Week of Events
Sunday, October 18, 2026
No events on this day.
Monday, October 19, 2026
No events on this day.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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October 20, 2026 -Always Ready: Business Plan (In-Person)
Always Ready: Business Plan (In-Person)
Presenter: The Iowa Center Staff Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm Location: 2210 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312 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!Â
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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October 21, 2026 -DreamBuilder Fall 2026
DreamBuilder Fall 2026
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!
Thursday, October 22, 2026
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October 22, 2026 -Elevate: HR Strategies for Business Expansion (Online)
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October 22, 2026 -Always Ready: Marketing
Elevate: HR Strategies for Business Expansion (Online)
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!Â
Always Ready: Marketing
    Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026 Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm Location: Online 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!
Friday, October 23, 2026
No events on this day.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
No events on this day.
