Knowing and Growing Economic Power: Joey Beech on Angel Investing and Financial Literacy

In this episode, host Kaylee Williams sits down with Joey Beech, aka the Financial Lit Lady, an author, speaker, and one of the driving forces behind Ankeny Angels. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/Joey-beech 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Joey shares her journey from teaching financial literacy at local high schools to building a thriving angel investment group that's backing some of Iowa's most promising startups. In their conversation, Joey shares what she looks for in founders and pitches—spoiler alert: it's less about the perfect financial projections and more about founders who've solved a problem they personally understand. Joey also opens up about her own financial mistakes, including overspending on a car, and explains why emotion plays such a huge role in our financial decisions, no matter how much we know about spreadsheets. But the real heart of this conversation is about Iowa's untapped potential. Joey makes a compelling case for why the state's "doer mentality" and tinkering culture give local startups an edge, and she challenges the ecosystem to stop playing small. She argues passionately that Iowa's biggest opportunity lies in engaging younger people—starting in high school—in entrepreneurship and innovation, rather than waiting until college to expose them to real-world business. By connecting students with local companies, breaking down silos between startups and established businesses, and investing in early-stage talent, Iowa can not only retain its best minds but build the next generation of founders right here at home.