Heather Sitzmore
Kaitlin Byers
Panelist: Funding Your Business With Bank Loans or Micro-loans
In this breakout, attendees will learn about different funding sources, requirements, and best practices to secure funding thought these poplular lending programs.
Teresa Jensen
Panelist: Funding Your Business With Bank Loans or Micro-loans
In this breakout, attendees will learn about different funding sources, requirements, and best practices to secure funding thought these popular lending programs.
About Teresa
With nearly 3 decades of experience in the financial industry, Teresa Jensen is a dedicated Business Banking Officer at CRBT, where she has been serving for almost 3 years. Prior to this role, she spent 25 years as a mortgage lender at various financial institutions helping individuals and families achieve their home ownership dreams.
Passionate about supporting small businesses, Teresa focuses on empowering women and minority owned businesses by providing tailored financial solutions that foster growth and success. Her deep understanding of lending, coupled with a commitment to community development, makes her a trusted resource for entrepreneurs navigating the financial landscape.
Beyond banking, Teresa enjoys her family including 2 adult children and 2 cherished grand kids. She finds balance through yoga, travel and her pets. Whether assisting business owners or exploring new destinations, Teresa is committed to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.
Anthony Betters
Panel Moderator: Funding Your Business With Bank Loans or Micro-loans
In this breakout, attendees will learn about different funding sources, requirements, and best practices to secure funding thought these popular lending programs.
About Anthony
Anthony is a Sales Specialist at American Family Insurance, aspiring to own his own agency one day. A proud Baylor University alum, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate Communications, achieving this while balancing the demands of being a student-athlete football walk-on. Originally from Waco, Texas, Anthony made the move to Cedar Rapids to start a senior in-home healthcare franchise. His dedication and impact in the community
have been recognized with the Corridor Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 accolade. He is also a part of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., that is focused on developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities. Beyond his professional role, Anthony actively engages with the community. He serves as the PTA Vice President at Washington High School, Vice President of the African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) Board of Directors, and Treasurer and Chaplin of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has also created a community initiative called GoodFellas, that helps bring black men together to network, and collaborate in a safe space environment.
John Albert
SBDC and SCORE – Business Resources to Start and Grow Your Business
Participants will learn about the many free and accessible resources available through the SBDC and SCORE, and how to best work with each of these local support channels and professionals to establish and grow your business success.
About John
John Albert, a lifelong Cedar Rapids resident and retired entrepreneur, was the third-generation owner of Albert’s Cleaners, Citywide Cleaners, and Prince Albert Tuxedo. He successfully led these businesses before selling them in October 2022. A graduate of the University of Iowa and Washington High School, John built a legacy of business excellence and community leadership.
He was actively involved in professional organizations, including the International Fabricare Institute, Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance, and the exclusive Tuchman Group. His leadership extended to serving as Vice-Chair of the Cedar Rapids Medical District Commission and on boards such as the International Formalwear Association and the Cedar Rapids March of Dimes.
John has been deeply committed to community service, mentoring small business owners as a SCORE Certified Mentor and supporting local initiatives. He founded the “Let’s Clean Up Hunger” food drive, partnered on the “Coats for Kids” campaign, and volunteered with St. Luke’s Adolescent Mental Health program—earning the “Outstanding Mental Health Volunteer of the Year” award. He was also honored by the Cedar Rapids Junior League for his contributions.
John remains engaged in his community and continues to support of local arts and charities. He and his wife, Janet, have twins, Lauren and Jack, currently in graduate school, and share their home with their cat, Olive.
Michael Wampler
SBDC and SCORE – Business Resources to Start and Grow Your Business
Participants will learn about the many free and accessible resources available through the SBDC and SCORE, and how to best work with each of these local support channels and professionals to establish and grow your business success.
About Michael
Michael Wampler is an entrepreneurship educator and business coach and has been an Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Regional Director since 2017. He currently leads the Kirkwood Community College SBDC, and previously oversaw the Northwest Iowa SBDC at Iowa Lakes Community College. Before joining the SBDC, Michael taught entrepreneurship courses at Indian Hills Community College and Oklahoma State University. Michael has a BS in Business Management from Iowa State University, and an MS in Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University. Michael is passionate about helping small businesses successfully launch, grow, and exit.
