Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers.
This year, we are proud to introduce you to the 19th class of Forty Under 40 honorees. In this post, you’ll find four of the business owners being honored.
John Choate
Owner | Storyline Multimedia
Age: 39
Family: Wife, Emily; daughter, Mary
Residence: Kalona, Iowa
Hometown: Kalona, Iowa
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts
What was your first job? Painter at Montgomery Painting
Who do you consider your local mentors? Adam Pretorius, realtor at LKR and client of 3 1/2 years. He is constantly pushing us to get better and explore new business trends/ideas.
Jordan Montgomery, owner of Montgomery Companies and client of 4 years, friend for 25 years. Always providing advice and guidance, especially when it comes to relationships, both in business, friends and family.
Kenyon Murray, host of Leave Your Legacy Podcast and client of 1 1/2 years. A great example to me of being a leader and a dad.
Best advice you ever received? Jordan Montgomery often says, “bloom where you are planted.” I feel this has been the year for that, since we started a video studio in the Iowa City community.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? Starting to work more with student athletes and helping raise money for the University of Iowa sports programs.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I started my career at an early age in construction, painting and maintenance. It wasn’t until the age of 24 that I decided to switch professions and pursue photo, video and graphic design.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? It would all go to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? Going to the park with my family, playing golf, and getting involved with local non-profit organizations.
Marlen Mendoza
Founder & CEO | Mendoza Consulting
Age: 29
Residence: North Liberty, Iowa
Education: University of Iowa – Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in Global Health
What was your first job? Summer camp counselor
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? Getting to work in community development through creating and co-incorporating the Iowa City South of 6 Business District that passed City Hall in 2022. It took two years of organizing, and in that time, I found my passion for community development and economic development. Experience is truly the best teacher.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I am an artist, a storyteller, and a dreamer. I love to write creative fiction stories based on the collective human experience.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? Economic diversification is a significant challenge facing Eastern Iowa. Traditionally, the region has heavily relied on agriculture as its economic backbone. Still, this dependence leaves it vulnerable to various factors like fluctuating crop prices, the impacts of climate change and evolving trade policies. To address this vulnerability and foster a more resilient local economy, one potential solution is the implementation of Self-Sustained Municipal Improvement Districts (SSMIDs). These districts are geographically defined areas within a municipality where property owners agree to pay additional taxes or fees to fund improvements and services. A great example of this recommendation is the newly formed South of 6 Business District (SSMID) on the south side of Iowa City.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? I would give $1 million to support children and youth development through Head Start and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? A marathon, a fictional novel and to travel the world to see historical sites.
Lacey Meyne
Restaurant Owner | Bluebird Cafe/Diner
Age: 39
Family: Luke, Everett, Anderson; dog, Murphy
Residence: North Liberty, Iowa
Hometown: Lafayette, Indiana/ Thatcher, Arizona
Education: Eastern Arizona College
Who do you consider your local mentors? Peggy Slaughter, commercial realtor with Urban Acres and my friend; and Luke Meyne, restaurant owner of Bluebird Cafe/Diner and my husband.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far?
Answering a Craigslist ad to become the manager of the Bluebird Diner. That led to becoming an owner of the North Liberty Bluebird Cafe and full circle, 10 years later, becoming the owner of the Bluebird Diner.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I’m a tumbleweed… I grew up in Indiana, then moved to Arizona, where I finished high school and moved to Phoenix. After two years I found myself moving to Iowa. I love it here.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? I would have to say labor shortage and affordable housing.
Best advice you ever received? Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? We are hard workers who like to have fun!
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? I hope to expand our Bluebird footprint and spend more time traveling with my family.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Anything that has to do with dogs; Foundation for the Trades, founded by Peggy Slaughter; and North Liberty Food Pantry.
Simeon Talley
Owner | Basic Goods/ST Ventures
Age: 39
Residence: Iowa City, Iowa
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Education: University of Iowa – Bachelor of Arts in International Politics
What was your first job? Delivering newspapers.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? I don’t think I’ve necessarily had one. I’ve just benefited tremendously from people who have believed in me throughout the years.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? That I once ran for political office. Obviously, I didn’t win…
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? The Corridor is an amazing place and community for folks to create a better life for themselves, if you know how to plug in. The challenge and the work that exists across every organization, institution and company in the Corridor is to make sure that everybody can do just that – economically, politically, culturally and civically.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Childhood literacy.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? Health – physical, mental and emotional. Personal development. Natural wine. Tame Impala!
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? Beyond having our basic needs met, most people want to belong to efforts (be it a company, organization, activity, or a family unit) that are bigger than themselves. Companies that can provide this sense of mission and purpose or “why” will most likely have no problem attracting and/or maintaining talent.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? To be happy and fulfilled.
The class of 2023 will be honored Oct. 19 at a ceremony sponsored by the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business and Cedar Ridge Distillery at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids.
