FuseNews - October 2023

YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OCTOBER

2023

OCTOBER EVENTS October 10, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST October 12, 2023 11:30AM - 1:00 PM CST October 16, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST October 17, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST October 18, 2023 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST October 24, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST October 25, 2023 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM CST October 25, 2023 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST October 26, 2023 3:00 PM -6:00 PM CST October 31, 2023 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM CST

RIBBON CUTTING - American Alarms

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Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn : How to Drive Local Awareness & Sales through People-Powered Marketing

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RIBBON CUTTING - Broadlawns Pediatric Clinic

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RIBBON CUTTING - ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery

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FuseDSM NPO Confidential

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RIBBON CUTTING - BOCS DSM

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MOXIE presented by East Village Spa

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Change Your Circle Speed Networking Event

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MakeDSM October 2023 Quarterly Remake Conference

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FuseHR Forum

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NOVEMBER EVENTS

November 2, 2023 7:45 AM - 9:30 AM CST

FuseDSM Quarterly Breakfast - Connecting and Strengthening Communities through Public Transit – A Panel Discussion with DART

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FuseDSM Economic Development Committee Meeting

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November 7, 2023 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CST

November 8, 2023

Firestarter Meeting

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4:00 PM -5:00 PM CST

November 9, 2023 11:30AM - 1:00 PM CST

November 15, 2023 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM CST

Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn - Growing from the 'Book: A brief how-to on crafting successful Facebook ads for your business

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FuseDSM NPO Confidential

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

AS WE HEAD INTO RENEWAL SEASON, LET EXEMPLAR CARE HELP YOU CUT COSTS – WITHOUT SACRIFICING QUALITY

RIBBON CUTTINGS

American Alarms Join FuseDSM and American Alarms to celebrate their 40th Anniversary and grand opening of their new training center! Appetizers and beverages will be provided. The ribbon cutting will occur at 4:15pm.

American Alarms designs, certifies, and services electronic life safety and security systems for businesses. The new training center will be a place for stakeholders in commercial building projects to collaborate and learn about systems that improve life safety and security.

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Tuesday October 10, 2023

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

Broadlawns Variety Pediatric Clinic Celebrate the open house for the newly renovated Broadlawns Variety Pediatric Clinic! The ribbon cutting will occur at 5:00pm. Enjoy refreshments, kid-friendly activities, and tours! Broadlawns Pediatric Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare to babies through adolescents for wellness, acute care and chronic conditions. They are currently accepting children's book donations, so please bring anything you'd like to donate to the open house.

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Monday October 16, 2023 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM CST ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery

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Join FuseDSM and ChaCha's Hiland Bakery to celebrate their grand opening!

The ribbon cutting will occur at 4:30pm. Light appetizers, desserts, beer, wine and of course, donuts will be served. Hiland Bakery has been a Des Moines Staple since 1946. When ChaCha's was approached with the opportunity to combine ChaCha's Confections with Hiland, they jumped with excitement. They look forward to continue serving Des Moines with the best donuts, cheesecake and champagne cake, while maintaining the long lasting client base built by both businesses.

Tuesday October 17, 2023

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

Thursday BOCS DSM April 6, 2023

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Mkickstart As the leaves change color and the air turns it's time 11:15 AMcrisp, - 1:00 Pto CST the festive season with their fall party and ribbon cutting event. Enjoy a cocktail, mingle with friends, and get all your holiday gifting ideas as you tour their facility.

Mark your calendars! The ribbon cutting will occur at 4:30pm. BOCS DSM is a custom gifting agency. You will work with their designers to curate perfect gifts for any occasion. They will help you carefully tailor gifts so your recipients are wowed and feel appreciated.

Tuesday October 24, 2023

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

NOVEMBER QUARTERLY BREAKFAST "Connecting and Strengthening Communities through Public Transit – A Panel Discussion with DART”

DART Leadership will provide an overview of the role public transit plays in our region: DART’s services, who uses them and how our transit system is funded, including the long-term sustainability that brings.

After this presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of 3 Panelists from the community who will share their perspectives on why public transit is important for the region and the opportunities for this critical infrastructure in the future

Thursday November 2, 2023 7:45 AM - 9:30 AM CST REGISTER

DECEMBER MONTHLY LUNCHEON Celebration of Progress

Join us as we celebrate the progress of our community and the businesses that thrive in it!

Please stay tuned for more information on this luncheon and its speakers!

Thursday December 7, 2023 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM CST REGISTER

Leading the Way since 1893.

At West Bank, we’ve spent more than 130 years building strong relationships, one conversation at a time. Whether new business ideas or family ventures, we’ve proudly played a role in realizing innovative dreams since 1893.

