Tea, SD's New Chamber Director Grows City From Within

A small business owner who grew up serving customers is now helping an entire city grow its economy from the inside out.

Liz Carrell opened Bella & Birch Boutique in Tea, South Dakota in 2022 after years working in retail and local franchises. She also runs a piano studio serving three dozen students annually, giving her direct insight into the challenges facing entrepreneurs.

Now she's the director of chamber operations for the Tea Chamber for Development. Her mission is to support other business owners navigating the same journey she's experienced firsthand.

"Owning and operating multiple small businesses has given me firsthand experience with both the challenges and rewards that local business owners face," Carrell said. Her new role puts that knowledge to work for dozens of businesses across Tea.

The city sits just outside Sioux Falls, but business owners keep choosing Tea despite having options elsewhere. Carrell notices what makes the difference: owners don't just operate businesses here, they raise families, volunteer, and sponsor youth programs.

"They could choose to invest elsewhere, but they're choosing Tea," she said. "That says a lot about the confidence they have in our community and its future."

Carrell has lived in Tea since 2017 and serves on the chamber board for three years before taking the director position eight months ago. She's expanded chamber programs, strengthened partnerships, and created networking opportunities that help local businesses connect.

Recent growth shows the momentum building. Culver's, Jersey Mike's Subs, and Skin Sanctuary all opened new locations recently, while established businesses like J&R Mechanical celebrated 18 years with an expansion into a new space.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one woman's entrepreneurial journey is now lifting an entire business community. Carrell's path from retail employee to shop owner to chamber leader shows how investing in local talent creates leaders who understand what businesses actually need.

Her approach focuses on relationships over transactions. She connects businesses with resources, promotes member companies, and collaborates with schools and city organizations to strengthen Tea's economic foundation.

Chamber membership remains strong and networking event participation keeps growing. Business owners are choosing collaboration over competition, creating the kind of community support system that helps small enterprises survive their crucial early years.

The residential growth continuing across Tea creates opportunities for businesses to expand services and meet new residents' needs. Carrell expects steady development ahead, with residents excited about additional dining options, retail choices, and recreational opportunities.

For a city experiencing rapid growth, having a chamber leader who's walked in business owners' shoes makes all the difference.