Posted December 06, 2023in Business Feature
Weekdays are typically quiet at A Quality Pawn and Jewelry at 1135 Army Post Road in Des Moines. The owner, Adrian Welch, says she only sees up to five customers on any day of the week. But she knows all her customers and wants the best for them. On a
Read More →
Posted November 01, 2023in Business Feature
Whether it’s Des Moines city proper or Ankeny, Clive, Urbandale or any of the other suburbs in the metro, pride abounds in the residents who call these communities home. They are proud of the thriving business community; the charitable organizations; and the trails, parks, events, arts and other quality of
Read More →
Posted October 04, 2023in Business Feature
Falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes mark the return of seasonal business ventures like apple orchards and pumpkin patches. These businesses promise joy, laughter and happy memories. Haunted houses promise the opposite with fear, horror and terror. The bigger the scare, the bigger the profit, so it may seem. But
Read More →
Posted September 06, 2023in Business Feature
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, direct replacement costs of an employee are as high as 50-60% of that employee’s annual salary. Those are the costs associated with recruiting, hiring and training a new employee. However, the total cost of turnover can equal 90-200% of that annual salary
Read More →
Posted August 02, 2023in Business Feature
The antique industry in the United States expanded by 3.3% between 2018-2023, according to market research firm IBISWorld. Changed spending habits in a post-pandemic world and a supply chain furniture shortage are offered as reasons for the increased traffic at antique stores. But are Des Moines area shops reflecting national
Read More →
Posted July 05, 2023in Business Feature
The bitterly cold winters and sultry summers of Iowa create work balance challenges for some business operators who do seasonal work. Other business owners see the natural connection in putting two businesses together. And some entrepreneurs simply aren’t satisfied with one type of business. For all these folks, combining two
Read More →
Posted May 31, 2023in Business Feature
After Congress ratified the 18th Amendment in 1919, the manufacturing, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages were banned nationwide. However, Iowa started its own prohibition in 1916. But prohibition efforts within the state began even before that. The Iowa Liquor Prohibition Amendment was approved in 1882 but was found unconstitutional
Read More →
Posted May 03, 2023in Business Feature
On the afternoon of March 23, three women visited West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction. They began at Coffee Cats and made their way south. Along the way, they stopped at Bing’s, Sister’s, Memory Lane Antiques and Bozz Prints. While the group made their way around the district, Bing’s Owner
Read More →
Posted April 05, 2023in Business Feature, Business Journal
Maddy Fusco is a freelance illustrator in Des Moines. When she began her career, she primarily worked out of her home. However, as time went on, she needed some work-life separation. For some, the change to a work-from-home lifestyle because of COVID was a blessing in disguise; for Fusco, it
Read More →
Posted March 01, 2023in Business Feature
Customers line up outside the store on a warm Saturday morning in February. Seventy-nine tickets are handed out before the store even opens — tickets that determine the order of entry. Once 10 a.m. hits, those first in line run into the store. By 10:02, carts are full. At 10:05,
Read More →
