Small Business and Startup Stories DSM

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Startup Stories DSM features conversations with entrepreneurs who share both their victories and failures on their paths to success. It is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Des Moines, IA, USA


    • Nov 15, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 106 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Small Business and Startup Stories DSM

    Sola Insurance: Helping people recover faster

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 44:28


    Sola Insurance CEO and Co-Founder Wesley Pergament joins The Partnership's Diana Wright and talks about their mission is to expedite the recovery process for those impacted by natural disasters by utilizing data to provide payouts in a matter of days.

    The business of art: Olson Larson Galleries celebrates 45 years in business

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 31:16


    Susan Watts and Alice Vernon from Olson Larson Galleries join The Partnership's Emily McLain and discuss the 45-year history of their women-owned business in Historic Valley Junction.

    One man's waste is another man's jet fuel: Rise Energy offers solutions for biomass waste

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 44:15


    Ryan Smith, CEO and co-founder of Rise Energy, joins The Partnership's Diana Wright and shares how the company empowers enterprises to become exceptional stewards of their resources. Their proprietary technology converts underutilized biomass into valuable, carbon-negative products to increase revenue and reduce emissions.For more information on resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness.

    Cultivating inclusion: How In Harmony Farm serves social disadvantaged Iowans

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 39:06


    Gina Ross and Andy Behnke of In Harmony Farm join The Partnership's Diana Wright and talk about the organization's commitment to creating an environment focused on inclusion, empowerment, and respect for all, and how the farm bridges the gap between urban gardening and small-scale/conventional farming for historically underserved individuals.For more information and resources dedicated to small businesses and entrepreneurs, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness

    Notes on Iowa: Iowa's environmental History

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 51:13


    Kevin Mason, professional historian and creator of Notes on Iowa, joins Diana Wright and talks about Iowa's environmental history.Find more resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness

    In its third generation of family ownership, Toad Valley Golf Course celebrated its 50th year in 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 36:21


    Allison Brady, owner of Toad Valley Golf Course in Pleasant Hill, joins The Partnership's Emily McLain and talks about growing the business in its third generation of family ownership.For more information and resources on small business and entrepreneurship, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness

    Growing the family business: Kading Properties provides workforce housing in 28 Iowa communities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 20:22


    Karie Kading Ramsey, CEO of Kading Properties, joins Emily McLain and talks about growing the workforce housing business her father started to 28 communities in 17 counties.

    Tumbleweed helps customers plan ahead for life's transitions

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 38:18


    Paul Richardson, Co-Founder and CEO of Tumbleweed, joins The Partnership's Diana Wright on Small Business and Startup Stories DSM and talks about starting Tumbleweed as an end-of-life planning company that offers a thoughtfully curated journey to honor and memorialize loved ones.Visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness for more information and resources about small business and entrepreneurship.

    Toggle aims to build a more efficient supply chain focused on independent trucking

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 29:36


    Jeremy Spillman, founder of Toggle, joins The Partntership's Diana Wright on Small Business & Startup Stories DSM and talks about how his team has built a new type of end-to-end supply chain management system that aims to automate many of the current manual, labor-intensive processes used in the shipping industry.

    Growing his business one waffle at a time: Garrison Goodlett shares the story of GG's Chicken and Waffles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 27:04


    His name is Garrison Goodlett, but you might know him as G.G. If you've been to local events or farmers' markets, you've probably seen him selling his southern comfort food. In this episode of Small Business & Startup Stories DSM, Goodlett talks with Emily McLain about starting and growing GG's Chicken and Waffles.For more information and resources for small businesses and startups, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness.

    Pivotal Business Partners: Helping small businesses and entrepreneurs find capital

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 49:06


    Jim Langin founded Pivotal Business Partners to enhance economic growth in Iowa by partnering with financial institutions to provide funding solutions for small businesses.For more business resources, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness.

    Flowstate Health takes a collaborative approach to mental healthcare

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 39:54


    Steven Slye, founder and owner owner of Flowstate Health, joins The Partnership's Diana Wright and talks about reverse engineering mental healthcare to take a collaborative approach.For more resources supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness.

    Starting her own practice: How Courtney Buhrow built Revive Physical Therapy & Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 27:04


    Courtney Buhrow joins The Partnership's Emily McLain on Small Business & Startup Stories DSM and talks about her journey of opening Revive Physical Therapy & Wellness with a focus on women's health.For more small business and entrepreneur resources, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness.

    Downtown Des Moines' Role in the Region's Entrepreneur Ecosystem

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 30:52


    Renae Mauk, Vice President of Downtown Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, joins Small Business & Startup Stories DSM and talks about why a strong downtown is important to the region and how Downtown DSM relates to entrepreneurship.Find more about small business and entrepreneur resources at www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness.

    entrepreneur vice president small business region ecosystem greater des moines partnership downtown des moines
    Working to build the music scene in Greater Des Moines

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 48:00


    Sam Summers, a live music and entertainment serial entrepreneur who has built and founded First Fleet Concerts (FFC), Hinterland Music Festival, Wooly's, Val Air Ballroom, Up-Down Arcade Bars and Des Moines Register 2024 Person to Watch, shares thoughts on growing the music scene in Greater Des Moines (DSM).Learn more about entrepreneurial and small business support at www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness

    Passion and Knowledge of the Apparel Industry Leads to the Creation of Dhakai in DSM

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 43:34


    Russel Karim, Founder of Dhakai, shares about connecting fashion brands to ethical apparel vendors utilizing a worldwide team while living in Iowa.

