Mike Espeset of Story Construction joined the podcast to discuss how strong culture, trusted relationships, and long-term thinking continue to drive one of Iowa’s most respected construction firms. The conversation explored the realities of leadership in construction today, from workforce development and succession planning to maintaining quality and accountability while continuing to grow. Mike shared how Story approaches partnerships with clients, communities, and employees in a way that prioritizes trust over transactions.

The episode also highlighted the changing landscape of construction and development across Iowa. Mike reflected on the importance of adaptability, communication, and investing in people at every level of the organization. From attracting younger talent into the trades to navigating economic shifts and evolving customer expectations, the discussion reinforced that successful companies are built intentionally over time. It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership, culture, and building organizations designed to last.

Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

This episode of Made in Iowa dives into one of the most fascinating intersections in business today: skilled trades, technology, and human resilience. Leisa Fox sits down with Riana LeJeune, who never expected her path would lead from the police academy to becoming an award-winning upholstery innovator, apprenticeship advocate, and technology founder. After an injury forced a major life pivot at age 24, she found purpose in a trade that quickly became an obsession in the best possible way. What followed was the creation of businesses designed not only to preserve craftsmanship, but to modernize and future-proof an overlooked industry through AI, visualization technology, and workforce development.

The conversation moves beyond business strategy into leadership, family, and identity. She shares how being AuDHD has shaped the way she approaches innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, while also opening up about co-parenting and running a business alongside her former spouse—who also happens to be her first apprentice and master craftsman. From launching Iowa’s only Registered Apprenticeship program in upholstery to challenging the culture of “fast furniture” and advocating for a circular furniture economy, this episode is packed with insight about reinvention, unconventional leadership, and why the skilled trades may be one of the biggest opportunities of the next decade. The Made in Iowa podcast, a Des Moines Business Record product presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, from the Iowa Everywhere studio.

Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

Jim Hall built Systems Management & Balancing (SMB) into a quiet powerhouse in a niche most people never think about - but rely on every day. What started in 1967 as a small Des Moines operation grew into a multi-state firm focused on testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) HVAC systems to ensure buildings actually perform the way they were designed. Jim shares the bet he made when he acquired the company in 2002, leaning into independence and precision as their differentiator. In an industry where comfort, safety, and efficiency are on the line - especially in hospitals, schools, and complex facilities - SMB has become the “truth-teller,” identifying problems others miss and ensuring systems function as intended.

Joined by consultant Erin Rollenhagen, the conversation shifts to what it takes to evolve and scale a highly specialized business. Erin brings a strategic lens to leadership, growth, and positioning, highlighting the opportunities - and risks - that come with complexity in today’s built environments. Together, they reflect on Jim’s succession plan, the importance of developing talent in a technical field, and why this behind-the-scenes work offers meaningful, high-impact careers. It’s a conversation about legacy, precision, and the kind of Iowa-built business that quietly keeps the world running.

Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

On this episode, Ellen Hines, Director of Workplace Experience, and Justin Woods, Chief Manufacturing Officer at ALMACO, share a candid look into the company’s evolving safety journey. In an environment where no two projects are the same, ALMACO has made a deliberate decision to embed safety into every layer of its operations. They discuss how variability in manufacturing demands a proactive mindset—one where processes, communication, and accountability are continuously refined to protect their team.

A cornerstone of that culture is empowerment. Hines and Woods emphasize the importance of creating an environment where every employee feels responsible—and safe—to speak up: “If you see something, you say something.” That mindset has helped ALMACO earn recognition as one of only five companies in Iowa to achieve OSHA SHARP (Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program) certification, a distinction that reflects not just compliance, but excellence. For ALMACO, safety isn’t a box to check—it’s a strategic advantage and a key driver of long-term success.

What if workplace safety didn’t start after an accident—but before it ever happened? On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast—presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield—Leisa sits down with Tom West of Makusafe to unpack the shift from reactive safety models to a proactive, data-driven approach. For decades, companies have relied on insurance and incident response to manage risk—but Makusafe is flipping that model. Through wearable technology and real-time data collection, organizations can now identify risk patterns, intervene earlier, and prevent injuries before they occur.

The company’s origin story is just as compelling as its impact. Founded by Gabe Glynn after a conversation with his father—who oversaw 1,800 employees in a high-risk environment—Makusafe was built to ease the burden of safety leadership. Today, it’s helping companies reduce costs, improve outcomes, and build stronger safety cultures rooted in awareness and prevention. This conversation is packed with practical insights for business leaders ready to move beyond compliance and into a smarter, more proactive way of protecting their people.

