Presenter: Deb Bishop, Drake Professor  Date: February 2, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Putting a price on your passion can feel difficult, but profitability is the path to long-term business sustainability and growth. Whether you are just getting started, considering a new location, or taking the next big step towards growth—join us to learn more about the principles of break-even analysis. About our speaker Dr. Debra Bishop received a doctorate in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering with a concentration in operations research from Iowa State University in 1996. She has been at Drake University since 1996 and until February held the position of Director of the Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership as well as the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Outreach. She is a Professor of Practice in Management and International Business teaching primarily operations management. Dr. Bishop has taught courses in entrepreneurship, operations improvement, break-even analysis and procurement to business professionals. She has been the recipient of the Brooks Faculty Excellence Award as well as the David B. Lawrence Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. Additionally, Dr. Bishop is a visiting professor at Makerere University Business School in Kampala, Uganda taking students to Uganda for a short-term course studying sustainable development issues each May.  

Presenter: Ciara Ladroma, Project Manager, The Iowa Center' WBC & Ben Schultz, Client Services Coordinator Date: February 2, 2021 Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm Location: Online 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 speakers As our new WBC project manager, Ciara will be organizing and implementing programs to train and counsel Iowans, specifically women, interested in starting or growing a business. Ben spends his time at The Iowa Center meeting with new clients to help connect them with best resources and events for education and advancement. He works to make sure people are aware of the countless opportunities available at The Iowa Center and in the community.

Presenter: Pernell Cezar, founder of BLK & Bold Date: February 5, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: 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. In February listen to the amazing story of Pernell Cezar, founder of BLK & Bold. About our speaker Pernell Cezar is the CEO and Co-Founder of BLK & Bold, the first-ever black-owned nationally distributed coffee that makes social impact a priority. Pernell is an accomplished sales executive, successful entrepreneur and leader with more than 10 years of leadership success, significantly in retail. His diverse portfolio which spans from merchandising and negotiations at Target Corp, sales and business development at SheaMoisture, and more, highlights his ability to influence and build brands at scale whether start-ups or multi-national brands. As a longstanding sales executive and advisor to other emerging packaged goods brands, Pernell continues to change the way black-owned brands and consumer dollars are respected and supported by retailers. The entrepreneur now has his sights set on his own company, BLK & Bold. BLK & Bold is founded in his core values: social impact, quality product and community. Pernell takes much of his inspiration from his own upbringing where philanthropy and community programming helped his widowed mother take care of Pernell and his sister. Pernell earned his Bachelors in 2010 at University of Northern Iowa, with majors in Finance and Marketing. BLK & Bold recently achieved 2019 Des Moines NAACP Small Business of the Year.

Presenter: TJ Daniels, Sr Loan Officer + Credit Coach & Alex Polzin, Director of Finance & Administration Date: February 8, 2021 Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Location: Online 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.

Presenter: Jamie Nicolino, THE COLLECTIVE Date: February 9, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Small Businesses have had to pivot their ideas, think creatively, and move differently since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic.  In these shifts, entrepreneurs have found ways to continue interacting & growing their communities, strengthen their social media platforms, and ensure safety for themselves & customers! Jamie Nicolino, Creator of THE COLLECTIVE, shares her experience, hesitancies, and continued lessons as a shop owner.  About our speaker Jamie Nicolino (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a Des Moines native and has a strong love for supporting local and creating community wherever she goes. She is a proud small-business owner of THE COLLECTIVE, a small sustainable shop downtown offering vegan + ethically made goods to help you live a more compassionate, eco-friendly life. One of Jamie’s goals through her business is to offer a safe, non-judgmental space for the community to learn and grow in sustainability together.   Jamie is passionate about how veganism, sobriety, sustainability, and social justice have all intersected and collectively challenged and inspired her to be the very best version of herself.   Some of her favorite activities include snuggles with her cat Sophie, spending time with her sister and niece, knitting, supporting small local businesses, being active within the community and enjoying the outdoors. 

