENT PLANNING

Tif Taylor-Robertson brings 'wow' to every event.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

22

Lori Eggersgluess celebrates 25 - years with Mystique Edge

14 ADVENTURES AT HOME

Carrie Gerlach creates adventures in the Black Hills.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

26 AIR FORCE TO

Monika Johncour finds new meaning in life after retirement.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

Cover photo by Shiloh Francis

every morning to the newest posts and freshly published stories to enlighten, inspire, and spark conversations about local business happenings in the Black Hills.

In

SHOW THE WORLD YOUR OWN BRAND OF CHEMICAL X

If you are an animation buff like me, you never really grow up. You'll watch anything cool, hip, and cutting-edge.

That's why, to this day, if I see an old episode of The Powerpuff Girls, I'm all in. Sugar, spice, and everything nice, plus a little Chemical X. Now that's a formula for girl power.

The Powerpuff Girls taught a generation of little girls how to work like boss ladies, and we are all the better for it. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, the three main characters, and a trifecta of sugary cyclone superhero goodness taught us more about work ethic than a lifetime of filing TPS reports. The girls weren't just saving Townsville from rogue robots, sentient amoebas, and Mojo Jojo (an evil super genius monkey); they were role models for pint-sized productivity. Teamwork, curiosity, courage, a work-life balance—they were every bit the modern worker and well before their time.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate Magazine, where we explore the stories of Rapid City's own Powerpuff Girls, who are now women, living in the Black Hills and conquering all the workforce monsters. From the story of Tiffani Taylor-Robertson, who crushes events like I crush my morning hot chocolate to Monika Johnccour, who shows all of us we can be tough and grounded and successful all at the same time.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did putting it together. It's proof that you don't need to wear a cape or be a workaholic to be a hero. You just need to show the world your own brand of Chemical X and throw a punch now and again (that's a metaphor; don't really throw punches at work).

Stay safe and God-Speed,

Tom Johnson, President & CEO

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

PRESIDENT & CEO

Tom Johnson

SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

Taylor Davis

SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Shiloh Francis

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Lori Frederick

SENIOR PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR

Garth Wadsworth

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Liz Highland

EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Rachel Nelson

WORKFORCE & EQUITY DIRECTOR

Reese Niu

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Laura Jones

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Alyssa Larkey

INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER

Dillon Matuska

ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER

Loni Reichert

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Kallie Ruland

INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Jason Wittenberg

EVENTS & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Maddie Bazala

DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR

Sydney Riendeau

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ashley Simonson

RESEARCH & DATA COORDINATOR

Karissa Ellis

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Bailey Sadowsky

Shadow Sky Creative Co.

Rapid City Business Journal is a weekly show and a business news website produced by Elevate Rapid City and The HomeSlice Group. We strive to produce daily and weekly business news supporting Rapid City, The Black Hills, and South Dakota.

333 West Boulevard Ste. 200 Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.6161

rapidcitybusinessjournal.com

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Mark Houston

PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR

Leslie Cline

IT/ENGINEERING

Chris Jaques

PRODUCER

Amber Clement

PRODUCTION

Oakley Tye

PROMOTIONS

Mitchell Stafford

WEBSITE DESIGN

Ricky Clark Jr

DATA MANAGEMENT

Hannah Masters

OPERATIONS

Maryanne Whittle

THE CAST

Mark Houston

Leslie Cline

Dean Taylor

Kevin Phillips

Amy Rose

Summer Sones

Mitchell Stafford

DRay Knight

Oakley Tye

Brandon Jones

Gary Matthews

Francie Ganje

Another HomeSlice Audio Production

MARCH

1 March

RIDE THE CYCLONE - CATALYST CYCLONE COMPANY

513 7TH ST catalyst.art

2 March

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

HISTORIC THEATER performingartsrc.org/events/fiddler-on-the-roof/

2 March

THE BLACK HILLS WORKS FOUNDATION'S PUTT-N-PUB

THE RUSHMORE HOTEL & SUITES blackhillsworks.org/event

2 March

ROAD TO DESTRUCTION

THE MONUMENT themonument.live/events

4 March

AMY GRANT

THE MONUMENT themonument.live/events

6 March

BLACK HILLS REGIONAL JOB FAIR

THE MONUMENT blackhillsjobfair.com

7 March

ECONOMIC SUMMIT (ELEVATE)

