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

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

ISA Ventures Raises Capital Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

<a href="https://velorosacycling.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Velorosa Cycling</a> 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.

Velorosa Sees High Sales in 2020 Amid Surge in Pandemic Cycling

Chad Williams’ passion is faith-based nonprofits. From his time as a webmaster with a ministry nonprofit to his jump to startup owner bringing marketing services to faith-based nonprofits, Williams keeps his mission front and center. Five Q provides solutions that lead to higher website engagement, improved donations and an overall greater digital impact. 

Chad Williams’ passion is faith-based nonprofits. From his time as a webmaster with a ministry nonprofit to his jump to startup owner bringing marketing services to faith-based nonprofits, Williams keeps his mission front and center. <a href="https://fiveq.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Five Q</a> provides solutions that lead to higher website engagement, improved donations and an overall greater digital impact.

DSM Startup Impacts Marketing for Faith-Based Nonprofits

Pernell Cezar Jr. is co-founder and CEO of BLK &amp; Bold Specialty Beverages, known for coffee and tea manufacturing that pledges 5% of its profits to programs for youth to develop professionally and fight youth homelessness. The company works with 14 youth pledge partners across the country in its effort to prioritize purpose.BLK &amp; Bold Specialty Beverages is the first black-owned, nationally distributed coffee brand, and it’s headquartered in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The BLK &amp; Bold story has been featured in Fortune, GQ, People, ChowHound, Afrotechand more, while the company became a best-selling coffee brand for Amazon and continues to highlight social issues for at-risk youth as it grows. 

Pernell Cezar Jr. is co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://blkandbold.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BLK &amp; Bold Specialty Beverages</a>, known for coffee and tea manufacturing that pledges 5% of its profits to programs for youth to develop professionally and fight youth homelessness. The company works with 14 youth pledge partners across the country in its effort to prioritize purpose.BLK &amp; Bold Specialty Beverages is the first black-owned, nationally distributed coffee brand, and it’s headquartered in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The BLK &amp; Bold story has been featured in Fortune, GQ, People, ChowHound, Afrotechand more, while the company became a best-selling coffee brand for Amazon and continues to highlight social issues for at-risk youth as it grows.

Blk N Bold Coffee Co-Founder Cezar Pernell

Matt Ostanik, Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneur, speaks with Greater Des Moines Partnership Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives Mike Colwell about connecting people and businesses who are willing to give with nonprofits that need additional help. This is the mission of his latest startup, Given. Previously, Ostanik founded three other companies: FunnelWise, a sales and marketing software company that assists in improving marketing ROI; Submittal Exchange, an SaaS company that serves the commercial construction industry; and Charette Venture Group, a consulting and investment company for architecture and design firms.

Matt Ostanik, Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneur, speaks with Greater Des Moines Partnership Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives Mike Colwell about connecting people and businesses who are willing to give with nonprofits that need additional help. This is the mission of his latest startup, <a href="https://www.givenapp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Given</a>. Previously, Ostanik founded three other companies: FunnelWise, a sales and marketing software company that assists in improving marketing ROI; Submittal Exchange, an SaaS company that serves the commercial construction industry; and Charette Venture Group, a consulting and investment company for architecture and design firms.

Three-Time Startup Owner Creates New Startup to Connect Nonprofit Givers

Nick Eltjes and Noah Loffredo share their experience starting TradeLabs in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Nick Eltjes and Noah Loffredo share their experience starting TradeLabs in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

TradeLabs: Where Trade Experts Teach Beginning Investors About Stock Trading

Startup Stories — Muddy Bites

Sul Huq describes his journey as an entrepreneur and the growth of DSM-startup One World Supplies.

Sul Huq describes his journey as an entrepreneur and the growth of DSM-startup One World Supplies.

One World Supplies Brings PPE to DSM

Greg Bailey discusses Denim Social, how he transitioned his startup team and his forecast for the future.

Greg Bailey discusses Denim Social, how he transitioned his startup team and his forecast for the future.

A DSM-Based Startup Merges + Readies for Future Growth

Gabe Glynn

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.

Kerty Levy, managing director of Techstars Iowa, speaks with the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Startup Stories host, Mike Colwell. 