Date: February 15 - March 17, 2020 Time: 9 am - 10:30 am Location: Online Why is maturing your business as hard as—or even harder than—launching? All of the same challenges and obstacles that face a brand new entrepreneur don’t just fade away after the doors open. They grow and change right along with a business that is finding its feet. It is just as important to reevaluate your values and principles, community impact, and strategic plan as you work towards sustainability and growth—and that’s what we will cover in this course. DreamMaker is a six-week course to help you find sustainability or even growth in your business after you’ve built your foundation. This course will help you better understand and manage the many hats you’re required to wear as a small business owner. Here's what you'll do during this 6-week online course: Personal Story & Community Impact – February 15 Growth, & Scalability – February 17 Product Management | Marketing – February 22 Brand Management – February 24 Marketing & Digital Content – March 1 Sales & Customer Service – March 3 Real Estate & Facilities Management – March 8 Vendor Management – March 10 Accounting & Financing – March 15 Risk Management – March 17 HR: Hiring & Building Culture – March 22 Strategic Planning – March 24 Interested? Please download the application here fill it out and then email to Zach Ohlson at zohlson@theiowacenter.org. Don't forget to RSVP below! **This is not a free course, you MUST submit the application to Zach with the email listed and set-up payment prior to start date. RSVPing does not mean you are enrolled, it only holds a spot for you**  

Presenter: Ashleigh Leon, The Side Garage Date: February 16, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Building a foundation to guide you through highs and lows. Ashleigh Leon, Creative Director of The Side Garage, shares the importance of establishing your “why” to maintain a steady pace and keep your business thriving. About our speaker With a background in Graphic Design, Advertising and Screen Print - Ashleigh is the creative workhorse for the two-woman team at The Side Garage. Based in Des Moines, IA - The Side Garage is a print shop, design studio and screen print resource. Their mission is simple: make great things and support others to do the same. 

Presenter: Ciara Ladroma, Project Manager, The Iowa Center' WBC & Ben Schultz, Client Services Coordinator Date: February 17, 2021 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm Location: Online 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 speakers As our new WBC project manager, Ciara will be organizing and implementing programs to train and counsel Iowans, specifically women, interested in starting or growing a business. Ben spends his time at The Iowa Center meeting with new clients to help connect them with best resources and events for education and advancement. He works to make sure people are aware of the countless opportunities available at The Iowa Center and in the community.

Presenter: James Bierly, Secure Point Solutions Date: February 23, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online You are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency and security for your business, and sometimes that means another third-party vendor contract. So who has the right tools and resources to help your business thrive? And more importantly, what security measures do they have in place to keep your information safe? Join James Bierly, owner of Secure Point Solutions to learn more about vendor assessments, what questions to ask when shopping around, and how to know who to trust with your business. About our speaker James Bierly is the owner and principal cybersecurity consultant for Secure Point Solutions in Central Iowa. With 13 years in the Navy operating on both surface ships and submarines as a Sonar Analyst, he is very excited to speak at VetSecCon. James had an unusual transition from military to civilian; from physical security to selling cars, James ultimately found opportunities to learn Information Technology while working overseas. He began a series of positions with increasing responsibility working with the state lottery and technology giants like Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard. He has spent the last 6 years supporting small businesses as part of a managed service provider and now operates his own information security company. James holds certifications from CompTIA and (ISC)2. He is married to an amazing woman and together are raising 4 children and 3 dogs for the imminent zombie apocalypse.

Presenter: TJ Daniels, Sr Loan Officer + Credit Coach & Alex Polzin, Director of Finance & Administration Date: February 24, 2021 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am Location: Online 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.

Presenter: Ciara Ladroma, Project Manager, The Iowa Center' WBC & Ben Schultz, Client Services Coordinator Date: March 2, 2021 Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm Location: Online 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 speakers As our new WBC project manager, Ciara will be organizing and implementing programs to train and counsel Iowans, specifically women, interested in starting or growing a business. Ben spends his time at The Iowa Center meeting with new clients to help connect them with best resources and events for education and advancement. He works to make sure people are aware of the countless opportunities available at The Iowa Center and in the community.

Presenter: Andrea Metzler, owner of Art Terrarium Date: March 5, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: 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. In March listen to the amazing story of Andrea Metzler, owner of Art Terrarium. About our speaker Andrea Metzler is the owner of Art Terrarium, a houseplant shop in Downtown Des Moines. Since opening the doors in May 2017, Andrea has had a blast teaching customers about houseplant care and watching the popularity of houseplants explode, while learning how to run a business. She is currently in Bend, OR with her husband, Kent, working on opening a sister shop, Desert Rose Cactus Lounge.