Small Business Resources

The Greater Des Moines Partnership offers the tools you need to help grow your small business or startup. From online resources on topics like how to start a business, finance, banking and capital, marketing, hiring and events for small business, The Hub is here to help. For more information, contact The Partnership’s small business and startup experts.

IRS Feature: Easy Payment Options for Taxpayers Accounting & Taxes, Legal
Learn what options are available during tax season, even if you are unable to pay in full.
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Succession Planning Checklist Succession Planning
Are you prepared for when there is a change in leadership at your company?
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Podcast: Agrisync's Startup Story Success Stories
Learn more about Agrisync, a software company focused on agriculture.
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Disaster Loan Assistance Finance, Banking & Capital
Learn more about low-interest federal disaster loans available to Greater Des Moines (DSM) and Iowa businesses.
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Capital For Your Small Business Events & Networking
An event for both potential and current business owners to learn more about capital options.
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Tips for Preparing for Small Business Saturday Success Additional Resources
Look for customizable marketing materials and adjust store hours accordingly to prepare.
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Nationwide Resource Partners Assist Small Business Owners Events & Networking
Research partners guide small businesses to success through mentoring and training.
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Startups Thrive with the Right Mentors Additional Resources, Events & Networking
Accelerate startup growth through networking and connecting with potential mentors.
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Checklist for How to Start a Business How to Start a Business
Not sure where to start with launching your business? Start here.
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Capitalization Table for Small Businesses Finance, Banking & Capital
BrownWinick Partner Joe Leo offers tips for creating the startup capitalization table.
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Raising Capital Seminar Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital
Learn how to successfully secure equity funding for your startup business' growth from Greater Des Moines (DSM) experts.
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Meet the Buyers Events & Networking
Begin or expand your small business by connecting with purchasing decision makers from some of DSM USAs larger employers.
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Internships 101 Guide Staffing & Hiring
Learn how to recruit, hire and manage interns to ensure your small business finds success.
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Hiring a Diverse Workforce for Small Businesses Staffing & Hiring
An inclusive culture offers HR an advantage to finding and hiring diverse employees.
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Makusafe Platform Leads to Improved Worker Safety Success Stories
Gabe Glynn explains how Makusafe technology and data successfully make workplaces safer.
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Supporting Managers in Small Businesses and Startups Staffing & Hiring
Encouraging new managers starts with selecting the right manager from the beginning.
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Spring Cleaning Tips for Small Businesses How to Start a Business
Assess marketing options and evaluate inventory to ready your small business for summer.
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Employee Perks Lead to Small Business Hiring Success Staffing & Hiring
Employee perks offer small businesses a preferred way to attract and retain employees.
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Protect and Manage Your Small Business Online Brand IT & Data, Marketing & Sales
Learn how to monitor your small business brand online through reviews and social media.
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Olson Larsen Galleries Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Susan Watts explains how she transitioned from manager to owner of DSM USA art gallery.
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Female Small Business Owners Find Support and Success in DSM USA How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Services grow for female business owners looking to start a business or expand one.
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Due Diligence for Startup Companies Finance, Banking & Capital
c.Results Owner Charise Flynn discusses due diligence best practices for startups.
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Top Five Ways to Entice Talent to Small Businesses Staffing & Hiring
Anne Barry of Aureon explains how to entice the right talent for your small business.
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Five Employment Law Tips for Small Businesses Legal, Staffing & Hiring
Attorney Kelsey Crosse talks employment law and hiring talent for your small business.
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How to Tell Your Story to Investors Finance, Banking & Capital
c.Results Owner Charise Flynn explains how to tell your story to successfully raise capital from investors.
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Dwolla's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Dwolla's Ben Milne discusses closing deals and pitching your startup to large companies.
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A Conversation with Adore Your Walls Success Stories
Liz Lidgett talks about her art advisory service focused on style, space and budget.
