Neat Creature Creative Co.

03/25/2026

I'm not an Ottumwa resident (we live just outside of city limits), and I'm not from around here originally, but these programs and people have had an incredible impact on my family and our roots here. Neat Creature Creative Co. was nurtured and expanded by Business Builder Academy and Main Street Ottumwa. I grew to love the business community here and have become a loud and proud supporter of every new person taking a chance here. My clients and the causes close to my heart are invested in Ottumwa’s flourishing, and I am too.

The people leading these programs are some of Ottumwa’s brightest optimists and creative minds. They build their skills and networks for the benefit of our community. They put their passion to work to tell a better story about Ottumwa to attract visitors, investors, opportunities and employers. They are worth that investment.

I’ve written to our city council and signed this petition of support. I encourage you to do the same.

First of all, in less than a day, more than 125 of you went to our website and signed on to show your support! We can't thank you enough for the enormous support we saw yesterday!💜

With 2026 being Main Street Ottumwa's 20th year, we expected to spend the year telling our story and celebrating the successes we had over the last 20 years. We didn't expect we'd be telling with the existence of our program on the chopping block. But nevertheless, let's talk about taxable value and what Main Street really means for your property tax bill.

📈Downtown valuations

When our program started in 2006, Downtown Ottumwa had hit rock bottom. Taking just the 100-300 blocks, what was once the vibrant commercial heart of Ottumwa had a total valuation of less than $2.5 million. That meant that downtowns contributions to the City's budget were negligible and ordinary property owners were responsible for a larger share of services. We set out to change that.

In the last 20 years, we've leveraged every creative approach and tens of thousands of volunteer hours to raise millions of dollars in grant funding, train and equip entrepreneurs, provide design services to property owners and beautify our downtown. That sweat and effort paid off. Taking those three blocks, valuation has quadrupled to more than $10 million.

💲What this means for you

That increase comes from 284 building projects including 122 new apartment units. It comes from 93 new businesses employing 316 new employees. That means downtown is generating not just property tax revenue but building permit fees, rental permit fees, local option sales tax and more. Every dollar the City invests in our program is multiplied and returned. Period.

👉That's why we need your support. Please use the link below to sign up and show that you support keeping funding for Main Street Ottumwa in this year's City budget. More than that, if you're able, we'd love to have you show up and support Main Street in person at tonight's City Council budget work session.

03/24/2026

Hi.

The world's a mess right now. We've forgotten how to be neighbors. We've forgotten how to cheer on when someone else is thriving, even if we don't agree on everything. We've forgotten how to want the best for one another. We've forgotten that how we use our words and our pocketbooks says something about us, and it matters.

The world is uncertain. The internet is volatile. With AI and algorithms, it's hard to know what's real right now.

We can't be assured our government isn't going to use our tax money for genocide, war, trafficking, ballrooms, and crypto scams, vs. funding the healthcare we need, the libraries we love, or saving people literally dying of preventable diseases, mental health issues, or malnutrition - here and around the world.

We can't be assured that Amazon or X or Open AI won’t use the money we pay them and make software and robots to do all the jobs, and use all the data that uses up all the water, power and land resources in our communities, and leave nothing left for the humans who live here.

The only way out of it that I can see? Relentlessly choose small business and local community. Shake hands with your mechanic. Cheer on your kid's friends in the community play or the school sport. Pack the food boxes that go to your neighbors. Choose to partner with businesses you can sit across the table from, who want success and opportunity for the place you both live, because they're invested in it. Take every opportunity to find out what skills, gifts and passion exist here, and then find out how you can support it.

THIS is how I believe a return to community is going to save the world.

And this is why understanding how to support real people doing real things in your community is so important. This is why local government matters too. Because they're helping shape what opportunities are available to you too. Who is taking care of your parks? Who is telling your community's story, bringing in new investments, building new businesses, attract good doctors and teachers to keep kids and families healthy and help them grow and thrive here? Who's volunteering on the rural fire department or EMS to protect what you love? Support them.

This is how we grow and thrive. Invest in the people who are telling a better story, and who are choosing to offer that for good.

10/02/2025

While video social media marketing is not in my particular wheelhouse, there is a ton of overlap in my world of brand design, marketing and web presence. Game recognizes game, as the kids say. 🤣

So when I see established businesses getting fresh and creative with social media, it’s so exciting, especially as a younger demographic enters the workforce and adds their creativity and energy.