THE MONUMENT elevaterapidcity.com/events

7 - 9 March

STATE B GIRLS TOURNAMENT BASKETBALL

THE MONUMENT themonument.live/events

15 March

STATE AAU WRESTLING

THE MONUMENT aauwrestling.net

15 March

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF HISTORIC THEATER performingartsrc.org/events/fiddler-on-the-roof/

16 March

LEPRECON DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY wereallirish.com

22 - 25 March

BLACK HILLS HOME BUILDERS HOME SHOW

THE MONUMENT blackhillshomebuilders.com/home-show/

28 March

POLICY AT THE PUB (ELEVATE)

HAYCAMP BREWING CO. elevaterapidcity.com/events

29 March

MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE

THE MONUMENT maniatheshow.com/us/

29 March

SD GOVERNOR'S 10TH BIENNIAL ART EXHIBIT THE DAHL thedahl.org

29 March

GUESS WHO DEADWOOD MOUNTAIN GRAND deadwoodmountaingrand.com

31March

EASTER SUNDAY SUNRISE

MT. RUSHMORE blackhillsbadlands.com

w w w w

Photo by Shiloh Francis.

wow! wow! wow! wow! adding the

Tiffani Taylor-Robertson constantly looking for ways to spice things up

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS & SUBMITTED

the

popular saying “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” is not a mantra Tiffani “Tif” Taylor-Robertson lives by.

It is quite the opposite.

When a former colleague needed help with a national convention in Las Vegas, Tif, who had started her own event-planning business, was ready to jump in.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to go down, put my hands into the mix and learn. The Vegas event was empowering and humbling and awesome. It was amazing to work on a team that was putting on this large event,” she said of the Payne West National Convention. “I brought back so many ideas.”

Even after 11 years of owning T-N-T Event & Marketing Management, Tif is constantly looking for new and creative ways to add excitement to her events. “Every year my goal is how are we going to spice it up? How are

we going to make it better and get people to the table and make it worth their while to be here?”

Tif has always been a high achiever.

She grew up on a ranch near Farmingdale, South Dakota, and continues the ranching lifestyle with her husband Tyler, the second “T” in T-N-T, on their land south of Hermosa. She graduated with a mass communication and journalism degree from South Dakota State University and jumped right into a career in creative sales and marketing.

During the golden age of retail malls, Tif worked for the Macerich company, the owner and operator of shopping centers throughout the nation including what was at the time, Rushmore Mall (now Uptown Rapid). “I did their specialty leasing. I came up with new business development ideas and events to generate income.”

“I loved mall management. We traveled all over the country to prospect and promote people to come to Rapid City. I became involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Ag Committee, and wherever else I could network and learn from other leaders.”

Tif worked in the retail shopping industry for years before stepping down to help Tyler with their ranch along with the ranches of two elderly gentlemen.

Her community involvement, however, did not lessen. She continued to serve on the Central States Fair board for a decade and volunteered for numerous events.

“Then I had the thought of, why am I not doing this as a business?”

After a few brainstorming sessions, T-N-T was formed.

Since then, Tif has been producing events on the national, regional, and local levels including Zonta, The OWN, the National R-CALF Convention, South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority, and many others.

connections including caterers, facility managers, and audio-visual experts that make her job easier especially when unexpected things pop up.

“Every event you have to pivot. There is never not something. Success in navigating the challenges comes from the teams I am working with especially at the facilities.”

She offers full event management from working with the venue and caterer to advertising and ticketing and has hosted events for 10 to 4,000 people. “Each and every event showcases a special piece of their mission, purpose, and overall goals.”

Aside from a few people who jump in when she asks, Tif is a one-woman show. She does, however, have a long list of trusted

With many of her events at The Monument, Tif said she is amazed at the level of professionalism and effort by all team members. “They have helped me in every capacity. If we need something, they make it happen.”

It is all about the people, Tif said. Networking and community involvement have been integral in growing T-N-T, and she continues to build on that foundation. Aside from volunteering and serving on boards, Tif is part of the current Elevate Leadership Institute class.

“I have no intent of slowing down. I will continue to build not only my career and business but myself professionally.”

She does incorporate some downtime into her busy schedule. She enjoys golfing and spending time at the ranch with Tyler and their animals.

“When I am at home, I am fortunate to help Tyler with the ranch. It brings my boots back to the ground and lets me reflect on what we are doing and what our priorities are.” •

a life of

carrie gerlach adventure has been sharing her love of adventure and the black hills for nearly two decades

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTO BY SHILOH FRANCIS

Just a few years after starting Black Hills Adventure Tours, Carrie Gerlach’s life took a dramatic turn.

