Iowa's Gig Economy - Olivia Sun

Tanisha Cortez checks the evening tip inventory at the Village Inn in Johnston, Iowa. Tanisha applied to numerous local restaurants, but after her previous employer of 11 years—Old Chicago—closed its doors in January, she decided on the one that got back to her the soonest.

Emily Forrester, HR director of Workiva of four years, poses with her pug, Carter. Workiva, a cloud-based software company, has 10 domestic offices and six internationally, and freely allows dogs in its offices.

Elizabeth Kopecky, a manager at Hickory Park, stands outside the restaurant in Ames, Iowa. Hickory Park is known for its vintage decor, friendly staff, and extensive sundae and dessert bar. The restaurant was last renovated in 1997 and seats almost 500 gu

Elizabeth Kopecky, a manager at Hickory Park. Hickory Park is known for its vintage decor, friendly staff, and extensive sundae and dessert bar. "We can't afford to be picky when hiring—I don't even call anyone's references anymore. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there."

Tanisha Cortez answers a customer placing a pie order. One of two managers at the location, Tanisha's responsibilities range from managing inventory to bussing tables.

Emily Forrester, left, and her pug, Carter, encounter another duo in the main hallway of Workiva's headquarters in Ames, Iowa. Workiva, a cloud-based software company, has 10 domestic offices and six internationally, and freely allows dogs in its offices.

An antler-adorned fixture hangs over a table, one of many nostalgic pieces in the restaurant.

An antler-adorned fixture hangs over a table, one of many nostalgic pieces in Hickory Park.

Emily Forrester, HR director of Workiva of four years, looks over a training report with a colleague. Emily notes there's still difficulty in attracting young people long-term to the agricultural and college town of Ames, but [employees] are spoiled at Wo

Emily notes there's still difficulty in attracting young people long-term to the agricultural and college town of Ames, but [employees] are spoiled at Workiva with the variety of its facilities.

A curbside job advertisement for "all positions" is seen just outside Hickory Park. Elizabeth trains new employees most of early spring, but anticipates smoother sailing as the school semester ends for the summer. "We can't afford to be picky when hiring—

Tanisha waits on a table of four on a slower-paced weekday. Though having to adjust from a taproom environment to a more casual, daytime atmosphere of a family-style breakfast chain, Tanisha looks forward to seeing her regulars, many of which are seniors

Though having to adjust from a taproom environment to a more casual, daytime atmosphere of a family-style breakfast chain, Tanisha looks forward to seeing her regulars, many of which are seniors who visit the diner up to twice a day.

Hickory Park, a longtime favorite of the locals, serves over 20,000 lbs. of meat to an average of 16,000 guests a week. Hickory Park, originated in 1970, is known for its vintage decor, friendly staff, and extensive sundae and dessert bar. The restaurant

Hickory Park serves over 20,000 lbs. of meat to an average of 16,000 guests a week. The restaurant was last renovated in 1997, now totaling 18,000 square feet—and seats almost 500 guests.

Tanisha teases a fellow colleague before turning a corner of the kitchen. Cortez, an Iowa native, is married with two children, and feels her coworkers are another part of her family.

Cortez, an Iowa native, is married with two children, and feels her coworkers are another part of her family.

Cy, the mascot of Iowa State University in Ames, greets incoming guests while holding a platter of ice cream.

Cy, the mascot of Iowa State University in Ames, greets incoming Hickory guests while holding a platter of ice cream.

Hickory Park, originated in 1970, is known for its vintage decor, friendly staff, and extensive sundae and dessert bar. The restaurant was last renovated in 1997, now totaling 18,000 square feet—and seats almost 500 guests.

Tanisha Cortez poses for a portrait behind the register of the Village Inn.

Hickory Park, employing around 250 total workers, hires regularly throughout the year—including part-time positions of servers, assistants, fountain/dessert workers , hosts, dish room workers, kitchen cooks, and caterers.