Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today's episode we have Matthew Bradner from Iowa Home Consulting. Matthew founded Iowa Home Consulting in 2008 right after he graduated from Iowa State University. Matthew had very little experience in the home contractor industry, but took his business expertise to disrupt a specific industry that was ripe for change.

Iowa Home Consulting has two sides of the business, home contracting, which includes essentially any remodel to your home as well as a moving business. Iowa Home Consulting has two locations, Ames and Des Moines as well as 22 employees.

Matthew has a passion for animal rescue and has intertwined that in his business, very cool for Iowa Home Consulting to take a passion in their business.

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today’s episode we have William Burt from Kut Kings Mobile Barber Shop. William founded Kut Kings in 2017. He founded the mobile barber shop to differentiate himself from other barbers and also to serve the under served that may not be able to travel to a barber shop, so he will bring the barber shop to you.

The crazy part of William founding Kut Kings is that when he founded Kut Kings, the law stated to operate a barber shop, you have to do so out of a physical address. William spent months trying to get the law changed with the help of other individuals, and in March of 2020 Governor Reynolds signed the law that you don’t need to operate a barber shop out of a fixed location. He now needs the Barber Board to set up guidelines so he can operate out of a mobile location. 

In the 1990’s and early 2000’s William spent time in and out of prison and jail. He learned to cut hair as he says “from start to finish” and that motivated him to become a barber. William has been incredibly persistent, both professionally and personally throughout his life. 

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today’s episode we have David and Jamie Popper from Blue 9 Pet Products. Blue 9 Pet Products is located in Eastern Iowa and was founded in 2014. Blue-9 Pet Products is an e-commerce based company and they also sell through a partner channel. They have done an incredible job building out MAP pricing and value their partners greatly.

Blue-9 creates quality dog training accessories for canines and their owners. They make life easier by developing great products for training and working with your beloved dog!

This episode is a great example of building out an e-commerce company as well as prototyping products and bringing them to market. David & Jamie work hard at Blue-9, and have also created a fun culture that rewards hard work.

Enjoy the episode!

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today’s episode we have Don McDowell from Iowa Adventurer. Don founded Iowa Adventurer as a hobby and side hustle in 2017. Iowa Adventurer is a travel website and blog that focuses on the State of Iowa.

This episode is a little different than we have done in the past. Iowa Adventurer is a side hustle for Don, and he has a huge passion for Iowa, just like we do!

Don has traveled to every corner in the State of Iowa to identify the best ice cream shops, restaurants, state parks, etc. Check this weeks podcast out to find the most interesting hotspots in the state of Iowa!

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You can find Iowa Adventurers website HERE
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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today's episode we have Garik Himebaugh from Eco-Stylist. Eco-Stylist is located in Iowa City and Garik founded the company in 2018. Garik is originally from Washington, DC and moved to Iowa to attend the MBA program at the University of Iowa. While in the MBA program, Garik won startup weekend with an idea that was the beginning of Eco-Stylist.

Eco-Stylist is a marketplace for ethical and sustainable men's clothes. They feature and curate over 200 items and 40 different brands on their website. Eco-Stylist generates their revenue by being an affiliate to sustainable clothing brands. Eco-Stylist helps men look sharp by featuring brands that are good for the people that make their clothes, and for the planet.

Enjoy the episode!

You can find Eco-Stylist website HERE
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You can Find Eco-Stylist Instagram HERE

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today's episode we have Nate Beaird from Housewolf Projects. Housewolf is located in Ankeny and was founded in 2016 as a side hustle after the woodworking bug hit him hard. Nate founded the company out of his garage and they still operate there today. With the support of his wife, he went full time with Housewolf in 2018. They currently have two employees but are growing!

Nate built the Housewolf Projects business on the Etsy platform and they sell direct to consumer with the Etsy e-commerce platform. Housewolf builds most woodworking items you would need or want in your house. Their most popular products are house numbers, and it is easy to see why. We bought it for our house, and they make our front porch pop!

In this episode Nate talks about leaving his full time job for his side hustle, building Housewolf from the ground up with organic growth utilizing social media and lessons he has learned from running his own business.

Enjoy the podcast!

Housewolf Projects website is HERE
Housewolf Projects facebook is HERE
Housewolf Instagram is HERE

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today's episode we have Rena Striegel from Transition Point Business Advisors. Transition Point was founded in 2014 and Rena purchased the company in 2019. Transition Point is located in the Des Moines area.

Transition Point Business Advisors is a fascinating business! Transition Point is a consultant company and their focus is succession planing in family owned businesses, specifically in the agricultural industry with farmers. The stories in today's podcast are interesting inside the world of family owned business transitions.

They have two employees and multiple consultants that aid in a successful business transition. Transition Point has big goals, as they are evaluating how to add value with new, digital products, that are aimed at smaller organizations where consultants may not be as accessible. Transition Point Advisors works all over the country with clients.

The biggest caveat of this all, they were able to grow and sustain their business with virtually no marketing or advertising, yet word of mouth!

Enjoy the podcast!

Transition Point Advisors website is HERE
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Rena's LinkedIn is HERE

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today's episode we have Meagan Ausborn from Bluemoon Holistic Wellness. Bluemoon was founded in 2019 in Nevada, Iowa.

Bluemoon specializes in Yoga and Reiki, you will need to listen to the episode to learn more about Reiki, its fascinating! Meagan has customers as far away as Switzerland! Bluemoon offers classes online as well as an in person studio. Meagan is very passionate about the holistic approach to healing your body and it shows with her energy in this episode.

Meagan has a future vision of expanding the services of Bluemoon to rural Iowa and sees a great need for Yoga and Reiki in different parts of the state.

Enjoy the episode!

Bluemoon Holistic Wellness website is HERE
Bluemoon Holistic Wellness Facebook is HERE
Bluemoon Holistic Wellness Instagram is HERE

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Welcome to the Built in Iowa Podcast!

On today's episode we have Brian Duffy & Brad Duffy from Per Mar Security Services.

Per Mar was founded in 1953 by John and Eleanor Duffy in Davenport, Iowa. Brian and Brad are third generation, and their father, Mike, is the current CEO. John and Eleanor founded Per Mar out of pure necessity, they needed money! What is even crazier, they were just driving through Davenport on their way to Denver to start a business. Their car broke down and they decided that Davenport was the place to start their business.

Per Mar's headquarters are still in Davenport, Iowa and they have multiple offices around the midwest. They currently have 2,000 employees and are privately owned! Brian & Brad talk about what it was like growing up in the business, and going through the process of coming into the family business after they worked for three years outside Per Mar at other organizations.

Per Mar is a full service security company. They provide security officer services, commercial alarms, home alarms, and fire alarms. Per Mar has acquired around 80 companies in their lifetime and they average a couple sizable acquisitions a year, truly remarkable!

Enjoy the episode!

You can find Per Mar Security website here
You can find Per Mar Security Facebook here
You can find Per Mar Security LinkedIn here
You can find Midwest Fire Alarm website here
Brian's LinkedIn is here
Brad's LinkedIn is here

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