Presenter: TJ Daniels, WBC Program Director & Alex Polzin, Dir of Finance & Administration Date: February 23, 2022 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 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: Financials 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. About our speakers TJ Daniels is the official cheerleader of The Iowa Center. She’s a vibrant supporter of our mission, programs, clients and staff. As a Certified Credit Counselor, she assists clients with their credit, budget, financial statements and so much more. She also works with our lending programs assisting clients from start to finish, and often times well after the loan has closed making many friendships along the way. Alex is responsible for Iowa Center accounting and governmental reporting, he also helps with lending and education programs provided by the Iowa Center. Click here to register!  

Presenter: Kristine Winter, Founder of BrandSpec Marketing  Date: March 8, 2022 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Registration: Click Here With 81% of consumers starting their search for products and service online, your small business needs to be ready to grab their attention. Learn the fundamentals of online marketing in this information packed session from certified marketing consultant and coach, Kris Winter of BrandSpec Marketing. Objectives: The importance of a core message and how to craft one Setting up a web site that converts Google Business Profile Mastering everyday SEO Building a review process The right way to use social media Lead generation tactics Analytics About Our Speaker... Kristine Winter is the founder of BrandSpec Marketing in Des Moines, Iowa. Kristine is driven by a passion to help small businesses create simple, effective, and affordable marketing while providing the right solution to meet their organizational needs and support their success. With over 25 years in both corporate and agency marketing, she is your guide to improving the use of your marketing channels to reach your most profitable customers. As a certified marketing consultant, she shows clients how to create a marketing system that gets the job done and coaches in-house staff on how to manage it. Click here to register!  The Iowa Center Women's Business Center is funded in part by U.S. Small Business Administration.

Presenter: Russ Dale, PM of Classes + Coaching and Jose Venales, Director of Microloans Date: March 9, 2022 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 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. About our hosts Russ Dale is our Classes and Coaching Project Manager. Russ spends his time working with clients, assisting them through their entrepreneurial journey. Russ also manages the IT initiatives for The Iowa Center, assists with the loan department as needed, and manages our CRM database. Russ is proud to say that he's the intern that never left!  Jose Venales is the Director of Microloans. Jose manages, develops, and implements The Iowa Center microloan programs. At the same time Jose has the responsibility to maintain a healthy loan portfolio to ensure the availability of these resources for future entrepreneurs.  Click here to register! 

Presenter: Teleza Daniels, Program Director of The Iowa Center Women's Business Center  Date: March 29, 2022 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Registration: Click Here   Join us to learn about Ascent, what it has to offer to small business owners, and the programming we are setting up for you! What is Ascent? Ascent is an online learning platform that utilizes a modern, e-learning approach specifically targeted for women business owners who want to grow their existing businesses. It’s packed with resources women need to set, and achieve, their business goals. All content is backed by research on the needs of women business owners. What is the purpose of Ascent? Ascent’s purpose is threefold: Cover more ground: Reach women business owners who may not be close to field offices. Look to the future: Create a digital experience that is more in line with how today’s entrepreneurs seek information. Identify resource gaps: Build a resource for women entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their businesses. Who is behind Ascent? The U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, and the Department of Treasury collaborated to develop this platform, leveraging the best of government resources and entrepreneurial perspectives. Why target women business owners? Nearly 90% of women-owned businesses have no employees and tend to be smaller businesses with significantly lower revenues. While there are quite a few resources available for women looking to start a business, little is available for established business owners interested in growing to the next stage. Who is the target user? Ascent is for "the missing middle" - growth-oriented women entrepreneurs who are: Established businesses Generating revenue Interested in scaling/growing their business What does Ascent offer? A user-centered, customizable learning experience, with the flexibility to take full courses within a topic or short, micro-lessons to accommodate...

Presenter: Russ Dale, PM of Classes + Coaching and Jose Venales, Director of Microloans Date: April 6, 2022 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 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. About our hosts Russ Dale is our Classes and Coaching Project Manager. Russ spends his time working with clients, assisting them through their entrepreneurial journey. Russ also manages the IT initiatives for The Iowa Center, assists with the loan department as needed, and manages our CRM database. Russ is proud to say that he's the intern that never left!  Jose Venales is the Director of Microloans. Jose manages, develops, and implements The Iowa Center microloan programs. At the same time Jose has the responsibility to maintain a healthy loan portfolio to ensure the availability of these resources for future entrepreneurs.  Click here to register! 

Presenters: Marquas Ashworth, Media Fresh Records Date: April 8, 2022 Time: 12 – 1pm Location: Online Register: Online Come and listen to the stories of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members making their mark in Iowa. As you create your own story, treat yourself to this time each month to rekindle your entrepreneurial spirit and connect with others. Join us as we listen to the story of Marquas "MarKus" Ashworth, a local music artist who launched a record label, a small-batch rye whiskey line and much more! Marquas "MarKus" Ashworth Marquas Ashworth is a local music artist who launched a record label, Media Fresh Records, who in 2016 began making small-batch rye whiskey labeled Ziyad. The whiskey can be found in about 400 stores – including locally at Hy-Vee – and in seven states. And now is in the process of developing a commercial building that will house a non-profit black and brown owned business incubator, coffee shop, restaurant, and distillery. Register here!  The Iowa Center Women's Business Center is funded in part by U.S. Small Business Administration.

