Iowa Center for Economic Success

Always Ready: Financials (In-Person)
2026-06-09 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-11 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Running a small business requires more than having a passion and a vision. To be successful you need to have your financials in order. Unless you are familiar with bookkeeping basics, you might not know how crucial having the right financial documents are to your success.
Join The Iowa Center staff as we go over the most useful and important financial documents for your small business.
We will discuss and define:

Income Statement/Profit and Loss Statement
Cash Flow Statement
Balance Sheet
Accounts Receivable
Budget

Click here to register!

DreamBuilder Summer 2026
2026-06-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-06-24 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-08 17:30 - 19:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Day/Time: Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 pm from May 27th to July 22nd (for full details and class schedule, click here!)
Cost: $250 per participant (+ ticket fees)
Refund Policy: Ticketing fees are not refundable. No refunds will be given after May 20th.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

A personal laptop
An active email and DreamBuilder login
Commitment to 2 hours/week of online coursework
Full attendance and participation

Location: Online
Register: Here
Writing a business plan can be intimidating. Small business owners are juggling market research with competitor analysis and financial projections with marketing strategies. With so much to consider and organize, it’s easy to lose your drive. Let The Iowa Center help you navigate it all.
The DreamBuilder Summer 2026 cohort is an 8-week virtual course designed to empower entrepreneurs with group and one-on-one coaching, step-by-step instruction, and a supportive peer network. Whether you’re relaunching your business plan or starting from scratch, this course gives you the clarity and tools to move forward confidently.
Participants will receive:

Step-by-step guidance to complete each section of your business plan
Live group classes and one-on-one business coaching
Business fundamentals training from experienced instructors
Peer support and networking opportunities
A $1400-value Industry Intelligence Report based on your NAICS code
Graduation pitch night to present your business to the community

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Business Plan (In-Person)
2026-06-16 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Turn your dream into a plan with this small group, one-hour business planning class. The Iowa Center staff will help you kickstart your business plan by providing you a road map on completing your plan and taking the next steps towards business ownership. Also connect with other aspiring small business owners to refine your business ideas as you put them into real plans.

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Marketing
2026-06-18 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner looking to make a big impact with a limited marketing budget? Look no further than “Marketing for Startups with a Small Budget – A Blueprint for Small Business Marketing.” This course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and strategies needed to effectively market your startup or small business without breaking the bank. In today’s competitive business landscape, creativity and resourcefulness can be your greatest assets, and this course will show you how to leverage them to achieve remarkable marketing results.
Throughout this course, you will delve into innovative, cost-effective marketing techniques tailored specifically for startups and small businesses. From crafting a compelling brand story and harnessing the power of social media to mastering guerrilla marketing tactics and optimizing your online presence, you’ll gain a comprehensive toolkit for maximizing your marketing efforts on a shoestring budget. Join us on a journey to discover how to reach your target audience, generate leads, and build a loyal customer base, all while managing your resources efficiently. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid blueprint for navigating the world of marketing as a small business, setting you on a path toward sustainable growth and success. Don’t let a limited budget hold you back – learn how to market smarter, not harder, and watch your business thrive.

Click here to register!

Brooklyn Business Builder Series
2026-06-23 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-21 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-04 15:00 - 16:00 | First National Bank Building, 101 Jackson Street, Brooklyn, 502211, United States
Dates: Tuesday, June 23, July 7, July 21, and August 4
Location: First National Bank Building (101 Jackson Street, Brooklyn, IA 52211)
Register: Here
The Brooklyn Business Builder Series is a free 4-class series presented by The Iowa Center in partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative, and Brooklyn Economic Development. Small business owners face opportunities and challenges every day. The Brooklyn Business Builder Series teaches the fundamentals of building and maintaining a strong business so you’re prepared when need or opportunity arises.
Attend one class, a few, or all four — whatever fits your schedule. All classes begin at 3:00 p.m.
CLASS 1: Getting Ready
How to prepare to start your small business
Tuesday, June 23 at 3 p.m.
CLASS 2: Business Plan
Overview and key elements of a small business plan
Tuesday, July 7 at 3 p.m.
CLASS 3: Financials & Loans
Financial statements, transactions, and lending basics
Tuesday, July 21 at 3 p.m.
CLASS 4: Marketing
A blueprint for small business marketing
Tuesday, August 4 at 3 p.m.
Register today!

Always Ready: Getting Ready
2026-07-07 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
Getting started in your small business journey can be daunting…let us help you make the process and little easier as we outline some basic steps to Getting Ready!

What are the first steps needed to business ownership?
What’s a business plan and why do you need one?
What are the various types of legal business entities?
How do you register your business?

