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.

In this episode, host Joshua McNary chats with content process consultant Maddy Osman, author of Writing for Humans and Robots and founder of The Blogsmith agency. Based in Denver, Maddy is passionate about helping B2B technology brands streamline and scale their content operations with smart technology and optimized processes.

Joshua and Maddy dive into the realities of writing and business in the age of AI, discussing how automation, SaaS tools, and artificial intelligence are transforming workflows—while also highlighting why processes and human expertise remain essential. Maddy shares her experiences leveraging tools like Zapier, Loom, Scribe, and cutting-edge AI to boost productivity, curate information, and avoid the pitfalls of chasing every shiny new feature. You’ll also hear practical advice for small and mid-sized businesses looking to make the most of today’s technology, plus candid reflections on balancing originality, ethics, and efficiency in a tech-driven work world.

Whether you’re curious about the latest marketing tech, want actionable tips to optimize your processes, or just need inspiration to become the superhero in your own business, this episode packs insights and strategies you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, host Joshua McNary reconnects with longtime friend and special guest Andy Stoll, the founding executive director of the ESHIP Alliance. Andy is a social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in building entrepreneurial ecosystems and championing innovation in communities across the country. Together, Joshua and Andy dive into Andy’s fascinating journey—from launching businesses in Iowa to leading national efforts at the Kauffman Foundation, and now scaling the ESHIP Alliance as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs everywhere.

You’ll hear how Andy balances the rapid pace of technological change with the timeless importance of human connection and trust in building strong business communities. You’ll get an inside look at the tools and strategies he uses to scale big impact with limited resources—leveraging everything from Slack and Zoom to the evolving world of AI agents—while never losing sight of the relationships that make it all work.

Whether you’re a business owner, a tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about community building, this conversation is packed with wisdom, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on being a true BizTech superhero in today’s landscape.

Joshua McNary is joined by Jen Moulton, president of CE Impact, an education company based in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to supporting continuing education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Josh and Jen take a deep dive into the evolving role of technology in education, sharing how CE Impact has transformed over the last 20 years from in-person learning to a primarily online platform. Jen talks about the challenges and opportunities of merging education, tech, and business, and offers valuable insights into how small organizations can keep up with rapidly advancing digital tools—especially in the age of AI.

You’ll hear Jen discuss the importance of adapting to different learning styles and modalities, building trusted partnerships with tech providers, and why every company today—regardless of industry—needs to think like a tech company. Listen for candid stories about trial and error, budget balancing, the need for trustworthy guidance, and practical advice for businesses looking to leverage technology smarter.

Whether you’re in education, tech, or just looking to keep your business future-ready, Jen’s journey will inspire you to unleash your own biztech superpowers.

In this episode, Joshua talks with Nicole Mead, partner and director of Business Development at Creative Planning Business Services. Nicole shares insight into how her team leverages cutting-edge technology to empower both their internal processes and client experiences. With a unique background in software engineering and business development, Nicole dives into her organization's recent journey of digital transformation, introducing tools like Salesforce, outreach platforms, and streamlined contracting solutions to drive efficiency, collaboration, and growth.

Together, Joshua and Nicole explore practical challenges and real-world solutions—ranging from technology adoption during mergers and acquisitions, to navigating generational differences and enhancing client onboarding. Plus, you’ll hear their thoughts on harnessing artificial intelligence for sales, marketing, and operational excellence. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own tech roadmap or want to learn actionable tips for differentiating your business in the marketplace, this episode is packed with fresh ideas and expert advice you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of BizTech Superhero, host Joshua McNary is joined by Alyx Coble-Frakes, CEO and founder of The Agenda., a mobile app and platform dedicated to supporting women's health. Based in Iowa, Alex shares her entrepreneurial journey—from launching a physical planner that helps women align their work with the four phases of their menstrual cycle, to transforming that concept into a powerful digital tool for hormonal health, supporting users from their first period through menopause.

Alyx dives deep into the evolution of her company, highlighting the technological pivots, challenges of building both physical and digital products, and the unique market needs around women’s health. She also opens up about her passion for breaking taboos, her drive as a non-technical founder, and the lessons learned in creating tech that truly meets users where they are. Along the way, they discuss the vital role of user feedback, privacy concerns, and how innovation and empathy power disruptive solutions in femtech.

Tune in for inspiring stories from the frontlines of health tech, actionable advice for entrepreneurs, plus a fresh perspective on how technology can fuel personal transformation and business growth.