Colson Thayer News Today

“Inventory management is what can dictate some of your cash flow. And as we know, in business, cash is king,” said Lisa Shimkat, the state director of America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa (SBDC Iowa). Business is all about maximizing profits and minimizing costs. Inventory management

The Iowa High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) bring in thousands of fans with their annual tournaments at Wells Fargo Arena each year. Athletes, families, friends and students alike make their way to downtown Des Moines to celebrate the yea

When local meteorologists announce snow is on the way, it’s a sign for most of us to stock up on groceries and plan to stay inside. Those who make their living from the removal of that snow, however, make sure they are ready to go 24 hours before it even touches the ground. While the average citizen

Weekdays are typically quiet at A Quality Pawn and Jewelry at 1135 Army Post Road in Des Moines. The owner, Adrian Welch, says she only sees up to five customers on any day of the week. But she knows all her customers and wants the best for them. On a Wednesday afternoon in November, one of her p

Falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes mark the return of seasonal business ventures like apple orchards and pumpkin patches. These businesses promise joy, laughter and happy memories. Haunted houses promise the opposite with fear, horror and terror. The bigger the scare, the bigger the profit, so

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, direct replacement costs of an employee are as high as 50-60% of that employee’s annual salary. Those are the costs associated with recruiting, hiring and training a new employee. However, the total cost of turnover can equal 90-200% of that an

The antique industry in the United States expanded by 3.3% between 2018-2023, according to market research firm IBISWorld. Changed spending habits in a post-pandemic world and a supply chain furniture shortage are offered as reasons for the increased traffic at antique stores. But are Des Moines are

The bitterly cold winters and sultry summers of Iowa create work balance challenges for some business operators who do seasonal work. Other business owners see the natural connection in putting two businesses together. And some entrepreneurs simply aren’t satisfied with one type of business. For all

After Congress ratified the 18th Amendment in 1919, the manufacturing, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages were banned nationwide. However, Iowa started its own prohibition in 1916. But prohibition efforts within the state began even before that. The Iowa Liquor Prohibition Amendment was

On the afternoon of March 23, three women visited West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction. They began at Coffee Cats and made their way south. Along the way, they stopped at Bing’s, Sister’s, Memory Lane Antiques and Bozz Prints. While the group made their way around the district, Bing’s Owner Val