ABM 02 2018

AB AMES BUSINESS

MONTHLY F E B R U A R Y 2018

BOULDER TAPHOUSE OPENS ON SOUTH DUFF AVE SEE PAGE 2

February Chamber Update

STARTUP FACTORY HEADS NORTHWEST IN FIRST EXPANSION

SEE PAGE 4

AB

2 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

NEW BREWS Boulder Taphouse employee Megan Gardner cleans a glass at the bar Friday afternoon.

The restaurant opened last week after months of construction on S. Duff Avenue. PHOTO

AMES BUSINESS

MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2018

BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE

Vol. 11, No. 2 AMES TRIBUNE Ames Business Monthly is a publication of the Ames Tribune, 317 Fifth St., Ames, IA, 50010; (515) 232-2160.

2 Boulder Taphouse opens 3 Freddy’s opens 4 Startup Factory getting first expansion 4 Worldly Goods has new manager 5 Ames Chamber of Commerce 17 Huxley hardware store under new ownership 17 Nate Brammer 18 Rick Brimeyer 19 Zearing tries to build new clinic, bring back physician

Boulder Taphouse opens on South Duff Avenue

By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

B

oulder Taphouse, a Minnesota-based sports bar and restaurant, is now open after months of construction on the site previously home to Okoboji Grill.

The restaurant, located just south the intersection of South Duff Avenue and Lincoln Way, opened just before the holidays. It sells standard American fare with custom burgers, wings and sandwiches. Televisions and projectors line the walls playing sports and music videos for the songs playing overhead.

A tap system mounted to

a bar wall allows for about 50 different craft beers to be available on a given day.

Co-owner Mike Rulli said the restaurant rotates craft beers on and off the tap as soon as its keg is finished off.

“We invested very heavily into this system here,” he said as he poured a beer order. “It’s not cheap… but it’s just so the customer can have a bettertasting beer the first time.”

The Ames location is the seventh Boulder Taphouse operating today and the second in Iowa along with Mason City. It began construction in May 2017 after knocking down the former Okoboji Grill building, which was vacant as far back as 2015.

Rulli said business in the first few days was strong considering Iowa State University students were mostly out of town for winter break.

While the restaurant had enough staff to operate, he said planned to accept applications from students as they returned to class in January in part to deal with student customers.

“You have to have a larger roster in a town like this just because of the odd schedules that change so much,” he said.

Boulder Taphouse is the newest restaurant on the South Duff corridor after a flurry of restaurant activity this year. Jethro’s opened last summer down the street,

while Ciao’s Italian Restaurant opened and later closed a short distance away from Boulder Taphouse. The new eateries are also trying to break into a market occupied by Applebee’s and Hickory Park, both veteran restaurants on South Duff Avenue.

Rulli said the nearby competitors are going to make him work on improving his restaurant with rotating menus and keeping prices low.

“The best thing you can do with competition down the way is do what you do the best,” he said. “If you’re not trying to constantly improve what you do, you’re dead and waiting for everything to catch up.”

FEBRUARY 2018 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 3

CUSTARD AND STEAK

Freddy’s opens in Campustown

By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

F

reddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened recently to become the final tenant of the Kingland Building’s ground floor in Campustown.

The restaurant, located at 2420 Lincoln Way, Suite 102, has been in the works since at least last August. The interior is retro-styled and serves hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and ice cream sundaes, reminiscent of drive-ins during the 1950s.

The Ames location is the fifth Freddy’s in Iowa, with two

locations in Cedar Rapids, one in Waterloo and one in Council Bluffs. The chain is set to open another restaurant in Dubuque this year.

Operating partner Steven Young said the store is smaller than most Freddy’s locations, as most are standalone businesses with drive-thrus. Young also said the store might add a self-serve kiosk over the summer depending on if the corporate company decides to roll the option out to stores.

The past year or so has seen a slew of restaurants open in Campustown, from pizza shops Blaze

Freddy’s general manager Randy Hoffman pours custard Monday morning. The store, which sells burgers and fifties Americana fare, is set to open its Campustown location Thursday. PHOTO BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE

Pizza and Smokin’ Oak to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. But Young thinks Freddy’s can occupy a niche in the district’s fast-casual options.

“We don’t have competition, really,” he said. “There’s a lot of

restaurants, but this is the only burger joint within about a mile and a half or so. I think the closest one to us is McDonald’s, and our product compared to McDonald’s is night and day.”

Young said the store’s opening was delayed from last month because most of the staff are Iowa State students and weren’t available for training or shifts.

While the store has been able to hire enough staff for the opening, Young said there are 10 full-time or 15 part-time positions still available. That may cause longer than usual ticket times for customers for the first few weeks while the staff gets fully trained, he said.

“We’re in that same situation now where they’re just getting into town and some of have waited to apply,” he said.

The franchise also intends to open a second location with a drive-thru in the future. Young said he has sent letters of interest to properties on Lincoln Way and South Duff Avenue, but has yet to secure a lease or sale.

“There’s no promises on that yet, but we would like to have a second location as a free-stander with a double drive-thru,” he said.

