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Talk about your background and your life.

I am a 2015 World Team Member, 2016 Olympian in the sport of wrestling, and an Entrepreneur thereafter. It all started with my move to the United States in 2006, at the age of sixteen. I didn't speak English, I knew only one person at the time (Curt Wahle), and I had no plans of staying, but it all changed when I met Trevor Carritt and Carol Carritt. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am at today. During the years, they've played the role of guardians, friends, coaches, mentors, support system, and anything in between. Thanks to them, I was able to learn the English language, graduate from Lewis Central High School, earn a full-ride scholarship to the University of Nebraska at Omaha... and later on to Boise State University after the wrestling program at UNO was ceased. 

You moved away after graduating from Lewis Central and have since moved back, what brought you back or what do you love about Southwest Iowa?

Yes, after my graduation from Lewis Central, I accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha. After three short years in Omaha, UNO made the decision to cease the wrestling and football programs, leaving me on the street. Fortunately, I received offers from multiple universities to continue my higher education and collegiate athletic career. I chose to finish my athletic career at Boise State University, where I earned a bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing and met my beautiful wife, Whitney Ivanova. Once I graduated, I received an offer to coach and attend graduate school at Maryville University in Saint Louis. I coached with the legendary coach Mike Denney, whom I wrestled for at the University of Nebraska at Omaha prior to my move to Idaho. The reason I moved back to Southwest Iowa after I received my Master's Degree was to get closer to what I call my American home, Crescent, IA, and to be closer to my American family. After all, I have a huge support system here and Southwest Iowa will forever have a special place in my heart. 

What, to you personally, are your greatest accomplishments?

- Marrying my wife, Whitney Ivanova and having our son, Izyn Ivanov.

- Being very close to both of my families, Bulgarian and American.

- Becoming an Olympian and a World Team Member.

- Earning a Master's Degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing. 

I know you have multiple projects and companies in the hopper, can you touch briefly on each one of those?

Yes, absolutely.

1. Zuptu - Team Management Reimagined. Trevor Carritt and I are business partners in this company. This software is extremely simple to use and is the perfect solution for any business or organization. Few of the benefits include, but not limited to are Task Assignments; Training and Compliance Tracking; Record Keeping; File Management; Data for Cloud-Based Storage; Project Analytics; Interactive Calendar; Email and Text Notifications; Reoccurring tasks, projects, and training reminders; etc. Zuptu is a HIPAA Compliant Software. Learn more at www.zuptu.com.

2. Top Tier Performance - Nutrition Company. With our signature product called GRIT, we target any endurance and combat athletes. GRIT is the only 3-stage formula on the market engineered for Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Workout results. Learn more at www.ttpnutrition.com.

3. The Best Wrestler - Founder of the Lightest Weigh-In Singlet in the World, the Feather Singlet™. In all international competitions for wrestling, wrestlers must weigh-in with a competition singlet. A regular singlet may weigh around half a pound, which means that wrestlers must be half a pound lighter than their weight class just so they can weigh-in with the singlet on. The Feather Singlet™ changes that since it weighs only 0.1 lbs. Learn more at www.thebestwrestler.com.

What sets Grit above other supplements and/or what do you want your potential customers to know about it?

- GRIT is the only 3-Stage formula on the market, engineered for Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Workout results.  

- Clean and highest quality ingredients, guaranteed or I wouldn't put my name behind it.

- Approved for all ages and athletes. We have Olympians, World Champions, NCAA champions, High School kids, and even younger kids drinking it.

- Hydration, Quick Energy, Lasting Endurance, Muscle Recovery and Prevents Muscle Fatigue and Soreness. 

- This product was developed from personally experiencing the pain and muscle fatigue of not having a product like GRIT when I was competing.

You obviously have an entrepreneur mindset, what motivates you? What is your driving force as an entrepreneur?

- Obviously, it all starts with the mindset of having financial freedom for our families, right? Don't we all wish for this? The dream house, dream car, exotic travel vacations, etc. But once you are in the trenches, something strange happens. Your thinking shifts, your mindset changes, you begin finding your real "Why", priorities clarify, and you learn what truly fulfills you. Having experienced all that, I've learned that money is not the goal, nor it provides internal fulfillment. My fulfillment comes from impacting other people's lives. Making a difference in someone's life is priceless. That is what motivates me... that is what gets me out of bed in the early mornings. 

