Ludens, Inc.: A Lesson in Listening to the Customer
Ludens, Inc.: A Lesson in Listening to the Customer The Ludens family may depict their business, Ludens, Inc., as that of an adventure. The multi-generational family business has enjoyed decades of fruitful growth in both the owners’ work and personal lives, but it has not always been easy to come by. Over the years, Ludens, Inc. has evolved their product line to adapt to the changing needs of their diverse customer base. Today, the retailer has found a particular niche in trailers and
Two Guys & A Garage: Finding the Practical in the Mechanical
Two years ago, Josh Hamann and Dave Stofferan did not forecast that a business would bloom out of their garage. As the owners of Two Guys & A Garage — a new automotive repair shop in Hartford, South Dakota — Hamann and Stofferan are still in the primitive stages of development. The two began “wrenching” (mechanic-speak for general repair) out of Hamann’s Sioux Falls home in 2017. All Hamann and Stofferan knew was that they made a great team, and customers were thrilled with their experience. Not
Automotive Tire & Service: As Forthright as the Name Implies
Sometimes the best way to do business is simple and straightforward. In today’s age of flashy advertising, extravagant sales pitches, and superficial customer service, it’s refreshing to work with the antonym. Ryan and Lacey Pressler are the owners of Automotive Tire & Service (ATS) in Humboldt and Hartford, South Dakota, and have built an honest business in an industry that often struggles with trust. “I honestly don’t know exactly how we’ve built trust with our customers,” laughs Ryan. “We’re
The Agriculture & Automotive Industries: Promoting Diligence, Honesty, and Excellence
The Agriculture & Automotive Industries: Promoting Diligence, Honesty, and Excellence You don’t have to know much about South Dakota to understand that agriculture is a vital contributor to the state’s economy. According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, the industry makes up one-third of the state’s economic activity — equal to roughly $32.5 billion. While the ag industry’s numbers are important, the way of life it helps generate is arguably more so. The Great Plains region may