As a single mom with two kids, she didn’t know how she could continue her company while fulfilling the basic needs of her young family.

“Three years into it, I got a divorce and that changed the landscape of my life dramatically. It affected my credit, and then I had two kids that I was responsible for.”

With her one tour vehicle that was falling apart and unable to get a loan, Carrie knew she had to do something else. “The tours were making money, but not enough to support my family. And

the vehicle I had was not the best. At one point, I had to duct tape the door clips.”

She remembers sitting in her banker’s office trying to get a loan for a new vehicle. “I had this feeling of such desperation because I wanted to grow the company, but things in my life had changed and when you don’t have control over things it is hard.”

From sitting in that banker’s office to standing on the stage in Pierre accepting the George S. Mickelson Award from Governor Kristi Noem this year, Carrie still can’t believe how far she has come.

and their marketing genius strategies and just their work ethic. I think that was the coolest thing about winning the award I did – all the people in the room, these people I looked up to, that I have learned from as I have grown up in the industry. It has all come full circle. To get an award like this that was voted on by your peers…I still can’t believe it.”

Carrie grew up in an adventurous and travel-loving family. Her dad Denny worked in healthcare for the Canadian government, a job that took his family all over the place. Denny and his wife Julie enjoyed exposing their kids to all life had to offer:

“It was a dream come true,” Carrie said of winning the award which honors businesses, communities, or organizations that exceed visitors’ customer service expectations. “I watched Sean Casey and Johnny B

good food, great music, and outdoor exploring. Carrie’s first concert was at the age of 6, seeing the Bee Gees at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. “My parents took us to the final performance of Simon & Garfunkel, and Cindy Lauper, all the icons. They

Photos submitted.

“I have had some amazing employees over the years. I have been really blessed to have truly committed, supportive people who have worked with me. I couldn’t have done anything without them. They picked me up when I needed it.”

- Carrie gerlach

adventure here

Luckily,

can put to work now.

"you want them to feel good and have the best expereince."

- Carrie gerlach

were really adventurous and introduced us to all that.”

Along with their love of music, Denny and Julie shared their passion for the outdoors, specifically the Black Hills. “We spent a lot of time in the Black Hills, camping and hiking. I remember Devil’s Bathtub when no one else would be around.”

That love brought the family back to South Dakota when Carrie was 10 years old. “They both loved it here and it was similar to where we were living in British Columbia.”

Four days after graduating from Stevens, Carrie began her first solo adventure when she moved to California to be a nanny. She returned to South Dakota earning a degree in tourism and business from Black Hills State University. “I knew I wanted to work in tourism in some capacity, but I didn’t know what.”

She interned in Tahoe and saw a variety of companies providing visitors with adventure experiences. “I loved it there and made some lifelong friends.”

Glen Schmeltzer

Dan Scheurer

Brett Simons

But the Hills called her back, and after years in hotel sales, Carrie decided to take a chance on running her own tour company and in 2005 started Black Hills Adventure Tours.

The challenges after her divorce, however, forced her to pivot.

Unable to survive on her tours alone, Carrie got a second job in healthcare to provide a steady income for her family. “I really liked healthcare. I found that running a tour company is not that different than working in healthcare. Your goal in healthcare is to make people feel better and to care for them and that’s exactly what you are doing as a tour guide. You want them to feel good and have the best experience.”

Carrie enjoyed her new career and decided to pursue a nursing degree. “I had considered just selling the company and being a full-time nurse. I thought travel nursing would be a fun opportunity to see the world.”

At the same time, her tour company started to take off. As her tours increased, she cut back on her time at the hospital until finally making the decision to focus all her energy on her business.

“As soon as I did that the business just exploded.”

Things have not stopped since.

Despite a thriving business that keeps her schedule tight, Carrie finds time to give back to her community serving on a variety of boards and committees.

She credits her success to her superstar staff, which includes her parents and daughter Annabelle, as well as her husband Andy who serves on the sidelines as her rock, grounding force, and constant cheerleader.

“I have had some amazing employees over the years. I have been really blessed to have truly committed, supportive people who have worked with me. I couldn’t have done anything without them. They picked me up when I needed it.”