Kerty Levy, managing director of <a href="https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/iowa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Techstars Iowa</a>, speaks with the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Startup Stories host, Mike Colwell.

Kerty Levy

Nadilia Gomez

Nadilia Gomez is the executive director of Iowa AgriTech Accelerator. A former research scientist for Corteva Agriscience, Nadilia has been involved in the industry for a long time. Her experience is an integral part of helping to prepare new startup businesses for a successful future. Nadalia sits down with the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Startup Stories host, Mike Colwell to discuss her journey to a female leadership role. 

Nadilia Gomez is the executive director of <a href="https://agiowa.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iowa AgriTech Accelerator</a>. A former research scientist for Corteva Agriscience, Nadilia has been involved in the industry for a long time. Her experience is an integral part of helping to prepare new startup businesses for a successful future. Nadalia sits down with the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Startup Stories host, Mike Colwell to discuss her journey to a female leadership role.

Erin Huiatt

Erin Huiatt began blogging as a way to share her adventures as a young mom. Little did she know that her hobby would grow into an entrepreneurial success story times three. Erin discusses her unique path as a female business owner with one of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Startup Stories hosts, Christina Moffatt. 

Erin Huiatt began blogging as a way to share her adventures as a young mom. Little did she know that her hobby would grow into an entrepreneurial success story times three. Erin discusses her unique path as a female business owner with one of the <a href="https://www.dsmpartnership.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Greater Des Moines Partnership’s</a> Startup Stories hosts, Christina Moffatt.

Erin Huiatt Creates Multiple Ways for Moms and Women to Succeed in DSM 

Joseph Nelson

Brad Dwyer

Starting your own business can be a difficult decision and complicated journey. But don’t tell that to Brad Dwyer and Joseph Nelson, co-founders of Roboflow and childhood friends, who hope to make developing computer vision and augmented reality (AR) apps easier and more streamlined. Brad and Joseph discuss their successes and hopes for the company’s future with Startup Stories host Mike Colwell. 

Starting your own business can be a difficult decision and complicated journey. But don’t tell that to Brad Dwyer and Joseph Nelson, co-founders of <a href="https://roboflow.ai/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roboflow</a> and childhood friends, who hope to make developing computer vision and augmented reality (AR) apps easier and more streamlined. Brad and Joseph discuss their successes and hopes for the company’s future with Startup Stories host Mike Colwell.

Brad Dwyer and Joseph Nelson

Rita Perea

Waking up in the ER sets course to a life-changing career path.  Christina Moffatt sits down with Rita Perea to discuss how a lifelong career in education taught her the most important lesson of her life.

Waking up in the ER sets course to a life-changing career path.  Christina Moffatt sits down with Rita Perea to discuss how a lifelong career in education taught her the most important lesson of her life.

Rita Perea – Rita Perea Leadership, Coaching and Consulting

Kyle McMahon

Kyle McMahon shares how his company, Tractor Zoom, is innovating on farm equipment auctions.

Kyle McMahon shares how his company, Tractor Zoom, is innovating on farm equipment auctions.

Kyle McMahon – Tractor Zoom

Nicole Gunderson

Nicole Gunderson sits down with Mike Colwell to discuss her path to becoming the Managing Director for the Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA).

Nicole Gunderson sits down with Mike Colwell to discuss her path to becoming the Managing Director for the Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA).

Nicole Gunderson – Global Insurance Accelerator

Kiki Levy discusses her business Better HireS and its ability to connect high school talent to business needs.

Kiki Levy discusses her business Better HireS and its ability to connect high school talent to business needs.

Kiki Levy – Better HireS

Allison Davidson Motoyama

Allison Davidson Motoyama shares how her company revolutionizes sustainability by reforming textile scraps into designer neckwear.

Allison Davidson Motoyama shares how her company revolutionizes sustainability by reforming textile scraps into designer neckwear.

Allison Davidson Motoyama – Dona Bela Shreds

Mike Draper

Mike Draper discusses RAYGUN's growth, unionization and status as "The Greatest Store in the Universe."

Mike Draper discusses RAYGUN's growth, unionization and status as "The Greatest Store in the Universe."

