Fabulous People

Maanya Pandey

Fabulous People: Maanya Pandey

Seventeen-year-old Maanya Pandey is the founder and president of Love For Red. The Des Moines-based nonprofit works to fight period poverty in local communities by donating menstrual products to places in need in Iowa.

Haley  Wedemeier

Fabulous People: Haley “Stallie” Wedemeier

Haley “Stallie” Wedemeier is the owner and baker of Stallie’s Sweets, a baked-to-order business in Huxley, which takes its moniker from Stallsmith, Wedemeier’s maiden name. You might spy Stallie’s Sweets’ Treat Trailer (the newly renovated 1972 Layton camper) at events around Iowa, like Locally Grown Showcase in Madrid, or the neighborhood brewery.

doug goettsch

Fabulous People: Doug Goettsch

Doug Goettsch is the co-founder and director of hospitality at the ever-expanding Big Grove Brewery. “What started off as a desire to have the best brewpub in Iowa morphed in to one of the largest breweries in the state.”

Ashley Flury

Fabulous People: Ashley Flury

Ashley Flury is the manager of Coach’s Corner, a sports bar and restaurant in Iowa City. Coach’s Corner serves as the local gathering spot to enjoy just about any sporting event and is also a supporter of nearby high school and University of Iowa athletics.

Megan McDaniel

Fabulous People: Megan McDaniel

Megan McDaniel is the wedding and social event executive for Iowa-based The Rewind Hotel, Hotel Renovo and Revel Hotel. “I work with our couples to help them plan, design and execute their event, helping them bring their vision for the big day to reality.”

whitney coyle

Fabulous People: Whitney Coyle

Whitney Coyle is the owner of Lux Pop Up Picnics, which sets the stage for themed luxury picnics for special occasions and expands to Waterloo and surrounding areas on August 1. “This is an exciting expansion, and we can’t wait to serve Iowa.”

meg sugar grove goods

Fabulous People: Meg Dickinson

Meg Dickinson’s business, Sugar Grove Goods, began as a goat milk soap endeavor operating out of her 120-year-old farmhouse. In April 2020, Dickinson opened a coffee shop in Dallas Center to house her bustling business and also spotlight some of Iowa’s most talented food purveyors.

Jessicca Lenehan

Fabulous People: Jessicca Lenehan

Jessicca Lenehan is the owner and designer of Landy Lou & Devie Too Handmade Clothing, offering trendy heirloom-quality clothing for babies, children and women. “Everything is cut and sewn from scratch using soft fabrics that both children and women love.”

chelsea johnsen

Fabulous People: Chelsea Johnsen

Chelsea Johnsen is the owner of Sisters in Cheese, a cheese-based catering business in Madrid that likes to share the spotlight with other local small business. “We’ve focused on working with other small businesses (Snus Hill Winery in Madrid, The Cornucopia in Ames, Sugar Grove Goods in Dallas Center, and more) to bring our product to more people and help lift each other up during a difficult time for small businesses, especially those in hospitality.”

jordan brooks

Fabulous People: Jordan Brooks

Jordan Brooks is a creator, educator, facilitator and owner of KNWSLF: Creative Approach to Identity. KNWSLF, which stands for KNowedge, Wisdom, Self Love and Fellowship, blends the creative process with identity exploration and development strategies to guide people on their personal and collective journey toward knowledge of self.