

Alisa turner trial#
The team broke into the international market on their own, mostly through resourcefulness, dedication and a large dose of trial and error.

Alisa turner driver#
Their continued foray into international trade is one driver of a recent growth spurt that has seen Ruff Land’s annual revenues climb from $11 million in 2021 to $16 million in 2022 to an expected $23 million in 2023. Turner, Van Kalsbeek and third co-owner Doug Sangl have since become relative experts at selling their kennels and other pet-carrying accessories overseas. “I didn’t sleep for weeks hoping it would cross the border – and that I wouldn’t go to prison.” “Lyle said to me, ‘You better hope you have that right, because you’re signing that and it’s a federal offense punishable by jail time if anything is wrong,’” Turner recalled. She and co-owner Lyle Van Kalsbeek paused before signing the documents to enter international trade relations with America’s neighbor to the north. Turner laughs about the process now but recalls how nerve-wracking it was.

Turner is a co-owner and CEO of Ruff Land Kennels in Tea, which makes industry-leading, one-piece molded plastic kennels.Īt the time, the company wanted to build on its domestic business and expand beyond the border. – Alisa Turner can readily remember the trepidation she felt a decade ago when her company made its first international sale to a Cabela’s retail store in Canada. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch) Ruff Land Kennels CEO Alisa Turner sits behind her desk at their office in Tea, S.D., as two of her office dogs provide continued inspiration for more innovations at the company.
