FuseNews - April 2024

Reflecting on Women’s History Month and Breaking Barriers – A Celebration of Women in Business

Dear Members and Supporters,

As we bid farewell to Women's History Month, I am filled with gratitude and inspiration. Throughout March, our community celebrated the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across industries, generations, and backgrounds. At the heart of our commemoration was our highly anticipated event, Breaking Barriers - A Celebration of Women in Business Luncheon, where we came together to honor and uplift the remarkable women (and the men that support them) shaping our business community.

This year's Breaking Barriers event was nothing short of extraordinary. Held on March 28th at Prairie Meadows, the luncheon brought together a diverse array of professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to empowerment and advancement. The event was a testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of women in business. Moreover, the event provided a platform for networking, collaboration, and mentorship, fostering meaningful connections that will undoubtedly shape the future of our business community. Thank you to all of our sponsors, this event could not have been a success without your support!

As we transition into the vibrant season of spring, with schedules becoming busier, I am delighted to highlight the abundant networking opportunities available to you through our chamber events. From our Monthly Luncheons and Quarterly Breakfasts to our Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learns, along with our Non-Profit and HR Forums, these gatherings o er an ideal platform for fostering connections, nurturing relationships, and exploring potential collaborations. Be sure to stay tuned to our events calendar for upcoming networking opportunities. Additionally, mark your calendars for our upcoming signature events: TOSS – Taste of Something Spectacular on June 6th at Paws & Pints, the Annual FORE! Golf Tournament on August 23rd at Waveland Golf Course, and Flourish on September 24th at The Tea Room. These events promise to be exceptional opportunities for networking, enjoyment, and community engagement.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to all of our members for your continued support and engagement. Your involvement is what makes our chamber community so vibrant and dynamic, and I am continually inspired by the passion and dedication you bring to our collective mission of driving economic growth and prosperity in our region.

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or a member of our chamber team. We are here to support you and ensure that you derive maximum value from your chamber membership.

Here's to a successful and productive month ahead!

Trish Flaherty-Barnes President/CEO FuseDSM, Your Chamber of Commerce

April 2, 2024

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CST

April 4, 2024

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM CST

April 11, 2024

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CST

APRIL EVENTS

FuseDSM Economic Development Committee Meeting

April 11, 2024

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

April 16, 2024

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST

April 17, 2024

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM CST

April 17, 2024

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST

April 24, 2024

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM CST

FuseDSM Monthly Luncheon - Success in a Multi-Generational Workforce

April 30, 2024

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM CST

Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn - Storytelling Your Business and Why it’s Important

RIBBON CUTTINGMoxie Kitchen + Events

Change Your Circle Speed Networking Event

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FuseDSM NPO Confidential

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Firestarter Meeting

MOXIE presented by East Village Spa

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FuseHR Forum

LEARN MORE

May 2, 2024

7:45 AM - 9:30 AM CST

May 7, 2024

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CST

FuseDSM Quarterly Breakfast - “Center Street Reborn”

FuseDSM Economic Development Committee Meeting

May 8, 2024

3:00 PM - 5:30 PM CST

May 9, 2024

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CST

May 15, 2024

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM CST

MakeDSM May 2024 Remake - Empowering Women in Manufacturing

May 15, 2024

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST

Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn - Podcasting

Why, When, Where, and How. What is the purpose of podcasting?

FuseDSM NPO Confidential

Firestarter Meeting

May 22, 2024

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM CST

MOXIE presented by East Village Spa

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Matthew Mciver, Founder, Mciver Communications, Director, Teacher, Community Builder, and Creator, Cloris Award Winner

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Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn: Storytelling Your Business and Why it's Important

Story is one of the most powerful tools for getting your message out. You have great statistics, and catchy slogans, and all of those can help. But if you want to create powerful alignment, you need to reach not just the head and the heart, but the gut. Learn the basic elements of a story and how to use them to share your message in a way that reaches the intellect, the emotions,and the core identity of your audience. When you align the head, the heart, and the gut, powerful action follow

