H I S P A N I C H E R I T A G E M O N T H | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2
Y O U R C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E
WednesdaySep7,2022
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ThursdaySep8,2022
MOXIEpresentedbyEast VillageSpa
FuseDSMNPOConfidential
TuesdaySep20,2022
8:00AM 9:30AMCDT
Flourish FundIdeasThatMatter
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FuseHR Forum Beating Burnout
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Thursday Sep 29, 2022
4:00PM 6:00PMCDT
WednesdaySep28,2022
ThursdaySep1,2022
RIBBONCUTTING FamilyEyeHealth Center,LLC
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FirestarterMeeting Latin King
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ThursdaySep22,2022
3:00PM-4:00PMCDT
RIBBONCUTTING HRTLND Companies
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5:00PM-8:00PMCDT
RIBBONCUTTING DMARC
FuseDSMMonthlyLuncheon FactorFear A 2022FinancialCheckInwithDanny&Gregof IronHorseWealthManagement
11:30AM-1:00PMCDT
RIBOONCUTTING Paws&Pints
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TuesdaySep20,2022
ThursdaySep8,2022
8:30 AM 10:00 AM CDT
TuesdaySep13,2022
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FeedYourMindLunch&Learn "Let's TokAboutit!TiktokforBusiness Growth."
WednesdaySep14,2022
FridaySep9,2022
11:30AM 12:30PMCDT
WednesdaySep14,2022
4:00PM 6:00PMCDT
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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8:30AM 10:00AMCDT
11:30AM 1:00PMCDT
4:30PM-6:00PMCDT
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RIBBONCUTTING EastVillagePhysical Therapy
8:15AM 10:00AMCDT
WednesdaySep21,2022
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8:30AM 9:30AMCDT
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RIBBONCUTTING CreativeDSM| Digital&SocialMarketing
FuseDSMEconomicDevelopment CommitteeMeeting
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8:15 AM - 10:00 AM CDT
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
RIBBON CUTTING Lil Brother Construction
FuseDSM Economic Development Committee Meeting
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
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Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
FuseDSM Monthly Luncheon - "Changing and Saving Lives in the Workplace and Schools" with Dr. Jennifer Ulie-Wells of Please Pass the Love
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Firestarter Meeting - TBD
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CDT
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CDT
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
V
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday Oct 5, 2022
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM CDT
MOXIE presented by East Village Spa
Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn "Retirement Planning for Business Owners"
FuseDSM NPO Confidential
SEPTEMBER 2022
SEPTEMBER EDITION //
RETAIL SPOTLIGHT: BANKERS TRUST
MONTHLY LUNCHEON SPOTLIGHT
NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT: DMARC
IN THE COMMUNITY //
SEPTEMBER CONTENT
MEMBER NEWS // GET INVOLVED IN THE CHAMBER HY VEE DIETICIAN SPEAK UP STORIES
CATCH DSM DES BUZZ: SEPTEMBER CREATIVE DSM LATINO LOVED BUSINESSES
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: SENOR TEQUILA
IN THE CHAMBER // CHAMBER UPDATES PAGE NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PAGE MEET THE BOARD FIRESTARTER SPOTLIGHT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hispanic firms in the three largest industry sectors employed approximately 1.2 million workers, had receipts totaling approximately $130 9 billion, and an annual payroll of approximately $35 8 billion
Don't Miss: Upcoming Chamber Events
diverse population of Des Moines and we understand and celebrate how the diversity of each of our members contributes and makes our community stronger The Annual Business Survey provides data on minority owned businesses and indicates that in 2017, 5 6% (322,076) of all U.S. businesses were Hispanic owned, with the top sectors for these firms being in construction with 15 6% (50,187), followed by accommodation and food services with 13.0% (41,817), and professional, scientific and technical services with 10 6% (34,292).
CAROLYN JENISON FUSEDSM CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, Speak
As FuseDSM members, let’s go out and explore our fellow member businesses to learn more, make new connections, continue to grow together and support the beauty and strength we bring to the table. Jenison
LETTER FROM THE SCEO EPTEMBER 2022 p.2-3
Welcome New Members to FuseDSM
Carolyn
PR
p.7
Prominent Latino entrepreneurs are also in the high technology, banking, real estate, marketing, mercantile, newspaper, media, sports, entertainment, as well as the health and beauty industries
IowaWORKS is here to help you succeed in your next career.
N E W M E M B E R S
Window Treatments, Framing & Finishes, Doors & Frames projects start with our client's unique needs in mind. Quality and Integrity first, always.
2. CATCH UP ON EVENT PHOTOS WITH FUSEDSM! Barrel House Ribbon Cutting FuseDSM Quarterly Breakfast "It's Fine, I'm Fine, Everything is Fine" Britney Brown CEO of Copy + Paste DSM & Imperfect Inspiration Feed Your Mind Lunch & Learn "Get on Board: The roles and responsibilities of a non profit board member" 1. 2 3 1. 21. . 2. 2. 1. 3.
2022 FuseDSM Annual Fore! Golf Tournament 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 22. .
DSM CULINARY
Des Moines Girl is a digital micromedia platform that provides guides, itineraries, and profile pieces on small businesses in Des Moines. DSMG serves as a fun check in for things to do around town and is curated by locals, for locals.
PIE BIRD PIES + BREAD BY CHELSA B
Pie Bird Pies + Bread by Chelsa B is a new business partnership coming to life in 2022. Together they opening a brick and mortar featuring (you guessed it) pie and sourdough bread.
DES MOINES GIRL
FINALISTS
DSM Culinary teaches culinary classes to the public. Each class has a theme and the participants cook alongside a chef to learn kitchen skills, learn about the cuisine, and to socialize.
REGISTER
SEPTEMBER 2022
East High School, founded in 1861 and located in Des Moines, Iowa, is one of the largest high schools in the state with over 2,230 enrolled students. East High has a long, proud tradition of emphasizing its motto “For The Service of Humanity.” Numerous East.
EAST HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FOUNDATION
• Stay in school
• Participate in extracurricular school activities
Because of East High’s geographic location on the east side of Des Moines, students come from a wide diversity of backgrounds, leading to multiple challenges from outside the school that impact East High These challenges include language barriers, poverty, food insecurity and lack of parental support for educational goals.
