TSB Highlights July 2021

Benson & Hepker Design was recognized with a 2021 Communication Arts Award of Excellence, the highest award possible, in the 2021 Communicator Awards competition. The project was the annual report for the University of Iowa IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, which commemorated IIHR's centennial anniversary. Benson & Hepker Design is in Iowa City and owned by Robyn Hepker.

Debra Brown of Building Possibility in Webster City was recently highlighted on NEMOnews for holding a round-table discussion in Palmyra community in northeast Missouri. The goal of the discussion was to learn more about the community and help generate ideas for improving Palmyra, which she will provide her assessment on later this year. Building Possibility provides consulting to small towns to help them solve problems, including filling empty buildings, attracting and retaining youth, and developing marketing ideas.

Courageous Fire was featured in the Ovation playbill for three of her programs for black female survivors of domestic violence. She was also invited to write a monthly column for the Urban Experience, a magazine produced by black editors and filled with articles by black writers. Courageous Fire, LLC is in Des Moines, and an advocate for victims of domestic violence, dedicated to providing awareness to and healing from lesser-known forms of domestic violence.

Yulia Dannen, owner of D & S Services, was announced by America’s SBDC Iowa as winner of the 2021 Deb Dalziel Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award honors an Iowa woman entrepreneur who significantly changed or improved her life and the lives of others. D & S Services in Mason City offers accounting, payroll and tax services.

Jean Eells, President of E Resources Group in Webster City, was recognized by the Soil and Water Conservation Society for her work providing unique outreach services for women farmland owners on soil and water conservation issues. She will be awarded the Conservation Professional of the Year and WiN Conservationist of the Year award and showcased at the SWCS 2021 International Annual Conference July 26-28. E Resources Group is a consulting business in environment, education, evaluation and energy.

Fajen Consulting, a marketing agency owned by Micholyn Fajen in West Des Moines, was the winner of two American Marketing Association NOVA awards in May 2021. Recognized for both best branding campaign for rebrand work for Kading, an Urbandale company, and best marketing campaign for work with Above and Beyond Cancer, an Iowa nonprofit.

Golden openings was honored as a 2021 Inspiring Business for Women winner. Located in Urbandale and owned by Kimberly Baeth, Golden Openings organizes all details for events, from grand openings and ribbon cuttings to ceremonial events.

Angela Harrington was named the 2021 Thomas L. Cardella Entrepreneur of the Year by the Corridor Business Journal. Harrington is owner, operator and developer of The Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, Hotel Grinnell and Catalyst Project Management, a hospitality management consulting firm.

Karen Kubby, was highlighted in the 8th Annual publication of Ovation, a tribute to women and girls in Iowa, published by the Iowa Women's Foundation. Kubby is the president of Kubby Gyrls, Inc. and co-owner of Beadology Iowa in Iowa City, which sells beadwork supplies and beads from around the world, along with providing classes in beadwork.

Lori Vande Krol, productivity consultant and owner of Life Made Simple LLC, was chosen to present for the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Top 5 for Small Business monthly webinar series. Lori spoke on April 28 on The Top 5 Keys to Mastering Time Management. Life Made Simple in Urbandale offers productivity consulting, training, and coaching for leaders and business owners.

Taufeek Shah, CEO of Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce, was recognized by the Des Moines Register for winning a deal with Lowe’s whose 1300+ stores now carry their products. Lola’s entered a national brand search, hosted by Lowe’s and Daymond John, and was one of the top three finalists, which resulted in the win of their first nationwide sales agreement. Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce is located in West Des Moines and delivers a unique hot sauce developed from a family recipe.

The Visual Element was featured on the front page of the June 23 issue of the Union Echo Leader for the open house at their new location, as mentioned by the Fayette County Newspapers. The business was also recently accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The Visual Element is an entrepreneur-focused marketing firm in Fayette, which is owned by Amanda Pasket.

Tim and Becky Peltzer were featured in PRO Monthly Magazine regarding their business Waste Solutions of Iowa. Located in Des Moines, Waste Solutions of Iowa specializes in portable restrooms, commercial grease and interceptor cleaning, and both residential and commercial roll-off container services.

Tobi Parks, owner of xBk and Harvey Parks Properties, was interviewed for Billboard Magazine's Pride List of LGBTQI industry-changing professionals. Billboard’s 2021 Pride List spotlights LGBTQ Professionals who are shaping the music industry. A music venue in Des Moines, xBk focuses on providing live entertainment in a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment.