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By Yesenia Mozo ’22
Students met fellow Renfrow Hall residents last year at the inaugural welcome event for new downtown Renfrow Hall residents.
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With the new academic year bubbling on the horizon, the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to partner with Grinnell College’s Office of Community Partnerships, Planning and Research, and Division of Student Affairs to welcome college students into town! On Monday, August 25, first-year students and Renfrow Hall downtown residents are invited to experience a taste of Grinnell.
As part of the Grinnell Chamber’s warm welcome, the event will feature yummy bite samples from some of its members, including Prairie Hospitality Group, Grin City Bakery, and Dari Barn. Not only will students meet fellow first-year students and the Chamber staff (one of which is a Grinnell College alumna!), but they will also meet local business owners and discover resources to connect with local community events and volunteer opportunities.
“There is no doubt that the atmosphere in the town is different when the college students are back in town,” says Julie Smith, owner of the charming McNally’s grocery store. McNally’s is one of many businesses participating in the Grinnell Chamber’s discount program this year.
At the upcoming event, first-year and Renfrow Hall students will receive a Student Discount Card, courtesy of the Chamber and its members. Participating restaurants and retailers will provide discounts and deals to students who present their discount cards at their businesses, including members like CleanFoodFix Wellness Studio, Anna Kayte’s Boutique, and Witte’s Home Decorating. “We are excited to see the students, and the discount program is our way of saying thank you for the vitality they bring to downtown,” adds Smith.
Fostering a strong connection between college students and the Chamber’s local businesses is a key focus for Rachael Kinnick, president and CEO of the Grinnell Chamber. “We want students to build relationships with not only our office at the Chamber of Commerce but also with all our downtown businesses,” she says. “We want them to know they are welcome here and that we are excited to have them.”
Last year, when the Chamber of Commerce held a similar event for new Renfrow Hall residents, the discount program debuted to help students explore local retailers and restaurants as they began settling into the greater Grinnell community. About 95 students came to interact with the town’s local business owners and employees, making it no question that the event would return again to greet a new portion of the town’s residents.
Monica Chavez-Silva, Grinnell College’s vice president of community engagement and strategic planning, is excited to support the Chamber after the successful inaugural event. “Wonderful collaborative events like this between the College and the Chamber highlight the shared opportunities and collective energy that come from working together,” she shares, “while also giving our students meaningful ways to connect with the place they call home during their time here. We are excited to welcome new students and returning students to campus and the community of Grinnell.”
With the help of Grinnell College, the Grinnell Chamber has also been able to incorporate current student experiences, like using their Dining Dollars meal plan, into the greater Grinnell community. Chamber members, such as Pagliali’s Pizza and McNally’s, accept dining dollars for students to regularly dine and enjoy study snacks beyond campus.
“It is so important to have students in the community, whether at shops or restaurants,” remarks Smith. “When students see people they know work at McNally’s, for example, or meet a fellow college student working there for the first time, it builds a sense of community. Then they really are seeing what it is like to live here.”
Explore, connect, and “Get Into Grinnell” with the Chamber on Monday, August 25, at the Katherine Howell Weingart ‘61 Civic Innovation Pavilion on 1033 Broad St. Truly experience the full array of flavors that Grinnell has to offer you during your time living in the heart of downtown or throughout your four years on campus. To learn more about the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, explore their website, grinnellchamber.org, or visit their social media platforms, @GrinnellChamber on Facebook and @grinnelliowa on Instagram.
About the Author
Yesenia Mozo graduated from Grinnell College with a psychology degree and a policy studies concentration. After graduation, she stayed at her alma mater as a content specialist within the Communications and Marketing Office. As the current Marketing and Communications Coordinator with the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, she helps advance economic growth within local businesses, and coordinates local programming and community events to help make the Grinnell community a great place to live, learn, work, and play. Yesenia is originally from New Jersey, and in her free time, she loves to travel, read, and play board games. She is also a NJ SEEDS alumna from 2014 and a School Year Abroad France graduate from 2017.
Ashley Sorensen is a matchmaker — but not exactly for love! As the new RSVP Volunteer Coordinator for Poweshiek County, Ashley Sorensen is looking to match volunteer opportunities with one specific demographic in the county: retired, senior individuals!
