Our Story
The People, Purpose
& Heart Behind Vodkaleti
"Vodkaleti Formations LLC is an Iowa-based social enterprise that blends craftsmanship, community, and conscious commerce — created specifically to empower artisans, support small businesses, and give back to the communities that make our work possible."
Our Identity
Rooted in Iowa.
Built for Makers.
Vodkaleti Formations LLC was created to serve the creative artists and vendors in small Iowa communities by showcasing and facilitating sales of their artwork and products. We are a community-driven marketplace that connects shoppers with authentic, handcrafted, and purpose-filled goods from local creators.
We believe small businesses matter. Every purchase on our platform supports a real person, a real family, and a real community right here in Iowa. Rooted in Fort Dodge, our platform hosts 80+ vendors across 12+ business categories — from handmade jewelry to local food, apparel to fine art.
Beyond Fort Dodge
The Towns We Serve,
The Small Businesses We Back
Vodkaleti isn't built for one zip code. We partner with makers, family shops, and home-based businesses across the small towns surrounding Fort Dodge — because rural communities deserve a marketplace too.
Fort Dodge
Our headquarters and the anchor of the marketplace — home to dozens of makers, from potters to print artists.
Manson
A small-town community where quilters, bakers, and woodworkers keep handmade traditions alive.
Rockwell City
Family-run shops and home-based studios producing jewelry, candles, and seasonal décor.
Humboldt
Painters and photographers selling fine art prints and custom commissions to Iowa collectors.
Eagle Grove
Main-street storefronts and side-hustle creators turning passions into sustainable local businesses.
Gowrie
Generational craft — soap makers, fiber artists, and family farms bringing goods straight to market.
Every town listed is home to at least one small business on our platform.
Our Founder
Shawn Halbur
Founder & Creator
Vodkaleti was founded by Shawn Halbur — a creator at heart and a builder by nature. A Kirkwood Community College alumnus (Class of '21, Paramedic), Shawn saw a gap between the passion makers have and the structure they need, and stepped in to bridge it.
With experience in branding, operations, and community-centered business development, Shawn leads Vodkaleti with a balance of professionalism and compassion. Every system, document, and collaboration is designed to make creators feel supported, not overwhelmed.
"We believe every maker has a story worth telling — and a community worth building around it."
Our Identity
What We Stand For
Community-Driven
People-First
Purpose-Led
Iowa-Rooted
Social Impact
Craft as a Force
for Community Good
Vodkaleti Formations is not just a marketplace — it's a social enterprise with a mission to strengthen communities, uplift artisans, and return value to the neighborhoods that make Iowa great.
Economic Empowerment
We create viable income pathways for Iowa makers who might otherwise lack access to markets, business structure, or professional support. Every vendor we onboard is a family we help sustain.
Nonprofit Giving
A portion of every sale and partnership goes directly to local nonprofits and community organizations in Fort Dodge and across Iowa — because a thriving creative economy gives back.
Amplifying Artisan Voices
We spotlight the stories behind the work. Maker features, social campaigns, and community events ensure that Iowa's artisans are seen, celebrated, and connected to the audiences who care.
Education & Mentorship
Through operational templates, business guidance, and peer mentorship, we equip makers with the knowledge they need to run sustainable, professional creative businesses.
"When a maker thrives, a family is strengthened. When a family is strengthened, a community grows. That's the chain reaction we're building — one artisan at a time."
— Shawn Halbur, Founder
Where We're Headed
Building a model that scales
without losing its soul.
Vodkaleti Formations LLC is growing toward a future where artisan marketplaces are not an afterthought — they're respected, sustainable, and structurally sound. As we expand our network of vendors, partners, and community organizations, our north star stays the same: empower local creators, honor their work, and make it easier for them to thrive.
Explore Our Services