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Success Stories Blog
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Small Business Starts in the Gym
Pride Fitness DSM
Des Moines, Iowa
Pride Fitness DSM was created as a safer space, where anyone can take charge of their health. Owner Leah came to The Iowa Center for classes and a loan to purchase new gym equipment. Now, Pride Fitness DSM has moved into its stand-alone location in the Drake neighborhood in Des Moines.
Small Business Starts on the Farm
Early Morning Harvest
Panora, Iowa
Early Morning Harvest cultivates grains, produce, honey, and eggs on a family farm just outside the Des Moines metro. Owner Jeff joined The Iowa Center’s first Business Coaching Cohort in partnership with Fareway to learn more about getting his sustainably harvested products on the grocery store shelf. With the help of a loan from Iowa Center Loan Fund, Early Morning Harvest purchased an electric lift to begin automating their mill to increase production.
Small Business Starts in a Cup
Yotopia
Iowa City, Iowa
Veronica grew up loving froyo and used that love as the inspiration to open Yotopia. Veronica came to The Iowa Center for one-on-one coaching and to join the Fareway Small Business Coaching Cohort. Her froyo is made from locally sourced yogurt from a farm and she also partners with other small businesses who provide toppings for the sweet treat! Yotopia Frozen Yogurt is available at their location in Iowa City and in grocery stores across Iowa!
Small Business Starts with a Soda
Slap Soda
West Des Moines, Iowa
Rebekah has a love for dirty soda and was inspired to use that love to open a dirty soda stand. Rebekah visited the Iowa center to help put her dream into motion. Classes and coaching helped Rebekah develop her business plan and prepare the strong financial statements required to access capital through The Iowa Center Loan Fund. Slap Soda is scaling its business from a booth at the Des Moines Farmers Market, to catering, and beyond! With the loan we were able to give her through our loan program, she was able to purchase a food truck for her business. Slap Soda proudly serves the greater Des Moines Metro. Keep an eye on their social media to find out where they will be!
Small Business Starts with Turning Fear into Fuel
4C & Company
State of Iowa
Owner of 4C & Company Celena has a passion for helping others that she has transformed into a small business leading workshops to help participants rewrite their stories with hope. Celena came to The Iowa Center for ongoing classes, mentorship, and one-on-one coaching in order to scale her business to the next level. Now, Celena gets to live her mission of helping others reclaim their voices everyday by coaching others to reclaim their voices
Small Business Starts with a Friendship
Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe
Des Moines, Iowa
Annelise and Tony bonded over their love for games and were inspired to use that love to open a game lounge. They came to The Iowa Center and attended our business classes and received a loan to renovate their new location. The Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe is your place to play featuring board games, jigsaw puzzles, TTRPGs, and more while providing unique and entertaining gaming events, food, drinks, and fun.
Small Business Starts in a Cone
SCREAM Ice Cream
Fairfield, Iowa
Kate’s business idea came about after she bought an ice cream maker for her son. Kate came to The Iowa Center to access some capital to purchase an ice cream maker machine. SCREAM ice cream uses locally sourced dairy to make their ice cream. SCREAM is located in Fairfield Iowa, but their products are sold in select stores across the state.
