The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Hallie Erdahl of Georgette in Clear Lake, IA as the June 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month. Georgette is a pop-up bridal shop in Clear Lake, Iowa, offering luxury bridal gowns at accessible prices. Hallie Erdahl founded Georgette in 2025 and […]
Georgette, Clear Lake Lee mas "
Nos Books is an independent bookstore in Des Moines, Iowa that strives to share underrepresented voices and build community. Owned by Luis Lujan, the store is built on a love of literature. What began during the pandemic as a pop-up bookstore traveling to festivals, street fairs, and local businesses soon evolved into something more. Along
Nos Books, Des Moines Lee mas "
RodKnee Fishing was founded in November 2023 by Mike South and Rich Batt, inspired by a common problem and an innovative solution. Rich, an avid angler, frequently struggled with his two-piece fishing rod becoming tangled during transport and storage. Frustrated by this, he turned to Mike, a skilled engineer, to design a holder to keep
RodKnee Fishing | Council Bluffs Lee mas "
CoriAnn Theroux grew up dreaming of one day opening her own independent bookshop. Fueled by a lifelong love of reading, she envisioned a space where she could share her passion with others and build a community around the magic of books. After graduating, the timing wasn’t right for CoriAnn to open her own bookshop, so
The Green Dragon Bookshop, Fort Dodge Lee mas "
Tom O’Brien discovered his passion for large-scale farming at the age of 12. As his life evolved, so did his goals. In 2016, after moving back to the same block he grew up on, he embraced his long-held dream and became a farmer. This decision led to the creation of Gardens on Glen in 2019,
Gardens on Glen, Council Bluffs Lee mas "
During the summer of 2024, catastrophic floods swept through Northwest Iowa, causing severe damage to many businesses, including Crown Clinic in Spencer, IA. Nurse practitioners Peyton Hantelman and Jay Downing were among those affected. Amid the growing healthcare shortage in the area, Peyton and Jay recognized the urgent need to act. Many of their longtime
Priority Health Northwest, Spencer Lee mas "
Lorrie Popik and Rae Guillermo’s friendship began 40 years ago when they were sorority sisters at the University of Northern Iowa. This bond has since served as the foundation for The Dessert Mixologist, a business specializing in fun desserts with a twist. After graduation from UNI, Lorrie and Rae pursued their careers while maintaining a
The Dessert Mixologist, Fairfield Lee mas "
Bailey Bruning fell in love with the world of beauty when she was a little girl. This love, paired with her family’s unwavering support, led her to pursue a career as a licensed esthetician, and on January 1, 2025, Bailey opened the doors to Freckled Esthetics. When naming her business, Bailey wanted something unique that
Freckled Esthetics, Council Bluffs Lee mas "
Jeremy Empie began his journey in web design back in 1997 when he volunteered at a youth outreach center. The center’s director approached Jeremy and another volunteer, asking, “If I gave you four weeks of training, two hours a week, would you create the website?” This experience sparked Jeremy’s passion for web design and planted
Jeremy Empie Web Design, Oskaloosa Lee mas "
Early Morning Harvest began as a hobby that has since transformed into a premier aquaponic produce farm and organic grain mill. In 1993, Jeff Hafner and his father, Earl, began farming together. Jeff had purchased the acreage where his grandparents lived and farmed for many years prior. After farming the land for a few years,
Early Morning Harvest, Panora Lee mas "