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Travel Insurance Startup Pablow Finds Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Steve and Des Sherlock find support for Pablow through Global Insurance Accelerator.
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WorkHound's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Andrew Kirpalani of WorkHound talks starting a driver retention and referral startup.
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Become a Small Business Owner by Starting a Franchise How to Start a Business
A franchise has a high rate of success and is a way to start your own small business.
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Velorosa Startup Sells High Performance Cycling Gear to DSM USA Success Stories
Velorosa founders discuss growing the cycling apparel startup and selling at RAGBRAI.
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Raising Capital Seminar Provides Tips for Startups Finance, Banking & Capital
The annual Raising Capital Seminar offers ideas for raising capital for startups.
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ClusterFlunk Startup Story Success Stories
ClusterFlunk creates easier peer-to-peer communication between students in the same classes.
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Rational Surgical Solutions' Startup Success Story Success Stories
As a doctor, the RSS Founder was unsure about the product, but knew the solution he was after.
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Rocket Referrals: An Insurance Industry Startup Success Story Success Stories
Startup Rocket Referrals has found success thanks to tech innovation and communication.
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Look Local First in DSM Additional Resources, How to Start a Business
Learn how to support local startups and small businesses within the DSM USA community.
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Workplace Wellness Resources How to Start a Business
Download easy-to-use toolkits and other resources to support employee workplace wellness.
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Stories of Starting Up from Charise Flynn Success Stories
Charise Flynn, former COO at Dwolla and Founder of c.Results, shares tips for startups.
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Startup Success Story: FunnelWise Success Stories
FunnelWise startup founder discusses leveraging data through full-funnel intelligence.
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PowerPollen Improves Cross Pollination of Corn Success Stories
Todd Krone and Jason Cope of startup PowerPollen discuss creating yield technology.
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Startup Hatchlings Becomes Gaming Success Story Success Stories
Brad Dwyer explains how Hatchlings found success and led to the development of new apps.
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DSM USA Career Center: Access Job Seekers Staffing & Hiring
Fulfill your Small Business staffing needs, as well as post internship opportunities.
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Plains Angels Investors in DSM USA Finance, Banking & Capital
Plains Angels investors assist startups in fundraising by investing their own money.
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A Conversation with HomeDitty Success Stories
Katie Byers of HomeDitty discusses her passion for house concerts to benefit musicians.
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Primary Source's Success Story Success Stories
Mary Anne Kennedy of Primary Source shares her small business success story.
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Preservation Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Nicole Lorenson of PRESERVATION explains her lifestyle small business and photo studio.
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Club B-FIT's Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Jen Bramble of Club B-FIT explains her small business and its alternative fitness focus.
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Small Business Success Story: Life Coaching Success Stories
Beth Montpas of Life Coaching is an expert in sales, business and life coach for women.
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HomeDitty's Startup Success Story Success Stories
HomeDitty connects undiscovered artists with people who host live music in their homes.
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Small Business Success Story: Sticks Success Stories
Rachel Eubank of Sticks discusses her passion for art and developing the Sticks brand.
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Trixie's Salon Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Tricia Rivas talks about starting Trixie's Salon and the Dreamcatchers Foundation.
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Certintell Telehealth's Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
Ben Lefever, founder of Certintell Telehealth, shares his success story as a startup.
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Hatchlings Startup Success Story Success Stories
Hatchlings, Inc., is a popular Facebook game known as "The Worldwide Easter Egg Hunt."
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Higher Learning Technologies Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
HLT co-founder shares startup's steps to success in various mobile solutions markets.
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Happy Medium Startup Success Story Success Stories
Happy Medium, a full-service marketing firm, includes digital and traditional services.
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Men's Style Lab's Startup Story Success Stories
Derian Baugh of Men's Style Lab explains his online clothing service startup story.
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TelePharm Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
TelePharm's Founder Roby Miller discusses the billion-dollar pharmacy software startup.
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Rocket Referrals Startup Success Story Success Stories
Founders of Rocket Referrals explain keeping clients engaged and growing referrals.
