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.

Success Stories

  • Filter by
  • - All Success Stories
  • - Female Business Owners
  • - Large Scale Business
  • - Minority Business Owners
  • - Startup
Nadilia Gomez's Experience Invaluable to Ag Startups Success Stories
Nadilia Gomez discusses her love of plant sciences and how it led her to run the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator.
Read More
Top Podcasts for DSM Small Businesses and Startups Additional Resources, Success Stories
Learn from Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneurs through the top downloaded Startup Stories DSM podcasts.
Read More
Women Find Parenting, Business Opportunities with DSM Resources How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Erin Huiatt discusses her journey as a women-business owner in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
Read More
Episode 44: Roboflow Offers Tools Focusing on Computer Vision Success Stories
Brad Dwyer and Joseph Nelson discuss advantages of their new startup, Roboflow.
Read More
Succeed in Business with Healthy Management Habits Success Stories
Rita Perea explains how her Greater Des Moines small business grew and evolved over 20 years.
Read More
Tractor Zoom Recognizes Opportunities as Data Provider How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Kyle McMahon explains how his early experiences led him to create farm machinery auction site, Tractor Zoom.
Read More
Episode 41: My Path to Becoming Managing Director for the GIA Success Stories
Nicole Gunderson discusses her path to becoming Managing Director of the Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA).
Read More
BetterHireS Evens Playing Field for High Schoolers How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Kiki Levy discusses her business Better HireS and its ability to connect high school talent to business needs.
Read More
Episode 39: Sustainable Accessories in DSM - Dona Bela Shreds How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Allison Davidson Motoyama discusses her startup journey, including local opportunities and website marketing.
Read More
Write Once, Use Twice (or more!) Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Sally Cooper Smith discusses repurposing marketing content.
Read More
Hyper Local Hype: The Rise of the Nano Influencer Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Whitney Warne discusses hyperlocal influencer marketing at the Small Business Success Summit.
Read More
Episode 38: RAYGUN's Evolution as the Greatest Store in the Universe Success Stories
Mike Draper talks RAYGUN's growth and expansion, as well as why he wanted employees to unionize.
Read More
Creating a Henna Business in DSM USA Additional Resources, Success Stories
Maggie Goldhammer explains how she got her start in henna design and why she loves doing business in DSM USA.
Read More
Episode 36: Koloni Empowers Sustainability through Sharing Success Stories
Koloni helps bring bike and scooter sharing to smaller communities who aren't able to draw companies on their own.
Read More
Episode 35: The Importance of Company Culture in Rocket Referrals' Growth Success Stories
Rocket Referrals utilizes automation to create touchpoints for insurance agents.
Read More
Episode 34: Finding Innovation in Algae Success Stories
Ames-based wastewater startup uses algae to remove and recycle pollutants from wastewater.
Read More
Episode 33: Live Music in Your Living Room Success Stories
Katie Byers explains House Concerts in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
Read More
Five Steps for Embracing Artificial Intelligence in DSM USA Success Stories
Mike Colwell calls artificial intelligence the great equalizer of the startup world.
Read More
Episode 32: Defining Insurtech Startup Success Success Stories
Former Global Insurance Accelerator Director Brian Hemesath discusses insurtech and how to find startup success within the industry.
Read More
Episode 31: Launching a Debut Clothing Line in DSM USA Success Stories
After working for two Greater Des Moines (DSM) startups, Kate Wagner launches clothing line Lidgett.
Read More
Episode 30: Tej Dhawan and the DSM Startup Community Success Stories
Tej Dhawan discusses the past, present and future for Greater Des Moines' startup and entrepreneur community.
Read More
Episode 29: Finding Success in Art Success Stories
Liz Lidgett talks about how her love of art turned into launching a DSM USA startup business.
Read More
Episode 28: WorkHound and the Importance of Employee Happiness How to Start a Business, Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
Max Farrell and Andrew Kirpalani talk about starting WorkHound and the lessons they learned along the way.
Read More
Episode 27: Monetery Recap and Workplace Culture with Ben Milne Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, Success Stories
Ben Milne, Founder of Dwolla, discusses the success of the company's new event, Monetery, and the importance of creating an inclusive workplace.
Read More
Episode 26: Improving Speech Therapy from DSM USA Success Stories
ClinicNote is redefining speech therapy through their electronic medical records.
Read More
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.
Read More
Startup Success: CABCo and Expanding in DSM USA Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co. owner Scott Carlson explains how the right people help your business grow.
Read More
Certintell Telehealth's Success Within The Medical IT Industry Success Stories
Certintell founder Ben Lefever discusses how the Certintell solution engages patients for better outcomes.
Read More
Fusion Boutique Startup Success: Growing into an Established Business Success Stories
Fusion Boutique owner Sara Jacobson discusses her experience as a business owner in DSM USA.
Read More
LenderClose and the Importance of Building Your Network Events & Networking, Success Stories
LenderClose Founder and CEO, Omar Jordan, discusses the importance of networking when starting a business.