Mark Hermann
SBDC and SCORE – Business Resources to Start and Grow Your Business
Participants will learn about the many free and accessible resources available through the SBDC and SCORE, and how to best work with each of these local support channels and professionals to establish and grow your business success.
About Mark
Mark has been helping companies manage business risks for over 35 years. His experience managing and owning 3 businesses has given me insight into the real challenges and experiences for a startup or existing business owner. He uses this experience to help companies through the process of business development.
David Tominsky and Jillian Friot
Venture Studios – what are they, how do they work?
Join David Tominsky, Partner at Novy, and Jillian Friot, CEO of Global Venture Network (GVN), as they discuss the venture studio model for company creation and highlight the differences between accelerators, incubators, venture capital, and entrepreneurial support organizations.
GVN is the premier membership organization for leaders building the future of early-stage ventures and ecosystems dedicated to venture excellence. Novy is Iowa’s first venture studio, launched in 2023, and focused on cofounding healthcare software companies in the Midwest.
This session is designed for anyone interested in how the venture studio model leverages a robust process for venture creation, how the model works overall, what venture studios typically look for, and how ventures are funded and supported throughout their lifespan.
Paul Richardson
Navigating Iowa’s Entrepreneurial Eco-System to Grow Your Startup
Discover how Iowa’s unique ecosystem can fuel entrepreneurial success. In “Heartland Hustle: Building Big Dreams and Growing a Startup in Iowa’s Ecosystem,” Paul H. Richardson, Jr. shares his journey of founding and scaling Tumbleweed, a mission-driven startup, right here in the Hawkeye State. From leveraging local resources to building strategic partnerships, Paul reveals the opportunities and challenges of growing a business in Iowa…and why Iowa is the perfect place to turn big dreams into reality. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or community builder, this session will leave you inspired to make your mark in the Midwest. By the end of the session, attendees will feel empowered to leverage Iowa’s full potential, turning its rich resources into a launchpad for their big dreams.
About Paul
Paul H. Richardson, Jr. is the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Tumbleweed, a groundbreaking SaaS company that empowers families with digital tools for legacy planning and post-loss navigation. With a deep commitment to creating solutions that blend technology and human touch, Paul’s leadership is reshaping how families prepare for life’s toughest moments, helping them focus on what truly matters. Paul brings nearly 25 years of experience in healthcare, technology, and education to his role, blending expertise with an innovative mindset. His leadership has been recognized on a national stage, including being named National Educator of the Year and the JPEC Venture School Business of the Year. Throughout his career, Paul has driven initiatives that improve access, equity, and outcomes for individuals and communities, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to impactful leadership and service. Beyond his role at Tumbleweed, Paul is dedicated to fostering economic development and supporting fellow founders. He is actively engaged in building a thriving startup ecosystem, sharing insights from his journey to inspire innovation and collaboration among entrepreneurs. Paul’s work exemplifies his belief that strong communities are built by empowering individuals to turn challenges into opportunities.
Scott Swenson
Venture School Primer: Recognizing Opportunities
Overview Problems are often opportunities in disguise. Entrepreneurs are problem solvers and the secret to
their success lies in their ability to identify problems and find solutions. Participants learn to identify problems and use their knowledge and experience to find solutions.
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
• Explain how entrepreneurs identify problems as potential opportunities.
• Explain how problem-solving abilities are a key feature of an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Describe a business that provides a simple, reliable solution to an everyday problem.
• Define the concept of opportunistic adaptation.
• Identify five fatal assumptions that can hinder an entrepreneurial endeavor.
About Scott
Scott Swenson is a business advisor and entrepreneurial learning facilitator. He is currently involved with entrepreneurial programs with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Iowa. His roles include: Venture School statewide instructor, entrepreneur-in-residence and accelerator coach. Scott is the former director of the Kirkwood Small Business Development Center where he counseled thousands of small businesses, startups and aspiring entrepreneurs.