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Adore Your Walls Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
Founders of Adore Your Walls talk about the art advisory service that connects people to art they'll love.
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How to Protect Your Business's Intellectual Property Legal, Staffing & Hiring
Attorneys explain ways to protect intellectual property at your small business.
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The Great Frame Up's Small Business Success Story Success Stories
The Great Frame Up founder shares passion for art and her small business success story.
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Schabel Solutions' Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Claudia Schabel shares insight on transition from corporate business to startup owner.
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Ivory House Photography's Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Whitney Warne of Ivory House Photography shares her small business success story.
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Akili Design's Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Leng Vong Reiff of Akili Design talks starting her marketing services small business.
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Things to Know About QuickBooks for Small Businesses Accounting & Taxes
QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software for small businesses owners.
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Financing Small Business Basics Accounting & Taxes
For both new and existing small business owners, financing is essential to later success.
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What Drives Millennipreneurs to Startup Success Staffing & Hiring
Millennials support small businesses and look to start their own and find success.
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Top Five Tips for Great Websites IT & Data, Marketing & Sales
Uncover five tips and changes for small business owners to consider for their websites.
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Top Five Ways Tax Reform Will Affect Small Businesses Accounting & Taxes
Rob Poterucha of McGowen, Hurst, Clark and Smith, P.C. explains the new tax bill.
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Top Five Ways to Reduce Liability for Small Businesses Legal, Staffing & Hiring
Communication reduces liability and minimizes risk for your small business employees.
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Five Ways to Find Your Sweet Spot Customer Marketing & Sales
Connie Anderson explains how startups create growth by finding their sweet spot customer.
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Top Five Accounting and Tax Tips for Small Business Success Accounting & Taxes
Jonathan Porter explains his top accounting and taxation ideas for small businesses.
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Top Five Employment Law Tips for Small Business Success Legal, Staffing & Hiring
Jaki Samuelson talks avoiding legal claims and offers advice for small business success.
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Top Five Information Technology Tips for Small Business Success IT & Data
Scott Meeker talks connecting small business to the right professionals for IT issues.
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Top Five Marketing and Sales Tips for Small Business Success Marketing & Sales
Tiffany Tokarz explains marketing and sales tips to increase small business success.
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Pitchly Founder Discusses Success Raising Equity Capital Success Stories
Pitchly founder discusses pitching to investors and helping startups raise capital.
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Lil' Sidekick Founder Finds Worldwide Success Success Stories
Amy Vohs of Lil' Sidekick speaks about the technology behind her tether tool for moms.
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Crème Cupcake Turns a Simple Idea into a Startup Success Success Stories
Crème's Christina Moffatt shares her experience as a female business owner in DSM USA.
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Iowa AgriTech Accelerator Gains Innovative Startup Founder Success Stories
Megan Vollstedt explains how running a startup led her to Iowa's AgriTech Accelerator.
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Dwolla Startup Founder Talks Raising Capital and Inclusion Finance, Banking & Capital, Staffing & Hiring
Ben Milne of Dwolla talks about raising capital and creating an inclusive workspace.
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VolunteerLocal President Kaylee Williams Tells Startup Journey Success Stories
Kaylee Williams of VolunteerLocal talks being a female business owner in DSM USA.
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Startup FarrPro Offers Innovation in the Hog Industry Success Stories
Amos Petersen explains how startup FarrPro creates solutions for the swine industry.
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Top Five Employment Policies for Small Business Success Staffing & Hiring
Scott Gire discusses employment law and explains legal policies for small businesses.
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Business Partners and Investors: Steer Clear of Divorce Legal
Research references of potential startup investors and partners to guarantee success.
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Tips for Startups Looking to Raise Capital Finance, Banking & Capital
Five tips for finding investors and raising capital at the Raising Capital Seminar.
