IWI: Intro to Onshape
2020-11-18 16:30 - 18:00, 2020-11-21 15:00 - 16:30 UTC
Introduction to Onshape is brought to you by the Innovation Workspace Initiative
Computer Aided Design (“CAD”) is the use of software to create a digital design. Designers, drafters, architects, and engineers all use some variety of CAD software. A CAD model can contain data ranging from material properties and dimensions to tolerances and manufacturing process specifications. In this workshop you will learn the basics of Onshape, a free cloud-based CAD software, and the workflow that lets you take your idea from a sketch to a design.
Pair this workshop with Introduction to 3D Printing to turn your design into a physical object in front of you in mere hours.
The Innovation Workspace Initiative is a project to bring a makerspace to empower your creativity through hands-on, project-based learning. Through virtual and in-person curricula, this workspace will bring together makers from K to Gray, bridging community and school district makerspace while connecting them with local business and industry leaders. The IWI has a big vision and would like to invite you to join us for our first workshops, focused on Additive Manufacturing: from CAD designs to 3D printers.

Register

Innovation Workspace Initiative
The Innovation Workspace Initiative is a project to bring a makerspace to empower your creativity through hands-on, project-based learning. Through virtual and in-person curricula, this workspace will bring together makers from K to Gray, bridging community and school district makerspace while connecting them with local business and industry leaders. The IWI has a big vision and would like to invite you to join us for our first workshops, focused on Additive Manufacturing: from CAD designs to 3D printers.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
This event is part of the NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Learn more about the 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Week in North Iowa.

Start Smart Webinar
2020-11-18 18:00 - 20:00
Registration is required to get the Zoom link, contact Mary Spitz at 641.422.4342 or mary.spitz@niacc.edu.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour online webinar, designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
The activities involved in starting a business fall under two broad categories—feasibility (the business plan) and administrative tasks. While we like to focus on the feasibility issue, Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including:

Business registration
Doing customer research
How bankers evaluate business concepts and loans
Start-up costs
Business plan tips
And more

After attending Start Smart, you can make an appointment to meet individually with the Small Business Development Center Counselors to assist you in reviewing your business plan, or to provide guidance with other issues.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
This event is part of the NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Learn more about the 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Week in North Iowa.

Financial Friday: SBA COVID-19 Assistance Update
2020-11-20 09:00 - 10:00
Dave Lentell, Lead Lender Relations Specialist and Public Information Officer for the Iowa District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, joins us for a special edition of Financial Friday webinar during Global Entrepreneurship Week. What’s the latest information on COVID-19 assistance available to business owners? Dave Lentell will walk you through what we know and what we don’t, and what business owners can do next.
Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

Watch the Recorded Session

Global Entrepreneurship Week
This event is part of the NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Learn more about the 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Week in North Iowa.

Financial Friday: Round 2 of COVID-19 Relief Funding
2021-01-22 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for Financial Friday on Friday, January 22 at 11am. Dave Lentell of the SBA and a panel of local experts are here to help our local businesses understand the impact and implications of the new round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and answer your questions about COVID-19 relief funding.
Panelists:

Paul Mixdorf, CPA – FFC Advisors
Christopher Smith, CPA – Murphy Coe & Smith
Dennis Muyskens, CPA – Hogan & Hansen
Robert Klocke – First Citizens Bank
Natalie Plagge – Clear Lake Bank & Trust
Brook Boehmler – North Iowa Small Business Development Center

Guest Presenter:

Dave Lentell, Lead Lender Relations Specialist and Public Information Officer for the Iowa District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration

Resources

Watch the recorded webinar

Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

CTA Compliance Seminar
2024-01-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Effective January 1, 2024, most new and existing corporate entities in the United States will be required to file reports on their beneficial owners with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). Beneficial owners are generally defined as individuals who own or control an entity, either directly or indirectly, which includes individuals who own 25% or more of the company, or any individuals who exercise substantial control over the entity. The reporting rules are designed to prevent financial crimes, including money laundering, corruption, and tax evasion.
Although there are numerous exemptions from the reporting requirements, many small businesses will not qualify for an exemption and will need to report information on their beneficial owners. Our featured expert Brennan Block, Attorney at BrownWinick Law Firm, will answer your questions and guide you through what you need to know about this new reporting requirement.
This FREE webinar will address:

Who is required to report?
What are the exemptions from reporting?
What information is required to be reported?
Who are beneficial owners?
What is the deadline for filing the initial beneficial ownership report?
How is beneficial ownership information reported?
Is the information reported to FinCEN available to the public?
What are the penalties for failing to report?
Once an initial report is filed is it required to be updated?

