"Twenty percent of all businesses in South Dakota are owned by women and we want to see that number increase, because we want to encourage economic development in South Dakota and women have tremendous opportunities to be able to start business, to expand businesses, to strengthen their business, and that's what we want to do." Thursday's conference in Rapid City was hosted by the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity and it's all about giving women the inside line on running better businesses. Coordinators say they're trying to emphasize the many, and sometimes overlooked, facets successful businesses use to get ahead.

     South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity director Helen Merriman says, "We want them to leave with increased business skills, to know how to run their businesses more efficiently, to look at being able to increase their marketing skills though a tremendous variety of Internet marketing and e-business and really to make connections with other women."

     Thursday's keynote speaker Susan Sweeney says keeping up on new technology, especially new ways for business to embrace social media, are the key to operating a competitive business in today's world. Sweeney says, "With the introduction of new technologies, just take Pinterest as an example. When it first came out, it was more for individuals. Now businesses have really grabbed hold of Pinterest and now most progressive businesses are looking at having a 'Pinterest strategy.'"

     Coordinators say the conference was attended by a sold out crowd, and that serves as a good sign for South Dakota and its women in business. Black Hills FOX is proud to have been a sponsor of this year's conference.

Brendyn Medina