More than a business plan: How 3 entrepreneurs found clarity, confidence, community in local accelerator

By Admin

05 Aug, 2025

Sponsored by Startup Sioux Falls

Starting or growing a business is never a straight line. For some, it begins with a bold idea; for others, it’s born out of necessity or personal change. But no matter the origin, the entrepreneurial journey demands more than just a business plan it needs clarity, confidence, and community. That’s exactly what three Sioux Falls founders discovered through the Startup Sioux Falls CO.STARTERS Accelerator.

A Crossroads in the Kitchen: Sanaa Abourezk

When the pandemic forced Sanaa Abourezk, owner of Sanaa’s Gourmet, to close her dining room, it also opened a door to reinvention. “I needed to explore new avenues for income generation,” she recalls.

Even with years of experience in the restaurant business, Abourezk realized there was so much she didn’t know about scaling her venture. The 10-week accelerator equipped her with the tools to plan for growth without rushing it. Today, she offers healthy packaged Mediterranean meals   now sold at her restaurant and the Sioux Falls Food Co+op   all while maintaining her commitment to quality.

Beyond strategy, Abourezk found a priceless asset: community. “I met other business owners, learned from their experiences, and built relationships I can rely on.”

From Designer to Founder: Kendra Cersosimo

For Kendra Cersosimo, starting Two54 Creative after years in traditional employment meant entering uncharted territory. “I didn’t feel prepared or confident,” she says. “I needed something to help me build a foundation.”

That foundation was laid at Startup Sioux Falls. Each week, alongside a cohort of founders, Cersosimo learned how to refine her services, understand her audience, and map out her finances. But the emotional support stood out most: “Entrepreneurship can be lonely. But in that room, I wasn’t alone.”

Today, Cersosimo’s design studio is flourishing. She continues to use the tools and confidence she gained through the accelerator   not just to grow her business, but to stay grounded as a founder.

Reframing the Creative Path: Cham Phan

As a videographer managing a degenerative eye condition, Cham Phan faced a personal and professional pivot. “I needed to rethink how I approached each day and my work,” he says.

The accelerator gave Phan space to explore and evolve. By the end of the program, he had set his sights on fine art photography a passion that took him to Vietnam for his first collection and led to a solo exhibition at the Washington Pavilion in 2024.

Phan credits the program not just for business skills, but for breaking his isolation. “It took me out of my bubble. Meeting people from different backgrounds made me feel more connected to this community.”

Building Businesses Together

The CO.STARTERS Accelerator is more than a course   it’s a launchpad. Each cohort includes 16 entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds: restaurant owners, designers, tradespeople, artists, consultants, and more. Over 10 weeks, they dive into customer discovery, branding, financial forecasting, and legal essentials, all while building relationships that last beyond the program.

Participants meet weekly in person, guided by expert facilitators and local business leaders. They also enjoy three months of post-program check-ins and free co-working space downtown during the accelerator   all for just $350, thanks to generous community support.

Since launching in 2021, Startup Sioux Falls has supported over 300 entrepreneurs, helping them gain not just knowledge, but momentum.

You Don’t Have to Be Ready   You Just Have to Start

Whether you’re pivoting your business, launching a new idea, or seeking a sense of direction, the Startup Sioux Falls Accelerator reminds us that you don’t have to go it alone.

As Phan, Abourezk, and Cersosimo all discovered, when you surround yourself with the right tools and people, your next step becomes clearer.

Clarity. Confidence. Community. That’s what this accelerator offers   and sometimes, that’s all you need to build something great.