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Lending
2026-07-08 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
As a small business owner, you won’t ever really know the unexpected challenges or opportunities that await you in life and business. Always Ready: Lending is a working session for you to learn how to financially prepare your small business for the next step in your journey.
The Iowa Center staff will show you what you need to do to always be ready to make financial moves in your business, including applying for a loan or buying/selling new goods. This class is especially for you if you’ve ever been denied a loan or need a helping hand to get your financials on track.

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Financials
2026-07-14 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
Running a small business requires more than having a passion and a vision. To be successful you need to have your financials in order. Unless you are familiar with bookkeeping basics, you might not know how crucial having the right financial documents are to your success.
Join The Iowa Center staff as we go over the most useful and important financial documents for your small business.
We will discuss and define:

Income Statement/Profit and Loss Statement
Cash Flow Statement
Balance Sheet
Accounts Receivable
Budget

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Business Plan
2026-07-15 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
Turn your dream into a plan with this small group, one-hour business planning class. The Iowa Center staff will help you kickstart your business plan by providing you a road map on completing your plan and taking the next steps towards business ownership. Also connect with other aspiring small business owners to refine your business ideas as you put them into real plans.

Click here to register!

Made in Iowa: Little Treat Edition
2026-07-21 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: The Iowa Center (2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312)
Register: Here
Small businesses don’t all look the same. While many follow the path of opening a storefront, others build their work through creative, flexible, and often unconventional approaches. Our “Little Treat Edition” of the Made in Iowa series highlights side hustles and non-brick-and-mortar businesses that are shaping local economies in new ways.
This session explores how entrepreneurs are launching and growing businesses from home, shared spaces, mobile setups, and even alongside full-time employment. Panelists will share how they got started, how they reach customers, and what it takes to build something sustainable outside of a traditional storefront.
Join us for a panel discussion, featuring:
– Courtney Garcia, Art You Wood Love– Jessica Anderson, Jess Desserts LLC.– Becky Vandermark,Trigger Warning Book Bus
Moderated by Jennifer Thomas, Program Director of The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center, and Grant Rolfes, Assurance Principal with CLA.
Through the generosity and support of our sponsor, CLA, registration to Made in Iowa is free.

DreamBuilder Summer 2026 Graduation
2026-07-22 17:30 - 19:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Day/Time: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM (for full details and class schedule, click here!)
Location: Online
In our final session, we’ll celebrate your hard work and growth throughout the course. This graduation class is your opportunity to put everything you’ve learned into action by presenting your business pitch and sharing your marketing strategy with your peers and instructors.
You’ll have the chance to showcase your brand story, creative marketing ideas, and the strategies you’ve developed to reach your audience on a budget. This is a supportive and engaging space to gain feedback, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and be inspired by the innovative approaches others have crafted.
We’ll close out the course by recognizing your accomplishments and setting the stage for your next steps as a confident, resourceful business owner ready to make an impact.

Always Ready: Marketing (In-Person)
2026-07-23 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner looking to make a big impact with a limited marketing budget? Look no further than “Marketing for Startups with a Small Budget – A Blueprint for Small Business Marketing.” This course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and strategies needed to effectively market your startup or small business without breaking the bank. In today’s competitive business landscape, creativity and resourcefulness can be your greatest assets, and this course will show you how to leverage them to achieve remarkable marketing results.
Throughout this course, you will delve into innovative, cost-effective marketing techniques tailored specifically for startups and small businesses. From crafting a compelling brand story and harnessing the power of social media to mastering guerrilla marketing tactics and optimizing your online presence, you’ll gain a comprehensive toolkit for maximizing your marketing efforts on a shoestring budget. Join us on a journey to discover how to reach your target audience, generate leads, and build a loyal customer base, all while managing your resources efficiently. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid blueprint for navigating the world of marketing as a small business, setting you on a path toward sustainable growth and success. Don’t let a limited budget hold you back – learn how to market smarter, not harder, and watch your business thrive.

Click here to register!

Marketing with Intent
2026-07-23 15:00 - 16:30 | Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Community Room, 24 N 9th Street, Fort Dodge, 50501, United States
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Community Room (24 N 9th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501)
Register: Here
Stop marketing on autopilot. This no cost, hands-on class is about marketing with purpose: knowing exactly who you’re trying to reach, choosing the channels that actually work for your business, and spending your time and budget where it counts.

Define your ideal customer and what they actually care about
Build a simple marketing plan you’ll actually use
Choose the right channels instead of trying to be everywhere
Measure what’s working so you can do more of it

Spin Markket + Digital is a Fort Dodge-based digital marketing agency helping businesses of all sizes stand out and grow. From social media strategy and local SEO to website design and branding, they build practical marketing rooted in real data. We’re thrilled to partner with them and bring small business coaching fundamentals to Fort Dodge!

