Always Ready: Financials (In-Person)
2026-02-10 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, February 10, 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 Spring 2026
2026-02-11 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-25 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-11 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-25 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 February 11th to April 1st (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 February 2nd.
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
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!

Always Ready: Marketing
2026-02-16 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Monday, February 16, 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!

Always Ready: Business Plan
2026-02-17 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Virtual
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!

Financial Health Chase Money Skills - Understanding and Building Credit (In-Person)
2026-02-17 15:30 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: Marcia Treichel & The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Financial Health Chase Money Skills is a financial education program designed to help students and communities improve their financial health. The program offers practical guidance on topics like budgeting, saving, credit management, and fraud prevention.

Click here to register!

Exploring Healthcare Options for Small Businesses
2026-02-18 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: Holmes Murphy + Oscar Health
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Virtual
Register: Here
This session is led by the employee benefits team at Holmes Murphy, a nationally recognized insurance consulting firm with nearly a century of experience partnering with businesses to promote health, protect wealth, and deliver peace of mind. Joining the conversation will be representatives from Oscar Health, who will share insight into newer healthcare plan options that many business owners may not yet be familiar with.
Together, they’ll provide practical, real-world guidance to help you better understand healthcare benefits and confidently take the next step.
In this class, you’ll learn:

What does employer-sponsored health insurance look like for small businesses?
What factors should business owners consider when offering benefits?
What role does a benefits broker play in designing and managing a plan?
What is ICHRA and how does it work?
What healthcare plan options, including newer alternatives, are available to employers today?
How can benefits support both business goals and employee well-being?

Click here to register!

Elevate Your Business: Raising Capital and Funding Business Expansion
2026-02-19 15:00 - 17:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Register: Here
Elevate is The Iowa Center’s more advanced 5-class series that helps our clients develop growth strategies for their established small businesses. The series is open to clients who received assistance to launch and grow their small businesses and are ready for the next step, as well as existing businesses seeking education and support to strengthen, stabilize and grow.

Topics:

Types of funding: debt, equity, and hybrid models
Navigating loans, grants, angel investors, and venture capital
Crafting an effective pitch deck
Understanding valuation and term sheets
Leveraging crowdfunding and community investment

Action Items:

Create a pitch deck

Click here to register!

Financial Health Chase Money Skills - How to Set Goals, Build a Budget, & Save (In-Person)
2026-02-27 10:00 - 11:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: JPMorgan Chase Staff
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Polk County River Place
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Register: Here
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to improve your credit and better manage any debt you may have, including building a positive credit history, reducing your credit utilization and dealing with delinquent debts.
There will be a hybrid option available via zoom: https://jpmchase.zoom.us
Webinar ID: 93678101647
Webinar Password: 439576

Click here to register!

Financial Health Chase Money Skills - How to Improve Credit & Manage Debt (In-Person)
2026-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: JPMorgan Chase Staff
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Polk County River Place
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Register: Here
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to improve your credit and better manage any debt you may have, including building a positive credit history, reducing your credit utilization and dealing with delinquent debts.
There will be a hybrid option available via zoom: https://jpmchase.zoom.us
Webinar ID: 93678101647
Webinar Password: 439576

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Getting Ready
2026-03-03 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 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 (In-Person)
2026-03-04 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
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: Business Plan
2026-03-10 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 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!

Financial Health Chase Money Skills - Power of Capital (In-Person)
2026-03-11 15:30 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: JPMorgan Chase Staff
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
We’re here to help you prepare your business for new opportunities. Understanding your options will help you make more informed decisions as you manage your business today and plan ahead for the future.

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Financials
2026-03-17 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 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: Marketing (In-Person)
2026-03-19 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Thursday, March 19, 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!

Chase Money Skills - How to Set Goals, Build a Budget & Save (Hybrid)
2026-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: Marcia Treichel with JPMorgan Chase
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Polk County River Place (2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310)
Register: Here
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to set goals based on your values, build a budget that works for you and save for the future.