Presenting sponsor: Wellmark https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

Renee Crowell, Executive Director of The Ingersoll, shared the deeply personal story of how she and her husband Chris found their way to Des Moines — and how the timing felt undeniably right. What stood out most wasn’t just a career move, but their genuine love for the community and their desire to invest in something meaningful. The Ingersoll isn’t just a venue to them — it’s a treasure. A gathering place. A piece of living history that deserves to be protected and celebrated. Their passion for stewarding this space is rooted in a belief that places like this strengthen the cultural heartbeat of a city.

Renee spoke with reverence about the meticulous historic preservation of the 1939 theater — the painstaking collaboration with providers who were committed to honoring its roots while preparing it for the future. She described the “happy accident” that brought a large group of talented Americana employees into the fold at exactly the right moment, calling it one of the greatest blessings in the journey. From the incredible team and world-class talent on stage to the glow of the gorgeous marquee lighting up Ingersoll Avenue, you can feel it: this isn’t just a project. It’s a calling. And under Renee and Chris’s leadership, The Ingersoll is not only preserved — it’s alive.

On this episode of Made in Iowa, John Mickelson lays out a hard truth: many of America’s strongest manufacturing and industrial companies face a two-fold threat. First, founders and long-time owners are aging out without clear succession plans. Second, many of these businesses—while profitable—have never been fully operationalized. They’ve grown on grit, relationships, and instinct, but lack the systems, structure, and leadership depth required to thrive in their next chapter. John explains the distinction between venture capital and private equity, emphasizing that his firm isn’t chasing startups. With up to $500 million to invest, they focus on acquiring proven companies and strengthening what’s already working.

Out of 700 to 800 businesses reviewed, only five or six make the cut. Once acquired, the work begins—professionalizing operations, installing scalable systems, building leadership infrastructure, and preparing the company for long-term sustainability. This isn’t about quick exits; it’s about disciplined transformation. When asked if he ever wants to keep the companies they acquire, John answered without hesitation: “YES!” But their mandate is clear—deliver strong returns for investors while leaving each company healthier, more valuable, and better positioned for the future. It’s a practical, powerful strategy for preserving America’s industrial backbone while creating measurable growth.

Presenting sponsor: Wellmark https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

In a recent episode of Made in Iowa, Stacey Sime, CEO of LifeServe, shared the remarkable preservation effort behind reclaiming the hardwoods used in their new headquarters. She pointed us directly to the creative force behind that transformation — Megan Aronson of Aronson Woodworks (https://www.aronsonwoodworks.com/). In this episode, Megan joins us in studio alongside her self-proclaimed “greatest asset,” Jon Kallen of Jennings + Kallen Real Estate (https://www.jenningskallen.com/), to talk about what it truly takes to build something extraordinary from the ground up.

Together, Megan and Jon unpack the power of relationships, the discipline of surrounding yourself with people smarter than you, and the courage required to scale a dream into a formidable player in the woodworking industry. Aronson’s signature “Claze” process — which isolates and enhances wood grain in a bold, graphic way — is redefining how we see and experience reclaimed hardwoods. This conversation is about craftsmanship, innovation, and the kind of partnership that turns vision into legacy.

Presenting sponsor: Wellmark https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

In this episode, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about the forces shaping the future of Iowa agriculture. We discuss global trade dynamics and the ways tariffs and international relationships influence Iowa’s agricultural economy. Secretary Naig also shares how the state is actively recruiting food manufacturers and expanding food production capacity, explaining why Iowa remains uniquely competitive in agriculture and food systems. From workforce and infrastructure to innovation and supply chain advantages, he outlines the long-term vision for strengthening Iowa’s role in feeding both the nation and the world.

We also explore the importance of expanding year-round, nationwide access to E15 to support Iowa’s biofuels industry and the critical role international partnerships play through trade missions and growing export relationships. Secretary Naig highlights emerging opportunities for specialty crop producers and explains how the Iowa Farm Act and the Choose Iowa program are helping elevate locally produced food and farm products. When asked about his greatest accomplishment, Naig points to the momentum behind Choose Iowa—an initiative designed to make it easier for consumers to identify and support products grown and made in Iowa while creating new opportunities for farmers, food producers, and rural communities across the state.

On this episode of Made in Iowa, host Leisa Fox sits down with entrepreneur Billie Asmus, founder of Repaint Studios, to share the story behind a simple frustration that turned into a national retail brand.

Billie didn’t plan to become an inventor or retail entrepreneur. As a busy mom trying to pause a painting project when her daughter woke up from a nap, she grew tired of using plastic wrap and wasting brushes. After searching Amazon for a better solution — and realizing it didn’t exist — she decided to create one herself.

In this inspiring conversation, Billie explains how necessity sparked innovation, how she developed her product from scratch, and what it really takes to break into major retail stores. She also shares behind-the-scenes insight on funding a product-based business, navigating manufacturing, pitching to retailers, and scaling a brand from Iowa to a national audience.