Aside from an amazing, spirited staff, Carrie’s success comes from her focus on giving people memorable experiences. She has made lifelong connections with people from all over the world that remind her every day of why she loves her job.

Carrie’s future plans are to keep on making each day an adventure.

“Where I am right now, I am in my sweet spot.” •

Gerlach receiving the 2024 Governor's Conference George S. Mickelson award.

Photo submitted.

luxur relaxation downtown

LORI EGGERSGLUESS CELEBRATES 25-YEARS OF MYSTIQUE EDGE SALON & SPA

STORY BY DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY // PHOTOS B BRI VANDE POL

OnMarch 1, 1999, Lori Eggersgluess first opened the doors of Mystique Edge Salon & Spa in downtown Rapid City. In these 25 years in business, Mystique Edge has proven to be a haven of relaxation and self-care that has stood the test of time.

Lori knew she wanted to be a hairstylist since she was a young teen. She attended cosmetology school in Rapid City and graduated in 1990. After spending nearly a decade perfecting her technical skills and cultivating a deeper passion for her work, Lori’s began to feel that it might be time to start a new chapter in her professional journey.

Running a business is in Lori’s DNA. Her father, now along with her older brothers, owns a local auto body shop in Sturgis. Lori recalls the watershed moment for Mystique Edge; at lunch with her dad, he asked the million-dollar question, “What do you want to do?” For Lori, the answer came naturally; she said she wanted to open her own salon. With her family's support and encouragement, Lori’s dream was set in motion.

Mystique Edge originally opened in the Sweeney Building downtown on 7th Street. Lori along with her family and close friends built out the space themselves. Fast forward to 2014, and Lori moved her team to their current location at 318 Mt. Rushmore Road, which accommodates an expanded salon & spa space and home to nearly 40 employees. “I wanted to create a place where people can come and get

"you can cry a lot, you can scream a lot, but don't get discouraged; jump in anD do it, and don't be afraid to fail to learn."

- Lori Eggersgluess

professional services done in a comfortable, relaxing environment,” she explained. “A place for them to escape.”

Outside of the salon, Lori delights in spending time in her garden and flower beds in the summer. Brimming with all kinds of vegetables, peonies, and hydrangeas, Lori’s garden is her “happy place”. Lori’s green thumb expands beyond just her garden: a few years ago, she started partnering with an organization called Green Circle, a recycling program for salons. Lori says it drove her crazy that there were so many single-use products used in her line of work. Green Circle recycles things such as foils, leftover hair color, and even hair to make products like

combs & containers or turn products into a clean energy source. Lori is dedicated to waste reduction and would love to see more salons get involved in the program. Lori is also extremely dedicated to her staff. “I have a great team in place; there’s a lead in every single department. We’ve put systems in place so that if I am gone and something needs to be fixed or solved, there is always someone who knows what to do.” She beams when talking about how the team feels like they work in an environment where they are more than just co-workers. She describes them as a working family who genuinely enjoy each other and spending time together.

Much of Lori’s success she attributes to support, whether it be from family and friends or from other business owners.

“When you have help from those closest to you, they care about your business just as much as you do,” she reflected. She also acts as a beacon of support for others, especially when it comes to supporting stylists in their careers. “I love mentoring new and upcoming stylists. It’s such a proud feeling to watch people when they start and see them grow. I want to do what I can to help them succeed.”

With over 30 years of professional experience, Lori has an abundance of insight. To anyone starting a business Lori said: “Surround yourself with people who raise you up and make sure you have positive support. You can cry a lot, you can scream a lot, but don’t get discouraged; jump in and do it and don’t be afraid to fail to learn.” •

finding her true design

MONIKA JOHNCOUR TRADES MILITARY LIFE FOR ONE OF DEEP BREATHING AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTO SUBMITTED

ittook Monika Johncour decades, but she finally has her dream life – one that fits exactly who she is meant to be and one that is miles away from her previous life in the military.

In a spur-of-the-moment move in 2021, Monika, and her husband Peter, both Lieutenant Colonels in the U.S. Air Force, decided to buy a Black Hills campground.

“It’s one of those synchronicities in life when you look at it, the big picture, and you think ‘that’s interesting.’ We spent 21 years each having no control over anything. We have been married

for 19 years and have spent more than seven of the 19 years apart between deployments and being stationed apart. We look at this as we have had the time to expand our wings, fly and see the world. But now we have found exactly where we want to plant our roots. This is the next chapter for us.”