Mike Draper – RAYGUN

Small Business and Startup Stories DSM

Melissa Carlson

Melissa Carlson picked up a passion for graphic design as a student in high school. She credits her interest in creativity, art and design to a high school teacher who encouraged her to pursue the field at university. Carlson studied at Grand View University in Greater Des Moines (DSM). After landing her first job at a publishing company, a second at an ad agency and then at an architecture firm, she then founded 818 Designs.

Melissa Carlson picked up a passion for graphic design as a student in high school. She credits her interest in creativity, art and design to a high school teacher who encouraged her to pursue the field at university. Carlson studied at <a href="https://www.dsmpartnership.com/living-here/education" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grand View University</a> in <a href="https://www.dsmpartnership.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Greater Des Moines (DSM)</a>. After landing her first job at a publishing company, a second at an ad agency and then at an architecture firm, she then founded 818 Designs.

Melissa Carlson – 818 Design

Tej Dhawan has been the leading driver of the Greater Des Moines (DSM) startup ecosystem. Pulling from his wealth of experience, Dhawan shares his insights on how to succeed as a startup.

Tej Dhawan has been the leading driver of the Greater Des Moines (DSM) startup ecosystem. Pulling from his wealth of experience, Dhawan shares his insights on how to succeed as a startup.

Tej Dhawan — Principal

Omar Jordan

LenderClose bridges the gap in lending, allowing loan officers and lending staff to run a streamlined lending cycle. LenderClose owner Omar Jordan shares how he found success in the financial industry.

LenderClose bridges the gap in lending, allowing loan officers and lending staff to run a streamlined lending cycle. LenderClose owner Omar Jordan shares how he found success in the financial industry.

Omar Jordan – LenderClose

Steven Brockshus

FarmlandFinder CEO and Founder Steven Brockshus shares how his company creates a way to make the world's farmland information accessible given the shifting dynamics within the industry.

FarmlandFinder CEO and Founder Steven Brockshus shares how his company creates a way to make the world's farmland information accessible given the shifting dynamics within the industry.

Steven Brockshus – FarmlandFinder

Ben Milne

Ben Milne, Founder of Dwolla, discusses the company's new event Monetery and shares his lessons learned to find success in the startup world.

Ben Milne, Founder of Dwolla, discusses the company's new event Monetery and shares his lessons learned to find success in the startup world.

Ben Milne – Dwolla

Scott Carlson

Scott Carlson opened his first brewery with a vision to show off varieties to Greater Des Moines (DSM). Since then, he has increased his small business portfolio to four local favorite restaurants and breweries — CABCo, Americana, Gilroy's and Iowa Craft Beer Tent. Hear how he made a name for himself in the restaurant and brewery industry.

Scott Carlson opened his first brewery with a vision to show off varieties to Greater Des Moines (DSM). Since then, he has increased his small business portfolio to four local favorite restaurants and breweries — CABCo, Americana, Gilroy's and Iowa Craft Beer Tent. Hear how he made a name for himself in the restaurant and brewery industry.

Scott Carlson – Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co.

Gain Compliance CEO Burch LaPrade shares how Greater Des Moines' (DSM's) status as an insurance hub served as a major motivator for his startup.

Gain Compliance CEO Burch LaPrade shares how Greater Des Moines' (DSM's) status as an insurance hub served as a major motivator for his startup.

Burch LaPrade – Gain Compliance

Ryan Gerhardy

After working in venture capital, Australian Ryan Gerhardy launches Pitchly in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Ryan Gerhardy – Pitchly

Sara Jacobson

Sara Jacobson shares how she turned her long-time vision into reality by opening a beauty bar and clothing boutique, aptly named Fusion Boutique.

Sara Jacobson shares how she turned her long-time vision into reality by opening a beauty bar and clothing boutique, aptly named Fusion Boutique.

Sara Jacobson – Fusion Boutique

Kate Lyon

Kate Lyon shares how her company Koloni is creating a more sustainable world through sharing.

Kate Lyon shares how her company Koloni is creating a more sustainable world through sharing.

Kate Lyon – Koloni

Liz Lidgett

Liz Lidgett grew up with a with a love for all things art. She shares how she carried this passion into a career and business in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Liz Lidgett grew up with a with a love for all things art. She shares how she carried this passion into a career and business in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Liz Lidgett — Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design

Brian Hemesath

Former Global Insurance Accelerator Director Brian Hemesath discusses how startups find success in the evolving insurance industry.

