Small Business

They Are Iowa’s Rural Cathedrals’ - The 1850 Homestead Barn

This is a totally surprise conversation. Recently a friend of ours, Davi Mondt Lowman made me aware of a project that had been going on in the tiny town of Cambridge, Iowa.  That project has become the 1850 Homestead and barn which recently opened its doors to the public. I took my radio gear to an open house and, as luck would have it, I was able to sit down with Margret Freeland Nelson (family of the homesteaders), Kay Thompson who now owns the barn and her daughter Michelle Reisberg who, with her husband Bill, now manage the facility that is open for a host of public and private events.  We think you'll enjoy this story.
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 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 a Small Business Spotlight 30 August 2023

Midweek and we're back with some of the business news that made headlines today. In addition we're traveling to Union, South Carolina for a Small Business Spotlight segment featuring DC Heavy Hydraulics a company headed by Ann Kerr. They can boast of surprising growth in just eight years.  Why? We asked.  Meanwhile, to reach us on social media if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The astounding GDP of the USA and why;
Working overtime but not getting paid? About to change;
China put on notice to play by the rules or...
More union news this time flight attendants;
Big Pharma not happy and why;
The Wall Street Report;
A surprising number of new business openings and by who.
For the interview you'll meet Ann Kerr the General Manager of DC Heavy Hydraulics a company based in the tiny town of Union, South Carolina. Over the eight years they have been in business the company has seen rapid growth in not only the U.S. but also Canada. What's responsible for this?  We asked an Ann answered.  To listen to that conversation click on this link. 
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 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.

DC Heavy Hydraulics a Small Business Spotlight

Join us in Union, South Carolina as we visit with Ann Kerr the General Manager of DC Heavy Hydraulics.  The company has seen rapid growth over the past eight years and Ann suggests that is because of their commitment to customer service, building positive relationships and having a dedicated technical staff. We love showcasing growing small businesses. Listen in to our conversation.  
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 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 & More 18 August 2023

Welcome to the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines, broadcasting today from our remote studio in Mason City, Iowa. Glad you are with us again.  Just ahead some of the big news stories of the day plus a conversation with Lyle and Sharon Kreps who have been operating The Stockman's Inn located next to the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fair for fifty years.  Yes, 50!  We'll chat a bit about their life there and what's next and what will happen to the place everybody knows about as "See ya at Stockman's" has become the official tag line of a great place.  Thanks for being with us. And, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Amazon relaunches a delivery service;
Meta, Canada and wildfires makes for a big story;
Walmart shutting down self checkout stations and why;
Trader Joe's on rumors that self checkout is coming;
The Wall Street Report;
And creating ads with AI? What could go wrong.
Click ahead for the interview with Lyle and Sharon Kreps and their 50 year association with the Iowa State Fair and their business Stockman's Inn. We'll talk about the good times, the bad and what's next for this landmark restaurant.  To listen, click this link.
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 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.

Celebrating 50 Years - Stockman’s Inn with Lyle and Sharon Kreps

This will be a huge memory jog for those of you who have taken in the Iowa State Fair and had the pleasure of hanging out at Stockman's Inn next to the Cattle Barn.  Lyle and Sharon Kreps started this project fifty years ago and this year they retire and turn it over to their kids Brian, Jason and Jennifer. So many stories, so many people and so many good times. Each night of the eleven day fair it's the place to go to hear live country music and reconnect with folks you may not have seen for at least a year. Here we sit down with Lyle and Sharon and son Brian to remember and look ahead. Enjoy the ride...we sure have!
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 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.

4th Annual Sista Soul Fest with Loretta Windsor

Over the years we've had the opportunity to visit with so many entrepreneurs and at each meeting we've found their stories to be compelling.  That too was the case when I sat down with Loretta Windsor the founder of Sista Soul Fest now in its fourth year. This is so much more than a festival. There is a  powerful economic driver behind her vision for build economic wealth for women and especially women of color. Dive in and we hope to see you at this ever expanding event. Oh, want to become a vendor? They are open to that until 15 August. Here is that link to join up. 
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 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 3 August 2023

We're sneaking up on the weekend and a reminder that this Saturday the 5th of August it's Comedians to the Rescue for the special needs, no-kill animal shelter known as the Animal Lifeline of Iowa.  We featured the non-profit a couple of weeks ago and here is a link to that conversation. Click ahead for the business news headlines and, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Sales of Yeezy Shoes made the news;
Get ready for higher fuel prices...thank you Saudi Arabia;
An education issue between North Dakota and Minnesota;
Meta vs. Canada - Winners and Losers;
If you are in a good mood will you donate more to charity?
The Wall Street Report;
The Jobs Data coming to you tomorrow;
Juul is looking for some cash and wants to launch a new app.
And a programing note…tomorrow you’ll be hearing from entrepreneur Loretta Windsor the founder of Sista Soul Fest…now in it’s fourth year of promoting the businesses of women and women of color.  It happens on August 27th and we’re going to help her hype it up…
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 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 2 August 2023

It's the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 2nd day of August. Thanks for being with us again today. If you spend less than ten minutes with us you'll be up to speed on a host of the top stories of the day and today brought several surprises. Click ahead for the news and, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Going, Going...Gone. Sorry Mr. Edison;
The markets tanked today and why;
Why are gas prices increasing? Several factors;
We're talking about Mega-Millions;
That credit downgrade and what that means;
The Wall Street Report;
Small businesses took the hiring lead last month;
The rise in special education enrollments and a problem.
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 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 29 June 2023

A quick programing note: We've added new mics in our studio and we've not yet gotten the bugs worked out.  (It's a process...) Letting you know in case you're hearing things a bit differently today. But, we carry on. Also, remember that you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:  
The economy? Doing just fine thank you;
Targeting rural areas Arizona leads;
Southwest pilots closer to a strike?
Some football news about J.J. Watt;
The COLA for Social Security next year;
Some shocking news from National Geographic;
The Wall Street Report;
Something else to worry about: The earth is tilting more.
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 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.
 

The Business News Headlines 13 June 2023

Welcome back! Today we're going to take a deeper dive into the new Consumer Price Index that tells us inflation is easing. In fact May was the eleventh month in a row that has seen the inflation numbers shrink. But, of course, there is a but and we'll cover that as well. Also, remember that you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:  
Disengaged at work? You are not alone;
Hard to believe but Instapot has filed Chapter 11;
The new report on inflation is very encouraging;
But, there is a but when it comes to food;
Oh, and there is also something called "Service Inflation";
What does Dave Ramsey say about buying a new vehicle?
Dealers are not going to like that story.
The Wall Street Report;
What size business is embracing the 4-day work week? 
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 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.