There are some businesses that begin with a large storefront, a full staff, and a carefully planned launch. Dakota Sales and Equipment did not start that way. It began with Darin Janes, an 8-by-12-foot shed, a gravel lot west of Arlington, and a lifetime of experience with cars.

Darin officially started the business in August 2019, but the interest behind it had been there for years. He had worked on cars his whole life, spent much of his adult life drag racing and selling car parts, and knew he wanted to become self-employed. More than that, he wanted to build something his family could be part of and something he would enjoy doing every day. “I knew I wanted a business that I could make into a family business and that I would enjoy doing every day,” he said.

That goal has remained at the center of Dakota Sales and Equipment as the business has grown. What began as a small used vehicle operation west of Arlington is now a visible Highway 81 business offering vehicles, trailers, consignments, trade-ins, and custom trailer orders. Through each stage of that growth, Darin has worked to keep the experience personal, straightforward, and free from unnecessary sales pressure.

Starting small and building steadily

The original Dakota Sales location sat on a gravel acre along the curves west of Arlington. Darin used the small shed as his office while he worked to establish the business around it. Over time, he added a two-bay shop, a larger office area, and a paved parking lot.

The growth was gradual and practical rather than rushed. Each addition came from a need Darin saw and an opportunity he believed the business could serve well. What began with a small office and an open lot slowly developed into a more complete vehicle sales operation.

In 2023, Darin and his son added trailer sales after recognizing that customers in the area needed more local options. Dakota Sales now carries DCT, ABU, and Darkhorse trailers, including enclosed, aluminum, and steel models made in the United States. Custom trailer orders are also available for customers who need a particular size, style, or configuration.

The addition of trailers was a natural fit for the business. Many of the same customers looking for dependable vehicles also needed trailers for work, farming, recreation, or everyday hauling. As trailer sales grew, however, the country location began to limit how much inventory Darin could keep available.

A new location with room to grow

By 2024, Darin knew Dakota Sales needed more space if it was going to continue growing. After considering different possibilities, the move into the Kneip building at 101 South Highway 81 became a reality in August 2025.

The new location gave the business greater visibility, more room for vehicles and trailers, and easier access for customers who wanted to stop and look around. It also created additional space for future growth. For a business that had started in a small shed on a gravel lot, the move represented a major step forward.

Even with the larger location, Darin wanted the experience to remain personal and familiar. When asked what he wants customers to experience when they visit, his answer was simple: “Small town, personal, friendly service.” That approach means people are welcome to stop, look through the inventory, and ask questions without feeling as though they are being pushed into a decision.

Darin said he is not the kind of salesperson who rushes onto the lot the moment someone pulls in. He prefers to give customers room to browse and will step in when they have questions or appear ready to talk. That balance allows customers to take their time while still knowing help is available when they need it.

More than vehicles on the lot

Dakota Sales offers used cars, trucks, and SUVs, along with a growing selection of trailers. Trade-ins are considered on both vehicles and trailers, and customers can place custom trailer orders when the right option is not already available on the lot.

The business does not provide in-house financing, but Darin works with local lenders who may be able to help customers arrange financing when needed. That gives customers access to financing options while allowing them to work with familiar institutions in the area.

Consignment has also become an important part of the business. Darin described it as consignment for “just about anything with a motor.” Over the years, that has included motorcycles, boats, four-wheelers, side-by-sides, farm equipment, and even a semi.

That variety means the inventory can change quickly and often includes items that would not normally be found on a traditional used car lot. It also reflects Darin’s practical approach to the business. When someone has an item they need help selling and it fits what Dakota Sales does, he is willing to consider it.

An honest, low-pressure approach

Darin believes what makes Dakota Sales stand out is not simply the inventory on the lot. It is the way he approaches each vehicle, each customer, and each sale. “I believe my honesty and integrity speak for themselves with all the people I do business with,” he said.

“If I would not put my family in the vehicle, I will not put it on my lot.”

That standard guides what Darin is willing to offer for sale. Before a vehicle is listed online or placed on the lot, he personally goes through it to make sure it is clean and mechanically sound. He takes pride in offering used vehicles he believes customers can feel comfortable purchasing and driving.

That same care carries into the sales experience. Darin is not interested in chasing customers across the lot or pressuring them into making a quick decision. He gives people room to browse, answers their questions honestly, and helps them decide whether a purchase is right for their situation.

“I’m not a fan of high-pressure sales,” he said. “I’ll help you decide if a purchase is right for you, not just for me.” The goal is not simply to move inventory. It is to treat people fairly and build the kind of trust that brings customers back.

