First Steps & Resources - Have a business idea or side hustle, but need help with business basics? Get started with these first steps.

• Market Research  - A great business idea, needs a market to be successful. You will need to do market research about market availability in the region.  Click here to learn about how to conduct market research.

  • Business Concierge

• Business Model Canvas - is a chart, a template, a tool to collect the descriptions of the building block of your business, and to help you understand and analyze your business model.  Available only for those who participate in the Just Start Program.

• Demographics - You will most likely need some data to better understand the region and the market you are in.  Union County - Economic Overview 

• Just Start - Introduction to Entrepreneurship  - This program is our locally developed introductory workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs. The workshop includes a starter kit with step by step directions on how to get started on your next business venture. Limited spaces available so sign up today!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Legal - How you structure business is critical to the type of business you are starting and the goals you have for that business.

​

Types of business structures include (iasourcelink.com)

​

• Sole Proprietorship - The vast majority of small businesses start out as sole proprietorships. These firm are owned by one person, usually the individual who has the day-to-day responsibility of running the business.

• Partnership - In this scenario, two or more people share ownership of a single business. Like sole proprietorships, the law does not distinguish between the business and its owners.

• Limited Liability Company (LLC) - An LLC is designed to provide the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership.

• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) - An LLP provides limited liabilities to the partners where each partner is not responsible or liable for the other partner's actions or negligence.

• Corporation - A corporation is considered by law to be a unique entity, separate and apart from those who own it. A corporation can be taxed, sued and enter into contractual agreements.

​

Click here to find out the advantages and disadvantages for each business structure to determine which works best for you.

​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Permits & Licensing - Depending on the type of business and location, a business will need to apply for the appropriate permits and/or licensing. Below are the permit/license information for the State of Iowa and the Creston/Union County area.

​

Register Your Business - If you operate a business in Iowa, you will more than likely have to collect and pay taxes.

​

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN or EIN)

​

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

​

Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR)

​

Iowa Business License Information Center (BLIC)

​

Union County, IA

​

City of Afton, IA

​

City of Creston, IA

​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Funding  - Understanding how much money it will take to start up and sustain a business will make a difference in short term and long term business success.  Calculate the startup costs here.

​

There are many funding opportunities for a business start-up or expansion from traditional lending, SBA loans and investors. All of these require owners equity (self-funding). Typically an owner will want to shoot for 20% o their own funds to leverage any debt or equity financing.

​

The Southern Iowa Development Group, Inc’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), that is administered by the Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG), was established with grant funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to provide financing for industrial activities, start-up businesses, and the expansion of businesses. The goal of the RLF is to assist in the creation of permanent private sector jobs.

​

GROW IOWA Foundation provides low-interest financing for business starts, expansions and other community development projects. We work in conjunction with local and regional banks to increase small business and industry lending by providing additional, flexible credit helping the borrower fit the bank's underwriting criteria.

​

The Southern Iowa Resource Conservation and Development Area Inc. (SIRC&D) - has money available through a revolving loan program for the financing of starting or expanding small businesses.

​

USDA Iowa Rural Development - Business Programs provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth. The programs work through partnerships with public and private community based organizations and financial institutions to provide financial assistance, business development, and technical assistance to rural businesses.

​

Any one of these programs require letter of support from the local economic development group. Contact us today to discuss your project.

​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Marketing  - Marketing your business is key to attracting new customers and keeps them coming back. Building a marketing plan that targets your clients/customers is that road map to standing out in your industry. Even though you might need to make a few minor adjustments along the way it sets the course for your business.

​

First you need to start with your Brand Statement.  Answer these three questions.

• What does your product/service do? - What does your customer get, and how does it make them feel?

• Who is it for? - Which customer has them most to gain from your product or service?

• What is special about it? - What sets you apart from the competition? What makes you stand out?

​

Small Business Administrative Marketing Plan Template

​

What should my plan include?  Key components that are a must have in your plan.

​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

​

Accounting - There are two keys to your business' financial sustainability: bringing money in, and keeping costs under control. It is imperative to the success of your business that you stay on top of your financial position and understand the accounting tasks at hand or consider outsourcing this segment of your business start-up or expansion.

​

Start with a balance sheet

Pick a method of accounting

Get accounting help

Manage business credit

​

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Location - from being a remote worker, home-based business to an online commerce site or a mobile office to a physical storefront or manufacturing space your location is critical to the needs of your business.

​

Consider these factors when exploring the landing spot for your business.

​

The Roundhouse Cowork Space - Non-retail small office spaces with all the amenities you need to get work done.

​

Location One Information System (LOIS) - A local online location analysis tool designed to show available sites, buildings for sale or spaces for lease.

​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

One-on-One Business Counseling - UCDA financially, supports and partners with the regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Through collaboration, we can provide one-on-one counseling to assist with starting a business, business planning, financial planning, human resource management, marketing, business succession planning and much more.

​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Additional Services - Through our business service provider network we are your source for information regarding the following business needs:

​