Thursday April 11, 2024

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CST

Ribbon Cutting: Moxie Kitchen + Events

You're cordially invited to join the FuseDSM Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the grand opening of Moxie Kitchen + Events' new facility! Moxie Kitchen + Events is a modern rental space for people who like things done di erently. They are a group of hospitality experts from the restaurant and event world, who set out to find a better way to do hospitality. They o er state-of-the-art commercial kitchen space available for monthly or hourly rental. As well as 1000 square feet of mid-century-modern-inspired event space. Host a cooking class, a cocktail hour or an elegant dinner for up to 50.

Thursday April 11, 2024

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4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

Change Your Circle Speed Networking Event

Change Your Circle is a FuseDSM event to give our chamber members the opportunity to do just that...Change Your Circle....in a fast-paced and casual environment. It is an opportunity to remove the awkwardness of meeting new people by providing a platform for you in which you don't have to search new connections out. Through an organized process, you'll chat with a single individual for a few minutes at a time, before being prompted to move onto the next person. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards so you can stay in touch with all the people you meet! This is one of our most popular networking events, space is limited and registration is sure to fill quickly, so don't wait to reserve your spot.

Thursday April 6, 2023

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM CST

Tuesday April 16, 2024

9:00AM - 10:30 AM CST

MARCH 28TH | PRAIRIE MEADOWS EVENT CENTER

Breaking Barriers - A Celebration of Women in Business luncheon held on Thursday, March 28th at Prairie Meadows was an undeniable success, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the business community, while including the men that support women. The event brought together a diverse array of professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for an inspiring luncheon filled with insightful discussions, impactful networking opportunities, and uplifting moments of celebration. Attendees gained valuable insights and inspiration, fostering a renewed sense of empowerment and camaraderie. The overwhelming turnout and positive feedback rea rm our collective dedication to breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and creating a more inclusive and equitable business landscape for all.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors; your support was instrumental in ensuring the success of this event.

THANK YOU SPONSORS

WOMAN ON FIRE 2024 RECIPIENTS

Fuse DSM, Your Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the recipients of the inaugural Breaking Barriers - Woman on Fire award! Congratulations to Julie Skinner Stewart of Prairie Meadows and Dr. Rachelle Karstens Keck of Grand View University for their remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to breaking boundaries and empowering women in their respective fields.

Julie Stewart, Vice President of Business Development at Prairie Meadows, has been a driving force behind the organization's growth and community impact. Her steadfast leadership and commitment to fostering relationships have paved the way for Prairie Meadows' remarkable success, making a lasting $2.1 billion impact to date. Julie's dedication to supporting small businesses, nonprofits, and women sets a shining example for us all.

Dr. Rachelle Karstens Keck, the 14th president of Grand View University, has made history as the first woman to hold this esteemed position. Her journey from a small-town Iowa lawyer to a trailblazing academic leader is nothing short of inspiring. Dr. Keck's passion for education and her advocacy for diverse learning pathways exemplify her commitment to empowering individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of background or circumstance.

Join us in celebrating Julie Stewart and Dr. Rachelle Keck. Their accomplishments serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women everywhere, reminding us all that with determination, perseverance, and a fiery spirit, anything is possible.

Marquas Ashworth

President of Ashworth

MAY QUARTERLY BREAKFAST

Center Street Reborn

Join us as we learn about the impactful history of Center Street and where it is now. Come learn about the current state of black and small businesses in our state and nation and most importantly how to empower and spread that energy through our much-needed local economy.

Development and Center At Sixth

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Thursday May 2, 2024

7:45 AM - 9:30 AM CST

Divorce is hard.

Finding a great attorney shouldn’t be.

Miller, Zimmerman & Evans is the largest metro law firm focused on family law issues. Our experienced attorneys know family law inside and out. Whether you are dealing with divorce, custody, child support, adoption, or financial matters, we provide clients with the best advice to help them make confident decisions about their future. We make prompt communication a priority, and have the experience and insight to help with most di cult challenges.