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ON THE HORIZON A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY’S HORIZON SCHOLARS AND FUSE DSM - CELEBRATING INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE DES MOINES METRO

KOURTNEY PERRY

is an ambitious entrepreneur who is dedicated to improving not only her businesses but also her local community. She founded her first company, Privacy, LLC, in 2018. Privacy is an event planning and coordination business specializing in developing innovative strategies that will scale events for organizations to build memorable experiences. The company's signature annual event is the Slay the Runway Children's Fashion Show. This show aims to instill confidence and selfefficacy in children before the school year begins.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kourtney Perry launched a new venture called Ladie Lex Scented Candles, LLC. The business has experienced consistent growth, and in 2022, Kourtney opened a physical store located at 3019 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines.

Horizon Scholars recently visited the store to interview Kourtney Perry to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey and ways to support minority business owners in Central Iowa.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR OWN BOSS? What Kourtney likes about being her own boss is that she can create her own schedule. She is also free to network in her own time as well, not bound by time constraints unless needed. She also stated

that freedom is the best part although it sometimes gets hard. Kourtney worked full-time in the corporate world before creating and owning her own business, so she also believes that she does not have to be a robot anymore. She does not have to “ask permission” to do the things she feels she should be able to do as an adult.

WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS IN DEVELOPING YOUR CANDLE SCENTS AND WHICH SCENT IS CURRENTLY YOUR FAVORITE? It all began with a gentle nudge from her sister, an Amazon "how-to" kit, and extensive research on the benefits of certain fragrances, including her favorite scent, peppermint eucalyptus. Ladie Lex Candles, LLC was born, during the Covid-19 pandemic to help create a relaxing environment for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and stress. One of her passions, which has emerged from her candle-making business, is creating signature scents for clients and organizations. She collaborated with NCMIC, Ruan, Watpad, Iowa Juneteenth, and Lady Like Empowerment to create custom fragrance blends for their specialty gifts of candles, room sprays, and lotions.

The fun does not stop there, Kourtney is available to host private candle making events for groups of 10. You will have the opportunity to create a unique scented candle and have a memorable experience.

IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU GROWN IN BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR AND EVEN AS A PERSON SINCE STARTING YOUR BUSINESS? While growing within herself and her business, Kourtney has learned to be internally aware of her mission, goals, and her passion. She questions herself “What do I want to do on this earth” and encourages others to approach situations like this if they seem to doubt, feel lost, or question themselves. Kourtney stresses the importance of self-care and how she learned that this is key to running a business. If you are down and out, then your business cannot run itself. Kourtney reveals that

it

is

easy

to

lose

yourself

on

your

entrepreneurship journey or lose sight of why you started out in the first place. So to stay on track, tying back to her mention of self-care, you must take care of yourself first in order to help others.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THE DES MOINES AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CAN SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS? Regarding selling candles, Kourtney faces tough competition from big box stores like Bath and Body Works. However, when people shop locally, for example, at Ladie Lex Scented Candles, LLC, they support

the

businesses

local like

economy

hers

and

thrive

help

small

Kourtney

also

emphasized the importance of referrals and positive reviews on Google and/or other sites the companies’ may be present. It will increase the visibility of her company and other minorityowned

businesses

as

well.

In

cases

where

customers have a negative experience with small businesses, she encourages them to communicate with the owner first and exercise grace before posting a negative review. As happy customers of Ladie Lex Candles, we highly recommend her business to everyone.

Don't hesitate to visit her store today and try her amazing candles, room sprays, lotions, and more - you won't regret it!

Steven Kellogg, MS Director of Inclusive and Supportive Programming Why Horizon Scholars?

I developed Horizon Scholars to create a community for students of color to develop and prosper at Grand View University. Within this community, students from various academic backgrounds will foster lifelong friendships, participate in community and campus-wide activities, and create their definition of success while building a solid foundation for academic achievement.

Maddison Cunningham Kansas City, Missouri Sophomore Study Criminal Justice, Spanish, and Psychology Why Horizon Scholars?

I decided to join Horizon Scholars to broaden my array of networks and work alongside students and sponsors who look like me. I wanted to be able to put my foot through several doors while also learning how to connect with those in the DSM area.

Katerina Johnson Ankeny, Iowa Sophomore Study Business Administration/Management, Marketing, and Theology Why Horizon Scholars?

Horizon scholars combined my love for advocacy, leadership, and networking. I enjoy meeting new people, learning about a business’s story, how they reached their goals, and any advice they have for a young adult like me. I feel there is always room for improvement and there is always a way to make something your own.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Feed Your Mind: How to Drive Local Awareness & Sales through People-Powered Marketing

Emily Steele Hummingbirds

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Join this presentation to learn what it means to work with hyper-local content creators and your very own customers to create buzz on social media. Emily will show you successful campaigns brands like Hy-Vee, WeWash, Lola's Fine Hot Sauce, and more have created at Hummingbirds to create the local behavior they desire. You'll leave with endless ideas on how to ramp up user-generated content, find people excited to hype you to their own network, and what it means to create meaningful brand partnerships with real people.

