Iowa Center for Economic Success

Always Ready: Marketing (In-Person)
2026-09-03 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, September 3, 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!

Always Ready: Financials
2026-09-08 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, September 8, 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!

DreamBuilder Fall 2026
2026-09-09 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-23 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-07 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-21 17:30 - 19:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Date: Wednesday evenings, September 9 – October 28
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (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 September 2, 2026.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

A personal laptop
An active email and DreamBuilder login
Commitment to 2 hours/week of online coursework
Full attendance and participation

Location: In-Person (The Iowa Center | 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312)
Register: Here
Writing a business plan can be intimidating. Small business owners are juggling market research with competitor analysis and financial projections with marketing strategies. With so much to consider and organize, it’s easy to lose your drive. Let The Iowa Center help you navigate it all.
The DreamBuilder Fall 2026 cohort sponsored by U.S. Bank is an 8-week virtual course designed to empower entrepreneurs with group and one-on-one coaching, step-by-step instruction, and a supportive peer network. Whether you’re relaunching your business plan or starting from scratch, this course gives you the clarity and tools to move forward confidently.
Participants will receive:

Step-by-step guidance to complete each section of your business plan
Live group classes and one-on-one business coaching
Business fundamentals training from experienced instructors
Peer support and networking opportunities
A $1400-value Industry Intelligence Report based on your NAICS code
Graduation pitch night to present your business to the community

Click here to register!

Always Ready: Business Plan
2026-09-15 15:00 - 16:00 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 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!

Business Insurance 101 in Carroll, IA (In-Person)
2026-09-17 15:00 - 16:00 | HUB 712, 603 N Adams Street, Carroll, 51401, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff & Karla Guerrero, Klarity Insurance
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: HUB 712 (603 N Adams Street, Carroll, Iowa 51401)
Register: Here
One uncovered claim can undo years of hard work. This one-hour session covers what insurance most small businesses need, where owners tend to overpay, and what to look for in your own policy. Karla Guerrero of Klarity Insurance works with small business owners every day and will take questions throughout the session.

What types of coverage your business actually needs
Where coverage gaps usually show up
The difference between general liability, commercial auto, and workers’ comp
Plenty of time for your questions

Click here to register!

Elevate: Is Your Business Ready for Expansion? (In Person)
2026-09-17 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Thinking about expanding your business? Before taking the next step, it’s important to determine whether your business is truly ready for growth. In this session, you’ll evaluate your current operations, explore the opportunities and challenges of expansion, and learn how to align growth with your long-term vision. Whether you’re considering a new location, hiring additional staff, or expanding your services, this course will help you make informed decisions with confidence.
What You’ll Learn

Evaluate whether your business is ready to expand.
Align expansion plans with your long-term goals and mission.
Explore the opportunities and challenges of business growth.

Click here to register!

Small Business Taxes: Getting Ready for Tax Time (In-Person)
2026-09-22 14:00 - 15:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm
Location: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Small business taxes can be complicated. Understanding your obligations and keeping good records makes the process easier, and helps you avoid costly surprises. Join The Iowa Center’s in-house Small Business Tax Professional for a one hour class to learn strategies to prepare for tax time. We will also share information about Iowa Center Services that can help you plan for tax time success.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Is Your Business Ready for Expansion? (Virtual)
2026-09-24 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Register: Here
Thinking about expanding your business? Before taking the next step, it’s important to determine whether your business is truly ready for growth. In this session, you’ll evaluate your current operations, explore the opportunities and challenges of expansion, and learn how to align growth with your long-term vision. Whether you’re considering a new location, hiring additional staff, or expanding your services, this course will help you make informed decisions with confidence.
What You’ll Learn

Evaluate whether your business is ready to expand.
Align expansion plans with your long-term goals and mission.
Explore the opportunities and challenges of business growth.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Marketing for Growth and Expansion (In-Person)
2026-10-01 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: In Person
Register: Here
Growing your business means reaching new customers in meaningful ways. In this session, you’ll explore marketing strategies designed to increase brand awareness, connect with your target audience, and support long-term growth. Learn how to create a marketing plan that can scale alongside your business and measure the impact of your efforts.
What You’ll Learn

Understand the role marketing plays in business growth.
Identify and reach new target markets.
Create a scalable marketing strategy with measurable results.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Marketing for Growth and Expansion (Online)
2026-10-08 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Register: Here
Growing your business means reaching new customers in meaningful ways. In this session, you’ll explore marketing strategies designed to increase brand awareness, connect with your target audience, and support long-term growth. Learn how to create a marketing plan that can scale alongside your business and measure the impact of your efforts.
What You’ll Learn

Understand the role marketing plays in business growth.
Identify and reach new target markets.
Create a scalable marketing strategy with measurable results.

Click here to register!

Elevate: HR Strategies for Business Expansion (In Person)
2026-10-15 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
As your business grows, so does your team. This session will help you prepare for the people side of expansion by covering effective hiring practices, employee development, and retention strategies. You’ll also gain an understanding of key HR responsibilities to help you build a strong, compliant workplace that supports continued growth.
What You’ll Learn

Recruit and onboard employees for a growing business.

Strengthen employee development and retention efforts.

Understand payroll, benefits, and HR compliance considerations.

Click here to register!

Elevate: HR Strategies for Business Expansion (Online)
2026-10-22 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Register: Here
As your business grows, so does your team. This session will help you prepare for the people side of expansion by covering effective hiring practices, employee development, and retention strategies. You’ll also gain an understanding of key HR responsibilities to help you build a strong, compliant workplace that supports continued growth.
What You’ll Learn

Recruit and onboard employees for a growing business.

Strengthen employee development and retention efforts.

Understand payroll, benefits, and HR compliance considerations.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Financial Planning for Expansion (In-Person)
2026-10-29 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
Growth requires thoughtful financial planning. This session will help you evaluate your business’s financial readiness, create a budget for expansion, and understand the funding options available to support your goals. You’ll leave with practical tools to help you make informed financial decisions as your business continues to grow.
What You’ll Learn

Assess your business’s financial readiness for growth.

Create an expansion budget and cash flow projections.

Explore funding options and measure financial performance.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Financial Planning for Expansion (Online)
2026-11-05 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Register: Here
Growth requires thoughtful financial planning. This session will help you evaluate your business’s financial readiness, create a budget for expansion, and understand the funding options available to support your goals. You’ll leave with practical tools to help you make informed financial decisions as your business continues to grow.
What You’ll Learn

Assess your business’s financial readiness for growth.

Create an expansion budget and cash flow projections.

Explore funding options and measure financial performance.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Building a Successful Expansion Strategy (In Person)
2026-11-12 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
A successful expansion starts with a solid plan. This session focuses on building a strategy that supports sustainable growth by helping you identify the resources, capital, and people needed to move your business forward. You’ll also learn how to anticipate potential risks and create a roadmap for achieving your expansion goals.
What You’ll Learn

Build a strategic roadmap for business expansion.
Determine the capital needed to support growth.
Learn how to build the right team and manage expansion risks.

Click here to register!

Elevate: Building a Successful Expansion Strategy (Online)
2026-11-19 15:00 - 16:30 | The Iowa Center, 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Register: Here
A successful expansion starts with a solid plan. This session focuses on building a strategy that supports sustainable growth by helping you identify the resources, capital, and people needed to move your business forward. You’ll also learn how to anticipate potential risks and create a roadmap for achieving your expansion goals.
What You’ll Learn

Build a strategic roadmap for business expansion.
Determine the capital needed to support growth.
Learn how to build the right team and manage expansion risks.

Click here to register!