That chapter for Monika not only includes the Timber Ridge Campground, 17 acres at the intersection of Iron Mountain and Playhouse roads, but also yoga, sound healing, and human design. Monika recently earned her Human Design certification, a combination of Western

astrology, the chakra system, the Kabbalah Tree of Life, and the Chinese I Ching, and is incorporating that into her yoga and meditation practices.

“I have been kind of all over the place, but Human Design has helped me see the map of who I am, see where my energies are, and really learn who I am outside of the conditioned military life.”

Monika was born and raised in Honolulu and attended the University of Washington to play softball. However, a shoulder injury in her sophomore year sidelined her. After graduating with an English degree, she decided to join a friend in applying to be a flight attendant for United Airlines. She made the cut; her friend did not. “The first thing we do in

flight attendant school is take a ride in the cockpit. After that I was hooked. I was like this is what I want to do,” Monika said of being a pilot.

With the help of her parents, she began taking private pilot lessons while working as a flight attendant based out of San Francisco. She narrowly missed being on the flight that on September 11 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. “If September 11 happened on September 10, I would not be here anymore.”

After the events of 9/11, Monika chose to take her love of flying in a different direction and joined the military. Six months into flight school she met her husband and began 21 years of deployments, moves, and many sacrifices

design home monika

for both Peter, Monika, and their three boys, Kawika, Camden, and Colton.

The campground became a sanctuary for all of them.

“Our kids love it. We have big granite boulders to climb on, a stream with trout. We have all the different types of landscapes you find in the Hills on our property.”

For Peter, owning a campground in western South Dakota was a longtime dream come true. Despite being from Pennsylvania, he instantly felt a connection to the Black Hills during his first stint at Ellsworth Air Force Base. “When my husband first rolled into Custer from Abilene, Texas in 2004, he called me and said ‘I am home. I don’t know how, but I have been to a place where I feel like I am home.’”

Peter also informed Monika when they first started dating that he would one day run a campground after retirement from the Air Force.

So, when the couple walked the Southern Hills property in March 2021, they knew it was meant to be. “We looked at each other and said we are in. We will figure out how to make this happen.”

With the help of Michelle Kane, former director of SD CEO West Women’s Business Center and Monika’s Honorary Commander,

“I have been kind of all over the place, but Human Design has helped me see the map of who i am, see where my energies are, and really learn who i am outside of conditioned military life.”

- Monika Johncour

“it's one of those synchronicities in life when you look at it, the big picture, and you think that's interesting.”

- Monika Johncour

the couple went from seeing the property in March to owning it on the first day of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August. “We took 30 days of vacation and ran the campground,” Monika said. “It has been a rollercoaster ever since.”

With Monika retiring from the military in March 2023, that summer was the first time the couple was fulltime at the campground. “It has been wild, and fun, and a lot of learning.”

The family has also found their community. Peter, a former Syracuse pole vaulter, coaches at Custer High School, and Monika leads

the wrestling team in yoga every Wednesday.

She also brought her practice of yoga and sound bath to her campground guests. Every Saturday from May 1 –October 1, Monika hosts an evening session open to everyone. This summer she will add Human Design readings to her practice helping others to find their true path.

“Human Design is a permission slip to be authentically you. I am now learning to live in line with what my chart looks like and realized how far off I was from it.” •

Meet the fastest internet in Rapid City.

We already knew we were fast, but now Ookla, a global leader in internet testing and analysis, has the data to back it up. We’re proud to offer the top connection in Rapid City so you can do all the streaming, shopping and surfing you want.

YOU’RE ONLY AS OLD AS YOU FEEL

The Family Medicine Residency (FMR) Clinic in Rapid City is staffed by resident doctors who specialize in family medicine. Working closely with experienced family medicine physicians, an in-house laboratory and imaging services, it is a one stop shop for your health care needs.

The FMR Clinic has same day appointments, and assists in scheduling consultations with specialty physicians should you need them. Family Medicine Residents also provide continuity of care, seeing their patients in the hospital setting, should you ever be admitted.

FMR also offers outpatient counseling services, a Community Closet and Food Pantry on site, striving to meet the needs of the whole patient.

FMR accepts most insurance, including Medicare.

“

Great people! From the ladies at the front desk to the nurse and Dr. So happy to have found such a great team. Thank you!

“

To schedule an appointment, call: 605-755-4060

Family Medicine Residency Clinic

502 East Monroe St., Rapid City