Read More
Expanding From Your Roots: East Village Spa Success Success Stories
Cassie Sampson talks startup expansion for Greater Des Moines (DSM) small business owners.
Read More
Overcoming the Challenges: ScoreYard Startup Success How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Des Moines small business owner discusses startup challenges and how he overcomes them.
Read More
Podcast: Agrisync's Startup Story Success Stories
Learn more about Agrisync, a software company focused on agriculture.
Read More
Startup Success: Gain Compliance Success Stories
CEO of Gain Compliance shares how a software company focuses on compliance in the insurance industry.
Read More
Startup Success Story: How Peace Tree Brewing Successfully Launched During Great Recession Success Stories
Megan McKay shares how Peace Tree Brewing found success amid the 2009 recession and how the original name for the brewery was too risqué.
Read More
Startup Success: Find the Perfect Wedding Gift with Marry My City Success Stories
Marry My City offers a new way to create a wedding registry full of experiences rather than stuff.
Read More
Startup Success: Branding 101 with 818 Design Success Stories
Melissa Carlson shares how to give your brand a persona and to think about it as more than just a logo.
Read More
Small Business Success Story: Sticks Success Stories
Rachel Eubank of Sticks discusses her passion for art and developing the Sticks brand.
Read More
Pitchly Founder Discusses Success Raising Equity Capital Success Stories
Pitchly founder discusses pitching to investors and helping startups raise capital.
Read More
Makusafe Platform Leads to Improved Worker Safety Success Stories
Gabe Glynn explains how Makusafe technology and data successfully make workplaces safer.
Read More
Velorosa Startup Sells High Performance Cycling Gear to DSM USA Success Stories
Velorosa founders discuss growing the cycling apparel startup and selling at RAGBRAI.
Read More
Startup Story Success: From Young Student to CEO of Diversified Management Solutions Success Stories
At age 24, Kate Banasiak became a minority owner of Diversified Management Solutions. She's now CEO.
Read More
Travel Insurance Startup Pablow Finds Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Steve and Des Sherlock find support for Pablow through Global Insurance Accelerator.
Read More
TV Show Investigates Growing Small Businesses in DSM USA Success Stories
"Ambitious Adventures" questions restaurant owner about DSM small business community.
Read More
Turning Tragedy into Startup Success Success Stories
Tracy Fuller started InnovativEvents as a way to cope with a personal tragedy, but has since grown it into a global success.
Read More
Startup Hatchlings Becomes Gaming Success Story Success Stories
Brad Dwyer explains how Hatchlings found success and led to the development of new apps.
Read More
PowerPollen Improves Cross Pollination of Corn Success Stories
Todd Krone and Jason Cope of startup PowerPollen discuss creating yield technology.
Read More
Lil' Sidekick Founder Finds Worldwide Success Success Stories
Amy Vohs of Lil' Sidekick speaks about the technology behind her tether tool for moms.
Read More
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.
Read More
Iowa AgriTech Accelerator Gains Innovative Startup Founder Success Stories
Megan Vollstedt explains how running a startup led her to Iowa's AgriTech Accelerator.
Read More
Dwolla Startup Founder Talks Raising Capital and Inclusion Finance, Banking & Capital, Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
Ben Milne of Dwolla talks about raising capital and creating an inclusive workspace.
Read More
VolunteerLocal President Kaylee Williams Tells Startup Journey Success Stories
Kaylee Williams of VolunteerLocal talks being a female business owner in DSM USA.
Read More
Startup FarrPro Offers Innovation in the Hog Industry Success Stories
Amos Petersen explains how startup FarrPro creates solutions for the swine industry.
Read More
Higher Learning Technologies Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
HLT co-founder shares startup's steps to success in various mobile solutions markets.
Read More
Episode 37: FarmlandFinder Brings Real Estate Data to the Midwest IT & Data, Success Stories
Steven Brockshus discusses FarmlandFinder and its tools for potential landowners in episode 37 of the Small Business and Startup Stories DSM podcast.
Read More
Olson Larsen Galleries Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Susan Watts explains how she transitioned from manager to owner of DSM USA art gallery.
Read More
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.
Read More
Dwolla's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Dwolla's Ben Milne discusses closing deals and pitching your startup to large companies.
Read More
A Conversation with Adore Your Walls Success Stories
Liz Lidgett talks about her art advisory service focused on style, space and budget.
Read More
WorkHound's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Andrew Kirpalani of WorkHound talks starting a driver retention and referral startup.
Read More
ClusterFlunk Startup Story Success Stories
ClusterFlunk creates easier peer-to-peer communication between students in the same classes.
Read More
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.
Read More
Rocket Referrals: An Insurance Industry Startup Success Story Success Stories
Startup Rocket Referrals has found success thanks to tech innovation and communication.
Read More
Stories of Starting Up from Charise Flynn Success Stories
Charise Flynn, former COO at Dwolla and Founder of c.Results, shares tips for startups.
