Insight on Business

Tractor Mike a Great Entrepreneur

We've been doing this business broadcast in one form or another for close to 18 years. From Highway 6 Your Road to the Country to the Iowa Sportsman and for the past 13 years Insight on Business. During that time I've interviewed thousands of people and I've enjoyed every meeting because I always learn something. And, this is no different. Here you'll learn the story of Mike Wiles who, since 2012, has been "Tractor Mike" helping "town folks" learn more about how to operate small tractors on their acreage. But, that's not all. Mike has created an online store that sells products to those very folks who watch his videos. It's taking YouTube video tips to the next level. You'll find it all at on his site.  Let's go! 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines & More 9 November 2023

Things were going rather smooth on Wall Street until Jerome Powell uttered three words, "...we're not done".  He was talking about raising
interest rates to combat inflation and that's where we start the newscast this evening. Meanwhile make sure you click ahead for the interview with entrepreneur Mike Wiles who has taken "How To" YouTube videos to the next level.  Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you: 

• "We're not done" as the Central Bank talks rates;
• The actors strike is over...now what?
• President Biden does a victory lap in Illinois;
• Consumer debt goes up the most with folks under 50;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Something dramatic to happen to the U.S. population.

For the interview you'll meet Mike Wiles a former radio guy, former big tractor guy who came up with the idea to do YouTube videos for town folk who buy small tractors for their acreage. Why? He learned that many of them didn't know how to safely operate their new $25,000 tractor. What he did next was take YouTube how-to videos to the next level. Click ahead to meet "Tractor Mike" and even if you don't do ag or live on an acreage you are going to enjoy this conversation:

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

For the Love of Books - Tyler Granger and the Book Fair

Clearly our friend loves the opportunity to share! Once again we sat down with author and entrepreneur Tyler Granger and talked about the Second Annual Windsor Heights Book Fair that will be held on Sunday, October 1st. It will be held at 1141 69th Street in Windsor Heights, Iowa. On hand between Noon and 6PM will be several dozen authors from across the state. Visitors can visit with them and learn more about their work. Here, in this interview, I ask Tyler what drives him to do this massive project, who his partners are, how he has marketed the event and more. Want to know more about a home-grown event that is a true labor of love when it comes to books and authors. Have a listen we think you'll enjoy! 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 15 September 2023

Welcome to the Early Edition of the Business News Headlines for Friday the 15^th day of September and in a moment we'll share why we are doing an "early edition". Also, make sure you click ahead for the conversation about the historic 1850 Homestead. It's a fun family story about Norway, Illinois, Iowa and a beautiful barn that has opened for public and private events.  If you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• How many UAW workers walked off the job? We'll share;
• A social media giant has been hit with a massive fine and why;
• Some Boston Market locations have re-opened and why they were closed;
• Starbucks to change their cups...will you go along with it?
• Disney, a pastor and "resisting authority".  No, really;
• A quick programming note;
• It's called "retail shrink" and the numbers are massive.

For the interview you'll meet Margret Freeland Nelson whose family owned the 1850 Homestead location for generations, Kay Thompson who with her husband now own the barn and Michelle Reisberg who, along with her husband, manage the site that is now open for public and private events.  It's quite the story. To listen to this fun family story click our player below. 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

DC Heavy Hydraulics a Small Business Spotlight

Join us as we make our way to Union, South Carolina and share this Small Business Spotlight. We're visiting with Ann Kerr the General Manager of DC Heavy Hydraulics.  The company has seen rapid growth over the past eight years. What's the driver of this growth? Ann suggests that is because of their commitment to customer service, building positive relationships and having a dedicated technical staff. We love showcasing growing small businesses. Listen in to our conversation and, perhaps, pick up some tips for your company.  Enjoy, we sure did.  

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and a Small Business Spotlight 30 August 2023

Midweek and we're back with some of the business news that made headlines today. In addition we're traveling to Union, South Carolina for a Small Business Spotlight segment featuring DC Heavy Hydraulics a company headed by Ann Kerr. They can boast of surprising growth in just eight years.  Why? We asked.  Meanwhile, to reach us on social media if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• The astounding GDP of the USA and why;
• Working overtime but not getting paid? About to change;
• China put on notice to play by the rules or...
• More union news this time flight attendants;
• Big Pharma not happy and why;
• The Wall Street Report;
• A surprising number of new business openings and by who.

For the interview you'll meet Ann Kerr the General Manager of DC Heavy Hydraulics a company based in the tiny town of Union, South Carolina. Over the eight years they have been in business the company has seen rapid growth in not only the U.S. but also Canada. What's responsible for this?  We asked an Ann answered.  Listen by clicking on our player below:

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 18 August 2023

Welcome to the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines, broadcasting today from our remote studio in Mason City, Iowa. Glad you are with us again.  Just ahead some of the big news stories of the day plus a conversation with Lyle and Sharon Kreps who have been operating The Stockman's Inn located next to the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fair for fifty years.  Yes, 50!  We'll chat a bit about their life there and what's next and what will happen to the place everybody knows about as "See ya at Stockman's" has become the official tag line of a great place.  Thanks for being with us. And, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• Amazon relaunches a delivery service;
• Meta, Canada and wildfires makes for a big story;
• Walmart shutting down self checkout stations and why;
• Trader Joe's on rumors that self checkout is coming;
• The Wall Street Report;
• And creating ads with AI? What could go wrong.

Click ahead for the interview with Lyle and Sharon Kreps and their 50 year association with the Iowa State Fair and their business Stockman's Inn. We'll talk about the good times, the bad and what's next for this landmark restaurant. To listen click our player:

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Crushing It In a Family Business meet Jake Walmer

Recently we traveled to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania and spent some time with folks from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA). Our host was Wengers of Myerstown a multi-generation company that is seriously crushing it when it comes to construction and agricultural parts. Here we sit down with family member Jake Walmer and talk about the past, present and future.  How this company has continued to expand, where their market is and how technology has made a huge difference in overall sales. Oh, one other thing the Wengers Foundation has given millions of dollars to local non-profits. It's part of their mission.  Here's Jake...

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 26 July 2023

Yes, it's hot here in Iowa...too. Welcome to the Wednesday Edition of the Business News Headlines and make sure you click ahead for a conversation with entrepreneur and business coach Dane' Johnson (photo). She is an amazing and interesting woman who helps executives with both their professional and personal life. How?  Click through to learn more about what she does.  We think you'll enjoy the conversation.  And today is the 30th Anniversary of our long time sponsor Tero International.  We thought you should know and congratulations to our friends there. Also,  if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• Two things from Jerome Powell and the Central Bank;
• Meanwhile the Congressional Budget Office has some thoughts;
• Automakers unite on charging stations;
• More on folding phones that have yet to catch on;
• Oops...Allstate Insurance and North Carolina made the news;
• Travel perks from...Walmart? Yep and why;
• The Wall Street Report;
• How seasonal workers combat inflation.

For the interview you'll meet Dane' Johnson a business coach who works to help improve the professional and personal lives of executives. Learn more about this entrepreneur by clicking our player below:

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business of Photography with Brent Isenberger

Back in the day photographers like Brent Isenberger had to use film for their shoots. That meant taking lots of photos hoping that one or two might make it to print. Here Brent talks about the photography industry, the changes in the business and how important it is that businesses who want to showcase their products hire an experienced "product shooter". Think of the many images you see for packaging, social media, commercials...the list gets large and Brent creates the magic in his state-of-the-art studio. In addition to photography Brent also has a portfolio of video presentations.  He also lifts up a disturbing trend among some startup shooters. You can learn more about Brent and his work here at his website.  In the meantime, here's Brent:

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.