Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Chelsa Smith from Bread By Chelsa B, a microbakery in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Our favorite piece of advice: "Be brave, ask for what you want, and say thank you." You'll never know unless you ask and there are so many willing souls out there who would offer up their help if you'd just ask. Be gracious and open to learning and your business can move so much further.

If you're curious about starting a microbakery, learn a little more from Chelsa and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I own a microbakery and everything is made in my home. I specialize in artisan sourdough bread, so I make any type of sourdough bread you can think of. Everything is naturally leavened with a sourdough starter, so there's no commercial yeast in...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Erik Dominguez from Speak Up Stories, a speaking and storytelling strategy business based in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Our favorite piece of advice: "Know your value as a performer and as an artist." This can be so tough as a local business owner but it's something you have to learn early on if you're going to build a sustainable business. Know your worth and have confidence in your pricing!

If you're curious about starting a public speaking business, learn a little more from Erik and connect with him using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I own Speak Up Stories, and I created it because I found there was a gap in traditional public speaking training. Traditional public speaking training focuses a lot more on the mechanics, like hand gestures,...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Erica Burger from Driftless Integrative Psychiatry, a psychiatry clinic in Lansing, Iowa. 

Our favorite piece of advice: "Find a mentor." Whether you're first starting out or you've been in business for a while, there is so much to be gained by seeking out assistance from someone who's been there before. Find a mentor in your industry who can be that sounding board you need when you come to a crossroads or a decision that you're struggling to make.

If you're curious about starting a psychiatry clinic, learn a little more from Erica and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

In April of 2021, I started a holistic, heart-centered psychiatric clinic with a goal of helping people improve their mental health. I had graduated...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Emily Hanna from Hanna Valley Protein, a Protein Powder Brand in the Des Moines community. 

Our favorite piece of advice: "Never tell your big dreams to small-minded people." Emily Hanna shared this piece of advice she received from someone else and we love the meaning behind it. You know what you're capable of and you can't let someone else try to keep you inside of a box!

If you're curious about starting a protein powder brand, learn a little more from Emily and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business? 

I own Hanna Valley Protein and we specialize in organic, plant-based protein powder. There are only five ingredients in each of our flavors. We keep it very simple and don't add all of the junk that commercial...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Makenzie Arias from Copeland & Co. Bakery based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Our favorite piece of advice: "Don’t be so hard on yourself." Local business owners are often extra critical of themselves because their business is often intertwined with their identity. Makenzie keeps her sanity by remembering that business challenges have nothing to do with her worth as a human. Something you should remember too

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I own a small home bakery business that sells nostalgic breakfast pastries, such as pop-tarts and cinnamon rolls. I started this small bakery in April of 2021, after the pandemic hit and I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. One thing that had always stayed constant in my life...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Chloe Bratvold from Candle Bar DSM, a custom candle bar in Des Moines. 

Our favorite piece of advice: "Ask for help." As local business owners, we know that "scrappy" is often your middle name. But there's wisdom in knowing what you can do on your own and where you need to outsource. You don't have to create a large team. Maybe it's just hiring someone to do your books. Or an extra staff member to hold down the store on Monday's. Even the smallest thing can lift a weight off your shoulders and give you precious time back. 

If you're curious about starting a custom candle shop, learn a little more from Chloe and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I own a custom candle bar in Valley Junction. I started out by...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Amy Kinney from Let's Slumber It, a tent sleepovers and luxury picnic business in Des Moines.

Our favorite piece of advice: "Get to know other businesses outside your local area that provide the same service as you do." You competition might just be one of your fiercest allies! Get to know other people in your industry who can refer you or become great friends who truly understand what it's like to own a business like yours. If you're curious about starting a tent sleepover & luxury picnic business, learn a little more from Amy and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I own Let’s Slumber It. We specialize in themed tent sleepovers and luxury picnics for adults and kids in over 40 themes (and counting). I started...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Jess Anderson from Jess Desserts, a dessert shop in Des Moines, Iowa.

Our favorite piece of advice: "Grow within your means." Much of the advice you'll read out there is all about growing quickly and explosively but that doesn't mean that's the right pace for everyone. There's a time to take risks and a time to improve what you already have going. Jess is a perfect example of someone who's put in the work with patience and continued to steadily grow year after year!

If you're curious about starting a dessert shop, learn a little more from Jess and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I own a dessert shop and have always had a passion for baking. As I got older, it fit more and more into my life and became something that I...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Anisha Blodgett from Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza and Eats, a pizza restaurant in San Diego, California. 

Our favorite piece of advice: "Work in the restaurant industry before opening your own restaurant." This doesn't apply simply to the restaurant industry but any other area you're considering starting a business. Gaining knowledge by working for someone else can be a great way to figure out what you want to do, what you don't want to do, and whether opening your own business is the right call for you.

If you're curious about starting a pizza restaurant, learn a little more from Anisha and connect with her using the links below!

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I launched Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza & Eats, a health-driven pizza place in San Diego, in...

Welcome to our So You Wanna Start A... series, designed to give you a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the journeys that went into creating some of your favorite local brands.

Today's guest is Nickole Swensen from N | S Beauty, a skincare brand started in Des Moines, Iowa.

Our favorite piece of advice: "Test!" An incredibly important step for businesses in any industry but especially those with products customers will either consume or apply to their skin. Nickole stressed the importance of testing her products on different consumers, in different seasons, with varying ingredients to make sure she found that sweet-spot combination that would become her signature. 

1. What do you own and why did you start this business?

I created N | S Beauty, which is a natural luxury skincare brand that's formulated with crystals. I also own Be Well Be Happy where I do chakra balancing. When Covid happened I had to stop seeing people in person. I had a lot of time on my hands and thought...