Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312 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: Building and maintaining a budget Managing cash flow, becoming profitable, and forecasting Understanding income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and financial ratios Action Items: Prepare budget models based on planned, strategic growth Click here to register!

Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Location: Muscatine Community College, 152 Colorado Street, Rm 8 Strahan Hall, Muscatine, IA 52761 Register: Here From Idea to Plan:  Starting your small business journey can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this small-group session, The Iowa Center staff will walk you through the first steps of launching your business, from understanding legal business entities and registering your business to creating a business plan that turns your ideas into actionable goals. You’ll learn why a business plan is essential, how to start building one, and get a clear road map for completing it. Along the way, you’ll connect with other aspiring entrepreneurs, share ideas, and gain the confidence to take the next steps toward business ownership. Click here to register!

Date: Thursday, January 22, 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: Building and maintaining a budget Managing cash flow, becoming profitable, and forecasting Understanding income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and financial ratios Action Items: Prepare budget models based on planned, strategic growth Click here to register!

Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Time: 8:00 - 9:30 am Location: CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 3900 Des Moines, IA 50309 Register: Here The "Made In Iowa" series 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 wellnesss. Join us for a panel discussion, featuring:• Leah Embrey, Owner of Pride Fitness DSM• Kathleen Matthews, Owner of Perennial Pathways• Kayla Deighan, Owner of Roots Rehab• Moderated by Jennifer Thomas, Program Director of The Iowa Center's        Women's Business Center CLA is renting a space on the third level of 801 Grand for the main presentation, and afterward they’ll take everyone nearly to the top of the building to showcase their incredible office space. For security purpose they would like everyone to rsvp for this event. Click here to register!