Hi Friends! Welcome back to Building in a Small Town. My guests today are Brenda & Neal Schwager of JB Knacker/Gin & Tarnish on Main Street in Jewell. Brenda is an O.G. in the junkin and repurposing industry. You’ll hear all about how the business was born out of necessity and has morphed to fit their lives over the years. She is FULL of knowledge & experience. I really enjoyed this episode, and I know you will too.

A quick note to say, the audio quality of this episode isn’t up to my usual standard - needless to say, the long break has left me rusty. I’m not sure what happened, but the mic track for Brenda’s mic is silent. Thankfully, the other mics were able to pick up what she said, but it might be harder to hear than normal. I’ll be troubleshooting before the next episode is recorded. Please don’t let my screw up keep you from listening to this episode - it’s fully of nuggets!

Before we get into the episode, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for listening and ask you to make sure that you’re subscribed on whatever your listening platform. I recently heard a wild statistic that over 50% of podcast listeners start listening to a new podcast after being recommended by a friend. On that note, could you share this show with someone that might enjoy it? It’s a simple, free way to help support the show.

Hi Friends! Welcome back to Building in a Small Town. My guests today are Mollie & Josh Boersma. They are the owners of The Milford Schoolhouse on the outskirts of Ames. In this episode, you’ll find out who started their first business when they were 10 years old, what it was like to walk away from the schoolhouse 3 times, and what their plans are for 27,000 square feet of one-of-a-kind space. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I know you will too.

Before we get into the episode, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for listening and ask you to make sure that you’re subscribed on whatever your listening platform. I recently heard a wild statistic that over 50% of podcast listeners start listening to a new podcast after being recommended by a friend. On that note, could you share this show with someone that might enjoy it? It’s a simple, free way to help support the show.

Learn more about The Milford Schoolhouse:

Website: https://www.themilfordschoolhouse.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milfordschoolhouse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilfordschoolhouse/

AirBnB:

Hi Friends! Welcome back to Building in a Small Town. My guest today is Hanna Nuss of Denver, Iowa. Hanna is the founder of Local - which I would call a movement more so than just a business. She is a dedicated author, speaker, and social entrepreneur. Starting her journey with a personal journal podcast, she transformed her passion for storytelling into two impactful books and a mission to uplift and empower small towns. Hanna & I probably could have gone on for a few hours and I definitely see recording more episodes in our future. I really enjoyed this conversation and I know you will too..

Before we get into the episode, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for listening and ask you to make sure that you’re subscribed on whatever your listening platform. I recently heard a wild statistic that over 50% of podcast listeners start listening to a new podcast after being recommended by a friend. On that note, could you share this show with someone that might enjoy it? It’s a simple, free way to help support the show.

Hi Friends! Welcome back to Building in a Small Town. My guest today is Robin Bostrom. Robin is the Director of Empower Rural Iowa, a program housed within the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Robin was born & raised in Hawkeye and still resides in rural northeastern Iowa. You’ll hear about her time running a rural independent grocery store & how she started looking at data before it was cool, How she got into economic development, and details about grant programs that have just launched for Empower Rural Iowa. Stay tuned until the end of the episode to find out what her side hustle is!

Before we get into the episode, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for listening and ask you to make sure that you’re subscribed on whatever your listening platform. I recently heard a wild statistic that over 50% of podcast listeners start listening to a new podcast after being recommended it by a friend. On that note, could you share this show with someone that might enjoy it? It’s a simple, free way to help support the show.

A special reminder that my next adventure, The Back Yard is opening September 27th, 28th, & 29th. I’m excited to be a stop on the map for the 2024 Fall Central Iowa Junk Jaunt. Come check out the shop & the beautiful back space that is being landscaped by my husband while I record this. Hope to see you there!

It's another husband and wife special! We update you on the crime situation in Collins, tell you about a recent land acquisition, and the upcoming opening for The Back Yard.

Hear the story of us waking up to our loaded truck and trailer missing. We still can't believe it happened, but we're glad it's mostly taken care of.

Thanks for listening!

Hi Friends! Welcome back to Building in a Small Town. It’s been a little while since I stepped away for a bit of a summer break, but we’re back in action! Today is a quick episode with a very special guest - Senator Joni Ernst. I first connected with someone from her staff back in May when I was in DC for a Meta event. That staffer thought she would be a great fit for the podcast and I absolutely agreed! I was finally able to catch up with her at her 2nd Annual Entrepreneur Expo at the Memorial Union at Iowa State. Special thank you to Grace for finding some time in the schedule for me to sit down with Senator Ernst for a conversation. I really enjoyed it and I think you will too.

Before we get into the episode, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for listening and ask you to make sure that you’re subscribed on whatever your listening platform. While you’re at it, if you could also drop a quick rating and review, that’s a simple, free way to support the show and It helps others find the show. Thank you again and let’s get into it!

I have some pretty big news: I'm no longer The Cricket Lady.

Listen for the deets.

Hi Friends! Welcome back to Building in a Small Town. My guests today are Joan & Grant Fairchild of Gravy Home Goods in Jewell, Iowa (1,187). Gravy Home Goods is a brick & mortar shop on Main Street in Jewell. It’s full of vintage, new, repurposed, upcycled, fun, eclectic home items ranging from custom built barnwood tables to sassy textiles and everything in between. In this episode, you’ll learn how Joan got her start with her Old Lady Stucco pop-ups, how a conversation over a cup of coffee turned into buying a main street building, and how they’ve been able to collaborate around the region to grow their business. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I know you will too!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gravyhomegoods/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gravyhomegoods.jewell

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gravyhomegoods/

Central Iowa Junk Jaunt:

https://www.centraliowajunkjaunt.com/

My guest today is Susan Frantz the owner & head brewer at Fenceline Beer Lab in Huxley, Iowa. Fenceline Beer Lab is a nano-brewery and they want you to Meet your neighbor at your fenceline. They have a rotating lineup of beers brewed in-house and some PHENOMENAL eats that incorporates those beers. I 10/10 recommend their sourdough pretzels with the mustard sauce. You wont regret it! This episode was a first as it required a pause for an unexpected equipment delivery. Not going to lie, the whole thing threw me off my game a bit, but opened a cool conversation about being underestimated as a woman. I really enjoyed this conversation and if you’re in central Iowa, PLEASE make sure you stop in and give Fenceline a try!

Learn more about Fenceline:

https://www.fencelinebeerlab.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FencelineBeer

https://www.instagram.com/fencelinebeer/

Learn more about Friends of Huxley:

https://www.instagram.com/friendsofhuxley/

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofhuxley

https://friendsofhuxley.org/