High graduates have attained considerable success and recognition with careers in business, education, law, medicine, engineering and community service. Many others have pursued additional vocational training and have had long careers in the service and trade industries
Our Vision
Despite these challenges, dedicated school leadership and staff continually work to create a family environment, striving for continual improvement by focusing on three core values: Engage, Excel and Empower. This program, with staff commitment to student success, has led to a remarkable increase in graduation rates
• Participate in community service or volunteer work
• Pursue leadership roles
• Engage in employment
The Vision “Supporting our Youth” reflects the need for broad support of our youth to encourage them to become exemplary, productive citizens. The Vision continues with the endeavor to “Educate all students at all grade levels by creating an opportunity for further education if they do the following requisite activities”:
NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
SEPTEMBER 2022
In today’s world, customers expect businesses to have credible websites in order to prove their Blegitimacy. rand Awareness
MARKETING COLUMN
Builds Credibility
Want some free marketing advice? We're always down for a discovery call: dcreativedsm.as.me/marketing iscovery-call
August Marketing Tips: Why Your Business Needs a Website
DIGITAL & SOCIAL MARKETING
Having your business online allows you to have endless opportunities and attract new customers. There are so many website builders out there that make it easy to show off your products and services to your customers. Keepreadingtofindoutwhyyourbusinessneedsawebsite.
Establish your brand’s image by having an effective website Having a website is the perfect way to let your audience know what you ’ re all about and what you stand for,
SEPTEMBER MARKETING TIP
This is one of the main reasons why your business should have a website. A professional website not only makes you stand out against your competitors, but will help you to build a solidonline presence.
CREATIVE DSM | VISIT
DES MOINES SPARENT EPTEMBER 2022
N a t i o n a l H i s p a n i c A m e r i c a n H e r i t a g e M o n t h r u n s f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1 5 t h r o u g h O c t o b e r 1 5 e v e r y y e a r . I t i s a t i m e w h e n A m e r i c a n s c e l e b r a t e t h e h i s t o r i e s , c o n t r i b u t i o n s , a n d c u l t u r e s w h o s e a n c e s t o r s c a m e f r o m S p a i n , M e x i c o , t h e C a r i b b e a n , a n d C e n t r a l , a n d S o u t h A m e r i c a .
B i l i n g u a l S u n s h i n e S t o r y t i m e
T h e r e a r e a f e w w a y s y o u c a n c e l N a t i o n a l H i s p a n i c A m e r i c a n H e M o n t h i n D e s M o i n e s . I a m s h a r i n g f e w i d e a s o n h o w y o u a n d y o u r f a m i c e l e b r a t e !
BY ERIN HUIATT OF DES MOINES PARENT
E n j o y a B i l i n g u a l S t o r y t i m e a t t h e A v e n u e L i b r a r y o n t h e l a w n o n S e p t 1 4 a t 1 0 a . m . A w o n d e r f u l w a y t o i n t r o d u c e y o u r c h i l d r e n t o S p a n i s h . E n j o y s t o r i e s , r h y m e s , s o n g s , a n d s t o r y t e l l i n g i n E n g l i s h a n d S p a n i s h . F a m i l y S t o r y t i m e i s a i m e d a t c h i l d r e n a g e s 1 8 m o n t h s 6 y e a r s o l d , b u t a l l a g e s a r e w e l c o m e t o j o i n i n . L e a r n m o r e a t h t t p s : / / w w w . d m p l . o r g / e v e n t / b i l i n g u a l s u n s h i n e s t o r y t i m e 2
NATIONAL HISPANIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONT
DES MOINES PARENT
JUNE 2022
h t t p s : / / w w w . l a t i n o h e r i t a g e f e s t i v a l . o r g /
FuseDSM chamber members can choose to provide exclusive discounts to ne members, or long standing deals for and member to take advantage of at any time. For new member deals, this is a one time exclusive deal o redeem at your business.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
JOIN HERE
FuseNews is a great way to get your next project, update, business tory and more out to more readers!
MEMBERSHIP PERKS
Let the footprint of FuseDSM and all readers get to know the newest member with a free article feature in the next issue of FuseNews!
SEPTEMBER 2022
NEW MEMBERS RECEIVE FIRST FUSENEWS ARTICLE FREE
We have always prided ourselves on the connections we build and the relationships we form in this chamber. That’s why at FuseDSM, we believe in investing into a buy local initiative. The more that we can work together as a community, the stronger our chamber, and Des Moines becomes.
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At E 9th & Hull Ave, discussions on ways to improve and enhance the area continue with developers, investors and property owners. The City of Des Moines and Neighborhood Development Corporation are facilitating these discussions. Look for more information as it becomes available.
AUGUST 2022
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING
The Economic Development Committee has turned its focus to the East 6th and Hartford area. They are currently working on getting to know the area better and begin conversations with the neighborhood associations to get their thoughts.
COMMUNITY FAMILY RESOURCES AND PRELUDE BEHAVIORAL SERVICES
“Through this merger, we will be bringing the best of both organizations to serve our communities, clients, staff, and stakeholders.” exclaimed Char Austin, Board Chair, Prelude. “Our mission is to serve individuals and families impacted by substance use and other mental health disorders, and this joining of forces will strengthen our ability to do such and reach more people.”
“Community Family Resources and Prelude Behavioral Services came together to build upon the successful programs and services Prelude provided to central and eastern Iowa, by bolstering their infrastructure with the strong management experience of CFR.” stated Bob Thode, President, CFR. “Both of our organizations have a strong and long standing positive reputation in our communities and this merger will continue to serve our clients and families with no disruption.”
JOIN FORCES TO HELP CENTRAL & EASTERN IOWANS.
TWO ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER STRENGTHENING SERVICES
As of July, 1, 2022, Central and Eastern Iowans will have strengthened and expanded infrastructure to support the growing needs for services addressing prevention and treatment of problem gambling, substance use and other mental health disorders with the merger of Community Family Resources (CFR) and Prelude Behavioral Services.
FOR SUBSTANCE USE & OTHER MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Both CFR and Prelude offer prevention and education services, in and outpatient treatment, transitional housing, gambling prevention and other mental health services. CFR offers these in the Fort Dodge, Webster City and Ames area. Prelude Behavioral Services will continue to offer these services in eastern and central Iowa under the moniker of Community Family Resources (CFR) effective July, 1, 2022.
86% OF MILLENNIALS WOULD 8BE 6% OF MILLENNIALS WOULD BE KEPT FROM LEAVING KTHEIR EPT FROM LEAVING THEIR CURRENT POSITION IF CTRAINING URRENT POSITION IF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AWERE ND DEVELOPMENT WERE OFFERED BY THEIR OEMPLOYER. FFERED BY THEIR EMPLOYER. ((LORMAN). LORMAN). CHECK OUT COUR HECK OUT OUR CATALOG OF CCOURSES! ATALOG OF COURSES! FULL FCATALOG ULL CATALOG Is retaining key Iemployees s retaining key employees important to iyou? mportant to you? We’re here to help you Wretain e’re here to help you retain your ybest. our best.
