Start Up Stories

Fleet Feet Sports with Andy Roat

It's new and it's in the East Village. Andy Roat loves to run and share his passion with others so why not open a specialty sports store in a special part of the Metro and make it happen? Fleet Feet Sports opened its doors several weeks ago.  How does a small brick and mortar work, why this type of store and how to combat on-line shopping were some of the questions we asked. Here is our conversation.  Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

GopherMods with Casey Profita

What started out in his dorm room has exploded into GopherMods a place where you get "stuff fixed" in five locations.  From iPhones to game centers entrepreneur Casey Profita and his crew can get you communicating again.  We welcomed him to Urbandale and the Des Moines Metro:Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Gravitate with Geoff Wood

When Start Up City announced they would close their doors Geoff Wood from Welch Avenue and others associated with the tech start-up "incubator" were wondering where "home" might be.  The answer is Gravitate located in the Midland Building downtown Des Moines.  How is it similar to Start Up City and what advantages are there to this model?  We asked those questions and more. Here is our conversation: Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Dr. Chris LoRang and the Business of Health

When we heard that a new physicians office, Capitol Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center in the Middle of the Metro had been selected as the Business of the Year by the Downtown Des Moines Chamber we had to find out more. Dr. Chris LoRang, a rather recent graduate of the Palmer School in Davenport, moved and came to the Metro just a year ago.  Here we talk about the changes in Chiropractic Medicine and why the public is seeking new ways toward health. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Epic Eateries with Brandon Heidt

We couldn't get Brandon Heidt into the studio because every day of the week he's headed out to some area farmers market with his spices from Epic Eateries. So, we caught up with him on a Thursday afternoon as he was getting ready for the market in Valley Junction. (Forgive us for the quality of the audio, we're not sure what happened.)Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Network DSM with Mike and Jeff

What we need is another social internet connection...right?  Right, according to our friends Mike Banasiak and Jeff Ackley two of the three folks behind NetworkDSM a way in which you, yes you, can post up events (at no charge) and get the word out.  But, do we really need another format? Once you listen in...we think you will likey! Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Web Fashion Speaks with Jeremy and Peg Mattison

It started out as being for supplemental income but it has grown into a full time career for Jeremy and Peg Mattison of Web Fashion Speaks.  We talked about their beginning, where they are now and where they hope to be in five to ten years. This is the way you can find unique clothing and it's a fun story.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Mike Colwell on the Business Innovation Zone, Funding and More

We enjoy it when Mike Colwell from the Business Innovation Zone comes by for a visit.  Today we talked about the brick/mortar changes that have hit business, niche businesses that still do great in retail because they don't sell a commodity and funding start-ups.  Always a good conversation! Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Mobile Applications and DR Arthur

He's one of the brightest people we know, DR Arthur came by to talk a bit about the rise of mobile applications and his business PhoneApp.com. What is the future of this method of communication and what are his clients asking for?  We talk about that and more.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Kate Washut and Far Reach Technologies

At first glance you might think Far Reach Technologies is another "tech company" but, in fact, it is much more.  Kate Washut is the CEO of the company that began as a necessity for survival back in 2007 and then they realized that their clients needed more than just websites...they needed to know how to market.  Our thanks to Mike Colwell from the Business Innovation Zone for bringing Kate to the News Hour.  If you're in Des Moines you can see and hear the story of Far Reach Technologies this Wednesday.  Here is some ticket information.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.