Michelle Bowden

Michelle Bowden serves as the Commercial Sales Representative for a trash and recycling collection company with its mother company in Ankeny, Iowa, and a sister company in Clear Lake, Iowa. With a decade of experience in the industry, she manages inside sales and cold calling from Ankeny while conducting face-to-face customer interactions in Clear Lake. Her responsibilities include overseeing all city contracts, which involve bidding for residential trash and recycling services and attending city council meetings, as well as working with brokers to secure accounts for large retailers such as Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe's. Prior to her current role, Bowden spent nearly 20 years in medical supply sales, along with time in veterinary, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sales. She earned her degree in Management Entrepreneurship, attending Iowa State University for four years before completing her studies at Buena Vista, which has since become a university. Bowden is actively involved with multiple Chambers of Commerce, participating in events like golf outings to promote her company. She values honesty and communication highly and advises that building relationships is essential in sales. Additionally, she encourages young women entering the industry, noting that it has traditionally been male-dominated but that women are fully capable of succeeding.