The site features a sleek new design and a new listings portal among other features, making the user experience much cleaner and easier to use
“It’s been a long journey to get here, but I’m sure our customers and prospects will find our new brand and site aligns with their business needs.”
Media Contact: Ryan Baldwin President and CEO, Kreate ryan@krbb.com (515) 224 0101
KR BUSINESS BROKERS LAUNCHES NEW BRAND AND WEBSITE
NEW BRAND AND WEBSITE ‘KREATED’ TO KEEP UP WITH BOOMING BUSINESS MARKET
“We are so excited to launch this new brand and site,” said Ryan Baldwin, CEO and President of Kreate.
Des Moines, Iowa based KR Business Brokers and its new sister brand, Kreate, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new brand and website, www.krbb.com. The new brand is an extension and re imagination of KR Business Brokers’ historic Central Iowa brand as the company continues to expand its service offerings outside of the Des Moines metropolitan area. Kreate (and KR Business Brokers) specializes in matching business buyers and sellers. For decades, KR has been known for selling businesses in the Greater Des Moines area and throughout Iowa specializing in small to medium sized businesses Kreate looks to expand that success to include larger size businesses and a bigger regional footprint
SENOR TEQUILA
She studied and graduated as a CPA Accountant in 1988 from the PITMAN Commercial Academy in Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Due to domestic abuse from the father of her daughters she was forced to flee and escape her beloved Mazatlan. Brenda crossed the Arizona desert with her older daughter Monica when she was only 3 years old. Brenda immigrated to Long Beach, California in June 1994 with both of her older daughters. In 1997, Brenda moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, attracted by a newspaper ad and the demand of labor in various industries.
Brenda has lived in Iowa ever since, always keeping busy in the food industry
SEPTEMBER 2022
Our vision is to grow Señor Tequila to become the pride of Des Moines and the destination for visitors in search for the most modern, entertaining, and authentic experience
Originally from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico Brenda was adopted when she was 1 year old by Aurelio & Yolanda Rodriguez While working in a restaurant to pay for her university studies, Brenda was moved to general manager at age 17, making her a pioneer in the food industry and business Ever since Brenda was 12 years old, she began as the assistant chef in a supermarket’s kitchen cooking in high quantities from an early age
In 2003, Brenda moved to New Hampton, Iowa to open the first Mexican restaurant and supermarket of the town named “Mi Pueblo” The business was well received by the locals due to her involvement in the local Catholic Church and serving as a volunteer in the local police department, hospital and court as an interpreter And of course her distinctive flavorful dishes are impossible to resist In 2008, Brenda had to close the business due to separation from the father of her only son Daniel and moved to Waterloo, Iowa There she went from owning a restaurant to starting over as a server and quickly moved up through the ranks to become general manager of Chilito’s Mexican Restaurant, a position she had already conquered at age 17 back in her hometown
Brenda Rodriguez and Alejandro Castro met in 2019 and became friends, instantly. Señor Tequila was born with the idea of combining their experience in restaurant ownership as well as their passion for Mexican cuisine, tequila and superior customer service. In the process, the excitement reached six local investors who joined the company inspired by the capacities and talents of “Chef Brenda” and “Mimoso Castro”.
Brenda has been a dishwasher, hostess, waitress, assistant manager, assistant chef, chef and general manager, basically mastering her trade in the hospitality and restaurant business In 2017, Brenda moved to Des Moines, Iowa to assist her older daughter and son in law in their businesses and events with Catering Services and searching for a better education which involves karate, dance, soccer, languages and math for her youngest daughter Kiara. In 2021, Brenda began a new business venture with the remodeling and construction of Señor Tequila
* Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
The main concept behind Señor Tequila lies in the perfect blend between modern and authentic The food menu has a balanced mix between modern cuisine found in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico and the traditional American Tex Mex menu The tequila and draft beer menu has been carefully selected to offer only the highest quality available and keeps evolving over time
MEXICAN CUISINE & TEQUILA BAR
EARLY
Des Moines United FC is a developing Soccer DClub es Moines United FC is a developing Soccer Club bringing a new soccer methodology in the state of bIowa ringing a new soccer methodology in the state of Iowa IINMOBILIARIA NMOBILIARIA Creating a Real Estate movement in their industry Cby reating a Real Estate movement in their industry by finding the best information with support along the fway! inding the best information with support along the way! JESSICAT, JINC. ESSICAT, INC. Spanish and English Audio Production Sservices! panish and English Audio Production services!
W e p r e p a r e c h i l d r e n t o t h r i v e i n s c h o o l , c o m m u n i t y , a n d l i f e W e a r e Wa e p e p a e c h i l d r e n t o t h i v e i n s c h o o l , c m m u n i t y , n d i f e . W e a r e a b i l i n g u a l q u a l i t y e a r l y e d u c a t i o n a n d c h i l d c a r e c e n t e r f o r i n f a n t s b, i i n g u l q u a i t y e a r l y e u c a i o n a n d c h l d c a r e c e n e r f r i n f a n s , t o d d l e r s , e a r l y p r e s c h o o l , U n i v e r s a l P r e K , a n d s u m m e r p r o g r a m 5 1 t2 o d d l e s , a l y p r s c h o l , U n i v e s a P e K , a n d u m m e p o g r m 5 1 2 y e a r o l d ys e a r o l d s
SUPPORT LATINO OWNED BUSINESSES
"We are headhunters, recruiters and consultants "providing We are headhunters, recruiters and consultants providing staffing solutions while bridging the cultural gap in sthe taffing solutions while bridging the cultural gap in the workplace "workplace " CONMIGO EARLY EDUCATIONONMIGO EDUCATION CENTER
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SPEAK UP SSTORIES PEAK UP STORIES P u b l i c S p e a k i n g a n d S t o r y t e l l i n g T i p s , T r i c k Ps u b l i c S p e a k i n g a n d S t o r y t e l l i n g T i p s , T r i c k s H a c k s , L e s s o n s , T r a i n i n g , F e e d b a c k , a n Hd a c k s , L e s s o n s , T r a i n i n g , F e e d b a c k , a n d D i s c u s s i o n D! i s c u s s i o n ! TAG US IN YOUR PICS THIS YEAR TO SHARE YOUR TOP SPOTS ON OUR INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK STORIES. FB: @CREATIVEDSM INSTA: @CREATIVE DSM LA Q LBUENA A Q BUENA C h e c k o u t t h i s r a d i o s t a t i o n f o r s o m Ce h e c k o u t t h i s r a d i o s t a t i o n f o r s o m e t o p h i t s a n d a m a z i n g c o m e n t a r y t! o p h i t s a n d a m a z i n g c o m e n t a r y ! LATIN WORLD LMEDIA ATIN WORLD MEDIA I n I o w a , L a R e i n a 1 2 6 0 T h e L a t i n Io n I o w a , L a R e i n a 1 2 6 0 T h e L a t i n o C o m m u n i t y R a d i o C! o m m u n i t y R a d i o ! SALAS SENTERPRISES ALAS ENTERPRISES
JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Influence policy decisions impacting the nonprofit sector Build community networks Act as change catalysts in the community Serve as ambassadors within the business community g , y FuseDSM is looking for 1 energetic, passionate individual to: For more information regarding the available board positions, email Trish@fusedsm.org by October 14th, 2022.