4 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

BUSINESS ACCELERATOR

Startup Factory heads northwest in first expansion

By Dan Mika

Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

T

he Iowa State Startup Factory is taking its business accelerator model to northwest Iowa and Minnesota, the first moves in a plan to create satellite accelerators across Iowa and potentially the entire Midwest.

The startup incubator, which recently welcomed 12 startups into its fourth Ames-based cohor, will also welcome startups from northwest Iowa and in Austin, Minn., in partnership with food producer Hormel as the first cohorts of the “Startup Factory Network.

Startup Factory director Bill

Adamowski said 11 startups in northwest Iowa will be part of the first cohort based out of the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in Sioux City and Spencer.

The companies are mostly in the agriculture, construction and information technology sectors.

Their names, along with the names of the Ames-based companies, are being withheld until a later date for various confidentiality reasons, Adamowski said.

With all three groups added together, the cohort is, as far as Adamowski knows, the largest single startup cohort ever formed by a tech accelerator in the Midwest.

“That’s like 27 startups that will be cranking up here at the

end of next week,” he said. “It’s hard to find a lot of data online, but from what I’ve seen, it’s a historic thing.”

The startups will have the same curriculum as the startups based out of the Iowa State University Research Park, but will attend meetings through video chat and work with SBDC volunteers in their area.

The startup incubator received $200,000 last summer from state economic developers to create a support network for fledgling companies in Iowa’s rural areas using research and labor resources already at ISU. “One of the things the state looks at is how do we help out Iowa State, but also how do we help out the rest of the state in

that kind of thing,” he said.

However, rural Iowa isn’t known for having the tools tech startups need to succeed.

High-speed internet options are limited, and access to capital is hard to come by outside of Iowa’s urban regions.

Adamowski said adequate internet speed hasn’t been much of an issue among the startups yet, but getting access to local mentors and investors could pose a challenge. While the rural startups have access to the list of investors working with the Ames startups, there are fewer investors, and likely less wealth, available in the small cities of in the state’s northwest corner.

“A lot of times, your availability is capital is based on your

local community, so we’re looking at who might be interested in investing in some of these companies outside of the Des Moines, outside Ames, outside Cedar Rapids,” he said.

As the Startup Factory readies itself for the next round of startups in the yearlong program, it is also looking at spreading its model to every corner of the state, and potentially further outof-state in coming years.

“With (SBDC) filling in that gap in terms of face-to-face mentoring, that’s why the partnership works well,” Adamowski said.

“Those guys are in their communities, working every day and they’re leveraging a larger innovation program spawned out of Ames.”

WORLDLY SPOONER

London Underground bartender takes over as Worldly Goods manager

By Dan Mika

Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

One of London Underground’s longest-serving bartenders is setting her alarm for 9 a.m. instead of 9 p.m. as she takes over as Worldly Goods’ new manager.

Mara Spooner recently began her new job as manager of the fair-trade store after a combined 12 years working nights on Main Street. She succeeds Andrea Groneau, who left the store last year.

Spooner heard the store was hiring for the position and applied thinking she wouldn’t get it, but she is confident so far.

“I got older and wanted something different,” she said. “I’ve been able to do a lot of things that have made me feel good or have been influential in downtown Ames, but I was ready to

translate those relationships and all of that work into something more daytime, something more ‘normal.’”

Spooner is moving a few feet west on Main Street from London Underground, where she worked as a bartender since 2007. She also spent time working for Super Dogs, a food cart catering to Main Street and Campustown bar crawlers. Altogether, Spooner has spent about a third of her life working in Ames’ downtown.

Although her job title is different, she still has the same boss in Jess Clyde, who owns London Underground and is on Worldly Goods’ board.

At the moment, Spooner is leaning on the store’s assistant manager to learn the ropes, and is also drawing from her time managing Wheatfield Co-op’s wellness department, which carries some fair-trade products.

She also said it’s too early to know how the store’s operations might change under her leadership.

“This is a change for me, and I’m a change for the space, so I’m sure we’ll influence each other in hopefully a really positive way,” she said. “It’s hard to predict since I haven’t been here that long, but there’s a handful of events the store does annually that we’ll keep doing.”

Spooner said she’ll continue to be around the Renegade Arts Collective, Ames Pride and the latenight Main Street crowd, and she said she’ll be able to get involved further with the Main Street Cultural District after getting the hang of running the store.

But, for the time being, she is going to enjoy getting up before noon.

“It’s nice to wake up with the sun instead of going to bed when she gets up,” Spooner said.

Worldly Goods manager Mara Spooner. Spooner spent 10 years as a bartender at London Underground, a few doors down and across the street from her new job. PHOTO BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE

FEBRUARY 2018 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 5

FEBRUARY 2018

ChamberUpdate GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Ames Day at the Capitol is Quickly Approaching

T

he 2018 Ames Day at the Capitol will be held from 11:30am-1pm on Monday, February 5 at Iowa’s beautiful State Capitol. With our famous lunch from Hickory Park, exhibitors will have an opportunity to engage /HJLVODWRUV RI¿FLDOV DQG OREE\LVWV IURP throughout the state.

Prior to the Community Showcase in the Capitol Rotunda from 11:30am-1pm, Ames and Story County business, community, and institutional leaders will meet with Legislative Leadership from both Parties and both Chambers to discuss policy priorities of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and our community partners and member organizations.