Former Global Insurance Accelerator Director Brian Hemesath discusses how startups find success in the evolving insurance industry.

Brian Hemesath – Insurtech

Torey Maerz

Carl and Torey Maerz share how they found success in the insurance industry by looking for a problem.

Carl and Torey Maerz share how they found success in the insurance industry by looking for a problem.

Carl and Torey Maerz – Rocket Referrals

Casey Niemann

More now than ever before, farmers are becoming connected with their local and trusted agribusiness consultants to innovate and challenge biological technologies, practices and advancements. AgriSync works to ensure these connections reach their full potential.

More now than ever before, farmers are becoming connected with their local and trusted agribusiness consultants to innovate and challenge biological technologies, practices and advancements. AgriSync works to ensure these connections reach their full potential.

Casey Niemann – AgriSync

The best podcast episodes on global issues affecting everyone. Covering topics such as the #metoo movement, climate change, the impact of technology and some of the biggest global issues facing us right now. For anyone interested in learning more about the world, and some of the issues we're facing, pick an episode below and start listening! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

OwlTail

Elizabeth Kolbert covers climate change for the New Yorker. She's the Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction. And she recently wrote a paragraph I can't stop thinking about. "The problem with global warming—and the reason it continues to resist illustration, even as the streets flood and the forests die and the mussels rot on the shores—is that experience is an inadequate guide to what’s going on. The climate operates on a time delay. When carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere, it takes decades—in a technical sense, millennia—for the earth to equilibrate. This summer’s fish kill was a product of warming that had become inevitable twenty or thirty years ago, and the warming that’s being locked in today won’t be fully felt until today’s toddlers reach middle age. In effect, we are living in the climate of the past, but already we’ve determined the climate’s future."Kolbert lives, to an unusual degree, in the planet's future. She travels to the places around the world where the climate of tomorrow is visible today. She has watched glaciers melting, and seen species dying. And she is able to convey both the science and the cost with a rare lucidity. Talking with Kolbert left me with an unnerving thought. We look back on past eras in human history and judge them morally failed. We think of the Spanish Inquisition or the Mongol hordes and believe ourselves civilized, rational, moral in a way our ancestors weren't. But if the science is right, and we do unto our descendants what the data says we are doing to them, we will be judged monsters. And it will be all the worse because we knew what we were doing and we knew how to stop, but we decided it was easier to disbelieve the science or ignore the consequences. Kolbert and I talk about the consequences, but also about what would be necessary to stabilize the climate and back off the mass extinction event that is currently underway. We discuss geoengineering, political will, the environmental cost of meat, and what individuals can and can't do. We talk about Trump's cabinet, about whether technological innovation will save us, and if pricing carbon is enough. We talk about whether hope remains a realistic emotion when it comes to our environmental future.Books:-Edward Abbe’s “Desert Solitaire”-Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”-David G. Haskell’s “The Forest Unseen”-Bill McKibben’s “The End of Nature” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vox Conversations

Elizabeth Kolbert covers climate change for the New Yorker. She's the Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction. And she recently wrote a paragraph I can't stop thinking about. "The problem with global warming—and the reason it continues to resist illustration, even as the streets flood and the forests die and the mussels rot on the shores—is that experience is an inadequate guide to what’s going on. The climate operates on a time delay. When carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere, it takes decades—in a technical sense, millennia—for the earth to equilibrate. This summer’s fish kill was a product of warming that had become inevitable twenty or thirty years ago, and the warming that’s being locked in today won’t be fully felt until today’s toddlers reach middle age. In effect, we are living in the climate of the past, but already we’ve determined the climate’s future."Kolbert lives, to an unusual degree, in the planet's future. She travels to the places around the world where the climate of tomorrow is visible today. She has watched glaciers melting, and seen species dying. And she is able to convey both the science and the cost with a rare lucidity. Talking with Kolbert left me with an unnerving thought. We look back on past eras in human history and judge them morally failed. We think of the Spanish Inquisition or the Mongol hordes and believe ourselves civilized, rational, moral in a way our ancestors weren't. But if the science is right, and we do unto our descendants what the data says we are doing to them, we will be judged monsters. And it will be all the worse because we knew what we were doing and we knew how to stop, but we decided it was easier to disbelieve the science or ignore the consequences. Kolbert and I talk about the consequences, but also about what would be necessary to stabilize the climate and back off the mass extinction event that is currently underway. We discuss geoengineering, political will, the environmental cost of meat, and what individuals can and can't do. We talk about Trump's cabinet, about whether technological innovation will save us, and if pricing carbon is enough. We talk about whether hope remains a realistic emotion when it comes to our environmental future.Books:-Edward Abbe’s “Desert Solitaire”-Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”-David G. Haskell’s “The Forest Unseen”-Bill McKibben’s “The End of Nature” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Elizabeth Kolbert: We have locked in centuries of climate change

Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan delve deep on free speech for 3 hours! Somehow it gets more interesting through the episode, not less! Hear why often it's best to "be tolerant of the intolerable".
Canada tried to pass laws compelling people to use pronouns like zi and zur. Should you be compelled to call someone a certain pronoun? Jordan Peterson pushed back saying he had no problems using pronouns like zi and zur for people who have non-traditional genders, but that he had a problem being compelled by law to use certain pronouns. 
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Voltaire. 
We have gone from homosexuality being illegal in most of the west 60 years ago to same sex marriage being legal today. "Free speech is the master value because it is the value which allows us to update all other values." Sam Harris.

Free speech, only a small topic!

Jordan Peterson is a clinical psychologist and tenured professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanPetersonVideos  100% off the Future Authoring Program code: "ChangeYourself" - The offer is valid until the end of Nov 30th.

The Joe Rogan Experience

Jordan Peterson is a clinical psychologist and tenured professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanPetersonVideos" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanPetersonVideos</a> 100% off the Future Authoring Program code: "ChangeYourself" - The offer is valid until the end of Nov 30th.

#877 - Jordan Peterson

Best Episodes on Global Issues

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Michael Sandel explores the philosophical justifications made for national borders. Using a pioneering state-of-the-art studio at the Harvard Business School, Professor Sandel is joined by 60 participants from over 30 countries in a truly global digital space. Is there any moral distinction between a political refugee and an economic migrant? If people have the right to exit a country, why not a right to enter? Do nations have the right to protect the affluence of their citizens? And is there such a thing as a 'national identity'? These are just some of the questions addressed by Professor Sandel in this first edition of The Global Philosopher.Audience producer: Louise ColettaProducer: David EdmondsEditor: Richard Knight(Image taken by Rose Lincoln)

The Public Philosopher

Michael Sandel explores the philosophical justifications made for national borders. Using a pioneering state-of-the-art studio at the Harvard Business School, Professor Sandel is joined by 60 participants from over 30 countries in a truly global digital space. Is there any moral distinction between a political refugee and an economic migrant? If people have the right to exit a country, why not a right to enter? Do nations have the right to protect the affluence of their citizens? And is there such a thing as a 'national identity'? These are just some of the questions addressed by Professor Sandel in this first edition of The Global Philosopher. Audience producer: Louise Coletta Producer: David Edmonds Editor: Richard Knight (Image taken by Rose Lincoln)

The Global Philosopher: Should Borders Matter?

In this episode of the Making Sense podcast, Sam Harris speaks with Yuval Noah Harari about his new book “21 Lessons for the 21st Century.” They discuss the importance of meditation for his intellectual life, the primacy of stories, the need to revise our fundamental assumptions about human civilization, the threats to liberal democracy, a world without work, universal basic income, the virtues of nationalism, the implications of AI and automation, and other topics. SUBSCRIBE to continue listening and gain access to all content on samharris.org/subscribe.

Making Sense with Sam Harris

In this episode of the Making Sense podcast, Sam Harris speaks with Yuval Noah Harari about his new book “21 Lessons for the 21st Century.” They discuss the importance of meditation for his intellectual life, the primacy of stories, the need to revise our fundamental assumptions about human civilization, the threats to liberal democracy, a world without work, universal basic income, the virtues of nationalism, the implications of AI and automation, and other topics. SUBSCRIBE to continue listening and gain access to all content on <a href="https://samharris.org/subscribe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">samharris.org/subscribe</a>.

Small Business and Startup Stories DSM

Weekly hand curated podcast episodes for learning