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CPA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT BILINGUAL SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2022 LEARN MORE
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TYLER FAMILY CANCER CENTER UNVEILED AT CASS HEALTH
“Thishasbeenbrewingoverthelastseveralmonths,andIamthrilledtosharethis excitingnewswithourcommunity.CassHealthprovidesexcellentcancercare,and weareproudtopartnerwiththeTylerfamilytobringawarenesstopatients throughoutsouthwestIowa,”saidCEOBrettAltman.“TheTylersarealocalfamily thatknowalltoowelltheimpactsofcancerandwhatadifferenceitmakesto receivecareclosetohomefromtheneighborsyoutrust.Itiswithprofound gratitudethatweannouncethattheyhavemadeaverygenerousgifttocoverthe expenseofourremodeledcancercarecenter,”saidAltman.
“Allofusheretodayhavebeentouchedbycancer whetherfamily,friends,or ourselves,weknowthedevastationthatitcancause.Inourownfamily,welostour mom,Dottie,andmostrecently,oursister,Amy,tocancer,”saidKirkTyler, ChairmanandCEOofAtlanticCocaColaBottlingCompany.“WhileIwishwe couldsolvecancerwhatwecandoishelpcomfortandsupportthepatientsand familieswhoarebattlingcancernowandintheyearstocome.”
Aftertheannouncement,visitorstouredthenewlyexpandedspaceandtalkedwiththestaff“This spacehasbecomeacalmingrefugeforpatientswhooftenspendhoursreceivingtreatments,like chemotherapyWeputalotofthoughtandcareintothedetailsThechairshaveheatandmassage functions,thecolorsaresubdued,andwehaveacustomceilingwithstarlights.Allofthesethingshelp createahealingenvironmentforourpatientstorelax,”saidCassHealthSpecialtyClinicDirectorTraci Brockman,RN
MEMBER SSPOTLIGHT EPTEMBER 2022
MembersoftheTylerfamilywerepresentfortheunveilingandtoursofthenew area,whichwascompletelyremodeledthisspringandsummer.
OfficialsatCassHealthunveiledtheTylerFamilyCancerCenterduringtheiropen houseonSunday.TheTylerFamilyCancerCenteristhetreatmentandinfusion sectionoftheCassHealthSpecialtyClinic.
TheTylerFamilyCancerCenterprovidescaretopatientsthroughoutsouthwest andwestcentralIowaMultipleoncologistsandadvancedpracticeprovidersworkin thedepartmentOncologistDrSeemaHarichandalsospokeattheunveiling alongwithoncologypatientMikeHenningsen
EACH MONTH, WE HIGHLIGHT THE MOST BUZZWORTHY PLACES AND EVENTS IN GREATER DES MOINES IN A FEATURE WE CALL DES BUZZ. IT'S YOUR “IN THE KNOW” LIST OF PLACES TO GO! SLEEPYHOLLOWRENAISSANCEFAIRE IOWASTATEFAIR INDIANOLADISC GOLF!SURETYCOURTYARD PAWS&PINTS AUGUST INDSM
Launching our Reemployment Case Management (RCM) system to provide more one on one assistance for unemployed Iowans and speed them on their way to reemployment To date, more than 17,000 appointments have taken place and 3,500 Iowans have reported finding jobs.
September is Workforce DevelopmentMonth, a time when professionals at IWD and sisteragencies around the nation will be opening up their doors to remind the people we serve of all the possible ways you can get assistance in finding a new career.
Employers can seek help with their workforce issues by contacting us at iaworks@iwd.iowa.gov or 1 833 469 2967. Job postings can also be sent to iaworks@iwd.iowa.gov and will be posted within one business day of receipt.
“We’re here to serve any Iowan, whether you ’ re freshly unemployed or simply exploring the possibility of changing careers, ” said Linda Rouse, Division Administrator of the IWD unit that oversees 18 IowaWORKS job centers “We hope people will come out to learn more about what we do and about all the services that we can provide both in person and online.”
To celebrate, Iowa Workforce Development and its partners have put together a collection of open houses, roundtables, and hiring events to allow Iowans to learn more about the types of services we provide (See the box for details on Des Moines Event )
Iowa has taken a number of steps in 2022 to address its longstanding workforce challenges and fuel our continuing economic recovery These include:
Announcing more than $36 million in new grants to help create more than 5,000 child care slots around the state and make it easier for parents to stay in the workforce Additional child care grant funding to support investments by employers will be awarded this year
Providing more than $10 million for scholarships and internship programs to support at risk youth, high school graduates, and adults obtain credentials or valuable work experience
JIOWAWORKS UNE 2022
Hiring five Home Base Iowa career navigators who have helped more than 200 veterans find new careers in Iowa
Check the link above to find a schedule of Workforce Development Month events or simply click here to find the IowaWORKS office closest to you. IowaWORKS.gov also includes detailed information on the over 80,000 job openings across Iowa.
Restructuring IWD to become more responsive to employer needs and to help them make better use of available Iowa resources.
