Entrepreneur Stories

Corruption of America's Food Industry with Austin Frerick

It's been several years since Austin Frerick has been with us and  it has been well worth the wait. He recently released Barons - Money, Power and the Corruption of America's Food Industry and it is a blockbuster. In it Austin not only names the power brokers but also does extensive background pieces about each "Barron". The Hog Barons, the Grain Barons, the Coffee Barons, the Berry Barons, the Slaughter Barons and the Grocery Barons. This is a book for every book shelf. Here now is Austin Frerick:
Thanks for being here!
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.

NTPDA Meet Our Members - Call Notes

It's time to ditch that yellow pad and step up to Call Notes. His name is Cy Hilty and for years he has dabbled in computer software…as a hobby. But now he has created a system that helps businesses keep and track phone calls…from a request to a completed transaction. We all know that many of our members still rely on doing this "the old way" however, with Call Notes you keep a record of every call, every request and can up your customer service quickly and easily. Thank you Cy for joining the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association and this should be an asset for many of our current and future members!
We're here to help our members grow their business and provide a wide range of great benefits that more than pay for an annual membership fee of $400. If you're interested in becoming a member head to our Membership Application and let's do this.  Thanks for listening and thank you for being a Member! 

The Business News Headlines 4 June 2024

It's Election Day here in Iowa and, yes, I did vote. We kick things off today with a report about open jobs in the U.S. The headline most outlets had was that "Job Openings Drop to the Lowest Level Since 2021". Sounds bad...right? But, when you look inside the numbers it's pretty good news but, as you know, good news doesn't sell or get clicks. Finally, if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Inside the job openings data from today;
Gas prices drop and why that's going on;
High end watches are selling to young people;
Yesterday Meme Stocks had a day...today, not so much;
New Orleans is about to experience a "makeover";
Big news from the world of funerals;
The Wall Street Report;
Shutterstock goes all in on AI.
For the interview you'll meet Jeff Bucklin who with his 79 year old father own and operate Colfax Tractor and Combine Parts in the tiny town of Colfax, Iowa. What is surprising about this story is that, without an inventory system, they have to know, by memory, where in their 100 acres of used tractors, combines, planters and construction equipment those parts...are. Oh, and they ship all over the globe. It's a neat family story...with some history. To LISTEN, CLICK THIS LINK.
Thanks for being here!
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.

Small Business Spotlight - Colfax Tractor Parts

Recently I took a trip down a gravel road in tiny Colfax, Iowa to visit with Jeff Bucklin of Colfax Tractor Parts. They own 100 acres full of nearly every type of used agriculture equipment out there. The founder of the business, Bennie Bucklin (79) still puts in a full week of work helping identify where various tractors, combines, planters, skid loaders are located. Now, get this: They ship these tractor and construction parts all over the globe. It's a big deal. In addition they also buy "gently used" vehicles, detail 'em and sell those as well. Come along for a great family story we think you'll enjoy. 
Thanks for being here!
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.

Meet Rob Taylor a Certified EOS Implementer

Last month we attended the Central Iowa Business Conference (with several hundred business professionals) which was put on by the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce.  We set up a recording booth and visit with a wide range of individuals about...business. Here you'll meet Rob Taylor who is a Certified EOS Implementer and, yes, that was one of the first questions we asked him..."So, Rob, what the heck does that mean?" He answered that and so much more.  Think entrepreneurs, team building and getting the business on the right track.  Meet Rob! 
Thanks for being here!
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 Jeff Stein and Ken Chester

Join us for the latest Out to Lunch segment this time with Jeff Stein the News and Program Director for News/Talk 1540 KXEL and Ken Chester from the nationally syndicated program Tech Mobility.  To be sure I've known these two guys for some time and whenever we get together it's a hoot. However, usually it's just the three of us.  Now you get to join in our conversation over lunch at Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio in West Des Moines. (You've got to check their new website!)  We kick things off with "Quick Bites". Three questions every guest gets:  Book, Movie and Career other than the current job. Then it's conversation over lunch. Enjoy and thanks for coming by! 
Out to Lunch is part of the award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie 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 30 May 2024

We're a bit late in getting this out "on the bird" because we spent the greater part of the day in Humeston, Iowa a community of roughly 460 people.  We took the show on the road for another "Out to Lunch" segment and had a great time listening to stories from our guests Jill, Don and Dan (photo). We learned much about the history of the community as well as their business climate and a community owned grocery store The Front Street Market, the Grassroots Cafe and Snyder's a store like no other I've ever been in and today was their 75th Anniversary!  We can't wait to share that segment with you later next week. We'll get to the news in a moment but if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The GDP numbers explained;
The Dow has lost about 1,000 points in 3 days...why?
Some positive FAA and Boeing news today;
Fast food pricing and wow...has it gone up;
The Wall Street Report;
Retail news from Best Buy and Kohl's.
Thanks for being here!
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 Meet Andy Buckley 23 May 2024

It is good to be back with you.  It's been quite the week here.  Early on Tuesday morning our studio and offices were flooded with close to an inch of water during a storm that dumped two-inches in under twenty minutes. That was followed by a storm that knocked out power for 23 hours. Combining the water damage clean up and clearing trees it was a full 23 hours...we were not bored. But, we're back and grateful!  Say, if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The unemployment numbers are out and that spooked Wall Street;
The Justice Department filed suit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation;
Traveling this weekend? You will NOT be alone.  Some details;
The Wall Street Report;
TikTok to axe about 1,000 jobs and why.
For the conversation you'll meet actor Andy Blakeley who, for several years, was on The Office. But, the surprising thing about that was his acting role was really his "side-gig".  We talk about that, his new adventure in the second season of FUBAR on Netflix, his relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger (who is also in the show) and his Bride who is a famous acting coach by the name of Nancy Banks, and yes, we name names.  To listen to our conversation CLICK THIS LINK.
Thanks for being here!
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.

Meet Actor Andy Buckley from The Office and More 23 May 2024

We were at the Central Iowa Business Conference chatting with a host of individuals including the morning keynote speaker Andy Buckley. If that name sounds familiar it should. Andy was one of the actors on The Office that ran for several years. Since then Andy has added to his IMDb body of work and is not with Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Netflix production of FUBAR and yes, another comedy. We talked about how The Office was really his "side gig", his famous Bride, Nancy Banks who is an acting coach and more. I came away from this thinking he's really a nice guy and so easy to talk with. Meet Andy Buckley:  
Thanks for being here!
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.

Mr. Smith (Harry) in Washington, D.C.

One of the highlights of the recent Greater Des Moines Partnership DMDC2024 trip to Washington, D.C. was the opportunity to listen to the very funny and talented broadcaster Harry K. Smith who recently retired from a long stint at NBC. He took us through several real stories about his work over the many years and it was both fun and sometime serious. I stuck around after the luncheon and was able to grab a bit of audio with Harry and ask him what he has planned, now that he's got more time on his hands.  Have a listen and thanks Harry for the many years of helping make us...smarter. 
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.