When I moved back to Iowa from Colorado Springs over three years ago, Des Moines was my destination. During the first year that I became connected back into the Des Moines community, I began to realize and understand some exciting things that were/are happening throughout the state of Iowa as a whole.
One example outside of Des Moines is the thriving area known as the "Corridor Area" of Iowa. There is a tremendous amount of cultural attractions in this part of the state.
The ability and access to community leaders and leadership positions is something that is attractive to those that want to move to Iowa (or stay here ) and get involved to make a difference.
I had the opportunity to meet Charity Tyler and Quinn Pettifer about a year ago in planning the Young Professionals of Iowa conference. IT was during this time that I learned about the growing organization they are leading called Access Iowa.
In the news today, there is a open minded-ness of current government officials to engage and hear from the future leaders in order to shape the cultural and recreational opportunities that exist here. There is a change in the air throughout Iowa communities and the opportunity exists for getting involved.
Also in the news today/this week. Amy Jennings is featured as a 'true young professional'. Amy has lead the charge in Central Iowa to promote the fact that we (YPs) do exist in the community and that we can make a difference. Some chose to listen, some don't, some chose to engage with us, some don't.
There are other stories of organizations forming around Iowa catering to our unique issues as YPs. From Sioux City and Carroll to Davenport and Dubuque. Its catching on like wildfire in Iowa...more examples to follow. Do you have one to share?
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Time flies...
No, I have not been on Spring Break...it has been 2 weeks since I have had a post. Lots of things going on here - time seems to slip by quickly when you are having fun! :-)
Time, how does it go so fast? Last week I went from one corner of the state to the other (I will explain in a future post).
I was at the gym this morning, running on the treadmill and there only a few people there on a Sunday morning (everyone else must have been in church or recovering from St. Patrick's Day activities). Even while listening to my iPod I could hear someone yell at someone as they were leaving "Have a great week!". Now this may not seem like a big deal to anyone - but it made me think of a couple of things.
1) How friendly we are here in Iowa. Economic development professionals and others sell Iowa as having a great quality of life. It is true. People here go out of their way to befriend others. Des Moines is "one big small town" which I think is great because you get the best of both worlds. I am constantly running into people I know when I am out and about. If I meet someone new, there is usually a three or four degree of separation of knowing someone in common.
2) Encouragement..during a time of Lent and spring weather (granted it did snow yesterday morning)...I regularly see Iowans encouraging each other to do good things. Rarely is there a case where this does not happen.
"Have a great week!" Upcoming posts this week will include a recap of the Business Record's Forty Under 40 reception, a trip to Burlington and Fort Madison for a Leadership Iowa session, a trip to my hometown (Sheldon) as well as mock interviews for Drake students.
Time, how does it go so fast? Last week I went from one corner of the state to the other (I will explain in a future post).
I was at the gym this morning, running on the treadmill and there only a few people there on a Sunday morning (everyone else must have been in church or recovering from St. Patrick's Day activities). Even while listening to my iPod I could hear someone yell at someone as they were leaving "Have a great week!". Now this may not seem like a big deal to anyone - but it made me think of a couple of things.
1) How friendly we are here in Iowa. Economic development professionals and others sell Iowa as having a great quality of life. It is true. People here go out of their way to befriend others. Des Moines is "one big small town" which I think is great because you get the best of both worlds. I am constantly running into people I know when I am out and about. If I meet someone new, there is usually a three or four degree of separation of knowing someone in common.
2) Encouragement..during a time of Lent and spring weather (granted it did snow yesterday morning)...I regularly see Iowans encouraging each other to do good things. Rarely is there a case where this does not happen.
"Have a great week!" Upcoming posts this week will include a recap of the Business Record's Forty Under 40 reception, a trip to Burlington and Fort Madison for a Leadership Iowa session, a trip to my hometown (Sheldon) as well as mock interviews for Drake students.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Made in Iowa (Part 1)
I can see a long list of blog posts in the future relating to interesting business ventures that exist in Iowa. Most of these are hidden gems and are on the verge of exploding.
As I was surfing a local Hy-Vee Food Store this weekend I noticed a product that I had recently heard about at a recent SEMEE (Society for Entrepreneurial Minded Executives - ask Adam Steen about the second E) and also was featured in a Des Moines Register article recently.
