Presenter: Megan McKay, Peace Tree Brewing Company 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 April listen to the amazing story of Megan McKay, owner of Peace Tree Brewing Company. About our speaker Megan McKay is a Knoxville, Iowa native with an MBA from University of Iowa with early career experience in technology and insurance. In 2001, she returned home as the fourth generation of McKay Insurance Agency and subsequently founded and transitioned full time to Peace Tree Brewing Company as a way to redevelop Main Street Knoxville, driving economic and cultural development in the community. Peace Tree operates it's main production facility and taproom in Knoxville supplying beer across Iowa and Nebraska as well as satellite taproom in the East Village of Des Moines. Entrepreneurial at heart, McKay has also been active business start ups in employee staffing and real estate development. She currently serves on the board for Knoxville Hospital and Clinics and Iowa Economic Development Authority. She is most proud of the way Peace Tree enriches the community through thoughtful beer experiences while upholding the values of authenticity, integrity, innovation, fun, tenacity and family.    

Presenter: Sally Cooper Smith, President and Creative Director of Cooper Smith & Company Date: April 6, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Get tongue-tied at networking events and feel like you should be able to do better a job of telling your story? When someone says, “what’s new with you?” do you have an answer ready? In this session, learn five ways to network like a pro and deliver a 20 second introduction that is memorable and engaging. We’ll cover everything from telling your origin story, to making an ask. About our speaker Sally Cooper Smith is the President and Creative Director of Cooper Smith & Company, a marketing and design firm she founded in 1993. Sally Cooper Smith specializes in marketing and business strategy for small businesses. She works with founders and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses through more effective branding, advertising, and communications—online and off. Ms. Cooper Smith graduated with honors from Iowa State University, where in 2011 she was granted their prestigious lifetime Design Achievement Award. Sally continues to be involved with her alma mater, serving on the advisory board to the Department of Graphic Design. Her studio’s work has been published internationally in Logo Lounge and PIE Books, as well as Communication Arts, Graphic and Studio magazines. They’ve also received awards in numerous regional and national in competitions for the American Advertising Federation, The Art Director’s Association, and the American Marketing Association. Sally brings her experience in branding, communications, marketing, and business management to the boards she works with, having served in the past as president of the Des Moines Symphony Ambassadors, the Civic Music Association, the Art Director’s Association of Iowa and Ballet Des Moines. Sally is a member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines, A.M. and volunteers as a mentor for the...

Presenter: TJ Daniels, Sr Loan Officer + Credit Coach & Alex Polzin, Director of Finance & Administration Date: April 6, 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.

Presenters: Emmanuel Smith & Cynthia A. Miller, J.D. Date: April 13, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online ADA and Small Businesses: Learn the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act as it applies to your business in the areas of physical access, reasonable accommodations to policy and practices and effective communication. We will review issues related to service animals, COVID 19 and masks, and websites and mobile apps. Plus, a review of practical suggestions and solutions to increase your inclusivity of persons with disabilities with your business. About our speakers Emmanuel Smith attended Drake University where he completed his Bachelors in Political Science. Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, he has held a lifelong interest in disability and political action to improve the rights of disabled people everywhere. His work at DRI focuses on barriers to employment, disability discrimination in the workplace, and advocating for effective employment services for people with disabilities. Cynthia A. Miller, J.D., received her undergraduate degree from University of Iowa in 1997, graduating with distinction with a bachelor of arts in English. Cynthia received her doctorate of jurisprudence (J.D.) from Drake University Law School in 2000. She was admitted to the State Bar of Iowa in 2000, and is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Iowa and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Cynthia is the Legal Director at Disability Rights Iowa and provides legal representation and systemic advocacy to individuals with disabilities in the State of Iowa in areas including special education, community integration, guardianship, accessibility and employment law.      

Presenter: Ciara Ladroma, Project Manager, The Iowa Center' WBC & Ben Schultz, Client Services Coordinator Date: April 14, 2021 Time: Noon - 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: TJ Daniels, Sr Loan Officer + Credit Coach & Alex Polzin, Director of Finance & Administration Date: April 19, 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: Jose Venales, Director of Microloans at Iowa Center for Economic Success Date: April 20, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Jose Venales, Director of Microloans at the Iowa Center for Economic Success, will lead us through understanding how much money an entrepreneur actually needs to start their business. Jose will also share creative ways entrepreneurs can fund their small businesses to start sooner than later. About our speaker As 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.  

Presenter: Alex Polzin, Director of Finance + Administration Date: April 27, 2021 Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Online Tackling your annual business tax returns: whether you’re waiting until the last minute or you’ve already filed and still aren’t sure if you did it right, we’ve got you covered. Join The Iowa Center tax pro Alex Polzin, to discuss best practices, general FAQs, and what you can do today and all year to set yourself up for success next tax season. About our speaker 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: April 27, 2021 Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm 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.