Fiber-optic internet lights flame
for candle-making business
Growing up, Laurie Dolloff never thought Murdo would be her permanent home. But after working in South Dakota and visiting different parts of the country, she decided to raise her kids with her husband in a community they love, and to Build her own business.
A mother of six, Laurie owns Dakota Girl Candle Co. and co-owns an antique shop with her husband, Ben Dolloff, in Murdo. Her Golden West internet service keeps her family connected and gives her the high-speed service and reliability she needs to make and sell her wax creations.
Sparking passion
When the pandemic hit, Laurie began making candles to both stay busy and keep the antique store smelling fresh. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion. Today, she sells her candles and other fragrant creations online, at the antique shop, and at events and fairs across the region.
Making candles is more complex than it might seem. Laurie must carefully manage temperatures, combine natural fragrances, insert wicks with precision, and ensure every candle complies with fire safety laws. She uses only American-made materials including 100% soy wax sourced from the Midwest, free of harsh chemicals or dyes.
Making Murdo home
For Laurie, Murdo is a close-knit community where residents care about each other. She explains that having six sons ranging from ages 6 to 22 is much easier in a small town – and is much less stressful than big cities.
“Seeing how people live in bigger cities was overwhelming; things are very different,” Laurie says about visiting New York City. “In a small town, everyone looks after each other’s kids. It takes a village to raise a child, and it feels much safer having other people who care for us.”
Laurie grew up in Murdo but left the area after high school, not expecting to return. In 2013, after living in various parts of the state, she came back to be closer to her family. Shortly after, she met Ben, and the rest is history.
Fiber-powered opportunity
Golden West helps make that life possible. From processing online orders to printing candle labels through her wireless printer, Laurie’s business relies on a fast, reliable internet connection. Since the cooperative upgraded Murdo to fiber-optic service in 2019, she has noticed a big difference in both speed and reliability.
Using Golden West service, Laurie connects with online groups of other candle makers to refine her craft. Her husband also depends on the internet for his antique car parts sales. Even their kids appreciate the high-speed internet for playing video games. Best of all, Laurie says she doesn’t have to worry about her service going down, either.
“You just can’t do without the internet these days,” she says. “Everything relies on it, and I’m able to run Dakota Girl Candle Co. while helping at the antique store in part because of the upgrade to fiber.”
Laurie appreciates the opportunities she has in Murdo when she’s fulfilling candle orders, helping customers at the antique shop, or spending time with her family. She can run her business and enjoy the community she calls home, all while staying connected to opportunities.