Chamber business and individual members interested in exhibiting a booth in the Capitol Rotunda during the community showcase and serving of Hickory Park from 11:30am-1pm can contact Drew Kamp at drew@ameschamber.com or 515817-6311 for additional information.

Visit www.ameschamber.com to register and learn more.

The Ames Chamber of Commerce thanks Converse Conditioned Air, Des Moines Area Community College, First National Bank, Renewable Energy Group, and Workiva for their support as Taking Leadership Legislative Sponsors.

The Chamber also thanks Harold Pike Construction; Roseland, Mackey, Harris Architects, P.C.; and VenuWorks for their generosity as Legislative Lunch Sponsors.

Without the continued support of our sponsors, the Ames Chamber of Commerce would not be able to provide the great events and services we do each and every day.

The mission of the Ames Chamber of Commerce is to provide our members services that strengthen the economic vitality in Ames and enhance the quality of life in our community.

6 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

ANNUAL AWARDS

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Luke Jensen, Chair Real Estate Service Group, Inc. Andrew Perry, Vice Chair McFarland Clinic Stacy Dreyer, Second Vice Chair, First National Bank Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Divisional Chair, Community Development City of Ames Scott Blum, Treasurer, Accord Architecture / Henkel Construction Matt Converse, Divisional Chair, Government Affairs Converse Conditioned Air Nate Easter, Divisional Chair, Membership Iowa State University Research Park Casey Johnson, Immediate Past Chair Ames Ford Lincoln Dan Culhane, President / CEO Ames Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Commission BOARD MEMBERS Lindsey Beecher, Gilbert Community School District Ben Conway, HyVee West Ames Lawrence Cunningham, Iowa State Daily Media Group Kathy Dubansky, CAA Representative Workiva Sara Hunter, Vermeer Corporation Jeff Janes, Des Moines Area Community College Nikki Kyle, Central Iowa Air Service Paul Livingston, MSCD Representative Hunziker & Associates, Realtors Jessica Mortvedt,YPA Representative Haverkamp Properties, Inc. Nate Rippke, Rippke Design Dr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom, Stoltze and Stoltze Family Dentistry Jason Schwenneker, Renewable Energy Group Jill Wellman, Danfoss Randy Woodbeck, Atlantic Bottling, Inc. The Chamber Update newsletter is published by the Ames Chamber of Commerce 304 Main Street | Ames, IA, 50010 phone: (515) 232-2310 | www.ameschamber.com

Congratulations to the 2017 Annual Award Winners

Business Person of the Year: Dr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom

Community Involvement: Rick Sanders

Entrepreneur of the Year: Lyndsey Fennelly & Kelsey Bolte Carper

Economic Impact Award: Ames Racquet and Fitness

Economic Impact Award: Barilla America, Inc.

Economic Impact Award: Bolton & Menk, Inc.

Economic Impact Award: Greater Iowa Credit Union

Economic Impact Award: Real Estate Service Group, Inc.

Economic Impact Award: Story Construction

FEBRUARY 2018 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 7

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

ANNUAL EVENT

Annual Event Celebrates the Magic of Ames Thank you to all the attendees and sponsors who made this year’s Annual Event such a tremendous success!

Young Professionals of Ames: David Haila, Michelle Vogel, Jessica Mortvedt, Drew Kamp

The Ames Foundation: Amber Corrieri

Main Street Cultural District: Judy Gilger

Campustown Action Association: Xena Jolly

Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market: City of Ames

Together we honored our award winners and celebrated the magic of Ames.

8 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

AMES SEED CAPITAL

SAVE-the-DATE: Ames Seed Capital Annual Meeting is April 19, 2018

T

his past April Ames Seed Capital LLC (ASC LLC) held its Annual Meeting with over 390 attendees being updated on ASC’s funds and hearing from our keynote speakers, Governor Kim Reynolds and Peter Wilkins, Managing Director of Hyde Park Angels – Chicago.

The preparations for our 2018 Annual Meeting are underway and we look forward to another successful event this

coming year.

Please “Save the Date” for Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm for our Annual Meeting. Watch for more meeting details and reservation information in February.

If you have any questions or want to pre-register a table of ten (10), please contact Ron Hallenbeck at ron@ameschamber.com or Edana Delagardelle at edana@ameschamber.com.

About Ames Seed Capital (ASC LLC): $6& //& LV D IRU SUR¿W LQYHVWPHQW JURXS WKDW LV DI¿OLDWHG ZLWK WKH $PHV (FRQRPLF Development Commission (AEDC). ASC LLC and a predecessor entity, Ames Seed Capital, Inc. (ASCI), have been investing in Ames area start-up companies since 1987 and have been a key part of the success of many well-known Ames/Story County companies. ASC //& DLPV WR FUHDWH D SUR¿W IRU HDFK LQYHVWRU DQG KDV DQ LQYHVWPHQW ZLQGRZ RI ¿YH WR VHYHQ years. The rate of return varies by each investment, and neither the rate of return nor the investment window period can be assured or guaranteed.

ASC LLC and its predecessor, ASCI, were initially established by the AEDC to fund start-up companies locating in the Iowa State University (ISU) Research Park. Over time, ASC began investing in start-ups and other earlier stage companies around the Ames/Story County/Central Iowa area.