This morning, Sorensen visited the Chamber Ambassadors and shared what her last four months have been like in her new role. She has been “getting into Grinnell,” discovering local spots to find older (55+) Grinnell residents and helping them find their dream volunteer opportunities.
“There are so many benefits to volunteering,” emphasizes Sorensen. “Not only do you get out of the house, but studies show that those who volunteer tend to live longer, find purpose, and be happier.”
In her role, Sorensen matches retired and senior individuals to local organizations across Poweshiek County, such as non-profits, public schools, and health-related sectors. Since she entered her new position, she has doubled the number of active volunteers in her program — by the end of the year, she hopes to have recruited at least 150 people in the area!
As Sorensen explores how people spend their time in the Grinnell community, she has found a few interesting things. She has found that older folks enjoy visiting McNally’s for morning coffees and spend time learning new topics through the Drake Community Library’s bucket courses. When she meets people in these community spots who are interested in volunteering, she matches them!
“Match is very important,” shares Sorensen. “There are so many cool volunteers with different skills and interests, so we want to fit them in organizations that match those skills.” She currently has one volunteer in Montezuma who delivers books to homebound individuals, and in the upcoming school year, she will have a volunteer who writes pen pal letters to elementary school students. Sorensen also noted that folks can volunteer to drive people to their doctor’s appointments or grocery store shopping — volunteer opportunities with RSVP can range from providing social connection to other people, improving access to food, or providing youth support. Sorensen works with each organization and identifies ways each location would utilize their volunteers — this way, she has the best opportunity to create a perfect volunteer match. She already has relationships with organizations like LINK Grinnell and the Mayflower.
“One great part of RSVP is that people can be reimbursed for their mileage when they volunteer,” says Sorensen. “We also have insurance if, for example, you break your glasses during a volunteering shift.” As her group of volunteers are trained and begin new work schedules, their hours are recorded to know the amount of impact they are having on their local communities.
Currently, Sorensen is looking for volunteers and friendly faces to help out at places like Farm to Table, the Grinnell Historical Museum, and for the occasional one-time special events. If you are older than 55 years old or if you have an older friend, encourage them to volunteer through RSVP! The process is pretty simple — fill out a volunteer application and walk through the RSVP handbook. Then, Sorensen will match your skills and interests with those of local organizations. Contact Ashley Sorensen at 641-888-0989, or email ashley.sorensen@volunteeriowa.org. If you are a new resident to Grinnell, Sorensen is excited to greet newcomers who are ready to jump into volunteer opportunities at the Chamber’s New Resident Welcome event being held September 25!
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
Over their years working at Grinnell College, Sarah Smith and Donnette Ellis have seen a lot of new residents move into Grinnell. As connectors of the College and town community, they will both greet newcomers at the upcoming New Resident Welcome event, hosted by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, on September 25, 2025!
As part of their positions in the Community Partnerships, Planning, & Research office, Smith and Ellis work side by side to foster College and community connections all year round. As the Director of Community and Government Relations, Smith cultivates strong relationships with elected officials and policymakers to support institutional and regional goals and initiatives. She also helps coordinate programming at the new Renfrow Hall and the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion. Ellis, the Community Relations and Grant Coordinator, is a friendly face at the new faculty orientation for Grinnell College and welcomes them into local volunteering programs or giving initiatives. She also facilitates Grinnell College’s mini-grants program, helping distribute funds to places such as the Grinnell School of Music, the Drake Community Library, and more, which new and long-standing residents alike can take advantage of.
“I love when I meet new faculty and staff members and see them out and about in town and in the community,” shares Smith. Together, Smith and Ellis will gift pamphlets and handouts with all information about Grinnell College! You can also sign up with them for campus tours, as well as a look into the Conard Environmental Research Area. As a sponsor of the New Resident Welcome event on behalf of Grinnell College and their Community Partnerships Office, Smith and Ellis want to share some tips and tricks to new and long-standing residents alike:
“Like we tell our new students,” says Smith, “we want to invite our new residents to get out and do things — eventually you’ll find your people! Go to the Grinnell Farmers Market or eat at local restaurants. Say hi to our Grinnell College students as they move in while you continue to settle in!” Whether you are a long-standing resident or a brand new one, Grinnell College will make sure you fit right in!
