Starting a Small Business in Iowa: Community Classes in Johnston and Des Moines

Most small businesses don’t start with a five-year plan. They start with a tug.

A story you keep thinking about. A service you wish existed. An idea that shows up while you’re making dinner or driving carpool and refuses to be ignored.

For many people, the hardest part is not the idea. It’s knowing how to begin without losing yourself in the process.

Over the last few years, I’ve worked with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who want their work to matter without becoming louder, busier, or more performative than it needs to be. Again and again, I see the same gap: people are ready to build something meaningful, but they lack a clear, human roadmap to get from “someday” to “I’m doing this.”

That’s why I’m teaching two community education classes this winter focused on starting and marketing a small business with purpose.

These workshops are designed for adults who have an idea but feel unsure about the practical steps, the legal basics, or how to talk about their work in ways that feel authentic. We’ll cover what you actually need to get started and skip the noise that tends to overwhelm first-time business owners.

In both classes, we’ll walk through how to legally start a small business, research your audience, and identify a niche that fits both your skills and your values. From there, we’ll explore marketing that connects with the people who need your work most, without hype or burnout. You’ll leave with confidence, direction, and a clear next step forward.

Starting and Marketing a Small Business

Johnston Community Education

Wednesday, March 25, 20266:00–7:30 PM

Cost: $64

Register here:https://johnston.ce.eleyo.com/course/4153/winter-spring-2026/starting-a-small-business#ws26ae6

Des Moines Public Schools Community Education

Tuesday, January 27, 20265:30–7:00 PM

Cost: $59

Register here:https://dmps.revtrak.net/Community-Ed-Classes/#/list

If you’ve been carrying an idea quietly and waiting for the “right” moment, this is an invitation to stop waiting. Small businesses can be built thoughtfully, at a human pace, and in ways that leave room for real life.

Sometimes the next step isn’t a leap. It’s a single, steady move forward.