Iowa Business Blog

Growl Gear Online Store open for business

2008-11-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

Our animal items for fall fun have been hand-picked to encourage kids’ natural love for animals and creativity.

This winter, when it’s time for your little grizzly bear cubs to come out of hibernation, they can stay warm with Bear Hands mittens and bear hats.

So come on in, and bring your imagination! And don’t forget to keep checking back for new items.

Visit the store now at www.GrowlGearStore.com!

Credit Card Processing

2008-10-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

Business Owners: Accept credit cards, debit cards and checks easily and conveniently.
Not sure what steps to take to accept Visa/Mastercard?
For immediate assistance call 641-201-0057 or send our office an email.

If your business doesn’t currently accept credit cards… IT SHOULD!

Accepting Visa, Mastercard and others can add a host of benefits to any business such as improved cash flow, quicker access to funds, company image, and more.

Iowa Merchant Services is an industry leader in credit card processing for traditional and Internet businesses. MSC provides the expertise and reliability to enable merchants to accept credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and checks. We offer merchants competitive pricing, customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and one of the largest credit card fraud, loss prevention and chargeback departments in the Industry.

In addition, we provide one of the most extensive selections of Credit Card Processing Equipment. From the establishment of a merchant account to our technologically sophisticated Internet Secure Payment Gateway, Iowa Merchant Services provides a one-stop shop for all types of transaction processing.

-No Equipment Required: Use secure browser-based virtual terminal
-Virtual Terminal: Easy entry from any internet connected computer
-Processing: Enter transactions any time (end of day-evening-morning)
-Versatility: Accept "face-to-face", Internet, telephone and mail order transactions
-Peripherals: Supports card readers, standard and receipt printers
-Payments: Automatically deposited to your bank account, EVERYDAY

Credit Card Processing

Midwest Paint and Tile is Open for Business

2008-08-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Midwest Paint And Tile is currently offer painting, remodeling, flooring, and design services in all of Iowa and southern Minnesota.
I specialize in choosing just the perfect color for your room. I have extensive experience working with realtors, relocation companies, and homeowners to help their homes look their best and sell quickly.

You can see samples of some of my recent painting jobs at here.

To see some recent pictures of tile jobs, visit here.

General remodeling photos can be seen at here.

Give us a call today at 612.209.3473 for a free quote.

North Iowa Realtors

2008-05-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

Looking to buy or sell your home? Seeking help finding the best commercial or investment properties? Click here to find the top North Iowa Realtors.

Clear Lake Real Estate

North Iowa Realtors: List your homes for sale on your own web site

2008-03-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Attention North Iowa realtors: Want to save time and hassle updating your web site with your for-sale listings? Maybe you do not have a web page that shows your homes for sale at all. We can help. IowaRealEstateSource.com offers a direct feed of your listings for use on your web site, at no extra cost. When you update your listings in IowaRealEstateSource.com, your web site is automatically updated. This powerful feature will allow you more time to do what you do best, which is sell homes and increase your client network.

Example page: www.timlatham.net/north_iowa_homes_for_sale.html

To get started: www.iowarealestatesource.com/realtors_list_homes.php

IowaRealEstateSource.com - Search North Iowa Homes for Sale

2008-03-03T18:01:00.001-08:00

We are a real estate search engine for North Iowa. Our aim is to help our visitors find the perfect home or property and work with the best North Iowa realtors. We strive to work for and with North Iowa real estate agents to provide great service to customers. Search North Iowa Homes.

Our goals are simple:

Make the home-searching process as easy and straightforward as possible for our visitors.

Remove the clutter of ads.

Simplify the look and feel of the process.

Offer visitors the best tools for sorting through the available homes for sale.

Connect visitors with realtors so they can provide the underlying details of specific homes and communities.

Encourage visitors to our web site to come back again and again.

Become the #1 destination for searchers of North Iowa properties and realtors.

IowaRealEstateSource.com will strive to be the perfect tool for real estate professionals to market their listings, view real estate data and promote their services tastefully. You will be surprised at the services we offer.

If you are a broker or agent, we are here to help you grow your business. Sign-up now.

North Iowa Fishing Launches New Website

2007-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

North Iowa Fishing is owned and operated by Michael Petersen. Mike has dedicated his entire life to fishing. His passion for fishing has kept him in the North Iowa Area. Mike has been learning the waters of north Iowa his entire life, and has been a professional guide in the area since 2005.

