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.
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.
44 min
4 October 2024
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.
31 min
11 September 2024
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 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.
44 min
2 August 2024
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 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
39 min
25 July 2024
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.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness
51 min
2 July 2024
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 information and resources on small business and entrepreneurship, visit www.dsmpartnership.com/smallbusiness
36 min
20 June 2024
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.
20 min
30 May 2024
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 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.
38 min
15 May 2024
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 management system that aims to automate many of the current manual, labor-intensive processes used in the shipping industry.
29 min
24 April 2024
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 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.
