From Des Moines to Seattle: The Journey of Julio Delgadillo and BuoyClub
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, Micah Walker takes over as host while Kaylee Williams is on maternity leave. Micah introduces Julio Delgadillo, an entrepreneur born in Des Moines, Iowa, who has a passion for creativity and design. Julio shares his journey from growing up in Iowa, developing his artistic skills in school, to eventually founding Buoyclub, a clothing brand he started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Julio explains how his time in Des Moines and his experiences in spoken word poetry influenced his creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, eventually leading him to study...
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SwineTech: Revolutionizing Pig Production with Matthew Rooda
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams converses with Matthew Rooda, CEO and co-founder of SwineTech, about his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company. Matthew shares his background in pig production, emphasizing the challenges he encountered, such as labor shortages and piglet crushing, a significant issue leading to billions in losses annually. SwineTech originally tackled piglet crushing using voice recognition technology to alert sows to stand up, preventing piglet suffocation. However, during COVID-19, the company pivoted to a broader approach,...
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Embracing Cycles: Harnessing Female Empowerment and Entrepreneurship with Alyx Coble-Frakes
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of The Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee Williams engages with Alyx Coble-Frakes, the founder and CEO of The Agenda, at the Jethro's Barbecue Studio. Alyx shares her unexpected path from aspiring educator to businesswoman, highlighting her early experiences with the Girl Scouts and her educational background in social entrepreneurship. Her pivotal moment came from an observation about her sales conversions peaking during the ovulation phase of her menstrual cycle, which led to the formation of The Agenda Period. This discovery fueled her mission to create tools for women to...
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How AI is driving the future of healthcare with Dr. John Cromwell and Buddy Lyons of ENTAC Medical
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee engages in an insightful conversation with Buddy Lyons and Dr. John Cromwell, the co-founders of ENTAC Medical. The discussion delves into the innovative journey of ENTAC Medical, a company that has pioneered the use of acoustic biomarkers and artificial intelligence to predict adverse medical events. Buddy and John share the fascinating origin story of their company, which began with the development of a predictive medical device aimed at addressing postoperative ileus. With a strong commitment to transforming healthcare from a reactive to...
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From Venture Capitalist to Startup Founder of Pitchly with Ryan Gerhardy
Iowa Tech Podcast
In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams sits down with Ryan Gerhardy, the co-founder and CEO of Pitchly, a company revolutionizing the way content is created from data. Recorded in the vibrant Jethro's Barbecue Studio, the conversation explores the exciting new developments at Pitchly, including the introduction of a freemium model that allows users to experience the power of Pitchly's autonomous content agents. Ryan shares his journey from investment banking and venture capital to co-founding a startup, highlighting the strategic decisions and lessons learned...
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Building real customer relationships with Lana Fox, CEO & Co-Founder of ClinicNote
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams welcomes Lana Fox, co-founder and CEO of ClinicNote, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey. Lana shares her story of how she became involved with ClinicNote, initially starting as an unpaid girlfriend helping her now-husband Tyler Fox with the business. She talks about her initial experience managing an exterior painting business and how those skills translated into her role at ClinicNote. The conversation delves into the challenges of taking over as CEO during a financially tough period for the company and how she navigated those...
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From ultra-marathons to urban farming: how to build a resilient startup with Clayton Mooney
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Clayton Mooney, the Co-Founder and Chief Farmer at Clayton Farms, discussing his journey from a small family farm in Iowa to creating a successful indoor farming business. Clayton shares his experience with ultra-marathon training and compares the perseverance required in athletics to that of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of tenacity and grit. He details his career path, including his initial reluctance to return to agriculture and his subsequent ventures like Kinosol, which developed solar food...
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The impact of global tariffs on one Iowa startup with Russel Karim
Iowa Tech Podcast
In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Russel Karim, CEO and Founder of SourceEazy, about his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company. Originally from Bangladesh, Russel has been part of the Iowa startup ecosystem for 14 years, beginning with his first venture, Solver Iowa, during his time at the University of Northern Iowa. Russel's background in the clothing manufacturing industry in Bangladesh inspired him to create SourceEazy, a company that connects fashion design with global manufacturing, particularly focusing on the promotional and...
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Building Iowa startups with Curt Nelson and Ben Clark of the Entrepreneurial Development Center
Iowa Tech Podcast
In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee interviews Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), and Ben Clark, Entrepreneur in Residence at EDC. The discussion focuses on the role of EDC in supporting Iowa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Curt, who founded EDC 22 years ago, explains the organization's mission to accelerate the formation and success of new companies, thereby generating economic impact in Iowa. He shares his passion for entrepreneurship, which stems from his lifelong desire to create and innovate. Curt also discusses his book,...
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An Interview with Clair Williams-Vavra, Winner of Startup Weekend DSM
Iowa Tech Podcast
The latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Kaylee Williams, comes to life from the Jethro's Barbecue Studio in the East Village, where Kaylee chats with Clair Williams-Vavra, the Chief Operating Officer at SI Delivery Consulting. Clair, the recent winner of this year's Des Moines' Startup Weekend, shares her eclectic journey from hospitality to technology and entrepreneurship. She reflects on her past ventures, like the B2B mason jar salad company, Green Mason, and her deep-seated entrepreneurial spirit that traces back to childhood endeavors. The discussion takes a heartfelt turn...
info_outlineIn a recent episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams sat down with Billie Asmus, CEO and founder of Repaint Studios, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and recent success at the $100,000 InnoVenture Challenge. Asmus, who once flipped furniture, identified a gap in the market for a reusable paint tray with a lid, leading to the creation of the Repaint Tray—a silicone paint tray liner with a lid that preserves paint freshness for up to 21 days. Her journey was not without setbacks, including initial failures in pitch competitions, but her perseverance and belief in her product led to eventual success. Asmus emphasized the importance of learning from setbacks, maintaining a strong belief in one's vision, and the value of mentorship and networking in overcoming challenges. Her innovations have gained traction, leading to successful partnerships with major retailers like Lowe's and Home Depot, without spending on advertising.
Asmus's story highlights the importance of community support and strategic alliances in the entrepreneurial landscape. Despite her rural roots in Hampton, Iowa, she successfully tapped into a network of advisors and mentors who provided invaluable guidance. Her advisors, with diverse expertise ranging from finance to manufacturing, played a crucial role in navigating the complexities of scaling her business. Asmus shared insights on the significance of storytelling in entrepreneurship, encouraging others to articulate their visions clearly to attract support and investment. She also underscored the importance of staying connected with support communities to combat the isolation that can accompany the entrepreneurial journey. As she looks to the future, Asmus plans to expand her product line, continuously innovating in response to customer feedback, and remains committed to reinvesting in rural communities. Her story serves as an inspiring example of resilience, strategic growth, and the power of dreaming big.
Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/billie-asmus-iowa-entrepreneur-story