Siouxland Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 6

Volume 5, Issue 6
Starting Conversations
John C. Maxwell’s
Annual Event
Inspired
Local Leaders
Women Leaders
Nancy
McGinnis
1st Woman
Electrician in
Siouxland
Bridget Breen
& Diana Castillo
Women in
Media
Susan Barta
Woman
Advocate &
Educator
Rhonda
Blackburn-
Briggs
Woman in
Military

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ON THE COVERCONTENTS
Conversing
8-9 Nancy McGinnis, First Woman Electrician in Sioux City
10-11 Bridget Breen & Diana Castillo, Women in Media
12-13 Rhonda Blackburn-Briggs, First Fulltime Woman Officer
at the 185th
14-15 Susan Barta, Woman Advocate & Educator
16-17 Gallery 103 and 3 Rivers Art Gallery
Collaborating
21 Inclusive Peek – Yesica Saldana
22-23 Small Business Spotlight – Pure Home Health
24-25 Nonprofit Spotlight – Siouxland Sleep Out
26-27 IWCI’s Business Feature – Flickboards
29 SBDC – Taking Care of Business – Writing a Business Plan
31 Experience Downtown – Holiday Magic
33 Council Connection – Need for Housing
35 Future Foundation – Siouxland GO – Creating Community
37 Hot Air with Tony Michaels
BeComing
40-41 Ask the Therapist – Prenatal Yoga for Expectant Motherst
42-43 Health is a Journey – The Language of Your Future Self
44-45 Living Lumin – The Love of a Life
47 Dare 2B Great – 4 Reasons You Still Look Like You Don’t Lift
Photo Credit Britton Hacke Photography – John Maxwell’s Live2Lead event at Stoney Creek Conference Center on October 19th.
Dress from Rooted Boutique.

Welcome To siouxland magazine
It’s in these pages we educate and inspire. Even more importantly, we
create a community that thrives on connecting with one another. At our
core, we all want to connect. When we seek to understand, by listening
more intently, we find that our relationships deepen and our community
strengthens as a result. With appreciation for the power of connection
through meaningful conversations, it only made sense to name the
business Empowering Conversations.
Siouxland Magazine / 5
Stacie Anderson, Owner
It all starts with a conversation; with a desire to learn;
to see things from another perspective; to seek
truth. The truth is, we have more in common than we have
differences. Well, maybe it would be more accurate to say, what
brings us together is stronger than anything that divides us.
We would never want to marginalize our differences. We love the words of Audre Lorde, “It is
not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those
differences.” We are unique in vast and complicated ways. It’s our hope that we can come
together with our unique strengths, perspectives, and ideas to build a community with a
powerful narrative of us.
Through this humble publication, we will start having conversations. This is an ambitious and
beautifully optimistic attempt to shine light on all the things that make our community strong,
but also discuss, in a productive and compassionate manner, the challenges we face.
We are doing our small part in building a cohesive community by creating conversations that
refocus our attention on our similarities. We are bringing people together; replacing judgment
with understanding. Perspective is powerful.
We want to hear from you. At Siouxland Magazine, we feel it is imperative to understand what
the community wants and needs. Share your vision and dreams for Siouxland.
We want you to lean into the conversation and participate in the discussion.
connect@empowering-conversations.com
Facebook @siouxlandmag
Want to be included in our January issue? Contact us soon!
Deadline to reserve space is November 17th. Media Kit at siouxlandmagazine.com.
E m p o w e r i n g
Conversations, LLC
siouxlandmagazine.com

Siouxland Magazine Writers
Megan Fuhrman-Wheeler,
Owner of MEGAN & CO.
Apothecary + Teahouse
Dr. Meghan Nelson &
Dr. Ryan Allen, Co-owners
of Lumin Therapy, LLC,
Integrative Health &
Education Provider
Carly Howrey,
Business
Development
Coordinator for
Downtown Partners
Sydney McManamy,
President of Siouxland
Growth Organization
Tony “Michaels” Michalski,
Writer &
Account Executive
Jackie Paulson,
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor &
500Hr Yoga Instructor
Todd Rausch,
SBDC Regional
Director at WITCC
Amy Buster,
Writer & Editor
Cody Rininger,
Owner of 2B Imperium
& Certified Professional
Fitness Instructorr
Julie Schoenherr,
Sioux City Council
Britton Hacke,
Photographer
Up from the Earth
Leadership Team
Peggy Smith,
Executive Director
for Leadership
Siouxland
Kari Nelson,
Graphic Designer

Editors
Note
As we wrap up the final issue of this year focused on
diversity, we get a little peek into the lives of some
remarkable women in Siouxland. We celebrate women
who have excelled in careers that were typically held
by men. We introduce you to the first female electrician
in Sioux City! Then give some insights from a couple of
ladies making an impact in the media. Plus, we have a
story on the first full time woman officer in the 185th, and
lastly turn our attention to a lady who is a positive force in
the Native American community.
Siouxland Magazine / 7
It has been a remarkable year exploring the diversity that
makes up our community. It is the depth and breadth of
our community’s tapestry that makes us so vibrant and
strong. The thing that stood out to me the most this
year is how many leaders we have wearing all different
kinds of hats. It has been said to me that Siouxland isn’t a
leader’s community, but I disagree. We have leaders here
that know how to roll up their sleeves and get dirty all the
way to leaders who inspire others through their words.
And around here, I think a lot of our leaders do both.
This was the second year that I brought John Maxwell’s
Live2Lead leadership conference to Sioux City as a Certified Maxwell Leader. I was humbled by the
amazing turnout and can hardly wait for next year’s event to continue to support the leadership fabric of
this community. But why wait?
Rolling into 2024, the magazine will be evolving to bring even more resources to those who value personal
growth and business development. It is my commitment to you to build a company that supports your
health and wellness, and personal development, as well as provides business development tools and
resources, plus networking opportunities. We are more than a magazine and with that said, we will be
changing our name. Stay tuned.
Stacie Anderson
Owner of Empowering Conversations LLC & Siouxland Magazine
Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer & Coach
Passionate about Leadership & Communication
Siouxland Magazine is owned and published by Empowering Conversations, LLC. All materials contained in this magazine (including text, content, and
photographs) are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, broadcast or
modified in any way without the prior written consent of Empowering Conversations, LLC or in the case of third party materials, the owner of that content.
You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of this content.

Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /8
Nancy McGinnis,
First Woman Electrician in Sioux City
By Amy Buster
“My dad was an electrician and so was my
uncle. I grew up watching them fix things around
the house, and they were always pulling my brother
aside to show him. My dad was involved in the local
Union and held positions such as the treasurer and
secretary. My mom worked for the phone company
on the chord board, and so did my aunt. I had two
sisters who also worked for the phone company. I
tried it for a while, but I just didn’t like it. I was ahead
of my time. I wanted to be able to do something that
I could completely support myself on my own. I was
a great typist, so I went to WITCC and went through
their secretary program and graduated, but it just
wasn’t for me,” explained Nancy.
As Nancy stated, there just wasn’t any wire splicing
when you were working on the phone boards, or
color-coding splicing and connecting wires when
you were working as a secretary.
“To me, those things were interesting; and they kept
telling me there was no way I was strong enough to
do that kind of work. I found a way to use the tools
to my advantage, and I was able to do the work,”
said Nancy.
She was in her mid-20’s, and ready to take the helm
of her own career voyage, when she was able to
secure an apprenticeship as an electrician. The year
was 1978.
“My dad knew I was the first female electrician in
Sioux City but he did not want me to be in the union.
It was a big deal at the time, and he was upset that I
didn’t make a big deal about it. What I didn’t want to
do was make more waves for any other women that
might consider this as a career. I just wanted to learn
how to do the job, and to do it well.”
At that time IPS, what is now Mid-America, was out
digging ditches and laying underground cable for
new houses coming up in the Siouxland area.
“My dad thought I would quit if I had to be out
digging ditches, but I liked the work. I liked being
outdoors, in the elements. In the early part of the
70’s, prior to my working in the field, my dad was
a big part of the Power Houses being built down at
Port Neal. That brought in electricians from all over
the world, including quite a few electricians from
Nancy McGinnis
New York.” stated Nancy. This became helpful
later when she moved to New York because they
remembered her father and agreed to give her
work.
Once her ditch digging and laying underground
cable was completed, IPS laid her off.
“There were men who had families to support,
and they needed the jobs,” was the response she
received according to Nancy.
She dug in her heels and applied at Kessler
Electric, which is now Thompson Electric today.
Nancy put in more than 8,000 hours of learning
the electrician trades while helping bring houses
up to code in Sioux City, continuing her education
taking electrician classes, and then finally passing
her journeyman’s test.
“A year after I graduated I heard about work in St.
Louis. So, me and three of the guys from the area
headed out to St. Louis. A couple of weeks later
we’d heard there was more work, better work, out
in New York. And the people in charge in New York

emembered my dad, and how good he had been
to them when they were working in Sioux City.”
Working out in the elements, in the city that never
sleeps, was not everyone’s cup of tea, as Nancy
recalls. But it was something she knew she had
to do. She was 32 at the time, it was 1984, and an
absolutely eye awakening experience.
“I lived in Rutherford, New Jersey,
I bought a house near Sandy Hook,
and I worked in New York City.
From my backyard, you could see
the Twin Towers standing proudly
in the background. It was exciting.
My first day there, you’d walk
down the street and see movie
stars stepping out of limousines.
I was helping do the wiring in
the CBS studios building, and
Clint Eastwood stepped into the
elevator I was in. He was going
to KRAFT services to eat lunch.
I did the wiring in Lee Iacocca’s
office in the Pan Am building. We
had to rewire the Reader’s Digest
Corporate Offices every couple of
years,” recalled Nancy.
But, keeping her shoulder to the grindstone, she
did her job, and she did it well. Soon her boss had
her running errands for him, and then she started
to work on the first Fiber Optics network.
“It started at The New York Times, and then we
worked in Trump Towers. You’d go to work in nice
clothes, and then once you got to your site, you’d
change into work clothes. It was a full 12-to-15-hour
day depending on how far you had to commute.
From Staten Island to New York was a 1.5 by ferry,
and then jump on the subway. You didn’t talk to
people. You read a book, or a magazine, and that
was how you started or ended each day,” explained
Nancy.
“I made good money, $3000 a week. I fed my
retirement with that money after taxes and expenses.
You weren’t there to make friends; you were there
to do a job. There was a beginning, middle, and an
end to it, and each piece needed to be done and
done correctly. Not everyone accepted me, and I
was fine with that. I was there to work, to do a job,
and to do it correctly,” said Nancy.
After 10 years in New York, Nancy returned to Sioux
City briefly in 1994, then left for work in Las Vegas
looking for work in the big casinos as an electrician.
She couldn’t get hired for any length of time and
returned to Sioux City a year later. She was hired
to work at Thompson Electric and helped wire all
of the Gateway Buildings in North Sioux City, then
for a while she did some of the electrical work in
the Sioux City Community School System, before
finally finding a home tending to the electrical
needs at Western Iowa Tech Community College. It
was from this job that she retired.
“I worked the 4 a.m. to noon shift at WITCC, because
it was quieter then and you could get more work
done without interrupting a class or a meeting. My
last day of work was December 31, 2018. I worked
for 40 years as an electrician. It just went by in a
flash, from my apprenticeship to retiring.”
Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /9
It wasn’t all fun and games. As Nancy put it, you
needed to be aware of your surroundings at all
times. If people were walking fast, or running, there
was a reason for it. You don’t look around and find
out why; you just flow with the crowds.
“There were tolls everywhere: bridges, tunnels. You
couldn’t walk anywhere alone at night. We’d be
near the hospital on Flatbush Ave., and you’d hear
gunshots all the time. My dad wouldn’t speak to me
for the first year I was out there. I think he was more
scared of what I would tell him,” said Nancy.
Amy Buster has been working as a writer/editor for the
past 25 years. The majority of her work has been writing
and editing for small-town newspapers in Kansas City
and Siouxland.

Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /10
Bridget Breen & Diana Castillo,
Women in Media
By Amy Buster
Bridget Breen, Vice President & General
Manager of KTIV
What made you choose your career path?
“I followed my love of video and started shooting
football games at Bishop Heelan High School. I also
worked with my brother in video productions.”
What advice would you offer to women
considering entering into this field?
“Be your true self. Don’t settle if it’s not what you
want or believe you can do. We all have great and
unique talents and abilities.”
What quality do you consider significant in
the achieving of your career goals?
“Perseverance; always follow up. I never stopped
asking questions or learning the different elements
of the broadcast industry.”
Compared to when you started your career,
how is it different today for women in your
industry?
“There is more female leadership and support for
working moms.”
“My job is to grow, support, and provide
opportunities. I encourage learning all aspects of
the industry to new hires. I was very proud being
the first female news director in Sioux City at KTIV;
and was just as proud when the first female many
years ago made her way to the anchor desk in the
sports department here at the station. You could say
it was intentional because I knew her knowledge,
and interest, so I encouraged it. She did a great job,
and I was so proud!”
Could you share a moment in your career
that has been the most memorable?
“There are so many . . . helping a woman that was
adopted find her dad during a tragedy and uniting
them live during a newscast.”
What do you consider your greatest high
points or triumphs of your career?
“Keeping the viewers informed, making a difference
in the communities we serve and helping people
reach their career goals. And being a proud working
mom in a leadership position and helping other
women advance.”
Bridget Breen
What are your greatest challenges?
“The work pressure I had while raising kids and the
impact that it had on them. They were forced to learn
flexibility and responsibility early on in their lives.
But that also helped shape them into the fabulous
young adults they are today.”
Did the Midwest market make it easier to be
a woman in this career?
“Sioux City is my hometown and having the support
of my family helped me navigate my career. I started
as an intern and worked my way up through several
different leadership positions. I also had great
support from Quincy Media, our previous owners.
The Oakley family gave me a lot of opportunities.
You may encounter bad leadership at times, and I
have experienced that. I always knew from those
experiences that I would be different.”
With your spouse also in this career field,
how has that effected your decisions in your
career path?
“My husband and I met at work at different points
in our career. We love being broadcast journalists
and can relate to the demands and responsibilities
of the career.”

Diana Castillo, News Director, KTIV
When Diana Castillo was hired as the new News
Director at KTIV in July of this year, it was a position
she held before. Prior to her time at KTIV, she had
been the news director at KMEG, and had served as
a News Director in Texas. The fact that the position
hadn’t initially been one held by a woman hadn’t
entered into her decision process that this was the
career she wanted to pursue.
Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /11
“Growing up, I was always interested in learning
what was happening in my hometown. In 1994, I
lived near Northridge, California which was the
epicenter of a magnitude 6.7 earthquake. After that
day, I was glued to watching the coverage. When I
was in high school, I had the opportunity to take a
TV production class. I knew early on that I wanted to
pursue a career in journalism.”
What advice would you give women
considering a career in journalism?
“Entering the field of journalism can be a rewarding
and fulfilling career choice. Remember that your
dedication to truth, accuracy, and storytelling can
have a significant impact.”
What was a pivotal point in your career?
“I was working in my second TV market in Corpus
Christi, Texas, as an evening anchor/reporter. My
News Director and General Manager had noticed
that I was excelling at managing people and larger
projects. Our sister station in Laredo, TX was going
to be launching a newscast on their Fox affiliate and
my GM thought I would be perfect to spearhead
that launch. I was honestly surprised that I was being
considered for such a huge role and promotion. I’d
only been there a year. But my wonderful GM was
so encouraging; I decided to give it a shot. She
believed in me from the start and told me that I had
a future in management.
“The first company I worked for had three female
news directors. I was so young, and being a woman
and outnumbered, it was extremely intimidating.
When I moved to my second News Director Job, it
was a bigger company. They did have more female
news directors, but we were still the in the minority.
Over the years, there’s been a shift to see more
females in the top roles across the industry, which
has been nice.”
What do you consider some of the high
points of your career?
“Anytime one of my reporters would land a job in a
bigger market, it makes me so happy that I was there
Diana Castillo
for them in the beginning of their careers and had
the opportunity to coach them.”
How has being a woman with successful
career and being a mother worked to your
advantage?
“I recently became a mom, and my twins are 18
months old. The funny thing is my career prepared
me for being a twin mom! I consider myself a pro
multi-tasker and organizer. With the many hats that
I wear in the newsroom, I feel that prepared me for
the motherhood chapter.”
Would you do anything differently in your
career knowing what you know now?
“No, everything fell into place perfectly. As a
reporter, I loved covering investigative stories.
If it was a hard news story, I always wanted that
assignment. When I worked in Texas, I worked
along the border so I covered a lot of immigration,
border security, and crime stories. In recent years
journalists have become a target, so we are more
careful with certain assignments. Some of the
assignments I covered years ago, I would never
approve for one of my journalists to cover now.”
Amy Buster has been working as a writer/editor for the
past 25 years. The majority of her work has been writing
and editing for small-town newspapers in Kansas City
and Siouxland.

Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /12
Rhonda Blackburn-Briggs,
First Fulltime Woman Officer at the 185th
By Amy Buster
What made you choose this career?
“I’d loved to say it was for patriotism, but honestly, it
was the early 1980’s and the economy was bad, there
weren’t many jobs. I had a general/studies degree
from the University of Iowa and no work experience.
The air guard was hiring traditional guard positions,
and my boyfriend and I joined together. We attended
basic training and then attended the once-a-month
drill weekends. I didn’t purposely enter a male
dominated career. I simply needed a job, and the
185th was hiring. At the time I joined the 185th, the
unit personnel were about 13 percent female. In 2023,
the statistics are about 20-21 percent female which is
still not close to the 50 percent male/female ratio in
general population.”
Rhonda during a family visit with her uncle Robert
Reimer who served in WWII.
What advice can you offer women interested
in this career field?
“My advice to young women and women in general
who enter the military is to be yourself and be ready
to stand up for yourself and be supportive of other
women. Stand with other women. If you succeed, be
ready to give advice and lend a hand to other women.
You don’t need to act like a man, just be yourself. Do
the best job you can. Ask questions when you don’t
understand. The military is all about ‘the team’ so be
part of the team.”
What do you consider some of the
monumental decisions in your career that
helped you get to where you are today?
One of the most important decisions during my career
was taking chances. Playing small and staying in the
safe spot doesn’t get you far. Apply for a job that seems
bigger than you’d planned. Speak up in meetings. Make
your point of view heard. One a’ha moment for me was
when I began to understand that people in command
positions were people I knew. They may have had more
education or time in the job, but they were just people.
The longer I was in the job, the more I realized they
were people just like me. That opened up the idea that
I could one day be in that position, too.
Another crucial decision I made was to take advantage
of the educational benefits. I finished my 185th Air Guard
career and I finished my doctorate in education. The
additional degrees opened the door to teaching at
Western Iowa Tech, which became my next career. I
taught psychology for 18 years.
Compare today to when you started your
career. How is it easier or more difficult for
women to succeed?
Today it’s more accepted for a female to be in charge.
It’s more acceptable for a female to call out sexism.
When I first became a flight commander/Second
Lieutenant there
was an older guy
getting ready
to retire. I had
just become his
supervisor. I was
probably young
enough to be his
daughter. He said,
‘You’re lucky I’m
retiring because I
would never work
for a woman.’ I
smiled and said,
‘Well, then I guess
we’re both lucky’.”
Scott & Rhonda Briggs at
Rhonda’s final Officer’s Dining
Out 2004.

Rhonda had the honor of escorting VP Gore to
Air Force 2 in January 1999.
What was the highest point of your career?
The greatest part of this career is working as a team. It
may sound hokey, but it is a wonderful thing when
you work with quality people, and trust each other.
Sure, there were bumps, but I enjoyed my career at
the 185th. I was conflicted when I retired in 2004. My
twin boys were in kindergarten, and it was just too
much of a struggle with my husband running a small
family business and me in the military. I loved my job,
especially as the Communications Flight Commander.
But those were also some busy times for Scott, my
husband, and the boys, between out-of-town summer
camps, training sessions, and conferences. During
guard drill weekend, Scott was in charge for two full
days, but they had some great adventures.
Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /13
Could you share a moment that has been
important in your career?
One of the most memorable moments for me was on
09/11/2001. The entire upper echelon of the 185th
command was in Washington DC. They were making
arrangements for the 185th to move from F16 fighters
to KC135 tankers. When the second plane hit the
towers, all of us middle management officers got
together and talked about what the unit needed to do.
We started getting calls from higher level command.
One moment that burned into my memory was when I
was sitting in the Command Post which was unusual for
me. But that day was not usual in any way. I took a call
and the phone ID read “WADS.” I didn’t immediately
understand who that was, and passed the call to a pilot
who was acting as part of the command in the absence
of the unit commanders. WADS is the Western Air
Defense part of NORAD.
Rhonda and other 185th members at a local public
service event.
What was it that kept you going in your
career?
The reason I kept going is because I enjoyed the work
and my husband was supportive of my career. I had
a few special mentors. My first mentor was LTC Dick
Lillie. He believed in me and my ability to be a leader.
He had a sense of humor, but he also expected me
to work hard. He believed in me when I didn’t believe
in myself. His support was pivotal to my early career.
I had other great mentors along the way, including
LTC Larry Harrington and COL Tom Considine. All of
my mentors at the unit were men since there were no
full-time female officers at the base before me. I was
the first full-time female officer on the base.
Rhonda (2nd from left) with other 185th Officers during a
military award ceremony.
Amy Buster has been working as a writer/editor for the past 25
years. The majority of her work has been writing and editing
for small-town newspapers in Kansas City and Siouxland.

Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /14
Susan Barta, Woman Advocate & Educator
By Amy Buster
Susan C. Barta, or Susie as she is known to
her family and friends, was a fighter from the
beginning. Born during a blizzard, 3 months premature
at just 3 pounds 12 ounces, she was also a thriver. Maybe
it was that experience that taught her how to make an
arrival and hold an audience.
Susan comes from a long line of activists and educators.
Her mother, Reva DeCora Barta, a member of the Ho-
Chunk Nation, passed along bravery, leadership, and
honor. Leading by example, Reva had her daughter by
her side during the formation of AIM and during some
of the most trying times for indigenous peoples’ fight
for equality and freedom. Her father, George Barta, a
member of the Yankton-Sioux and a proud Catholic,
taught her strength through community involvement
and understanding of the law. George was pivotal in
starting many grassroots organizations that helped
build the leaders of today. He started the Region VII
American Indian Council, which officially began in 1972
and continues to thrive today where it is known as the
American Indian Council Employment and Training
Program. That program is housed in the Iowa WorkForce
building locally but has four other locations including an
office in Kansas City, Missouri. Susan continues to carry
on her father’s work with that organization. George was
a union leader and community activist. He was on the
scene of several contentious actions where workers had
to stand up for their rights. Many times, Susie was by his
side or in the crowd. She learned from the bottom up
that she had a responsibility to care for her community
and stand up for her rights.
One pivotal moment in her memory
was in 1973, when Susan was at the
takeover of Wounded Knee. “Chief
Fool’s Crow looked at me and said,
‘You must learn the white man’s
world, and use that to empower the
Indian world.’”
Susan Barta
Even as her family was involved in advancing civil
rights, Susan felt the sting of racism first hand while
she attended Isabella Sloan School in Morningside.
She learned to balance the stereotypes hurled at
her with the truth. She formed strong bonds and
friendships despite the attempted bullying. Susan
graduated from East High in Sioux City in 1975. She
took her experience into the workforce, continuing
to build bonds of community with everyone she
met. Susan has leadership that transcends her
surroundings. She is equally confident speaking with
people on skid row, in board rooms, or the highest
levels of government.
Professionally Susan started selling advertising at
the union hall at the age of 13. She learned office
etiquette and business planning. Her parents
reinforced that work ethic. There was always a thread
of activism. Susan has been a community services
coordinator aka van driver, librarian, bingo caller,
Executive Director of Native American Alcohol
Treatment Program, a cook, General manager of a

hotel, College recruiter, owned her own cleaning
service, and on and on. Her diverse employment
history put her in touch with a myriad of people In
all situations and taught her to respect people where
they are and to help them improve.
Building a community starts at home and progresses
out into a neighborhood, organizations, cities,
counties, and beyond. Volunteering is crucial to that
process. Susan has served on numerous boards,
committees, and commissions. To name a few of
her accomplishments: She was on the first Sioux
City Mayor’s youth commission. She is a founding
member of Woodbury County Drug Court and served
as a Judge until 2012. She served on the Sioux City
Human Rights commission for two terms. She was
appointed to the Woodbury County Commission for
at Risk Youth. Served as Treasurer, Vice President, and
eventually three consecutive terms as board President
of the Community Action Agency of Siouxland. She
was asked to join the Iowa Legal Aid Corporate Board
and acted as board secretary for several years.
In many cases, services
exist but those in need
can’t locate them on
their own, Susan helps
to light the path. Her
more than 60 years
of community service
make her a living history
resource. She connects
lost family members with
their families. This isn’t
knowledge you can get
from reading a book,
it comes from a life of
service and meeting
community members where they live. Although she
is mostly retired, she is working on several books
and short stories. She delights audiences as a
motivational speaker and operates as a consultant to
many organizations. No matter where she goes, she is
greeted from across crowded rooms or parking lots
with accolades of, “Susie Barta is that you?” and then
she stops to talk. If you see her out in the community,
feel free to say hello.
Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /15
Years of community involvement and
understanding available resources
as well as applicable laws keeps
her phone ringing. She frequently
gets calls from community members
in crisis, organizations looking for
direction or understanding and so on.
She receives calls from Tribal leaders,
business leaders, and government
leaders. One of those calls came in
July of 2021 from the Iowa Supreme
Court Access to Justice Commission,
asking her if she would be willing
to join. The commission is a project
close to her heart because it focuses
on bringing equal justice to all. Her
projects with the commission focus
on Veterans, the Iowa Law Library,
but touch aspects of other social and
economic barriers that effect Iowans.
They are bridging the gap to legal
services.
Amy Buster has been working as a writer/editor for the
past 25 years. The majority of her work has been writing
and editing for small-town newspapers in Kansas City and
Siouxland.
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Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /16
Gallery 103 and 3 Rivers Art Gallery
By Terri Parish McGaffin
Five new artists have joined Gallery 103 and 3
Rivers Art Gallery this year. Although they are new
members of the artists’ collectives, they are not new
to making art. They are Native Americans, and while
their artistic voices speak of their heritage, they are five
distinctly talented artists.
Henry Payer is a Ho Chunk artist, born in Sioux City,
nationally recognized and widely exhibited. Making
art is his life’s work, his compositions are bold and
contemporary. Each work offers a visual narrative
of symbols and voices from American consumer
society that reconfigures history, references the
altered landscape or the identity of a portrait. Henry
represents the work of artists seeking to expand the
range and voice of their visual expression and cultural
representation, while attending to concepts and forms
of tradition.
SunRose IronShell is a contemporary artist and
designer. She is Sicangu and Oglala Lakota of the
Titowan Band of the Oceti Sakowin. She breaks the
stereotypes of what America wants native art to be,
Ernest Ricehill and Savannah Anderson with their photos.
and has been an advocate of Indigeneity throughout
her life. She has received prestigious awards and is
featured in the documentary film “Woman Of The White
Buffalo.” As a Ledger artist, she takes the traditional
form of documentation and reflects a narrative of how
Indigenous people are living.
Photographer and Graphic Designer Savannah
Berlyn Anderson (Ricehill) is a Winnebago Tribal
Member with a culture that encompasses both Omaha
and Chickahominy roots.
Artwork by SunRose IronShell.
Her passion for photography was kindled as a child
when her father gave her a camera, igniting a lifelong
love affair with capturing moments through the lens.
In documenting the untold stories of her tribe and
preserving the ephemeral beauty of nature, Savannah
believes that photography has the ability to shape
perceptions, influence hearts, and spark meaningful
conversations.

Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /17
“Seeing Double,” collage on book cover by Henry Payer.
Savannah’s father, Ernest Ricehill, is HoChunk and
Omaha, a talented curator, exhibit designer, and
photographer. He served as Curator at the Sioux City
Art Center in the 1980s, the only Native American art
curator at that time. He played a significant role in
designing and curating the Special Native American Art
Exhibit of the Nebraska Arts Council and contributed
to the Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bi-Centennial
Commission. He captured the essence of the urban
Native American experience in his project, “Moccasins
On Pavement - The Urban Indian Experience: A Denver
Portrait Photographic Exhibit.”
Omaha Nation member Ed Encinas teaches high
school Art and beginning band at UmoNhoN Nation
Public School. He takes the ledger art form in new
directions with paintings on old cheques, sheet music,
and other pages from history. Often of local origin,
these documents lead to conversations about our
common history.
To share their artworks with the community, and in
celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the
galleries are hosting the “New Artist Showcase” on
November 17 from 5 to 8 PM in the HoChunk Centre at
600 4th Street in Sioux City. Guests are invited to meet
the artists, share fine cuisine, and experience the art.
Artwork by Ed Encinas.
Terri Parish McGaffin has been an artist and
educator in the community for many years, she
has a studio in Gallery 103.

Inclusive Peek – Yesica Saldana
What challenges have you experienced in
Siouxland?
I experienced challenges, obstacles, and uncertainty at
a young age. However, in the Siouxland area, one of the
challenges I have seen is that people of color and diverse
cultural backgrounds often do not get the job advancement
opportunities they deserve despite our advances to create
more inclusive workplaces. Being a Hispanic woman in
America is both an honor and a challenge; we care for our
people and work tirelessly to do what must be done to help
each other. Our life experiences and education can help
create a better world for all of us, where our differences are
not viewed as a threat but as an asset.
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 21
How has Siouxland been welcoming?
Siouxland is a welcoming community; we have come a
long way. Siouxland provides many multicultural events
that promote belonging and inclusion. I invite everyone to
participate in Welcoming Week, a national campaign that
celebrates the work in communities to become welcoming
places for all launched by Welcoming America.
What do you want the people of Siouxland to know?
I want the people of Siouxland to know that if there is cultural
awareness in Siouxland, there is awareness in my home state
Yesica Saldana
of Nebraska. In return, that awareness can spread worldwide. This
can be fulfilled by creating spaces that offer diversity, inclusion,
and job advancement opportunities. I invite you all to get to know
each other with that intention as we continue to celebrate and
acknowledge our cultures.
Inclusive Peek – In Spanish
¿Qué desafíos ha experimentado en Siouxland?
He experimentado desafíos, obstáculos e incertidumbre
desde una edad temprana. Sin embargo, en el área de
Siouxland, uno de los desafíos que he visto es que las
personas de color y de diversos orígenes culturales a
menudo no obtienen las oportunidades de avance laboral
que merecen a pesar de nuestros avances para crear lugares
de trabajo más inclusivos. Ser una mujer hispana en Estados
Unidos es a la vez un honor y un desafío. Nos preocupamos
por nuestra gente y trabajamos incansablemente para
hacer lo que se debe hacer para ayudarnos unos a otros.
Nuestras experiencias vividas y nuestra educación pueden
ayudar a crear un mundo mejor para todos nosotros, donde
nuestras diferencias no sean vistas como una amenaza sino
como una ventaja..
¿Cómo ha sido la recibida de Siouxland?
Siouxland es una comunidad acogedora; hemos recorrido un
largo camino. Siouxland ofrece muchos eventos multiculturales
que promueven la pertenencia y la inclusión. Invito a todos a
participar en Welcoming Week, una campaña nacional que
celebra el trabajo en las comunidades para convertirse en lugares
acogedores para todos lanzada por Welcoming America.
¿Qué quiere que sepa la gente de Siouxland?
Quiero que la gente de Siouxland sepa que, si hay conciencia
cultural en Siouxland, también la hay en mi estado natal de
Nebraska. A cambio, esa conciencia puede extenderse por todo
el mundo. Esto se puede lograr creando espacios que ofrezcan
diversidad, inclusión y oportunidades de avance laboral. Los
invito a todos a conocernos con intención mientras continuamos
celebrando y reconociendo nuestras culturas.