Learn the tools and gain the confidence to handle your business’s CTA compliance.
Missed the seminar? Download a copy of the CTA Compliance Semiar slide deck or watch the recorded seminar.
Download
Watch

Navigating Cottage Kitchen Compliance
2024-04-16 13:30 - 14:30
Navigating Cottage Kitchen Compliance: Requirements, Policies, and Regulations Unveiled

This free online seminar is designed for home-based kitchens and farmers market vendors in Iowa. The state of Iowa has specific laws and regulations related to food that is prepared at home and sold direct to consumers. Make sure your home-based business is up-to-date and up to scratch! Dr. Shannon Coleman of the Iowa State University Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition will guide you through the key requirements, licenses, and inspections your home-based kitchen business needs to know.
When: April 16 @ 1:30pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
Register Now

CTA Compliance Seminar
2024-05-14 13:00 - 14:30
Effective January 1, 2024, most new and existing corporate entities in the United States will be required to file reports on their beneficial owners with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). Beneficial owners are generally defined as individuals who own or control an entity, either directly or indirectly, which includes individuals who own 25% or more of the company, or any individuals who exercise substantial control over the entity. The reporting rules are designed to prevent financial crimes, including money laundering, corruption, and tax evasion.
Although there are numerous exemptions from the reporting requirements, many small businesses will not qualify for an exemption and will need to report information on their beneficial owners.
This FREE webinar will address:

Who is required to report?
What are the exemptions from reporting?
What information is required to be reported?
Who are beneficial owners?
What is the deadline for filing the initial beneficial ownership report?
How is beneficial ownership information reported?
Is the information reported to FinCEN available to the public?
What are the penalties for failing to report?
Once an initial report is filed is it required to be updated?

Register today to learn the tools and gain the confidence to handle your business’s CTA compliance.
Featured Speaker: Brennan Block | Attorney | BrownWinick Law Firm
Register Now

Mastering E-Commerce: Shopify Essentials
2024-06-26 13:00 - 15:00
Discover how your small business can master e-commerce with Shopify

Your small business can master e-commerce with this free workshop where you’ll learn the essentials of Shopify. Discover how to implement Shopify to expand your business and take advantage of the ever-growing e-commerce market.
In this free workshop, you’ll learn:

How to choose a theme and select between free or paid options
Customizing your store with branding & basic settings
Adding products and collections, including basics of variants and product options
Shipping, delivery, and pickup settings

This workshop will be led by Jennifer Gilbert, Owner & Marketing Strategist, Remio Group. This is an online webinar and will be held via Zoom. Register to receive webinar link and details:
Register

Maximizing Marketing Potential with Facebook Ads
2024-07-24 13:00 - 15:00
Unlock social success by maximizing your Facebook & Instagram ads

Your small business can unlock social success with Facebook and Instagram ads! Discover how to maximize the impact of targeted ads in this free online workshop. Demystify the process and take your social media marketing to the next level.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:

The basics of ad setup – choosing the right ad objective, recommended ad length, pricing information, and more
Pixel data and how to use it to your advantage
Targeting options 101 – demographic, geographic, custom audiences, lookalike audiences
Traffic and retargeting ads in closer detail

This workshop will be led by Jennifer Gilbert, Owner & Marketing Strategist, Remio Group. This is an online webinar and will be accessed via Zoom. Register to receive the webinar link and details:
Register

The Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Seminar
2024-10-23 13:00 - 14:30
Protect your business from liability under the CTA
The Corporate Transparency Act has important implications for both small and large businesses. Although there are numerous exemptions from the reporting requirements, many small businesses will not qualify for an exemption and will need to report information on their beneficial owners. Is your business prepared to take on Corporate Transparency Act compliance?
We strongly encourage all small business owners to learn more about the Corporate Transparency Act and understand how it can affect your business. Please join us for this free seminar with BrownWinick Law Firm and protect yourself from potential liability.
Effective January 1, 2024, most new and existing corporate entities in the United States will be required to file reports on their beneficial owners with the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Beneficial owners are generally defined as individuals who own or control an entity, either directly or indirectly, which includes individuals who own 25% or more of the company, or any individuals who exercise substantial control over the entity. The reporting rules are designed to prevent financial crimes, including money laundering, corruption, and tax evasion.

