ESSAY BY TEJ DHAWAN I’ll quit and go into business for myself when the revenue from my company is 1 1/2 times my salary. This unrealistic goal was the first life metric that led me to quit a stable job obtained at the height of a recession. I’d largely reached my set metric in 28 months of employment. On Jan. 1, 1995, I provided a notice of resignation and walked

ESSAY BY BILLIE ASMUS In 2021, my mornings began with tying my hair in a messy bun, pulling on my paint-stained overalls, grabbing my coffee and heading to my tiny basement studio to work on one of my many DIY projects. Fast forward to today, I’m flying across the United States, dressed in a blazer, speaking on stages with a fresh haircut, fueled by a passion for something I never

ESSAY BY LANA FOX The journey to where I am today wasn’t paved with certainty, but it was fueled by a willingness to speak up, take risks and persevere through challenges. Over time, I’ve come to see that each small decision, each moment of courage and each leap of faith has shaped my path.  These moments have taught me to believe in possibility, even when the answers weren’t clear. The

ESSAY BY KATHERINE COTA I returned to Iowa for a job at Buena Vista University and a lovely home in Storm Lake in June of 2024 after having worked in California and South Dakota for several years. As I sit on the shores of Storm Lake to write this, I reflect on how my life has come full circle. I was born in Des Moines, grew up at Rock Creek

ESSAY BY ROBERT ABBOTT The journey to becoming an innovator and founder in Iowa is a testament to the power of education, experience and a deep sense of community. My path began at Maquoketa High School, followed by the University of Northern Iowa, where I completed a degree in graphic design and marketing. This foundation set the stage for an early career that would take me across the United States,