“Iowa has made tremendous economic progress over the past year, but our work is far from finished,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development “Today is the best time to enter Iowa’s workforce The level of opportunity Iowans have today is something we haven’t seen in a long time, and it won’t last forever IWD is well positioned to help Iowans take advantage by matching hard working Iowans with employers who have tremendous opportunities open now ”
PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2022
Product or service is superior and appeals to potential business owners
SEPTEMBER 2022
First, update your marketing plan with your new location in mind. Think about your target customer, sales plan, and competitive advantage Add up any additional marketing and sales costs Make sure your updated marketing plan is just as thorough as your initial plan Compare your business to the competition, learn about the local market, and get a sense of the advertising market Next, review your business finances Build a forecast that projects estimated costs and estimated revenue for your new location Take a close look at your balance sheet to make sure you can cover the costs of expanding. If you don’t have enough capital, you can try to get more funding
The first way is to buy an existing business or franchise This option tends to cost more upfront, but can be less risky than trying to start from scratch The second way is to build your own franchise. Businesses that are good candidates for franchising have a few traits in common
There are two primary ways you could expand your business with franchising
The federal government and many states have requirements that must be met in order for you to sell franchises, so you may want to hire an attorney Once you ' ve begun franchising, some states remain active in the relationship between you and your franchisees by monitoring territorial rights or limiting the transfer and renewal of your franchises
Franchising has more costs than many other types of businesses You’ll probably need to pay lawyers, accountants, and advertising staff Don't forget about training the employees and building systems you'll need to run the franchise
Franchising
Once you ’ re ready to expand, update the marketing plan and confirm that your business is financially prepared Then, make sure to comply with all laws, rules, and regulations in the new business locations
Prepare for a new market
Concept and operations are easy to teach Business is easy to duplicate in new markets
BUSINESS OWNER TIPS
EXPAND TO NEW LOCATIONS
SEPTEMBER 2022 LEARN MORE
Britney is a Des Moines native, Iowa State alumnus, and mother of five living with her husband and WAY too many pets on the Southside of Des Moines
Today's consumer does NOT want to be sold to but storytelling? They're always here for a story. People show up in droves to see how things are made. They love to hear the story behind a process and a product and TikTok is the perfect avenue to deliver storytelling in a short video format that lands people at your front door asking what you do and why If you involve folks in the process, they're invested And that is where magic happens
Through candidly sharing her bedlam, Britney has gained more than 600k social media followers, appeared on the Today Show, spoken on multiple podcasts, and has been featured in various news stories. She leads several successful online communities of people who find the magic in knowing others struggle the same way they do. In November 2021 she opened a brick and mortar, snarky gift shop downtown and just launched a successful ADHD subscription box in April 2022.
FEED YOUR MIND LUNCH & LEARN TOK ABOUT IT! TIKTOK FOR BUSINESS GROWTH" SEP BROWN, CEO OF COPY + PASTE DSM AND INSPIRATION
TUESDAY
Join Britney Brown to chat about the basics of TikTok, types of content that do well, how to create it, idea generation, when to post, what to post, hashtags to use, and everything in between. Your ideal customer and potentially the customer you have not yet defined are scrolling through their FYP and all they're missing is YOU.
Accidental TikTok influencer and unintentional multiple six figure business owner, Britney Brown has turned the art of following her creative impulses into true tenacity creating viral success
IMPERFECT
TikTok can seem like a daunting land of dancing teenagers and silly cat videos but when you break down the algorithm to its most basic parts, define your goals, and create a plan, it's much like every other realm of your business an area of opportunity just waiting for you to grab it and run
Plain and simple if your business is not on TikTok, you are watching money walk right past your door Let's change that
20, 2022 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT BRITNEY
After being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Britney started designing a planner for her brain that she hoped would actually work
"LET'S
FEED YOUR MIND SPOTLIGHT
1. 2. 3. 4. 5
Eating at home can be a healthier and less costly option when you follow these dietitian approved tips:
BY: ANNE CUNDIFF, BRD, Y: ANNE CUNDIFF, BRD, Y: CUNDIFF, RD, LD, LFAND D, LFAND D, FAND CORPORATE HY VEE CDIETITIAN ORPORATE HY VEE CDIETITIAN ORPORATE HY VEE DIETITIAN
SHOP IN SEASON: Fresh fruits and veggies that are in season often taste better and are a cost effective way to get more plants into your diet! Enjoy these while they are readily available and then switch to frozen in their off season or canned unsweetened fruit and no salt added canned vegetables. Canned and frozen options are nutritiously dense, budget friendly and perfect for keeping your pantry/freezer stocked with better for you sides and snacks!
HY VEE DIETICIAN
Enjoy these That’s Smart! Chicken Enchiladas a delicious, family friendly dinner option that is easy on the wallet!
FOCUS ON NUTRIENT RICH FOODS: Stock up on foods that offer a nutritional punch without knocking out your budget Eggs, oatmeal, beans, brown rice, nonfat Greek yogurt, whole wheat bread and multigrain pasta are just some examples of inexpensive, nutrient dense foods you can plan satisfying meals around.
DIETITIAN’S TOP TIPS FOR SHOPPING ON A BUDGET
MAKE MEAL PLANNING A PRIORITY: Planning meals in advance helps pinpoint the ingredients needed and makes shopping more efficient. Decide what you want to eat and buy just the ingredients called for in the recipes (after checking your pantry to make sure you don’t double up on ingredients you already have); that way you are not tempted to add in extra calories Explore healthy recipes at Hy Vee com/recipes The searchable database has hundreds of recipes listed according to category (appetizer, main dish, one dish, dessert, etc.). You also can search under special dietary considerations such as vegan, vegetarian, low carb and diabetes friendly.
SHOP HY VEE’S EXCLUSIVE VALUE BRAND That’s Smart! Stock your pantry with Hy Vee’s exclusive value brand and save an average of 15 20% over national name brands! Using Hy Vee’s That’s Smart! for pantry staples, canned goods, frozen items dairy and snacks is a great way to cook with quality ingredients without spending a fortune!
Sticking to the budget is top of mind for many shoppers but can be challenging when planning family meals! This National Family Meals Month, with help from your Hy Vee registered dietitian team, we hope to show you how shopping with health in mind does not have to break the bank. Skip the fast food and eat healthier to stick to your budget and health goals as a whole family!
GROCERY SHOPPING: Use Hy Vee’s grocery delivery or pick up to stop impulse buys and stick to your grocery list You can ensure you are getting just what you need and sticking to your budget!
BY: ANNE CUNDIFF, RD, LD, FAND CORPORATE HY VEE DIETITIAN
VISIT SEPTEMBER 2022
1 (8 oz) pkg That’s Smart! cream cheese, cubed
Tip: Make these enchiladas ahead of time and freeze until you ' re ready to serve! Make enchiladas and place in prepared 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover with enchilada sauce and wrap tightly with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until heated through (165 degrees).