It is never too late to think about holidays in Grinnell! With summer about to end, our (creative) Chamber Ambassadors met this morning to discuss the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Jingle Bell Holiday and general “holidays in Grinnell” festivities!
Jingle Bell Holiday is a grand Grinnell event, with hundreds of people packed in a chilly downtown with hot chocolate and treats in hand. Though the event is always a major hit, our Ambassadors pitched ideas to take the event to the next level, including creating more holiday photo opportunities throughout town and developing a mini holiday scavenger hunt.
In the weeks leading up to the holiday season, the Chamber Ambassadors brainstormed ways to keep the holiday feel into town after Jingle Bell Holiday, starting with the local businesses' annual extended hours. One key takeaway? Incorporating different aspects that fit multiple demographics: one for kids, one for adults, and a general free event for all to enjoy — whether a pub or food crawl, or a retail business scavenger hunt with an “Amazing Chase” theme.
Plus, the Ambassadors considered ways that businesses and organizations could collaborate and benefit through potential fundraising opportunities. For example, the Ambassadors pitched joint activities to complement the free sponsored holiday merchant movies at the Strand, or the festival of trees held at the Drake Community Library. Whether that means creating a gigantic winterland with a local open space or having little igloos scattered around Central Park, we are trying to gauge community interest and ideas!
What would you like to see? Roping in carolers from the Grinnell School of Music or Grinnell College? Or perhaps you would want to be involved with a downtown activity, such as a holiday decoration contest to help adorn local retail shops and businesses?
Or would you like to see us extend some Jingle Bell Holiday activities into our extended hours days, like additional activities at some of our retail establishments?
Finally, the Chamber is preparing for a grand hand off of the beloved Central Park holiday decorations [tradition]. For eight years, the beautiful display has been led and organized by Jennifer and Kevin McAlexander and put into place by a team of volunteers, but now we are looking for their successors. If you are interested in the passing of the torch, or wish to contribute with a small role, email communications@getintogrinnell.com or message our social media platforms.
If you have more ideas about the holidays in Grinnell and potential activities, drop them in the comments below — we would love to read them and share with our business community!
Chamber Ambassador (Brainstormers), from left to right:
Dedee and David Lehman don’t do things halfway. When they opened their real estate agency about a year and a half ago, they wanted their business name to be representative of how they approach their work — all in. Now, they are celebrating their agency, All in Real Estate Inc., as one of the newest members of the Chamber of Commerce!
Dedee had always wanted to be a real estate agent, but money had stopped her years ago. “I just couldn’t give up a paycheck and take a leap of faith in a field where my income is not guaranteed,” she recalls. But after twenty-five years of corporate life, Dedee and David turned to real estate as they helped their own children find rental properties. As the whole family searched together, Dedee and David were inspired to buy small homes, creating a little portfolio of rental properties that would grow into something more.
By this time, David had already retired for the second time, and so when Dedee asked him what he wanted to do post-retirement, he exclaimed, “I’m retired! I can do anything I want.” As Dedee shared the story with the Chamber Ambassadors during their ribbon cutting, she laughed, saying, “He is the only retired person I know who thought, ‘Let me run my own business!’”
Three months later, their real estate agency was born. Dedee and David currently work for multiple owners, managing over 60 rental units. They help with a wide range of tasks — from ensuring payment of utility and insurance bills, moving tenants in and out, and assisting with maintenance. On the backend, David focuses more on recording accounts receivable and payable. And in line with her true passion, Dedee focuses on showing beautiful homes and rental properties.
Dedee has had her license for 7 years, and was elated when David volunteered to get his license, too. As a true partnership, the Lehmans rotate between being in the office, showing houses, preparing marketing materials, or completing miscellaneous errands for their clients.
“We bail each other out,” says Dedee. “It’s great!” Though they are both licensed in Iowa, they love to sell and list properties that are local within the Poweshiek and Jasper county area. As connoisseurs of the local area and market, the Lehmans mainly sell residential homes and local commercial properties on the side.