LEADERSHIP AMES

Leadership Ames XXXI Update

L

eadership Ames Class XXXI is nearly halfway through their year!

In January the class participated in Leadership Development II Day, facilitated by Donna Gilligan of The Gilligan Group. This day is always an enlightening day with leadership learnings and activities including the favor-

ites “helium stick” and “bull ring.”

Class Community Service Projects are also well underway. Watch the next issue for a special feature on the four class projects and learn how you can get involved!

Thank you to Leadership Ames Class XXXI Sponsor Mary Greeley Medical Center.

FEBRUARY 2018 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 9

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

February Calendar Sunday

4

Monday

5

Tuesday

6

Wednesday

7

Ames Day at the Capitol

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

2

3

8

9

10

Leadership Ames

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Chamber Board Meeting

DIY Day (MSCD)

AEDC Board Meeting

25

26 Bolton & Menk (BAH)

27

28

Leadership Ames

AEDC !MES %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT #OMMISSION s BAH "USINESS !FTER (OURS s CAA #AMPUSTOWN !CTION !SSOCIATION s C: Chamber OfямБce MSCD: -AIN 3TREET #ULTURAL $ISTRICT s R/C 2IBBON #UTTING s TAF 4HE !MES &OUNDATION s YPA: Young Professionals of Ames

70

10 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Celebrate with a ribbon cutting If your business has completed a major remodeling project, moved to a new location, changed ownership, or reached a milestone, you need to take advantage of the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting service that brings members and the media to you!

With each Ribbon Cutting, your business will be exposed to the Ames community and Story County. Event photos of your Ribbon Cutting will be published the Ames Business Monthly.

Draintech Groundbreaking

A Ribbon Cutting is a great way to invite people to your location and showcase your business!

Not only does this opportunity get people to your place of business, but it offers a unique networking environment in addition to some great marketing.

So what are you waiting for?

Contact Brandon Mumm at Brandon@ameschamber.com or call 232-2310, to schedule your Ribbon Cutting today!

✂ India Palace 120 Hayward Ave.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 11

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

Cindy Albin, Hunziker & Associates Tess Ashley, Global State Mortgage Alli Azbill, Global State Mortgage Steve Bock, RE/MAX Real Estate Center Don Borcherding, Greater Iowa Credit Union Bonnie Brown, Global State Mortgage Adam Brungardt, AmericInn and Country Inn & Suites|Ames Nathan Buss, VisionBank Buffy Clatt, First National Bank John Coder, VisionBank Lisa Downs, Hunziker & Associates Stacy Dreyer, First National Bank Amy Engstrom, 2Men and Adame Cleaning Paula Feltner, Thisday Photography Marci Ferguson, RE/MAX Real Estate Pam Fleener, First National Bank Teresa Garman, Individual Member Leslie Ginder, ISU LAS Career Services Shelley Goecke, McFarland Clinic Colette Gunhus, Keeling Wealth Advisors Tom Haggas, Cheshire Moon Films Jeff Harrison, Midwest Heritage Bank Sherry Hosteng, RE/MAX Real Estate Ashley Howe, Xpanxion Sharon Johnson, RE/MAX Real Estate Michelle King, The Krell Institute Carol Kisling, iHeart Media Matt Koehler, Greater Iowa Credit Union Tony LaRosa, Individual Member Paul Livingston, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors Danielle Minde, EXIT Realty Amanda Moorman, Morgan Stanley David Orth, Spirited Giving Matthew Pacha, Hy-Vee Lincoln Center Mike Peckis, Sam’s Club Sarah Powers, RE/MAX Real Estate Tom Randall, Tom Randall Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Tim Rasmussen, Flooring America Matt Roghair, Exchange State Bank Dorothy Schumer, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Tim Tryon, U.S. Bank Daryle Vegge, Story County Community Foundation Barb Vincent, Ames Christian School Allyson Walter, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Cherie Wandling, Wilson Toyota of Ames Jan Williams, First National Bank

Tres Teal 314 Main St.

All Star Auto Glass 821 Linoln Way

12 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

C HA M B E R

MEMBERS Thank you to the following members who have donated 10 percent more than their annual dues for Chamber projects:

Ames Racquet & Fitness Inlanta Mortgage The Kupka Mortgage Team Jon Hunziker Construction

Welcome, new Ames Chamber members!

Powder Studio

Iowa Heart Center

515-865-3393 Joined: 11/3/17

515-232-2500 www.iowaheart.com Joined: 11/22/17

Falcon Packaging 515-817-0230 www.falconpackaging.com Joined: 11/6/17

Trinitas Ventures 765-807-2800 www.trinitas.ventures Joined: 11/28/17

Golf USA 515-232-GOLF Joined: 11/6/17

David Martin Consulting 515-292-9261 Joined: 12/5/17

SmartClean 515-331-8940 www.smartcleaniowa.com Joined: 11/8/17

WoodRiver Energy 515-218-1801 www.woodriverenergy.com Joined: 12/14/17

Suzy and John Shierholz Individual Member Joined: 11/14/17

Newbrough Law

Profile by Sanford 515-473-4978 www.profileplan.net Joined: 12/20/17

Prairie Moon Winery

Join the Chamber!

