Startup Spaces: Take a look at Dwolla’s renovated Des Moines space

For Des Moines-based Dwolla, a renovated downtown office means more space for collaboration and a renewed focus on branding. “Almost everything that can be orange in our office is orange: couches, walls, rugs, shirts, you name it,” Dwolla communications builder intern Lindsay Dressen told Silicon Prairie News …

Sponsor: Thanks to turnstone, an office furniture company focusing on small businesses, for supporting Silicon Prairie News. The company is sponsoring our monthly Startup Spaces series.

About the author: The Turnstone Tip is authored by Jenny Gauld, space planner for turnstone.


 

For Des Moines-based Dwolla, a renovated downtown office means more space for collaboration and a renewed focus on branding. 

“Almost everything that can be orange in our office is orange: couches, walls, rugs, shirts, you name it,” Dwolla communications builder intern Lindsay Dressen told Silicon Prairie News. 

The startup—founded in 2008—moved into its current office in February 2012, and while Dwolla now has offices in San Francisco, New York and Kansas City, its Iowa headquarters recently got a makeover when the startup expanded into a space next door. 

“We are very excited to have our expanded space to host outside and internal hackathons,” Dressen said. “Internal hackathons are something we started this past June and it was a huge success for the hacks that came from it and a bonding experience as a company.” 

Founder Ben Milne hates cubicles, so you won’t find any in the startup’s offices. But Dwolla’s new office boasts lots of open spaces for collaboration, along with a number of conference rooms for private meetings or “heads down work time.” 

To help with the renovation of its new 7,500-square-foot space in Des Moines’ Financial Center, Dwolla used a combination of team and professional help—while Milne, COO Charise Flynn, director of infrastructure Jim Howard and Milne’s executive assistant Kate Wagner helped maintain continuity, the team also consulted Liz Lidgett Fine Art on furniture and design. 

Along with new furniture, a mural by local artist Van Holmgren and framed Dwolla T-shirts from over the years adorning the walls, Dwolla’s renovated office includes a game room with a foosball table and MakerBot. 

“We now have our own game room equipped with a foosball table, which was an internal gift for hitting a goal in 2012—it is a place where we can go and let our brains decompress for five minutes or so, and then get back to the grind,” Dressen said. 

About 40 full-time team members work out of Dwolla’s offices in the heart of downtown Des Moines, just blocks away from StartupCity Des Moines.

Turnstone Tip 

“Three cheers for the work that Dwolla has done to create a playful, fun atmosphere to work in! They’ve used color to bring life and energy to their space and have kept it consistent throughout. Well-placed mission statements not only add personality but remind the team of their vision.

One of our favorite parts of this space is the wall of photos. We love how they create community and add to Dwolla’s culture by putting their people (and a few celebs) on display. The laid-back atmosphere, foosball table and stuffed animals (the Dwolla koala) feed the vibe that this company is approachable and fun.

Just like everyone, Dwolla has a lot of cords to manage. We think their space would shine even brighter with turnstone’s Bivi desk, which provides a sleek option for keeping spaces tidy and powered up in style.”

Dwolla will receive two turnstone buoys for free as a thanks for participating in SPN’s Startup Spaces. To submit your startup for consideration, email editor@siliconprairienews.com to tell us why your company should be featured, and include a few photos. 

Dwolla’s “Wall of Fame” hangs in each office and showcases all of the startup’s employees and key investors. 

Dwolla’s mission greets visitors and staffers as soon as they enter the startup’s Des Moines office. 


Local artist Van Holmgren painted Dwolla’s chain t-shirt design on one of the startup’s bright orange walls.


Dwolla’s renovated office has a game room, complete with foosball table and bean bag chairs. 


Dwolla’s open floorplan allows for lots of space for collaboration and large team meetings each day at 11:11 a.m., with all of the company’s offices dialing in via Google Hangout. 


Dwolla employees keep the space fun and unique with personal touches like this miniature bike. 


Dwolla’s new game room is fully equipped with a foosball table and MakerBot 3D printer. 

Dwolla’s founder Ben Milne doesn’t like cubicles, so the startup’s office has lots of open space for collaboration among team members. 


Framed Dwolla T-shirts from over the years are on display in the startup’s newly renovated office. 

This post has been co-authored by our sponsor, turnstone.


Credits: Photos by Frank Merchlewitz.


About our sponsor: turnstone gives people in small business the freedom to think and move in ways that inspire, both by creating furniture unique to their needs and by supporting their efforts to thrive. We champion the idea that space and office culture matter, and work behind the scenes to connect the dots so that you can get back to changing the world.

We believe that entrepreneurs hold the promise of tomorrow for many of today’s challenges. Turnstone supports their efforts by sharing insights and solutions to help create work environments that foster creativity and better connect people to their potential. We believe space matters and that exceptional design should inspire exceptional results.

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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