The Lehmans’ advice for both buyers and sellers? “Find the best fit for you. Personalities have to mesh, and at the same time, find someone who will put in the effort for you — to do the marketing, to do the open houses, and make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table.” Showing houses on the weekends or after 5 PM on the weekdays is not unfamiliar territory to the Lehmans. Their commitment is so impenetrable that they’ve shown houses for over four years before finding a perfect fit for their client.
“We have a background in the corporate world, so we approach our work very seriously, from our meetings, to documentation, to being transparent with our market analysis,” shares David. The Lehmans always perform market research and analysis to ensure their clients won’t have their house stale in the market, or lose money selling for too low a price. “We show our clients about 3 to 6 houses comparable to theirs in a similar location, and show those numbers,” adds Dedee.
From school district employees to college students who cycle in and out of Grinnell, Dedee and David offer a cute extra touch for their clients moving in, supplying quick essentials 24 hours before move-in, like frying pans and blankets if needed.
If you’re looking for your next dream home, or are ready to rent or part with yours, contact the Lehmans at homes@allinrealestateinc.com or call them at 641-659-6500. They are also keeping an extra office in their building warm, in case a new or experienced agent wishes to join their team! To stay up to date with All in Real Estate Inc’s rental properties or listings, visit their website, allinrealestateinc.com, or visit their Facebook page.
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
Behind the local carpentry business Summit Carpentry, LLC is a one-man operation that gets the job done. Gunnar Johnson, originally from Des Moines, began his business in 2020, a few years after moving to Grinnell. Originally operating under the business name “Gunner Customer Creations,” Johnson realized he wanted to stand out under a new name, and at the same time, narrow the scope of his work.
“I wanted a business name that resembled the peak of a project. And honestly, I also thought the new name would make me sound more professional,” he laughs. Now five years in the business, Johnson is celebrating his inauguration into the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce. Johnson is a self-described meticulous, customer-service-oriented carpenter, with skills in general contracting and custom woodworking. He picked up many of his skills from his dad, who worked in sales and carpentry. Like a typical father-and-son duo, they’d tackle home projects together. Soon, Johnson would improve on his skills by taking woodworking and shop classes in high school, too.
“My favorite project is the one I’m usually working on,” shares Johnson. “Right now, I’m working on a 9-foot built-in walnut mantle in a family’s entertainment center. It’s by far my favorite wood to work with — it’s just so pretty.” For clients, he has created bed frames, floating shelves, coffee tables, closets, and even custom cabinets that create a “flow for storing things.” With his general contracting background, he is extremely comfortable working on projects like hanging doors, finishing trim, sheet rocking, framing, and other exterior work. His eye for design and detail also allows him to build furniture that matches the clients’ home — for example, he matched a client’s coffee table to match the ceiling beams and design of their basement!
And when customers come to Johnson, the possibilities are endless. Usually, they’ll show him a set of pictures from Etsy and Pinterest — a vision for their furniture or homes. “They tell me what they like from each picture, and that’s usually how our process starts,” says Johnson. Together, Johnson and his clients develop a plan for a furniture piece or home design. This might be hard to believe, but the hardest part of Johnson’s job is resisting redoing his own house after seeing the beautiful work his clients are left with!
Johnson has been a Grinnellian since 2017, living just slightly outside city limits (it still counts!). Since then, he’s developed a plethora of meaningful, local relationships while getting his business started. One of his mentors is Dave Vander Linden, who runs his own business, Vander Linden Construction Inc. “He’s a role model to me and honestly an overall good guy to lean on. He recommended I join the Chamber and I called him immediately after I did!” laughs Johnson.
In narrowing his scope of work, Johnson has built relationships with local businesses to fill the gaps; for instance, he works with local folks to complete plumbing, flooring, and HVAC work in his clients’ homes. “I want to focus on my area of expertise and rely on others for everything else — and this is how we have the best finished products for our clients.” This also means that for Johnson, working on big, long-term projects roots him locally, traveling at most 20-30 minutes, and doing day trips to Des Moines for a quick project. His woodworking projects can also be delivered and installed within a few hours or a day!