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Scale DSM Business Accelerator Powered by Interise

What It Is: A six-month program centered around practical, case-based peer learning for small businesses in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region. As a participant, you will attend one session per week and complete the program with business knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to grow your business.

The Details

Eligibility Requirements:

$150,000 – $4 million in annual revenues

One other full-time employee besides the owner(s) Been in business for at least two years

Willingness and ability to attend class for six months, complete mandatory assignments and complete program surveys as requested

June – December 2024

Sessions will happen every other Tuesday for 13 sessions and a graduation.

Feel Your Best Yet with These 3 Healthy Hacks

BY: ANNE CUNDIFF, RD, LD, FAND CORPORATE HY-VEE DIETITIAN

Healthy eating can sometimes feel confusing and time-consuming – but it doesn’t have to. As a registered dietitian, I am all for incorporating super simple ways to instantly boost flavor and nutrition in your daily routine. Here are three healthy hacks to help make reaching your health goal even easier!

First, if you struggle with those mid-day lulls or frequent cravings, it’s likely that you are not getting enough protein! Let’s add more protein to your diet with PB2 Powdered Nut Butters. Protein is essential to helping curb hunger, sustaining energy and reducing cravings. PB2 Powdered Nut Butters are a great, plant-based option to boost your protein. A single serving provides six grams of protein and is lower in fat when compared to traditional nut butters. To use this hack at home, mix PB2 with Chobani® with Zero Sugar Greek yogurt for a creamy, lower-sugar fruit dip; or blend it in your favorite smoothie, or even mix it into your morning oatmeal.

Next, ask yourself: Am I staying hydrated throughout the day? Being properly hydrated is important to help with your energy levels and concentration. Signs of dehydration include frequent fatigue, poor digestion and brain fog. About 75% of Americans report feeling dehydrated frequently. This is where Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free can make a huge splash. Liquid I.V. is more hydrating than water alone and contains essential vitamins and minerals to support immunity and energy production. Plus, it is a great, sugar-free way to hydrate if you find plain water just too boring. Use Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free with your favorite sparkling water or mix it with water and add frozen fruit for some exciting (and hydrating) mocktails!

Finally, rethink how you can use Greek yogurt. I recommend sticking to lower-sugar varieties, like Chobani® with Zero Sugar. Chobani® with Zero Sugar is a one-of-a-kind dairy product with zero sugar, 60 calories, lots of protein and no lactose. One cup of Greek yogurt gives you a whopping 17 grams of protein. Greek yogurt can also be extremely versatile and is more than just granola’s best friend. Try swapping Greek yogurt where a recipe traditionally calls for sour cream or mayo. You can also try this hack by mixing plain Chobani® Greek yogurt with ranch seasoning for a veggie dip or blending Chobani® with Zero Sugar with your favorite fruit and freeze for a creamy sweet treat.

If you’re looking for a fun, new way to use Chobani® with Zero Sugar, try this Frozen Yogurt Bark recipe. Also be sure to grab Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free, PB2 and Chobani® yogurt during your next Hy-Vee run to help make healthy eating a snap.

BY: ANNE CUNDIFF, RD, LD, FAND CORPORATE HY-VEE DIETIIAN

Scan this QR code to find your Hy-Vee dietician

Frozen Yogurt Bark

Serves 12

All you need:

1 (32-oz) Chobani® with Zero Sugar, vanilla flavor

½ cup Hy-Vee oats and honey granola

½ cup fresh blueberries

3 fresh kiwi, peeled and sliced

¼ cup Hy-Vee unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted

All you do:

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. Spread vanilla Chobani® with Zero Sugar on prepared baking sheet.

3. Sprinkle yogurt with granola, blueberries, kiwis and toasted coconut. Freeze for about 1 hour or until completely frozen.

4. Remove bark from freezer and break into pieces. Serve immediately or store leftover bark in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Recipe adapted from: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/frozen-yogurt-bark

If you want more individualized guidance on reaching your health and wellness goals, reach out to a Hy-Vee dietitian today by visiting https://www.hy-vee.com/healthnew/dietitians.

