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personal growth<br />
leadership<br />
determination<br />
business development<br />
influence<br />
How have you benefited<br />
from the startup community<br />
in Sioux City and the<br />
region? What resources<br />
did you use?<br />
I had the opportunity in<br />
November and December to<br />
participate in the Small Business<br />
Marketplace event put on<br />
through the Downtown Partners<br />
of Sioux City and Iowa’s West<br />
Coast Initiative. This event is<br />
designed to get new businesses<br />
into spaces downtown to help<br />
promote local shopping. I was<br />
able to host a pop-up shop in<br />
a vacant building downtown.<br />
It was a great experience to be Melissa, Owner, Sit Pretty Barkery.<br />
able to have an actual store for<br />
dogs and their hoomans to visit and pick out treats. Being able<br />
to interact with my customers in person was amazing and has<br />
inspired me to take part in more events.<br />
Why is it important for the community to support startups<br />
and small businesses?<br />
It is important to support and promote new and unique<br />
businesses to add to the attractiveness of the community and<br />
to keep it growing. A great way to help them is by providing<br />
cost-effective opportunities. This makes it possible for small<br />
businesses to get a foothold and stay in business. Participating<br />
in the Small Business Marketplace event really helped our<br />
business become better known.<br />
What advice would you give to someone looking to<br />
start a business?<br />
Be prepared to wear all the hats in the beginning. There are a<br />
lot of decisions to make at first and you are the one in control<br />
of it all. Also, pursue a business that you are passionate about,<br />
that way all the hard work will be worth it once you start to see<br />
your business grow.<br />
How can the community continue to help your<br />
business?<br />
With a small startup budget, it is difficult to afford much<br />
advertising. Having people share our Facebook and Instagram<br />
page @SitPrettyBarkery, tag us in pictures, or leave us a review<br />
helps to support our business.<br />
What are some future goals for your company?<br />
We have recipes we are working on to offer more flavors<br />
and grain-free options. Our goal for 2021 is to do more local<br />
events. Also, we have plans to add more wholesale accounts<br />
from veterinarians, groomers, and bakeries.<br />
IAWESTCOAST.COM I 712.224.5500<br />
Entrepreneurs and small business owners now have<br />
access to an information specialist who can assist you<br />
in finding solutions to your most pressing questions by<br />
facilitating connections to the right people, data, and<br />
resources.<br />
IASOURCELINK.COM I 866.537.6052<br />
IASourceLink is the premiere business resource in Iowa<br />
for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Free<br />
business webinars, expert advice, and a searchable<br />
directory of organizations that assist Iowa businesses can<br />
all be found on IASourceLink.<br />
IOWASBDC.ORG I 712.274.6454<br />
Do you need free, confidential and customized business<br />
counseling? Contact SBDC for advice on developing a<br />
successful business plan.<br />
SIOUXLANDEDC.COM I 712.279.6430<br />
<strong>Siouxland</strong> Economic Development Corporation offers<br />
financial assistance programs and services to assist<br />
small and medium sized businesses in getting started or<br />
expanding.<br />
iowaeda.com/innovate/ I 515.348.6159<br />
The Iowa Economic Development Authority offers<br />
funding to demonstrate proof of concept for an<br />
innovative technology, develop and bring new concepts<br />
to market, accelerate the pace of market development<br />
and expand product lines.<br />
SPRINGBOARDCOWORKING.COM I 515.809.0052<br />
Springboard Coworking offers shared office space in<br />
downtown Sioux City for entrepreneurs that combines<br />
the best elements of cafe culture with a productive,<br />
functional, and affordable work environment.<br />
ISUSTARTUPFACTORY.ORG I 515.296.6532<br />
ISU Startup Factory is designed to help businesses bring<br />
new products to the market and work with companies to<br />
make them attractive to outside capital investors.<br />
VENTURENETIOWA.COM I 515.471.1300<br />
VentureNet Iowa connects ideas to resources,<br />
management, and investors, to create jobs and build<br />
businesses in Iowa. If you have a business idea in the<br />
areas of Biosciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Value-<br />
Added Ag, or Information Technology, you may qualify<br />
for assistance through VentureNet Iowa.<br />
Did you use one of these great resources? We<br />
want to share your story! Visit our website at<br />
siouxlandmagazine.com, fill out the form and connect<br />
with us today!
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