Mentoring + Educational Opportunities for Small Business Owners in DSM
Many small business owners in Greater Des Moines (DSM) are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. They may be leery of starting a business right now, or they may be unsure of where to find information on expanding and evolving in the years to come. As a Des Moines SCORE volunteer, you can pass your knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Volunteer with SCORE
What does a SCORE volunteer’s support look like? When you become a SCORE volunteer in DSM, you help local entrepreneurs network, expand their skills, receive marketing support, and ultimately, achieve success.
SCORE volunteers have a huge impact on the local entrepreneurial community and lead the way in mentoring and business consulting services, with SCORE volunteers donating 3,980,987 hours of service in 2020 alone. Through encouragement and the sharing of ideas, more potential and new small business owners will find the motivation to take that next step to make their business idea a reality or push their new business to the next level.
Watch the short video below to learn more about the importance of mentoring small business owners:
To become a volunteer, apply here.
Connect with Other Entrepreneurs
Mentors, new small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs can all find advice and information that will help them in their small business journey. Workshops and virtual events through SCORE allow business owners to connect with other entrepreneurs and learn about topics important to them, including those in upcoming free online events like “How to Get an Investor to Chase You – Understanding the Investing Game,” “Connecting with Customers in the Digital World,” “Volunteering 2022: How It Can Help Small Business Grow in Your Community” and “Deep Dive into LLCs – Compliance Considerations, Business Liability & Taxation.”
If you’re looking for a small business mentor, you can request a mentor match so that you can schedule a mentoring session and set goals for your business. Find out more here.
DMACC Educational Opportunities
For those interested in acquiring the skills to become a successful entrepreneur or developing their abilities in order to target new goals in 2022, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) offers classes and certifications to help you get there. Take a look at some of the online April offerings targeting entrepreneurs below:
Coursework and certification in customer service, accounting and finance, data analysis and mastering design software is also available. You can find a full listing here.
Looking for tools to help grow your startup or small business? Visit the Small Business Resources Hub to find the information you need or sign up for Mentor Connection to build relationships with a trusted group of mentors.
Julie Bundy
Julie Bundy is co-chair of Des Moines SCORE. She's held roles in product development, product management, consumer education and training at Maytag. While at DMACC she developed non-credit courses for nontraditional adult students. She has served as president of Newton Rotary, Iowa Association for Lifelong Learning and P.E.O Chapter LQ.