STORIES

Amanda Flynn experienced a personal tragedy and needed to find something more fulfilling, that would allow more time with her children. She joined the business Sixth Street Salvage in Nevada, Iowa offering many specialty items and vintage décor.

Lifelong outdoorsman Darrin Siefken spent a career as a conservationist before turning to entrepreneurship. His infectious passion for nature and dedication to customer service has kept CrawDaddy Outdoors afloat in a small community.

Ryan Frazier’s goal is to make his clients feel special; from the moment they walk in they are the most important thing. It’s not just about the hair cut, it’s about getting to know his clients outside the realm of hair and creating a strong salon community.

Flowers take you from birth to death, and everywhere in between. Karen Maslek stood next to her mother, Andree, for almost thirty years before she retired. Over those years she has developed a talent to translate peoples feeling into wonderful floral creations.

Christy mixed her passion for baking, love for pets, and a touch of Dutch heritage to create Faux Paws Bakery. Located in the heart of the charming community of Pella, Iowa, Christy offers a "touch of Dutch for your dog" with her hand-made Doggie Dutch Letters.

Since 1984, “Home Sweet Home” has been a staple in a small town Main Street district in rural Iowa. Kari Nelson recounts the history of her store and shares the joy she receives by running this small business.

Tyler and Katie DeMaris left corporate jobs and returned to their hometown to revive a failing hardware store. Through their example, Tyler and Katie’s three children are learning the value of hard work and customer service.

Jesse Bogenrief grew up in a family of stained glass artists in rural northwest Iowa. When an injury kept him from following in their footsteps, he pivoted his career and turned to the art of glassblowing.

High school sweethearts Bev and Greg Baedke have been working at Community Orchard for nearly 50 years. The Baedkes strive to make the orchard a place where many family memories are made each year.

On a trip to Haiti to adopt their two boys, Amanda and John Rhomberg’s eyes were opened to see the bigger picture. It was this trip, surrounded by missionaries and other adoptive families, that inspired an idea that morphed into One Mission.

Entrepreneur Dave Morgan formed the idea for SingleSpeed over the course of multiple Wednesday night bike rides with friends. That idea grew into a community-centered brewery with two thriving locations in historic areas.

Following graduation, Aaron and Michele Buzbee returned to their hometown to begin careers as entrepreneurs. In the face of multiple roadblocks, the Buzbees have revitalized community staples and reinvested in their resilient community.

Over the past 25 years, Dawn Wilson has turned her coffee house into the crown jewel of a historic Main Street district. Her commitment to quality, community, and kindness has kept Cup of Joe thriving.

Melissa Ann Bell spent many days with her grandfather as he built his construction company. When he passed away she couldn’t imagine such a meaningful building leaving the family. She decided to open up a platform for artists and crafters to sell their creations.