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 22
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Small Business Spotlight
Pure Home Health
By Amy Buster
Pure Home Health is located at 2018 Indian
Hills Drive in Sioux City. Joe Donnelly is the
gentleman to speak to for helping you and your
families live a clean and healthy life.
“Rick Cappadonna started the Carico line of products
that Pure Home Health is now bringing to our
community back in 1967. He saw your home as being
the one place you needed to feel safe and taken
care of; he started to design products and systems
to keep your home safe from pollutants. Water’s
important, sleep is important, and air is important …
especially if you have little ones,” shared Joe.
However, Rick’s approach to dealing with and
eliminating the problem of toxins, pollutants,
bacteria, and VOC (volatile organic compounds)
wasn’t a one size fits all approach.
“We want to make it so that regardless of whether
they’re getting a glass of water at the sink, or taking
a shower in the bathroom, the water they are using is
clean, and safe, that they are completely protected,”
stated Joe.
That product is a water purification system that does
not run on electricity. So, if your power goes out,
which can happen up here during storms, then you
don’t lose your safe water supply.
“That water purification
system can be designed
to fit an apartment’s
needs, or an entire
home’s. Regardless of if
we’re dealing with rural
water, or well water,
if you call and make
an appointment, we
can come out, take a
water sample, have the
sample set to the lab,
and in a short amount
of time, see what kind
of pollutants we are
Water filters
dealing with, and then
design a system built specifically to deal with and
eliminate it. We want to take the time to educate our
customers as to what their specific health concerns are
with their water supply, and then to give them the best
recommendations to fit their needs,” said Joe.
The world has been growing and changing for years.
Today’s water supply is not the crystal-clear streams
and rivers supplying our aquifers of the past.
“Pharmaceuticals are showing up in tests, such as blood
thinners. For people with certain health conditions,
ingesting that could be fatal,” warned Joe.
If your water is starting to taste funny, or different, or
smell different, Joe advises that you have it tested.
When it comes to addressing the question of quality
of sleep, and cleanliness of your sleeping area,
Joe suggests considering a grounded mattress or
grounded mattress topper.
“We worked with the American Chiropractic Association
and the Better Sleep Council in order to design this
system. We knew we wanted to be the most advanced
sleep system on the market,” said Joe.
Platinum Mattress on box feather.

Air purification systems are different than air filter
systems that are available on Amazon, or at local
department stores. Air filter systems only filter out
particulates, dust, and pet hairs. Air purification systems
filter out dust, particulates, and pet hairs; however,
they also filter out toxins and pollutants.
“The problem with lead paint of years past wasn’t
that the children were chewing on parts of a home
or building painted in the paint, they were inhaling
the particles as the paint broke down over the years
and turned into microscopic particles that they were
inhaling,” explained Joe.
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 23
An air purification system will stop that from happening
with the pollutants that we are faced with today.
Carico New Air Filter.
Researching with these two organizations, Carico
produced the Grounding Mattress and Grounding
Mattress Topper. Grounding is a technique that has
been around for many years. It is a verb meaning your
body making a connection directly with the Earth.
“Walking barefoot in the grass or on the beach is the
best way to explain it. Our bodies were designed
and made to connect with the Earth. We were all
made that way, just like the plants and the animals.
When you can find a way to ground for an extended
period of time, longer than 10 to 15 minutes, those
benefits start to accumulate in your body. Once you
start doing this for extended periods of time your
body goes into a healing state. Your organ systems
are working better, your stress levels are reduced,
and it’s reducing inflammation. We’ve been able to
help people get off of their blood pressure meds
over time,” said Joe.
And finally, there is the obstacle of keeping the air
we breathe clean in our homes.
“People today aren’t aware of how badly polluted
the air is inside their homes. We are in an age where
we’re building such well-insulated homes and
buildings that the problem is that the bad air that
is in them have no way to get out. We continue to
breathe it in and we’re unable to get the fresh, clean
air that we need,” explained Joe.
The medical facts back it up. In early 2000, one in
15 children suffered from Asthma. Today, that ratio is
down to one in four.
“An air purification system acts as the lungs of a house.
It takes in the polluted air, filters out the pollutants,
and pushes out fresh, clean air. If you don’t have
something filtering out these toxins and pollutants,
you are now the lungs of your home,” stated Joe.
If you’re interested in learning how to help keep your
home safe, and a cleaner environment to dwell in, stop
in and see Joe at Pure Home Health.
“Our phone number is listed on our Facebook Page,
Google us, or just come out to the store to talk, and we
can arrange things there face-to-face. Don’t be afraid
to reach out and call. We want you to be healthier
and live longer. I don’t want to say we want to be oldfashioned.
We want this to be the new fashion. We
want to build relationships with our customers, so that
they know they can trust us. At Pure Home Health we’re
family, and we want our customers to be a part of that.”
Amy Buster has been working as a writer/editor for
the past 25 years. The majority of her work has been
writing and editing for small-town newspapers in
both the Kansas City Metro area and the Siouxland
Community.
Siouxland Magazine is Committed to
Supporting Siouxland’s Local Small
Businesses and Nonprofits.
We have a platform,
and we want to share it with you.
Get in front of the community by joining
Stacie on a Facebook Spotlight.
Get the details by scanning
the QR code or visit
siouxlandmagazine.com.

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 24
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Nonprofit Spotlight
Siouxland Sleep Out
By Amy Buster?????????????????????????????????????????
Siouxland Sleep Out and Hope Street of Siouxland Helping the Homeless
On any given night in the
Siouxland community, 250-300
people are homeless; more than
25 percent of those homeless are
Veterans. They are people in need of
shelter, clothing, food, and a pathway
to survive and thrive.
For 19 years, the first weekend
in November has been when the
community of Siouxland steps up to
help the homeless in the area through
the Siouxland Sleep Out event. Michael
J. “Mike” Wood cofounded the event
to raise money to help the homeless,
and to use the money to help with
substance abuse and mental illness
needs of the homeless. This was the first
Sleep Out with Mike not in attendance,
as he passed away February 10th this
year. But his message and conviction
live on through other people and
organizations.
One of the organizations assisting
with the Sleep Out this year was Hope
Street of Siouxland.
“Through the Sleep Out event, area
agencies such as the Warming Shelter,
the Gospel Mission, the Soup Kitchen,
and Hope Street of Siouxland focus
attention and bring awareness
to the homeless situation in the
Siouxland area. This year, we met
on Friday, November 3rd, at Cone
Park. The Gospel Mission provided
chili, the Soup Kitchen brought
soup and Jimmy John’s supplied
the cookies.” shared Sara Johnson
from Hope Street of Siouxland.
Families came out and slept in
tents or attempted to build shelters
of their own to spend the night in
Hope Street of Siouxland
1308 Nebraska Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51105
(712) 560-2253
Shelter built at Siouxland Sleep Out for the shelter competition.
at the park. A prize was given to a
family with the best shelter.
“It’s an attempt to bring awareness,
although on a small scale, as to what
a person who is homeless has to
deal with and overcome. They have
to make their own dry, safe, warm
place to sleep each night, and to be
able to find food. Joe Tidwell, with
the warming shelter, added another
aspect to the event this year. Those
who chose to participate in the
great cook-off were provided with
food staples that people get from
the food pantry, and then tasked
with creating a meal from those
items. The gentleman who writes
the Sioux City Food Blog judged
and decided the winning meal. No

one knew what the secret ingredients were going to
be, other than your their ingenuity,” continued Sara.
Overcoming homelessness is not simply a case of
going out and getting a job, or pulling yourself up
by your bootstraps. Some people become homeless
as young as age 12 due to leaving an unsafe home
environment. Life on the street is not good, but it
may serve as a destination to leave a trauma filled
environment. Some people may become homeless
later in life not due to intentional bad decisions, but
had a spouse who fought cancer, and were left with
medical bills that left them without enough funds to
then take care of themselves.
“If you don’t have a safe, dry, warm place to stay that
you can go to every night, that you are in charge of and
you take responsibility for, then that is our definition of
homeless. If you’re surfing from one couch to the next,
at some point, those couches are going to run out.
Then you don’t have a stable living environment. We
deal with men who live at Cook Park during the week,
and then after the first of the month may have save
some money, or from pan-handling have rounded up
enough money, they go book a hotel room for 3, 4,
5 days. For those days they have a safe, warm place
to stay, a pillow to lay their head on, and a shower
available to them. But after those days, then it’s back
to the park to live,” stated Sara.
Hope Street was founded in 2019 with the goal of
connecting the community through innovation and
collaboration, the end result being an inclusive,
successful continuum of care, enabling the program to
reach those suffering from homelessness, addictions,
and mental illness.
“Hope Street’s mission is to work with the homeless
community and address mental health, physical health,
and substance abuse issues that a person struggling
with, and to identify the barriers to overcome in order
to move on to the next level. For some people that
is finding employment, for others it is being able to
meet their own medical needs. The participants in our
program sit down with us to take a true inventory of
what is needed in order to truly help them, and then
we get their commitment to do those things. Each
situation is based on age, need, and where people
are in their lives. There isn’t a cookie cutter system or
application,” said Sara.
When a person is participating in the Hope Street
program, they must attend either AA or NA meetings,
find a sponsor, when they are at the point they are
able, seek employment, we help them start to address
and learn how to meet their medical needs, and also
their mental health needs.
“When they start the program, if finding work isn’t
possible yet, we help introduce them to area agencies
where they can volunteer and give back to the
community,” said Sara.
Participating in the shelter competition.
Although a minimum of nine months is all they require as a
commitment, Sara did share that when residents stay with
the program at least 18 months or longer, that is when they
truly start to see lasting changes in their lives.
“People do not start the program with an end date in sight.
We aren’t about simply checking off things on a list that
they are then able to do. We want to instill permanent
changes so that they are aware of how to keep going on a
longer, more stable time period. They need to know that it’s
ok to take a shower every day; they learn that it’s ok to go
outside, and you will still have a safe place when you come
back inside. A person in the program doesn’t complete the
program and leave until they feel that they are ready, and
strong enough to make it on their own,” stated Sara.
To learn more about the organization, and how you might
be able to donate to their needs or volunteer, listen to the
full interview.
Amy Buster has been working as a writer/editor for the
past 25 years. The majority of her work has been writing
and editing for small-town newspapers in both the Kansas
City Metro area and the Siouxland Community.
Siouxland Magazine is Committed to
Supporting Siouxland’s Local
Small Businesses and Nonprofits.
We have a platform,
and we want to share it with you.
Get in front of the community by joining
Stacie on a Facebook Spotlight.
Get the details by scanning
the QR code or visit
siouxlandmagazine.com.
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 25