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration?

There are so many to mention all and they constantly change. They fall into three categories: family, wrestling, and business. Family: my parents Ivan Ivanov and Mariya Ivanova, Whitney Ivanova, and Trevor Carritt and Carol Carritt. Wrestling: Mike Denney, Cael Sanderson, John Smith, and Valentin Jordanov. Business: Russell Brunson, Tony Robbins, and Brendon Burchard.

Is there any part of your life that you’d change if you had the chance to?

Absolutely NO! I've loved and learned from every setback, lesson, and reward. 

Your success in Pottawattamie County is paramount to our organization, but what can others in the community do to help you spread the word about your companies?

I would encourage others to at least take a look at my websites, see if it's something for them or someone they know. But, most of all I would be happy to network and get to know other business-minded people. Let me know if I can help and provide value for you. Thank you! 

Tell me a little bit about you & Cody.

I have been married for 23 years to Callie, we have 2 daughters, Paige 23 - who is a NICU nurse at Bryan East in Lincoln and Jacey 20 - who is a sophomore majoring in Marketing at University Nebraska at Lincoln. I grew up in Carson IA. Shortly after high school I entered the electrical apprenticeship. 

Cody is married to Suzie and they have a 3-year old son, Lincoln. Cody also grew up in Carson. Cody and I were a year apart in school. He attended Iowa State studying Ag Business and then worked for Cargill right out of college. 

Why did you decide to start your own company, to take that leap?

Cody and I went into business together in 2007. Funny thing is we both have the same answer on why we started a business. We both knew from a very early age that we wanted to own a business. We used to have an ongoing dialogue about all the opportunities out there and then one day we decided that we were like-minded enough that we should go ahead and pursue them together. 

Why Council Bluffs? What do you love about your location and community?

We chose Council Bluffs because we wanted to be closer to the metro area, and being life-long Iowa residents, we wanted to stay in the state. Our current location is perfect for us, great access to the interstate and we have plenty of room to continue to expand our operations. 

Talk about your business… brag a little

In the beginning we operated a tree and stump removal business. I had construction experience so it was natural to eventually start offering construction services, as well. In addition to tree work we started by pouring concrete and doing demo and handyman type jobs. We continued to add services and expertise over the years. In the early years we only took money out of the company when we absolutely had to. We reinvested heavily in tools, equipment, and talented people. In 2013 we co-founded a service business in the natural gas industry with 3 other partners. In late 2015 we sold our interest in the natural gas company to the other partners and used the proceeds to fund the PowerTech purchase in early 2016. At the time of purchase there were 8 full time employees, Cody and I included - we now have 45+. Our growth has been both organic as well as through acquisitions. We have acquired 4 smaller businesses and incorporated them into our operations - and we are in constant search of more that fit our profile. At the time of purchase, PowerTech was a facility maintenance contractor with just a few clients. Since then we have added 3 new business units: Construction, Electrical, and Power Generation, and have diversified our client base to over 300 repeat clients. We are very proud that over 95% of our business by revenue is from repeat clients. We have also extended our reach, our administrative office and most employees are CB based, however, we have satellite employees scattered all over Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota - where most of our business activity is centered. We do operate in other states, but only on project by project basis.   It’s a little early but we are in the beginning stages of exploring opportunities in renewable energy including solar. We are committing to the exploration by installing solar on all four of our buildings here in CB. We are installing enough solar power for our property to be considered energy independent.

Late in 2018 we made the very difficult decision to sell our tree care business and put all our focus on PowerTech. We agonized over the sale and would not have done it had we not found such a great buyer. We sold to a national firm who did not have a presence in the area. They retained all the employees and offered them more opportunity than we were able to. The decision to focus was without a doubt the right choice. Last year was our best ever in many ways. 

So, what’s on the horizon at PowerTech?

Last year Cody and I realized that we have been very fortunate and it was time to start giving back to our communities. We have formed what we call the “The Power to Give” committee within our company. It’s a play on our tag line, “The Power to Solve”. Since time and money are both finite, we formed the committee for the purpose of being very thoughtful and intentional with our giving. We want to have the biggest impact possible with limited resources. Collectively the committee is very passionate about helping children succeed and become the best adults possible. We have spent time consulting with teachers, administrators, school-based interventionists, and psychologists and have decided we want to try to help local schools fund and run programs to address mental health. We are going to attack our charitable efforts with the same fervor and determination we used to build our business, in fact, our intention is to run it exactly like a business.  The goal is to build a self-sustaining entity that will help local area children in perpetuity. 

