Making a Living

Although Making a Living, SDPB’s business and economic development discussion series, is SDPB’s newest addition to community programming, host Jackie Severin says she’s already learned a great deal on the job. “So many terrific things,” says Severin. “It’s interesting to talk with farmers, for example. I’ve learned how much farming has changed, how much global economics farmers have to know. They’re watching prices, how much commodities are selling for and where. They have to make all these decisions, in addition to producing.”

Severin was also struck by the number of small businesses that power South Dakota. “On our program about start-ups, I learned 99% of the businesses in South Dakota are small [under 300 employees, according to the Small Business Administration]. Small businesses are extremely important to our economy.”

Originally from Belle Fourche, Severin earned her degree in journalism from SDSU while interning for SDPB Radio News. After serving as SDPB’s legislative reporter, Severin earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She and her husband returned to Sioux Falls, where she headed Project Food Forest before returning to her first love, journalism. She’s excited about meeting and learning from business owners and others who guest on Making a Living, broadcast live each month from SDPB’s Sioux Falls Studios. “Sioux Falls is growing,” says Severin. “We have a lot of economic development and entrepreneurial stories out of here, and we want to talk with people who are starting their businesses and address important workforce development topics, not just in Sioux Falls, but throughout South Dakota.”

Severin is excited about Making a Living’s format. “First, it’s a full hour. We don’t often get time to delve in and discuss one issue like this. We really dig deeper into the layers. Second, when panelists meet in a face-to-face discussion, as opposed to a reporter filing a report, it’s interesting and awesome to see ideas spark and panelists asking each other questions, bouncing ideas. It makes for deeper and richer conversations.”

Join Making a Living at SDPB’s Sioux Falls Studios, 601 N. Phillips Avenue, in December for a discussion about “Angel Investors in South Dakota.” See SDPB.org for details.