1 (15.5 oz) jar That’s Smart! mild salsa
1 (15 oz) can Hy Vee no salt added black beans
1 cup That’s Smart! shredded imitation Cheddar cheese
1 tbsp That’s Smart! chili powder
HY VEE DIETICIAN
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
All you do: 1 2.
1 (10 oz) can Hy Vee red enchilada sauce
4 Serve topped with desired toppers such as sour cream, additional cheese and/or cilantro
SAll you need:
Spray a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker with nonstick spray Add chicken, salsa and cream cheese to slow cooker; sprinkle with chili powder. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Place chicken back in the slow cooker for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Add 1/3 cup shredded chicken filling to each tortilla Top with 1 tablespoon shredded imitation Cheddar cheese Wrap tightly and place seam side down in prepared dish Cover with red enchilada sauce and wrap tightly with foil Bake 20 minutes or until heated through (165 degrees).
3.
Recipe source: https://www.hy vee.com/recipes ideas/recipes/thats smart chicken enchiladas
8 Hy Vee fajita size whole wheat tortillas
That’s Smart! Chicken Enchiladas
Desired toppings such as light sour cream or cilantro
SEPTEMBER 2022
DR.
"CHANGING AND SAVING LIVES IN THE WORKPLACE AND SCHOOLS" WITH DR. JENNIFER ULIE WELLS OF PLEASE PASS THE LOVE JENNIFER ULIE-WELLS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PLEASE PASS THE LOVE
Dr. Jennifer Ulie Wells has been in education for over 20 years and founded Please Pass the Love, a nonprofit that transforms school mental health through leadership, social justice, and collective change She founded the Midwest School Mental Health Conference, an online School Mental Health Academy, and was a founding member of the Iowa School Mental Health Alliance (ISMHA). Please Pass the Love is responsible for serving tens of thousands of educators, youth, families, and community partners through dynamic programming, training and innovative programs to meet comprehensive mental health needs. Her research and interest areas focus on building intersectional school mental systems, juvenile justice, unpacking self care, family engagement, behavioral health technology, educator emotional intelligence, and school mental health justice She serves on a variety of national and statewide school mental health related committees, advisory boards, and advocacy groups She has been awarded national and state awards for her work with school and youth mental health
FUSEDSM MONTHLY LUNCHEON -
SEPTEMBER 2022 Thursday Oct 13, 2022 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT REGISTER
MEMBER EVENT
In the 2021, Iowa Youth Survey 25% of high school juniors indicated they had seriously contemplated suicide in the previous year In January, Des Moines Schools lost three students to suicide, the youngest a 5th grader Farmer suicides have risen 40% and are double of the general population Mental health has been an issue long before Covid but we have seen it exacerbated with the pandemic It is a highly stigmatized topic but that doesn't make it go away. Please Pass the Love works with schools, youth, educators, community, parents & caregivers to help educate and empower some critical action steps that can truly change and save lives including embedding authentic wellness and self care into your system. The first step starts with you.
MEET RANDY
REGISTER
"FuseDSM is a unique chamber of commerce with the largest footprint of businesses within the Des Moines Metro area. "
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPOTLIGHT
Please join the Broadlawns Medical Center Foundation at Jasper Winery in Des Moines on Thursday, September 15th for the Rosé Soirée The evening will consist of a lovely vineyard party with live music and delectable hors d’oeuvres
Proceeds from this fundraising event will support renovations and technology upgrades in the Broadlawns Mammography and Imaging Clinic Last year, 3,446 people turned to Broadlawns for affordable mammography and breast biopsy care Broadlawns Imaging served a highly diverse group of individuals, speaking 37 different languages and 34% identifying as people of color Over 33% of these patients were insured through Medicaid or had no measure of insurance at all Many face significant barriers to care, on top of the general vulnerabilities which surround mammograms and biopsies
On behalf of the community we serve, we graciously ask for your consideration of support and hope to see you at the Rosé Soirée. You can make a meaningful difference.
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Funds raised at the Rosé Soirée will be used to renovate the Broadlawns Mammography and Imaging Clinic to create a calming, modern healthcare environment. Additionally, funds will support the purchase of new state of the art imaging technology, which offers lower dose radiation exposure and higher resolution imaging. These enhancements will elevate the level of trust, comfort, and caliber of breast imaging care that those in our county receive. The enhanced clinic and imaging technology with increased accuracy will lead to earlier breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and most importantly, treatment.
"I joined the chamber years ago; naturally, because we are located in the Southside of Des Moines We soon found a home in the welcoming atmosphere of friendly and hard working professionals within the chamber. FuseDSM has not only provided networking opportunities, but is also active in creating educational and promotional opportunities for businesses and community leaders alike Let’s keep #FusingTheCommunityTogether "
Outside of FuseDSM, Randy Sackett is the owner of Yellow Cab Co
SEPTEMBER 2022
Broadlawns is proud to serve as Polk County's safety net hospital and is committed to providing high quality, affordable, compassionate care to all members of our community
Make sure your computer and mobile devices’ operating system and security software, such as anti malware/anti virus software, are up to date by setting to update automatically.
Urgent call to action or threats claims you have to act now for a reward/penalty or detected suspicious activity/charges on your account or login
How do scammers get my contact information to target me? There are many ways scammers can gather your contact information. Some examples are: public information via search engines such as Google, creating look alike websites to collect your email/cell phone number, hacking into a business that has your contact information, and compromising a company or an individual’s contact list via the email account
4 Set card management controls in your West Bank mobile
Don’t respond back to the email that you may suspect as phishing Email or contact the company/person directly to inquire about the email in question.
Suspicious links or unexpected attachment don’t’ click on or open any links or attachment that you may suspect as a scam. You can hover the mouse over the link, but don’t click, to see if the web address/URL matches the link that was typed in the email message
READ MORE
WEST JBANK UNE 2022
What is phishing? Phishing is a fraudulent message pretending to be from a legitimate entity to trick the recipient to fall for a scam or to divulge sensitive information Emails, text messages, and phone calls are a few places you could receive a phishing message
Mismatched/misspelled email domain email claims to be from a reputable company, but the email is being sent from another email domain such as gmail com or some random email domain Look out for subtle misspelled email domain Such as westtbankstrong com where there are two Ts in the word “west” or westbankstr0ng com where the letter “ o ” is replaced by a number “0” Bad grammar and spelling are also signs of a scam
Use multi factor authentication for online accounts, if available.
