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 Small Business Resources Hub is here to help. The Partnership also offers the following services and additional resources for small businesses:

For more information, contact The Partnership’s small business and startup experts.

COVID-19 Small Business Resources

Needing small business resources specific to COVID-19? Visit the COVID-19 Recovery Hub for more information.

Visit COVID-19 Recovery Hub

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.

Startup Stories DSM Podcast

Get inspired by listening to success stories from local small businesses and startups on the Startup Stories DSM podcast series.

 

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Success Stories

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Small Business and Startup Stories DSM Podcast Year in Review Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital, Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
The Partnership shares a review of the 2021 startup community and an overview for what 2022 will look like.
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Dogpatch Urban Gardens in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Startup Story Success Stories
Jenny Quiner discusses urban farming in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and new revenue streams for the local business.
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Leadership and Team Members Cultivate Success Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
Omar Jordan shares how an entrepreneur's success is determined by growing a team locked in on the same vision.
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LBS Celebrates 100 Years of Growth in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Success Stories, Succession Planning
Chris Paxson shares 100 years of family legacy and literacy, innovation and leadership at LBS.
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Brad Dwyer on Small Business and Startup Stories DSM in 2021 Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
Brad Dwyer recounts his journey to building a successful startup company over the past 18 months.
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Community Encourages Greater Des Moines (DSM) Entrepreneur How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Terrence Thames explains how he founded Cocoa Creative to help brands with their visual storytelling.
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Euphoria Cakes in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
A passion for cake decorating became the catalyst for a new career and move to Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Lola's Fine Kitchen Heats Up in DSM Additional Resources, Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Hannah Elliott shares the startup story behind Lola's Fine Kitchen in Greater Des Moines (DSM)
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Developing Refugee Youth in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Additional Resources, Events & Networking, Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
Pi515 is working to create innovative and empowered youth for eventual hire in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Speaker Jill Andersen in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Additional Resources, How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Get past the fears in your life and learn how to take charge of your life and choices to find success.
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El Fogon in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Additional Resources, Events & Networking, Success Stories
El Fogon opens in West Glen Town Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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BURN Boot Camp in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories
For Darci Evans, co-owning her own business in Greater Des Moines (DSM) has brought big rewards.
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Jason Cope and Todd Krone PowerPollen Startup Story Additional Resources, Success Stories
Jason Cope and Todd Krone return to Startup Stories DSM to discuss good mentors and where PowerPollen stands today.
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Tricia Rivas of Trixie's Salon Startup Story Additional Resources, Success Stories
Tricia Rivas shares how she became owner of Trixie's Salon in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Amy Nebons of Blink Events and BOCS DSM Startup Story Additional Resources, Events & Networking, Success Stories
Amy Nebons describes her journey into entrepreneurship with Blink Events and BOCS DSM in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Agricsync Startup Story on Mobile Support Additional Resources, Success Stories
Casey Niemann reflects on the start of Agrisync, business focus and startup mentors for Startup Stories DSM.
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ISA Ventures Startup Story Finance, Banking & Capital, Success Stories
Eric Engelmann discusses the start of ISA Ventures and raising capital to help Iowa-based companies grow.
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Velorosa Startup Story Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Velorosa's Kim Hopkins and Lisa Carponelli discuss designing women's cycling kits and the company in 2020.
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Five Q and Journity Startup Story Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Chad Williams discusses the ministry impact platform, Journity, and his Greater Des Moines (DSM) startup, Five Q.
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BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages Startup Story Success Stories
Pernell Cezar Jr. and Mike Colwell discuss how BLK & Bold got its start on the Startup Stories podcast.
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New Startup Given in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Success Stories
Matt Ostanik describes the entrepreneurial journey that led him to create his latest startup business, Given.
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Des Moines Startup TradeLabs Connects Trade Experts to Investors How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Nick Eltjes and Noah Loffredo share their experience starting TradeLabs in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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Stivers Ford Lincoln of Iowa in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Success Stories
Scott Politte discusses Stivers Ford Lincoln of Iowa's history in the area and his expectations for the future.
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Focus on Contributing Factors to Success Additional Resources, Success Stories
Joseph Benesh discusses concentrating on the contributing factors to success and instead of winning creates results.
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Muddy Bites Finds Success in Greater Des Moines (DSM) How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Muddy Bites co-founders detail developing and marketing their product and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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One World Supplies Small Business and Startup Stories How to Start a Business, Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Sul Huq describes his journey as an entrepreneur and the growth of DSM-startup One World Supplies.
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Denim Social Prepares for Growth How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Greg Bailey discusses Denim Social, how he transitioned his startup team and his forecast for the future.
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Global Greens Program Assists Former Refugee Farmers Additional Resources, Success Stories
Daniel Bowser explains Lutheran Services in Iowa's Global Greens program and new safety practices during COVID-19.
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Driving Demand Remotely with Drip Marketing Campaigns Webinar Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Kaylee Williams provides an inside look at how VolunteerLocal executes marketing and closes the sale.
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Focusing on What You're Leaving Behind During COVID-19 Additional Resources, Success Stories
Jann E. Freed outlines what leaders should be focusin on, from transparency to reflection and introspection.
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Techstars Iowa Considers Impact of COVID-19 How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Kerty Levy explains her journey to managing Techstars Iowa and how COVID-19 is impacting the accelerator.
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How to Manage Company Remotely Additional Resources, How to Start a Business, Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Lana Fox discusses sales and communication tools for managing ClinicNote remotely.
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Top Podcast for DSM Small Businesses and Startups Additional Resources, How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Learn from a Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneur through the top downloaded Startup Stories DSM podcast.
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Number 2, 3 Podcasts for DSM Small Businesses and Startups How to Start a Business, Success Stories
Learn from two more Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneurs through the top Startup Stories DSM podcasts.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Episode 44: Roboflow Offers Tools Focusing on Computer Vision Success Stories
Brad Dwyer and Joseph Nelson discuss advantages of their new startup, Roboflow.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Write Once, Use Twice (or more!) Marketing & Sales, Success Stories
Sally Cooper Smith discusses repurposing marketing content.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Episode 35: The Importance of Company Culture in Rocket Referrals' Growth Success Stories
Rocket Referrals utilizes automation to create touchpoints for insurance agents.
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Episode 34: Finding Innovation in Algae Success Stories
Ames-based wastewater startup uses algae to remove and recycle pollutants from wastewater.
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Episode 33: Live Music in Your Living Room Success Stories
Katie Byers explains House Concerts in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Episode 26: Improving Speech Therapy from DSM USA Success Stories
ClinicNote is redefining speech therapy through their electronic medical records.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Expanding From Your Roots: East Village Spa Success Success Stories
Cassie Sampson talks startup expansion for Greater Des Moines (DSM) small business owners.
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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.
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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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Startup Success: Gain Compliance Success Stories
CEO of Gain Compliance shares how a software company focuses on compliance in the insurance industry.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Pitchly Founder Discusses Success Raising Equity Capital Success Stories
Pitchly founder discusses pitching to investors and helping startups raise capital.
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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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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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PowerPollen Improves Cross Pollination of Corn Success Stories
Todd Krone and Jason Cope of startup PowerPollen discuss creating yield technology.
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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, Success Stories
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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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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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.
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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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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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WorkHound's Startup Success Story Success Stories
Andrew Kirpalani of WorkHound talks starting a driver retention and referral startup.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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