Carriker's Auto Outlet, highlighting its operational strategies and customer approach. The business operates three conveniently located dealerships across central Iowa, making it accessible to a broad regional customer base. While offering a wide variety of vehicles, Carriker's Auto Outlet demonstrates a specialized focus on an extensive inventory of pickup trucks, catering to specific buyer needs. Their "Carriker's Auto Outlet Way" emphasizes a "one-stop sales and service" model, streamlining the car-buying process by providing flexible financing options for all credit situations and accommodating trade-ins. Ultimately, the dealership aims to simplify the car-buying experience for its customers through a combination of convenience, specialization, and comprehensive services.

This podcast episode focuses on 818, a "tiny design empire", showcasing how their design-centric approach functions as a strategic problem-solving tool rather than just focusing on aesthetics. The discussion highlights three diverse case studies: Guide One Insurance, where a company history was transformed into an immersive, dimensional timeline; Jell's Community Fridge, which required a brand identity that balanced professionalism with personal warmth; and Continuum Mag, for which they developed a "future-proof" brand architecture and digital strategy. The overarching theme emphasizes 818's process of deeply understanding client challenges and translating them into impactful, scalable, and enduring design solutions across various industries.

Meet Josh Miltenberger, construction executive for Greiner Construction. Josh began his construction journey by building a log cabin on a farm with his father.

In this episode:

1.) Working with clients to make their projects come to life.

2.) Greiner’s history and moves into new markets.

3.) How the pandemic has affected the construction industry.

4.) Josh’s favorite things to do in Des Moines.

Meet Andi Fagen, founder of Creative DSM, a full-service marketing company. Contrary to popular belief, the "DSM" does not stand for Des Moines, as you’ll find out by listening.

In this episode:

1.) Andi’s road back to Des Moines and her entrepreneurial journey.

2.) The importance of multi-prong marketing and how the pandemic has changed things.

3.) Benefits of coworking and networking.

4.) A piece of marketing advice from Andi.

Meet Josh Chamberlain, co-owner of Des Moines’ first and only independent comedy club Teehee’s Comedy Club in downtown Des Moines. In this episode:

1) Entertaining and improvisation and its benefits for business.

2.) An improvisation demonstration!

3) Lessons in failure.

4) Taking comedy classes at Teehee’s Comedy Club.

Meet Emilee Richardson, director of marketing and public relations for the Science Center of Iowa. In this episode:

1) The impact of the Science Center — now and for 50 years.

2) How people of all ages can enjoy.

3) The importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

4) Get involved with the Science Center.

5) Emilee’s role as a NASA Solar System Ambassador!

Staci Bennett is the new Des Moines Downtown Chamber Executive Director. She sits down with host Sid Juwarker to chat and introduce herself! In this episode:

1.) Learn about Staci's background. 

2.) Hear some of her favorite downtown amenities. 

3.) Listen to Staci's excitement and plans for the new role. 

Read more about Staci here. Thanks for listening! 

Explore Systems Theory and Design with Fred Darbonne, Principal at Strategy by Design. In this episode:

1) Discover what this recent Des Moines resident loves most about our city.

2) Understand how working with congregations led to Fred's current work.

3) Hear why now is a perfect time to review your strategic plan.

4) Gain insight on why the strategic plan document is actually the least important part of the planning process.

5) Identify the biggest barriers to great planning.

Meet Eric Heininger from EDEN+, a local company that assists with non-profit campaign management and feasibility studies. In this episode:

1) Be on the inside and know what the acronym EDEN stands for.

2) Know how a background in engineering guides fundraising strategies.

3) Learn why they are sometimes referred to as "The Mary Poppins of Fundraising."

4) Listen to why the effects of covid may not be as hard on fundraising as you may think.

5) Gain some advice for donors.

Bonfire Strategy was co-founded by Lisa Rossi and she is applying her unique skills toward a powerful way of thinking. In this episode:

1) Learn how media and journalism skills play a role in listening.

2) Gain a powerful tool to unlock creativity.

3) Understand what makes up design thinking.

4) Hear local examples of design thinking in play.

5) Know how design thinking and comedy actually merge.