How a Salted Caramel Flavor Became a Recipe for Success

If you have ever topped off your coffee, apple pie or slice of cake with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, you can be my friend. I’ll even share it with you. A good, salted caramel sauce is made of simple ingredients: caramelized sugar, butter, cream and salt. The results are heavenly (and I’m a chocolate loyalist).

I’ve tried making salted caramel eggnog — it wasn’t easy, but it was worth every bit of effort. The initial disappointment came after we combined all the ingredients and tasted the result. The flavors were off. Instead of savoring sweet, buttery, warm notes of caramel, balanced with a slightly salty endnote, we detected the deep, smoky molasses flavors of butterscotch.

Sigh.

And so, it went on for a month before reaching the point of victory. Anyone who thinks flavors cannot elicit a deep emotional response has not labored over salted caramel. It is an exuberant affair.

I was reminded during that flavor perfecting process that the right ingredients, combined with a vision and an unwavering focus on the goal, can truly make something exceptional. The Greater Des Moines region is also proof that when a community commits to the right recipe, the results are worth celebrating.

Recent Greater Des Moines Rankings

Just this quarter, Greater Des Moines has been recognized as the No. 3 best place for gen z graduates (Rent Cafe), the No. 2 best mid-sized metro for working moms (Coworking Cafe) and the No. 1 best place to rent right now (CheapInsurance.com). We’re also ranked among the most affordable and most desirable mid-sized cities in the country. These accolades generate as much pride as a coveted Iowa State Fair blue-ribbon, showcasing the hard work and ownership our region puts into creating a fantastic place to live and work.

National media has taken notice, too. Newsweek spotlighted Greater Des Moines as the fastest-growing region in the Midwest. This is in part due to the large influx of young professionals, and in part due to an influx of people of all ages. Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, said it best in the article: “Millennials have certainly contributed to Greater Des Moines' recent momentum, especially through their investment in urban living, entrepreneurship and early career opportunities. However, the region's growth has been fueled by a broader, multi-generational trend that reflects Greater Des Moines' overall attractiveness to people at different stages of life.”

In the USA Today “America’s Evolving Cities” series, DSM was highlighted as a success story in a region where many communities are struggling to attract younger workers. The article credited our ability to work together as a unified region as a major driver of success. Tiffany noted in the article that “our ability to work as one region is unique.” The Daily Mail called DSM a “vibrant boomtown,” reinforcing what residents already feel — our region is on the rise.

When I think about the secret (sauce) to that momentum, I strongly believe it is our proprietary blend of everything wonderful. Our “ingredients” are the partnerships between public, private and nonprofit leaders who share a vision for growth. Our “recipe” is the way we collaborate across city lines and sectors to attract talent, expand economic mic opportunities and enhance our quality of life. The result is something everyone can take pride in: A community that continues to grow stronger, more connected and more appealing to people of all ages.

Take a moment to reflect upon all that has been accomplished in Greater Des Moines and all that is yet to come. It is satisfying, encouraging and inspiring. (If by chance, there happens to be salted caramel sauce involved in your time of reflection, even better!)