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As second birthday nears, Goodsmiths founder reflects on changes, growth
Just months before its second birthday, the founders of Des Moines-based Goodsmiths are reflecting on their business’ growth and making some changes. As both the startup’s revenue and sales have been on the rise 15 of the last 21 months, the startup recently reduced its team to focus on marketing and attracting users to its…
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Des Moines’ Goodsmiths introduces gift cards, expands markets
This week West Des Moines-based Goodsmiths announced it will now give its users the option to purchase gift cards. Just in time for the holiday season, the online marketplace’s co-founder James Eliason says the startup is well-positioned to add new features …
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With new site, Goodsmiths wants to help forgetful boyfriends everywhere
Don’t know what to give your girlfriend on your anniversary? Forgot to get your best lady friend a gift for her birthday? The Good Guy Project is here to help. Powered by West Des Moines ecommerce startup Goodsmiths, the recently launched site allows perplexed gift-givers to log on and create an event for a present…
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Goodsmiths’ new Swipe app lets its online store owners sell offline
Ecommerce startup Goodsmiths today introduced Swipe, an app that allows its online shop owners to accept credit card payments offline while keeping their online inventory synced. “It’s a totally new product that honestly for us, for Goodsmiths, it’s going to disrupt the craft fairs, art shows, farmers’ markets …
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Goodsmiths gears up for holidays with more funding, marketing push
Goodsmiths, an online marketplace for handmade goods, on Monday began to target holiday shoppers with a blitz of a paid marketing campaigns (left) that are expected to reach more than 2.5 million subscribers across three publishing companies. “We’ve seen it from our competition that holidays are their biggest time of the year,” Goodsmiths co-founder and…
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Entrepreneurship is risky; hiring employees is even riskier
It is a great honor to close out the October series on hiring here on Silicon Prairie News. I have read both Brad’s and Brent’s post from earlier in the month and I’m hoping I can share some great insight like they have. I’m a big fan of Mark Suster. Mark is an investment partner…
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Goodsmiths’ party celebrates $1 million mark, hints at what’s next
Amid a crowd of friends, fellow founders and startup enthusiasts of all stripes Wednesday night, Goodsmiths announced the arrival of its group buying option and milestone of $1 million in inventory. “Now we can finally say, hey, we’re different than the others that are out there,” co-founder Levi Rosol said in the startup’s West Des…
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Goodsmiths brings on former Better Homes exec, readies group buying
Often, startups are fueled by passion. For Deb Gore Ohrn, the decision to end her 18-year career at Meredith Corporation for an 18-month old startup was in following her heart. “It was just like, ‘Oh my God, I need to be working with (Goodsmiths),’ ” Gore Ohrn said in a phone interview Tuesday. That feeling…
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Goodsmiths is open to buyers and ready to make more moves
The “Marketplace for Makers” is now open to buyers. Goodsmiths, a website for crafters to buy and sell their handmade goods, on Wednesday opened its virtual doors to shoppers for the first time. Though Goodsmiths co-founders James Eliason and Levi Rosol characterized Wednesday as a “soft launch,” in part because Dwolla was the only payment…
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Angry birds settle: Twitter, Iowa-based Twittad hash out ‘tweet’ deal
Tweet it from the rooftops: Twitter and Des Moines-based Twittad have settled their squabble surrounding the trademark of the term “tweet.” Twittad CEO James Eliason confirmed via email on Monday that his company, a platform for sponsored advertisements on Twitter, has reached an agreement with Twitter over the trademark of “tweet.” Twittad, which previously held…