Check out new website

Mike specializes in providing a professional first class guide service. If there is one thing he is passionate about, it is catching fish. He prides himself in having outstanding customer service and good well maintained gear. When a customer spends a day in the boat with Mike, they leave with the satisfaction that he gave them 110% for their day.

What Mike enjoys the most is watching a customer catch a nice fish, it gives him a sense of accomplishment to sit back and watch someone smile while holding a trophy catch.

North Iowa Fishing specializes in fishing trips throughout North Iowa, including Clear Lake, Decorah, the Winnebago river, and other great locations.

North Iowa Outlaws NAHL Hockey Team Launches New Website

2007-09-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

The North Iowa Outlaws, a NAHL hockey team based in Mason City, Iowa, has launched a new website. The Outlaws posted a story on their website about the launch of the website. Read the story.

Roger Flieth, Century 21 Realtor, Launches Website

2007-08-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Roger Flieth, a Mason City Century 21 Realtor, has launched a new Website at the following address: rogerflieth.com.

As an experienced realtor in North Iowa, Roger is familiar with the most sought-after neighborhoods. Wherever you might be hoping to settle or invest, you can rely on Roger to guide you, advise you, and help you find just what you're looking for.

Walk & Murphy, P.L.C., Launches Redesigned Website

2007-08-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Mark L. Walk and Aaron R. Murphy, P.L.C., Iowa attorneys at law, have launched a redesigned website at the following address: IowaLawPractice.com.

Walk and Murphy have attained high academic credentials, are committed to the pursuit of excellence, and maintain strong involvement and ties to their community.
Contact them at 641-732-3796 if you need legal representation.

Outdoor Designs of Charles City Posts New Website

2007-05-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Designs, Inc. of Charles City, Iowa has posted a new website at this address: www.outdoordesignscc.com. Outdoor Designs is the North Iowa Experts in Landscaping, Patios, Pondwork, Retaining Walls, and More. Visit their website or give them a call at 641.228.1347 to see what they can do for you.

16 Rules for Business Owners

2006-07-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

I came across this article the other say, written by the founder / owner of GoDaddy.com, Bob Parsons. It lists his "16 Rules" for small business owners. A great read, and the accompanying blog/message board is worth a look as well.

Here's a few points from the article:
1. Get and stay out of your comfort zone. I believe that not much happens of any significance when we're in our comfort zone. I hear people say, "But I'm concerned about security." My response to that is simple: "Security is for cadavers."

2. Never give up. Almost nothing works the first time it's attempted. Just because what you're doing does not seem to be working, doesn't mean it won't work. It just means that it might not work the way you're doing it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn't have an opportunity.

3. When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think. There's an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed."

4. With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be. Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of "undefined consequences." My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, "Well, Robert, if it doesn't work, they can't eat you."

5. Focus on what you want to have happen. Remember that old saying, "As you think, so shall you be."

6. Take things a day at a time. No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time.

Read the rest of the article for the entire 16 Points from Mr. Parsons...
check it out here.

Peace.

North Iowa Poised for Economic Development

2006-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

North Iowa may seem like a slow, rural area to some people. But big things may be on the horizon for this area. Now that there is a bustling casino in Northwood and other recent developments, North Iowa is getting busier and busier. The Diamond Jo Casino is drawing a lot of people from Minnesota into North Iowa, and they are spending quite a bit of money here. The Globe Gazette in Mason City published an interesting story about this activity. The question I have is "can North Iowa sustain this type of growth over an extended period of time?" The answer may be "yes", if the population base grows faster than its current rate of growth. Perhaps with the addition of entertainment venues like the Casino, people will relocate to North Iowa or actually not leave in the first place.

Downtown improvements: The taxpayer's responsibility or the property owner's?

2006-05-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

Mason City is facing a little controversy these days in dealing with its aging downtown. It seems that the storefronts and sidewalks need attention and people are not showing up to shop in the numbers people would like. Some members of the City Council are proposing that taxpayers pick up the bill and fix up the downtown area. But many citizens are saying "not with my tax dollars". What is the best solution? Without a vibrant downtown, many people say a town cannot survive...at least in its present state. Who should pay this bill? Should the downtoen even be fixed up? Should the city force the peoperty owners to fix up their property?

