The Iowa Center phones are down for maintenance. Please direct questions to info@theiowacenter.org. Thank you!
Success Stories Blog
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida.
Small Business is Innovative
Koos Medical Innovations
Des Moines, Iowa
Dr. Maggie Koos founded KMI. KMI was established to address critical gaps in disposable medical isolation gowns that fail to meet FDA requirements, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections. As a woman-owned small business, KMI introduces an innovative isolation gown that offers superior protection and meets FDA standards. Providing effective PPE will reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections, save lives and increase hospital profits. Maggie came to The Iowa Center for business coaching and also for capital.
Small Business Honors Family Tradition
Flora Design Studio LLC
Cedar Falls, Iowa
As a child, Leah would work at her grandparent’s floral shop and opened up Flora Design Studio in part to honor their small business legacy. Leah came to the Iowa center for business coaching and was also took part in a collateral support program through the State of Iowa. Flora Design opened recently in Cedar Falls – be sure to stop by your all your floral needs!
Small Business is Fresh and Local
Midland Co.
Ames, Iowa
Having managed his family’s sheep farming business throughout high school and college, Jackson Kimle was interested in agriculture and sustainable farming practices from a young age. Jackson developed a revolutionary new circulatory system designed to make land-based shrimp farming possible. With this patented technology in hand, Jackson and his wife Sarah launched Midland Co. began operating a shrimp farm in Iowa focused on raising sustainable, ethical, and delicious seafood. In Fall 2024, Midland Co. became part of The Iowa Center’s first Placing Iowa Products on the Grocery Store Shelf cohort. Jackson and Sarah joined classes led by Fareway executives to learn more about grocery distribution and received one-one-one business coaching from The Iowa Center to apply their classroom learning to their own unique business plan.
Small Business Begins with Tradition
DotŁ’Izhi
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City based indigenous artist Alicia founded DOTŁ’IZHI with a mission to design jewelry that remind women of their strength, beauty, and worthwhile honoring her Native American traditions. She came to The Iowa Center for Business Coaching and classes in order to launch and grow her small business.
Small Business Starts with a New Way to Eat Mexico
Cafe San Miguel
Des Moines, Iowa
Carla San Miguel was a home baker with a dream of owning a modern Mexican eatery. She received business coaching at The Iowa Center to scale her services into catering, and save money for continued expansion. She is now preparing to open a full service traditional Mexican restaurant on the Ingersoll/Grand Avenue corridor.
Small Business begins with Leche
Cafe Con Leche
Des Moines, Iowa
Ana had experience in hospitality as a partner in a successful restaurant. She came to The Iowa Center for support to open a new Latino-owned coffee and breakfast place. Cafe Con Leche on Des Moines’ east side offers Mexican breakfast, lunch, coffee drinks and milkshakes and has plans for expansion.
Small Business Starts with the Law
Fautsch Tursi
Des Moines, Iowa
David and Elizabeth were law partners in a prominent Des Moines firm but felt a call to practice in an area that would allow them to stand shoulder to shoulder with clients during the toughest times of their lives. They came to The Iowa Center for assistance starting their own practice focused on family law. The new and growing firm is serving clients who have found themselves in difficult situations and are seeking a path forward.
Small Business comes from Heritage and Hospitality
Hotori
Des Moines, Iowa
Nam and his partner Torri have operated the successful Horizon Line Coffee shop for over seven years. They came to The Iowa Center seeking start-up capital for a home goods store. They now operate the new shop called Hotori in the space next door to Horizon Line on Walnut Street in Des Moines.
Small Business is Local but Global
Hoq Restaurant
Des Moines, Iowa
Chef Suman features fresh ingredients from local farms at his restaurant in the historic East Village of Des Moines. Chef Suman launched HOQ with support from The Iowa Center, and later returned for assistance with expansion plans for a new cocktail lounge and a second restaurant, Flora. Starting this summer, you can also find Chef Suman at the Iowa State Fair with a food trailer purchased with a loan from The Iowa Center!
Small Business Begins in Venezuela
+58 Venezuelan Food
Windsor Heights, Iowa
Lenin left Venezuela due to political unrest and dreamed of opening a food truck featuring menu items from his home country. Rivas and his father-in-law opened the truck in March with Coaching support and a loan from The Iowa Center Loan Fund. +58 was recently featured in the Des Moines Register and brought their food truck to The Iowa Center’s event celebrating the growth of our loan programs!