Thursday October 12, 2023 11:30 AM - 1:00 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.

REGISTER

Wednesday October 25, 2023 9:00AM - 10:30 AM CST FueHR Forum The FuseHR Forum is a dynamic and interactive event designed specifically for HR professionals and small business Thursday April 6, owners 2023who are passionate about overcoming obstacles and enhancing their 11:15 PMopportunity CST human resources strategy.

ThisAM forum-is1:00 the perfect for you to engage with like-minded peers, exchange insights, and discover innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing issues in HR today.

REGISTER

Wednesday October 31, 2023 8:00AM - 9:30 AM CST

HY-VEE DIETICIAN

Char-BOO-terie Boards for Your Goblins and Ghouls!

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

Char-BOO-terie Boards for Your Goblins and Ghouls!

Get ready to embrace the Oktoberfit spirit by enjoying more frightfully delicious foods without scary ingredients. Whether it's a cozy family movie night or a lively Halloween gathering, charcuterie boards are all the craze. Opt for effortlessly enjoyable and kid-friendly recipes, capturing the essence of the spooky season.

Involve your kiddos in creating and preparing your board! Kids who help in the kitchen are more likely to try new foods and have a greater acceptance of different flavors and textures. Give them age-appropriate tasks they can complete on their own to boost confidence and a sense of accomplishment, whether that be helping you grocery shop, reading the recipes, washing fruit, slicing cheese or helping with cleanup. Cooking together helps create healthier habits as a family and offers an opportunity to have fun in the kitchen while learning along the way!

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

I have created a spooktacular char-boo-terie board lineup that the whole family will enjoy – and even incorporated some more nutrient-dense options along the way! I recommend including protein- and fiber-filled options and balancing your board with sweet treats. Incorporating sweets regularly at meal times can help a child learn that food is not a reward and that sweets are not “bad” but rather foods to be enjoyed in moderation and not a treat they only receive to reward their behavior or for finishing their plate.

Try including a balance of protein- and fiber-filled options along with a few sweet treats. I recommend starting with fresh slices of BelGioioso Parmesan to provide calcium to support your goblins and ghouls growing bones! Pair BelGioioso Parmesan slices with a favorite Di Lusso deli meat to provide extra protein and keep everyone full longer. Next: Satisfy crunchy cravings with Simple Mills Pop Mmms Veggie Flour Baked Snack Crackers. These cheesy, light and airy baked snack crackers are something the whole family can enjoy. And – best of all – they are made with wholesome veggies featuring ½ cup of vegetables in every serving.

Incorporate fiber from veggie slices and pair with your child’s favorite dip – not only will you pack in extra vitamins and minerals from the veggies, but fiber helps fill up your goblins’ and ghouls’ tummies for all your Halloween festivities!

I recommend rounding out your board with a variety of spooky, family-friend recipes everyone can be involved in creating! Try adding a few creepy crawlies to your board with delicious Apple Spiders. Get ready for the whole family to fly away on your Witches Broom Breadsticks and satisfy their sweet tooth with Monster Munch. Last but certainly not least: Enjoy carving a jack-o’-lantern indoors without the mess from traditional pumpkins with this recipe for Jack-O’-Lantern Fruit Cups.

Scan this QR code to find your Hy-Vee dietician

VISIT

HY-VEE DIETICIAN

Jack-O’-Lantern Fruit Cups Lorem ipsum

All you need: 5 navel oranges 1cup fresh blueberries 1cup fresh blackberries 1cup fresh raspberries Sugar snap peas, for stems, if desired

Serves 5

All you do: 1.

Cut off the tops of oranges in a zigzag pattern and scoop out the fruit. Carve out eyes, nose and mouth.

2.

Fill jack-o’-lanterns with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Add sugar snap peas for stems, if desired.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 40 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 10g total carbohydrates, 4g dietary fiber, 5g total sugar, 1g protein Recipe source: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/jack-o-lantern-fruit-cups For more tips, connect with your local 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.

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The ImagineDSM™ Entrepreneurship Program recently launched its inaugural Annual Academy, successfully conducting its kick-off class. This transformative initiative, in partnership with Bookpress Publishing, equips entrepreneurs and small business managers with practical tools for immediate application and long-term success. Beyond pragmatic skills like creativity, innovation, and financial management, the program rekindles passion and inspiration, fostering a thriving local business community. Stay tuned for updates from this year's academy and keep an eye out for information on how to join the next academy next year!

Our First Cohort:

Thank you to all who came to help us celebrate Flourish: Fund Ideas that matter! It was a magnificient evening filled with unforgettable moments and fantastic experiences. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm as our guests came together to celebrate and connect.

