We Can Help with Your Small Business Startup Plan

The proportion of the US workforce that is self-employed has hit its highest level since 2008.* When you own a small business, one skill you might not think about is leadership. Iowans registered the highest number of new business entities in state history during the 2021 fiscal year, with 33,260 new businesses registering through the Secretary of State’s Office between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.**

According to Entrepreneur.com, one of the biggest steps to being a leader and small business owner is to become a student again.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is here to help! We want to make sure that small business owners have the resources and skills needed to make their business a success. NICC Business and Community Solutions is lucky enough to have insightful instructors who are also small business owners to help the community.

One of these local instructors is Brittany Todd, who started doing photography as a way to get by until she could find a “real job,” as she put it. What started as a hobby became an 11-year career and she is now sharing what she learned as a small business owner to help others. A tip she gives to those that are just starting out is to find something that gives you purpose. Focusing on building the community, not just your business, is the guiding principle she lives by in Decorah with both her photography business and family ice cream shop. Her one key piece of advice is following this quote, “If you love what you do you never work a day in your life, or if you love what you do, you work every single day of your life because it doesn’t feel like work.”

Instructor Tama-Lea Lorenzen also has a passion for small business development and entrepreneurial thinking. Marketing is a big part of helping small businesses be successful, Tama-Lea says, and that focusing on a few key questions will help set up your marketing plan.

Question 1: What makes you different? There are a lot of companies out there that might do something similar to you; identify how you are different.

Question 2: Who is most likely to buy your product? Narrow down your target audience. Hint: it’s not everyone. A mistake small business owners sometimes make is thinking everyone is their audience.

If you already have a plan, it’s important to reassess your marketing and message. Tama-Lea’s key piece of advice is, “If you reframe challenges you encounter with your small business, see them as opportunities to adjust and become more successful.”

Brittany Todd, Instructor/Small Business Owner

Tama-Lea Lorenzen, Instructor/Small Business Owner

Small Business Opportunities

BUSINESS COUNSELING

In partnership with the Small Business Development Center, you can receive no-cost business counseling. Our experts work with you every step of the way to ensure you are 100 percent satisfied and objectives are met. Consulting services are focused on three areas: your people, your organization and your process.

STRATEGIC THINKING AND PLANNING

By engaging with a new, local and experienced collection of executive leaders, the process of strategic planning and implementation can be made easy, cost-effective and enjoyable.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Classes in continuing education can help you upskill in various areas to improve your small business. Classes range from one hour to a few weeks depending on your need.

Classes have included:

• Small Business Marketing

• Social Media Bootcamp

• Small Business Photography

• Business Purpose

• Computer Technology

• Data Analytics

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC)

Established in 1981, America’s SBDC Iowa provides no cost, confidential, customized, professional business advice in all 99 Iowa counties to entrepreneurs and existing small businesses. We also present affordable workshops that teach practical skills and techniques, conduct research, provide comprehensive information services, and offer access to subject matter experts in a variety of fields.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER CONTACT:

Jay Wickham. Regional Director Envelope

sbhelpline@nicc.edu

phone 563.588.3350

Sources: *Morning Brew Jobs Report **iowa.gov