The Iowa Secretary of State is Iowa’s business portal. Since most businesses, apart from sole proprietors, must register with Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office (SOS), visits to the SOS website for organizations new to the state are ensured. However, all businesses, regardless of legal structure and organizational stage, can...
June 17, 2021 Ever so often, we come across a story that reminds us of why we continue to serve Iowa entrepreneurs - especially in turbulent times. This month, our Resource Partners, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) shared a small business success story...
Leadership Can Come From Anyone Forbes defines leadership as a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievements of a goal. But, what does this really mean and when do you or can you consider yourself a leader? Ask yourself these questions: What does leadership mean to...
Jason and Brook Craig, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, had always felt that they should own their own business, but for years never pulled the trigger. It took a traumatic, near-death experience – as well as some help and advice from a banker at Northwest Bank – for Jason and Brook...
By Leah Barton, Director of CIRAS' Procurement Technical Assistance Program Government contracting is a byzantine business—a long and plodding trek through a jungle filled with complicated regulation, documentation requirements, and new marketing challenges. Sound impossible? Not if you have help. Since 2000, CIRAS has served as Iowa’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)—the Iowa affiliate...
Excerpt from the article ""Q&A with outgoing Economic Development and Industry Relations vice president"" by Julie Lelonek, Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations Mike Crum, who for the last five years has led the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR), stepped down at the end of [June 2018]. In his...
By Joe Bolick, Markecting Director, UNI Business and Community Services Professional development, networking events, summits, conferences, peer learning...the list can go on forever. Invitations to these type of events are EVERYWHERE!! I see them all over social media, email, my office mailbox, even the bulletin boards at offices and coffee shops...
By Cally Reed, Program Associate, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation When it comes to electric fencing insulation, Insulights is the name to know in Iowa. The company founder, Bill Brown recently won first place in the John Pappajohn pitch competition with his company Insulights at Entrefest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I...
By Cally Reed, Program Associate, University of Northern Iowa's Center for Business Growth and Innovation When it comes to educating young people about entrepreneurship and launching new student-led companies in Iowa, the John Papajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) is the name to know. This month the entrepreneur spotlight shines on the University...
By Jayne Armstrong, District Director, U.S. Small business Administration's Iowa District Office After his hometown of Clinton, IA, (population 25,719) was devastated from the International Paper plant closure in 2001, resulting in 355 lost jobs, Bob Simpson saw an opportunity for a niche market business utilizing the experienced professionals who remained...
