Small Business Growth and Success Is Key to Our Region’s Success

Small businesses, built and run by our family, friends, neighbors and fellow community members, fuel innovation, provide employment and foster a sense of community. Their success and growth are not just crucial for the entrepreneurs who own them but are integral to the Greater Des Moines (DSM) economy. Their success helps lead to greater success for all throughout our region.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership supports and nurtures small businesses and entrepreneurs in this community by developing a range of programs and events specifically designed to uplift and empower them. These programs offer resources and mentorship to help businesses get off the ground, or take their next big step, and grow sustainably.

Here is a look at a few of the programs and events.

Scale DSM Business Accelerator

Now in its third year, the Scale DSM Business Accelerator sponsored by Wells Fargo is a seven-month program designed to take small businesses to the next level. This program helps businesses gain access to knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to increase revenue, create jobs and positively impact the community. Participants complete Interise’s award-winning and internationally recognized StreetWise program, which is centered around practical, case-based peer learning for businesses. The program saw over 20 graduates in its first two years and welcomed a record-setting 14 participants in the third Scale DSM Business Accelerator June cohort.

Spark DSM Business Incubator

The Spark DSM Business Incubator is designed to support small businesses as the company starts up. A perk to being in the program is the connection to customers at major events in Des Moines (DSM) such as the Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, Out to Lunch and the World Food & Music Festival presented by Veridian Credit Union. Now in its third year, the program has been instrumental in promoting businesses from many diverse backgrounds, including those that have been traditionally underrepresented. Spark DSM has a goal focused on improving access and economic growth for local small businesses across DSM. The program has served more than 73 small businesses, helping them gain visibility and sales opportunities at major events.

A total of 23 vendors have become full-time Downtown Farmers’ Market vendors, and two have opened brick-and-mortar storefronts, including Nadia’s French Bakery and Tullpa Restaurant.

Top Five for Small Business Series

This series brings in local experts to help small businesses learn more about essential topics for running their businesses effectively. In 2024, we are hosting six events, with three completed and three more scheduled for August, September and October. Topics covered during the series are focused on how to help individuals run their business better. These sessions provide actionable insights to help business owners improve their operations and strategy. Learn more about upcoming events on topics including brand communication, finding meaning over money, and scaling up at DSMpartnership.com/events.

Entrepreneur Field Days

The Entrepreneur Field Days series beginning on August will celebrate Iowa’s agricultural roots while fostering entrepreneurship. This event series expands the lessons learned from farming into all forms of entrepreneurship, spotlighting visionary leaders building businesses in our communities — both rural and urban, big and small. These events offer peer-to-peer learning, aimed at building resilient entrepreneurs and a robust small business and startup community.

Registration is now available for the 2024 events. You can register and learn more about this series at DSMpartnership.com/events.

Small Business Success Summit

The Small Business Success Summit recently hosted its seventh annual event and is designed to help small business owners work on their businesses rather than just in them. With nearly 200 registrants this year, the event provided an invaluable opportunity for learning, networking and strategic planning. Topics included marketing, data utilization, budgeting, team building, business planning, human resources and more. These sessions offered targeted insights to help business owners address specific challenges and opportunities and identify opportunities to grow.

Small businesses are critical to the heartbeat of DSM, driving job creation, fostering community spirit and contributing to the region's unique character. By investing in small businesses, we are investing in the future of our region, creating prosperous, vibrant and unique communities Learn more by signing up for The Partnership’s Small Business Resources newsletter at DSMpartnership.com/newsletters.

And when you have a chance to support a small business, please do so. It makes a difference!

The Greater Des Moines Partnership Board is made up of Greater Des Moines (DSM) leaders and industry experts. The Board is united in driving economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region.