Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Newsletter

Alliance NewstRIBBON

Congratulations to Golden Day Adult Day on your ribbon cutting! Golden Day Adult Day's mission is to provide safe and caring adult services that will offer meaningful programs to enhance the dignity, independence, and quality of life of older persons and individuals with disabilities. At this time, the Adult Day is run solely by volunteers. Each participant must be accompanied by a loved one (over 18). They have plans to hire a staff and are currently checking into all of their options. Adult Day currently meets every other Monday from 1-4 PM at Citizens on Central located at 617 Central Avenue in Fort Dodge.

tRIBBON

Congratulations to Home & Homestead on your ribbon cutting! Home and Homestead offers real estate sales & custom-designed homes. They work with their clients from conception to the final stage and work with local area tradesmen and suppliers to create your forever home.

County Connect Webster

Female Leadership in Gowrie

Gowrie, Iowa is full of collaborative individuals with a passion for their community. The women featured in this article are shining examples of leadership and collaboration, and the importance it all plays in finding a sense of community.

Marcie Boerner, COO, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association and Board President, Iowa Communication Alliance

Living and working in Gowrie I have served on the board and continue to be active with the Gowrie Development Commission. I have enjoyed various roles from the executive board to chairing committees, coordinating fundraisers, and organizing and promoting community events. The community of Gowrie is really thriving with so many amenities for recreation, healthcare and emergency services, retail, and service businesses. The volunteers behind so many area clubs and organizations keep the “go” in Gowrie and our annual Independence Day Celebration is one of the longest running patriotic events in the state of Iowa.

The benefit to being part of a small company is that my responsibilities have covered a broad range. I currently work with strategic partnerships, regulatory reporting, new product implementation and upgrades, billing software administration, and provide support to our staff of 20 employees. With over 26 years of experience at Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association I’ve been a part of growth through services, technology, and size. We’ve grown from a traditional telephone company to providing Internet and TV services. We’ve grown in technology from copper to fiber optics and the speed in which communication travels. We’ve grown from 16 communities to 20 as competition and broadband grants are creating opportunities to grow. At the core Webster-Calhoun is a cooperative and I appreciate that most because the focus is always in the best interest of the local rural membership which is our customers, neighbors and communities.

Being involved is the best way to grow, network and be educated about trends and current events in the industry but being an advocate is really who I am. Promoting and supporting what I am passionate about whether it is local communities, local businesses, entrepreneurs, Webster-Calhoun, or rural broadband. That is how I have gained experience and developed skills in economic development, community relations and marketing. Being involved in various committees and attending events sponsored by the Iowa Communications Alliance also led to being elected to the ICA Board of Directors.

As the Board President for the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA) I am an advocate for community-based communications providers across the state of Iowa just like Webster-Calhoun. The ICA is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based providers. Iowa is truly unique in that it has the most independently owned providers of any other state. Working with the board, we oversee industry advocacy on behalf of our members from a legislative and regulatory perspective at both the state and federal level. We also work to provide education to members through seminars and networking events throughout the year. ICA firmly believes that rural communications is the tool and industry capable of

growing and transforming agriculture, education, health care, communities, and economies in rural Iowa. To that end, the ICA serves as an advocate, catalyst, educator, and resource for Iowa’s community-based communications providers as they empower residents, businesses, and industry to thrive and succeed.

Jacci Hindt, Owner, Addison James Boutique and Jacci Addison Studios

I own Addison James Boutique and Jacci Addison Studios. Jacci Addison Studios is a Photography, Videography, and Small Business Marketing Studio. We specialize in Newborns, High School Seniors, and Wedding Photography, as well as Commercial Photography including Product Photography and Professional Headshots. I began my passion for photography at a young age and after having my first child, I began my photography business not knowing it would be what it is today. Overtime, the importance of small businesses and being able to offer them support became an important part of what we do, along with the addition of videography. I love being able to capture special moments for our clients but after experiencing tragic loss, I know the importance more than ever of capturing the person truly as they are. With video, you capture their voice, their smile, and special qualities we love to hold on to forever and that is truly what my passion is.... to capture moments we can hold on to forever.

As an entrepreneur by heart, I love to be able to help businesses grow from the ground up and found that I was able to do that by assisting them in putting a brand voice together and to help them begin telling their story. My favorite part of this is seeing the successes and lessons that the business experience and seeing their growth happen.

Addison James Boutique is also located in the same building as Jacci Addison Studios. Our mission at Addison James is being loyal to empowering women. As busy Mamas and entrepreneurs who strive daily to live our most intentional lives, we UNDERSTAND the stress of shopping. As we adapt to life changes, body changes, and other struggles; we find providing a personal shopping experience with like minded people is LIFE CHANGING. Our PROMISE to you is to guide you into today’s fashion in a way that makes you love yourself a little harder and regain your confidence.

We sell women’s clothing (ranging in sizes small - 3X), shoes, accessories, and denim. We also created custom t shirt orders. You can find us in store, online, or out and about with our mobile boutique trailer “ Addi J”.

We are so fortunate to be located in Gowrie. It’s a small town that really rallies together and believes in shopping small and shopping local. It has been such a great way to meet people and really hear their stories. I think the best part of any of this is truly the people.

Allyson Plain, Owner, Ally J Esthetics

To put it simply I have struggled to figure out what I was supposed to be doing since the day I graduated high school. College was explained as a no-brainer, but I didn’t have any passions or interests I thought I could make a career out of. I took business classes and while I enjoyed them I couldn’t see myself doing it forever. I eventually graduated with my associates and got a job at a bank right here in Gowrie. In Gowrie I have made great friends, settled down with my fiancée, started establishing our home, and eventually started to get involved with the community. Back in July, I found myself happy in my position at the bank but wanting something new. Something I could be proud of and passionate about, so I took the leap and filled out an application for the esthetics program at PCI Academy in Ames. I had always had a love for skin care, and the science that goes into healthy skin. In the past I had struggled with acne, trying everything and anything I could until I eventually started seeing an esthetician myself and thought it was something I could love. It all made sense. Everything about the beauty industry just seemed like a dream to me,