Iowa Business Podcast
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Iowa Company Plas-Tech Goes to DC For Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch
Iowa-based Plas-Tech has been named one of five national finalists out of 1,182 applicants) to pitch in the SBA Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch competition and CEO Dean Sonquist joins us in studio to discuss. $1 Million in total prizes is available to finalists Sonquist heads to Washington DC September 18th! Sonquist explains the increase they’ve…
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Building a boutique made-in-Iowa golf brand? Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf
Want a boutique, Iowa-made putter? Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf says even though their premium golf gear is shipped all over the world, but surprisingly, 30% of his business still comes from within the state. Doerfler explains how they maintain their boutique quality, why their limited drops sell out in minutes, and how he taught…
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Pork! An evolving mainstay of Iowa’s economy with Dr. Steve Larsen
The pork industry’s facing major challenges, but therein lie some new opportunities. Jeff Caldwell fills in for Justin Brady in his discussion with Dr. Steve Larsen of R3 Consulting. New business models help, but it takes a concerted effort to understand what’s behind those challenges and the ways the industry’s best poised to overcome them.…
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Iowan breathing new life into old ag equipment with Ai retrofits.
Ai is allowing farmers to scale and cover more ground, but new Ai systems can be insanely expensive, costing nearly one million dollars. Craig Rupp of Sabanto Ag sees a more efficient path. His approach retrofits existing, older farm equipment with Ai packages, making old “dumb” farm equipment completely autonomous. Rupp says many of his…
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Iowa’s hidden workforce? Why is HR overlooking easy wins?
One common complaint from recruiters, HR professionals, and skilled trades organizations, is Iowa’s talent shortage. But are we ignoring a massive hidden talent pool in our own backyard? Joseph Johnson, CEO of Change Course talks about a specific group of people who can fill roles including felons and those transitioning off government assistance. Johnson says…
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Where do ag startups get funding? Mikalya Mooney with Ag Startup Engine explains
If you’re an agriculture startup founder in Iowa, where do you get funding? Mikayla Mooney of Ag Startup Engine joins us to discuss why Iowa is leading in ag, but still catching up when it comes to investment for ag-focused startups and companies. Iowa has some of the best soil in the world and we…
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Employees don’t quit jobs, they quit bad managers, says Mike Wagner
Employees aren’t quitting jobs, they’re quitting bad managers says Mike Wagner of White Rabbit Group. Joining fill-in host Jason Kiesau he explains how great leaders build connection, and outlines practices that develop positive direct reports, regular one-on-ones, better questions, feedback, skill development, and delegation. Wagner unpacks the “space between” leaders and direct reports, citing research…
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Up to $20 trillion worth of businesses to be sold over next decade
Guest host Jason Kiesau talks to Mike Barratt, a certified exit planning advisor with Choreo about the Iowa impacts of the “Silver tsunami.” With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every single day, the landscape of business ownership is about to experience a massive shift. A staggering 75% of business owners regret their decision to sell…
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Congressional candidate Lindsay James on healthcare, cancer rates and new taxes
Representative Lindsay James is currently an Iowa House member, and she’s asking Iowans for a promotion to the big house in DC. James joins us to discuss why her stances on healthcare, cancer rates, and “fighting corruption” will get her into US Congress. James explains her positions and defends criticisms for missing 50% of votes…
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How the midwest won the autonomous vehicle race with Colin Hurd of MACH
The coasts may get the headlines, but the midwest holds the crown for real-world autonomous vehicles. In fact, Ai-driven vehicles have been operating in Iowa for 10 years already. Colin Hurd, CEO of MACH recounts past Iowa successes, and why future of “off road autonomy” is thousands of different robots for niche uses cases. Hurd…