Business Resource Center

Aaron is a native Iowa Citian and owner of Payroll Vault, which offers a boutique, full-service, payroll and human resource services designed for small business owners in the Johnson County area. Schedule with Aaron today!

Alex has more than 30 years of business experience working in a variety of entrepreneurial organizations and capacities. Currently he’s the Director of Entrepreneurship for NewBoCo, is completing his 15th year teaching in the Tippie College of Business, and along with his wife co-owns and operates Woofables, a national manufacturing and distribution business based out of Coralville, Iowa.  He’s a seasoned and highly networked business mentor, connector, leader, and coach. Schedule with Alex today!

Charles has worked in employee staffing, recruiting, and retention since 2001. Since joining Goodwill of the Heartland in 2011, he has partnered with businesses across the region to help address workforce needs. He specializes in connecting employers with job seekers, supporting entry-level hiring and training, and identifying workplace efficiencies and accommodations that benefit businesses of all sizes.  Schedule with Charles Today

As an Intellectual Property attorney at BrownWinick, Charlie Damschen combines a background in engineering, business strategy, and law to help clients protect and grow their innovations. With experience spanning private practice and in-house IP management, he advises clients on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and technology-related agreements with a practical, business-minded approach. Known for his curiosity, attention to detail, and collaborative style, Charlie strives to serve as both a trusted legal advisor and strategic partner. Schedule with Charlie today.

Ed Leighton-Dick helps small and midsize businesses solve their most challenging database performance, resiliency, and data security issues at Kingfisher Data, the consulting firm he founded in 2014. He has taught thousands of people at over 200 events, including the world’s largest Microsoft data platform conferences, and he has been a leader in the Microsoft data community since 2008. Microsoft has recognized Ed seven times as a Data Platform MVP for his expertise and service to the data community. Schedule with Ed today!

For more than 75 years, Fredrikson has provided strategic legal counsel to clients ranging from startups to multinational corporations across industries including healthcare, financial services, energy, manufacturing and technology. The firm partners closely with clients to deliver practical, business-focused solutions tailored to their goals and challenges. Through a strong commitment to innovation, operational excellence and client service, Fredrikson helps organizations navigate complex legal matters at every stage of growth. Schedule with Fredrikson.

As an experienced nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and grant writer, Kaitlin has worked across multiple disciplines in the nonprofit and startup space. She launched the first statewide Kiva Hub in the nation (Kiva Iowa) in 2021 and continues to oversee the entire borrower, lender, and stakeholder pipeline across the Iowa and Quad Cities markets. Prior to Kiva, Kaitlin led development efforts at NewBoCo, a startup nonprofit, helping design, fund, and execute more than 30 entrepreneurial and technical education programs — growing the budget from $0 to over $2 million in under five years. These programs helped build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Iowa and now serve as a bridge between urban and rural communities across the state. Kaitlin is dedicated to building trust across the racial, gender, and socio-economic lines that exist in Iowa, envisioning a financially inclusive world where everyone has the power to bring their dream business to life. 

Paul Heath is a seasoned leader and advisor in small business development, bringing over three decades of expertise to his role as Regional Director at the SBDC, part of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. He is a certified management accountant, a certified business advisor, and a certified public accountant. With a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth, Paul combines his deep financial expertise and business acumen to guide small businesses in achieving their goals. Schedule with Paul today!

Robin Springer’s background includes leadership roles in financial planning and analysis, accounting, program management and systems implementation. Her career has included work with multi-billion dollar global corporations, first-time startups and everything in between. She can help you achieve your business goals by creating financial structure, and by providing the tools and education you need to manage your business and let go of outdated beliefs about money. Schedule with Robin today!

Sam Vassar is a native of Swisher, Iowa, and serves as Associate Publisher of College Community Neighbors with Best Version Media. A dedicated community connector, Sam works to highlight local families, businesses, and organizations while building relationships that strengthen the region. Known for his hyper-local approach, he is passionate about supporting those who invest in their communities and helping connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Schedule with Sam today.

Sandy Steele is an Agent and Registered Representative with Farm Bureau Financial Services, where she supports individuals, families, and small businesses in navigating insurance and financial decisions. With more than 29 years of experience in financial services, she specializes in life and health coverage, commercial insurance, and personalized retirement strategies. Drawing on a background in banking and wealth management, Sandy brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to her work. 

Having lived in the Iowa City area for over two decades, Sandy is deeply connected to the community she serves. She is an active Ambassador with Greater Iowa City, Inc. and a sponsor of 1 Million Cups, supporting local entrepreneurs and small business growth. Sandy values building genuine relationships and believes that understanding each person’s goals is key to helping them prepare for the unexpected and plan for the future. Schedule with Sandy today.

Shuttlesworth & Ingersoll is one of Iowa’s largest and most established law firms, serving businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations with practical legal guidance tailored to their unique needs. The firm’s attorneys bring deep experience across a wide range of practice areas, helping clients address challenges related to business growth, employment matters, financing, and real estate. With a client-centered approach and a long-standing commitment to Iowa’s business community, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll helps organizations make informed decisions and build for the future. Schedule with Shuttlesworth & Ingersoll.