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Getting Ready (In-Person)
2026-08-04 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Getting started in your small business journey can be daunting…let us help you make the process and little easier as we outline some basic steps to Getting Ready!

What are the first steps needed to business ownership?
What’s a business plan and why do you need one?
What are the various types of legal business entities?
How do you register your business?

Click here to register!

Essential Leadership Skills for Business Owners (In-Person)
2026-08-05 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Join The Iowa Center and Kevin Chorniak with Bankers Trust for a no-cost presentation on ‘Essential Leadership Skills for Business Owners.’ Each 90-minute presentation will cover strategic decision-making, leading with emotional intelligence, adaptability, effective communication, conflict resolution, delegation, and fundamental aspects of essential leadership skills for business owners. With over 30 years of senior executive leadership experience, Kevin Chorniak will present key leadership topics and host break-out sessions, giving attendees time to receive individualized coaching and networking opportunities.
Part 1: Leading Yourself
Participants will focus on building a strong leadership foundation by developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strategic decision-making skills. Through practical frameworks and reflective exercises, you will learn how to navigate challenges with resilience, make thoughtful decisions under pressure, and cultivate a leadership style rooted in clarity, confidence, and personal accountability.
Part 2: Leading Your Team
This section focuses on applying leadership principles within a team setting. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict constructively, delegate tasks with intention, and build trust across their teams. Emphasis is placed on creating a culture of accountability, empowerment, and collaboration, enabling teams to perform at a higher level while fostering engagement and long-term success.

Click here to register!

Essential Leadership Skills for Business Owners
2026-08-12 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
Join The Iowa Center and Kevin Chorniak with Bankers Trust for a no-cost presentation on ‘Essential Leadership Skills for Business Owners.’ Each 90-minute presentation will cover strategic decision-making, leading with emotional intelligence, adaptability, effective communication, conflict resolution, delegation, and fundamental aspects of essential leadership skills for business owners. With over 30 years of senior executive leadership experience, Kevin Chorniak will present key leadership topics and host break-out sessions, giving attendees time to receive individualized coaching and networking opportunities.
Part 1: Leading Yourself
Participants will focus on building a strong leadership foundation by developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strategic decision-making skills. Through practical frameworks and reflective exercises, you will learn how to navigate challenges with resilience, make thoughtful decisions under pressure, and cultivate a leadership style rooted in clarity, confidence, and personal accountability.
Part 2: Leading Your Team
This section focuses on applying leadership principles within a team setting. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict constructively, delegate tasks with intention, and build trust across their teams. Emphasis is placed on creating a culture of accountability, empowerment, and collaboration, enabling teams to perform at a higher level while fostering engagement and long-term success.

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Business Plan (In-Person)
2026-08-18 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Turn your dream into a plan with this small group, one-hour business planning class. The Iowa Center staff will help you kickstart your business plan by providing you a road map on completing your plan and taking the next steps towards business ownership. Also connect with other aspiring small business owners to refine your business ideas as you put them into real plans.

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Lending
2026-08-19 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
As a small business owner, you won’t ever really know the unexpected challenges or opportunities that await you in life and business. Always Ready: Lending is a working session for you to learn how to financially prepare your small business for the next step in your journey.
The Iowa Center staff will show you what you need to do to always be ready to make financial moves in your business, including applying for a loan or buying/selling new goods. This class is especially for you if you’ve ever been denied a loan or need a helping hand to get your financials on track.

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Marketing
2026-08-20 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online
Register: Here
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner looking to make a big impact with a limited marketing budget? Look no further than “Marketing for Startups with a Small Budget – A Blueprint for Small Business Marketing.” This course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and strategies needed to effectively market your startup or small business without breaking the bank. In today’s competitive business landscape, creativity and resourcefulness can be your greatest assets, and this course will show you how to leverage them to achieve remarkable marketing results.
Throughout this course, you will delve into innovative, cost-effective marketing techniques tailored specifically for startups and small businesses. From crafting a compelling brand story and harnessing the power of social media to mastering guerrilla marketing tactics and optimizing your online presence, you’ll gain a comprehensive toolkit for maximizing your marketing efforts on a shoestring budget. Join us on a journey to discover how to reach your target audience, generate leads, and build a loyal customer base, all while managing your resources efficiently. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid blueprint for navigating the world of marketing as a small business, setting you on a path toward sustainable growth and success. Don’t let a limited budget hold you back – learn how to market smarter, not harder, and watch your business thrive.

Click here to register!