Thank you, Cody & Josh for taking the time to share your founder story with Advance – and for choosing to start and grow your business right here in Pottawattamie County!  For more information about PowerTech, visit https://powertechteam.com/

In 2015 while on maternity leave with their first child, Maisy, Becca and Ryan Wiggins faced a tragedy that every parent quietly fears. At a two-month check-up for Maisy, the pair were informed that they needed to see a neurologist. At that appointment, they received a devastating diagnosis, Maisy had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type 1. SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe and is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. As Becca explained, “it’s similar to ALS but has infant onset. The Wiggins were given a grim prognosis with no treatment options - Maisy could have a life expectancy around two years and that they should take her home, love her and enjoy the time they had left with her.

Things took a potential positive turn when the family was informed of a clinical trial taking place with trial sites around the US, one being in Denver, CO. Like most clinical trials, there were some caveats to participation, one being that Miss Maisy would have to maintain oxygen saturation at or above 96% while sleeping. Unfortunately, the family faced a devastating setback while in Denver. The altitude exacerbated Maisy’s breathing difficulties, she ended up hospitalized and unable to qualify for the trial. Again, the Wiggins family went home, defeated. 

As they thought they had lost out on their last hope, they were notified by the trial board that Maisy would be allowed to try qualifying at another trial location at lower altitude. The Wiggins family packed up and headed to Chicago knowing this was the last hope for a better quality of life for Maisy. The same participation requirements would still need to be met and Maisy had not yet recovered from her decline in Colorado and was struggling to maintain her oxygen levels, but they had to try. They were immediately on their way to Chicago, during the qualification phase they called all of their family and asked for prayers, they needed a miracle for Maisy’s sats to even get to 96%, let alone maintain it. The family would get that miracle, not only did Maisy’s oxygen get to 100% - it maintained that level during the entire test – she had qualified for the clinical trial. However, like most trials, it was a double blinded study and they would never be told if Maisy had received the treatment or was in the placebo group, and if she had received the treatment, if it would even work. 

With many unknowns with Maisy’s life, one thing they did know was that Becca would not be able to return to her previous job at Iowa Western, Maisy’s care would be a full-time labor of love.

Going to a single income family was a struggle, not-to-mention the medical bills, so Becca was looking for ways to supplement their income. Becca bought 4 runs of graphic t-shirts with $150 and sold them online – and they sold quickly! She then reinvested her profits into more inventory, and again sold them. By the spring of 2018, her basement was full of inventory, and the constant stream of customers in their home wasn’t ideal for Maisy and her fragile state. Then Becca got a call from her older sister, Sara about a property she had seen for lease at 126 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs. Becca knew that with Maisy’s 24/7 care, she couldn’t commit to opening a brick and mortar on her own, but with her family on board it could happen. The whole family, all entrepreneurs at heart, took the leap together. Becca, her sisters, Sara Berge and Rachel Adams, and their mother, Tracy Linquist all took an equal 25% share in the business and Dusted Charm was opened in May of 2018.

Dusted Charm is an adorable boutique, with super-cute clothes and accessories, but what makes them unique is their focus on the customer and making shopping an experience. Dusted Charm has also made an effort to be very size-inclusive, carrying pieces from small to 3XL. Being in the store, you feel like you’re shopping with friends you’ve known forever – no judgement or intimidation, just fun, not to mention the ladies are hilarious and their positivity is infectious. Community and family are paramount to Dusted Charm’s business model. They hold monthly give-back events – donating 25% of an evening’s proceeds to a non-profit or school. Becca doesn’t forget how the community rallied behind her family when she and Ryan were in Chicago for Maisy’s clinical trial. A benefit event had been held in McClelland which raised nearly 30K for the Wiggins family. The generosity and support of the community meant the world to them and is why these give-back events and the sense of community are so important to Dusted Charm.

Maisy is now almost 5 years old, a living miracle and has defied the odds that were stacked against her. She is an awesome big-sister to her little brother, Hawk William. Needless to say, Maisy was in the treatment group and has made slow and steady gains the last 4.5 years. The devastation that would have caused many people to fold, became Becca’s motivation, Maisy truly taught her to shine in light of darkness. The dedication and love of these women-entrepreneurs, as well as the support of their entire family, ensures the success of the business they’ve built together.

