Startup Watertown and Harmony Hill Open Doors for New Entrepreneurs and Salon RFP
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Sisters of Mother of God Monastery are continuing their legacy of community service, not just through healthcare and housing, but by fueling the next generation of Watertown entrepreneurs.
Through their initiative, Startup Watertown, the Village of Harmony Hill campus is actively seeking local business owners and startups to integrate into its newly developed spaces, starting with an active Request for Proposals (RFP) for a salon operator.
Michael Klatt, Strategic Advisor for Harmony Hill Developments, recently joined Northeast Radio SD to discuss the ambitious economic development plans for the campus.
A New Space for a Startup Salon
The campus is currently seeking a salon operator to lease a newly designed space in the facility's atrium.
"It's an amazing space on the west end of the building, a circular space with fantastic lighting and design," Klatt said. "It’s designed to make sure it's comfortable for both men and women. We want an opportunity for people to own their own business and to be able to partner on the campus."
The vision for the space includes haircuts, manicures, pedicures, and massage. However, Klatt emphasized that interested individuals don't necessarily need to offer all of those services themselves; they are open to collaborative partnerships or operators taking on a portion of the services.
The primary advantage for a startup in this space is the built-in customer base of residents living on the campus, coupled with the ability to serve the broader Watertown community. Klatt noted that while the initial RFP deadline was listed as September 30th, they are actively looking to sit down and discuss business plans with interested parties through the end of October.
The Vision of Startup Watertown
The salon is just one piece of a much larger economic puzzle being constructed by the Sisters. Since 2020, they have prioritized using their land and resources to foster economic development, providing a space for companies to start and grow.
"Startup Watertown is a catalyst for starting businesses and being an incubator for new businesses," Klatt explained.
The organization also focuses on helping existing businesses scale up by providing leadership support, human talent resources, and strategic planning through Entrepreneurial Operating Systems (EOS).
The campus itself is undergoing significant renovations to support this vision. The former commons area is being remodeled to include "Coffee and Corks," a new shop that will transition from daytime coffee service to an evening community space. The lower level will house new therapy and fitness spaces, while the second level will feature a grand entrance and a new art gallery.
A Legacy of Growth
Klatt highlighted that this focus on economic development aligns with the Sisters' long-term vision for the region. As the demographics of the country shift toward an older population, growing the workforce and supporting local businesses is vital for Watertown's survival.
"Watertown's growth mindset has to be about that because we could lose a business because we're not growing the demographics," Klatt warned, noting the critical need to attract and retain young workers. By partnering with Lake Area Technical College and local high schools, Startup Watertown hopes to inspire students to become business owners right here in Codington County.
Entrepreneurs interested in the salon RFP or discussing other business ideas for the commercial land are encouraged to reach out to Startup Watertown or contact their broker, Joy Nelson.
