In this next episode of BizTech Superhero, Joshua McNary converses with local business champion Cherie Edilson, founder and CEO of Member Marketplace. Based in Marion, Iowa, Cherie has taken what she first started learning selling handmade goods at farmers' markets and turned it into a nationwide SaaS platform supporting over 8,000 small businesses across 55 marketplaces in 30 states.

In the episode, Joshua and Cherie dive into the real-world tech journey behind Member Marketplace—from hustling with WordPress plugins and family collaborations to developing a proprietary, scalable platform that empowers chambers and local organizations to serve entrepreneurs in their communities. You’ll hear firsthand how Cherie willingness to take action, embrace feedback, and build scrappy solutions has led to innovative tools that make selling, connecting, and thriving online accessible to even the busiest small business owners.

Plus, stick around for insights on evolving tech stacks, harnessing AI for local commerce, and strategies to help business owners overcome the barriers to digital growth. Whether you’re a tech founder, a small business owner, or just someone curious about the future of local marketplaces, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice to help you unlock your own technology superpowers.

In this show, host Joshua McNary chats with Suzy DeLine, a content marketing expert and chief content officer at Digital Artisans, based in San Francisco. With a rich background including tenures at Adobe, Intuit, Intel, and PayPal, Suzy shares her unique journey from growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm to leading storytelling initiatives for top tech companies.

Whether you’re curious about building authentic content in the age of AI, the importance of mission-driven messaging, or practical tips for refreshing your business story, Suzy brings plenty of insights and inspiring anecdotes to the table.

Listen as we explore how combining human creativity and AI tools can elevate your company’s narrative—and discover actionable advice to help your business stand out in today’s fast-changing world.

Welcome to another episode of BizTech Superhero, where we dive into the stories behind local entrepreneurs harnessing technology to level-up their businesses. In today’s episode, host Joshua McNary sits down with Lexi Matthews, co-owner of Uptown Coffee Co. in Marion, Iowa. Lexi shares her journey from Chicago to small-town entrepreneurship, opening a coffee shop with her husband, revitalizing a historic event space, and directing the Marion Arts Festival.

Together, we explore how technology—from QuickBooks and Square to Google Drive and HoneyBook—is woven into her day-to-day operations, empowering her to streamline workflows and manage growth across multiple ventures. Whether you’re a fellow business owner or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in your favorite local spot, you’ll take away valuable insights on building efficient processes, leveraging tech tools, and adapting to new challenges in the ever-evolving world of small business.