Shop Dusted Charm at 126 E. Broadway, suite 3 in Council Bluffs. Shop Black Friday from 9am – 5pm, where the first 40 customers will receive a custom tote bag for 30% off your entire your purchases, and 20% off the rest of day. Plus, get doorbusters from 9am – noon. Come back on Small Business Saturday at 9AM where the first 40 customers will receive a tote bag, 10 bags will contain special surprises-one being a $100 shopping spree (to be used that day), shop and fill the bag and receive 25% off your entire purchase. 

As Adley sat in his 8th grade class, he noticed the new kid, Clayt, looking at fishing websites, as he sat doing the exact same thing. The common interest was the catalyst for a new and lasting friendship - and eventual business partnership. Both boys, now 15, continue to spend as much time as they can fishing in farm ponds and quarries, (or anywhere they can get a ride) around Treynor. With the amount of time they spend fishing, it comes as no surprise that they had an interest in making their own soft plastic baits. What started as a google search for molds, quickly turned into a business plan for Salvage Bait Co.

Less than six months ago, Clayt and Adley pooled all of their birthday, Christmas, and any other money they could pull together to order the molds, aluminum injector, and materials to make their own bait. When it came to the material, the boys were looking for an alternative. Due to the high volume production, the sprue (plastic waste piece left after molding) is thrown away by the mass producing bait companies, as reusing isn’t cost and time effective. The boys began reaching out to the large plastic bait companies around the United States and asked them if they could buy their sprue. Acquiring the plastic in this way helped with cost and more importantly, helped the environment by keeping that waste out of the landfills. The boys soon realized that with the amount of their initial investment, they would need to try to capitalize on their hobby, and Salvage Bait Company began. Paula Hazlewood of Advance Southwest Iowa said, “Salvage Bait Co. are the type of young entrepreneurs we want to see in Pottawattamie County, they’ve identified and solved a problem we didn’t realize existed. Entrepreneurship is an essential part of modern economic development.” 

The process of hand-manufacturing their 100% recycled bait is somewhat time-consuming and involves heating the plastisol to 350-400 degrees and injecting it into the molds, waiting to cure, adding their scents to the baits, and of course packaging and shipping (this writer assured Salvage Bait that their entire process wouldn’t be revealed).  In the few months since they’ve started, these environmentally conscious entrepreneurs have already turned a profit. 100% self-funded, they are now reinvesting their profits back into the company.  Adley already had his own social media presence as a brand ambassador and influencer for the fishing industry and focused on social media advertising for Salvage Bait Co. Clayt and Adley then commissioned a website, www.salvagebaitco.com, to sell their products online. Their bait, at $4 per pack, is the same price or less than their national competitors.

The goal of Salvage Bait Co. is two-fold, as Adley said, “We’re buying our product to help the environment, but ultimately we want to get more people engaged in fishing”. It appears to be working, since their launch, they have seen a sharp increase in kids at their high school fishing, some of them daily. Besides selling new soft plastic baits, Salvage Bait Co. also offers another innovative service. As plastic continues to fill oceans and landfills, the same is true for ponds and lakes. Plastic baits discarded in bodies of water can be eaten by the fish and other wildlife, and if too large to pass, will almost always result in death. Anglers now have an option – for only $15 per pound, Salvage Bait will recycle your spent soft plastic baits and return them to you. “It’s recycling you can see full circle, It would be kind of like if you recycled a pop can, and it was then returned to you refilled,” Adley laughed.

The young men hope that ten years from now Salvage Bait Co. is still in business, but point out that although no one else seems to be doing what they’re doing, maintaining supply may be difficult. Luckily both entrepreneurs have a back-up plan. Besides working, going to school, and running a company, the boys are both involved at Treynor High School, both participate in football and in the fishing club (yes, there is a fishing club!). Adley plans to go to college for engineering or in the medical field, but hopes to work as an engineer in the fishing industry. Clayt plans to go to school and major in agriculture and farm with his family. The owners of Salvage Bait Co. epitomize the promise and drive of the young iGen and Iowa’s future entrepreneurs and leaders.

[Stay tuned to ASWIC’s Facebook page to see my results with Salvage Bait Co.’s recycled soft-plastic baits]