Houghtaling, of Doland, takes first in Marketing and Design and Food Animal Agriculture at Big Idea competition

Houghtaling, of Doland, takes first in Marketing and Design and Food Animal Agriculture at Big Idea competition

By Shiloh Appel
Danielle Houghtaling, of Doland, was the Marketing and Design winner and Food Animal Agriculture winner of the Big Idea competition held at Northern State University's Johnson Fine Arts Center in Aberdeen on Wednesday, Dec.5th, 2018. As the winner of the marketing and design competition, Houghtaling's ad design for her business idea was chosen out of 52 entries and she was awarded a $500 cash prize. Her idea, "Houghtaling Ultrasound," addresses the need for ultrasound services in South Dakota for sheep and goat industries.
Local Big Idea contestants and their business ideas that earned an honorable mention include the following: Hailey Boekelheide, "Research Aid," Northwestern High School; Duncan Perks "Ezekiel Duncan," Northwestern High School; Addison Rozell and Kiara Terry, "Sweater Sweater Sweaters," Redfield High School; Tya Weideman, "Mellette Market," Northwestern High School; Miranda Thorson, "Elderly Delivery," Northwestern High School; Carsten McNeil and Connor Jessen, "M&J Landscaping," Redfield High School.
The Big Idea competition began in 2007 and was created "through the collaborative efforts of many organizations in South Dakota." According to the Big Idea organization, its goal is to  "expose youth to new ideas and innovation in the hopes that [they] will view entrepreneurship as an option for [their] future." It's mission is to promote entrepreneurship, spur creative thinking and encourage students to start a business. It also encourages students to create opportunities for themselves in South Dakota instead of leaving the region to find jobs.

Students are asked to come up with a business idea, a 1,075 word description of their business idea, and a marketing design and ad for their business idea (which is optional). Completed online business ideas were due by October 31st this year before the big finale took place on the fifth of December. Following is a list of this year's winners:
1st Place: Helping Hearts Delivery Service by Kendra Kleven and Avery Weinheimer of Sully Buttes High School (they were also the Wellness Category Winner)
2nd Place: Butterstick by Jade Parkin of Rapid City Stevens High School
3rd Place: The Witch Doctor (Hattie's Patties) by Hattie Muellenbach of Milbank High School
Marketing Design Winner and Food Animal Agriculture Winner: Houghtaling Ultrasound by Danielle Houghtaling of Doland High School
Partners In Business Award (teacher award): Jerry Janisch, Milbank; Katrina Boyum, Florence; and Vicki Lentz, Sully Buttes High School
Makerspace Consultation Prize (school award): Florence High School
Big Idea sponsors for 2018 included Sanford Health, East River Electric, REED Fund, Dacotah Bank, Midwest Ag Supply, First Bank and Trust, Northern State University, Presentation College, Aberdeen Development Corporation, McQuillen Creative Group, Northwestern Energy, Angelhaus, CREATE, Midcontinent Communications, and the Tom and Danielle Aman Foundation.
To be a part of next year's competition, high school students enrolled in a public school, private school or home school may submit a business idea entry, according to the Big Idea website (bigideasd.com). "Ideas may also be submitted by a team of students (up to three students per team). A student (individually or as part of a team) may create as many entries as they wish as long as each business idea is different," states the site. "Students will need to create a separate login for each entry. Finalists from prior BIG Idea competitions are not allowed to resubmit their previous business idea but may participate by submitting a new idea…"
For more information about the Big Idea competition, visit bigideassd.com.