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Success Stories Blog
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Small Business Gives Back
BLK & BOLD
Des Moines, Iowa
Pernell & Rod founded BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages bonded by years of friendship, a mutual love of coffee and tea, and a desire to invest in community. They started roasting coffee beans in a contract space and came to The Iowa Center for support scaling their small business. BLK & Bold has secured distribution deals with Amazon, Target, and Whole Foods, and their product is available on the shelves of Price Chopper and Hy-Vee stores. BLK & Bold pledges 5% of its proceeds to non-profit organizations all across the country, including the By Degrees Foundation in Des Moines.
Small Business Stays up Late
xBk
Des Moines, Iowa
Toby moved to Des Moines from Brooklyn in search of good schools and a supportive community where she could raise her family. A musician herself, she fell in love with Des Moines’ arts community and its diverse group of musicians and had a dream of helping to take the fledgling live music scene to the next level. Business coaching and access to capital from The Iowa Center empowered Tobi to leverage her years of experience as an executive for a major record label to launch xBk, a live music venue in the Drake neighborhood.
Small Business Wakes up Early
Early Bird
West Des Moines, Iowa
Trisha and Kendall had a vision to bring an extraordinary brunch concept with breakfast nachos and tot poutine to Iowa. They came to The Iowa Center for a small business loan with business coaching to launch their first restaurant in West Des Moines. Early Bird has been recognized as the Best Breakfast and Lunch in the Greater Des Moines area, and Best New Restaurant by Cityview Magazine. Trisha and Kendall have now expanded a second Iowa location in Ankeny, Iowa!
Small Business Starts at the Kitchen Table
Lola’s
West Des Moines, Iowa
After his co-workers went crazy for his mother‘s hot sauce at a company potluck, Taufeek asked his mom for the recipe so he could bottle it. Taufeek came to the Iowa Center for a small business loan with coaching support in order to grow his sales and distribution. Today, Taufeek is CEO of Lola‘s Hot Sauce, one of Iowa‘s most recognizable brands with products that can be found in 10,000 grocery stores, retailers, and restaurants throughout North America. Taufeek is a Board Member at The Iowa Center paving the way to increase supplier diversity and help other entrepreneurs of color get their products onto store shelves.
Small Business Starts with a Bump
Bumps And Babes
Algona, Iowa
Dr. Cassidy is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor with a passion for helping families navigate health challenges. She came to The Iowa Center for support to launch a chiropractic practice with treatment designed for women & children. She is delivering home visit services, and The Iowa Center is helping her to scale her business as she works toward the goal of opening a full-service clinic.
Small Business Starts with Food Fusion
Luna Kitchen
Davenport, Iowa
Owners German & Aleena started Luna Kitchen as a pop-up tent to share their love for Hispanic and Asian food fusion. They came to The Iowa Center for coaching and access to capital. Now, they’re using their loan to purchase a new food truck to expand their services across Iowa.
Small Business Starts with Human Resources
HR Excellence Consulting
West Des Moines, Iowa
Founder Melissa began HR Excellence Consulting in order to empower organizations by optimizing HR practices aligned with their core values and strategic goals. Melissa came to The Iowa Center for small business classes and participated in the Small Business Tax Services program to create a tax strategy for year-round success.
Small Business Starts with a Brush
Krafted Beauty Co
West Des Moines, Iowa
Krafted Beauty Co is a premier salon for brows, lashes, and personalized beauty treatments. Owner Olivia came to The Iowa Center for one-on-one coaching and attended a class on small business real estate in preparation for moving into a new location. Today, Krafted Beauty Co is preparing to open in Olivia’s dream spot in the Valley Junction neighborhood.
Small Business Starts with Coaching
Beth DeVries Coaching
Pella, Iowa
Beth DeVries Coaching helps working mothers implement strategies to effectively manage family and work responsibilities. Her coaching services provide clients with training, tools, and support to make positive changes in their life. She has leveraged courses and coaching from The Iowa Center to build her business plan and learn more about marketing. She has also worked with coach Katie Byers to help build and improve her business.
Small Business Starts in the Kitchen
Culinary Annex
West Des Moines, Iowa
The Culinary Annex Kitchen is a certified, shared-use commercial kitchen and event space focusing on making culinary artists feel safe, valued, and supported. Chef Cass, owner of Culinary Annex, received one-on-one coaching from The Iowa Center as she moved into her new location in the Valley Junction neighborhood. Now, The Culinary Annex provides rental space and culinary classes for the public.