Read More
Startup Success Story: FunnelWise Success Stories
FunnelWise startup founder discusses leveraging data through full-funnel intelligence.
Read More
A Conversation with HomeDitty Success Stories
Katie Byers of HomeDitty discusses her passion for house concerts to benefit musicians.
Read More
Primary Source's Success Story Success Stories
Mary Anne Kennedy of Primary Source shares her small business success story.
Read More
Preservation Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Nicole Lorenson of PRESERVATION explains her lifestyle small business and photo studio.
Read More
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.
Read More
Small Business Success Story: Life Coaching Success Stories
Beth Montpas of Life Coaching is an expert in sales, business and life coach for women.
Read More
HomeDitty's Startup Success Story Success Stories
HomeDitty connects undiscovered artists with people who host live music in their homes.
Read More
Trixie's Salon Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Tricia Rivas talks about starting Trixie's Salon and the Dreamcatchers Foundation.
Read More
Certintell Telehealth's Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
Ben Lefever, founder of Certintell Telehealth, shares his success story as a startup.
Read More
Hatchlings Startup Success Story Success Stories
Hatchlings, Inc., is a popular Facebook game known as "The Worldwide Easter Egg Hunt."
Read More
Happy Medium Startup Success Story Success Stories
Happy Medium, a full-service marketing firm, includes digital and traditional services.
Read More
Men's Style Lab's Startup Story Success Stories
Derian Baugh of Men's Style Lab explains his online clothing service startup story.
Read More
TelePharm Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
TelePharm's Founder Roby Miller discusses the billion-dollar pharmacy software startup.
Read More
Rocket Referrals Startup Success Story Success Stories
Founders of Rocket Referrals explain keeping clients engaged and growing referrals.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
Schabel Solutions' Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Claudia Schabel shares insight on transition from corporate business to startup owner.
Read More
Ivory House Photography's Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Whitney Warne of Ivory House Photography shares her small business success story.
Read More
Akili Design's Small Business Success Story Success Stories
Leng Vong Reiff of Akili Design talks starting her marketing services small business.
Read More
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).
Read More
Large Scale Startup PowerPollen' Technology Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Founder Jason Cope explains how improving cross pollination increased profitability.
Read More
Startup Terva Finds Startup Success in DSM USA Success Stories
Steven Brockshus of Terva discusses owning a startup business in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
Read More
House Concert Startup Success Story: HomeDitty Success Stories
Katie Byers shares how her passion for live music turned into a successful startup.
Read More
Female-Owned Business StemBox a STEM Startup Success Story Success Stories
Kina McAllister grows StemBox into a successful startup after moving to DSM USA.
Read More
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.
Read More
Small Business Owner Finds Support in DSM USA Success Stories
Katie Fergus, of FinanSynergy and PractiSynergy, talks opportunity and resources in DSM.
Read More
AgTech Startup Power Pollen's Startup Success Story Success Stories
PowerPollen's startup technology leads to high productivity in seed and grain production.
Read More
Structurely's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Structurely startup co-founders discuss artificial intelligence for real estate agents.
Read More
Startup Success Story: WinPro Success Stories
WinPro's Bill Bernardo hopes to ease active dog inflammation through building immunity.
Read More
Startup Success Story: Workhound Success Stories
WorkHound founders solve driver turnover with a digital employee engagement platform.
Read More
Startup Story Check-in: AgriSync Success Stories
AgTech startup AgriSync finds a solution for the ag industry by providing support for farmers.
Read More
AgriSync AgTech Startup Success Story Success Stories
Founder Casey Niemann left Microsoft to form AgTech customer service startup AgriSync.
Read More
iEmergent Large Scale Startup Success Story Success Stories
Mortgage MarketSmart founders speak on startup challenges and the sales cycle.
Read More
Startup Success Story: SmartyPig Success Stories
Founder Michael Ferrari's startup SmartyPig grew to $3 billion in transactions quickly.
Read More
Lil Sidekick's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Lil Sidekick Founder discusses how she brought her new product to the retail market.
Read More
MakuSafe's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Gabe Glynn, Founder of MakuSafe, anticipates next steps for his DSM hardware startup.
Read More
Startup Success Story: Drive Spotter Success Stories
Drive Spotter is a video analytics platform for railroad and transportation industries.
Read More
Startup Story: Dorothy's House Success Stories
Dorothy's House offers care in a secure environment for victims of human trafficking.
Read More
Catchwind's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Catchwind Founder Brian Hemesath shares his journey and discusses tips for startups.
Read More
Startup Story Check-in: Hatchlings Success Stories
Hatchlings, "The Worldwide Easter Egg Hunt," hit a peak of 200 million pageviews/month.
Read More
Rocket Referrals' Bootstrapping Success Story Finance, Banking & Capital, Success Stories
Rocket Referrals Co-Founder Torey Maerz discusses bootstrapping in DSM USA.
Read More