Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses recently celebrated the graduation of 38 small business owners from Cohort 15 in Iowa, marking an important milestone for the local entrepreneurs who successfully completed the comprehensive program.
The event, held at DMACC's Ankeny Campus, honored participants’ achievements throughout the rigorous program and underscored the vital role small businesses play in driving economic growth and job creation across Iowa communities.
The newest graduates now join a network of more than 17,000 program alumni across the nation, including 400 alumni in Iowa. The 10,000 Small Businesses program in Iowa is administered by DMACC in collaboration with all 15 of state's community colleges.
Through the 12-week program, small business owners worked one-on-one with a dedicated business advisor to gain practical skills, recognize new opportunities, and develop a customized growth plan to take their business to the next level.
The 10,000 Small Businesses program addresses the most significant challenges faced by small businesses by providing practical business education, access to capital and support services. For more than 15 years, the program has played a key role in supporting the local economy and bolstering the local small business ecosystem by equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need for their businesses to succeed.
“After a decade in business, I didn’t need more hustle. I needed a reset and the right support system” said Whitney Warne, owner of Evoke EQ and Ivory House Photography in Des Moines, and a graduate of cohort 15 in Iowa. “The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program gave me both. It pushed me to define what meaningful growth actually looks like, challenged how I lead and surrounded me with advisors and peers who don’t let you stay small. I left with clarity, momentum, and a renewed belief in what’s possible for my business.”
Graduates from the Spring 2026 cohort of Goldman Sachs 10,00 Small Businesses in Iowa include:
- Rashad Akinci, Turquoise Trucking, Cedar Rapids
- Lorraine Chidester, Walnut Creek Psychiatry, Johnston
- Bunny Churchill, Benolas, Baxter
- Felicia Coe, Cirque Wonderland, West Des Moines
- Katie Colony, Colony Acres Family Farm, North Liberty
- Krista Dewar, Lifestyle Health and Wellness, Dubuque
- Craig Flickinger, Iowa Popcorn Company, Marion
- Chase Gibb, Fork Catering Company, Burlington
- Aaron Gobert, Garage Force of Des Moines, Urbandale
- Bridget Good, b.e.good, Ames
- Olga Guevara, Casa Azteca, Sioux City
- Alyssa Hoff, A&P Graphics & Signs, Maquoketa
- David Horak, American Railcar Repair, Lakota
- Samir Husidic, FitTech Solutions, Newton
- Christie Jensen, Iowa Wine Growers Association, West Des Moines
- Melissa Johnson, Your Leadership Group, Centerville
- Jaime Leiva, Legado Insurance Professionals, Des Moines
- Shanshan Liu, The Nail Gallery, Clive
- David Marburger, Mid-Iowa Diesel Repair, Ames
- Korrey Mayland, Fabtastic Painting, Cedar Rapids
- Kelley Molitor, Molitor Construction, Boone
- Malora Montag, Donutland, Cedar Rapids
- Heather Moore, Moore Local, Maquoketa
- Frederick Newell, Dream City, Iowa City
- Reagan Osborne, Greene Bean Coffee, Jefferson
- Evie Peterson, Farmhouse Catering, Nevada
- Wes Policky, Dub P Apparel & Signs, Guthrie Center
- Fiona Roberts, Lympha Spa and Massage, Clive
- Traci Schermerhorn, Foster SQUAD, Ankeny
- Aminata Taylor, Taylor CPAs and Advisors, Iowa City
- Laura Taylor, Woofables, Coralville
- Kenzie Thomas, Homegrown Kids Therapy, Ankeny
- Lindsy Trotter, Chilled Freezer Meals, Center Point
- Jennifer Walker, The Serving Café, West Branch
- Whitney Warne, Evoke EQ, Des Moines
- Brie White, Breeze Bakery, Sioux City
- Rebecca Williams, Open Hearts Therapy, West Des Moines
- Anne Zwink, Soldier Creek Winery, Fort Dodge
“We are proud to celebrate the most recent graduates from our Iowa cohort of the 10,000 Small Businesses program," said Jacki Boldt, Executive Director of the program. "By providing small business owners with the resources and tools they need to succeed, we can ensure that these entrepreneurs can continue to create jobs and uplift our local economy and communities. These small business owners are the future of economic growth in Iowa, and we are committed to helping them thrive.”
About 10,000 Small Businesses
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing a comprehensive business education program and access to capital and business support services. To date, 10,000 Small Businesses has served over 17,000 small businesses across the United States. The program has reached businesses from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.
Learn more at iowa10ksb.com and apply at 10KSBApply.com.