SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – The annual Iowa West Coast Initiative Kickoff Week will take place Friday, November 15 through Thursday, November 21.

Kickoff week events will begin with a Rural Business Blender at Uncommon Grounds in Sloan, Iowa, at 9 a.m. Business owners from In The Stands Apparel and Uncommon Grounds will talk about their entrepreneurial stories.

On Tuesday, November 19 at 12 p.m., the first workshop entitled Small Biz Boost: Effective Marketing Strategies will take place.

This interactive workshop will take place at Design West (1014 Design Place in Sioux City). Moon Media guests will present on how to build a strong brand, reach your target audience, and increase small business sales.

Local entrepreneurs, small business owners and professionals will come together for Biz Brew on Wednesday, November 20 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Biz Brew will take place at Wise I Brewing Company in Le Mars, Iowa. This event will bring together people interested in fostering a startup community and creating a positive environment for business growth. Everyone can stop by and enjoy drink specials, appetizers and conversations.

Small Biz Mastery: Effective Organization Management will take place at noon on Thursday, November 21 at Design West in Sioux City. The attorneys at Crary Huff Attorneys at Law will guide new entrepreneurs through entity formation, basic requirements of the law, and new business compliance.

The launch week will end with The BIG Challenge pitch competition. In September, northwest Iowa entrepreneurs submitted an idea to start or grow a business. From the applications, four finalists were selected to present their idea to an audience and judges at a pitch event for a chance to win a cash prize.

The first place winner will receive $5,000, second will receive $3,000 and third will receive $2,000. The competition will be held at the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor (115 Central Ave NW) in Le Mars, Iowa. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a social hour with light hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

The pitch competition will begin at 6 p.m.

Additional details for each event can be found at www.iawestcoast.com/launch-week-2024.

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