Small Business and Startup Stories DSM
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.
- Update frequency
- every 21 days
- Average duration
- 36 minutes
- Episodes
- 105
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2024
Sola Insurance: Helping people recover faster
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 ut…
The business of art: Olson Larson Galleries celebrates 45 years in business
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
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 proprietar…
Cultivating inclusion: How In Harmony Farm serves social disadvantaged Iowans
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…
Notes on Iowa: Iowa's environmental History
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…
In its third generation of family ownership, Toad Valley Golf Course celebrated its 50th year in 2023
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 inform…
Growing the family business: Kading Properties provides workforce housing in 28 Iowa communities
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
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 compan…
Toggle aims to build a more efficient supply chain focused on independent trucking
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 manageme…
Growing his business one waffle at a time: Garrison Goodlett shares the story of GG's Chicken and Waffles
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 …
Pivotal Business Partners: Helping small businesses and entrepreneurs find capital
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…
Flowstate Health takes a collaborative approach to mental healthcare
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 resource…
Starting her own practice: How Courtney Buhrow built Revive Physical Therapy & Wellness
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.
F…
Downtown Des Moines' Role in the Region's Entrepreneur Ecosystem
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 a…
Working to build the music scene in Greater Des Moines
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…
Passion and Knowledge of the Apparel Industry Leads to the Creation of Dhakai in DSM
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
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
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…
Studio Process Goes Beyond the Script to Create a Big Impact
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
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.