Charlie Anderson (Guidry's Sausage) gave an engaging presentation of how his business started and how he got to where he is at today. Read what Rush Nigut has to say about Charlie's presentation.
My question to Charlie that evening of the SEMEE event was, "What is your biggest challenge with the business?" It seems everything is rolling smooth for this business venture...all smooth sailing. Just need to knock down some doors and let the consumer drive the sales. Charlie is out and about providing samples to as many people he can get in front of. Distribution is key to Guidry's sausage - which has a New Orleans recipe with an Iowa business plan.
So I bought my package of sausage and I was amazed as well as my taste buds were thrilled. Charlie has a repeat customer on his hands. I feel like I just joined the "Buy Local" campaign of once again, another fabulous Iowa product. Charlie will undoubtedly be successful in his venture. A great philanthropist as well, giving a portion of the proceeds back to a Preservation non-profit. Thanks for coming to Iowa, Charlie - we need more entrepreneurs such as yourself.
More stories to follow, I promise.
As I was surfing a local Hy-Vee Food Store this weekend I noticed a product that I had recently heard about at a recent SEMEE (Society for Entrepreneurial Minded Executives - ask Adam Steen about the second E) and also was featured in a Des Moines Register article recently.
Charlie Anderson (Guidry's Sausage) gave an engaging presentation of how his business started and how he got to where he is at today. Read what Rush Nigut has to say about Charlie's presentation.
My question to Charlie that evening of the SEMEE event was, "What is your biggest challenge with the business?" It seems everything is rolling smooth for this business venture...all smooth sailing. Just need to knock down some doors and let the consumer drive the sales. Charlie is out and about providing samples to as many people he can get in front of. Distribution is key to Guidry's sausage - which has a New Orleans recipe with an Iowa business plan.
So I bought my package of sausage and I was amazed as well as my taste buds were thrilled. Charlie has a repeat customer on his hands. I feel like I just joined the "Buy Local" campaign of once again, another fabulous Iowa product. Charlie will undoubtedly be successful in his venture. A great philanthropist as well, giving a portion of the proceeds back to a Preservation non-profit. Thanks for coming to Iowa, Charlie - we need more entrepreneurs such as yourself.
More stories to follow, I promise.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Spread the word...share the secret.
The weather continues to hamper our normal routine here in Iowa.
However, I decided to venture out last night to Keysters in Urbandale (I would link to their site but it is currently "under construction"). Jerry Lorenson from Towncrier opened the show (despsite the remainder of the band being stranded in Waterloo). Towncrier is one the great homegrown music products of Iowa (Cedar Rapids). I first learned of Towncrier after receiving a copy of their CD at the 2005 YPIowa conference held in Des Moines and have been hooked ever since.
You can also check out their myspace page to sample some of their music.
After a few songs and Jerry trying his best to warm up the crowd...he asked some thought provoking questions. "Who travelled the farthest tonight??" Alaska, Tulsa, Kansas City were some of the answers...good to know people are still willing to visit Iowa!
Second question, "How many of you have not see Towncrier or heard our music?" Out of a crowd of approximately 110 only a handful were newbies. Jerry's response was..."why aren't the rest of you bringing your friends out who have not heard about us?!"
What a great response...as it relates to many scenarios that are occurring in Iowa. The population and workforce shortage issues are something we need to find a solution - but what are YOU doing to tell others about the great quality of life and opportunities that exists in Iowa? Either we do not think about telling our story to the friends we have outside of the state or we don't think it is a story that is worth selling? Yes, that's what I meant "selling" Iowa. The young professionals who live in Iowa need to be part of the sales force to attract other talented individuals to our communities.
The theme continues with some of their songs - "What are you Waiting For?" or else we could be on our "Last Breath" (not quite that bad, yet) and could even be "Gone"...their new CD "The End" is something you need in your collection.
So here's an invitation...come check out Towncrier this Monday night at
Cabaret West Glenn and tell your friends who have not experienced their music. Also, add to your task list to tell two people that live outside of the state about something positive you have experienced in Iowa in the last four weeks...I would be curious of your response.
However, I decided to venture out last night to Keysters in Urbandale (I would link to their site but it is currently "under construction"). Jerry Lorenson from Towncrier opened the show (despsite the remainder of the band being stranded in Waterloo). Towncrier is one the great homegrown music products of Iowa (Cedar Rapids). I first learned of Towncrier after receiving a copy of their CD at the 2005 YPIowa conference held in Des Moines and have been hooked ever since.
