Startup Sunrise – Artisans and Makers Q&A Recap

Meet the Performer & Speakers

Local Artist: Jordan Jaacks
Jordan Jaacks, a musician and entrepreneur, conveyed through his song that while starting a business involves making money, its essence lies in the relationships and connections formed with people.

Nate Boscaljon – Owner of Boscaljon Design Co.
After studying engineering and beginning a career as a financial advisor, Nate upgraded their home furnishings by building a coffee table — which eventually evolved into a business. He and his wife both quit their jobs with only one month’s salary worth of orders in the queue, and have successfully sustained and grown their enterprise over the last 3+ years.

Josh Rieck – Owner of J. Rieck Music
Josh began his journey mowing lawns and working at a CD store before delving into guitar making while pursuing visual arts and music in school. J. Rieck Music has thrived with support from the local community, expanding from a 200-square-foot to a 2,000-square-foot retail space and a 1,500-square-foot workshop.

Question and Answer

How do you balance the business side versus the making side?

Josh highlights the challenge of balancing business and production, especially during growth periods, and emphasizes the significance of employees whose work also serves as marketing — primarily driven by word of mouth. Nate credits his wife for managing administrative tasks like client management and taxes, and they’ve allocated specific days for different types of work.

What is your current product mix?

Nate’s business primarily thrives on Etsy with about 90% custom orders. Josh’s model is diversified: rentals, repairs, new and used products, and custom builds, with retail sales constituting the majority of gross income.

Does Instagram turn into real, paying customers?

Nate has a large Instagram following and viral videos but notes it doesn’t necessarily translate into direct business — it expands their network and facilitates brand collaborations. Josh observes Instagram attracts some customers but also fosters unrealistic quality expectations.

Every business has a place here — what can we do better to be more inclusive of industry?

Nate emphasizes community support and highlights the need to shift the narrative away from solely focusing on tech companies and funding, recognizing the significance of traditional industries. Josh emphasizes the value of supporting trades and that success doesn’t necessarily mean making millions of dollars.

What is one thing you wished you had learned sooner?

Nate: trial run things you worry about instead of storing up anxiety. Josh: the importance of delegation — he regrets wanting to handle everything himself.

Invite

Join us for one of the best monthly entrepreneurial gatherings in Sioux Falls and reserve your free seat at our next Startup Sunrise – Biotech, May 1 (8–9:15 am).

Sponsors: Boyce Law Firm, Bruce Watley (USF Entrepreneurial Studies Program), Eide Bailly, First Bank & Trust, First National Bank in Sioux Falls, First PREMIER Bank, Homegrown Capital, MarketBeat, Midwest Employee Benefits, Sanford Health Plan, SDSU Ness School of Management & Economics, Tiger29, Voyage Federal Credit Union