Dr. Melissa Meidinger on the "Superhero" Journey of Small Business Owners
- Steve Jurrens
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - National Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Day is more than just a date on the calendar for Dr. Melissa Meidinger; it is a celebration of the “superheroes” who drive the South Dakota economy.
Dr. Meidinger, Regional Director of the SBDC with the Beacom School of Business at USD, recently joined Northeast Radio SD to discuss the impact of the SBDC and the raw realities of entrepreneurship.
The Best-Kept Secret in Business
The SBDC has a massive footprint, securing millions in capital funding and creating thousands of jobs across the country. Yet, for many local entrepreneurs, the most surprising aspect of the organization is the price tag.
“That is probably the best-kept secret: we’re free,” Dr. Meidinger said. “The SBDC provides that free counseling to entrepreneurs and small business owners. We have a wide variety of skill and expertise, especially here in South Dakota.”
With seven offices across the state, the SBDC pairs business owners with consultants who live and work in their specific communities. These consultants help navigate everything from sales tax licenses and LLC filings to complex labor laws.
Navigating the “Loneliness” of Leadership
Beyond the spreadsheets and regulations, Dr. Meidinger highlighted a major hurdle that few business schools address: the isolation of leadership.
“No one really tells you how isolating and lonely it can be to be that person at the top of the silo,” she explained. “The person who maybe has financial concerns, or supplier and vendor concerns that they can’t really share with their employees... I had to keep my doors open and do well enough to make sure my employees were able to pay their mortgages.”
Meidinger, who owned her own business during the Great Recession, noted that 98% of businesses start with simple beginnings—not big offices and accounting teams—which can make the early years feel particularly solitary.
Strategies for Long-Term Success
To combat burnout and isolation, Dr. Meidinger urged business owners to prioritize two things: vulnerability and self-care.
· Vulnerability: Find a trusted group of peers where you can admit when things aren’t going right. “A lot of times, small business owners feel like they have to have the answers to everything,” Meidinger noted.
· Modeling Self-Care: Whether it’s playing basketball or binge-watching a show, taking time away from the business is essential. “You have to prioritize making sure you get some sort of self-care act in every week to prevent that burnout. It also models that for your employees.”
A Seed for the Future
Even for those who are only in the “thinking about it” stage, Meidinger encourages a conversation. Not every client will open a business immediately, but planting the seed of knowledge is a vital first step.
“Entrepreneurs and small business owners truly are the superheroes of our country and our economy,” Meidinger said. “We cannot survive if we don’t have people who are willing to take risks and willing to open businesses.”
Entrepreneurs in the Watertown area can reach out to Dr. Meidinger through the SBDC office to begin their own journey or find support for their existing business.
