Siouxland Magazine - Volume 2 Issue 5

grow
Don’t fear failure. Embrace it. It’s where the learning happens.
Stacy leading a Business Blender event in Correctionville.
Meet the New Entrepreneurial Community Navigator
By Stacy Orndorff
Entrepreneurs develop new and
improved products, services and
technology which have the ability
to change the way we live and
work. Their ideas and innovations
create new businesses, generate
jobs and wealth in the community,
improve the quality of life and
overall standard of living, and
contribute to a growing economy.
For entrepreneurs to bring new
ideas to life, they need a supportive
Stacy Orndorff
culture with access to business and technical assistance,
networking opportunities and capital resources.
Iowa’s West Coast Initiative (IWCI) understands the
importance of creating a supportive culture and encouraging
entrepreneurial activity to fuel economic growth. For IWCI to
continue building the entrepreneurial ecosystem in northwest
Iowa and take their efforts to the next level, the group has
hired a full-time Entrepreneurial Community Navigator. This
new position will be funded for two years through a grant
IWCI received from the Iowa Economic Development
Authority’s Entrepreneurial Investment Awards Program.
Stacy Orndorff, a local community builder and entrepreneur
herself, has been selected for the Entrepreneurial Community
Navigator position and she hit the ground running in
early August. Stacy will continue to cultivate the regional
entrepreneurial ecosystem by engaging with entrepreneurs,
connecting them to available resources and coordinating
regular programming and events. Continue reading to learn
more about Stacy!
Why you are a good fit for this position?
I am passionate about helping people make their business and
innovative ideas become a reality. I am frequently approached
by people who desperately want to start their own business
or businesses in their early stages seeking help with growth
strategies, customer acquisition, etc. I enjoy encouraging them,
connecting them with other entrepreneurs, mentors, and
resources. I have started multiple businesses in the past and
finally found myself succeeding with Heartland Coffee & Nosh,
so I’ve been on many sides of business ownerships including
successes and failures and feel that I can relate and also provide
valuable insight to other entrepreneurs. Additionally, I created
a program for Jr./Sr. High School to inspire entrepreneurship
and was able to pilot this program successfully for 2 years in my
hometown school district. I am excited to bring this program to
other school districts and build on the college-level program
that is already in place.
How have you been involved in the entrepreneurial
community in the past?
I started getting involved 4 years ago by attending First Friday
Coffee at Springboard Coworking, participating in Launch
Week, and completing Venture School. With my business, I have
been able to connect with other entrepreneurs by participating
in events sponsored by SCGO, IWCI, Downtown Partners, and
the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. I also earned a spot in
the Dream Big Grow Here contest and won first place at the final
competition. I have also utilized the services provided by the
Small Business Development Center. All these things provide
such an important support system for entrepreneurs and I’m
excited to connect others to all of these great resources.