Make new connections, promote your business, take advantage of professional development programs and more when you join the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Contact Brandon Mumm at (515) 232-2310 for more information.

When you join, here are some of the many benefits you can take advantage of right away. s 0OST COUPONS on our Web site for FREE. s !TTEND MONTHLY Business After Hours, First Shot Sessions, Legislative Luncheons and more for FREE. s 4AKE ADVANTAGE of reasonably priced ways to promote your business such as ribbon cuttings and mailing labels, just to name a few.

Profile by Sanford South Story Bank & Trust Because of contributions from members like these, the Ames Chamber can maintain a level of excellence in the services we provide.

Please note: This represents only a portion of the Chamber’s Gold members. All Gold members will be listed one time during the year.

Ames Chamber and Affiliate staff Dan Culhane, President and CEO

Andrea Hammes Dodge, Director, Public Relations

Sarah Buss, Director, Sponsorship and Membership Events

Cindy Hicks, Main Street Cultural District Executive Director

Karin Chitty, Campustown Action Association Executive Director

Amy Howard, Vice President, Finance & Operations

Edana Delagardelle, Client Services Coordinator

Drew Kamp, Director, Business Retention/Expansion and Government Relations

%UHQGD 'U\HU, Director, Workforce Solutions

Brandon Mumm, Director, External Business Relations

John Hall, Director, Business Development & Marketing

Lojean Petersen, Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Manager

Ron Hallenbeck, Executive Vice President

Calli Sandahl, Director, Program Management

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 13

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

THE AMES FOUNDATION

The Ames Foundation Year In Review Connecting generosity with opportunity, we are the catalyst for public projects that enhance the quality of life in Ames.

As we enter our second year as an $PHV &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH $I¿OLDWH member, the Ames Foundation (TAF) wishes to thank the Chamber for their support and encouragement as we go about the business of helping make Ames a great place to work and live. And 2017 was a busy and productive year for the Ames Foundation as evidenced by this sampling of projects and accomplishments: ‡ $PHV 0LUDFOH )LHOG DQG 3OD\ground at Inis Grove Park – In partnership with the Miracle Field Steering Committee and countless donors and VXSSRUWHUV WKLV SURSRVHG ¿HOG DQG SOD\ground became our signature project for 2017. The Miracle Field and Playground will provide children with disabilities the chance to play and participate in organized athletics in a safe and state-of-the art facility. Our efforts to fundraise, plan, and promote the Field and Playground will result in the completion of a unique and wonderful addition to Ames’ portfolio of recreational attractions. ‡ 7$) $QQXDO )XQGUDLVLQJ (YHQW – Each year, the Ames Foundation orchestrates a fundraising event with proceeds going to one of our special projects. This year, proceeds from our November 3rd annual event featuring Deuces Wild!

Dueling Pianos were committed to the

Ames Miracle Field and Playground. ‡ $PHV &RPPXQLW\ 7UHH 3URJUDP – In partnership with the City of Ames, the Ames Foundation planned, coordinated, and carried out two tree plantings in 2017. Trees are planted in the public right-of-way primarily to replace ash trees that will eventually succumb to the emerald ash borer. In spring 2017 we planted 108 trees, and in the fall, 68 trees were installed.

‡ ³:HOFRPH WR $PHV´ 6LJQDJH – In an effort to promote the brand of the City of Ames and welcome visitors to our fair city, the Ames Foundation in partnership with Leadership Ames is working to construct welcome/entryway signage visible as you enter Ames from all four compass directions. On September 7, a ribboncutting ceremony was held at the newest Ames sign (west entrance on Hwy 30).

Plans are underway to install an even

larger sign as you enter town from the south. ‡ -XO\ WK 3DUDGH – To increase visibility of the Ames Foundation and in turn, raise awareness for our many projects, we made a formal entry into the annual Ames Fourth of July Parade. TAF entry featured our brand new “planting trailerâ€? made possible by a grant from the Rotary Club of Ames. The planting trailer accompanies Ames Foundation members and volunteers at all tree planting events. ‡ 6WUDWHJLF 3ODQQLQJ – Last May, the Ames Foundation Board was led in a strategic planning session. Goals and action items were discussed and several new committees were formed, all in an HIIRUW WR PDNH RXU RUJDQL]DWLRQ PRUH HIÂżcient and effective. ‡ 1HZ /RJR –The Ames Foundation unveiled its new logo, appropriately featuring a leaf, signifying our interest and commitment to tree planting in the city.

14 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF AMES

Join YPA and Get Involved!

G

et involved with Young Professionals of Ames for opportunities to build and foster relationships though:

/HDGHUVKLS GHYHORSPHQW 3URIHVVLRQDO GHYHORSPHQW &RPPXQLW\ RXWUHDFK &XOWXUDO DQG VRFLDO RSSRUWXQLWLHV Visit www.ypames.com to learn more and join us!

Join a Committee

All members are invited to join a YPA committee.

Members are encouraged to assist in planning one the many events we host each year or to join one of our ongoing committees.

While event volunteers assist members of the YPA Board in planning a single activity, committee volunteers have the opportunity to join board members in planning special long-term initiatives or ongoing activities.

