JPEC November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking in Northwood, IA as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Alisha […]
North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$3,500 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday October 22, 2025. The NIACC Fall 2025 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Billie Asmus Lands Deal on ABC’s Shark Tank
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are proud to celebrate Billie Asmus of Hampton, founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, for securing an investment deal on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.Billie appeared on the October 8, 2025 episode, where she presented her company’s flagship product, The Repaint […]
October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm in Mitchell, IA as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Steve […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Christy Marchand of Altus CXO as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Christy Marchand, co-founder of Altus CXO in North Iowa, as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Christy Marchand built her career in corporate finance and executive leadership, but she always carried an entrepreneurial drive. “I’ve always been passionate about helping […]
August 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC announced Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf in Mason City, IA as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Jared Doerfler has built a […]
Winners announced in the 20th Annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins 3rd Prize of $15,000Jared Doerfler of Mason City, IA won Third Place at the 20th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition on Friday, August 22, 2025. Out of more than 35 submissions, 12 teams advanced to the final presentation round, with winners announced during a luncheon at Iowa State University […]
July 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Mike & Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn as the July 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Mike and Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn in Clear Lake, IA as the July 2025 Entrepreneurs of the […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA) on June 16th-20th. YEA is a free one-week academic camp sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation, and is offered annually to all North Iowa high school students interested in entrepreneurship. Each participant receives a $500 NIACC scholarship sponsored […]
June 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Hallie Erdahl of Georgette Bridal as the June 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Hallie Erdahl of Georgette in Clear Lake, IA as the June 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Georgette is a […]
Local Entrepreneurs Gain World-Class Business Training with the GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
Kian Gibson of Hampton, IA graduated from the prestigious GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a member of the Spring 2025 cohort. Gibson is a jeweler at Christiansen Jewelry, a family-owned company that offers fine jewelry, gemstones and diamonds, giftware, watches, gold and silver bullion, design and repair services. Christiansen Jewelry was founded in 1960. […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
One Day Summer Camp in Mason City, Charles City, and Forest CityThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Summer 2025 at locations in Mason City, Charles City, and Forest City.IDEA Camp helps students practice some of life’s key components: innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, and […]
May 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Molly Watson of Home Style as the May 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Molly Watson of Home Style in Mason City, IA as the May 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Mason City entrepreneur Molly Watson has […]
NIACC Student Caleb Renner Wins Top Prize at 2025 Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) student Caleb Renner was named one of the top three winners at the John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. The 2025 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was held on Friday, April 25, at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Education and Events Center in Des Moines. The final presentation […]
2nd Annual Iowa Student Entrepreneur Summit
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the second annual Iowa Student Entrepreneurship Summit on April 11-12, 2025 at locations in Mason City and Clear Lake, IA. This dynamic event brings together business majors and student entrepreneurs from Iowa’s community colleges, private colleges and the University of Northern Iowa. The Student Entrepreneurship Summit included a […]