Ep.033: Getting Cut from the WNBA, Playing Overseas, and Becoming a COO w/ Chelsea Poppens
- Ryan Snaadt
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
In the latest episode of the Rhymes With Odd podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with a powerhouse of the Iowa athletic and business community: Chelsea Poppens.
For many in Des Moines, the name Poppens is synonymous with Iowa State basketball excellence. But today, Chelsea isn't just known for her rebounding stats; she is the COO and Partner at Day Cloud Studios, a premier marketing agency.
In this deep-dive conversation, Ryan Snaadt and Chelsea explore the grueling reality of professional sports, the "baptism by fire" of the WNBA, and how the grit required to load hogs on an Iowa farm at 3:00 a.m. translates perfectly to the boardroom.
The Iowa Roots: Where the Work Ethic Began
Every Des Moines business owner knows that "Iowa nice" is only half the story—the other half is Iowa hard work. Chelsea grew up in Aplington-Parkersburg, a town legendary for producing NFL talent under the late Coach Ed Thomas.
"I grew up on a farm... we would load hogs at 3:00 a.m. on a school night with my dad," Chelsea tells Ryan Snaadt.
This foundation of extreme ownership and "showing up rain or shine" became her competitive advantage. When she arrived at Iowa State University on a full-ride scholarship, she realized she wasn't the most polished player on the court. She shot one-handed free throws and struggled with defensive schemes. However, her "motor" didn't stop. She chose to thrive in the areas others ignored—specifically rebounding—because it was about effort, not just raw talent.
The WNBA Reality Check: Getting Cut from the Seattle Storm
For many high-achievers in the marketing and business world, failure is a terrifying prospect. Chelsea faced it on a national stage. After being drafted in the second round to the Seattle Storm, she survived training camp until the very last day.
She shares a vulnerable moment with Ryan Snaadt about the day she was cut. Seeking closure, she asked the coach for feedback. The answer was a cold lesson in professional sports politics: The other girl was simply two inches taller.
"I've worked my entire life to get to this point, to just say no, you weren't enough... why though?"
This experience didn't break her; it redirected her. She spent the next six to seven years playing overseas in countries like Poland, Australia, and Lebanon, proving her value on a global scale while navigating the physical toll of three major knee surgeries.
Pivoting from the Court to the C-Suite
How does a professional athlete transition into the Des Moines marketing scene? For Chelsea, it was a deliberate, strategic play. While rehabbing her second ACL tear in Florida and Puerto Rico (even during hurricanes), she pursued her MBA through the University of Florida.
She knew her identity couldn't stay tied to a basketball forever. "I knew I was capable of being something different, being something bigger than just the safe space of who I thought I was," she explains.
From Data Analytics to Agency Leadership
After a stint at Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, Chelsea eventually found her home at Day Cloud Studios. Her ascent from a Sales Associate to Project Manager and finally to COO and Partner happened because of one specific trait that Ryan Snaadt highlights: Extreme Ownership.
Chelsea’s partner, Liz Hunt, noted that Chelsea stepped into her roles and acted as if she already owned the business. She looked for:
Process Optimization: Finding "leaks" in the workflow.
Financial Strategy: Understanding overhead and identifying where to save or make money.
Resource Management: Shifting the agency model to better survive economic ebbs and flows.
Lessons for Des Moines Business Owners and Marketers
The conversation between Chelsea and Ryan Snaadt offers several key takeaways for local entrepreneurs and marketing professionals looking to scale in 2026:
1. The Value of "Tough Coaching"
Chelsea draws a parallel between her time at Iowa State under Coach Bill Finley and current star Caitlin Clark. Both athletes prefer coaches who call them out when they are wrong. In business, surrounding yourself with "yes men" stalls growth. A great COO or partner is someone who will tell you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
2. Adapting the Agency Model
Chelsea and Ryan discuss the "roller coaster" of the agency world. Post-COVID, Day Cloud Studios shifted their vision. Instead of maintaining a massive, high-overhead internal team, they moved to a leaner model with a core leadership team supported by a roster of trusted, long-term contractors. This allows for:
Scalability: Handling large projects without the permanent "stressor" of high payroll.
Specialization: Bringing in the exact creative talent needed for specific client niches.
3. Managing the "Friend-to-Boss" Transition
One of the hardest parts of Chelsea’s transition to COO was the shift in dynamics with her coworkers. Moving from a peer to a position of authority requires a delicate balance of maintaining relationships while making the hard decisions that keep the business profitable.
Conclusion: The "Post-Sport" Identity
The journey from the WNBA draft to leading an Omaha and Des Moines-connected agency is a testament to the fact that skills are transferable. Whether you are boxing out a 6'7" center or optimizing a marketing budget, the principles remain the same: Positioning, Effort, and Strategy.
As Chelsea Poppens proves, being an "unorthodox" player is fine—as long as you have the motor to outwork the competition.
Connect with the Podcast
If you enjoyed this summary, be sure to watch the full episode on the Rhymes With Odd YouTube channel. Ryan Snaadt continues to bring on the best and brightest in the Midwest to discuss business, videography, and the hustle of the creative life.
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