Insight on Business

A Small Business Spotlight - Premium Solutions with Kris Gregersen

Today we're talking about the world of promotional products with Kris Gregersen who has been in that field for two decades selling to Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. We start off by talking about why having a local consultant trumps the online world. Then it's into what is selling, what is hot what companies need to consider when using promotional products to market themselves and more. No doubt, based on the data, you have used promotional products in the past and will again in the future. What you might not know is how the promotional products business has changed over the years.  Today it's Premium Solutions in our Small Business Spotlight. 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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.

Yoga In The Small Business Spotlight

To be sure I know little to nothing about yoga. Oh sure I see folks in the park or going into buildings with their yoga mats slung over their shoulders but, where does it come from? How did it start and is there a difference in yoga styles and teaching? So, I sat down with Mary McCarthy from Yoga by Mary to ask those questions and more. Click thorough and enjoy...I know I learned a bunch. 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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.

The Business News Headlines 12 March 2019

It's the 12th day of March and thank for clicking through for the top business news stories of the day. These stories are just a click away:

• Wealthy folks bribe their kids into trendy colleges and universities;
• Boeing continues to have troubles with their stock and worried passengers;
• Dick's Sporting Goods to rid itself of rifles and some shoes;
• You may have forgotten about Lumber Liquidators but the SEC didn't;
• The UK votes against the Theresa May Brexit plan...now what;
• Windsor Heights said "no" to Aldi but not Waukee;
• Is it really a paid family leave proposal from Sen. Joni Ernst;
• What happened today and why on Wall Street.

Those stories plus I'll have a conversation about the Latino Community not only in Iowa but in the United States with Joe Henry an official with LULAC the League of United Latin American Citizens. And yes, we'll touch on the impact Latinos have on business, education, voting and more here in Iowa with LULAC Council 307. 

Thanks for listening!

The Business News Headlines 1 March 2019

Belly up for beer?  Not so fast. It seems that beer is taking a back seat to other choices and we'll talk about that first this afternoon.  Also in the business news:

• New York trying again to get Amazon to the city;
• Bad economic news today but investors were not listening;
• The trucker shortage and your wallet;
• Lyft is going public and hopes to raise a bunch;
• Mike Draper and Raygun are headed to Chicago;
• What happened and why on Wall Street.

Those stories plus Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine is in to chat about Stuff to DO in the DSMUSA Metro this weekend into next week and he's got a bunch. To listen to Jeff click here. 

Thanks for listening! 

DART, Transportation, Road Diets & The Western Suburbs

This week there was a celebration in Windsor Heights to mark what could be a model for other communities around Des Moines. The Des Moines Area Rapid Transit (DART) partnered with the Windsor Heights Chamber to say thank you to the players in the new Transit Hub which is under construction between the Apple Valley Shopping Center and Sam's Club. I spoke with Amanda Wanke, External Affairs Officer for DART, Zac Bales-Henry, City Council of Windsor Heights and Josh Mandelbaum from the Des Moines City Council. (Photo: Bales-Henry)

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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

Local Option Sales & Service Tax - Polk County, Iowa

Several communities in Polk County, Iowa are set to vote in March on what is being called the Local Option Sales and Service Tax which would add a penny to the sales tax there. We sat down with Brad Anderson the State Director for AARP-Iowa to talk about the impact of the tax on people living there. Some of the things he says may surprise you. While the issue doesn't come up for a vote until March of 2019. AARP-Iowa said they want to get way out in front of the process.

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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.

A Walk Through a Medical Cannabis Dispensary

The idea of using cannabis as a treatment for all sorts of chronic illnesses is new to most Iowans. We know you're wondering what it's about and what it all looks like. We made contact with MedPharm Iowa who operates two brand new dispensaries; one in Windsor Heights (Des Moines Metro) and the other in Sioux City and got the tour. And, you get to come along. Our thanks to Stephen Wilson for the time. Click on the photos to enlarge and you can also find them on our Facebook Page or Twitter @IOB_NewsHour.

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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.

DaVita Is...

Recently DaVita Kidney Care opened yet another Des Moines, Iowa Metro location this time in Windsor Heights. We wanted to learn more about this fast growing, publicly traded company and sat down with Jennifer Morris, Kate Preston and Glen Griesheim. Here you will learn what they do to assist individuals with kidney disease, how they deliver services and much more including...why the name....DaVita?

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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.

Business News Headlines 13 November 2018

Another volatile day on Wall Street as the Blue Chips rose by 100 points only to fall 200 points from their session highs...here's what we have on tap for you today:

• Amazon made it official NYC and Arlington, VA - Not everybody is happy;
• Americans are finding it harder and harder to get ahead...we'll tell that tale;
• Six weeks ago oil prices were climbing today oil lost yet again we'll share why;
• What happens when you don't embrace technology? Ask Burger King;
• Nationwide Insurance to lay off 1,100 employees;
• What happened today on Wall Street and why? We've got the numbers.

Those stories and a conversation about Davita Kidney Care which just opened another facility this time in Windsor Heights, Iowa. We'll talk about what the firm does, why it's expanding at a rapid rate and more about your...kidneys.  

Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 31 October 2018

Busy day on the Business News Hour. It's not only Halloween but it's also the end of what we predicted was going to be a tough month for Wall Street and...yep, we were right.  Today the headlines look like this:

• The S&P 500 had the worst month since 2011;
• Denny's stock surged today...so, what's going on?  We'll share;
• L.L. Bean sees greater sales growth coming from...Canada;
• General Motors announced they will be cutting jobs...ouch;
• America, you've got a problem and it's getting bigger each month;
• Could tiny Windsor Heights, Iowa be the home of something dramatic?
• And, of course we've got the numbers from Wall Street.

Those stories and a conversation about trash with Tony Colosimo (click to listen or hit the player) of Sparta Waste. What he has to share about our current recycling will surprise you. Like...did you know that most of the items you carefully put in your current recycle bin ends up in the landfill anyway?  Yeah...that and more. You've got to listen to this short piece.

Also today we'll chat with former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley (Click to listen or hit the player) as he was in Iowa stumping for a whole bunch of fresh face candidates for the Iowa Statehouse to Congress. Why do it and what have Democrats done for decades to their own demise?  We'll talk about it. 

Thanks for listening!