Thirty-two students from the college were recently split into groups to evaluate eight businesses in Gowrie.

The students developed marketing ideas for those businesses and shared them Tuesday night at the Heartland Community Room. The program was made possible by the ISU Extension and Outreach Center of Webster County.

“We want to help make the ‘Go’ in Gowrie even stronger,” Iowa State student Isaac Nelson said.

Nelson said event screen printing would involve the business printing its own shirts from three to four different designs for the Gowrie Independence Fourth of July Parade.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Isaac Nelson, an entrepreneurship student at Iowa State University, prepares for his groups presentation on marketing strategies for Liberty Market, a Gowrie business that sells handcrafted gifts and home decor.

Nelson was joined by fellow students Taylor Bellings, Brooklyn Benjamin, Ruby Johnson, Kailey Potter, and Meg Romaniak, in providing ideas to the business, Liberty Market, which sells handcrafted gifts and home decor.

The shirts would be sold the morning of the parade and after the parade, Nelson said.

Multiple pricing was another recommendation made by the students.

“Multiple pricing matches with Liberty Market very well,” Nelson said. “Every time they buy more items, it’s cheaper. This helps move merchandise more quickly.”

The group also listed opportunites for Liberty Market.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Meg Romaniak, an enterprenuership student at Iowa State University, speaks Tuesday night during a presentation on marketing ideas for Liberty Market, a business in Gowrie. Students from Iowa State worked with eight business in Gowrie. The program was made possible in part by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach center in Webster County.

Those included: little to no money tied up in merchandise, selection can rapidly be changed and diversified, and social media presence can be defined and revamped.

In terms of threats, Nelson said Fort Dodge “acts as a roadblock for Gowrie” because a high number of people commute to Fort Dodge for work.

Other businesses evaluated by students included: Addison James Boutique, which shares space with Liberty Market; Picket Fence, a gift shop; SkyDronesUSA, an electronics store; Jamboree Foods, a grocery store; Vicky’s Dance Academy; Marv’s Market Street Grill and Bar; and Beek Street Antiques and Collectibles.

Gowrie Mayor Gayle Redman said Gowrie has seen an increase in retail businesses opening within the past year.

ISU Extension Program Coordinator Linda Cline said it was a good opportunity for businesses to hear new ideas.

“These are marketing skills that they could incorporate into their business if they wanted,” Cline said. “They don’t have to take those ideas.”