After growing up and living in eastern South Dakota for many years, Bri Vande Pol and her husband decided it was time for a change of scenery for their adventure-seeking family. They didn’t have to travel far to find the change they were looking for; they set their sights on the west side of the state and planted roots in Rapid City.
Bri is not afraid of embracing the unknown; after she finished college, she started her own wedding photography business, which led her on many adventures. She hit the road in a sprinter van, photographing weddings and traveling from one side of the country to the other. After her sprinter van adventures ended, Bri returned to Sioux Falls and led the marketing initiatives at Think 3D, an organization that focuses on leadership development and work culture. During this time, she worked in downtown Sioux Falls which helped instill a love for downtowns and the vibrant experiences they bring to communities. “There is just something special about a city’s downtown: the local shops and the one-of-a-kind experiences are what makes a place unique and memorable,” she explained.
Bri credits her mother and younger brother, who moved to the Black Hills a few years ago, for being the catalyst for her family’s move to Rapid City. Visiting opened their eyes to the wide range of experiences accessible in the Black Hills, and as nature enthusiasts, they were thrilled with the endless opportunities to spend time outside. Bri, her husband, and their daughters started spending most of their free time traveling to Rapid City from their home in Sioux Falls, as it was already starting to feel like a home. When a marketing position in Rapid City presented itself, Bri felt like the universe was sending her a sign to take a leap and officially make the Black Hills home.
Since Bri and her family made the move, they have fully embraced Rapid City and all the Black Hills have to offer. On the weekends, they can be found hiking, trying new restaurants downtown, or doing house projects on their new home which has beautiful views of the Hills “Our weekends have been a non-stop adventure, and our kids have seamlessly become part of their daycare and school communities,” Bri said. “Hiking has become a weekend tradition for us. We love Buzzards Roost and our kids can’t get enough of the views from Stratobowl. We loved getting to spend time at Pactola on the pontoon last summer. It’s been so amazing having these things in our backyard.”
Bri and her husband have both recently transitioned into new jobs, “I’m the Marketing Manager for Downtown Rapid City, and my husband works at Diamond Vogel downtown. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to the city’s energy and be a part of its growth.” In the short time Bri has lived here she has made a lot of memories, but there are so many things she’s still looking forward to, “I’m excited to start building connections and getting to know the local downtown businesses. Immersing myself in the community feels like the perfect way to keep making Rapid City feel like home.”
This story was originally printed in the February 2024 issue of Elevate Magazine.
