VERMILLION, S.D. – What began as a part-time job last summer has spiraled into a potential career path as a small business owner for senior cross country runner Carly Holmstrom.
 
Holmstrom began working for USD alumna and former Coyote cheerleader Karen Bankowski in 2014 as an assistant wedding photographer. Together, the pair pitched the idea of opening a clothing boutique inside of Bankowski's photography studio in downtown Sioux Falls.
 
The idea became a reality when Fia Rose Boutique was launched last summer. With the success of the Sioux Falls location, the duo looked further into opening a second storefront.
 
"Our connections to the University of South Dakota made Vermillion a great fit," said Holmstrom. "After Karen found the space on Cherry Street, we knew it was the perfect location since I still have a year left of school here."
 
Holmstrom will take over managerial duties at the Vermillion location. She will be responsible for scheduling, ordering inventory, handling payroll, managing advertising and keeping up with social media. As a full-time student and athlete, Holmstrom will delegate many of these responsibilities to employees.
 
"I feel incredibly lucky to work with Karen," said Holmstrom. "She let me be a part of the entire process of opening this storefront, which is really awesome. I learned how to open up a small business and it has pumped me up to be an owner someday."
 
As a double major, Holmstrom will graduate next May with a bachelor's degree in strategic communication and sustainability. She has even tied her coursework into her job duties at Fia Rose.
 
"We discuss brand strategy a lot in my strategic communications classes," said Holmstrom. "It is really interesting to me to learn about how to create a brand, focus the brand image, and understand the audience. The concept of branding and the graphic design courses I have taken have helped me work on crafting Fia Rose's brand image and focus our advertising."
 
Holmstrom is one of four senior women who will report to cross country camp on Aug. 17. The Coyotes open the season at the Bison Invitational on Sept. 4 in Fargo, N.D.
 
"I am excited to start cross country and see how everything comes together," said Holmstrom. "Running, school, and managing this store. It will be a busy year. The nice thing is that running has always been a way for me to relieve anxiety if I get stressed out."
 
Fia Rose Boutique's Vermillion storefront opens tomorrow, Aug. 15. The boutique, located next to Subway at 918 E. Cherry St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for its grand opening Saturday.