MASON CITY – A young North Iowa entrepreneur who turned a personal truck problem into a growing business has been recognized by the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center.
Jordan Klooster of Klooster Flaps in Garner has been named the May 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.
Klooster is the founder of Klooster Flaps, a business that makes custom, handmade mudflaps designed mainly for trucks with oversized tires. Those larger tires often stick out beyond factory fenders, leaving trucks more exposed to rock chips, mud and road debris.
“I wanted something to protect my truck, but the options out there were really expensive,” Klooster said. “Then the company I was looking at actually went out of business, so I figured I’d just make my own.”
That one decision grew into a business.
After Klooster built his first set of mudflaps, others began asking about them. At first, he made sets for friends. Then friends of friends started asking. Before long, Klooster Flaps was no longer just a one-time fix for his own truck, but a custom product business serving customers who wanted something built to fit their vehicles and style.
Unlike mass-produced mudflaps, Klooster’s products are built from raw materials and made by hand. Customers can choose colors, finishes, styles and designs, ranging from rugged, heavy-duty looks to cleaner, more streamlined options.
“I make everything myself,” Klooster said. “People can get something that fits what they want, not just something off the shelf.”
Klooster is building the business while also working as a full-time cattle farmer and studying agriculture at NIACC. His story reflects the kind of rural entrepreneurship that can start small, serve a specific need and grow with the right mix of skill, persistence and support.
Klooster connected with the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, where he received mentorship and resources to strengthen his business plan. He also competed in the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, where he presented his business to a panel of judges and won second place.
As Klooster Flaps has grown, he has invested in new equipment and expanded beyond mudflaps into more detailed custom designs, decorative planters and other creative products. Even with the growth, Klooster said he is not trying to turn the business into a large-scale manufacturing operation. Instead, he wants to build something steady that fits alongside his long-term future in agriculture.
“I’d like to grow Klooster Flaps into something consistent, something reliable for me and my customers,” Klooster said.
Customer service is also central to how Klooster wants to build his name.
“If something breaks or they’re not happy, you make it right,” he said. “That’s how you build trust and get your name out there.”
Klooster’s advice to other young entrepreneurs is simple: find a niche, understand the market and commit to the work.
“If you find something not many people are doing, go after it,” he said. “And once you start, just go at it full force. It’s not going to wait for you.”
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, in partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, provides tools, support and resources to Iowa entrepreneurs, with a focus on rural business innovation and success.
(TOP PHOTO of Jordan Klooster via NIACC.)
Nice to see an ambitious young man. Way to go Jordan!!