“I like to make people feel like they are my only client,” Johnson says. “I want to make people feel like they are the only focus and take a lot of pride in giving customers the best products.”
Although Summit Carpentry’s Facebook page is slightly out of date, don’t worry — Johnson’s wife will make sure he starts posting more of his work on there in the coming days! Plus, there are stunning photos to look through until his next post. If you’re interested in hiring Johnson, he has started booking clients for the winter season! Give him a call at 515-326-0136, or email summitcarp@gmail.com.
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
Staying healthy sounds easy enough — eat your vegetables, wear your bike helmet, teach your children how to read, and get vaccinated. But what do you do when you can’t reach clinics or services? Or if you simply can’t afford it?
When Brooke Holder stepped into her role as manager of public health at Poweshiek County Public Health three years ago, she wanted to get resources out to Grinnell and the rest of Poweshiek County — and fast.
“Public health is amazing,” shares Holder. “And so we try to make it a presence in the community.” So far, her work has been going according to plan, incorporating new initiatives like harm prevention vending machines, distributing free ATV helmets, and more. The vending machines are full of harm prevention tools, carrying free nasal Narcan, naloxone, and hygiene supplies. Currently, three are located in Grinnell, including next to the Drake Community Library. At the Grinnell Farmers Market, Holder and her staff were the ones who brought the mega brain experience to the park — attracting a number of youth to pick up their free ATV helmets!
Holder’s staff — made up of four registered nurses, a certified nursing aide, and an office manager — cover many more demographics with free resources, as well. This includes babies, mothers, the elderly, and everyone in between.
For moms who deliver at the UnityPoint Grinnell, for example, they can request a visit from a lactation specialist and get connected to local resources. “We even have grants that can cover trips to places like Marshall, Tama, and Benton County,” says Holder. “The specialist can also connect moms with physicians and pediatricians.” Poweshiek County Public Health also offers a postpartum program, to help with baby blues, also known as postpartum depression. Recently, they collaborated with Read to Lead to gift babies with free books every month for a year, plus some extra goodies for baby home safety.
Poweshiek County Public Health also coordinates the Village Closet, which is in partnership with the general community. People can donate anything from diapers to onesies for the fall, and can find the full donation list online.
For our more senior residents, Holder and her staff have prepared a variety of resources, too. “We have a free ‘Unlocking Brain Fitness’ class that is usually $300 a month in Des Moines,” she shared. The class, held at St. Francis Manor, teaches about exercises and habits to keep your brain sharp and prevent Alzheimer’s.
Another member of Holder’s team also provides services for homebound individuals on a sliding scale. She can bathe, meal prep, and do some housekeeping for them.
But if there is something that is missing in the general community, Holder wants to know. “We have a Community Health Needs Assessment Survey that is federally required, and it lets us know what work we need to be doing — whether to focus on access to food, transportation, or something else entirely.” The survey, which takes 10-15 minutes, will then be compiled into data that they can use to create localized action plans. Plus, the data will open for the general public to view.
“It really sets the foundation of public health,” says Brooke. “With feedback, it tells us where there are still gaps throughout the county. And we can use the data to track our progress so far.”
This August, Poweshiek County Public Health will also host back-to-school clinics for grades 7-12, so mark your calendars! In Grinnell, they will host one at the Grinnell High School from 8 AM-noon on Thurs., Aug. 7; in Montezuma, their clinic will be held at Montezuma School from 8 AM-noon, on Wed., Aug. 6. These clinics mean free physicals, immunizations, and dental screenings, all mandatory for incoming public school students.
Let Poweshiek County Public Health know what resources you enjoy, or indicate a new resource you think the community would benefit from with their Community Health Needs Assessment Survey (prcsurvey.com/begin/Grinnell2025CHNA), which closes at 4 PM on Friday, July 31. Health is not limited to one’s individual experiences, but our collective voices can certainly contribute to a healthier Grinnell.
