What if you built a great business—but no one wanted to buy it?

In this episode, Jeremy Vos business consultant and owner of Exit Factor breaks down the hard truths about exit planning, why most businesses never sell, and how to avoid the costly mistakes owners don’t see coming. Whether you’re thinking of selling in five years or still scaling, this conversation will reshape how you think about long-term strategy.

Jeremy pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to prepare a business for sale. From understanding what drives value to the surprising reasons most listings never close, Jeremy shares practical advice for owners who want to exit on their own terms. He outlines the components of a proper exit assessment, explains why early preparation is key, and offers insights on identifying buyers and increasing sale potential.

If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner, this is your must-hear roadmap to a successful, profitable exit.

Top 5 Takeaways:

• Jeremy explains how poor preparation, messy financials, and too much owner involvement often sabotage a potential exit before it even begins.

• A clear grasp of what makes your business attractive, from recurring revenue to systems, and why these are essential for increasing appeal and valuation.

• Why starting exit planning early gives owners the time they need to tighten operations, build strong teams, and enter negotiations with confidence.

• How most businesses are sold to outside buyers—highlighting the importance of preparing for a broader market, not just internal successors.

• From clean financials to reduced owner involvement, Jeremy explains how operational excellence drives demand and leads to stronger offers.

👤 About Jeremy Vos:

Jeremy Vos is the owner of Exit Factor and a trusted consultant for business owners looking to scale and sell. With deep expertise in strategic planning, business modeling, and growth consulting, Jeremy has helped countless entrepreneurs unlock value, streamline operations, and prepare for the next chapter—whether that’s an exit, succession, or scale-up. Known for his no-fluff approach, Jeremy is passionate about helping founders turn their businesses into assets that work for them, not the other way around.

Contact Info:

Website | https://exitfactor.com/offices/des-moines

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-vos/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.vos.906215

What if your biggest impact came from the job you never planned to take?

Karie Kading Ramsey didn’t set out to lead her family’s housing business, but once she did, she transformed it. This episode dives into how she’s redefining affordable housing in Iowa, balancing rapid growth with deep community partnerships, and leading with heart in an industry shaped by dollars and decisions.

In this episode, we sit down with Karie Kading Ramsey, CEO of Kading Properties, to talk about her unexpected entry into the family business and her mission to provide workforce housing that truly serves Iowa communities.

Karie shares what it’s like to manage nearly 3,000 units across the state, how rising costs like insurance are reshaping the property landscape, and why collaboration with local governments is key to long-term success. She also opens up about the emotional and professional growth that comes from rejection, taking risks, and leading with values in a high-stakes industry.

5 Takeaways:

• How saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities can lead to purpose-driven impact.

• Why smart housing development starts with understanding the people you serve.

• Why investing in a strong, empowered team helps ensure care and consistency at every level.

• The unseen challenges that come with building and maintaining affordable housing.

• Why every “no” is a stepping stone to smarter strategy and stronger resolve.

👤 About Karie Kading Ramsey:

As CEO of Kading Properties, Karie Kading Ramsey leads one of Iowa’s largest providers of workforce housing, managing nearly 3,000 residential units across the state. Known for her strategic mindset and compassionate leadership, Karie has turned Kading into a model of how affordable housing can be both mission-driven and financially sustainable. Her work focuses on partnering with communities, empowering her team, and challenging outdated perceptions about what affordable living looks like. Under her leadership, Kading continues to grow—without losing sight of the people it serves.

Contact info:

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/kading-llc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kadingproperties

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/kadingproperties/

What does it take to turn a college side hustle into a portfolio of multi-million dollar businesses?

For Todd Mendenhall, it started with a mop and a mindset. In this episode, Todd shares how grit, focus, and knowing your lane helped him build, scale, and sell companies—while staying grounded in values that outlast any market cycle.

In this candid conversation, entrepreneur Todd Mendenhall opens up about the journey from founding a janitorial business during college to launching and exiting multiple companies across industries like recycling, logistics, and real estate. He shares lessons learned through tough markets, the power of mentorship, and how treating real estate as a standalone business helped him build long-term wealth. Todd also emphasizes why relationships, humility, and plain old common sense are often more powerful than flashy strategies. Whether you’re building from scratch or scaling what you’ve started, Todd’s wisdom is a blueprint worth studying.

5 Fresh Takeaways:

• Start with a disciplined focus—like Todd did with janitorial services—and you can build the cash flow and confidence to expand into bigger ventures.

• Understanding market cycles allowed Todd to invest wisely, even when others pulled back.

