Meet Shaley Bolks | Restauranteur & Fitness Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shaley Bolks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Long before opening Daily, I had dreamed of bringing a more whole food focused, fast food concept to Sioux Falls. Prior to the current wellness industry boom, I experienced a major shift in my personal health when I lost 160 pounds through cleaner diet and exercise. While learning to cook and prepare more non-processed versions of comfort foods and beyond for myself, the lack of healthier options for dining out became more evident. It wasn’t until a few years after my transformation, and with the rapid growth of the health and wellness market, that I felt our community was ready to support a place like Daily. I was working as a fitness instructor at FORM Fitness when I met my business partner, Steve Gratzfeld, who was looking to start a local cafe and coffee shop just across the street. Luckily, we shared a similar vision for bringing a health focused, fast casual food concept to life. And so the planning started in the winter of 2017.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a self-taught chef and love to blend ideas from fitness professionals, artists, trends and staple recipes to create something classic but reimagined with health and dietary needs in mind. I get excited when I can take something like basic ranch dressing but make it dairy free and the best ranch you’ve ever tasted – or use nontraditional ingredients like avocados to make the most delicious mousse and brownies. I’ve never viewed the creation process as difficult because I love the art of cooking and I love to eat. The hard part is making those creations to scale for a restaurant and then maintaining consistency and the staff that can do so. I was given advice by Guy Fieri when he visited a few years ago and the trial-and-error phases over the years have taught me to follow it – find what dishes you do best and then put all your energy into those, those are your stars.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Any time friends visit, my first goal is to try and rope them into taking a class by me or with me at FORM Fitness. I love anything active and outdoors so hiking at Good Earth State Park, Great Bear, Beaver Creek or hitting the bike trails and stopping at the falls and downtown spots along the way. Maybe catch a SUP class with Flow and Paddle at Lake Lorraine. First stop for food is always my place but after that Looks, Sushi Masa, Parkers, Harvester for local fare and Hello Hi or the Treasury for cocktails. And of course, shoutout to my friends at Heart Tattoo for the coolest people and tats in town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs so self employment and ambition have been ever present in my life. My parents ran a family legal business out of our home starting when I was 5 years old all while raising 4 children and having other full or part time jobs. They let me work in the business from a young age doing little tasks like stuffing envelopes. Once I was a little older, I was able to take on a more significant role that required me to work with legal professionals and the courts. My responsibilities required a professionalism uncommon for my age. But having been given that opportunity at such a young age prepared me, maybe more than most, for a future in entrepreneurship. I owe so much to them for their support then and now. Along with all of the friends and family who continue to show up, dine with us, and share the love. There are also countless podcasts and cooking shows that have contributed to me being a self-taught chef and wellness professional. But my friends and peers locally have provided the most mentorship, support and inspiration since Daily opened its doors.
Katie Twedt and all of the clients at FORM Fitness have been not only a sounding board for ideas and issues, but loyal customers from day one.
Artists Tim and Tyler at Heart Tattoo are always igniting my creativity and inspiring new dishes.
Co-owner, Steve Gratzfeld has been an incredible small business mentor and cheerleader. And Kayleigh Taylor and all of the employees past and present who have shared their industry knowledge, positive energy, ideas and time to make Daily the uniquely incredible cafe and community it is today.

Website: dailycleanfood.com

Instagram: @dailycleanfoodanddrink

Facebook: Daily Clean Food & Drink

Image Credits
Leslie Kinross-Wright, Sarah Langerak, Kyra Kats