    Finding Your North: Award-Winning Marketing with Northgate

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2023 47:09


    David Tracy, CEO and Founder of Northgate Marketing, shares about what it's like to run a business like Northgate Marketing in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

    VizyPay Focuses on Helping Rural Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 48:17


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Austin Mac Nab, CEO and Founder of VizyPay, and Frank Pagano, Managing Partner of VizyPay, share about what it's like to run a business like VizyPay in Greater Des Moines (DSM).  

    Studio Process Goes Beyond the Script to Create a Big Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 26:26


    Laura Formanek, Owner of Studio Process, talks with The Partnership's Emily McLain about creating meaningful content and founding her business in Greater Des Moines (DSM). 

    Studio Process Goes Beyond the Script to Create a Big Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 28:22


    Laura Formanek, Owner of Studio Process, talks with The Partnership's Emily McLain about creating meaningful content and founding her business in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

    Growth of Local Startup OpenLoop Leads to Recognition in Health Technology Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2023 39:30


    Jon Lensing, CEO & Co-Founder of OpenLoop Health, shares how the company continues to expand through gaining talented employees and creating partnerships to increase care around the country.

    Hyping Up DSM One Energy Drink at a Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 41:13


    Chris and Isabella Whalen, Co-Owners of Hyper Energy Bar, share how Hyper is a go-to spot for people around the region to get coffee, energy drinks and more.

    Making the World Safer with IntelliSee Technology

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 27:35


    Scott Keplinger, CEO of IntelliSee, headquartered in Coralville and Des Moines, shares about his work creating software that provides surveillance safety for businesses.

    Musical Artist Lani Joins Mainframe Studios and Makes a Name for Herself in DSM

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 31:37


    Lani, Creative Business Owner and Musician in Greater Des Moines (DSM), shares her business and entrepreneurial journey with Greater Des Moines Partnership Small Business and Member Support Manager Emily McLain.

    Working to Give Rural Communities the Opportunity to Thrive

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 48:58


    Bill Menner, Founder of the Bill Menner Group in Grinnell and executive director of Iowa Rural Development Council discussed his Greater Des Moines (DSM) business and entrepreneurial journey

    5 Borough Bagels serves up bagels while focusing on community partnerships that strengthen their customer base

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 24:42


    Toney and Sarah Chem, Co-Owners of 5 Borough Bagels (13435 University Ave., Clive), discussed their Greater Des Moines (DSM) business and entrepreneurial journey

    Music League Connects Friends + Helps Them Discover New Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2023 45:45


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Eric West, CEO/Co-Founder of Music League, discussed his entrepreneurial journey with Greater Des Moines Partnership Startup Community Builder Diana Wright. Music League is a competitive, objective game to discover new music, build community among colleagues, family, and friends, and ultimately find out if you or your friends have the best taste in music. 

    Small Business & Startup Stories Podcast | Northern Vessel Coffee | Travis Shelton

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 51:06


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, T.J. Rude, Founder of Northern Vessel Coffee, discussed growing up in Johnston, Iowa and his entrepreneurial journey. Hosted by Greater Des Moines Partnership Startup Community Builder Diana Wright.

    Small Business & Startup Stories Podcast | Wake Up Every Day + Pursue the Meaning | Travis Shelton

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2022 47:18


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Travis Shelton, Founder and Owner of Meaning Over Money, author and podcast, discussed starting his business and how beliefs about money affect your life with Greater Des Moines Partnership Startup Community Builder Diana Wright.

    Startup Stories | Lake Label Swim Protective Swimwear | Megan Luchtel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 42:58


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Megan Luchtel, Founder and of Lake Label, a children's sun-protective swimwear company, spoke with Greater Des Moines Partnership Startup Community Builder Diana Wright about her path to creating an impactful small business, built locally and selling nationwide.

    Learn about spending money to make money with Propel, new subscription-based CMO service | Greg Bailey and Haley Stomp

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 46:33


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Greg Bailey, Founder and CEO of Propel, a business strategic marketing organization, and Hailey Stomp, Founding Partner, Principal and Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), spoke with Greater Des Moines Partnership's Diana Wright about spending money to make money by staying competitive when it comes to marketing thought leadership. 

    Small Business & Startup Stories Podcast | Sevelyn – Mental Wellbeing for Latinos | Carlos Arguello

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 52:03


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Carlos Arguello, founder of Sevelyn, a mental wellbeing platform based out of Greater Des Moines (DSM), spoke about emotional wellbeing and challenges related to the Latino community. 