Committees are open to any YPA member interested in getting involved.

Social Committee

The YPA Social Committee coordinates events and provides opportunities for YPA members and guests to come together to network and socialize.

Marketing Committee

Help us spread the word about all the great things YPA does in our community!

Members of this committee help promote YPA events and opportunities by managing the YPA website, social media, press releases, email updates, and more.

Visit www.ypames.com to view all committee opportunities!

YPA Caps off Successful 2017 with Annual Holiday Party The YPA Holiday Party took place on December 14th at the Octagon Center for Arts. Between white elephant gifts, holiday games/challenges, and an ugly sweater competition, all YPA members had a great time getting into the holiday spirit! Congratulations to Tera Lawson and Jason Mortvedt on winning the ugly sweater competition!

Facebook Group for YPA Members YPA members, we now have a Face-

book Group just for you!

Find the Group on Facebook titled "Members of Young Professionals of Ames" and request to join.

In this setting, we hope to facilitate even greater communication within our member base. Please utilize the Group to post questions, look for fellow members attending an upcoming event, and start discussions on shared interests.

FEBRUARY 2018 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 15

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

MAIN STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT

2018 Events January Dollar Days January 25-27 Do-it–Yourself Day February 24 Music Walk April 6 Foodies & Brew May 11

Main Street community events proudly sponsored by:

Art Walk June 1 July 4th Parade July 4 Summer Sidewalk Sales July 26-28 Restaurant Week Sept 14-23 Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Sept 29—Nov 11 Oktoberfest September 15 Trick or Treat October 26 Snow Magic Nov 9—Dec 24 For sponsorship information or to volunteer for an event contact: Cindy Hicks—director@amesdowntown.org

Scott Richardson

16 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2018

CAMPUSTOWN ACTION ASSOCIATION

Volunteers

Membership

So many of the things that happen in a QRQ SURÂżW RUJDQL]DWLRQ DUH GRQH E\ YROunteers.

It’s likely they have a job (or maybe two). They have family and friends who want to spend time with them. They absolutely have a choice how they spend their “free� time.

This makes it all the more amazing when they choose to spend some of that time helping an organization.

In the case of the Campustown Action $VVRFLDWLRQ Âą WKHVH YROXQWHHUV ÂżOO ERDUG positions, serve on committees, staff our events and help represent Campustown to the Ames community.

Their passion and commitment to making Campustown a place we can all be proud of is the driving force behind the Campustown Action Association.

THANK YOU to all the wonderful volunteers who helped with all of our accomplishments in 2017.

We continue to be honored that you choose us, and we look forward to working together in 2018.

Thank you to all our members. Your membership dues continue to help us accomplish good work in the Campustown neighborhood. Each of you plays an important role, and we truly appreciate your support.

CAA hopes to continue to grow our membership in 2018. If you are a property or business owner in the Campustown area, we would love the opportunity to GLVFXVV WKH PHPEHUVKLS EHQHÂżWV DQG RXU goals for the future.

Membership information can be found on our website amescampustown.com or email us at director@amescampustown. com.

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JUNE 2 3:00 to 9:00 PM %ORFN 2I :HOFK $YH

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Thank You for your support of CAA!

3-7pm Free Fun Family Activities: 3HWWLQJ =RR )DFH 3DLQWLQJ ,QĹ´DWDEOHV & Root Beer Garden

3-9pm Live Music/Beer Garden

Parking in the Ames Intermodal Facility (200 Block of Hayward)

Supported by the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Community Grant Program

The Campustown Action Association is an Affiliate of the Ames Chamber of Commerce

Interested in being a part of Summerfest 2018?

Call or email us to ďŹ nd out how you can join the fun!

515.292.4528 director@amescampustown.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 17

NEW OWNERSHIP

Huxley hardware store under new ownership

By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com

H

UXLEY — Quick’s Hardware and Rentals is now operating under new ownership and is rebranding as Kempker’s True Value.

The store, at 502 E. First St., in Huxley, was purchased by new owner Jason Kempker Tuesday from Steve and Anne Quick, who have operated the store since at least 1993, according to business records from the Iowa Secretary of State.

“We’ve hit the ground running,” Kempker said after taking over the store.

Kempker is the third generation of his family to operate a hardware store, starting

with his grandfather in Fort Madison.

He moved to central Iowa to attend Iowa State and graduated in 2005. He then moved to Chicago, commuting back and forth between Chicago and Ames on the weekend to visit his now-wife.

After moving back to the area, Kempker worked parttime at the Grimes True Value before being asked to take over the business by its owners about five years ago. However, the Huxley hardware store was a target long before Kempker bought his first store as he was hearing the Quicks were planning to retire.

“It was always in the back of my head that if the Grimes deal didn’t go through, it would have been interesting to see what

was going on here,” he said.

The Quicks and Kempker agreed to a deal in September.

The store will switch from a Hardware Hank franchise to a True Value, and the store will get an interior remodel and new signage in the coming months.

Kempker hopes to have the remodel complete by next spring while the store stays open.

Kempker also plans to expand the store’s rental inventory of lawn equipment and party equipment such as tents and bounce houses for small to medium-size parties.

He is keeping the store’s three employees and intends to hire an assistant manager and one or two part-time employees, depending on the store’s sales.

