The Iowa Center
Women’s Business Center
The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center is dedicated to helping Iowa women business owners launch and grow their businesses. We work to inspire women to start businesses and support them in their entrepreneurial journey. Men are welcome, too!
Jennifer Thomas
Program Director of the Women’s Business Center
Jennifer Thomas is the Program Director of The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center. Jen’s role at The Iowa Center involves strategically organizing and implementing programs to train and individually counsel Iowans, specifically women, interested in starting or growing a business.
Jen brings over a decade of small business experience to her role as Program Director of the Women’s Business Center. She launched her first business, Wanderlust Fashion LLC, in 2014—a boutique that evolved from a brick-and-mortar storefront into a pop-up and consulting model. Her journey as a business owner directly shapes how she supports other small business owners today—whether through coaching, programming, or building partnerships across the state. Outside of work, Jen is a passionate supporter of local makers and an advocate for creative entrepreneurship.
Do you dream of business ownership?
We can help with:
- Flexible courses designed to help you start or build your small business
- Special topic classes to help you learn more and do better
- One-on-one business counseling
- Help writing press releases and other business writing
- Private credit counseling with certified credit counselors
- Basic loan education and connections to a loan team
- Connections to other Iowa business resources
Funding Disclosure
In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328:
The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center
Federal Share: 50% – $150,000
Non-Federal Share: 50% – $150,000
Total Program Cost: $300,000
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Meetings by appointment are available outside of standard office hours.
The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center provides services to Iowans in English and Spanish. The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider. We will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Our office is handicap accessible.
The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center is partially funded by the SBA. The SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center at 515-650-8547 or JThomas@theiowacenter.org.
The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center Advisory Committee
The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center Advisory Committee confers with and provides recommendations to the WBC Program Director to enhance the success of the WBC. Advisory Committee members are passionate about the economic empowerment of women. They have community knowledge, insights, relationships, voice, and connections necessary to assist the Women’s Business Center (WBC) in regional planning and related execution.
Advisory Committee goals include:
- Strengthening the Women’s Business Center programming and outreach
- Building the Women’s Business Center client, volunteer, & donor base
- Identifying partnership opportunities to increase the Women’s Business Center’s program capacity and impact
Iowa Center Women’s Business Center Advisory Committee Members:
Diana Wright, Greater Des Moines Partnership
Megan Brandt, Maple Studios
Mariela Maya, Panka Peruvian Chicken
Kara Kelso, Slow Down Coffee and Commercial Real Estate Broker
Yinka Cole, Edara Wellness
Beth DeVries, Beth Devries Coaching
Mark Juffernbruch, The Iowa Center
Melissa McCoy, HR Excellence Consulting