Generic greetings be aware of emails that start with generic “Dear sir or madam” A legit company that works with you should know your name
SHave you ever received an email from a random name that you didn’t recognize? Do you ever get phone calls from an unknown number who tells you they need to verify information? If this happens to you, you are not alone. Fraudulent messages are happening all around us, so it is important to be aware of the warning signs. When unknown individuals are attempting to steal confidential information, it is called phishing
Han Wu, Senior Vice President, Information Technology (IT), answers some of the top questions about what phishing scams are and how to protect your information
app What can I do to protect myself from phishing attacks?
What should I do if I have responded to a phishing attack? If you think a scammer has your personal identifiable information or online account credentials You can go to IdentityTheft gov for specific steps to take based on the information you may have lost If you think you have clicked on a link or opened an attachment that downloaded malware, make sure your computer’s security software is update to date, disconnect from the internet and then run a scan You may also consult a reputable local cyber or technology firm to assist with the remediation
Think Before you click on the link or open any suspicious/unexpected email
What are some ways I can identify a phishing scam?
Starting a senior caregiving support company can be a complex and potentially rewarding endeavor Before you start breaking into this unique and competitive market, it’s best to be prepared with some key facts Keep this guide around as you navigate the early days of starting your business
Knowing how to market your company is another key factor in getting the business off the ground You may want to utilize multiple avenues in your early marketing efforts, including reaching out to your professional network to let them know about your new venture
According to one study, about 20 percent of new businesses fail in their first year This means that if you want to give your company a shot at true longevity, you should do your research first to avoid the pitfalls Read up on the key tenets of starting a senior centered company These tenets may include:
Whether you ’ ve always been interested in working with senior citizens or whether you ’ ve recently discovered a passion for helping others, you may be interested in opening a senior caregiving support business The caregiving industry is booming, and there may be numerous business opportunities for providing services to this market However, before you dive in, there are a few things to know
6 Center Your Company Mission on Your Passion for Helping Others
OPENING A BUSINESS TO SUPPORT SENIOR CAREGIVING SERVICES
Keeping thorough records
Everyday personal care and home care
To protect yourself legally and financially (not to mention, instill a sense of trust in your future customers), it’s important to set up a legal entity for your business While there are several options to choose from and you should take time to review the pros and cons of different business types, an Iowa LLC is a common choice for new entrepreneurs Along with certain tax advantages, an LLC protects your personal belongings from being involved in your business should you ever run into financial trouble in the future
You can get creative with your marketing For instance, you could attend local senior center events, hang up flyers in public libraries or community centers, pass out business cards, and even host informative sessions
READMORE
Lastly, keeping every major company decision centered on your desire to help seniors can help give the company a strong foundation for growth in the future Make sure your mission focuses on improving the lives of seniors You may want to reinforce this message through your:
Before you can get into the details of starting a caregiving support company, you’ll need to have a strong financial system in place For example, having a clear cut, well organized, and secure invoicing process can help prevent serious headaches if customers refuse to pay on time or aren’t sure how to submit their payments
6 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
An Iowa S corporation is another option many new business owners choose It offers significant tax advantages, including the option to claim deductions on the losses you report on your tax returns each year, and business owners can also benefit from self employment tax savings Whichever structure you choose, an online formation service is an affordable way to file all of the necessary paperwork
Providing practical, helpful services
4 Sharpen Your Marketing Skills and Get in Touch With Your Professional Network to Advertise the Company
Maintaining an empathetic tone in ads
Other branding efforts, such as advertising
If you don’t have much experience with invoicing, an invoice maker should do the trick This technology allows you to simply pick a premade template to use before customizing the invoice For example, you may be able to add your own logo, text, and pictures Search for a generator that provides free downloads in your preferred invoicing format for further simplicity
1 You Need to Register Your Business with the State of Iowa
2 You’ll Need a Secure, Well Organized Invoicing Process to Receive Payments on Time
One way you can help ensure that your company becomes profitable and can gain a wide range of customers is by offering a wide range of services Although you don’t want to overextend yourself and provide too many services, picking out a few in demand options to better serve your area can be a good place to start For instance, your business may want to offerr
JFUSEDSM UNE 2022
Company culture
5 Consider Offering a Wide Variety of In Demand or Popular Senior Services
Meal delivery services Motto or tagline
Medical services
Local transportation and errand services
Detailing a balanced budget
Companionship
W3 Read Up on the Core Tenets of Starting a Senior Centered Business
STARTUP STORIES DSM
WAKE UP EVERY DAY + PURSUE THE MEANING
At Meaning Over Money, Shelton works mainly with twenty somethings and forty somethings The twenty somethings know there are better opportunities for them after watching their parents go through the Great Recession They know there must be more than just going to a job, buying stuff and gaining status These things aren’t what fuels them The forty somethings have gotten closer to their goals, but as they approach and reach them, find there is something missing. For twenty somethings who watched their parents struggle through a recession, this is playing out in the way they work and is one reason why they are more transient and why they don’t want to stay in one place
SEPTEMBER 2022
GREATER DES MOINES PARTNERSHIP
Starting a business is a journey of learning When Shelton left in 2019 and began to build his consulting business, he made mistakes along the way, and when the COVID pandemic hit, he walked alongside people who were scared about their next steps but wanted to move forward with their money goals.
During the latest Small Business & Startup Stories DSM podcast, Travis Shelton, Founder and Owner of Meaning Over Money, author and podcast, discussed starting his business and how beliefs about money affect your life with Greater Des Moines Partnership Startup Community Builder Diana Wright
Figure out who you trust and who is looking out for your best interest
Discern whether that advice is coming from a place of love or jealousy/regret
Pursue money or pursue meaning … if you just pursue money, you may have regret, but if you pursue meaning, you will find success which may or may not translate into money (and many times does!)
Beliefs About Money
Many times, after a financial windfall or big promotion, clients reach out to Shelton because happiness and security is still missing from their lives The idea that every time something happens, we adjust to it and that becomes the status quo, is what’s called the hedonic treadmill. In work, this can mean that a promotion or bonus feels good at first, but inevitably comes with more stress and responsibilities, and clients struggle to feel the upside. Shelton gives a few pieces of advice for those who are struggling:
An Interest in Investment Leads to Starting a Business Shelton has always been fascinated by investing and entrepreneurship. Early in his career, he was thriving personally and professionally until one day he walked into the office and found out the company he worked for was shutting down. It was the beginning of the Great Recession. At that time, he had the opportunity to move back to Iowa and continue doing what he was doing until beginning his new adventure with Meaning Over Money in May of 2019 Shelton’s goal was to serve others while also paying his bills Having grown up without a strong financial influence, when he sits down with a new client, he discusses their childhood and how they learned about money. His perspective on money was influenced by bad examples which in turn encouraged him to go down a certain path in his career. This experience has led Shelton to wonder how money plays into our lifestyles, a topic he feels needs more attention.
