South Dakota native Holly Hoffman, a former cattle rancher and swim coach, finished in the top several spots when she competed on the reality TV show “Survivor” in 2010 in the wilds of Nicauragua.

Soon people all over where asking her to speak publicly about her experiences, and once she cleared a contractual blackout period, she has made a career of it. She will be one of the headliners at the Small Business Success Summit in Ankeny on Friday.

Hoffman didn’t know what to do when people started asking her to speak. She asked the ‘Survivor’ folks what to do. Host Jeff Probst called her directly. “Tell your story and speak from your heart,” Probst said.

Hoffman took his advice, and a woman who applied to be on “Survivor” for the heck of it eventually signed with an agency. She has appeared in all but five states. She has written two books, “Your Winner Within” and “Write Yourself a Note.”

And there is this bonus to her new career, she said: No manure on her shoes. No chlorine in her eyes.

Hoffman shares business themes in her presentations, encouraging owners of small businesses to focus on what brings success. “You don’t build a business, you build people then the people build the business,” Hoffman said in a telephone interview. “You can have a great business but the wrong people. If you have the right people, you will have a successful business.

“I feel that small businesses need to hear my message. We are in an economy where small businesses may suffer,” she added.

One of her messages is “never give up,” something she learned on “Survivor,” where she thought about quitting multiple times —  and others did. Hoffman stayed and competed until she was voted off.

Hoffman, at age 54 now 10 years beyond her TV appearance, preaches determination, desire and perseverance. “I tell my ‘Survivor’ story. I wanted to quit in that jungle,” she said.

Now she’s delivering 100 speeches a year, and admits the travel can be exhausting. Not Nicaragua forest exhausting, but still. At least she won’t be voted off the stage.