• Separating the real estate from his operating companies gave Todd leverage, tax benefits, and long-term control.

• Todd credits key mentors for helping him avoid costly mistakes and fast-track his growth.

• In a world chasing complexity, Todd’s approach is rooted in fundamentals: hard work, smart timing, and knowing when to say no.

About Todd Mendenhall:

Todd Mendenhall is a lifelong entrepreneur based in Des Moines, Iowa. He started Cleaning Connection, Inc. while still a student at Drake University, growing it into a successful commercial cleaning company serving Iowa and Nebraska. He later co-founded Earthwise Disposal, which he sold to Waste Management in 2018, and Mid-America Recycling, Iowa’s largest recycling facility. With decades of experience in construction, logistics, and real estate, Todd has built a reputation for smart growth, integrity, and community-minded leadership. His work continues to shape industries while inspiring the next generation of business builders.

Contact Info:

Email | ToddM@cleaningconnection.net

What if the symbol of Iowa’s past—an old grain silo—could become the future of community, commerce, and inclusivity? Scott Turczynski isn’t just building structures—he’s building meaning. From navigating a life-changing injury to leading one of the Midwest’s boldest redevelopment projects, Scott’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and creative transformation.

In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Scott Turczynski, COO of Heartland Finishes and co-founder of HRTLND Companies. Scott shares his journey from small-town Iowa to the helm of ambitious commercial developments, including the visionary Silo Project—a plan to transform decommissioned grain silos into a hotel, distillery, and cultural hub. Along the way, Scott opens up about his spinal cord injury, his unshakable mindset, and how he’s using business as a vehicle for advocacy, accessibility, and community impact. It’s a story of bold ideas, hard-earned wisdom, and turning personal trials into powerful purpose.

5 Fresh Takeaways:

• Just as the silos are getting a second life, Scott’s journey reflects how we can reinvent ourselves in the face of life’s toughest moments.

• T12 Distillery isn’t just a commercial venture—it’s a tool for raising awareness about spinal cord injury and accessibility in the built environment.

• The Grain District shows how creative redevelopment can breathe new life into overlooked spaces—and drive long-term economic and cultural change.

• As Iowa’s first fully wheelchair-accessible distillery, Scott’s project sets a new benchmark for how public spaces can welcome everyone.

• Whether it’s mentoring, developing Bondurant’s downtown, or pledging distillery profits to spinal cord research, Scott’s impact goes far beyond blueprints and budgets.

About Scott Turczynski:

Scott Turczynski is the Chief Operating Officer of HRTLND Companies, a leading commercial construction firm headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. With over 25 years in the industry and a degree in construction engineering from Iowa State, Scott has overseen high-profile projects across the Midwest. In 2022, he founded The 101 LLC, acquiring a 25-acre redevelopment site in Bondurant now known as the Grain District. His upcoming venture, T12 Distillery, is Iowa’s first wheelchair-accessible distillery, combining small-batch spirits, experiential design, and a mission to support spinal cord research. Named one of the Des Moines Register’s 15 People to Watch in 2025, Scott is a community builder, innovator, and proud father of three.

Contact Info:

Website | https://www.t12project.us/

What do you get when you mix a farm kid’s work ethic with an entrepreneur’s vision? A construction empire built from grit, faith, and fearlessness. In this episode, Bill Kimberley shares the ups, downs, and lessons of starting a business at 21 and growing it into one of Iowa’s most respected development firms. Whether you’re a builder, dreamer, or leader, his story will leave you inspired to take bold steps—no matter the market.

This week, we sit down with Bill Kimberley, founder of Kimberley Development Corporation, whose four-decade career in construction and real estate is rooted in resilience, relationships, and reinvention. From financing his first home by juggling multiple jobs to shaping the future of Ankeny and beyond, Bill’s journey reveals how true leadership is forged through adversity. He shares hard-earned insights on weathering economic storms, leading with integrity, and why giving back is part of building a legacy. Tune in for a real-world masterclass in business, family, and purpose-driven success.

5 Insights from Bill Kimberley:

• Bill’s early hustle—working multiple jobs to finance his first build—set the foundation for a lifetime of disciplined growth and financial stewardship.

• From the 2008 crash to today’s high-interest markets, Bill’s biggest growth moments came during downturns, proving that tough times refine great entrepreneurs.

• While profit matters, Bill emphasizes that long-term business success hinges on trust, character, and keeping your word.

• With both children in leadership roles, Bill is building more than homes—he’s nurturing the next generation of community-focused entrepreneurs.

