A Legacy of Integrity: How Sioux Falls’ Roxi & Co Made South Dakota History on the International Stage

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — In an era where corporate giants often prioritize bottom lines over moral compasses, a locally owned pet supply retailer and service provider in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has proven that doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive.

Roxi & Co has etched its name into the history books by becoming the first business in the entire state of South Dakota to receive the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) prestigious International Torch Award for Ethics. Out of more than 130 applicants spanning North America for the 2026 awards, Roxi & Co stood out as one of only four international recipients, triumphing in the competitive 11-to-99 employee category.

For a company rooted in small-town values, neighborhood pet care, and a deeply personal family dedication, this milestone represents the culmination of years of intentional leadership, community trust, and a refusal to compromise on ethics.

Main Facts: A Historic Milestone for South Dakota Business

The International Torch Award for Ethics, established in 1996 by the International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB), honors enterprises that demonstrate an exceptional, unwavering commitment to marketplace trust, organizational integrity, and ethical business practices.

Roxi & Co’s journey to this international pedestal began locally. After securing the 2026 BBB Midwest Plains regional Torch Award for Ethics, the Sioux Falls business qualified to enter the elite international pool. The final evaluation process scrutinized applicants on leadership commitment, communication of ethical values, transparent management practices, and community impact.

• The Winner: Roxi & Co (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
• Category: 11–99 employee size category
• Total Applicants: Over 130 businesses across North America
• Final Honorees: Only 4 global recipients selected
• Recognition Event: Formally presented at the International Association of Better Business Bureaus’ Trust Summit in Denver, Colorado, in September 2026.
• Core Operations: A storefront at 501 E. 41st Street, local pet food and supply delivery, and residential and commercial dog waste removal services throughout the Sioux Falls region.

This singular distinction places Roxi & Co in an exclusive tier of North American businesses, marking the first time in the 30-year history of the international awards that a South Dakota enterprise has brought home the trophy.

Chronology: From a Single Waste Removal Startup to an International Torchbearer

The trajectory of Roxi & Co is a masterclass in organic growth, strategic acquisition, and steadfast adherence to core values.

2009: The Genesis

Telly Rollinger launched the business’s foundational iteration in 2009 as a specialized dog waste removal service in Sioux Falls. Operating with a boots-on-the-ground mentality, Rollinger focused on reliability, clear communication, and dependable service—traits that quickly earned the startup a loyal residential and commercial customer base across the area.

2020: Expanding into Pet Retail

As the business expanded, Rollinger identified an opportunity to deepen the company’s footprint within the local pet community. In 2020, Roxi & Co acquired Your Pet Stop, a well-regarded local pet retail operation. This strategic move allowed the company to broaden its service offerings, transitioning from a service-only model into brick-and-mortar pet retail, specialized nutrition counseling, and local delivery.

2023: Unifying Under One Banner

By 2023, the diverse arms of the enterprise—ranging from yard clean-up services to specialized pet supplies—were officially unified under a single, cohesive brand identity: Roxi & Co. This rebranding represented more than just a logo change; it signaled a unified commitment to customer advocacy, ethical retail practices, and deep-seated community involvement. Today, the company anchors its physical retail presence at 501 E. 41st Street in Sioux Falls while continuing its robust delivery and waste-removal services.

2026: Regional to International Glory

After clinching the 2026 BBB Midwest Plains regional Torch Award, Roxi & Co submitted its comprehensive ethics portfolio to the international judges. By September 2026, the company’s journey culminated in Denver, Colorado, where it was crowned an international category winner at the IABBB Trust Summit.

Supporting Data: The Anatomy of an Ethical Enterprise

Winning an international ethics award requires more than a clean public relations record; it demands verifiable metrics and operational transparency. The independent panel of judges who evaluated Roxi & Co looked closely at internal governance, employee empowerment, and community engagement.

Employee Empowerment and Workplace Culture

A primary differentiator for Roxi & Co was its decentralized, trust-based approach to management. Rather than enforcing rigid corporate hierarchies that require multiple layers of supervisory approval to resolve customer issues, Roxi & Co empowers its frontline employees to make ethical, customer-first decisions independently.

