Grow Your Small Business With The Partnership's Help

Our region is successful due in large part to the contributions of multinational companies, small businesses and everyone in between. No matter who you are, you make a difference.

If you are a small business owner, I am pleased to say The Partnership can also make a difference for you.

As a small business owner, I take great pride in being able to lead the Greater Des Moines Partnership as the 2022 Board Chair. In addition to this role and working closely with Partnership Investors and Members to deliver on our Strategic Priorities, one of my personal goals is to serve as an inspiration for other small business owners.

One of our Strategic Priorities for 2022 is to increase support for and number of minority-owned businesses in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator

One way we are doing that is through the recently launched Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator powered by Interise. The accelerator aims to help businesses gain access to knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to increase revenue, create jobs and positively impact the community. Scale DSM participants complete Interise’s award-winning and nationally recognized StreetWise “MBA” (minority business accelerator).

This program has demonstrated proven success in other communities. A total of 55% of alumni businesses have increased or maintained annual revenues, with an average annual revenue growth of 13%. A total of 71% of alumni businesses have reported being profitable and 60% added or retained jobs.

This program is tuition free, though does require a significant investment of time for participants. Scale DSM will run from June through December 2022, with one session every other week. To qualify, a business must be minority-owned, operated and actively managed by one or more persons who fall into one or more of the following categories: minority group, woman, persons with disabilities, disabled veteran or LGBTQ+. Businesses must make $150,000 — $4 million in annual revenue, have at least one other full-time employee besides the owner or owners and have been in business for at least two years.

If you are not sure if your business qualifies, reach out to Juan Pablo Sanchez, Director of Inclusive Business Strategies at The Partnership, and find out how to apply at DSMpartneship.com/scaleDSM. The application deadline is May 8.

Small Business Owners Survey

Additionally, The Partnership recently launched the Inclusive Small Business Owners Survey intended to help it and other organizations understand how to better serve minority-owned businesses in DSM. We encourage small business owners to take 5 – 10 minutes to complete the survey. Upon completion, The Partnership will donate $10 to a charity of choice on the participant’s behalf. The survey will remain open through mid-May. Take the survey at DSMpartnership.com/inclusivesurvey.

The Partnership continues to offer a wide range of services for all small businesses in addition to the two recent initiatives listed above. The Small Business Resource Hub at DSMpartnership.com/smallbusiness offers online resources on topics like how to start a business, finance, banking and capital, marketing, hiring and events for small businesses. Each month, The Partnership hosts the Top Five for Small Business Series with expert presenters on topics to help small businesses find success. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com/events. We also record a Small Business and Startup Stories DSM podcast featuring conversations with entrepreneurs who share both the victories and failures on their paths to success. Listen at DSMpartnership.com/podcasts.

Small businesses help drive our DSM community’s growth and add to our region’s sense of place. I cannot wait to see how we can continue to cultivate an environment that leads to small business successes.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.