Who needs to know about the Corporate Transparency Act?
The CTA requires “reporting companies” to file a report with FinCEN. The CTA defines “reporting company” as a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or other similar entity that is created by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or any similar office under the law of a State or Indian tribe.

Why do you need to know about the Corporate Transparency Act?
Most businesses will be required under law to file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report. It is the obligation of each reporting company to file reports with FinCEN. Individual beneficial owners, senior officers, and company applicants may face civil and/or criminal liability for willful failure to provide required information or for providing false information. Penalties can be up to $10,000 in fines, and up to two years incarceration for willful negligence in complying.

This free webinar will cover:

Who is required to report?
What are the exemptions from reporting?
What information is required to be reported?
Who are beneficial owners?
What is the deadline for filing the initial beneficial ownership report?
How is beneficial ownership information reported?
Is the information reported to FinCEN available to the public?
What are the penalties for failing to report?
Once an initial report is filed is it required to be updated?

Register today to learn the tools and gain the confidence to handle your business’s CTA compliance.
This is an online webinar and will be held via Zoom. Register to receive the webinar links and details. Please contact the Pappajohn Center with any questions about this important upcoming webinar.
Register Now

GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses Information Session
2024-10-24 13:00 - 14:00
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Iowa is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Through the program, participants will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action. In addition, they will receive the tools and professional support to develop a strategic and customized growth plan that will take their business to the next level.
Please join us at this free online informational session to learn more about the program, who should apply, and why Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is your catalyst for success. Applications for the program are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications for the Spring 2025 cohort are due November 1, 2024.
Learn More & Register
About the NIACC Pappajohn Center
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa SBDC operates as a fully integrated business assistance center supporting the development of entrepreneurs and the growth, innovation and successful transition planning for existing businesses within the NIACC region. The Pappajohn Center is the primary source for entrepreneurial training in North Iowa, from early entrepreneurship education (starting in fifth grade) to sophisticated deal-structuring for both entrepreneurs and established businesses. We are committed to helping every entrepreneur, no matter their level of expertise, to start and grow something great. Visit www.pappajohncenter.com to learn more.
Questions?
Contact us at pappajohn@niacc.edu or 641-422-4111

GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses Information Session
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Iowa is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Through the program, participants will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action. In addition, they will receive the tools and professional support to develop a strategic and customized growth plan that will take their business to the next level.
Please join us at this free informational session to learn more about the program, who should apply, and why Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is your catalyst for success. Applications for the program are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications for the Fall 2025 cohort are due May 23, 2025
Register

Business Transition Planning Workshop
2025-04-30 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Future-proof your business with the Business Transition Planning Workshop
Small business owners are invited to learn how to protect their legacy and plan for the future in this expert-led session. Whether you’re planning to sell, step away, or secure your business for the next generation, this workshop delivers critical insights for a successful transition.
Featured speakers include Christopher Proskey and William Daniel of BrownWinick Law Firm, and Al Lorenzen of The Business Brokers. Together, they’ll guide attendees through proven strategies and actionable steps to navigate the transition process with confidence.
Key Topics Covered:
Three subject-matter experts will guide you through the essentials of protecting your business legacy:

Business transition strategies to ensure financial protection for your family & key employees
Business liquidity tax planning
Sales, operating and transition agreements
Planned controls and transfer of interests for closely held businesses
How to explore different transition options without creating damage or rumors
How to value your business
How to market the sale of a business

Who Should Attend?

Attorneys
Banking Associates
Brokers
Business Owners
Chamber & Community Leaders
CPAs
Economic Developers
Trust Agents

Register Now
