You Know You Have a Good Thing Going... Tiefenthaler Quality Meats
In a community like Holstein, Iowa, population 1,500, when 1,000 people show up for your grand opening, you know you´ve got a good thing going. John and Shelley Tiefenthaler knew they had a great customer base, but recently when they relocated and expanded their business, Tiefenthaler Quality Meats Food Locker Service, Inc., the great showing of community support reinforced their belief that if you produce quality products, as the saying goes, "they will come."
"Everyone in our community knew who we were, and they were supportive of what we were doing," said John. "They encouraged our growth."
When John started working at the local meat locker in Holstein when he was in high school, he might not have predicted it would become his life´s work and passion. And while the opportunity to purchase and expand the business fueled his and his wife´s enthusiasm for it, it´s producing a quality product that has solidified their place in a niche market.
"We get people coming from Sioux City, 45 miles away, to get our meat products because they know they are getting quality," said Shelley. "People everywhere are looking at the value of their dollar; they want the quality product."
While they were already producing all types of meat products for a large region of customers, when they moved to a new location they were able to expand by adding a smokehouse and storefront. A new line of products emerged that allowed them to sell to grocery stores and restaurants. Today their products are sold in Iowa by Hy-Vee, Dahl´s and Fareway, and distributed in the midwest by Farner Bocken. Last year they produced 25,000 pounds of bratwurst, one of their specialties.
The Tiefenthalers couldn´t be more pleased with the success of their business and marvel at their life in Holstein not only in the support that the community gives their business, but also their family. Although Shelley went to college after high school, she came back because it was comfortable, safe and she knew she wanted to raise children there.
"We´ve never had to worry about our kids growing up here," Shelley said of their children aged 14 and 10. "The school here is super. They are able to be in sports and all the extracurricular activities they want. And with small class sizes, they get extra attention from teachers."
In addition, the community has proved perfect for their business. Their new location is accessibly positioned on Highway 59 that runs through Holstein, and the intersecting Highway 20, which goes from Sioux City across the state to Dubuque, runs nearby. While they don´t employ a large number of people 12 at present filling positions with the right personnel hasn´t been an issue.
"We are amazed at how many good, quality applicants come through when we have openings," John said. "And they are from all around the area."
While grocery shoppers in larger cities have the opportunity to pick up a package of Tiefenthaler No Mess Chili Dogs (the Tiefenthaler´s other specialty) at their neighborhood grocery store, they probably don´t have the appreciation for the homegrown goodness that the Holstein community and Western Iowa area reaps from this business.
