By Amy Kuhlers, Iowa Economic Development Authority On any given Wednesday morning in Iowa, small business owners, emerging entrepreneurs and the people that support them can be found gathering around cups of coffee and good conversation. Discussions wander along paths of inspiration, lessons-learned struggles, excitement and issues involved with starting a...
By Patrick Luensmann, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation The team at the Center for Business Growth and Innovation loves the opportunity to highlight and support businesses throughout Iowa. One way that we get that chance is through Dream Big Grow Here. Dream Big Grow Here is a...
By Lea Hensel, UNI Business and Community Services I don’t have a specific documented percentage but I would imagine a vast majority of startups and small businesses begin at home. In the garage, at the kitchen table, if you’re lucky, an actual office in your home. But when it’s time to take...
By Patrick Luensmann, Program Director UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation “Business Concierge” – An information specialist who assists small business owners in finding solutions to their most pressing questions by facilitating connections to the right people, data, and resources. The Iowa Business Concierge has served small business owners and entrepreneurs...
By Cally Reed, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation Choosing a business structure can be a confusing process for a first time entrepreneur. As I am a part of the Business Concierge team, and I love to help bring clarity to situations, it’s my pleasure to help answer Iowa business...
By Amy Kuhlers, Iowa Economic Development Authority The state of Iowa offers tax incentives and other programs businesses can use to assist with employee training. These programs, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), are geared to help companies get the skilled workforce they need to expand and help provide...
By Patrick Luensmann, Center for Business Growth and Innovation As the summer winds down the Iowa State Fair is kicking off. This year the fair runs from August 10th-20th. The best part of the fair is seeing what the wares the food entrepreneurs bring. A fan favorite is food on a...
By: Lea Hensel, Business and Community Services Brian Gumm Founder, Director of Product Development & Roast Production Ross Street Roasting Co. Tama, IA Like many businesses, Ross Street Roasting Co. has the humble beginnings of starting in a basement shortly before that inevitable move to the garage. A garage that faced Ross Street...
By Sarah Diercks, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation With all the students graduating in the next few weeks, a lot of people are looking for their first full-time jobs. Before I accepted my position at the University of Northern Iowa, I had to figure out if it was a...
By: Joe Bolick, UNI Business and Community Services It’s May. The grass is green, leaves are popping up on trees, flowers are blooming all over town, and thousands of students are graduating college and flooding the job market. How does a 22 year-old kid with very little “real-world” work experience stand...