06/04/2025

I'm in the midst of a bit of a rebrand... 🤔

I've been a business owner for 3 years now, and I'm just NOW giving myself a little credit for that. This isn't a side hustle. This isn't a little project. After 3 years of learning to OWN this, I'm finding that entrepreneurship is, for me, a SPIRITUAL expression of ideas, heart, self-belief, community, service, grit, and optimism.

It's a gift to work with and learn from other small business owners who are working on themselves, their relationships, their habits, their craft, their mindsets - all to grow into a bigger version of their vision, a stronger person for their families, more knowledgeable for your service, more passionate for their causes - and they're doing it here and in YOUR community.

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Recently, I collaborated with Photo15 By Rachel H. Smith as we reimagined her brand together. Hearing her passion for senior photography and seeing how she was able to get such authentic and light expression in her photos had me all sorts of inspired, so I asked her if she'd take my first-ever business photos!

Other than a corporate headshot for the company-required name badge😆, I haven't done solo pictures since my OWN senior pictures in *cough* 2001 *cough*. I'm awkward in front of a camera, and as an elder-millennial Midwesterner (yes, we're owning that!), drawing focus to myself is not something I'll ever be comfortable with - even though as an artist and creative that's a real weird tension.

All that to say, Rachel has a freakin' GIFT. She captured all the creativity, quirky energy, authenticity and optimism I bring to my work. I couldn't be more excited with these!

05/07/2025

Lots of my favorite little friends are participating! I love seeing seeds of entrepreneurship planted here.

05/07/2025

Web design, communication strategy and community building in the morning.

Landscaping in the afternoon, while ideas grow in the sun. ☀️

05/06/2025

Cool stuff, Ottumwa Legacy Foundation! So grateful for all the cool ideas you all ignite and resource for our community!

03/07/2025

Y'all know I love to hype up small businesses. And when those small businesses are stepping up, being brave about boundaries and calling our community to be better for each other - it deserves attention.

While I have a different stylist I love, the rest of my family (husband and daughters) have always been treated with care and kindness at CC, and they've been the best local haircut experience here in a while.

This is how you do this. This is why small business matters. They love your community. They're invested in it. They give their best for you.

Well done, y'all.

02/13/2025

Excited to announce the launch of a new website for Bradley T. Barnes, CPA, PC!

Working with Brad on his new website was all about showcasing his approachable and client-centered approach to accounting. Brad wanted a site that felt clear, professional, and welcoming. His commitment to simplifying complex financial topics and helping clients make empowered decisions truly sets him apart.

We designed a site that balances professionalism with warmth—simple navigation, clear service offerings, and a polished aesthetic that reflects Brad’s expertise and care. In addition, we launched a blog with helpful tips about financial planning and tax prep.

If you're looking for a reliable, local CPA for your personal or business bookkeeping, taxes, payroll, and financial reporting - Brad and his team are the best! 💼📊

Our work isn't done! Expect to see more content on their page as Brad and the team provide more tips and tax updates there to expand their reach and support their clients with financial know-how during tax season, and beyond!

01/06/2025

✨ Big dreams start with enthusiasm, but they’re built with perseverance. ✨ Does that ring true for you?

As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new ideas—the branding, the vision, the what could be? (That’s one of my favorite questions to ask!) Of course those things excite me! That’s what I do!

But the real work? That’s in the everyday grind. It’s in showing up even when no one’s watching, figuring things out as you go, and pushing forward despite setbacks and uncertainty.

2025 will mark my 3rd year as an entrepreneur. Some days feel like magic! ✨ Others feel like a marathon. 🏃‍♀️ (I’m not a runner!😅) I’m eager to continue learning from the wisdom of those who’ve been at this far longer, but what I know even now is that a business owner’s journey requires gritty determination + tenacious optimism, and belief that the world is made by better by the offering of our unique skills and gifts.

If you’re in it too—keep going. Keep building. And if you have wisdom to share, I’d love to hear it in the comments!

Let’s fly. 🪽

12/18/2024

Ottumwa creatives and small business owners are the coolest! I LOVE finding more and more of you dreamers and doers out here, putting your heart out there with your work. (And when I get to work with you?! ✨ Magic!)

Bakers, beekeepers, restaurants, artists, photographers, stylists, retail owners and more - we have so many skilled and talented people who are doing work they love!

(Conspiring with Photo15 By Rachel H. Smith today about some cool stuff has me all sorts of inspired!😁)

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Comment and tag the local businesses/creatives you LOVE to collab with!