Kempker’s True Value owner Jason Kempker, left, with an employee at his hardware store in Huxley. Kempker purchased the store from longtime owners Steve and Anne Quick. PHOTO BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE

THE NEW YEAR

The new year of predictions

Nate Brammer

T

he beginning of each year brings with it a chance to look ahead to the New Year. In the world of finance, the coming weeks also mean investors will be bombarded with predictions about the future, and what specifically 2018, will hold for their portfolios. These “great” predictions are usually accompanied by recommendations of

investment strategies or portfolio alignment to avoid the next great crisis or missing the next great opportunity. When faced with recommendations of these kinds, it is good to remember that investors are better served by sticking to a long-term plan rather than changing strategies in reaction to a prediction or market fluctuations.

You typically don’t see a forecast that reads, “Capital markets expected to continue to function normally,” or “It’s unclear how unknown future events will impact prices.” Predictions temp the investor in playing the game of outguessing the market. Examples of predictions might include: “We don’t like energy stocks in 2018” or “The interest rate environment might be challenging

in the coming year.” Bold predictions may pique interest, but they seldom serve the investor well.

Steve Forbes, the publisher of Forbes Magazine, once remarked, “You make more money selling advice than following it. It’s one of the things we count on in the magazine business — along with shortterm memory of our readers.”

Forbes is trying to sell as many magazines as possible so they can sell as much advertising as possible. An interesting side note, often the buyers of the ads are also the firms given the opportunity to make the recommendations. A little quid pro quo perhaps.

Rather than rely on forecasts that attempt to outguess the market, investors can rely on the power of the market as an effective information processing

machine to help structure their investment portfolios. Financial markets involve the interactions of millions of willing buyers and sellers.

Over the long-term, the case for trusting in the markets and for discipline in being able to stay invested is clear. As an example, the growth of $1 to $45 from 1970 through 2015 (35 years), invested in a moderate diversified portfolio, even through a number of bearish headlines and events, illustrates the point.

As the New Year begins, it is natural to reflect on what went well last year and what one may want to improve upon this year.

Within the context of an investment plan, it is important to remember that investors are likely better served by trusting a plan

they have in place and focusing on what they can control such as diversifying broadly, minimizing taxes and reducing costs and turnover. Those who make changes to long-term investment strategies based on short-term noise and predictions may be disappointed by the outcome. In the end, the only certain prediction about the markets is that the future will remain full of uncertainty.

History has shown us, however, that through this uncertainty, markets have rewarded long-term investors who are able to stay the course.

NATHAN D. BRAMMER MBA, CIMA®, AIF® is a principal and investment advisor at Marrs Wealth Management. He can be reached at Nate@marrswealth.com

18 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018

‘PICTURE A HOUSE’

A model for coaching

Rick Brimeyer

B

ack when I was a management pup I was exposed to excellent coaching training. The instructor had an 8-part model to guide the coaching discussion.

We learned the model and practiced it in role-playing simulations.

I was awed that a skill as seemingly nebulous as coaching could be simplified into a model. Over the years I used the model religiously, most often with success.

There was just one small problem … with eight components the model exceeded my (and my classmates’) memory capacity. Many of us posted the model in our offices, typically directly behind the seat where the employee being coached sat. This worked OK, unless coaching a tall employee.

So 25 years later as I began working with clients on coaching, I strived to develop a simpler, yet effective model.

Picture a “house” similar to the Lincoln Memorial consisting of five components:  A horizontal rectangular foundation  Two vertical rectangular pillars, one on each side of the foundation  A roof, not a typical triangular profile but a normal distribution (bell) curve  A horizontal rectangular ceiling, nestled

between the top of the pillars and the roof Our foundation for successful coaching is a “Caring and Supportive Relationship.” People are much more receptive to feedback when they know the input is coming from someone who has their best interests at heart.

This means that, as supervisors, we need to be continuously working on that foundation. The antithesis of this is the employee who only hears “see me” from the boss when they are in trouble.

The foundation can be

reinforced even during the actual coaching conversation by balancing the concern with things the employee does well, listening, empathizing, and owning up to our role in the situation if appropriate.

The left pillar is the “Issue” to be discussed.

This could be a concern that needs to be nipped in the bud or a potential opportunity that we wish to persuade the employee to pursue.

If the issue is a problem, it’s best to discuss while small. I had verbal agreements with most of my employees allowing me

to err on the side of overreacting rather than waiting too long if there was a perceived problem.

Limit a coaching conversation to one issue. Cite observed behaviors (“Yesterday you snapped at Tim during our team meeting.”) rather than assumptions (“You’re trying to bully your teammates.”) to support your concern. Observations are less debatable.

Listen to the employee’s perspective; often you’ll learn something new. But confront excuses (“I realize that we’re all stressed with the project deadline looming, but that doesn’t

permit us to disrespect each other.”).

The right pillar is the “Impact” of the issue. This provides the motivation for addressing the issue, the why behind the what.

What are the positive consequences to the individual and the organization if they take advantage of the opportunity or address the problem? What may happen if they don’t?

It can be effective to ask open-ended questions to allow the employee to identify the impact (“How would our team function if we allowed that behavior to be commonplace?”). Don’t be afraid to use silence, allowing them time to think things through.

