From Tetherball Champion to Executive Director
We recently sat down with Sadie Swier, Executive Director of SD CEO Women's Business Center, for another Nostalgia Street podcast. Vince kicked it off with one of his random questions: 'If you had to assemble a volleyball team of Disney villains, who would be on your team?’
Since Sadie is an avid volleyball player, we talked about where the inspiration for her volleyball team name came from and other unique volleyball teams names.
We touched on childhood memories, including Christmas dreams, Barbie dolls, and unconventional TV choices like watching CSI Las Vegas and Flavor of Love at a young age. The conversation also delved into sports experiences, such as tetherball and four square, with humorous anecdotes about playing and inventing cheat codes.
Sadie reflected on her formative years, sharing experiences that shaped her confidence. She recounted childhood performances with friends, Christmas pageants, and church plays, emphasizing her love for singing and acting. Despite facing the pressures of academic perfection and the discovery of her parents' separation in eighth grade, she navigated these challenges with resilience.
The discussion touched on the impact of divorce on children and acknowledged her parents' dedication to their family. Sadie also offered advice on building confidence through positive affirmations and highlighted the significance of her parents' continued close relationship.
The conversation then shifted to lighthearted stories, including getting in trouble for running on a golf course green and sledding on delicate areas. Sadie shared about her involvement in the marching band, where she played the trombone and later volunteered with flags to impress a crush named Isaac, who became her first high school boyfriend. She reflected on the fun times and competitions with the marching band.
Vince and Sadie talked about the decision to return to our hometowns after initially wanting to leave. Sadie expressed her love for downtown Sioux Falls and how she got involved with DTSF (Downtown Sioux Falls) through an internship and eventually working there.
The conversation transitioned to Sadie's current role as the executive director of SDCEO (South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity), a nonprofit empowering women and contributing to economic development. Jeff noted Sadie's status as one of the youngest executive directors in the city and asked about the challenges and opportunities she faces in her role. Sadie reflected on her initial concerns about her age when taking on a leadership role but emphasized the importance of confidence and not disclosing her age professionally. She discussed her successful first year as the executive director of SDCEO, achieving all set goals.
The conversation turned to the prevalence of small businesses, particularly women-owned ones, and the support SDCEO provides. Sadie shared the statistic that 43% of small business owners in South Dakota are women. Sadie encouraged women to reach out via email or social media.
We discussed the role of women in small businesses, their impact on communities, and the organization's goal to support women entrepreneurs in various communities. The episode concluded with a nostalgic look back, with Sadie sharing a wholesome lesson from her childhood involving the golden rule and a humorous high school game called "fugitive."
This podcast episode is a blend of humor, nostalgia, and personal anecdotes that many can relate to. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform!
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More about SDCEO East
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Address: 114 S Main Ave Unit 220, Sioux Falls, SD 57104