Jan. 22, 2026
This piece is sponsored by Prairie Family Business Association.
As Kimberly Erickson takes on her new role as business development manager for Prairie Family Business Association, she uniquely understands the reward and the challenge of life in a family business.
“For several years, my day-to-day work revolved around managing and supporting two family businesses while also balancing life with my own family,” she said. “Those experiences deeply shaped my understanding of family business dynamics and ultimately led me to my role at PFBA.”
A South Dakota native, Erickson’s path into family business took some unique twists. She graduated from Alcester-Hudson School and then earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Dakota. Her early career experience centered around the justice system, including serving as deputy court clerk in Minnehaha County and clerk of courts in Turner County.
“From there, I landed what I considered my dream job with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation as a criminal intelligence analyst,” she said.
“The work pushed me to think outside the box and stay two steps ahead — it was challenging, meaningful and incredibly rewarding. That chapter also coincided with a uniquely uncertain time as COVID shifted our work environment and daily routines almost overnight.”
That’s when family business came knocking. As the pandemic took hold, Erickson’s mother took a leap of faith: opening up a brick-and-mortar quilt fabric shop in Alcester.
“Leading up to opening day, it was truly a family affair — remodeling, construction and preparing the building my parents had purchased,” she said. “That hands-on, all-in approach was something I grew up with. By October of 2020, as the world continued to change, I saw an opportunity I never expected: to join my mom in building her business.”
The two worked side by side for five years, growing the business into an international operation with customers in all 50 states and 15 countries.
“During that time, I became largely self-taught in marketing, social media and business analytics, helping turn a small-town dream into a sustainable, thriving enterprise,” Erickson said. “Around the same time, my dad launched another branch of his own business, and I encouraged him to explore social media as a growth tool — just as it had worked for the quilt shop.”
Erickson joined Prairie Family Business Association as its business development manager in late 2025. We sat down with her to learn more about the role and how she’s discovering ways the association benefits its members.
What attracted you to this opportunity at Prairie Family Business Association?
As many people know, when your kids start growing up, your life begins to change too. It became apparent that the two family businesses I was managing were well-oiled machines, and there was no longer the same level of challenge at work. My new challenge became focusing on my family relationships. That shift prompted me to start putting some feelers out for a role similar to what I had been doing, and that’s when I came across PFBA’s opening for a business development manager.
The job description closely matched the type of work I was already doing, but the real draw was the “who.” My entire life has been shaped by family business, but working within one versus growing up in it are two very different experiences. This role brought everything I’ve known since childhood full circle.
How aware were you of PFBA? What have your first impressions been since joining the organization?
Prior to joining PFBA, I wasn’t deeply familiar with the organization, despite having spent my life around family businesses and being a University of South Dakota alum. Since joining the organization, I’ve been incredibly grateful to see firsthand the impact PFBA has on the families it serves.
Listening to my team connect with members and share their stories often brings a mix of emotions: appreciation, reflection and a deep sense of connection. Many of the situations and experiences they describe feel familiar, which has made my transition into PFBA both meaningful and affirming.
What does your role as business development manager involve?
At its core, my role centers on people and partnerships. I handle much of our outreach and marketing, helping share PFBA’s programs, resources and updates with both current and prospective members.
A significant part of my work involves building and nurturing partnerships with organizations whose members are family-owned businesses. Two partnerships I’m especially excited about are Independent Welding Distributors Cooperative and South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions. Both represent strong, values-driven organizations where there are meaningful opportunities for us to learn from one another and collaborate in ways that support family businesses.
Many organizations already foster community, networking and professional connection. When PFBA partners with groups like these, we can serve as a bridge — helping family-owned businesses access education, peer support and long-term planning resources they may not even realize are available. Partnerships play a key role in ensuring more families know PFBA is here to support them, wherever they are in their journey.
When you meet family business members who aren’t aware of PFBA, how do you first describe the organization?
I usually describe PFBA as helping family businesses thrive across generations — alongside people who truly “get it.” PFBA supports family-owned businesses at every stage of their journey, offering programs and resources designed specifically for this unique and often complex space.
What makes PFBA especially meaningful is how it began. Thirty-four years ago, it started with a group of family business owners who simply recognized a shared need and said, “We need something that helps us — and other family businesses — thrive together.” That spirit still defines PFBA today.
What are some of PFBA’s offerings that tend to surprise people?
One offering that often surprises people is our Affinity Peer Groups. These small groups bring together four to eight individuals who are in similar stages of life and leadership within their family businesses, creating a space to connect with others who truly understand their experiences.
The groups meet several times a year and offer a confidential, judgment-free environment to talk openly about business challenges, family dynamics and personal experiences. When people learn more about these groups, the response is frequently excitement, and sometimes even emotion, knowing a space like this exists.
Are there any misconceptions you’ve found that people have about PFBA?
A common misconception is that associations similar to PFBA are only for large, multigeneration family businesses or for families already facing major transitions. In reality, PFBA supports family-owned businesses of all sizes and at every stage — from first-generation founders to families preparing for leadership or ownership transitions years down the road.
At its core, PFBA exists to help families strengthen both their business and their relationships, and once people understand that, the value becomes clear very quickly.
As you look to 2026, what kinds of programs and events is PFBA planning to offer? Are there any new additions to mention?
PFBA’s cornerstone event each year is the Annual Family Business Conference, which is the largest family business conference in the United States. Hosted annually in Sioux Falls, the conference brings together more than 500 attendees for two days of engaging speakers, meaningful relationship-building and practical takeaways families can apply as they head into the year ahead. I’m especially excited to attend my first conference April 22–23 in Sioux Falls, and with registration filling quickly, we expect the conference to sell out soon. I’d encourage anyone considering attending to register now.
Looking ahead to 2026, PFBA will also be launching season three of its podcast. One of the things I love most about the podcast is that it’s a free resource, accessible to anyone. I often share it with family business owners — and even those who simply know or work alongside family businesses.
What are you most excited about as you hit the ground running in your new role?
I’m most excited about being part of an organization that truly makes a difference and helping more families discover the support PFBA offers. While PFBA has strong roots in South Dakota, it’s a nationally engaged association, and we help facilitate meaningful connections for family businesses across the country.
With a goal of reaching 400 member families by 2030, I feel energized and empowered by this team to do everything I can to help family businesses not only succeed today, but thrive into the next generation. For families who are curious about what that support looks like, PFBA is here as a place to learn, connect and start the conversation.
What’s the best way for people to reach you if they’re interested in learning more?
Email is the easiest way to reach me — that little pocket computer is rarely out of reach — at kimberly.a.erickson@usd.edu.
You can also call me at PFBA anytime: 605-274-9532. I’m always happy to talk about family business and explore how PFBA might be a helpful resource.