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
Channing Fraker is no stranger to a challenge. After leaving the healthcare industry, she decided to start a small business in custom goods and creations by attending vendor shows and renting a space along Hwy 146. As she embarked on the next steps of her exciting entrepreneurial journey, she saw an opportunity — to establish her unique retail store on 4th Avenue! Today, she celebrates her one year anniversary in Grinnell and re-opening of her business, Channing’s Customs & Co., with a ribbon cutting!
The store is colorful and beautiful, with an array of sparkling earrings and greeting cards, tempting children’s toys, Iowa-pride clothing, and stunning home decor. Since 2022, Channing has been known for her custom work, like her signature handpaintings (which you may have spotted already on her store windows), custom wedding and baby gifts, and vinyl designs. And when you enter her store, you can spot her personal touches — from her interior design to her lovely mural next to her register.
As a maker and creator, she was all too familiar with selling her original works at craft shows and market spaces — in fact, she will host the Roots to River Market in October, held in Iowa County! Often, she would drag her stuff onto a truck and unload them wherever she would sell, a hard enough process in itself.
After Channing became pregnant, she decided to pivot into the lifestyle of a flexible business owner — where else but downtown Grinnell?
But when her doors opened back up in April, Channing realized she needed some help filling the space. So what better way to do that than to bring in other makers and creators she’s worked with? Currently, her store carries products from 10 Iowa-sourced, local business owners — and she’s always open to new opportunities and partnerships.
Channing, who is originally from Williamsburg, Iowa, carries cups, earrings, fragrances, and more from Williamsburg vendors; she also carries unique items, including a skincare line from Beth Hoopes, PharmD, from Lettes, Iowa. But she has made space for Grinnell vendors, too. The barrel tables that display her vendor products and custom works are done by Stephen Pierce, owner of Pierce Revival Co. Channing also carries greeting cards from Grinnellian Diane Carnine, and sells colorful children’s toys courtesy of Taylor Wilhelm, formerly with Sissy and Scooters.
“I love giving people the opportunity to display their things and support small businesses without them having to load and unload their stuff like I used to,” says Channing. Soon, she will also develop an online presence, and plans to release boutique clothing as another store product.
“The community has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Channing of her time since opening. And she’s been a positive addition to the community, too! She has already launched a 3-month event series named “4th Fridays on 4th” to encourage shopping locally and support other small businesses around her. Like her grand opening a few months ago, she will have live music, refreshing lemonade drinks, and special products, like sourdough goodies!
“The J months — June and July — are always so hard for retailers,” says Channing, “so I wanted to host something to encourage bringing people downtown.” Her next 4th Friday on 4th is 5-7 PM on July 25, so don’t miss it! This month, she will have a charm bracelet decorating as a special in-store activity.
As Channing continues to make large strides within her business, she has nothing but cheerleaders in her corner. “She does an awesome job,” says her husband, Devon. “When people come in, they like Channing immediately.” Channing’s mother-in-law is also very proud of how Channing has been flourishing in her new role as a business owner. “To see how far she’s grown in the last two and a half years is remarkable,” she shared.
Support local and visit Channing’s Customs and Co. during your next trip to downtown — there is something for everyone! Oh — and don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by one of her children when you stop in!
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
Back in the day, Brandy Virchow was an up-and-coming hairstylist. Although she was relatively new to the industry, one of her clients, George Ortiz, had no fear of her touching his hair. He walked right into the salon where she worked and handed her a big razor. “You’re going to shave my head!” he declared. Though Virchow was startled by the request (as any of us would!), she went right ahead and bzzz!
Today, Oritz is one of her most loyal customers at Virchow’s new hair salon in Grinnell, B. Nicole Salon, which celebrated its membership in the Chamber with a ribbon cutting! He used to travel from Newton every other week to get his haircuts — but now he gets to stay in Grinnell to enjoy her services! For 16 years, Virchow has been providing haircuts, styling, waxing, and more in Grinnell and surrounding communities. Since then, she has built an extremely loyal clientele, with Ortiz and an additional 130 clients following her from her previous workplaces. Fun fact: the location of her new salon is where she started working all those years ago!
