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.

Small Business Resources Newsletter

Learn more about small business and startup resources available through The Partnership, as well as events and news to help grow your business.

Sign up for the Small Business Resources Newsletter.

Know Your Customers: What Motivates Buying Decisions Marketing & Sales
Understanding intellect and emotion as motivators is key to finding success and increasing sales.
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Episode 25: From the Military to the Startup World Success Stories
Dwolla's Travis Ensley discusses his journey from the Navy to the world of startups.
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Succession Planning Checklist Succession Planning
Is your business ready for when there are unexpected changes in leadership?
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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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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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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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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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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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