Enormous gratitude to Jill Neil Photography for capturing the event's essence in breathtaking photos and to Nexus 6 for crafting a wonderful video, immortalizing our cherished moments in vibrant visuals

Congratulations to all our finalists: The Rook Room, Pints By Beth, and Fireweed Acupuncture!

Congratulations to our 2023 winner, Pints By Beth!

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Greater Des Moines Partnership Perk Join us for the first-ever Entrepreneur Field Days series hosted across Greater DSM. First things first, all are invited. The Entrepreneur Field Day series will create opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge and skillsets to create resilient entrepreneurs and continue to build a strong small business and startup community in Central Iowa. Entrepreneurs learn best from entrepreneurs.

We invite all to bring a spirit of curiosity, shared respect, and a notepad or two to capture ideas and contacts.

Catch you at an Entrepreneur Field Day this fall!

October 10: PowerPollen, Seeding A New Innovation In Ag October 18: Grade A Gardens, Creating A Sustainable Food Movement October 25: Wander Women, Building An Inclusive Community Through The Outdoors

November 2: Lashier Graphics, Servicing Analog And Bringing Brands To Life November 8: Lola’s Fine Hot Sauces, Creating A League Of Their Own In Hot Sauces November 10: xBk Live, Building The Business of Music in DSM November 16, VizyPay: Bootstrapping Pays Off At Scale Powered by the Greater DSM Partnership and Sponsored by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

We’d encourage you to share with members and partners to plug-in and be part of the larger entrepreneurial community across our region!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Diana Wright at dwright@dsmpartnership.com

PIPELINE LEAD GENERATION GROUPS We are starting 3 new Pipeline Lead Generation groups!

Unlock the power of connections and fuel your business growth with our dynamic lead generation group. Join a community of like-minded professionals, share referrals, and amplify your network to seize new opportunities and reach new heights in your industry.

If you are interested in being a part of one of these groups please fill out our interest form. There will be a $50 annual fee to be part of one of the groups

FILL OUT OUR FORM HERE

GET READY FOR 2024 STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS IN A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP T h u r s d a y , O c t 19 1:30 -5:30 p m D M A C C U r b a n C a m p u s U r b a n B u ild in g 7 , r o o m 17 0 In partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, we are Strong in Six Campaign This event is all about helping you get stronger in the Six Key Components™ of your business while also allowing you to connect and network with other local business leaders who are interested in EOS® or on their own EOS journey. The Six Key Components™ are Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process and Tra

LORAINE HARDIN & JODY SKOGEN P r o f e s s io n a l E O S Im p le m e n te r s ® @Loraine Hardin@eosworldwide @Jody Skogen@eosworldwide Loraine and Jody are experienced leaders with a passion for helping business teams learn how to get more from their businesses, drive growth, and live a balanced life.

Using the EOS Process® and tools, they help entrepreneurial leaders clarify their vision, become more

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Workshop hosted by: Iowa EOS Implementers

Workshop sponsored by: Goldman Sachs 10KSB in partnership with EOS

Healthy choices made easy.

Open Enrollment: Engage your employees in benefit plans.

This is the time of year to consider the benefits you’re offering to your employees. Employees who use their health, dental and vision benefits care about their overall wellness and are more likely to stay healthy. Using these benefits is a win for employers because healthy employees are more likely to be productive and happy at work.

As a FuseDSM member, you have the advantage of exclusive group rates for the dental and vision plans. These group rates are generally lower than what your employees might find for similar coverage on their own.

Encouraging employees to use the benefits will contribute to a healthier workplace. Some ways to engage your employees in their benefits include:

Routine care for little to no cost.

Coverage for fillings, crowns and more.

Almost 93% of dentists in Iowa are part of the network.

•

Create a total compensation dashboard that shows the total value of their benefits and include what you pay as an employer.

•

Boost employee communications by sending a weekly newsletter where you can spotlight benefits throughout the year.

•

Create an employee wellness program with monthly or quarterly wellness challenges that offer prizes for engagement.

Coverage for exams, frames, lenses and more.

Post and share information around the office to remind employees about their benefits and how they can use them for overall wellness.

FREE pair of designer sunglasses through our One & Sun benefit.

•

Accepted at 125,000 providers nationwide, including independent and retail providers.

Employees are your most valuable asset. And the benefits you provide make a difference in recruiting, retaining, and the overall health of your team.

This Fall during open enrollment, choose a FuseDSM dental and vision plan through Delta Dental of Iowa and encourage your employees to take advantage of the benefits your plan provides.

Learn more

or call Taylored Benefits at (800) 470-3262.

For your smile. For your health. For your community.

DeltaVision is underwritten by Veratrus Benefit Solutions, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Dental of Iowa, utilizing the EyeMed Vision Care Insight Network.Choose a FuseDSM dental and vision plan through Delta Dental of Iowa and encourage your employees to take advantage of the preventive benefits your plan provides.

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