COLLEGE & CAREER For face-to-face guidance and advising, entrepreneurs and small business owners can meet with a counselor at one of the 15 SBDCs around the state, whose mission is to support the collaborative economic development of Iowa by providing entrepreneurs and businesses with individual consultation and educational resources necessary to assist businesses in succeeding. Iowa SBDCs provide no-cost, confidential, customized, professional business advice in all 99 Iowa counties to entrepreneurs and existing businesses. Another option is to meet with a SCORE mentor. SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve goals. SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Because of the support from the SBA and others, many SCORE opportunities and programs are available at no cost. Through SCORE, entrepreneurs can access free, confidential business mentoring in person or remotely via email, phone and video. SCORE mentors, all experts in entrepreneurship and related fields, meet with small business clients on an ongoing basis to provide continued advice and support. Curtis Baugh at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families offers 1:1 Business Coaching to assist with business registration and formalization, marketing plans or social media strategy. Classes and Workshops For those that prefer to take a class, SCORE and Iowa SBDCs hosts classes and workshops in person and online, or consider the Iowa Center for Economic Success’s DreamBuilder series. The Iowa Center’s primary focus is empowering people to start or grow a small business, whether it’s through the Women’s Business Center, free tax preparation and planning programs, or its microloan portfolio. The Center offers several workshops and classes on its Events page. The DreamBuilder series helps potential business owners conceptualize a complete business plan, define the “why” for owning a small business, meet with subject matter experts, and learn the basics of small business ownership. In addition to 1:1 coaching, the Evelyn K. Davis Center offers a Masters Business BootCamp, which is designed for existing business owners to reinforce the essential skills necessary to own, manage, grow or operate a small business. The six-week program addresses topics, including funding a business, accounting and cash flow, taxes, legal issues, commercial real estate contracts, marketing, customer service and entrepreneurship. Qualified participants may take advantage of the Earn and Learn Program, which subsidizes business owners and active community entrepreneurs for time away from their business. The next boot camp class is September 9 – October 21. The SBA also offers a variety of online courses through its Learning Center to help start and run a business. Courses are designed to help participants research, plan and turn ideas into a profit. Topics include how to write a business plan, legal requirements, social media marketing, sales for small business, government contracting and growing an established company. Access to Capital Access to capital can be a challenge. Without adequate funding, small businesses cannot grow and thrive. Various forms of capital are available, including traditional bank financing, non-traditional lenders, SBA-backed loans and helps with seeking outside investments. Learn more about Financing Fundamentals and programs offered through the State of Iowa at IASourceLink. URBANDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Serving, protecting and promoting businesses across the Des Moines Metro Experience what a 5 Star Acredited Chamber can do for your business! www.uniquelyurbandale.com | 515-331-6855 July 2019 The URBAN EXPERIENCE 15
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