Designed for How Iowa Builds

Every Great Space Starts
with a Dream

Whether it's the home you've always imagined, the business you're building from the ground up, or the space where your family will make memories for years to come — your vision matters.

Iowa is growing, and dreams are taking shape everywhere. New builds, renovations, business expansions, and custom homes are creating more neighborhoods — but too often, those dreams stay trapped on paper or screens until it's too late to make them exactly right. Or worse…you never get the confidence needed to make those changes a reality!

Walk Your Plans Des Moines was founded to change that. As a veteran-owned business, we bring precision, construction expertise, and a deep respect for what you're creating to every project. We help you step inside your vision at life-size so you can see it, walk it, feel it, and perfect it while changes are still easy.

Large digital presentation screen with information about Walk Your Plans DSM, a planning studio in Des Moines. The screen displays the studio's logo, social media handles, a QR code for reviews, and a welcome message. The floor has a gymnasium-style court outline with the words 'UNISEX' and 'AGE 18+' marked.
MEET THE TEAM

Veteran leadership + mission-first focus

James served nearly 23 years in the Navy with SeaBees, Marines, and Operational Medical Units — thriving in high-stakes planning and precision. As a veteran-owned project planning business in Iowa, Walk Your Plans Des Moines operates with the same discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to mission success.

Deep construction experience

From Firefighter and Senior Medic for a local fire department, to Safety Manager for a general contractor, James knows safety, build sequencing, and real-world project pitfalls. This company is built on decades of hands-on construction knowledge — not just theory.

Proven sales and operations leadership

Lorie brings decades of team building, client strategy, and business growth — from retail and hospitality to leadership at national brands. Together with James, she helps clients navigate the planning process at Walk Your Plans Des Moines with confidence and clarity.

A man wearing a blue suit, light shirt, and pink tie, standing outdoors with green foliage and trees in the background.

the planner

James Machamer

President & Chief Experience Officer, Walk Your Plans Des Moines

James isn't just experienced — he's seen how small miscommunication can become big build problems. His military service taught him planning, precision, and adaptability — and his construction safety career built on that foundation.

With decades of construction experience and nearly 23 years of distinguished Naval Service, James Machamer brings a rare blend of expertise, leadership, and client-focused passion to Walk Your Plans Des Moines. As a retired Navy Veteran who served with the SeaBees, Marines, and Operational Medical Units—serving on multiple deployments and receiving numerous citations—James is no stranger to precision, pressure, and planning.

Following his military career, James served nearly 13 years as a Senior Medic and Firefighter with the Des Moines Fire Department, before becoming Safety Manager for a General Contractor. His deep commitment to safety, communication, and delivering top-tier client experiences now drives the mission at this veteran-owned business in Iowa.

James understands construction from every angle and knows the frustrations that often arise on both sides of the planning table. His industry knowledge, strategic mindset, and trusted relationships throughout Central Iowa make him the ideal leader to bring life-size project plans to Iowa builders, homeowners, and design professionals.

Together with his wife Lorie, a seasoned sales and operations leader, James is committed to transforming how Central Iowa visualizes and validates construction projects.

“Plans only work if everyone sees the same picture”
— James M.
A middle-aged woman with long gray hair, wearing glasses and a black polo shirt with a Walk Your Plans Des Moines logo, standing outdoors near a textured beige wall with a fence in the background.

the connector

Lorie Machamer

Co-Owner, Walk Your Plans Des Moines

From launching retail locations to leading high-performing teams, Lorie knows how to organize, anticipate challenges, and keep clients feeling heard and confident.

Lorie Machamer is a dynamic sales and operations leader with a proven track record across multiple industries. From her early days co-owning a pet store in Windom, Minnesota, to her leadership roles in retail, hospitality, furniture, and HVAC, Lorie has built a career rooted in client service, team development, and business growth.

Her career highlights include launching and revitalizing Walgreens stores in Iowa and Arizona, leading high-performing teams in the furniture and HVAC industries, and spending the past 11 years as a District Manager for Nabisco—home to iconic brands like Oreos and Ritz—where she continues to lead with empathy, foresight, and precision.

Lorie's ability to anticipate challenges, organize for success, and truly care about the customer experience makes her an ideal fit for Walk Your Plans Des Moines. Alongside her husband James, a decorated Veteran and construction expert, Lorie is transforming how Central Iowans plan and visualize their building projects at Walk Your Plans Des Moines.

“Good planning starts with clear understanding”
— Lorie M.
A dog wearing a red vest sitting outdoors near a colorful sculpture with green trees in the background.

studio manager

Mila

Mila (yes, the German Shepherd 🐶) keeps us on schedule and brings smiles to every session at Walk Your Plans Des Moines.

Mila is a purebred German Shepherd rescued through the German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Iowa. She joined the Machamer family after being rehomed, and the connection was meant to be when they learned Mila was born on James and Lorie's wedding anniversary.

While Mila has the bark of her breed, she's gentle, playful, and full of charm. At our studio, she keeps James on schedule (especially for breaks and treats) and brings joy to everyone she meets. Her presence adds warmth, energy, and a unique touch to the client experience.

Tour Walk Your Plans

This is where your project plans come to life. Our luxury studio is designed for full-scale layouts, clear thinking, and real collaboration.

Explore the space, see how it's used, and imagine your project laid out at life-size scale — before you ever build.

See the Space

  • Our studio floor provides ample space to project even the largest home layout or commercial floor plans at full scale. Walk through multi-room homes, office layouts, medical facilities, and more — all at true life-size dimensions.

  • This is where your floor plans are projected at life-size across our studio floor. Every wall, doorway, room, and hallway appears at actual dimensions. Walk Your Plans Des Moines uses cutting-edge laser projection technology to create an immersive planning experience you can't get from paper or screens.

  • Bring your architect, builder, designer, and entire team to review plans, discuss changes, and align on next steps. Our private conference space at Walk Your Plans Des Moines allows for focused decision-making before and after your studio walkthrough.

  • Perfect for architects and builders presenting design plans to clients. This dedicated area lets you showcase projects, review options, and help clients visualize their future spaces. Our unique ability to utilize your CAD or preferred design platform while still having life-sized scale, is found nowhere else in Iowa.

  • A conference room with a large oval table surrounded by black chairs, a wall with the logo of Walk Your Plans Des Moines and architectural blueprints, and various items on the table including pens, a remote control, a small bowl of candy, and a tissue box.

    Conference Room

  • A man with gray hair and beard wearing a light blue dress shirt and dark pants standing at an interactive digital screen on a mobile stand, typing on the screen in an office or conference room.

    Client Walkthrough in Progress

  • A digital rendering of a modern building with the logo and name of a school, wall and window details, with a landscaped area in front. The image is projected onto a floor with floor plans, emergency routes, and safety instructions.

    Projection Technology

  • Interior of a room with projectors displaying architectural floor plans and real estate images on the walls and floor.

    Life-Size Studio Floor Projection

Projection of a kitchen cabinet design on the floor and wall, displaying measurements and construction details in a presentation or classroom setting.
People gathered in a gallery with a large digital floor plan projected on the floor, and a presentation slide displaying 'Walk Your Plans' on a wall.
Two people, a woman and a man, look at blueprints on a construction site framed by wooden studs, with trees in the background.

See what we’re up to

A man in business casual attire using a touchscreen display in an office or conference room. The room has high ceilings, a clock showing 2:28, and a barrel next to the display. There is a company sign on the wall in the background.