Entrepreneur Stories

Meet Entrepreneur Theresa Leppert

So often we have these chance meetings that bring us to a story we love sharing. Here you will meet Theresa Leppert who worked in the medical field and thought a massage was something that only rich people did on vacation.  One trip, years ago, changed her life.  She went back to school and opened up a massage and aroma therapy business in the tiny town of Maquoketa, Iowa (pop. 6,000). But it doesn't stop there Theresa is also on the Board of Directors of Girl Campers and we'll talk about that as well. Meet Theresa Leppert an entrepreneur that’s got a bunch going on from Girl Campers to Lucida Sol Wellness & Botanicals. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More! 1 May 2025

Welcome to May Day and thanks for being with us again today.  In the Business News Headlines we first take a look at why cheaper goods from China will cost buyers and sellers more money starting...Friday.  In other news, Elon Musk is stepping away from DOGE….but fails to answer what he has accomplished. We have a story about how the Mideast is having its own set of economic worries and why. Turning back to domestic issues a carbon capture pipeline is facing legislative backlash in Iowa. We’ve got the Wall Street report as well as a story about the sacking of the new Kohls CEO.  For the conversation you’ll meet Theresa Leppert an entrepreneur that’s got a bunch going on from Girl Campers to Lucida Sol Wellness & Botanicals based in tiny Maquoketa, Iowa. Let’s go…
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Out to Lunch with Mike Pace

Mike Pace is no ordinary Iowan and here we go Out to Lunch with Mike to prove that point. You see, Mike has been in broadcasting longer than most. He is a writer, producer, television host as well as doing a stint in wholesale and retail. And just recently has released a movie called Outro.  Mike also, with a long time friend Steve Mathews, opened up a first class recording studio, Radio Garage.  In this conversation we also talk about his family and an upcoming milestone birthday. So much to talk about. Known across Iowa and beyond an inside look at Mike Pace. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and Peter Sherinian 15 April 2025

Welcome to Tax Day 2025 and the business news headlines. Today…we ask the question, “Who’s on First”? Think the White House.  Tax payers are having issues getting help from the IRS. Foreign born students in the US have something serous to worry about. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and Meta meets the FTC…and it’s all about social media.  For the conversation you’ll meet entrepreneur Peter Sherinian who says he operates the only true men’s gift shop in the state of Iowa.  Today you’ll learn more about the interesting place known as Fox and Mason.  But, first the news….
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Historian & Genealogist Ricki King and Her Work

Ricki King is an exceptional individual. Her work centers on researching and then reporting on underrepresented communities and individuals in Iowa. Over the years she has found some amazing links that still impact us today.  Here she will talk about her work, who she is hoping to study and some surprising stories she has uncovered.  Ricki King from Roots to Branches Genealogy.  Enjoy...we did!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 7 April 2025

Wall Street had another turbulent day…there was even some “fake news” about pausing the tariffs and we’ll share. This is the business news headlines for Monday the 7th day of April, thanks for being here. IN other news, the flooding in Kentucky closes a famous distillery. The housing market is looking better for homebuyers. Walmart and the blackout made the news today. A major furniture store is shutting down and citing tariffs as the reason. The Wall Street Report and the CEO of the largest bank in the US has issued a warning statement….for the conversation you’ll meet historian and genealogist Ricki King who has, for years, studied and reported findings of what she calls underrepresented communities in Iowa.  Stay with us for that conversation….let’s go.  
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and Customer Service 20 March 2025

Welcome to Spring and the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 20th day of March.  Thanks for being with us.   We kick things off today with a story about Tesla. Things are not going so well there.  And, a reminder that should you wish to to follow us you can find us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  And our website is just a click away where you can scroll through all of our newscasts. Here's what we've got for you today:
Tesla, another recall notice for the Cybertruck;
And the company stock is in the tank;
Home sales rebounded in February;
But mortgage rates increased last week;
The CEO of Amtrack suddenly resigned and why;
The Boston Celtics are for sale for BIG money;
Musk wants Social Security information but a judge stopped that;
The Wall Street Report;
And, have you heard about the "Do Not Rehire" lists?
For the conversation you'll meet H.A. Gross who with his wife owns Plaza Printers. I asked H.A. to sit down with me because of his exceptional customer service.  He did something for a client of ours that went the extra mile.  We talk about that and then get into a conversation about trade shows.  Some tips for those of you who have a booth at any show that will improve your return on that investment of time and money.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Dark Knight and the Iowa League of Heroes

Here you will meet The Dark Knight. You may know him as Batman and he is the founder of The Iowa League of Heroes. We sat down in a public coffee shop to have this discussion and not a person there knew who I was actually interviewing. This is one of the very rare instances where The Dark Knight comes out in public to talk about how The Iowa League of Heroes began, what they do, why and what the future holds.  We thought this was pretty amazing. Enjoy, we did!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and The Dark Knight 17 March 2025

A brand new week and Happy St. Patrick's Day to those of you celebrating. Us? We missed out on the big parade in Des Moines. Yes, we were working on the Business News Headlines for today and we kick things off with a look at consumer spending last month that, in a word, was anemic.. Also today, for the conversation, you'll meet The Dark Knight whom you would know as Batman. This Dark Knight is the founder of The Iowa League of Heroes. It's a fantastic story...enjoy.  A reminder that should you wish to to follow us you can find us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  And our website is just a click away where you can scroll through all of our newscasts. Here's what we've got for you today:
Consumer spending increased but it was weak;
Building products rise in cost and why;
Yet another retail chain files Chapter 11;
The Fed meets this week and some tough decisions;
Grass fed or feedlot beef. Which is better for the environment?
The Wall Street Report;
Another bankruptcy but this time a movie production house.
For the conversation you'll meet The Dark Knight who formed The Iowa League of Heroes. What he has done for over 20 years along with his sidekicks of super heroes is not only pretty amazing but also heartfelt.  The Dark Knight today:
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Customer Service and Trade Show Advice with H.A. Gross

Here you will meet H.A. Gross who with his wife, Cindy, own Plaza Printers based in Urbandale, Iowa. This is a story about exceptional customer service and living up to your word. We were in New Orleans for the 40th Annual Conference and Trade Show for the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. One of the highlights of the event was bringing together former and current presidents of the group to tell their stories. It was a great addition.  To offer our appreciation we decided to give them their favorite bottle of liquor with a the NTPDA logo, their name and years of service.  The supplier failed to inscribe the name of the president and his year of service!  Here is a great story about customer service, being honest, living up to expectations and more.  Meet H.A. who also has some trade show marketing tips.  We hope you enjoy this...we did! 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.