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating /26
Flickboards
Iowa’s West Coast Initiative Feature
Business Owner: Jim Braunschweig
Business Name: Flickboards
Main Products/Services: Board games
Location: 921 E Amidon St., Sioux Falls, SD
Connect: Flickboards.com
Short description of your business:
Flickboards seamlessly unite sports and play with home decor
to spark connections and lasting memories. Our mission
is to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds to
express their passion for sports and their favorite teams in a
uniquely interactive way; bringing them together with sportsinspired
play. Guided by our “Play It. Display It.” philosophy,
we redefine gaming by creating products that seamlessly
combine entertainment with home decor. This dual-purpose
approach ensures that our games remain more visible and
prominently displayed, allowing for more shared connections
and inspiring more spontaneous play.
What motivated you to start your business?
Flickboards didn’t begin as a business concept—it started as a
Christmas gift idea for my soccer-loving 4-year-old son, Brady.
With my father’s help, we crafted the very first Flickboard in
December 2014. When we shared it with friends and family,
and witnessed how much they also enjoyed playing the
game, I realized we had something special in our hands. What
drives me is the way I view our business. To me, Flickboards
are more than a mere game or wall decor. It embodies the
immense power of passion and the thrilling journey of
pursuing dreams—a message I hope to convey not only to my
children but also to anyone open to the idea that embracing
challenges and perseverance can lead to truly extraordinary
and fulfilling experiences.
What’s unique about your business?
What sets Flickboards apart are their patented dual-purpose
use as stylish wall decor for your living space, office, and fan
cave. With more than 30 officially licensed collegiate teams,
our Flickboards cater to a diverse fan base, offering an
experience that’s not just engaging but also visually stunning;
allowing people to celebrate and show off their team spirit in
a brand new way - “Play It. Display It, ” with Flickboards.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to
overcome as you’ve grown your business?
Navigating growth and scalability has been a significant
challenge for us. Recognizing the need for expertise in scaling
operations, we entered a strategic partnership with Weisser
Distributing in Sioux Falls in April 2022. This collaboration
combines our in-depth understanding of Flickboards
products and our customer base with Weisser Distributing’s
established success in ecommerce, manufacturing, and
distribution. Together, we are working hard to scale our
business and introduce our patented Flickboards products
to a wider audience. Our goal is to transform Flickboards
into a household name within the next three to five years.
What has been your greatest reward?
It’s difficult to choose as there have been so many fulfilling
moments… For example, the positive feedback we
continue to receive from new and old customers alike, to
more recently seeing our Flickboards finally arrive on retail
shelves. However, if I had to choose, it would be the people
I’ve encountered and the wealth of knowledge gained
throughout this experience. From the intricacies of ideation,
prototyping, patenting, trademarking, and licensing to
the complexities of marketing, sales, manufacturing,
distribution, ecommerce, and wholesale operations, every
lesson learned and every person met along the way has
been incredible. This continuous learning journey as an
entrepreneur has not only made our business better, but
also expanded our horizons, making every challenge
worthwhile.
How have you benefited from the startup
community in Sioux City and the region? What
resources did you use?
The startup community in Sioux City played a pivotal role
in our journey. Through events, workshops, and mentorship
programs, we found a supportive environment for
networking and learning. One significant opportunity was
the University of Iowa Venture School program in the fall
of 2015, which collaborated with Western Iowa Tech at the
time. Additionally, events like the Swimming with the Sharks
competition hosted at Briar Cliff and resources provided
by the SBDC, alongside numerous events sponsored by
our robust startup community, the City of Sioux City, and
the Chamber of Commerce, have been invaluable. These
experiences have been instrumental in our growth, offering
both knowledge and connections that have profoundly
influenced our business.
Why is it important for the community to support
startups and small businesses? What more can be
done to help them?
Supporting startups and small businesses plays a pivotal
role in cultivating local talent and driving innovation. By
providing them with mentorship programs, entrepreneurs
can gain valuable insights, navigate challenges, and refine
their business strategies effectively. Additionally, offering
financial education and assistance ensures that these
ventures have a solid understanding of managing their
finances, which is crucial for their long-term sustainability.
I believe discovering and fostering more collaborative
opportunities between established businesses and startups
could further bolster the startup community. Established
businesses can provide mentorship, resources, and market
access to startups, while startups infuse fresh ideas, agility,
and innovation into the business landscape.

What is one thing you know
now that you wish you knew
when starting your business?
One valuable lesson I’ve learned
is that progress takes time, and
there’s no fixed route to success
- however you decide to define it.
Spending excessive time crafting
a ‘perfect’ plan can delay your
start. Action, even when it feels
imperfect, is key. Surprisingly,
many of our significant milestones
weren’t part of the initial plan,
highlighting the importance
of adaptability and seizing
unforeseen opportunities.
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating BeComing / 27 / 27
What advice would you give
to someone looking to start
a business?
Newly packaged Flickboards
on store shelves at Scheels.
Be passionate about your idea but stay flexible. Surround yourself with
a supportive network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs, but also
leaders of established and successful businesses. Embrace challenges
as opportunities to learn and grow, and never underestimate the power
of networking.
How can the community continue to help your business?
The community’s support in spreading the word about Flickboards,
either word of mouth, in-person, or via social media would be
invaluable. Your support in connecting us with potential retail partners
and purchasing our products from these retailers not only benefits them
but also directly contributes to our growth and sustainability. Thank you
so much Siouxland for providing us a wonderful environment to grow
our business, as well as being part of our journey!
What are some future goals for your company?
Our aim is to expand our product line with new sports-inspired games,
making Flickboards accessible and engaging for a wider audience.
We plan to increase our awareness through online and on-the-ground
marketing strategies, ensuring more people discover our unique
product. Strengthening existing partnerships and forming new ones
are crucial steps to broaden our reach, and we’re also re-visiting the
ability to customize your own Flickboard options to offer a personalized
gaming experience. Ultimately, our goal is to establish Flickboards as
a household name within the next three to five years, while staying
focused on our commitment in finding simple yet innovative ways to
bring people together through the universal language of play and
enduring love for sports.
Iowa’s West Coast Initiative (IWCI) is a collaboration between the
economic development organizations in Plymouth, Monona, and
Woodbury counties, and includes the following organizations:
City of Sioux City, Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning
Council, Siouxland Economic Development Corporation, The
Siouxland Initiative, Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation,
Woodbury County, and Monona County. Learn more about IWCI
at www.IAWestCoast.com.
Photos Contributed By Flickboards.

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SBDC – Taking Care of Business
By Todd Rausch
Using a Lean Startup Format to Write Your Business Plan
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 29
As you get ready to plan and launch your
business remember the plan is for you. It is your
plan on where you want to take your business in the
next few years. Focus on what matters to the business
and stay centered on that. This plan should drive your
actions at least at the start. Be prepared to change as
the situation dictates. Like planning a trip, unforeseen
events do happen that cause you to take a detour. Don’t
get hung up on that, simply be prepared to adjust.
Lean Startup Format
You might prefer a lean startup format if you want to
explain or start your business quickly, your business is
relatively simple, or you plan to regularly change and
refine your business plan.
Lean startup formats are charts that use only a handful of
elements to describe your company’s value proposition,
infrastructure, customers, and finances. They’re useful
for visualizing tradeoffs and fundamental facts about
your company.
There are different ways to develop a lean startup
template. You can search the web to find free
templates to build your business plan. We discuss nine
components of a model business plan here:
Key Partnerships
Note the other businesses or services you’ll work with to
run your business. Think about suppliers, manufacturers,
subcontractors, and similar strategic partners.
Key Activities
List the ways your business will gain a competitive
advantage. Highlight things like selling directly to
consumers, or using technology to tap into the sharing
economy.
Key Resources
List any resource you’ll leverage to create value for your
customer. Your most important assets could include
staff, capital, or intellectual property. Don’t forget to
leverage business resources that might be available
to women, Veterans, Native Americans, and HUBZone
businesses.
Value Proposition
Make a clear and compelling statement about the unique
value your company brings to the market.
Customer Relationships
Describe how customers will interact with your business.
Is it automated or personal? In person or online? Think
through the customer experience from start to finish.
Customer Segments
Be specific when you name your target market. Your
business won’t be for everybody, so it’s important to have
a clear sense of whom your business will serve.
Channels
List the most important ways you’ll talk to your customers.
Most businesses use a mix of channels and optimize them
over time.
Cost Structure
Will your company focus on reducing cost or maximizing
value? Define your strategy, then list the most significant
costs you’ll face pursuing it.
Revenue Streams
Explain how your company will actually make money.
Some examples are direct sales, memberships fees, and
selling advertising space. If your company has multiple
revenue streams, list them all.
The SBDC is federally and state funded with the sole
purpose of helping small businesses to succeed! Our
entire purpose is to help you move your business forward.
Todd Rausch, Regional Director for the Small Business
Development Center at Western Iowa Tech Community
College. 712-274-6454 | Todd.rausch@witcc.edu

