Ep. 030: Adoption, Serial Entrepreneurship, and Moving to the U.S. w/ Sam Hoyle
- Ryan Snaadt
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Adoption, Entrepreneurship, and Building a Business in Des Moines: Lessons from Sam Hoyle
If you’re a business owner, marketer, or entrepreneur in Des Moines, Iowa, this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast offers a powerful mix of personal story, business strategy, and practical insights. Featuring serial entrepreneur Sam Hoyle, the conversation dives into everything from launching multiple businesses to scaling a marketing agency—and even how adoption shaped his perspective on life and leadership.
Below is an in-depth overview of the key takeaways, designed specifically for local entrepreneurs and marketers looking to grow in the Des Moines market.
From England to Iowa: A Unique Entrepreneurial Journey
Sam Hoyle’s path to entrepreneurship wasn’t traditional. Originally from England, he studied photography, film, and international relations before working in marketing and media. After meeting his wife in college and spending time in Korea, he eventually relocated to Iowa.
What stood out immediately? Opportunity.
While major cities like London felt saturated and competitive, Des Moines offered something different: accessibility, affordability, and room to grow. Within a week of arriving, Sam landed a job in his desired field—something that had proven difficult overseas.
Key takeaway for Des Moines professionals:You don’t need to live in a massive metro to build a successful career or business. Markets like Des Moines provide a unique advantage for those willing to take initiative.
Starting Small: The Power of a Side Hustle
Sam’s first business was a wedding photography company—something he built while working a full-time job. This side hustle allowed him to:
Learn how to run an LLC
Understand taxes and finances
Build client relationships
Generate extra income
Over time, it evolved into a consistent revenue stream, even though he’s now scaled it back to focus on family and other ventures.
SEO insight for local entrepreneurs:If you're searching for “how to start a business in Des Moines” or “side hustles in Iowa,” Sam’s story reinforces a simple truth: start with what you know and build gradually.
Scaling Up: From Photography to Multiple Businesses
Sam didn’t stop at one business. He expanded into several ventures, including:
A craft whiskey subscription company focused on storytelling and niche distribution
A marketing agency (New Tribe Media) specializing in social media and video production
Partnerships in Des Moines restaurant concepts, including pizza and beer garden ventures
A creative studio rental space (Studio E9) built from a renovated historic property
This diversified portfolio is a great example of serial entrepreneurship in a mid-sized market.
For Des Moines business owners:Diversification can be a powerful growth strategy—but only when managed correctly.
Why Entrepreneurship? Escaping the Corporate Ceiling
When Ryan Snaadt asked why Sam pursued entrepreneurship, the answer was simple: impatience with slow systems and a desire for results.
In corporate environments, Sam found himself limited by process and hierarchy. Entrepreneurship allowed him to:
Move faster
Make decisions independently
Focus on results over bureaucracy
Local business insight:Many professionals in Iowa are transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship. The appeal? Flexibility, ownership, and control over outcomes.
Avoiding Burnout: The Shift from Doing to Leading
One of the most important lessons Sam shared is about burnout.
Early on, he tried to do everything himself—client work, editing, strategy, operations. Eventually, that became unsustainable.
His solution?
Hire a team
Delegate execution
Focus on strategy and growth
Today, most of his time is spent overseeing projects rather than executing them.
Marketing takeaway:If you're running a small business in Des Moines, scaling requires letting go of control and trusting others to execute.
The Power of Storytelling in Marketing
A major theme throughout the episode is storytelling—especially in Sam’s work with nonprofit clients in the organ donation space.
His agency focuses on:
Real human stories
Emotional connection
Authentic content
Social media distribution at scale
They now reach over 1 million people per week through their content.
SEO + marketing tip for Iowa businesses:If you're trying to grow your brand online, storytelling is essential. Whether you're a local restaurant, service provider, or nonprofit, your story is your strongest marketing asset.
A Unique Business Model: Partnering for Equity
One standout strategy Sam uses is partnering with businesses instead of charging traditional fees.
Instead of acting purely as a service provider, he sometimes:
Takes equity in a business
Helps grow the brand
Shares in long-term success
This approach allowed him to enter industries like restaurants without large upfront capital.
For Des Moines entrepreneurs:Creative deal structures can open doors. If you have skills (marketing, operations, etc.), consider equity partnerships as an alternative to standard contracts.
Life Lessons from Adoption and Fatherhood
Beyond business, one of the most impactful parts of the conversation was Sam’s perspective on family.
Through adoption, he learned a powerful lesson:
Children are not possessions—they are individuals to be guided and supported.
This philosophy influences how he approaches both parenting and leadership.
Leadership takeaway:Whether you're managing employees or raising a family, the goal isn’t control—it’s empowerment.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Des Moines
To close the episode, Ryan Snaadt asked for advice for young entrepreneurs. Sam’s answer was simple but powerful:
1. Show up consistently
Reliability is one of the most underrated business skills.
2. Keep your word
Trust builds long-term success.
3. Work as hard for yourself as you would for an employer
Entrepreneurship requires self-discipline.
Local SEO insight:For those searching “starting a business in Des Moines Iowa” or “entrepreneur advice,” this mindset is foundational.
Final Thoughts: Building a Business with Purpose in Iowa
This episode highlights something important: you don’t need to chase big cities or trends to build something meaningful.
Des Moines offers:
A supportive business community
Lower cost of living
Opportunities for growth
Access to diverse industries
Sam Hoyle’s journey shows that with the right mindset, you can build multiple successful ventures while staying rooted in Iowa.
Want More Insights Like This?
If you’re a Des Moines entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner, conversations like this with Ryan Snaadt are packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.
Whether you're launching a startup, scaling a service business, or refining your marketing strategy—the principles in this episode are directly applicable to your journey.
Comments