Great Fun in Charles City, Iowa

2006-05-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

Party in the Park is great family event that takes place this summer, every other Friday, In Charles City, Iowa. There is is music, food and fun and everyone seems to have a great time. I have personally attended this event a couple of times and testify to the good times everyone has. I recommend everyone attend! For more information, dates and times as well as the lineup of events, follow this link:

Charles City Party in the Park 2006

Web sites for mobile devices

2006-04-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Now that the Internet is available on your cell phone (and other mobile devices), business owners should be aware that customers will be attempting to view their web sites using these hand-held devices. The problem lies in the fact that mobile devices will not be able to display a regular web site properly. A trained web professional will be needed to design and build a web site for you business just for viewing on a mobile device. Call 641-201-0057 or email matt@iowayellowpages.net for information about converting your current web site to be viewable in mobile devices.

Downtowns In Iowa's Towns

2006-04-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

If you live in a town in Iowa, then you have likely driven through the downtown area. Many towns in Iowa are wondering what to do with their downtowns. They are wondering how to invigorate them, inspire development and bring people back. Towns like Mason City are facing this very dilemma as development has surged westward and left the downtown district struggling. This struggle continues despite a relatively new Music Man Square, a large mall and a facelift for central park. Mason City's leaders are pointing to success stories like Charles City, a smaller town east of Mason City that has seen its downtown come back to life after years of slow times. Another example of a thriving downtown area in Iowa, on a much larger scale, is Des Moines. There are major new developments coming to Des Moines and people are actually flocking to the downtown area to live AND work there. Of course it doesn't hurt to have a brand new freeway system rolling by your downtown. A lot of smaller Iowa towns do not have this luxury. They must make do with what they have. It takes ingenuity on the part of local leaders in these smaller towns to jump start a downtown area that is not what it should be. This should be a priority to anyone with a sense of history, as the downtown area of most small towns is a defining characteristic that is unique and makes the town what it is year after year. What is the condition of your downtown?

Iowa Events Calendar

2006-03-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, be sure to check out the latest events taking place right here in IOWA at this site: www.iowabusinesslistings.com

Thanks!

Urbana, Iowa New Homes

2006-03-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

There is a small city tucked away in Eastern Iowa, right between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. It is a small town of about 1,300. It has some of the best schools in Iowa which really says a lot...Iowa has great schools. In Urbana, there are some really outstanding new residential developments being built right now. These are fine new single family homes in brand new neighborhoods. This is the perfect place to relocate with a family. Just a short drive to Waterloo or Cedar Rapids metro areas, right on the Avenue of the Saints. To learn more about these homes for sale, visit Urbana New Homes or call Paul or Danika Buckley at 319-443-3190.

Touch Play Gambling in Iowa

2006-03-06T20:54:00.000-08:00

Since July of 2005, convenience stores and grocery stores across Iowa have offered Touch Play gambling to their customers. It was reported by the Des Moines Register on Sunday, March 5 that Iowans have pumped over $200 Million into these gambling machines since July '05. This was an extemely interesting article. It states that many of the Touch Play locations that are doing the most business are in the most economically depressed areas. Most interesting was the fact that, per-capita, Mason City spends the most on Touch Play gambling...to the tune of $110 per person since July '05. The next highest amount is something like $66 dollars per person in some other city in Iowa. This is a huge disparity. One must wonder why people in Mason City are spending so much on the Touch Play gambling. It probably doesn't help that one Mason City man won $10,000 at a Touch Play machine at a Kum & Go in Mason City, then, that very day, won $10,000 AGAIN at a Touch Play machine. The next day this event was hyped in the Mason City media. I'm wondering what the down-and-out thought about this. Maybe they thought this Touch Play is their chance to change their lives? I can only speculate. But the whole Touch Play issue is far from dead, as the Iowa Legislature is poised to ban the whole thing. The Des Moines Register has an interesting blog on this topic if anyone wants to read more about this subject. Click here to read their blog. Anyone want to share their thoughts on Touch Play Gambling in Iowa?

How to: Get help starting and running your small business

2006-02-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Starting and running a small business is a challenge for anyone. The challenges of a small business include: Writing a business plan, cash flow, financing growth of the business, and market research. Fortunately you don't have to have the talents of Donald Trump to get your business off the ground and running smoothly. There are resources our there to help you get going. In Iowa, there are many Small Business Development Centers located throughout the state to serve entrepreneurs. Visit the Iowa Small Business Development Centers web site at: www.iowasbdc.org for more information.

