Week of Events
Sunday, July 19, 2026
No events on this day.
Monday, July 20, 2026
No events on this day.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
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July 21, 2026 -Brooklyn Business Builder Series
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July 21, 2026 -Made in Iowa: Little Treat Edition
Brooklyn Business Builder Series
Dates: Tuesday, June 23, July 7, July 21, and August 4 Location: First National Bank Building (101 Jackson Street, Brooklyn, IA 52211) Register: Here The Brooklyn Business Builder Series is a free 4-class series presented by The Iowa Center in partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative, and Brooklyn Economic Development. Small business owners face opportunities and challenges every day. The Brooklyn Business Builder Series teaches the fundamentals of building and maintaining a strong business so you're prepared when need or opportunity arises. Attend one class, a few, or all four — whatever fits your schedule. All classes begin at 3:00 p.m. CLASS 1: Getting Ready How to prepare to start your small business Tuesday, June 23 at 3 p.m. CLASS 2: Business Plan Overview and key elements of a small business plan Tuesday, July 7 at 3 p.m. CLASS 3: Financials & Loans Financial statements, transactions, and lending basics Tuesday, July 21 at 3 p.m. CLASS 4: Marketing A blueprint for small business marketing Tuesday, August 4 at 3 p.m. Register today!
Made in Iowa: Little Treat Edition
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Location: The Iowa Center (2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312) Register: Here Small businesses don’t all look the same. While many follow the path of opening a storefront, others build their work through creative, flexible, and often unconventional approaches. Our “Little Treat Edition” of the Made in Iowa series highlights side hustles and non-brick-and-mortar businesses that are shaping local economies in new ways. This session explores how entrepreneurs are launching and growing businesses from home, shared spaces, mobile setups, and even alongside full-time employment. Panelists will share how they got started, how they reach customers, and what it takes to build something sustainable outside of a traditional storefront. Join us for a panel discussion, featuring: – Courtney Garcia, Art You Wood Love– Jessica Anderson, Jess Desserts LLC.– Becky Vandermark,Trigger Warning Book Bus Moderated by Jennifer Thomas, Program Director of The Iowa Center Women's Business Center, and Grant Rolfes, Assurance Principal with CLA. Through the generosity and support of our sponsor, CLA, registration to Made in Iowa is free.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
No events on this day.
Thursday, July 23, 2026
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July 23, 2026 -Always Ready: Marketing (In-Person)
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July 23, 2026 -Marketing with Intent
Always Ready: Marketing (In-Person)
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff Date: Thursday, July 23, 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!
Marketing with Intent
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026 Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Location: Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Community Room (24 N 9th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501) Register: Here Stop marketing on autopilot. This no cost, hands-on class is about marketing with purpose: knowing exactly who you're trying to reach, choosing the channels that actually work for your business, and spending your time and budget where it counts. Define your ideal customer and what they actually care about Build a simple marketing plan you'll actually use Choose the right channels instead of trying to be everywhere Measure what's working so you can do more of it Spin Markket + Digital is a Fort Dodge-based digital marketing agency helping businesses of all sizes stand out and grow. From social media strategy and local SEO to website design and branding, they build practical marketing rooted in real data. We're thrilled to partner with them and bring small business coaching fundamentals to Fort Dodge! Click here to register!
Friday, July 24, 2026
No events on this day.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
No events on this day.
