Since Moving to DSM USA My Small Business Has Grown Quicker Than I Could Have Imagined

I moved back to Greater Des Moines (DSM) in February of 2016 with a plan and a dwindling bank account. After pouring all my savings into kickstarting my dream business, Ivory House Photography, I had no real idea when or if there would be a return on my investment. Hope drove me forward at a break neck pace and fortunately for me, I tend to be stubborn when in pursuit of a goal. For better or worse, I never looked back.

Getting Started in DSM USA

The first few months of starting my business were spent drinking three to four cups of coffee a day with any and everyone who would take the time to show me the ropes and share their knowledge. These months of generous meetings are some of my fondest foundational memories. I met Christina Moffatt, who shared Crème Cupcake + Dessert’s origin story over latte’s at Java Joes. I chatted with Liz Lidgett, owner of Adore Your Walls at Zanzibar's about being a young entrepreneur in a creative field. I met Annabel Wimer, a prolific DSM graphic designer and exchanged stories about establishing your niche in a city filled with competitors. I met with competitors and found peers, friends and alliances. Every meeting led me to someone and somewhere new, until I felt the city open wide for me. Now when I walk down the street, I see friends and supporters where I used to see strangers.  

Endless Resources for Startups

DSM is a resource rich city for entrepreneurs ready to reach out and take a leap.  From the Greater Des Moines Partnership programing, Iowa Center for Economic Success, The Small Business Administration to networking groups like Young Professionals Connection, Junior League, FemCity and Nawbo. If you are finding it hard to get involved and connected in this city, then you aren’t looking.

One huge example of DSM’s ample engagement opportunities is the Small Business Success Summit. I signed up for this the first week it was announced, before I’d even seen the speaker list. That’s how excited I was to get engage in this topic. Upon reviewing the speaker list, I’m so thrilled at the breadth and quality of content.  In my eyes, The Partnership has once again proven its passion for supporting the growth of our beloved city’s entrepreneurs and really providing them content to catapult their success.

With the support of so many people and programs, I’ve grown my business quickly and its outgrown and succeeded even my wildest expectations for a new business. I can’t wait to see how it continues to grow and contribute to the DSM community.

The Small Business Success Summit will be the premier business conference of 2017. For more information, click here.