The challenge of finding good inventory

One of the biggest challenges in the used vehicle business is finding clean, affordable inventory. Darin said the market changed significantly during and after COVID, when prices increased, availability shifted, and many of the patterns dealers and customers had relied on became less predictable.

Higher interest rates have also affected the market. When financing becomes more expensive, fewer people may be ready to replace or upgrade their vehicles. That makes it even more important for Darin to find inventory that meets his standards while remaining fairly priced.

Much of his vehicle inventory comes from Arizona, where vehicles generally have less rust than those that have spent years on Midwestern winter roads. He also occasionally purchases vehicles through auto auctions in South Dakota and North Dakota. Using several sources gives him more opportunities to find vehicles that meet his expectations.

Finding the right vehicle requires patience. It has to make sense mechanically, financially, and practically before Darin is comfortable putting it on the lot. Customers may not see that part of the process, but it directly shapes the quality and selection they find when they stop in.

Customers who return as friends

When Darin talks about the most rewarding part of running Dakota Sales, he comes back to the people he has met. He enjoys helping customers find a vehicle or trailer that fills a need, but the greatest satisfaction comes when those customers return later.

“The repeat customers I have had since starting the business are my favorite part,” he said. Some return when they need another vehicle or want to upgrade a trailer, while others send friends and family members his way. Over time, many of those customers have become friends.

That kind of relationship is especially meaningful in a small community. It reflects more than one successful transaction. It shows that trust was built and that the customer felt comfortable returning when another need arose.

Family involvement has made the business even more rewarding. Darin’s wife and son help, and his son’s family also spends time at the lot. Being able to work together from time to time has helped turn his original idea of a family business into something real.

Supporting the community

Darin and his wife believe strongly in supporting Arlington and the other small businesses that make up the community. They shop locally whenever possible and look for ways to support area needs.

Their involvement has included helping families during difficult times, supporting the local car show, placing a sign at the baseball field, and contributing to other community activities. Not every form of support is large or highly visible, but each one plays a part in strengthening the community.

Sometimes supporting Arlington means sponsoring an event or organization. Other times, it means choosing to spend money at another local business or stepping in when a family needs help. For Darin, those everyday choices are an important part of being a small-town business owner.

“Stopping into your other local, small-town businesses and supporting them is a big part of what will help your business grow and be successful,” he said. His advice reflects the idea that local businesses do not grow separately from their communities. They grow through relationships, reputation, and people choosing to support one another.

A new venture under the same roof

The next stage of growth for the Kneip building will include more than vehicle and trailer sales. Darin has partnered with another person to create 81 AuctionHouse, which will operate from the north half of the building.

The plan is to hold three or four online auctions each year and accept consignments for a wide variety of items. Darin said the potential range of auction items is nearly limitless. The new venture will give people another local option when they need help selling property through an organized online auction.

The auction business also follows the same pattern that has shaped Dakota Sales from the beginning. Darin recognized an opportunity, found a practical way to pursue it, and made use of the space available in the new building. It is another step in the gradual growth of the property and the businesses operating there.

For Dakota Sales itself, Darin’s future plans remain straightforward. He wants to continue offering quality used vehicles at fair prices and providing trailers that meet customers’ needs. The business may continue to grow, but its central purpose will remain the same.

Work that goes beyond regular hours

Asked what advice he would give to someone considering opening a business, Darin was honest about the work involved. “Owning your own business is not 8 to 5, Monday through Friday,” he said. The responsibilities continue beyond the hours posted on the door.

Customers may call after regular hours, and inventory may need to be picked up, inspected, cleaned, repaired, photographed, listed, or delivered. Questions and problems do not always arrive at convenient times. Running the business requires flexibility and a willingness to handle the work whenever it needs to be done.

Still, Darin believes the satisfaction that comes from doing the work well makes the long hours worthwhile. “The self-satisfaction from a job well done for you and your customer makes it worth it,” he said. That sense of accomplishment has helped carry the business through each stage of its growth.

Dakota Sales and Equipment has come a long way from the small shed west of Arlington. Since 2019, it has grown into a family-involved business with a larger location, expanded inventory, trailer sales, consignments, and a new auction venture taking shape under the same roof.

Through all of that growth, Darin’s approach has stayed much the same. He wants to offer products he believes in, treat people fairly, and build a business customers feel comfortable returning to. That steady approach has helped turn a small gravel-lot operation into a growing Arlington business.

People can learn more about Dakota Sales and Equipment on Facebook or by visiting dakotasaleson14.com. They can also call (605) 690-4370 or stop by the lot at 101 South Highway 81 in Arlington.