You can also check out their myspace page to sample some of their music.
After a few songs and Jerry trying his best to warm up the crowd...he asked some thought provoking questions. "Who travelled the farthest tonight??" Alaska, Tulsa, Kansas City were some of the answers...good to know people are still willing to visit Iowa!
Second question, "How many of you have not see Towncrier or heard our music?" Out of a crowd of approximately 110 only a handful were newbies. Jerry's response was..."why aren't the rest of you bringing your friends out who have not heard about us?!"
What a great response...as it relates to many scenarios that are occurring in Iowa. The population and workforce shortage issues are something we need to find a solution - but what are YOU doing to tell others about the great quality of life and opportunities that exists in Iowa? Either we do not think about telling our story to the friends we have outside of the state or we don't think it is a story that is worth selling? Yes, that's what I meant "selling" Iowa. The young professionals who live in Iowa need to be part of the sales force to attract other talented individuals to our communities.
The theme continues with some of their songs - "What are you Waiting For?" or else we could be on our "Last Breath" (not quite that bad, yet) and could even be "Gone"...their new CD "The End" is something you need in your collection.
So here's an invitation...come check out Towncrier this Monday night at
Cabaret West Glenn and tell your friends who have not experienced their music. Also, add to your task list to tell two people that live outside of the state about something positive you have experienced in Iowa in the last four weeks...I would be curious of your response.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Blizzard Conditions
The weather outside is frightful...sounds like a Christmas lyric. I am a big believer in "everything happens for a reason"...and the weather the last few days has definitely had an impact on alot of people and businesses. Being able to be inside during the storm gives many of us an opportunity to spend time with loved ones or friends that we normally would not have had time to have.
Yesterday was my birthday, another day older is all. I had a chance to go to dinner with a friend (after striking out twice on finding a location that was open). During dinner we got to exchange thoughts using Mitch Matthews' "Q for Dates". I had experienced the "Q for Friends" game previously and was anxious to have a blast with the Dating version. We were both excited to learn more about each other but time cut us short...to be continued.
"Q" is a great way to learn about someone elses experiences and thoughts without alot of pressure. The cool thing was, most of the questions led us off on tangent topics that we would not have normally explored. Whether you are on a date or just interested in getting to know someone on a more personal level, Q is a great conduit to conversation and relationships.
The other interesting piece to this puzzle is that there is a huge interest from people in Iowa to be connected with each other and learn more about one another. Whether it is a church gathering, a networking or chamber event, going out to the bars, or have friends or family over for dinner - "Q" fits within a wide variety of gatherings for us to get to know each other better.
During our time on earth, I truly believe the friendships and relationships we create are the most meaningful products of our existence. Iowa is a perfect size to get to know the community that surrounds us. There is no other place like it in the world. So I challenge you to take advantage of getting to know someone else outside of your comfort zone...check out www.doyouq.com for more information - I guarantee that you are in for a thrilling ride after you do.
Yesterday was my birthday, another day older is all. I had a chance to go to dinner with a friend (after striking out twice on finding a location that was open). During dinner we got to exchange thoughts using Mitch Matthews' "Q for Dates". I had experienced the "Q for Friends" game previously and was anxious to have a blast with the Dating version. We were both excited to learn more about each other but time cut us short...to be continued.
"Q" is a great way to learn about someone elses experiences and thoughts without alot of pressure. The cool thing was, most of the questions led us off on tangent topics that we would not have normally explored. Whether you are on a date or just interested in getting to know someone on a more personal level, Q is a great conduit to conversation and relationships.
The other interesting piece to this puzzle is that there is a huge interest from people in Iowa to be connected with each other and learn more about one another. Whether it is a church gathering, a networking or chamber event, going out to the bars, or have friends or family over for dinner - "Q" fits within a wide variety of gatherings for us to get to know each other better.
During our time on earth, I truly believe the friendships and relationships we create are the most meaningful products of our existence. Iowa is a perfect size to get to know the community that surrounds us. There is no other place like it in the world. So I challenge you to take advantage of getting to know someone else outside of your comfort zone...check out www.doyouq.com for more information - I guarantee that you are in for a thrilling ride after you do.
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