Laura Gibson, MS, CRC is the Director of Operations for Central Iowa Center for Independent Living Laura came to CICIL in January of 2017 to continue her passion for working with individuals with disabilities Laura comes from Candeo where she worked as the coordinator for Project SEARCH and provided employment services to assist people with finding and maintaining employment. Prior to that, Laura worked as a residential coordinator, a respite provider, and a case manager. Laura's desire to work with people with disabilities stems from having a sister with a disability and seeing first hand the impact the right services an have on someone ' s independence and quality of life Laura holds a Master's degree in Rehabilitation and Counseling from Drake University as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Laura enjoys being active in the community and serves on the Access Advisory Board for the City of Des Moines, on the APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment 1st) Board as vice president, and on the IRA (Iowa Rehabilitation Association) Board
FIRESTARTER SPOTLIGHT
MEET LAURA GIBSON
FIRESTARTER
SEPTEMBER 2022
DESDE EL MEDIO/FROM THE MIDDLE: A DUAL VIEW OF NATIONAL HISPANIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
This month is National Hispanic American Heritage Month. I love this month of celebrations and include my sons in the events showcasing our Hispanic culture's beauty We maintain a tradition of attending the Latino Heritage Festival in Downtown Des Moines, sampling every food item possible, participating in the pinata activities, watching ballet flocorico (which they still can’t believe I was a part of in my youth!), and dancing to the many Latin beats from the stage But this month is not always celebratory for me, mainly because I don’t always fit in a particular heritage box.
While I had some proficiency in English, I still made many mistakes (not to mention the cultural differences and mistakes I made!). And while I was fluent in Spanish, the dialect I grew up with was much different from my new Mexican American classmates In other words, I wasn’t white enough to be white or Mexican enough to be Mexican. This created a lot of confusion and resentment in me; most of my classmates had a clear community and culture, while I bounced back and forth between the two
BY ERIK DOMINGUEZ
EXPERT ARTICLE
I was born in Mexico, where I spent the first eight years of my life before moving to Tucson, Arizona which was only about an hour’s drive to the border At first impression, most people don’t see my Hispanic origin My father’s ancestors come from Native American tribes that are lighter skinned. And my mom? She is a 4 foot 9, pale woman with deep Irish/English roots When we lived in Mexico, my mom only spoke to us in English, wanting us to grow up fully bilingual When we moved to the United States, she only talked to us in Spanish to ensure we didn’t forget our native tongue. I attended a predominantly Hispanic school in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood And yet, I felt out of place everywhere I went
Some would say that I enjoyed the best of both worlds, which I did I quickly adopted a love for baseball and rock and roll (my eight year old mind categorized these as American), while our family dinners were dominated by dishes like sopa de fideos, albondigas, chilaquiles, chillies rellenos, and the standard tacos and burritos I gave both Mr Rogers and Cantinflas equal air time. Yet, it was still socially confusing and uncomfortable.
SEPTEMBER 2022
The same month, just a few blocks away, I went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant When the waiter heard me speaking Spanish and using Mexican jargon, he disappeared for nearly thirty minutes and ignored my requests for the check. Confused, I called my dad and spoke to him about it. He asked me what I was wearing Having come from work, I wore professional clothes nice slacks, a dress shirt, and a tie He reminded me that there is often animosity between Mexicans who see other Mexicans as over assimilating and successful in this country. Yet another form of blatant racism
LEARN MORE
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage this month and commemorate any heritage in any month, it is essential to remember that we are no longer a country with clear ethnic lines There are countless of Hispanics that have experienced just what
SEPTEMBER 2022
Sometimes, people are shocked by my heritage and shift their demeanors toward me. A few years ago, my sons and I attended a local play area business for children The staff were kind, gracious, and accommodating until they heard me speaking Spanish to my children. Their attitude toward me changed. They scolded my children for being too loud (which they weren’t and…again, this was a play area for kids), and threatened to kick me out if they continued I was in total shock at the blatancy of the situation; in my nearly 40 years of living, I had never seen racism so up front to me.
I have described here, caught in the middle of two words, sometimes unable to find respite and community in either Let’s celebrate the uniqueness of the culture and how it brings perspective, beauty, and juxtaposition to other cultures and lifestyles. And let’s not forget that as we celebrate, we are not treating this month just as a showcase of foreign culture but an acknowledgment that for many of us no matter how we may look externally it is just one lens of many through which we see the world.
EXPERT ARTICLE
What is Welcoming Week? Welcoming Week is an initiative by Welcoming America, a nonprofit leading a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Week
Week
in Polk
Check out our
We are excited about Welcoming Week!
Welcoming Week is September 9 18th The theme this year is: Where We Belong Welcoming website, www polkcountyiowa gov/welcoming week for more Welcoming events County
CITY UPDATE
Board of Directors serve a three-year term with a maximum of two terms. Members of the Board focus on the development of Board policies that govern the implementation of institutional plans and purposes. The role is separate and distinct from the role of the staff, to whom are delegate the implementation of these policies. CAROLYN JENISON // Speak PR Chair DANIEL WILLRICH// PeldsDesign Services ViceChair MICHAEL BIRD// CEOSpindustry 2ndViceChair LAURA GIBSON// CICIL Secretary TOM WELCHANS // CPA,Denman &Company Treasurer RANDY SACKETT// YellowCabCo. PastChair BILL RAINE // Raine Recruiting Board Member DWANA BRADLEY// IowaUrban Magazine BoardMember FERNANDO AVEIGA// PanAmerican Broadcasting/106.9 La Q Buena Board Member GINA VITIRITTO// Prairie Meadows BoardMember JAMES WALFORD// JamesWalford StateFarm Agency BoardMember MEGAN FLETCHER// Amesbury Truth BoardMember SHALLEE KEENAN// Kemin Industries BoardMember DANNY BEYER// IronHorse Wealth Management BoardMember PAM THOMPSON // ParksArea Foundation BoardMember DONNA MILLER// Miller, Zimmerman& Evans,PLC BoardMember TROY DUBBERKE// AtlanticCoca ColaBottling Company BoardMember SEPTEMBER 2022
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FuseDSM's
CHAMBERCHAMPIONS OUR FUEL TRUSTINVESTORS INFLUENCE INVESTORS EMERGEINVESTORS
