Chair's Column with Kathryn Kunert: April 2019 Issue

Chair’s Column April: Small Business Resources Hub Builds DSM’s Momentum as a Top Place for Business

Earlier this year, The Greater Des Moines Partnership formally launched its Small Business Resources Hub to aid small business growth in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The Hub provides a one-stop-shop for small businesses to find resources relating to legal, accounting, finance, marketing, networking, staffing and hiring and more. The Hub was created using research gathered from small business owners. 

The launch of The Hub aligns with one of The Partnership’s 2019 Strategic Priorities of furthering our commitment to DSM’s small business and startup ecosystem. Small business growth leads to job growth. The DSM Small Business Jobs Report recently released by The Partnership showed new firms that are less than a year old have been responsible for the creation of more than 8,000 jobs each year from 2013 – 2017. The total number of firms has grown each year from 2013 – 2016. DSM has been named the #8 Best City to Find Small Business Jobs by ZipRecruiter and the #7 Best City for Business and Careers by Forbes, among many more rankings. We want to continue the momentum.

The Hub’s launch is the continuation of a series of small business-focused initiatives. Examples include the monthly Top Five For Small Business and First Friday Series events, the Small Business and Startup Stories Podcast series and the recently launched Small Business Resources e-newsletter.

One way established business professionals can contribute to small business growth is by signing up to become a mentor through The Partnership’s Mentor Connection program. Partnership team members will work to match mentors with small business and startup founders who need mentors. Starting up a business can be a labor of love; sometimes founders just need someone to help provide guidance. If you are an experienced professional who can share your expertise with an up-and-coming business owner, or if you are looking to start a business and know you need guidance, sign up.

To become a mentor or mentee, go to DSMpartnership.com/mentorconnection. View The Partnership’s Small Business Resources Hub at DSMpartnership.com/smallbusiness.