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

Triplett Office Solutions is a preferred Haworth Dealer. This allows us access to research on Workplace trends and insights to the future of work. We look forward to serving you on your office needs.

10

Ideas to Design for Workplace Zen

Appeal to the 5 senses for balance

Sight

1. Daylight

2. Colors

Smell

3. Aromatherapy

4. Fresh air

Unlocking the potential of natural light in the workplace is crucial for employee well-being. Recent studies have shown that individuals working in windowless offices may experience decreased vitality, lower quality of life concerning physical health, and heightened daytime dysfunction. These effects are attributed to reduced exposure to daylight, impacting sleep quality and disrupting natural biological, mental, and behavioral rhythms tied to light and darkness.

What’s your favorite color? To each of us, different colors evoke different moods and feelings. Though we each may have our own “favorite color,” there are some generalizations that can be made about color, based on simple observation and experience. Think about colors you’d call “subdued,” for example. They evoke similar feelings in us—subdued and relaxed. It’s these colors that can help people find Zen and feelings of balance at work. They are grounded in nature—the shades of the sky, ocean, earth, stone, plants, and animals.

It’s a widely held belief that appealing to your sense of smell is one of the most powerful ways to trigger feelings and emotions. That may be one of the reasons that aromatherapy and the use of ultrasonic oil diffusers have become so popular. And now, aromatherapy is finding its way into the workplace. Aromas like lemon, rosemary, peppermint, and frankincense can enhance motivation, memory, and reduce anxiety.

Humans have an inherent need to be a part of nature and the outdoors. There’s something about breathing in fresh air and experiencing the fragrances of nature that gets us to a more relaxed state. Not only can we use our time in the outdoors to recharge, we often find that bringing our work outside can help us focus—sometimes to such a degree that we don’t even feel like we’re working. Being outside simply affirms our connection to the natural world. Designing patio spaces for a working environment and filling them with comfortable, homey furnishings allows people to work solo or grab a colleague and collaborate in the great outdoors.

Sound

5. Speech privacy

6. Apps

Taste

7. Healthy Food and Spaces

8. Lots of water

According to a Haworth white paper on acoustics and privacy, numerous studies have pointed to noise and lack of privacy, together, as a major cause of workplace dissatisfaction. With the limited area available in floorplates as of late, a lot of businesses are looking to open office environments. This has become a challenge for designers—creating the balance of Zen with open spaces that also offer privacy. Look to moveable walls made of frameless glass to keep the openness, light, and line of sight, while blocking sound transmission. Sound absorbing ceiling panels and rugs or carpeting can also help. Another worthwhile investment can be a sound masking system that emits background noise specifically tuned to volume and frequency levels that cover sound.

While open plans can help encourage collaboration and socialization, people still need spaces for focus and private conversations that don’t disturb others around them. In a workspace where team members are working on individual tasks, personal sound generators can help. A simple way to give everyone the sound environment they desire is to allow or offer the use of sound apps, such as Calm.

We all know that we need to eat healthy foods to keep our body functioning optimally. However, it’s often easier for us to grab something fastfood-ish to scarf down quickly—especially at work. But, what if we looked to the balance of Zen on workplace design? The first step would be to establish an on-site cafeteria or café area where employees can get a healthy meal. Then, take it to the next level by designing the spaces in and around the cafeteria to double as comfortable working spaces. Think lounge seating and occasional tables, bar-height tables and chairs, natural lighting, and wifi connectivity.

According to the US Geological Survey, the human body is made up of about 60% water. You don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to understand that if the water your body loses throughout the day doesn’t get replenished, bad things happen. We need water to keep our body’s systems running smoothly. Everything from digestion and respiration, to cell regeneration and brain function, and more, depends on keeping the body adequately hydrated.