Judges noted several key internal practices:

• Autonomy in Problem-Solving: Staff members are trusted to rectify customer concerns immediately, ensuring swift and fair resolutions.
• Continuous Mentorship: The company fosters an environment of continuous coaching, allowing employees to contribute innovative ideas and climb organically into leadership positions.
• Shared Accountability: Company culture emphasizes that ethical behavior is expected at every level of the organization, regardless of whether leadership is watching.

Community Integration

Beyond day-to-day retail and service operations, Roxi & Co maintains a profound physical and financial presence in Sioux Falls. The business collaborates extensively with local animal rescue organizations, supports charitable fundraisers, and actively participates in neighborhood events. This symbiotic relationship with Sioux Falls ensures that the company’s success directly benefits the local animal welfare ecosystem.

Official Responses: A Dedication Rooted in Personal Legacy

For owner and president Telly Rollinger, the international recognition is deeply emotional, rooted in a personal loss that shaped the very foundation of the company.

The business is named in honor of Rollinger’s late mother, Roxi, who passed away from breast cancer in 2014. Throughout his life, Roxi instilled in her son the principle that integrity is non-negotiable—that a person must always choose the right path, especially when it is difficult, inconvenient, or costly.

"This recognition means more to me than I can adequately put into words," shared Rollinger upon accepting the award. "Our company is named in honor of my mom, Roxi, who taught me that doing the right thing matters, even when it isn’t the easiest or most convenient choice. Those lessons have shaped the way we’ve tried to build this business. To see our team recognized on an international level for living those values is incredibly meaningful."

Rollinger was quick to redirect the spotlight away from himself and onto the team members who execute these values daily on the shop floor and in the field.

"While I’m incredibly honored to accept this recognition, it’s our team that brings these values to life," Rollinger added. "The way they care for our customers, support one another, and make thoughtful decisions every day is what makes Roxi & Co special. I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and grateful to our customers and community for the trust they’ve placed in us."

Regional leadership from the Better Business Bureau echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the rarity and significance of Roxi & Co’s achievement.

"Being named South Dakota’s first-ever International Torch Award recipient says something meaningful about the company Telly has built," said Josh Planos, BBB Midwest Plains Vice President of Marketing and Communications. "Roxi & Co isn’t simply meeting a standard for ethical business. They have made trust and integrity a part of how they operate every day. That commitment, even when doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest choice, is what makes this recognition so significant. We’re incredibly proud to see a South Dakota business earn this distinction on the international stage."

Implications: Setting a New Standard for Small Business in the Heartland

Roxi & Co’s historic win carries broad implications for local commerce in South Dakota and the broader Midwest.

1. Proof That Local Businesses Can Compete Globally

In an era dominated by e-commerce monopolies and national chain stores, independent local retailers often wonder if their localized focus can scale in significance. Roxi & Co has demonstrated that hyper-local dedication to ethics and community can capture the attention of international arbiters of trust. By proving that small businesses can scale operations without sacrificing their moral compass, Roxi & Co has set a benchmark for independent retailers across the country.

2. The Commercial Value of Trust

Market research consistently shows that modern consumers—particularly younger generations—prefer patronizing brands that align with their personal values. Roxi & Co’s international validation by the Better Business Bureau acts as an objective seal of approval, reassuring pet owners in Sioux Falls that their hard-earned dollars are going to a company that treats its workers fairly, gives back to animal rescues, and operates with absolute transparency.

3. Elevating South Dakota’s Business Profile

For the state of South Dakota, having its first-ever International Torch Award recipient places the regional business community in a prestigious global spotlight. It signals to entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers that the heartland is home to enterprises capable of meeting the highest standards of corporate governance and ethical leadership.

Looking Ahead

As Roxi & Co returns to its daily routines at 501 E. 41st Street—delivering premium pet food, maintaining pristine yards across Sioux Falls, and welcoming pet owners into its storefront—the company does so bearing a historic mantle.

For Telly Rollinger and his team, the International Torch Award is not a finish line, but a reaffirmation of a promise made over a decade ago: to honor a mother’s memory through uncompromising integrity, one customer, one pet, and one ethical choice at a time.