Posted September 30, 2026in Business Feature
Before the digital age, people gathered in homes, farms and auction houses to bid on items from estates. Food was often provided, friendships were formed, and memories were made. Travis Mansfield, owner of NativeBid Auction Services, grew up attending in-person estate auctions with his grandfather. “I loved it,” he said.
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Posted September 02, 2026in Business Feature
Some days they are accountants. On other days, they are recipe developers. One hour, they are marinating meat. And the next, they are in a marketing meeting. Through all their roles, they are always the consumer’s liaison. For years, Des Moines didn’t need someone to bridge the gap between Iowa
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Posted August 05, 2026in Business Feature
When it’s time for small businesses in the Des Moines area to upgrade their technology, what should they do with their old electronics? The answer is not to throw them away. Electronics do not belong in landfills, and the sensitive data stored on the hardware should never end up in
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Posted July 01, 2026in Business Feature
When shoes start to wear down and their soles fall apart, some people head to a department store or shop online for a new pair, while old ones are donated or end up in the trash. But when they can be saved, Des Moines-area residents can take their beloved shoes
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Posted June 03, 2026in Business Feature
As of early 2026, commercial real estate in Des Moines is experiencing a rebound after recent drops in the market. While there are certainly ups and downs, CBRE Broker Ben Probst said the overall market is relatively strong with interest rates beginning to decline after rising in recent years. Demand
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Posted May 06, 2026in Business Feature
While the technology continues to evolve, many entrepreneurs say its greatest value lies not in replacing human work but in creating more space for it. AI in any industry AI can be incorporated into just about any small business — even an upholstery business. At Repinned, Riana LeJeune’s upholstery
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Posted April 01, 2026in Business Feature
At Perry’s Service and Towing on University Avenue in Des Moines, a car glides through the wash while its owner relaxes in the driver’s seat, coffee in hand. For decades, drivers would have stepped out to scrub by hand. Now, machines do the work, and the self-service car wash is
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Posted March 04, 2026in Business Feature
Across retail, food and service industries, a noticeable shift is happening. Consumers are increasingly drawn to small, specialized businesses — places that offer craftsmanship, sustainability, personalization and a sense of connection that mass-produced options often lack. Think vintage and resale shops. Artisan bakeries. Custom upholstery studios and eco-friendly refill stores.
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Posted February 04, 2026in Business Feature
Family businesses often blur the line between work and home, where dinner-table conversations double as strategy sessions and legacy weighs as much as the bottom line. For these local business leaders, working with family isn’t just a career path; it’s a daily challenge and a source of deep pride. Growing
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Posted December 31, 2025in Business Feature
Launching a small business is often fueled by passion and a vision, but nothing replaces the legal foundations that keep a business protected and positioned to grow. Whether for a solo consultant, a tech startup founder or a brick-and-mortar shop owner, the legal to-do list is longer and more consequential
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