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating /30

Don’t Miss Out on the Magic
Experience Downtown
By Carly Howrey
T’was one month before the holidays and all
through Downtown, every creature was stirring
as magic was all around! We are so excited for
everyone to experience all the fun Downtown Sioux
City has to offer this holiday season! Early each year,
festive community members come together to discuss
how they’re breathing life and light into the streets of
downtown during the holidays, and this year we expect
it to be bigger and brighter than ever.
One of our biggest events of the year is the Downtown
Sioux City Holiday Lighted Parade. The Holiday
Lighted Parade is special for many reasons. In addition
to being the only lighted parade in Sioux City, what
people usually don’t know is that the parade is a
competition! Each entry is competing for the chance
to win. We recruit secret judges to score each float,
and the winning float receives a cash prize from
Downtown Partners. There are six total winners with
prizes given out to first, second, and third place in the
for-profit and nonprofit categories. The parade is free
to enter and truly is one of the greatest showcases of
community. The parade concludes with Santa Claus
lighting the holiday tree and commemorating the start
of the season! We are so grateful to the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for sponsoring the
parade each year and helping us create core memories
for all ages.
The night of the parade also kicks off the Holiday
Storefront Decorating Competition! Downtown
businesses and surrounding nonprofits create
picturesque winter scenes in their storefronts
throughout November and December. After the
parade, check out each storefront and vote for your
favorite. The storefront with the most votes will receive
a $500 donation to the nonprofit of its choice! To see
all the participating storefronts or to cast your vote, visit
downtownsiouxcity.com.
Last year we introduced
two new furry faces to
the lawn of the Public
Museum – Holly and
Jolly, our holiday polar
bears! They are in front
of the giant holiday tree
ready to greet you with
a smile! Snap a picture
with Holly & Jolly and
tag Downtown Partners
– Sioux City on social
media so we can share
your holiday cheer! We
also encourage you to
visit our holiday displays
in Pearl Street Park, you
may find a photo op or
two.
Carly and Ragan take a
photo with Holly and Jolly.
Throughout the hustle and bustle of the holiday
season, we once again want to stress the importance of
supporting small businesses. The owners are your friends
and neighbors working hard to support their families,
while providing goods and services to you! We have
plenty of small business owners excited to help you find
the perfect gifts for your loved ones this year (and maybe
one or two things for yourself).
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating /31
We always have something exciting happening
downtown, especially during the holiday season. Be
sure to sign up for our weekly E-blast to have all the fun
holiday events sent right to your inbox so you don’t miss
out on the magic of Downtown.
Contributed by Downtown Partners, a non-profit
organization that works with downtown stakeholders to
create a vibrant, expanding downtown. To learn more about
Downtown Partners and stay up to date on downtown
projects and events, visit downtownsiouxcity.com

Council Connection
By Julie Schoenherr
The Urgent Need for Housing: A Solution for Every Budget
Affordable housing, those two words can be
puzzling and not easily explained. ”What is
affordable housing?”, a question I am asked often as a
Council member. My answer is a healthy inventory of
housing at all desired price points. I also need to remind
myself that housing isn’t limited to home ownership,
renting is also an important key to our housing needs.
Technically, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), affordable housing is any housing
that costs an owner or renter no more than 30% of gross
household income, including utilities.
In an increasingly competitive real estate market, the
need for housing at all price levels has reached a critical
point. As cities grow and our youth mature, ensuring
affordable housing options becomes a top priority.
Fortunately, we have local developers who are stepping
up to meet our resident’s needs. City staff and I have
had many meetings with local developers to discuss
and plan ways to fill the need for housing with pricing
that is approachable to first-and-second-time buyers. A
local realtor recently told me that for every one home
sold, up to four additional homes may be positively
affected. Encouraging a variety of homes that fit a variety
of people’s needs can be a helpful tool to keep rent and
home prices competitive, and an essential foundation for
affordability. It’s the necessary building block that spurs
many other forms of development. The importance
of affordable housing may be underrated by some. A
healthy inventory of housing is the first step of healthy
economic development. Without housing - economic
development can become sluggish. In this article, I will
list some of the developments that you may not be aware
of for meeting affordable housing needs in Sioux City.
Affordable housing is not just a matter of economics, it
comes with countless benefits for all members of the
Sioux City community. It provides stability and security
for families, creates jobs in the trades, promotes
economic growth, and contributes to a vibrant
community. Recognizing the need, our local developers
are increasingly focused on constructing housing at all
price levels, ranging from government-subsidized units
to market-rate apartments.
I am very excited to be working with the developer and
city staff on a new development in our Woodbury Heights
neighborhood. The plan is to build 50-60 approachably
priced homes capped at the $300,000 price point. These
homes may be considered entry level for some or the
next step home for others. A concept was proposed for a
Northside development that will produce approximately
120 homes at varied price levels. Developers are
constructing small developments planned in several other
areas. We have a handful of homes being built on the East
side of the city off Gordon Drive and a new cul-de-sac off
34th street is platted with eight residential lots that will
be developed as twin-homes for a total of 16 residential
units; a suburban residential development at Eagle Ridge
just off of Singing Hills Blvd includes 81 lots; and last but
certainly not least, there is the Ridge development on
Glenn Ellen Road that will offer 216 apartments.
The City Council has been supportive of a promising
trend that has emerged in Sioux City over the last four to
five years, the repurposing of commercial buildings into
popular apartments and condos. Exciting examples of
successful projects are the Copper Flats, Bluebird Flats,
Badgerow Flats, the former Everett School, the Benson
Building, and several more are under construction. The
former Sioux City Hotel located in the heart of downtown
is under extensive renovation resulting in 70+ apartments
for seniors aged 55+ along with the former Ramada Inn
motel now known as Floyd River Flats is being transformed
into 47 market rate apartments on our Nebraska St.
corridor. The innovative approach of repurposing existing
buildings combined with new construction of singlefamily
homes, twin homes, complete home renovations
for resale, and apartment complexes, Sioux City is tackling
the housing crisis head-on.
Keeping an open mind to include new low-income
housing is another necessity that must not be overlooked.
The process to identify land and a willing partner to
construct the homes was not an easy one. Located on
the city’s former West Middle School site, Isabella Square
will showcase 11 new single-family homes in the next
couple of years. Funded with the city’s ARPA funds, new
infrastructure to support the HUD development has been
designed and the developer has plans to begin grading
within the next year.
The urgent need for housing is real but should not
deter potential buyers, as creative solutions are being
implemented to address every budget. I believe the topic
can be tackled effectively, one step at a time. I intend to
continue working towards creative ideas that will produce
effective solutions.
Julie Schoenherr, City Council of Sioux City
jschoenherr@sioux-city.org
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 33

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 34
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Creating Community
Siouxland Growth Organization aims to continue
progress in our community through collaboration
and fostering engagement of those who live here.
It is amazing to me how many people claim that there is
“nothing going on in Siouxland.” Oh my goodness - there
is so much to do and experience in our community!
Future Foundation – Siouxland GO
By Sydney McManamy
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 35
Those of us involved in SGO firmly believe that those
who feel a part of our community are more likely to want
to stay here and promote progress. If you have a friend,
coworker, employee, or family member that wants to
find their place in this wonderful place we call home, feel
free to send them our way! We make sure to introduce a
new nonprofit each month so our members can engage
with their passion projects outside of their career. Every
month, we strive to create opportunities for personal
and professional networking to help grow our members’
social spheres in town. Siouxland GO tries to bring people
together to make our community a better home for all.
If you or someone you know wants to get involved in the
community but are not sure where to begin, feel free to
stop by any of our general meetings! We will be holding
our November general meeting Wednesday, November
15 from noon to 1 p.m., at the Siouxland Chamber of
Commerce. For more information on our upcoming
events, please check us out on Facebook!
SGO Members attend YP
Iowa Conference.
If you’re interested in
becoming a member
of Siouxland GO, there
are many opportunities
to affect change in our
community. Check out our
website at SiouxCityGO.
com to learn more
about Siouxland Growth
Organization and the
committees you can get
involved in. Please reach
out to any of the board
members if you want to
start a dialogue about the
benefits of membership
for yourself or your
employees.
2023 SGO Board
This winter, we are thrilled to announce that you have the
opportunity to celebrate the end of 2023 in style! You can
“Fall In Love With Siouxland” at our Wedding-Themed
Murder Mystery Reception on Friday, December 29, hosted
in partnership with LAMB Arts Regional Theatre. Join us for
a night of drama, great food, conversation, and dancing!
Make sure to check out our Facebook page to purchase your
tickets for an amazing evening.
Siouxland Growth Organization was formed in 2002 to
encourage young professionals to become active members
of the Siouxland community. Our goal is to attract and retain
young professionals in the area by providing insight into
what Siouxland has to offer and how they can get involved in
shaping its future.
Siouxland Growth Organization was formed in 2002 to
encourage young professionals to become active members
of the Siouxland community. Our goal is to attract
and retain young professionals in the area by providing
insight into what Siouxland has to offer and how they can
get involved in shaping its future.
Sydney McManamy, 2023 Siouxland Growth Organization
President.
Photos Contributed by SGO.

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 36

Hot Air
By Tony Michaels
Storage Bins and Memories
I came to a deep realization the other day; I
am most happy while wearing cotton.
Yup. It’s this kind of content that makes you want
to pass over this article and on to the next one with
content rooted in deeper and more life-affirming
information. Recently, I was charged with performing
one of my least favorite household tasks. It’s even
worse than trying to install a garbage disposal or
scrubbing toilets. My Herculean type of challenge was
to find a document in the back storage area behind
our primary bedroom’s closet. This requires looking
in all the storage bins. We have probably spent
more on those containers than I would like to admit.
Green ones denote Christmas decorations, orange
bins mark Halloween decorations we have not put
up in a decade. That dough would have been better
spent on tacos and beer. Boxes are priority level two;
which probably means they belong exclusively to me
and not my lovely wife. It is most likely newspaper
clippings when the Huskers were good at football. Or
that one time before all my swear words where I got a
medal for being an above average altar boy.
In the long discovery process, which unearthed
no special document, I came across a bin which
begat great joy…my old t-shirts! It was better than
a scrapbook or memory on Facebook. When you
devote the money to splurge on amazing wearable
art it leaves an impact. I discovered t-shirts my
buddies and I created in college for intramural sports
and inside jokes. There was the overpriced t-shirt I
got at Kokomos Dance Club in Lake Havasu, Arizona,
on college Spring Break where many pretty girls
turned me down while techno music served as the
cruel soundtrack. Looking back, country music would
have been a better pairing. My family launched a
golf tournament at par 3 courses across the Midwest
and we commemorated that event in cotton. That’s
the only golf contest I ever won. I placed 80th in the
Siouxland Amateur Open. Yup, out of 80, I was the
Oakland A’s of duffers.
It was a dark blue “cotton postcard” from Anyways Bar and
Grill from our honeymoon in Chicago way back when I had
amazing hair! I wonder if I would get a discount if I wear it
to the restaurant? With those financial savings, we could buy
more storage bins.
I have three business suits. I would gladly donate 2 or 3 of
those. Truth is I never really feel comfortable in my own skin
in those. It feels like a costume.
Alas! If you happen to still be reading this, I believe we
have an epiphany! One that the recently departed Jimmy
Buffett would have endorsed on the beach. Do more of the
activities that create joy and happiness for you and in your
life. For me, suits are a sign of respect you give at a funeral,
court appearances, and big weddings of your inner circle.
T-shirts represent chill times and great conversations around
a fire pit with your closest buddies. I can’t remember the
last time my buddies suggested we create a t-shirt design.
Maybe it’s time to bring that tradition back! I can see it now.
A Siouxland Magazine blue tinted shirt reading “I wanted
better content with Tony’s lame article” in big white letters.
I’d buy it. They don’t make that in a suit.
Tony “Michaels” Michalski is an author of “Tacos and
Beer Atmosphere” and former radio broadcaster. He is
also the co-host of the podcast, Starting Conversations
with Stacie and Tony, and is the new Account Executive
for Siouxland Magazine.
Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 37
I probably should not put this evidence in print. I have
more than 100 t-shirts in my closet. Every few months,
I go through them all and donate 5-10 to charity. My
partner in crime for more than 25 years wishes that the
donation number would go up. I just can’t. I just put
one of the storage cotton gems back into rotation.

