Events

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!

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.

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!

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! 

          Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff 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!