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Startup Adore Your Walls Finds Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Liz Lidgett of Adore Your Walls discusses becoming a female startup business owner in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Large Scale Startup PowerPollen' Technology Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Founder Jason Cope explains how improving cross pollination increased profitability.
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Startup Terva Finds Startup Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Steven Brockshus of Terva discusses owning a startup business in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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House Concert Startup Success Story: HomeDitty Success Stories
Katie Byers shares how her passion for live music turned into a successful startup.
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Female-Owned Business StemBox a STEM Startup Success Story Success Stories
Kina McAllister grows StemBox into a successful startup after moving to DSM USA.
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Five Steps for Embracing Artificial Intelligence in DSM USA Success Stories
Mike Colwell calls artificial intelligence the great equalizer of the startup world.
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Lessons from the Raising Capital Seminar Finance, Banking & Capital
Three Tips about finding mentors and raising capital from the Raising Capital Seminar.
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Why Marketing Should Focus on Customer Acquisition Costs Marketing & Sales
Learn more about the price of customer acquisition costs for startup business owners.
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Lil' Sidekick Tether Idea Leads to Startup Business Success Success Stories
Lil' Sidekick founder grows startup in DSM USA; succeeds as a female business owner.
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Free Tool Assists in Small Business Loan Process Finance, Banking & Capital
Small Business Administration's Lender Match connects small businesses with lenders.
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Innovative Benefit Leads to Top Talent for DSM USA Small Business Staffing & Hiring
Nonprofit vies for top employees with innovative benefit: paying down student debt.
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Breaking Down the Family-Owned Small Business Succession Planning
Family-owned small businesses navigate succession planning and overcome challenges.
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Top Five Marketing and Sales Apps for Small Business Owners IT & Data, Marketing & Sales
Apps help small businesses gather data, increase workflow and manage operational tasks.
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Tips and Resources for Finding a Small Business Loan Finance, Banking & Capital
Choose the right small business loan by understanding terms and preparing documents.
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s2e Offers Internship Opportunities to DSM USA Students Staffing & Hiring
The s2e initiative connects students to employers to increase job awareness and skills.
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Mentor Impact on Small Businesses How to Start a Business
Business owners agree that mentors play a significant role on their small businesses.
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Free Guide for Setting Up Small Business Internship Programs Staffing & Hiring
The Internships 101 Toolkit is a free tool for DSM USA startups and small businesses.
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Find Small Business Success into the Spring Season How to Start a Business
After the holiday season, reboot your small business with these simple tips for success.
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Small Business Succession Plans Ensure Future Success Succession Planning
Plan for unforeseen circumstances or retirement by identifying the right successor.
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Top Five Ways to Minimize Small Business Data Threats IT & Data
Implementing a cybersecurity policy is one way to combat IT and data security threats.
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Small Business Owner Finds Support in DSM USA Success Stories
Katie Fergus, of FinanSynergy and PractiSynergy, talks opportunity and resources in DSM.
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Top Five Ways Employee Strengths Help Small Businesses Staffing & Hiring
When employers "think like a leader" and "communicate clearly," success often follows.
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Develop a Strong Business Plan for Your Small Business How to Start a Business
Executive summaries and market analysis are essential elements of strong business plans.
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TV Show Investigates Growing Small Businesses in DSM USA Success Stories
"Ambitious Adventures" questions restaurant owner about DSM small business community.
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DSM USA Community Support Vital to Small Businesses How to Start a Business
Finding small business success in DSM depends on collaboration and experienced experts.
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Small Businesses: Stay a Sole Proprietorship or Incorporate? How to Start a Business
Incorporating or forming an LLC can lead to larger contracts and capital opportunities.
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AgTech Startup Power Pollen's Startup Success Story Success Stories
PowerPollen's startup technology leads to high productivity in seed and grain production.
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Structurely's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Structurely startup co-founders discuss artificial intelligence for real estate agents.
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Startup Success Story: WinPro Success Stories
WinPro's Bill Bernardo hopes to ease active dog inflammation through building immunity.