Siouxland Magazine | Collaborating / 38

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Siouxland Magazine | BeComing / 40
Ask the Therapist
By Jackie Paulson
Send Your
Questions
to the
Therapist.
am pregnant for the first time and overwhelmed about
becoming a new mother. Despite the support I have in my life,
I am feeling isolated and nervous about how my life (and my
body) is already changing and especially related to the inevitable
Q:“I
experience of giving birth. Do you have any suggestions on how
I can cope with this huge adjustment in my life?”
Dear Reader,
Motherhood is an intense and deeply personal
experience, no matter how “normal” it may seem.
Birthing a child and mothering one, is wildly
transformational. The overt changes that occur;
like the physical ones in the body, schedules that
shift, demands that increase, and of course the fact
that there is this new human in your life that you’re
now responsible for raising. The subtle changes
can be even more challenging and more difficult
to notice. The way in which a mother’s worldview
and the view of herself changes, what she believes
to be true about herself, the childhood wounds
that can re-emerge from her own experiences
growing up unbeknownst to her, and ultimately
the way in which most American mothers mother
in isolation. We deem this as “normal” but is very
much the reason why mothers struggle so much
with the process of becoming and then being
a parent. Motherhood can be a beautiful time in
one’s life - filled with presence, joy, and healthy
growth; but oftentimes because we are trying to
do it without the right support and with an “empty
cup,”putting everyone’s needs before our own, it
can be downright traumatic. But let’s be clear that
this is not what is “normal” for motherhood.
The role of support and community is vital to
the mental health of a mother. And we know that
movement of the body is one of the best ways to
maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
I am focusing this article on a practice called “Prenatal
Yoga,” because it encompasses both strategies of
community and movement as a way to grow within the
changes you are experiencing right now and soon to
come. I interviewed Michelle Vondrak who is a yoga
teacher in our community that specializes in bringing
practices of movement to mothers who are pregnant or
have recently given birth. I hope this helps encourage
you to engage with a community of people who can
understand what you are experiencing and gives you
space to explore your body through movement as you
transition into motherhood
What is Pre/Post Natal Yoga?
Prenatal yoga is a connection to your body and baby
through movement and breath. It provides a space
to prepare your body and mind to journey through
pregnancy and labor. Our bodies were made to give
birth to babies and prenatal yoga gives you the ability
to do so confidently. It also brings together women at a
very transitional time, maybe it’s their first baby or their
fifth, but they are moving into a new time of their life.
Being surrounded with support, knowledge and divine
feminine power creates a bond that follows them into
motherhood.
Postnatal yoga is an opportunity to reconnect and
rediscover your body. Practices are rooted in movement
to strengthen the pelvic floor, build strength across the

chest and shoulders, and most importantly, give
new moms time to themselves. It’s also coming
together in a circle of women who are in the early
days of motherhood. It’s a place to share joys, tears,
frustrations, and laughs. Essentially, it’s a safe space
to land.
What are the benefits of coming together to
practice like this as a group as opposed to
just practicing from a video at home?
There is nothing more powerful than being in a
room with pregnant women doing a prenatal “keep
up” and hearing the sound of their breath in unison.
Without saying anything they are encouraging
each other to move through the sensations they
experience. Keep ups are rooted in kundalini yoga
and are used to mimic a two-minute contraction.
They ride the wave of the feelings together knowing
if they stay focused and trust their breath and their
body, they can move through the sensation even
when their mind might say that they can’t.
Check ins are another benefit to practicing in a
group. It’s a time for moms to share how they are
feeling or anything happening with their bodies
and babies. It’s a place to feel seen and heard by
women going through the same experience.
What are some of the challenges/barriers
you believe there are to mothers accessing
community and this kind of practice?
If they have not done yoga before they may feel
like they can’t go, which is so unfortunate, because
you don’t need to know anything about yoga to
practice prenatal yoga. Second is with the way our
world has been in the last couple years, moms are
concerned about both the health of themselves and
their babies. I know firsthand how scary it is getting
back into the world, but I also know how important
pre/postnatal yoga is for our community.
How has both community and the practice of
movement/yoga supported you in your role
as a mother?
Moms need moms. Doing prenatal yoga through
both of my pregnancies made me feel better and
encouraged a healthy pregnancy. It also gave me
the confidence to face labor without fear. I knew my
body, trusted my breath, and followed my intuition.
It is something that I use on a daily basis as a mother.
What advice do you have for mothers who
have children beyond the infant stage that
are looking for community and movement to
help their mental health?
There are many amazing offerings in our community:
yoga classes, women’s circles, and workshops.
Carving out time for yourself is so vital, we can’t
pour from an empty cup. It can feel scary to reach out
and try new things or make new friends, but we need
to be brave and just do it because motherhood was
not meant to go through alone.
Whatever else you think you might want to
answer or highlight about what/how you
teach?
When I teach I focus on empowering moms through
their breath. I believe your breath is your superpower,
it births babies and can get you through stressful times
as a mother. I also encourage moms to do research,
know what’s happening in their bodies throughout
pregnancy, understand your options around labor
and delivery, be your biggest advocate, and most
importantly, trust your intuition.
If you would like to learn more about what
Michelle offers, catch her on Instagram as @
yogawith_michelle or “Yoga with Michelle”
on Facebook. You can also contact her via
email at mkvondrak@gmail.com.
With love,
Jackie
You can submit your question for “Ask the Therapist”
by visiting jaclynpaulson@gmail.com and sending your
question through the contact page. Please put “Ask the
Therapist” in the subject line.
Jackie Paulson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
in the state of Iowa. It is her belief that every person
has an innate intelligence within them and can
“whole” themselves with the right support. Jackie
offers a holistic and somatic based therapy practice
in Sioux City, IA. Ultimately, she humbly sits with
others in hopes to empower them to seek and
connect into their own deep and sacred wisdom that
resides within. You already have the answers, it is
with the right witnessing and curiosity that the truth
is revealed.
Siouxland Magazine | BeComing /41

Siouxland Magazine | BeComing / 42
The Language of Your Future Self
Health is a Journey
By Megan Fuhrman-Wheeler
Days go by slowly, and the weeks go by fast;
look up and the year is almost gone. This fastforward
motion can also happen with health-related
issues that need to be addressed. We may see it,
acknowledge it and set a goal for change; soon our
goals and deadlines come and go, and we sink deeper
into our issues and further away from any sense of
control and or ability to change them. Our personal
integrity becomes damaged as we sink deeper into
the issue and away from hope. Typically, the quick
fixes come into play next. We begin covering up the
symptoms without actually doing the work to remove
them. Soon we are so separated from the beginning
issues that it is hard to know where to start again.
These downward spirals are common and changes
in health are a part of life. It is up to us to devote the
time it takes to listen to our bodies. If you have tried,
failed, and lost hope, you are not alone. Most of us
have been there at some point. However, life is ever
evolving, and something you may not have been
ready to accomplish in the past, you may be prepared
to tackle now. If you are interested in exploring the
possibility of reaching your health-related goals, let’s
explore them now.
When it comes to changes and commitments, I like to
start with the end in mind. I encourage you to find a
pen and paper.
On this paper create a future date. A date where you
see yourself and your health-related goals meeting
their full potential. Is it a month from now? Is it three
months? How about a year? Only you will know.
Next, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Try
to envision what this future self looks like and feels
like. How do you feel, sleep, and move? Are you
energetic and lively? Where are you located? Are
you in your home, outside, or on vacation? After you
take a moment with this, please journal about what
you have envisioned and write it from your futureself
perspective. Journal as if you were writing on this
date you have set in the future.
Then follow up with any advice your future-self has to
give to your current-self. What is it that only you will
know when your goals will be complete? If you were
to receive a phone call from your future-self today,
what would that phone call sound like? What advice
would you receive?
Next, on fresh sheet of paper:
• Write down your current goals.
• Write down what has inhibited you from
accomplishing these goals.
• Debunk these previous inhibitions. Ask yourself
why those things have stopped you in the past.
Then write down why they will not stop you
this time.
• What is it costing you to not begin this goal?
(Example: cost of Dr. bills per month, massages,
physical therapy, time with friends and family)
Then take that number times 12. Once you
have that number, you know what your inability
to begin is costing you: financially, physically,
and emotionally.