Date: April 11, 2021 Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am Location: Online Registration: Click Here Work for Yourself@50+ is a webinar to help you gain the knowledge, support, and resources you need to make informed decisions about working for yourself and take the right first steps toward successful self-employment. The decision to start your own business can be both exciting and daunting. Work for Yourself@50+ breaks the choices down for older adults in an approachable way through five steps: 1. A careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks of working for yourself 2. Exercises to help develop the self-employment idea 3. A realistic overview of what it takes to pursue a self-employment opportunity 4. Guidance to help avoid pitfalls and scams 5. Ways to find trustworthy support and services This is an online webinar. In order to access the webinar, you will need to use either a computer, tablet for smartphone. You will receive instructions on how to join the webinar in your registration confirmation or your reminder email that will go out prior to the webinar. Please do not share the webinar access information with anyone who is not already registered. Click here to register!    The Iowa Center Women's Business Center is funded in part by U.S. Small Business Administration.

Presenter: TJ Daniels, WBC Program Director & Alex Polzin, Dir of Finance & Administration Date: April 20, 2022 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 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: Financials 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. About our speakers TJ Daniels is the official cheerleader of The Iowa Center. She’s a vibrant supporter of our mission, programs, clients and staff. As a Certified Credit Counselor, she assists clients with their credit, budget, financial statements and so much more. She also works with our lending programs assisting clients from start to finish, and often times well after the loan has closed making many friendships along the way. Alex is responsible for Iowa Center accounting and governmental reporting, he also helps with lending and education programs provided by the Iowa Center. Click here to register!  

Presenter: Russ Dale, PM of Classes + Coaching and Jose Venales, Director of Microloans Date: May 4, 2022 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 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. About our hosts Russ Dale is our Classes and Coaching Project Manager. Russ spends his time working with clients, assisting them through their entrepreneurial journey. Russ also manages the IT initiatives for The Iowa Center, assists with the loan department as needed, and manages our CRM database. Russ is proud to say that he's the intern that never left!  Jose Venales is the Director of Microloans. Jose manages, develops, and implements The Iowa Center microloan programs. At the same time Jose has the responsibility to maintain a healthy loan portfolio to ensure the availability of these resources for future entrepreneurs.  Click here to register! 

Summary: A 7-week deep dive into the SBA's Ascent Program Date: Thursdays from May 5 - June 16 Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am Location: Online Registration: Click Here Journeys Covered: 02 | Strategic Marketing (May 5) 03 | Your People (May 12) 04 | Your Business Financial Strategy (May 19) 05 | Access to Capital (May 26) 06 | Government Contracting (June 2) 07 | Partnerships (June 9) 08 | Entrepreneurial Leadership (June 16) *** What is Ascent? Ascent is an online learning platform that utilizes a modern, e-learning approach specifically targeted for women business owners who want to grow their existing businesses. It’s packed with resources women need to set, and achieve, their business goals. All content is backed by research on the needs of women business owners. What is the purpose of Ascent? Ascent’s purpose is threefold: Cover more ground: Reach women business owners who may not be close to field offices. Look to the future: Create a digital experience that is more in line with how today’s entrepreneurs seek information. Identify resource gaps: Build a resource for women entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their businesses. Who is behind Ascent? The U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, and the Department of Treasury collaborated to develop this platform, leveraging the best of government resources and entrepreneurial perspectives. Why target women business owners? Nearly 90% of women-owned businesses have no employees and tend to be smaller businesses with significantly lower revenues. While there are quite a few resources available for women looking to start a business, little is available for established business owners interested in growing to the next stage. Who is the target user? Ascent is for "the missing middle" - growth-oriented women entrepreneurs who are: Established businesses Generating revenue Interested in scaling/growing their...

Presenters: Rory Brown + Andy Haning-Brown, AllSpice Culinarium with special guest host Jodi Rhone, Canary Consulting Date: May 13, 2022 Time: 12 – 1pm Location: Online Register: Online Come and listen to the stories of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members making their mark in Iowa. As you create your own story, treat yourself to this time each month to rekindle your entrepreneurial spirit and connect with others. Join us as we listen to the story of AllSpice Culinarium in Des Moines' East Village. About Our Speakers... Rory Brown & Andy Haning-Brown Rory Brown and Andy Haning-Brown own and, along with their team, operate AllSpice Culinarium in Des Moines’ East Village. AllSpice was founded in 2010 by Alex and Jennifer Rhoads and was acquired by Rory and Andy in 2013. Prior to AllSpice, Rory worked in the telecom industry as a VoIP engineer. While he worked with technology, his heart was in the kitchen. He grew up cooking and has always enjoyed it. When the opportunity to join AllSpice presented itself, it made perfect sense. Andy’s background is in technology, HR, and communications. In addition to AllSpice, he is a Founding Partner and Consultant with Canary Consulting Group, an organization which provides strategic planning, organizational design, and other services to Iowa-based nonprofits. Register here!  The Iowa Center Women's Business Center is funded in part by U.S. Small Business Administration.

Presenter: TJ Daniels, WBC Program Director & Alex Polzin, Dir of Finance & Administration Date: May 18, 2022 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 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: Financials 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. About our speakers TJ Daniels is the official cheerleader of The Iowa Center. She’s a vibrant supporter of our mission, programs, clients and staff. As a Certified Credit Counselor, she assists clients with their credit, budget, financial statements and so much more. She also works with our lending programs assisting clients from start to finish, and often times well after the loan has closed making many friendships along the way. Alex is responsible for Iowa Center accounting and governmental reporting, he also helps with lending and education programs provided by the Iowa Center. Click here to register!