MARIAN SULLIVAN INNOVATION IN THE GIFT INDUSTRY
1928 • CATEGORY BUSINESS
• HOMETOWN SIOUX FALLS, SD •
NOMINATED BY BRETT BRADFIELD
Raised by her widowed mother, Marian Sullivan learned at an early age the value of hard work, dedication to a goal, and a lifestyle of giving back. After graduating in 1950 from Sioux Falls College with a math major, she met, at that same institution, and married her life-long partner, Bill. Together they raised five children and in 1968 started the Sullivan Import Company. The fledgling company encountered many challenges including funding for their visionary company. Twice rejected by the SBA for funding, they finally found financial support from a bank along with money lent from family and friends. They combined Bill’s expert selling skills with Marian’s math background and created the start of a highly successful enterprise. Saddened by Bill’s death in 1987, Marian now faced new challenges as sole owner.
42 • 2021 HONORS CEREMONY
The company continued to grow as a viable business in the gift industry. Marian gave much credit to the success and growth of the business to hiring good people. The growth of her business necessitated a move to a new facility. As with all aspects of the business, Marian relied heavily on the input of her employees in designing and organizing the new facility. In 1994, Sullivans moved from two warehouses to a 137,000 square foot state of the art complex. The business continued to expand and was a highly respected global entity within the gift and floral industry. Marian traveled extensively on overseas buying trips for her business and was respected and admired for her integrity and business acumen by colleagues both nationally and overseas. This respect was unique within the Asian culture as she was a woman at the head of a large successful
