Meet Tiana Ude, the passionate dog trainer behind RyeDoodle Boarding & Training in South Dakota. What began as a childhood dream has now grown into a thriving full-time business where dogs (and their people) are learning and thriving.

Read on to learn how Tiana transformed her garage-based classes into a full kennel facility and how the support of SD CEO West Women’s Business Center, hosted by Black Hills State University, has impacted her journey.

From Garage to Dream Business: The Story Behind RyeDoodle

RyeDoodle Boarding & Training is a business that’s built on lifelong passion and a whole lot of heart. For owner Tiana Ude, it all started when she got her first dog at just 13 years old. Around the same time, she started working for a professional dog trainer in Texas. The trainer shared not only her knowledge, but also her love of dogs, and it sparked an interest in Tiana that she never imagined would grow into a full-blown career.

Throughout high school, Tiana trained her own dog and taught classes through the local 4-H club. In college, training took a bit of a back seat, but the dream stayed alive. After moving back to Rapid City, she started offering classes out of her garage. Then, when a local kennel went up for sale, she knew she had to go for it. After nearly a year of planning and persistence, Tiana officially closed on the property on March 15, 2022. That day, RyeDoodle Boarding & Training officially became a reality.

Since then, she’s been running the kennel full time, building a strong community of dog owners, and introducing new sports and opportunities to the area. One of her biggest goals now is to bring an indoor, heated dock diving pool and sanctioned events to Rapid City and the wider South Dakota region—a vision sparked after attending the North American Diving Dogs Regional competition in Iowa in 2024. She’s been working steadily toward that goal ever since.

Proud Moments and Everyday Wins

For Tiana, the most rewarding part of running her own business isn’t just about the dogs. It’s about the people who love them. Her proudest moments as a business owner come from watching her students succeed. Whether it’s in competitive dog sports or simply achieving everyday training goals, she lights up seeing the results of their hard work and dedication.

“It’s the best thing,” she says. “I love to see their hard work pay off!”

Connecting with a Local Women’s Business Center for Support & Funding

While she was searching for funding to expand RyeDoodle Boarding & Training, a contractor recommended Tiana contact SD CEO (Center for Enterprise Opportunity) West Women’s Business Center (WBC). That connection proved to be a game-changer.

Through the WBC, Tiana worked closely with Elizabeth, who guided her through the loan process and helped her secure the funding needed to take her business to the next level. But the support didn’t stop there—Elizabeth also connected Tiana with valuable marketing resources that helped her expand and build a stronger presence in the dog sport community.

“The Women’s Business Center has allowed me to build my business to support the dog sport community,” Tiana says. “Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to build my dream.”

In securing funding, Tiana partnered with Stearns Bank through the WBC and had nothing but positive things to say about the experience.

“Stearns is amazing!” she shares. “Isaac Flenner and Kristen were real advocates for me during the process, and I’m forever grateful.”

With their support, Tiana was able to expand her services and continue growing RyeDoodle, offering new opportunities for the South Dakota dog sport community.

If you’re a small business owner looking for funding, visit hope2women.org/capital-access to take a short quiz and learn if you’re ready to get started. You’ll be connected with experienced business coaches and lending partners—just like Tiana was.

Where to Find RyeDoodle

If you’re in the Rapid City area and looking for top-notch dog training or boarding services (or you’re just curious about all the exciting things happening in the local dog sport community) be sure to check out RyeDoodle.com. You can also follow along with the latest updates, events, and adorable dog content on Facebook and Instagram at @ryedoodleboarding.

Tiana is incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported her along the way—from mentors and friends to the team at the Women’s Business Center and Stearns Bank.

“I’m so grateful for the people in my life who have fought for me and encouraged me to follow my dreams and not give up,” she says.

Thanks to that encouragement—and her own unstoppable drive—RyeDoodle Boarding & Training is not just a business. It’s a dream come true!

Inspired by Tiana’s story and wondering what’s possible for your own business? Start by taking the Capital Access Quiz at hope2women.org/capital-access to see if you might be ready for funding—and get connected with expert business coaches and lending partners who can help you take the next step. 

And if you’d like to find a Women’s Business Center near you for free training, mentorship, and resources, use our WBC locator. The future of your business is waiting for you to take the next step!