NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Customer Relationships & Advanced Digital Tools
2020-04-01 09:00 - 10:00 UTC
Effective communication with your clients is more important than ever. As COVID-19 continues to affect the ways we interact and do business, are you reaching the right people with the right information? Join us for a free marketing webinar to help guide your small business to better communications during these times.
We will be covering:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) & tactics
Advanced digital tools and social media marketing tactics
Strategic partners & key alliances

We will be joined again by an expert panel local entrepreneurs who are utilizing these tools well. Please register in advance, this call is limited to 100 participants.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. That is the link you will use to access the webinar. You will not get another email. If you can’t attend live, we will also record and share the session along with any recommended resources.
This webinar is 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 in this rapidly changing economic environment. In addition to our online one-to-one business counseling, we’re continuing an online series to connect experts to entrepreneurs on specific challenges you might be facing right now. Please contact us with any questions.
Resources

View the webinar presentation as a PDF
View the recorded livestream

Back to Small Business Strategies

Finance Friday: Small Business Relief Applications
2020-03-27 14:00 - 15:00
New information is being released every day about relief programs for small business owners and entrepreneurs. We’d like to help you review these programs and the key takeaways you need to know when completing these applications — and why it is important for you to submit an application. Join us for this free Finance Friday webinar to hear from local CPAs and SBA experts about what resources are available to you.
– SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
– Small Business Relief Grant Program & Tax Deferral
– Targeted Small Business Sole Operator Fund
– What we know about the Federal Disaster Program for Small Businesses
We will also answer questions that you have. We are limited to the first 100 viewers, although we will record the session.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information and the link to join the meeting.
Speakers:

Brook Boehmler
Chris Smith
Paul Mixdorf
Dave Lentell

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 in this rapidly changing economic environment. In addition to our online one-to-one business counseling, we’re continuing an online series to connect experts to entrepreneurs on specific challenges you might be facing right now. Join us for Marketing Wednesdays and Finance Fridays. Together, we’re working to help you weather these unprecedented times.
Resources

View the webinar presentation as a PDF
Watch the recorded livestream

Back to Small Business Strategies

The 3 Non-Negotiable Digital Essentials for Small Business
2020-03-25 09:00 - 10:00
We’re in unprecedented times for business. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is trying to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive in this rapidly changing economic environment. In addition to our usual one-to-one business counseling, we’re introducing an online series to connect experts to entrepreneurs on specific challenges you might be facing right now.
Between social distancing and the nationwide closure of bars, restaurants, and public venues, digital content is seeing an uptick as both entertainment and a business necessity. Join us Wednesday, March 25th at 9 am for a Zoom call with a panel of local experts and learn:

What actions should you be taking right now to increase your digital footprint
Facebook/Instagram, Google, websites and e-commerce strategies
Execution – Who/How
Upcoming webinars – advanced digital tools

Speakers:

Miriah Whitehurst, All Things Advertising
Stacy Doughan and Libbey Hohn, Clear Lake Chamber
David Witzig, President, Ecommerce Insights
Expert local business owners

Resources

View the webinar presentation as a PDF
Watch the recorded livestream – content begins at 13:00 (our first zoom livestream, thank you for your patience!)

Back to Small Business Strategies

Finance Friday: Small Business Strategies during COVID-19
2020-03-20 14:00 - 15:00
This is the first webinar in the new digital series Small Business Strategies during COVID-19.
We’re in unprecedented times for business. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is trying to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive in this rapidly changing economic environment. In addition to our usual one-to-one business counseling, we’re introducing an online series to connect experts to entrepreneurs on specific challenges you might be facing right now.
We begin with recommendations for the top 2-3 actions businesses and CEOs can take now or begin to plan for in the weeks to come. Hoover’s Hatchery will share their experience with running their business during the Avian Flu outbreak of 2014-2015.
Speakers:

Luke Weiss, CFO, Hoovers Hatchery
Tony Halsted, Director of Business Development, Hoovers Hatchery
Bob Klocke, Chief Credit Officer, First Citizens Bank
Natalie Plagge, Assistant Vice President, Clear Lake Bank and Trust
Brook Boehmler | Regional Director, America’s SBDC Iowa, North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center
Marc Schneider, Project Manager, Iowa State University, CIRAS
Nick Foley, Operational Manager, IowaWorks
Tim Putnam, Director, NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Resources
Transcript of highlights from the webinar

Back to Small Business Strategies

Venture School
2020-03-05 17:30 - 21:00
Bring your idea to life with Venture School
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has partnered with the University of Iowa to bring Venture School to Mason City, Iowa. Venture School is the state of Iowa’s premiere entrepreneurial training program.
Participants will gain marketing and make valuable connections to help them take their innovative idea to the next level. Venture School is currently looking for hardworking teams and individuals throughout the North Iowa and Southern Minnesota regions to join the upcoming spring program.
Mentorship
Venture School is an opportunity for North Iowa’s business leaders and experts in the field to connect with new entrepreneurs. Mentoring is a valuable experience for both mentors and mentees.

Benefits

Bring focus and agility to your business idea.
Test and prove your business hypothesis through guided customer discovery for product-market fit.
Learn from top entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and instructors.
Gain valuable connections with local communities and external groups that will help you get the resources you need to grow.
Create a business model that is both strategic and tactical through an evidence-based approach, whether you are a profit or non-profit entity.
All teachings are applicable to virtually all industries and company levels, whether you are a true startup or an early stage existing business.

Details
Cost: A team of up to two members will cost $299. Every additional team member that joins the cohort will be an additional $99. However, many monetary awards can be won at the end of the program!
When: Thursdays, February 20 – April 9, 2020
Time: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: NIACC Pappajohn Center Room #117
Application Deadline: September 16, 2019
Venture School accepts applications year-round for its Fall and Spring classes. Find out more and apply at Venture-School.com