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Startup Success Story: Workhound Success Stories
WorkHound founders solve driver turnover with a digital employee engagement platform.
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Top Five Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate How to Start a Business
When making a commercial real estate decision, identify the right questions to find your future location.
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Small Business Trends in Hiring and Staffing Staffing & Hiring
From game-changing tech to diversity initiatives, small businesses embrace change in HR.
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Small Business Intellectual Property Legal Terms Legal, Staffing & Hiring
Protect and control intellectual property with patent, trademark and copyright laws.
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Learn How to Create a Web Presence for Your Small Business How to Start a Business, Marketing & Sales
A website and social media presence are vital to marketing your small business online.
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Sales Funnel Management for Startups and Small Businesses Marketing & Sales
FunnelWise Vice President discusses accelerating sales through sales funnel management.
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How Startups Can Raise Capital in the Midwest Finance, Banking & Capital
InvestHER Partner Cayla Weisberg talks raising capital for startups in the Midwest.
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Startup Story Check-in: AgriSync Success Stories
AgTech startup AgriSync finds a solution for the ag industry by providing support for farmers.
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AgriSync AgTech Startup Success Story Success Stories
Founder Casey Niemann left Microsoft to form AgTech customer service startup AgriSync.
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iEmergent Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
Mortgage MarketSmart founders speak on startup challenges and the sales cycle.
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Social Media Marketing for Startups and Small Businesses Marketing & Sales
DSM USA experts talk social media marketing strategy for small businesses and startups.
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Remote Sales Calls for Startups and Small Businesses Marketing & Sales
Fastpath founder discusses the anatomy of a remote sales call and how it will lead to success.
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Accelerating Sales Through Channel Management Marketing & Sales
AgriSync Founder discusses leveraging word-of-mouth and accelerating sales through channel management.
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Selling the Invisible Book Offers Small Businesses Marketing Advice Marketing & Sales
McLellan Marketing Group CEO speaks on crafting marketing messages for customers.
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Startup Success Story: SmartyPig Success Stories
Founder Michael Ferrari's startup SmartyPig grew to $3 billion in transactions quickly.
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Lil Sidekick's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Lil Sidekick Founder discusses how she brought her new product to the retail market.
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MakuSafe's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Gabe Glynn, Founder of MakuSafe, anticipates next steps for his DSM hardware startup.
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Startup Success Story: Drive Spotter Success Stories
Drive Spotter is a video analytics platform for railroad and transportation industries.
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Startup Story: Dorothy's House Success Stories
Dorothy's House offers care in a secure environment for victims of human trafficking.
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Catchwind's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Catchwind Founder Brian Hemesath shares his journey and discusses tips for startups.
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Startup Story Check-in: Hatchlings Success Stories
Hatchlings, "The Worldwide Easter Egg Hunt," hit a peak of 200 million pageviews/month.
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Rocket Referrals' Bootstrapping Success Story Finance, Banking & Capital, Success Stories
Rocket Referrals Co-Founder Torey Maerz discusses bootstrapping in DSM USA.
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Financials for Startup Business Plans Finance, Banking & Capital
The Partnership's Mike Colwell talks forecasted revenue, costs and cash flow for startups.
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How a Startup Finds the Right Number of Investors Finance, Banking & Capital
Dwolla CEO Ben Milne explains startup success through the right number of investors.
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One-Page Summary for Startups Finance, Banking & Capital
Before you raise capital, create a one-page business summary for potential investors.
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Raising Capital Using Online Platforms for Startups Finance, Banking & Capital
Mike Colwell, of Square One DSM and Plains Angels talks online platforms for startups.
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Tips for Startups Pitching Investors Finance, Banking & Capital
Dwolla CEO Ben Milne talks pitching investors and raising capital for small businesses.
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Raising and Managing Equity Capital Finance, Banking & Capital
Startups succeed when due diligence is done in managing growth after raising capital.
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