Click here to register!

Chase Money Skills - How Improve Credit & Manage Debt (Hybrid)
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: Marcia Treichel with JPMorgan Chase
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Polk County River Place (2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310)
Register: Here
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to improve your credit and better manage any debt you may have, including building a positive credit history, reducing your credit utilization and dealing with delinquent debts.

Click here to register!

DreamBuilder Spring 2026 Graduation
2026-04-01 17:30 - 19:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Day/Time: Wednesday, April 1, 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.

Chase - Cómo Establecer Metas, Elaborar un Presupuesto y Ahorrar
2026-04-04 09:00 - 10:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presentador: Personal de JPMorgan Chase
Fecha: Sábado, 4 de abril, 2026
Hora: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Ubicación: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Regístrese: Aquí
Te invitamos a un taller sin costo: Cómo establecer metas, elaborar un presupuesto y ahorrar. En este taller interactivo, aprenderán a establecer metas basadas en sus valores, elaborar un presupuesto que funcione para ustedes y ahorrar para el futuro. Esta clase es en español.

Presenter: JPMorgan Chase Staff
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
You’re invited to a workshop at no cost: How to Set Goals, Make a Budget, and Save. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to set goals based on your values, create a budget that works for you, and save for the future. This class is in Spanish.

Chase - Conozca su Flujo de Efectivo
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presentador: Personal de JPMorgan Chase
Fecha: Sábado, 4 de abril, 2026
Hora: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Ubicación: The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Regístrese: Aquí
Te invitamos a un taller sin costo: Conozca su Flujo de Efectivo. Incrementa el ingreso de efectivo y disminuye el egreso para ayudar a maximizar el éxito del negocio. Esta clase es en español.
***Translation: You’re invited to a workshop on April 4, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at no cost: Know Your Cash Flow. Increase cash inflow and decrease outflow to help maximize business success. This class is in Spanish.

Chase - El Poder del Capital
2026-04-04 11:00 - 12:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presentador: Personal de JPMorgan Chase
Fecha: Sábado, 4 de abril, 2026
Hora: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ubicación: The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Regístrese: Aquí
Te invitamos a un taller sin costo: El Poder del Capital. Aprende cómo impulsar el crecimiento de tu negocio. Esta clase es en español.
***Translation: You’re invited to a workshop by JPMorgan Chase at no cost on April 4, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to noon: The Power of Capital. Learn how to drive your business growth. This class is in Spanish.

Always Ready: Getting Ready (In-Person)
2026-04-07 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 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!

Always Ready: Lending
2026-04-08 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 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!

Made in Iowa: Rural Businesses
2026-04-14 08:00 - 09:30 | Invictus Media Office, 506 3rd Street Suite 300, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Invictus Media (506 3rd Street Suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50309)
Register: Here
Rural businesses are the heartbeat of our local economy. Our “Made in Iowa” series, sponsored by CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen,) is a panel discussion exploring the role of small businesses in connecting communities and building culture. This session, we are partnering with these small businesses focused on entrepreneurs outside the Des Moines metro, showcasing how rural businesses are creating jobs, serving neighbors, and shaping local culture.
Join us for a panel discussion, featuring:
– Dr. Ann M. Eike, Practice Owner and Veterinarian Wags & Whiskers Veterinary Clinic, PC– Walter Juarez, Founder and CEO of C.A. Food, Beverage, & Coffee– Moderated by Jennifer Thomas, Program Director of The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center
Through the generosity and support of our sponsor, CLA, registration to Made in Iowa is free.

Always Ready: Financials (In-Person)
2026-04-14 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 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!

Always Ready: Business Plan (In-Person)
2026-04-21 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 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!

Marketing for Startups with a Small Budget
2026-04-23 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: Kennedy Van Rossum, Bank Iowa
Date: Thursday, April 23, 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!