Central Iowa Manufacturing’s Source for Information

Meet a Makers Council Member

Make DSM Meet a Makers Council Member

Nonprofit Job Rides helps workers get to work

BY STEVE DINNEN

Here’s how a for-pro t, nonpro t relationship typically works: The for-pro t company makes money and then donates some of its earnings to a nonpro t it wishes to support. The for-pro t gets a tax break, while the nonpro t gets nancial support.

And here’s the way that relationship got upended in the world of Bill Raine: His for-pro t business set up a side business that eventually spun o as its own nonpro t entity. Then he sold his for-pro t business so he could devote his time, his talents and a considerable amount of his resources to operating the nonpro t, which serves the for-pro t’s e orts to help hundreds of men and women get to work and get back on their feet nancially.

JOIN US: MAY 8, 2024

FRIDAY AUG 23, 2023

“EMPOWERING WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING”

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Raine’s nonpro t venture is Job Rides. It provides transportation to and from factories and o ces all over Greater Des Moines, at all hours, for people who don’t have a car or access to one. They’re often living in a shelter, rehabbing from drug or alcohol abuse, or in some sort of work release program. (The Iowa Correctional Center at Fort Des Moines is a popular pickup spot.) In most cases, the place where they live or the place where they work aren’t located on bus lines, or the hours of their shifts don’t match DART’s schedules. “We’re 24-7,” said Raine — nights, weekends, rain or shine.

Job Rides builds on his e orts to help the employers his original for-pro t recruiting rm worked with. Raine Recruiting found workers for factories but often discovered that their tenure was cut short because they lacked access to reliable transportation.

So Raine Recruiting got a van and started hauling workers around. Then it got another, and another, and the business grew enough that Raine carved it out of the employment agency and set up a nonpro t. And now that nonpro t has taken control of Raine’s life: He’s just closed on the sale of Raine Recruiting, so he can devote all his energies to Job Rides, its seven vans and its hundreds of daily commuters. Raine estimates that Job Rides customers are averaging $16 an hour in pay.

One of those customers, David Johnston, was way down on his luck and living in a men’s shelter when he got a job o er at a local manufacturing plant. He had no way to get to and from their plant, however — until Job Rides came along.

“This van was the biggest thing,” he said the other day, as he hopped out of a van that brought him home from a long day at work.

Immigrants have tapped into Job Rides, too. Raine recalled that in late 2022 an immigration service sent him 65 Afghans. Most had worked on HVAC systems (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) at a U.S. Army base in Afghanistan, so they had plenty of desirable skills. Job Rides delivered every one of them to their workplaces every day, and within months, they all had earned enough money to buy their own cars and say farewell to the nonpro t.

Raine had good success nding workers, and factories were eager to hire his recruits. Nearly all of the Job Rides passengers are heading to “second-chance employers,” including businesses that hire people with criminal records.

Job Rides pays its drivers but otherwise relies on volunteers. That includes Raine, who has plowed his own money into the enterprise and works countless hours on his new life mission. He estimates the nonpro t’s 2024 budget is around $500,000, including a big chunk of change for fuel. Most of the operating expenses are covered by riders, who each pay $50 a week for door-to-door service.

Raine is pondering a stronger nancial strategy, maybe something that will actually earn him a small amount of money versus the zero dollars he currently receives. He’s always thinking about how the model could work in other Iowa cities, as well. There are second-chance employers across the state, so he just hopes to match them up with second-chance workers.

Breaking Barriers: Women Leading the Manufacturing Revolution. Brace yourself for an exhilarating panel discussion featuring three fierce females at the forefront of manufacturing innovation.

Kelli Gallagher Dee Zee Manufaturing, Inc.

FE ATURING : Kori Heuss Heuss Printing, Kori Heuss LLC.

Susan Sabin Stellar Industries, Inc.

Maker Council Speaker: Hire DSM Nicky Wallace,

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Manufacturing is Iowa’s most innovative, creative, and productive sector. Delivering the lion’s share of Iowa’s GDP, the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast tells the story of our state’s economic heroes.

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