    Small Business & Startup Stories Podcast | Helping Bioscience Startups In Iowa | Anne McMahon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 35:24


    At BioConnect Iowa, Anne McMahon works to help bioscience startups succeed. As the SBIR/STTR statewide program coordinator, she helps Iowa entrepreneurs apply to an SBIR/STTR Outreach Program, which awards funds to startups and small businesses who can help develop and research innovative solutions. 

    How Venture Capitalists (VCs) Find Entrepreneurs | Matt Kinley, ManchesterStory Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2022 40:19


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Matt Kinley, co-founder and manager of ManchesterStory Group, a venture capital firm based out of Greater Des Moines (DSM), spoke about how the company assists startups in the following sectors: – Insurance – Healthcare – Financial services

    2021 Year End Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 25:46


    During the last Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast of 2021, Partnership's Christina Moffatt, director of small business development, and Diana Wright, startup community builder, shared their thoughts on 2021 and what's to come in 2022.

    Opportunity in the Ag Tech Industry | Nadilia Gomez, Chief Technology Officer with Iowa State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 41:56


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Nadilia Gomez expanded on her journey to chief technology officer (CTO) with Iowa State University (ISU) after being hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership for a previous Startup Stories podcast. Gomez discussed leading the digital and precision agriculture platform. As CTO, Gomez works with organizations like the Plant Sciences Institute and BioConnect Iowa.  

    Experience Urban Farming with Dogpatch Urban Gardens in DSM

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 24:55


    During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Jenny Quiner discussed urban farming and Dogpatch Urban Gardens in Greater Des Moines (DSM). For six seasons, Dogpatch has created a space close to their customers so patrons can experience a farm close to their home. 

    Roboflow Founder Looks Back at Building a Growing, Successful Startup

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 52:11


    Brad Dwyer, co-founder of Roboflow, discussed the past 18 months for the company and how the business has grown to what it is today.A serial entrepreneur, Dwyer started his first company, Hatchlings, while a student at Iowa State University. His parents knew he'd be an entrepreneur after attending a wedding where Dwyer learned about supply and demand. He sold his parents quarters to park for $2 each, his first profitable business. He was five years old.

    Terrence Thames - Cocoa Creative

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 49:50


    Hannah Elliott

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 24:20


    Empowering Refugee Youth + Working to Create Job Opportunities in DSM

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 32:13


     Pi515 creates pathways to empower youth in DSM to become the faces in the future of tech.In 2010, Nancy Mwirotsi founded Pi515 to serve refugee youth throughout Greater Des Moines (DSM) by teaching them technology skills, coding and critical thinking to help them become innovative and empowered for STEM-field careers. 

    How to Stop “Shoulding” + Start Living in Order to Live Your Best Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2021 23:49


    Get past the fears in your life and learn how to take charge of your life and choices to find success. For Jill Andersen, a speaker and coach in Greater Des Moines (DSM), “shoulding” had become a way of life. The Cedar Rapids area native and ISU grad majored in food science, which served her well for 20 years. She worked for General Mills, where food became a fun and interesting career. But the longer she was there, the more she thought there must be something more. So, she left the corporate structure and started to do freelance work. She hired a career coach to get some guidance and through that process, she realized she was meant to do something else.

    Siobhan Spain And Beau Kenyon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 54:26


    BURN Boot Camp Brings #BurnNation to DSM

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 21:54


    For Darci Evans, co-owning her own business in Greater Des Moines (DSM) has brought big rewards. 

    PowerPollen Founders on the Influence of Good Mentors

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 40:17


    Jason Cope and Todd Krone return to Startup Stories DSM to discuss good mentors and where PowerPollen stands today.

    Salon Owner in DSM Pivots During the Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 29:33


    Tricia Rivas shares how she became owner of Trixie’s Salon in Greater Des Moines (DSM). 

    The Future of the DSM Startup Community Post-COVID

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 55:42


    Tej Dhawan and Ben Milne join Mike Colwell to discuss the Greater Des Moines startup community from 2010 to now.

    Iowa Event Producer Launches Second Startup in DSM

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 22:34


    Amy Nebons describes her journey into entrepreneurship with Blink Events and BOCS DSM in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

    Agrisync Sees Growth Year After Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 43:49


    Casey Niemann reflects on the start of Agrisync, business focus and startup mentors for Startup Stories DSM. Agrisync, a startup based in Greater Des Moines (DSM), continues to see growth year after year. As the founder of the ag company, Niemann says that with more than 20 employees, and up to 10 staff members expected to be added in 2021, Agrisync serves more than 38,000 customers in more than 10 countries.

    ISA Ventures Raises Capital Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 38:39


    Eric Engelmann discusses the start of ISA Ventures and raising capital to help Iowa-based companies grow.

    Velorosa Sees High Sales in 2020 Amid Surge in Pandemic Cycling

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 39:48


    Velorosa Cycling is Greater Des Moines’ (DSM’s) local shop for women’s cycling wear. From jerseys, tanks and shorts to face masks, rubber jewelry and other accessories, Velorosa has it all. Owners Kim Hopkins and Lisa Carponelli join Startup Stories DSM to discuss the business with the podcast’s host, Mike Colwell.

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