Testing Google Base: Real Estate for Sale

2006-02-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks I have been testing Google Base, a new service recently released from Google, which is is still in 'Beta' mode. According to Google, you can use Google Base to upload items for sale directly into Google, and those items will show up in Google Base, Froogle, Google search and other areas of Google, depending on the relevancy of the items to a given search.

So far, I would give Google Base low marks for ease of use, as it is difficult at best to upload items into the system and track them, or even find them in Google once they are uploaded and 'accepted' by their system. However, now that I have their system learned, I would say that the system has a lot of potential in helping people sell items on the Internet, and if Google can correct the flaws in the system, people will use it successfully.

I have put together my own 'beta' web site, using Google Base, to show real estate that is currently for sale in Iowa. The site is far from complete, and many more tools are on the way. But the site is actually populated by a data feed that goes directly into Google Base, so running the site is a snap. Right now, I am closely following the developments of Google Base, and bringing the site along as Base develops. Check out the site here: www.IowaRealEstateSource.com

Google Base: A New Frontier In Web Searchability

2006-01-29T15:16:00.000-08:00

In November of 2005, Google launched a new service called "Google Base". Base allows people to post any kind of information they want for free and to provide labels to describe it so others can easily find it. Right now, Base is in 'BETA' mode, which means 'test'. Google says "The new beta service allows people to post "all types of online and offline information and images" that will be searchable on Google Base and, depending on their relevance, may be searchable on Google Search, Froogle and Google Local." News.com reports that "some observers have speculated that Google is targeting the online classifieds market space, specifically eBay and Craigslist, with the service, a Google executive denied that that is the company's intent.

My take on this new service from Google called Base is that any way we can get ranked higher in Google, the better. If I can use Base to post my client's products directly into the Google search results, whether is it Froogle, Google Base, Google Search, or any part of Google, the better the chance that my customer will make a sale. When a customer of mine is successful, I am successful. I am working on a new service geared towards a specific clientel which utilizes Google Base. It is very exciting to say the least, and as the service is developed and tweaked, could develop into a very useful marketing and sales tool for me and my clients. Wish me luck!

Business advertising: Local online business directories

2006-01-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

Local online business directories are a great way to advertise your business.

One way advertising in a local online business directory helps promote your business is by giving it a presence on the Internet. Each place your business can be found on the Internet adds a new dimension to your business's online presence. I recommend a large Internet presence, but bigger is not always better if the quality of the presence is poor. Local online business directories tend to be high-quality, rich-content web sites if they are built and maintained properly. By listing your business in local online business directories, you place your business in a site where search engines will reward you. Another benefit is that your local customers are likely to find the local online business directory where your business is listed and therefore find you. Local customers tend to be those who are most likely to want your goods and services. You need to get your business out to these people, make it visible to them. Another benefit of listing in a local online business directory is cost. Compared to other forms of advertising, you will find the cost of listing your business in a local online business directory to be competitive if not much lower than other forms of advertising.

A great example of a local online business directory is www.IowaBusinessListings.com. This particular local online business directory serves the state of Iowa. New businesses are being added every day, so the site is extremely useful to visitors. This site also lists events that are coming up in Iowa. Be sure to visit this site, and list your business right away. Contact the site owner at to list your business.

Workers Compensation Question and Answer

2006-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

From Mark Walk and Aaron Murphy, P.L.C.:

Q: What does workers’ compensation do?

A: Workers’ compensation law in Iowa generally requires most employers to provide wage loss and medical benefits to employees injured on the job.

Q: What types of injuries are covered?

A: An injury may include whatever health condition is caused by work activities (except normal wear and tear of the body). Injuries may also include diseases and hearing losses caused by work.

Q: Who can receive workers’ compensation?

A: Most employees injured in Iowa while working in Iowa are eligible. Furthermore, employees hired in Iowa or whose employment is principally in Iowa may be eligible for benefits even if they are injured outside of the state. The law does exempt a few types of employees. Therefore, contact our office with any questions.

For help with a workers compensation issue, please call Aaron Murphy at 641-732-3796 or email amurphy@iowalawpractice.com.