While emphasizing natural consequences is typically warranted, it’s important to clarify imposed consequences if persistence of the issue will lead to disciplinary action (“The next time I observe that it will result in a written warning.”)

The roof is a “Personalized Action Plan,” a collaborative improvement plan developed by the coach and the employee. It is uniquely designed for the employee taking into account the issue, their history and the degree to which they hold themselves accountable.

The roof’s bell curve profile reminds us that personal accountability varies from person to person, just like height, weight, IQ, etc. Our plan will be more detailed and with a shorter feedback loop when dealing with someone on the low end of the personal accountability scale. Treating someone with high personal accountability the

same would be insulting.

Prior to leaving the conversation, we need to ensure that both parties are committed to the plan and are reasonably confident that it can be successful. Hesitation to either should be addressed immediately.

The discussion and plan must be documented. When dealing with someone with high personal accountability, chances are good that they have been taking notes.

In any event, an agreed to documented summary is vital.

Finally, the ceiling is “Accountability.” An overarching environment must exist whereby we follow up on our plans. Positive results are recognized. Negative results trigger consequences already communicated during the coaching discussion.

The coaching discussion is the tool for developing employees which is the primary task for any supervisor. Skillfully accomplished, it reduces the number of subsequent difficult accountability discussions. More importantly, it dramatically increases the odds of a growing and engaged employee. That’s worth practicing and doing really well.

RICK BRIMEYER is the president of Brimeyer LLC, an independent management consulting firm located in Ames which guides organizations to higher performance by focusing on process improvement and leadership development. Further information is available at www. brimeyerllc.com or by calling (515) 450-8855.

FEBRUARY 2018 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 19

HEALTH CARE

Zearing tries to build new clinic, bring back physician

By Austin Cannon, Staff Writer acannon@amestrib.com

I

n what first began as an effort to bring back a beloved physician, the city of Zearing is now raising money to bring a brand-new clinic to one of Story County’s smallest towns.

If built on its desired location on Main Street, the Zearing Community Wellness Center would hold a clinic, space for Zearing’s first responders (EMS and fire) and their vehicles, and a fitness area that could be open to the public and used for physical therapy.

Plus, Mary O’Connor, an

advanced registered nurse practitioner, would get to work out of an office in town again.

It’s an ambitious plan for the city of about 550 people. Sitting in the northeast corner of the county, off U.S. Highway 65 and past dozens and dozens of wind turbines, Zearing could have two Main Street clinics in a matter of months — the wellness center and the already-established Story County Medical Clinic.

“I think they have as promising a future as we’ve got out there,” said Story County Supervisor Martin Chitty, who’s observed the project’s progression.

Serving patients via the Story County clinic in Zearing before her departure in May, O’Connor was the de facto town doctor.

Martin Herr, a city councilman and mayor-elect, said that she has more than 1,600 patients on file from all over the area — more than three times the people who reside in Zearing. Like many others, he makes the 27-mile trip up to Iowa Falls to see her these days at the Hansen Family Hospital. If she came back to Zearing, the patients would follow.

When reached by phone, O’Connor declined to comment on the initiative designed in part to bring

her back to Zearing, citing a non-compete agreement.

“We had a tremendous input from the public that we needed to bring her back to Zearing,” Herr said.

But while he had nothing but praise to offer O’Connor, Herr said it was bigger than her at this point, and she would agree. If built, the clinic would bring people into Zearing each day and perhaps even spur some economic development. Herr thinks it could bring extra traffic into town to patronize Zearing businesses, and maybe someone might come for an appointment at the clinic and think, This is a nice small town; maybe I should think about moving here.

Herr said the lynchpin in this project has been the Mercy Health Network, which owns the hospital in Iowa Falls. He said it’s pledged to staff and run the clinic as a tenant, leaving the city to construct

the building. Zearing has bought the empty lot between Zearing Christian Church and North Pine Street for the clinic. The next step is finalizing how to pay for it: likely a mix of loans and a private fundraising campaign.

The city along with the NESCO Family Clinic Board, which was formed after O’Connor left the Story County clinic to try and eventually get her back to Zearing, is trying to raise $200,000 in private donations for the project. Board member Steve Wildeboer estimated the drive has already secured $50,000.

The city is also going to work to secure what Herr called a “revolving loan” through the Zearing-based Minerva Valley Telephone Company that would yield around $350,000. The city could soon be on track to accept bids for the project, which could cost $550,000, though Herr called that a

“shot in the dark” number.

The soon-to-be mayor acknowledged that going forward with the project is a risk, but if it works out, the city could see a return on its investment (namely, Mercy paying rent to use the building). He warned of civic atrophy.

“My feeling is if you want to sit on your money at the bank account and do nothing, that’s fine,” he said.

“But in the small community, the day will come where that’s all you’ll have to do is go to the bank and count your money because there’ll be nothing on Main Street.”

Over the summer, before Mercy came into the picture, the clinic board’s main objective was to get O’Connor back in town. The city was prepared to use $25,000 to refurbish the building next door to City Hall to become a small clinic for her.

“She’s our doctor but she’s part of the community, too,” Wildeboer said.

20 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2018