Prairie Portrait: Wade Steenhoek of Central College

Silicon Prairie News: What are the biggest challenges you face in helping cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among college students? | Wade Steenhoek: Students often mistakenly think that entrepreneurship is reserved for someone else and question their own place in this space. Part of my role is to establish competence in starting a new venture but…

Name: Wade Steenhoek

Bio: Dream pusher, opportunity chaser, challenge junkie, knowledge sponge, problem fixer, slacker hassler. Apathy and the status quo drive me crazy.

Title: Director of the Martin Heerema Entrepreneurship Program at Central College in Pella, Iowa

Age: 46

Residence: Ankeny, Iowa

Website: wadesteenhoek.com

Twitter: @WadeSteenhoek

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/wadesteenhoek

Intro music: Go For a Soda“, by Kim Mitchell

Silicon Prairie News: What are the biggest challenges you face in helping cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among college students?

Wade Steenhoek: Students often mistakenly think that entrepreneurship is reserved for someone else and question their own place in this space. Part of my role is to establish competence in starting a new venture but also develop the confidence that allows students to believe in their ability to achieve their dream of starting their own business.

SPN: As a big fan of Steve Blank’s work, what are a couple of the most important lessons you’ve taken from him?

WS: The single most important lesson is that products developed by founders who get out in front of customers early and often, win. It’s that simple. There are not facts inside the building, only guesses. Getting out of the building means acquiring a deep understanding of your customer needs and applying that to your product innovation. By doing this early, entrepreneurs eliminate wasted time, energy, money and effort.

SPN: Given your disdain for apathy and the status quo, do you have any techniques you employ on a regular basis to keep those things from creeping into your life?

WS: Every day, we must be cognizant of the choices we make. And one of the choices is who we give our time and energy to. At the recent Thinc Iowa conference, Antonio Neves made a point that entrepreneurs must distinguish between the Thieves of Ambition and the Allies of Glory. Understanding the difference, and the impact that each can make on your life, is an important step to our success. And deliberately choosing how we spend our time, and who we spend it with, is a way that anyone can keep undesirable things from creeping into their lives.

SPN: In your role as an Ankeny city councilor, what have you found to be the most effective methods for local governments to spark entrepreneurial innovation?

WS:  Two things: Constantly asking “what if” and “how else” type questions are fundamental to innovation. And recognizing that reward only comes to those willing to take some risks. As a councilor, we must recognize these things as culturally meaningful and embrace this mindset, not only in our thinking but in our actions as well. And when this culture is encouraged and embraced at the policy level, it permeates all activities of an organization. This leads innovative practices within a community.

SPN: You just celebrated your birthday on the 25th. First, happy birthday. Second, for someone looking for the perfect gift for an entrepreneur, what are your recommendations? 

WS: First, give them the book “Business Model Generation” by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. This is one of the best handbooks that an aspiring entrepreneur should have at the top of their list and utilize over and over again. Second, give them your time and support by attending a startup or other networking event with them. Entrepreneurship is energizing, engaging and rewarding, but it is also filled with stress, anxiety and self-doubt. Don’t underestimate the power of your support by simply being “present”.


Credits: Photo courtesy of Steenhoek.


Prairie Portraits: To learn more about this series, see our introduction post, or visit our archives for past Prairie Portraits. To suggest an individual for a future Prairie Portrait, contact editor@siliconprairienews.com.


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This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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