It is easier to sit in discomfort and our current
state of pain than it is to move toward the fear
and the uncertainty of change. However, if we
have the whole picture; the reasons why we are
not accomplishing our goals and what not acting
is costing us, we are more apt to hold ourselves
accountable and live with integrity.
Alright, so where do you begin? You have your
goals set. You see yourself accomplishing them in
the future, but what is the next step? As an herbal
practitioner, I was taught that healing always begins
in the gut. The digestive tract is the source of our
nutritional intake and the ability to remove our
waste products. Every person has a different set of
requirements which feed and support their body.
The digestive system is the best way to begin to
listen to the individual language of your body and
start taking steps forward for personal wellness.
What is the best way to discover your individual
nutritional needs? A food diary is an option. With a
food diary you can document what you are eating
and how those foods make you feel physically and
emotionally. After a few days of this documentation,
you will begin to see patterns. It is in those patterns
where you will begin to understand how your body
talks. For example, if you receive sinus congestion
the following day after eating ice cream, your body is
talking. If you have brain fog after eating lunch, your
body is talking. It is up to you to listen. The more you
can identify what is nourishing and what is harmful for
you personally, the more empowered you become in
your health.
Wellness and health have so much to do with making
time, listening, and moving towards those goals of
your future self. It takes time to learn the language of
health. Pay attention and see what your body has to
say; you may be surprised.
Megan Fuhrman-Wheeler, CCH, CCN, Flower Essence
Practitioner
She is the owner of MEGAN & CO. Herbal Apothecary
and Clinic. It is Megan’s hope to spread herbal
knowledge to rural America in a safe, constructive, and
accessible manner. She has been a trained and working
herbalist for the past ten years.
Trained at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism
Certified Clinical Herbalist
Certified Clinical Nutritionist
Certified Flower Essence Practitioner
Photo Credit Megan Fuhrman-Wheeler.
Siouxland Magazine | BeComing /43
If you
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so are
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customers
Advertise with us!
Contact
Tony Michalski: 712-490-1145
adsales@empowering-conversations.com
1119 Historic 4th Street, Suite 102
Sioux City, IA 51101

Siouxland Magazine | BeComing / 44
Living Lumin
Dr. Meghan Nelson & Dr. Ryan Allen
Over the nearly 20 years I have been a
practicing physical therapist, I have worked
in a variety of settings, from home health to
outpatient orthopedics, and from pediatrics
to geriatrics. I am grateful for my education,
training, skills, and experience to be able to assist
individuals in attaining their heartfelt mission. This
is one of my true passions—sharing what I know with
others. Yet, I am always humbled by what I learn from
my patients and all the little golden nuggets of treasure
they share with me.
For about that same 20 years, I’ve been married to my
husband, and I still at times pinch myself to awake from
this dream that brought a boy from Louisville, Kentucky,
and a girl from Sioux City, Iowa, together to meet in
a cabin in the woods in a little town called Freedom,
New Hampshire. What stars aligned! What magic has
brought us to this home we now share in the Loess
Hills! That created our three children, perfect in their
unique ways, that beautiful blend of both of our genes,
our ancestors, and of course, their own individual
shine. Even though our kids don’t remember our
grandparents, I see these strong connections nearly
every day. So, I always find such sentimental and
touching moments when I am visiting with the elderly
populations I often serve. I can’t help but think about
the times I spent with my own grandparents—our talks,
the stories they’d share (no matter how many times I
heard them in the past).
Remembering these moments and re-experiencing
these connections with our ancestors means the
world to me. We wouldn’t be here without them, of
course. We share so much of their lives, even those
who passed long before us. These special moments
are solidified when Sawyer points out a picture of
Grandma Elnora, sweetly calling out “Mamaw” on
what I thought was just a random moment. I reminded
Sawyer of what a special angel she is in heaven looking
out after her every day. Later that day Ryan reminds
me, “It’s Mamaw’s birthday today.” “Well, of course,” I
say. “Sawyer told me.” Or when Liam wears some Cubs
gear, I’m transported to my Grandpa Swede hollering
and swearing about Ernie Banks or Ryne Sandberg or
Sammy Sosa. I look at pictures of my dad’s Grandpa
Fennel, someone I never
met, and I see Nolan’s
sweet gaze and dark
eyes. He looks exactly
like him in the face, even
as the old man I see in
a photo from more than
100 years ago. And I am
astonished when I see
my younger brother’s
two boys, who are like
little clones of our two
boys, just eight years
ago. The roots and our
connection go long and
deep.
Grandpa Swede at his 100th
birthday celebration.
As a PT, I’ve been honored to work with some of the
“Greatest Generation.” A patient I will never forget
would share his stories over the past century each time
I would visit. I listened and often cried. He would talk
about serving in the war, saying, “I was very lucky to
have those experiences. The military allowed me to see
the world. I don’t consider myself a hero. I just went
out there and did what I was told. And by the grace of
God, I survived.” Like the military heroes beside him and
before him, they didn’t discuss the gory details of war but
highlighted the positive experiences, the friends, their
fellow soldiers, and the family who waited for them at
home.
This sweet man would often talk about
missing his bride. “I pray to her every
night and tell her I cannot wait to dance
with her in heaven.” This old man in
his late nineties had been holding this
vigil daily for almost three decades,
losing his wife when she was 65.

Lumin Therapy provides integrative health and
education for the mind, body, and spirit to those who
are suffering or struggling to step into and live their
heartfelt mission and purpose. Through the practice
of physical therapy, medical therapeutic yoga,
meditation, mindfulness, and resiliency mentoring, Dr.
Meghan Nelson, DPT, and Dr. Ryan Allen, PhD, bring
more than 40 years of knowledge and experience
serving individuals, families, and organizations to
learn and heal and live without boundaries.
Siouxland Magazine | BeComing /45
Photo Credit, left page, Jammer Photography, right
page, Mike Paulson.
EJA First Class. Original Art by artist Bob Allen.
This sweet man would often talk about missing his
bride. “I pray to her every night and tell her I cannot
wait to dance with her in heaven.” This old man in
his late nineties had been holding this vigil daily for
almost three decades, losing his wife when she was 65.
One of my favorite gigs was a “Fun Fitness Friday” I
would offer with a fellow PT at Bickford Senior Living.
These folks had no memory. A few may recall our
faces, but most were never quite sure why we were
there. We’d bring balls, drumsticks, parachutes and
scarves. It never took long for them to let go of the
fear, and to move, connect, feel, breathe, laugh, grow,
and practice for that balance through life.
On early out days for Sawyer at school, I’d sometimes
bring my little assistant with me. They loved it. She
always went around and hugged every one of them.
Some in wheelchairs, some non-verbal, some introverts,
it didn’t matter—everyone hugged her. I heard one
woman tell her how she reminded her of her own
great-grandkids, others hugged her thinking maybe
she was their own great-grandkid, some held on for
several moments, Sawyer never once backed away.
Besides the games and fun, movement and hugs, we
all had moments to be alone with ourselves. On one
occasion, one of the ladies chimed in, “Yes, I see, it is
all about connection.”
2024 Honda
Pilot
Be prepared to handle
winter roads with an
all-wheel drive SUV.
2024 Hyundai
Palisade
I exhale a slow deep breath. I feel safe, rooted,
grounded. I feel the love. I feel it from me and for me,
and from and for all of Creation. I feel the connection.
And I know it’s real. And that is what life is all about!
4625 Singing Hills Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51106 | 712-274-6622
VernEideSiouxCity.com

Y O U R T E A M | O U R C O M M U N I T Y
Strengthening our community
and encouraging team spirit.
Tiffany Becker, Physical Therapist | Gymnastics/Cheer Coach
Being connected to our community is just one way we care.
That’s why you’ll see us in the office and around town
making a difference — in many different ways.
605-217-2667 • CNOS.NET
ORTHOPAEDICS • NEUROSURGERY • NEUROLOGY • GASTROENTEROLOGY • GENERAL SURGERY
DERMATOLOGY • RHEUMATOLOGY • PODIATRY • SPINE • OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE • IMAGING CENTER

Dare 2B Great
By Cody Rininger
4 Reasons You Still Look Like You Don’t Lift
Even after months or years of training, you look
in the mirror and still don’t see any noticeable
changes in your physique, which makes you
utterly frustrated. You invest so much of your time,
energy, money, and incredible effort and feel it’s all
been in vain. I can help you identify some of the reasons
why you’re not making any progress and steer you on
the right path.
1. Bad Nutrition Habits
Proper diet is key when it comes to building quality
muscle mass and reducing body fat levels. There’s no
way you could eat junk food all the time and expect to
make progress. That’s what most people are doing. You
should strive to eat as much healthy food as possible,
and the gains will eventually come. Training can’t
reverse the effects of bad nutrition habits, regardless of
what other people think. It can help somewhat but not
nearly enough.
2. Expecting That The Basic Compound Lifts
Can Do Miracles
Lots of people expect that the deadlift or the squat
have some magical properties that will help them turn
into hulks overnight. The
individuals that bench
press every day, they
are exercises like any
other, and are certainly
important, but so are
accessory lifts (isolation).
The big compound
exercises are extremely
useful and very powerful
when used consistently,
but they don’t have
the power to turn you
into a physique like in
Cody doing Alternating DB
Curls.
the magazines. You will
need both.
3. Training Without a
Plan or Reason
The sole purpose of training
is to put the body under
enough stress so that it will
respond by adapting to the
stress via muscle growth
and increase in strength. It’s
a much better strategy to
focus on doing a few things
right instead of many things
wrong. You should focus
on doing a small number
of lifts, which will give you
the best bang for your buck,
and do them regularly.
Setting specific quantifiable
goals like 30 consecutive push-ups or pull-ups, or pulling
your bodyweight on the deadlift, helps tremendously.
4. Not Focusing Enough on Achieving Leanness
If you strive to look like you lift, you must always pay attention
to your body fat levels and try to stay as lean as possible.
Having excess body fat may make you look bigger when
wearing clothes, but you’ll immediately look quite average
when you take them off. Being lean helps you get that
shredded look and will make you look more aesthetic. And
the way you do it is by ridding yourself of the extra fat.
Summary
We’ve been brainwashed by the media, and supplement
companies that we will turn into a bodybuilder or bikini
model within weeks of entering the gym. It’s simply not
going to happen. Considering all of this, you can still achieve
an aesthetic physique, provided you follow a well-designed
training program and keep your body fat levels in check.
Photo Credit Truly Juli Photography.
Explosive Exercise For
Strength and Power.
Siouxland Magazine | BeComing / 47
For more information on specific training and nutrition, contact Cody. He is certified by the National Academy of Medicine as a
Professional Fitness Instructor in Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Heart Variance, Nutrition, Neuromuscular Flexibility, Supplements and
Mental/Behavior Performance. He incorporates techniques for concentration, focus, motivation, and ways to cope with anxiety.
He has been featured in National Fitness Magazines and has spoken on several national Podcasts. Cody received his Master’s in
Instruction, so has first-hand experience with differentiating personalized instruction, planning, and goal setting. He was named
the 2022 and 2023 Siouxland Trainer of the Year Award. Cody trains out of the Four Seasons in Sioux City and North Sioux City.

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