MEET DSM: Devin Lam and Lloyd Yates
Devin Lam and Lloyd Yates were two entrepreneurs ready for a change.
They were waiting for a new opportunity to jump out at them, and that moment came while Lloyd was in Greater Des Moines (DSM) as a member of the 2024 100-day Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA).
Lloyd fell in love with the community DSM had to offer while going through the GIA. So much so that he was constantly calling and texting Devin, who was back in their home in Miami, how he felt the change they were looking for was in DSM.
“Iowa is such a hidden gem,” said Lloyd. “We were seeking out a place like Des Moines. We just didn't know it was Des Moines. We wanted a city that was growing, that had a lot of fun things to do and that really catered to a younger, professional crowd. Little did we know it was in our face the whole time.”
Devin had never been to DSM, so she was going off blind faith from the enthusiasm she saw in Lloyd.
Lloyd saw an opportunity also for his career on top of a new place to call home. As the Founder and CEO of Tylmen, a life insurance software startup, he saw a place to grow his career due to DSM’s reputation among a top destination for the insurance industry. How did Devin fit into that herself? She runs a micro bakery called Black Bagel. With Devin’s eyes set on DSM, she explored her opportunities and learned of the Downtown Farmers’ Market which garners over 34,000 visitors each Saturday, May-October. The volume of attendees and its large size drew her in since she had never seen a Market of that caliber. She applied to be a vendor.
“What drew me in was I had looked it up and I had seen on Court Avenue the big clock tower [on the Polk County Historic Courthouse]. It's beautiful. I just thought, oh my goodness, I would love to be around there, sell bagels and meet the people in the area. I was very drawn to it.”
When she received communication that she had been accepted as a new vendor for the 2024 season, it felt like their sign.
Leaving behind the cityscape of Miami, the two embarked on a new chapter in DSM driving the 26 hours from Miami to DSM, where they discovered not just ground for their professional aspirations but also a new community that embraced them with open arms.
“I think the DSM people are special,” Devin said. “A strong and welcoming community. Since we've been here everyone has been so helpful. You just feel a sense that they're genuine, they're good people and a sense of warmth that you don't get in other places.”
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