• Bill’s commitment to giving, from Habitat for Humanity to local arts and youth programs, reflects a broader belief: builders have a duty to elevate their communities.

👤 About Bill Kimberley:

Bill Kimberley founded Kimberley Development Corporation in 1978, growing it into a diversified powerhouse specializing in luxury homes, land development, multi-family and commercial construction, and real estate investment. His leadership extends beyond the job site—he’s a former President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, a National Association of Home Builders board member, and a recipient of multiple lifetime achievement awards. Bill’s impact also echoes through his civic work, community giving, and family legacy, with both of his children now leading key divisions of his business. In 2024, his company surpassed $50 million in sales and committed $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity’s capital campaign.

Contact Info:

Website | https://www.kimdev.com/

What happens when an engineer walks into the world of finance and real estate? Brett Olsen didn’t just pivot—he transformed a university program, helped launch countless careers, and built a bridge between theory and real-world success. If you’re curious about how practical education is shaping the next wave of real estate leaders, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Brett Olsen, Head of the Finance and Real Estate Department at the University of Northern Iowa. Brett opens up about his surprising journey from mechanical engineering to academia, and how that shift fueled his passion for applied learning. He takes us behind the scenes of UNI’s evolving real estate program—from its roots in 1991 to its current focus on experiential education, national competitions, and market-ready graduates. Whether you’re a student, educator, or industry pro, Brett’s insights into career flexibility, program development, and industry cycles will leave you inspired and informed.

5 Fresh Takeaways:

• Brett’s move from engineering to finance proves that pivoting careers can bring fresh perspective and value to a new field.

• Brett highlights the importance of aligning classroom teaching with the cyclical nature of the real estate industry to better prepare students.

• National contests give students real exposure, pressure-tested experience, and team collaboration skills they can’t get from textbooks alone.

• While UNI is based in Iowa, the program actively encourages students to explore opportunities in booming national markets, expanding their horizons and confidence.

• Brett’s administrative and advisory roles reveal how faculty leadership goes beyond the classroom—impacting curriculum, career readiness, and long-term program success.

👤 About Brett Olsen:

Brett Olsen is a Professor and Head of the Finance Department at the University of Northern Iowa. Since 2010, he’s been teaching investment and financial management courses while conducting research in corporate governance, small business valuation, and investing. He also collaborates with UNI’s Business and Community Services to develop valuation strategies for small businesses. Before academia, Brett was a mechanical engineer at Caterpillar and later earned his PhD in Finance from the University of Missouri.

Contact Info:

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettcolsen/

Website | https://business.uni.edu/finance/directory/brett-c-olsen

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Rupprecht and Adam Kaduce of R&R Realty Group to explore how Iowa roots, legal know-how, and relationship-first strategies are driving commercial real estate innovation in Des Moines. From office evolution to industrial stabilization, Nathan and Adam unpack how R&R is staying ahead of the curve in a shifting market—and why Des Moines may just be the perfect storm for sustainable development and smart investing.

🔑 Top 5 Takeaways:

• Adam’s legal background gives him a sharp edge in deal structuring and negotiations, helping clients navigate complexity with confidence and clarity.

• Why in commercial real estate, the brokers who win are the ones who build long-term relationships—not just close quick deals.

• Post-pandemic tenants want more than square footage. Flexibility, amenities, and wellness features are now must-haves, not extras.

• R&R’s in-house venture model opens the door to deals most can’t access—giving investors a front-row seat to off-market, high-potential CRE projects.

• With strong absorption rates and a business culture rooted in collaboration, both Nathan and Adam see Des Moines as a prime market for sustainable commercial growth.

👤 About Nathan Rupprecht

A proud West Des Moines native and Iowa State alum, Nathan holds both a Finance degree and Master’s in Real Estate Development. After starting in commercial banking at West Bank, he transitioned into brokerage with a client-first mindset. Nathan is currently pursuing his CCIM designation and is passionate about deepening his expertise. When he’s not negotiating deals, you’ll find him golfing, cheering for Iowa State, or enjoying time with loved ones.

👤 About Adam Kaduce

Adam started at R&R Realty Group as a college intern and never looked back. He earned his law degree from Drake, passed the Iowa Bar, and is now a full-time broker at R&R. A graduate of Leadership Iowa and Business Record’s Forty Under Forty, Adam serves on numerous advisory councils and boards, including ChildServe and the Young Presidents Organization. He brings both legal and leadership insight to the Des Moines real estate scene.

Contact Info:


Website | https://www.rrrealty.com/

LinkedIn | Nathan : https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rupprecht-mred-8a7878108/

| Adam : https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkaduce/