Iowa Startup Collective Roundup
Entrepreneurship through the lens of Iowa writers and creatives
Do what you love, life is too short | Story link
Tej Dhawan dives right into an entrepreneurial story worth reading twice.
Between 1984-2018, Don Schoen built and sold Retail Management Systems and MediNotes, then started and closed BettrLife.
After his hat trick of three entrepreneurial businesses, Don and his family have focused on a new social endeavor, working with Central Iowa Shelter Services (CISS) in downtown Des Moines. As the lead donor for the expanded greenhouse with both hydroponics and aquaponic systems, CISS can produce up to 80,000 pounds of greens and 6,000 pounds of fish thanks to the Schoen’s family vision.
Look for Don’s leadership within the new spinoff startup coming out of CISS, called Bindl. The for-profit social enterprise addresses homelessness by providing critical resources to help prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place through a companion mobile app for shelters across the country.
Story link | Social Entrepreneurship
Continuing the theme of social good, Sree Nilakanta most recent piece challenges the traditional image of entrepreneurs as tech moguls chasing unicorn status and instead shines a light on social entrepreneurship—a model that blends business savvy with a mission to create positive change.
Sree highlights real-world examples like India’s Hand in Hand, providing ag innovations among subsistence farmers, and Iowa’s Gateway Dance Theatre, started by Penny Ferguson to bring theatre to inner-city youth in Des Moines. Here’s a reminder of why we need to nurture social entrepreneurship locally and abroad.
+ Live Interview with Gateway Dance Theatre
Story link | AgTech: Are We Still Building for Reaction or Precision?
Through the lens of the Ag Startup Engine, writer Mikayla Mooney observes how, in agriculture, reactive tools often win. They solve visible problems, offer quick ROI, and align with how people naturally respond to crises. Proactive solutions, while more sustainable, are harder to sell. They require trust, upfront investment, and long-term thinking.
From obesity drugs to disease outbreaks in dairy, the pattern is clear: we act when the pain hits. But as farming faces rising costs, regulation, and climate stress, waiting is becoming riskier.
Story link | Predictions for what 2030 has in store for the world
Between memory accuracy, the World Happiness Report, crypto, higher education, and personal business goals, Clayton Mooney dives into his predictions from a place of curiosity and founder learnings for where the United States will stand in 2030.
Take a look and leave a comment for Clayton’s latest post!
Story link | The Entrepreneurship of Cider
Jay Cooper pens an insightful piece, drawing parallels between starting a business and making cider. Founders’ creativity alone isn't enough. Just like jalapeño cider, your idea might be interesting, but if no one wants it, it won’t sell.
Success in cider and startups requires constant attention and a tremendous amount of work. When’s the last time you’ve been to an apple orchard? It is not a “set it and forget it” operation—instead, you need to stay hands-on, especially early on in the growing season. Ultimately, Jay shares that both pursuits should be rooted in passion. If you love the work, you’ll keep going through the tough parts—and eventually, enjoy the fruits of your labor.
IOWA PODCAST CORNER
Embracing Cycles with Alyx Coble-Frakes, CEO & Founder of The Agenda Period (The Iowa Podcast, Kaylee Williams)
Alyx shares her business journey, highlighting the challenges of building a FemTech startup by overcoming societal taboos & stigmas associated with women’s health
The Future of Marketing is Local, Human, and Already Here with Emily Steele (Amner Martinez Podcast)
Emily shares stories from her work building beloved local brands and running a successful marketing tech startup that prioritizes people over pixels.
From VC to Startup with Ryan Gerhardy, CEO & Co-Founder of Pitchly (The Iowa Podcast, Kaylee Williams)
Ryan shares how Pitchly’s product explores the resurgence of the freemium model, particularly with AI tools, as a strategy to demonstrate value to customers.
Meet one of our newest voices at the Iowa Startup Collective!
Nik Heftman: Through multimedia storytelling, Nik delves into the lives of entrepreneurs, creatives, and community trailblazers
“When you spend a dollar at a local business, that investment turns over up to seven times within the community.” Get to know Nik Heftman and his Substack corner, all about telling the stories of black-owned businesses called The Seven Times.
Did we mention he is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and film producer?
We are so thrilled to welcome his voice as we continue to amplify why culture impacts the perception of entrepreneurship across Iowa and beyond. Watch one of his past docuseries videos of a Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market fan favorite, G.G.’s Chicken & Waffles.
Check out the Iowa Startup Collective in the Business Record!
Changing the cultural perception of entrepreneurs: Advocates aim to encourage entrepreneurship through storytelling.
By Lisa Rossi: A group of Central Iowa entrepreneurs, funders, and advocates are trying to reframe entrepreneurship as a legitimate career path by creating an inspirational hub of conversation via Substack, an online writing platform. The Iowa Startup Collective is a group of nine writers, each writing about entrepreneurship from different angles.
Join the Iowa Startup Collective! If you are interested in being a writer or are already publishing content via a different channel (podcast, blog, articles, etc), please fill out the interest form here.
Proud to be a partner of the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative
Jay Cooper: We Are All EntrePartners
Tej Dhawan: A cultural record of Central Iowa’s technology
Nik Heftman: The Seven Times
Kevin Kimle
Mikayla Mooney: Ag Startup Engine
Clayton Mooney: Open Clayton
Sree Nilakanta
Adam Viet: Iowa’s Startup Silo
Kaylee Williams
Diana Wright: Startup Iowa Hot List and Iowa Startup Collective
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Substack are my own and those of each writer. The views do not reflect my employer or place of work.
Loved the Business Record story and excited to see Nick on board!