When Virchow opened the salon, her promise to the Grinnell community was to provide quality and affordable services. “I also saw a need for a local salon with family-friendly hours and flexible scheduling,” shared Virchow. Ever since her salon opened 13 weeks ago, she has been grabbing people’s attention through her crafty cartoon signage outside her door and her unique salon hours — especially those after 5 PM and over the weekend. “Sometimes people have to book appointments so far out in advance, but because my hours are so flexible, they can schedule an appointment with me online or walk in after work,” she says, which is especially beneficial for people popping into Grinnell for the day. And if you need to bring your kids to the salon, she also has a comfortable couch, Netflix, Hulu, and coloring books to keep them occupied!
Virchow’s salon is aesthetically pleasing, with vintage photos of her salon back when it used to be the Cunningham Drug pharmacy — and she has an array of hair products from Denmark and Canada that are colorful and vegan (no preservatives or chemicals to be found!).
Virchow also gives back to the community, teaming up with a nursing home in Newton to provide regular haircuts to 56 community members with dementia and Alzheimer's. As a single mother, she pursued her Master’s degree in business management to complement her years of experience in the salon industry. Working alongside her with an entrepreneurial spirit and dream are social media marketer and bookkeeper Chris and Morgan Zimbleman, who are supporting Virchow and helping to grow her business.
Staying true to her promise, Virchow offers an array of discounts and deals. For Grinnell College students, she offers $5 off any service if they show their P-Card/student identification card. Community members who want to also save money but keep up their looks in the long term can sign up for her monthly club services. Men can clean or trim up their beards with Virchow, or enjoy a hot towel service with a complimentary neck and face massage. She can even wax your face for that shiny, glowing look. “The wives love it,” she says, laughing. Women can also join her weekly wash club services, and get their hair washed and styled every week! Kids also love to come in and have Virchow do any of the latest hair trends — which are mohawks at the moment!
P.S. Chris shared with the Chamber Ambassadors that one of his challenges before he retired from the military was looking for a place that could give him a haircut! So if you’re looking for a quick booking, give B. Nicole Salon a call at 641-657-1396, or visit their website bnicolesalon50112.glossgenius.com. For those wanting to rent a chair at Virchow’s salon, she is still looking for a colorist and hair specialist to join her!
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
In the 90s, Kyle Gonyea built and updated websites the old-school way, back when you had to paste images and type simple HTML text into Excel-like tables. “That’s just how you did it back then,” recalls Gonyea. Jump to today, and he helps his clients craft engaging web designs for their businesses and equips them with terrific search engine optimization, a.k.a making sure his clients’ websites and social media pages can be found through Google. His company, Poweshiek Digital Marketing, commemorated their inauguration to the Chamber with a ribbon cutting alongside his wife and son, and described how his company can serve all of your marketing needs!
For the record, Gonyea’s skills in marketing aren't limited to just website design — he can craft social media posts, track analytics, design logos, and provide market data analysis. He even has a 3-D printer in his office to print client logos and QR codes to promote their websites and social media pages! He also has experience within graphic design, having arranged and printed newspaper layouts and articles.
At any given time, Gonyea usually works with 12 to 20 clients, but is always looking to build his clientele. He has a wealth of marketing knowledge, having worked in website design for a decade in San Diego and in more general marketing with local businesses, restaurants, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Gonyea doesn’t mind revealing marketing secrets, either. His number one marketing tip? Get on social media as soon as possible. “Anyone not on social media is missing out,” he shares. “Facebook, for example, has a great search engine presence and helps with search engine marketing.” When his clients come to him, they can be involved as much or as little as they want in their marketing plan. “Whatever the client needs, I can lead them to a tool they can use. I am always happy to introduce them.”
To stay up to date in the marketing field, Gonyea follows different educational pages on social media and says he is (jokingly) forced into learning new things all the time, from new versions of social media platforms to new website updates. He is also ahead of the social media wave, utilizing a Bluesky account for his business and keeping up with TikTok and Reddit. At the same time, he keeps up with new technologies within website development, too, and can help with IT issues, JavaScript software, and more.
If you’re interested in delving into the world of marketing or hope to recruit some services from an expert like Gonyea, visit his website at poweshiekdigital.com or email at info@poweshiekdigital.com. Your website transformation or social media revitalization awaits!
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
