Iowa New In Town Podcast

Anthony Hilleshiem is getting ready to launch a new and innovative business in the Carroll, Iowa area.  In early December, he will open the Big Bark Mobile Dog Gym for all of the customers who want their pooch to get what they need; exercise!

The 6 by 12 trailer will be coming to areas around Carroll and possibly much further for clients who may be interested.  Your dog can workout on the slat mill at thei...

Planning an event? Wedding, fall festival, tree lighting? You'll likely have drinks for the folks that attend.  Anyone can have people go up to a bar and order one, but not everyone can have that "wow" factor of having a donkey walk around and bring your favorite beverage to you. That's where the Dinky Drinky Donkeys from Story City come in as your essential "beverage burros"!

Join me as I talk to Chris an...

Do you believe in ghosts? Many people don't want to admit to this for fear of sounding "crazy." John, Dan and Sam with Spirits Unleashed out of Ft. Dodge, Iowa are ready to believe you, and help you get to the bottom of your fears. When someone says they do not believe in ghosts, John Lyons says, "Don't believe what you see on TV. If you go to a haunted place you will have a different experience." And that is just what...

When Rod Murphy started reading the labels of various meat rubs and seasonings, he quickly realized the one ingredient that almost all of them had: sugar!  Being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes he started to research all types of ways to make a rub that would fit the Keto and low carb lifestyle and so he and his wife Amy came up with Mad Murphy's Meat Rub.

This family business out of Saylor Township is only...

Moriah Ha decided that she could use her background in design to branch off and do something new.  She would design....cookies!  It makes sense when you think about it.  All of those creative skills are now going into her 6 month old business of Sweet Treats by Moriah located in Iowa City, Iowa.

If you are looking for homemade treats from cookies and cupcakes, to cakes and scones, her Facebook page lets yo...

The Weary Ramblers are Kathryn Fox and Chad Elliott, but their story and music are much more.  Combining the elements of classical and folk, interwoven with stories from their lives,  one can see why this Iowa duo is being considered for seven Grammy nominations.

Their first self-titled album, "Weary Ramblers" was recorded at Des Moines' own Golden Bear Records and features Chad on the guitar, Kathryn on s...

Monica Eischeid decided to make her own salon with a light, open feel with a heavenly vibe.  It was this concept that led to one of the newest hair salons in Central Iowa, Ethereal Beauty Lounge on Ingersoll Avenue. Here you can get a new style or skin treatment in a relaxed unassuming environment from one of the 4 stylists that rent a space in this 6 week old enterprise

With the desire to spend more time with her two young childre...

Bryce Walter and his friend Josh were sitting around the campfire and it came to them. Take Bryce's business mind and Josh's amazing skills with barbecue and start something new for Iowans to enjoy. With Bryce being a ranch guy and Josh being a farm boy, there was only one logical name for this new enterprise: Farm Boys Barbecue!

Join Bryce and me as we talk about the food trailer that can bring you simple...

Soda, pop, Coke, call it what you will, Twist Soda Shop has what you need  with a cool idea of how to get it. Tiffany and Justin Simmons decided to leave their previous corporate careers and spend time doing something they enjoyed. After seeing similar walk up "build your own" fountain drink spots in Utah, they decided to start one in Central Iowa.

Justin built his own mobile fountain pop cart and then he ...

Brady Stein and his friends had been scammed buying tickets before on social media and other sites. After seeing a market for secure ticketing, Brady went on to launch Seatstock.com exclusively for college students looking to buy, sell and trade their college sports tickets.

This Iowa grown business is taking off this fall and looks to get larger and larger branching out into other areas of the country and other college conferences...

Heather Rhea knows that dog owners love being outdoors with their dogs. Whether they are walking, jogging or even swimming with them. A few years back, Heather and her husband decided to emBARK on a new journey and purchased an online dog hiking company and turned it into a brick and mortar store at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines, Iowa.

Check out this episode to hear all about the exciting journey that Heath...

Back to school can be an exciting time for most, but for some parents, it can be an anxious time if their student struggles with classroom content. Megan Schmelzer saw those issues and decided to create a different approach to tutoring by starting The Little White Schoolhouse in Ankeny Iowa.

Join us as we discuss Megan's journey to help all students see success as she shares her inspirational story of goin...

Central Iowa sportscaster Scott Reister has loved sports all of his life. Growing up, his room was plastered with pages and pictures from Sports Illustrated magazines. The Cowboys, the Rangers; every inch of the walls were covered. It was this passion that guided him to be a local sportscaster, but his journey did not stop there. He is now a published author and thrilled to talk about his first book, "Baseball Spy" which came out i...

In this episode we talk with Grace Smithey about her becoming the newly crowned Miss Iowa Teen USA and what it takes to be on a pageant stage.  Grace calls Polk City Iowa home and reflects on how she got her start by knocking on doors and taking donations to make her dream become a reality.

Grace gives some great insight to the pageant world here in Iowa and some advice for those aspiring young contestants...

Megan Hanson has taken a journey down a path for over 25 years and now found ways to give back to her two loves: The Arts and Iowa. Growing up in Des Moines, she began dancing at an early age and pursued her passion for Arts ever since.  From high school theater, to a Bachelor's Degree in Stage Management and eventually a Master's in Brand Communication, she has been an integral part of Bravo of Greater Des Moines and ...

As you travel on Highway 69 near Story City, you will look to the West and see a sign with red letters that says "Slim's Country Market".  Chances are that owner Kent Allen will be nearby to greet you as you park on the gravel and enter this 1943 roadside produce stand. But this is not just a place to pick out amazing produce, food, beverages and gifts, it is a place where you will feel welcome and be part of the gener...

In the second installment of the Iowa New in Town podcast, host Mark Rixner sits down with  trained dancer and choreographer and Iowa native, Jessie Schnack, to talk about her passion for arts education and the inspiration behind The Dancer's Theater in Johnston, Iowa.  After teaching and performing for 20+ years, Schnack took a small building and made her big dream of owning and operating a non-profit performing arts ...