Top Five Small Business and Startup Stories Podcasts of 2020
Over the years, the Greater Des Moines Partnership has created small business resources and business education through a variety of initiatives, programs and events. One of those resources is the popular Small Business and Startup Stories podcast, a series which brings entrepreneurs to the table to share their own victories and failures. Finding success as a startup or small business owner isn’t easy, and it’s rarely a straight line. Hearing first-hand accounts from people who have already walked the startup path can be invaluable for those entering new territory themselves — so we promise to keep the stories coming in 2021!
See our countdown of the top five Small Business and Startup Stories Podcasts for 2020 below:
#5 — It’s a Tie Between Techstars Iowa + Denim Social
Techstars
Guest: Kerty Levy
Episode: Techstars Iowa Talks Opportunities
Date: April 7, 2020
How do you begin recruitment season for Techstars Iowa amid the COVID-19 pandemic? Kerty Levy explains how she took things virtual in 2020.
LEARN MORE + LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Denim Social
Guest: Greg Bailey
Episode: A DSM-Based Startup Merges + Readies for Future Growth
Date: June 12, 2020
Hear about how DSM-based Denim and St.Louis-based Gremlin Social transitioned into Denim Social, a social media management platform for marketers in regulated industries.
LEARN MORE + LISTEN TO THE PODCAST>
#4 — One World Supplies
Guest: Sul Huq
Episode: One World Supplies Brings PPE to DSM
Date: July 23, 2020
Hear how One World Supplies became the recommended gear for health care professionals, as well as how help from the startup community and mentors in DSM allowed the company to grow.
LEARN MORE + LISTEN TO THE PODCAST>
#3 — Makusafe
Guest: Gabe Glynn
Episode: Makusafe Waits to Deploy Product + Captures Game-Changing Data
Date: May 5, 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up, Makusafe employees hit pause on deploying a new product and began to capture data that is leading to even more innovation and customer satisfaction.
LEARN MORE + LISTEN TO THE PODCAST>
#2 — Global Insurance Accelerator
Guest: Nicole Gunderson
Episode: My Path to Becoming Managing Director for the Global Insurance Accelerator
Date: January 10, 2020
Nicole Gunderson discusses her early work experiences at Dwolla, Speeko and Techstars, which led her to become managing director at the Global Insurance Accelerator, where she oversees the annual 100-day program.
LEARN MORE + LISTEN TO THE PODCAST>
#1 — Tractor Zoom
Guest: Kyle McMahon
Episode: From Mowing Lawns to Creating a Farm Equipment Auction Database
Date: January 21, 2020
Hear how Tractor Zoom connects its users to information on farm equipment auctions, auctioneers and specific types of farm machinery. Also discussed are the ways in which Tractor Zoom maintains clean data and monetizes that data.
LEARN MORE + LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
You can count on The Partnership to continue to share accurate and fact-based updates as well. See more on COVID-19 here.
Inspired by this Startup Story? Subscribe to the Startup Stories DSM podcast and check out upcoming events, videos and other free resources dedicated to helping startups and small businesses accelerate success in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Mike Colwell
As executive director of entrepreneurial initiatives of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Mike Colwell leads works with startups to build their business model, financial model, marketing strategies and capitalization plan. He is also co-manager of Plains Angels, a group of Iowa-based Midwest angel investors. Mike spends his days coaching, mentoring, consulting and asking tough questions to help entrepreneurs reach their full potential. Mike assists with business strategy, business planning, business plan execution, business model development and capital acquisition strategies.