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Join the waitlist for 2025
Calling all budding business owners!
Main Street Ottumwa has created an eight-class Business Fundamentals course covering the basic aspects of business. Learn from the experts in our community who are passionate about helping you build the business of your dreams.
We'll take you through the process of creating a business plan and elevator pitch. Talk to a banker about what you need to get approved for financing, a lawyer about protecting yourself from bad business structure and how to properly market your business. We'll hear from a local Accountant and an Insurance Agent to help you feel informed about what kind of coverage you need.
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Important: The Business Builder Academy is for you if you have been in business less than three years or if you have been in a brick and mortar location less than one year.
2024 Class Schedule*
All classes will be held from 6pm-9pm at 334 E Main Street, Ottumwa, IA
*class topics are subject to change depending on speaker availability
Thursday, August 29: Preliminary Meeting
Tuesday, September 3: “Tips from a Successful Entrepreneur ” with Brian Morgan at Morgan’s Corner
Thursday, September 5: “Introduction to Small Business and Business Plan” with Kelly Prickett at SBDC and IHCC Regional Entrepreneurship Center
Tuesday, September 10: “Marketing, Public Relations and Advertising” with Lindsey Newland at The Newland Company
Thursday, September 12: “Credit: How your personal financial picture impacts your business.” with Claudia Gates from USBank
Tuesday, September 17: “What is Legal?” with Paul Zingg and “What Kind of Coverage Does Your Business Need?” with Tom Shafer at Farmers Insurance
Thursday, September 19: “Your Business and Taxes: The Foundations for Success” with Brad Barnes at Bradley T. Barnes, CPA
Tuesday, September 24: “What is Economic Development?” with Zach Simonson and “What is Main Street Ottumwa?” with Fred Zesiger. Take a tour of some downtown properties to see what is possible.
Thursday, September 26: Class Presentations and Graduation
Join the waitlist
Join the Class of 2025.
Fill out the form to join the waitlist for 2024.