Dillon Blythe ('17 agricultural studies) didn’t use the startup idea he’d developed in the Econ 334/Entrepreneurship in Agriculture course right away after graduating in 2017, but he didn’t forget it either.

“My startup idea from class was about providing soil fertility consulting services to farmers,” Blythe comments. “I took a position after graduating from ISU with an agriculture retailer, so I did work with farmers on soil sampling and fertilizer plans. Then I accepted a position with a seed company and farmers who’d worked with me in my previous position asked for help with soil sampling and fertilizer issues.”

Blythe’s opportunity had arrived. In 2021, he started Blythe Crop Solutions, based near his hometown of Marengo, Iowa. “I asked my wife if I could quit my job and start a business,” he adds. 

“She asked how much of our savings it would take to start the business, and I had made an estimate. Yes, I told her, I made an estimate, and it will take all of our savings,” he laughs. “Her engineering degree from Iowa State and the salary from her job (Arlette Blythe Industrial Engineering 2018) was  important for a lean start to the business.” 

Since that lean 2021 start, the business has grown. “There’s been a natural progression of growth,” Blythe comments. “You build trust with customers; they talk to other people, and you add more customers.”

What from his Iowa State University experience does Blythe value as he’s begun his entrepreneurial journey?

“I need agronomy skills and technical knowledge,” he comments. “But it’s the entrepreneurial skills that I work every day to build that I started to work on while at ISU. An entrepreneur needs to sharpen those skills every single day. At this point I don’t have products that are very much different from many competitors, so I’ve got to be entrepreneurial to create an edge.”

And what are some of the entrepreneurial skills Blythe values most?

“Number one is to use tools,” he comments. “For example, I use SWOT analysis. Strengths. Weaknesses. Opportunities. Threats. I don’t have a boss, so I send out a detailed customer feedback survey each year that’s based on SWOT analysis. I want my customers to keep me accountable.”

“Number two is effective communication with customers,” he adds. “How can I communicate value and then deliver it? Also, I send hand-written thank you notes. It’s simple but noticed and appreciated.”

“Number three is working to achieve differentiation,” he concludes. “The only things that’s proprietary in my business right now is me. There are many alternatives for seed and crop nutrition, so I need to offer services that have significant value and build trust with my customers.”

Blythe also knows now that learning doesn’t stop when completing a university degree. “ISU started me on a learning journey, but it was just the beginning,” he said. “You learn so much from the people you meet and the books that you read. Never stop learning. Stay curious.”