Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, SBA Iowa District Office form alliance

The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), signed a strategic alliance memorandum with the Small Business Administration (SBA) Iowa District Office on June 11. The collaboration’s aim is to advance the shared business interests, economic growth, and workplace equality for Iowa’s LGBTQ+ business community and its allies. “I just think these alliances are so important for the state, particularly focusing on workforce and economic development. Collaborations like this just further support our small business community,” Dan Jansen, chair of the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber, said. “(LGBTQ) folks need all the support and help and assets that they can possibly get their hands on to be successful. And so, any way that we can do that in collaboration with SBA or others (is) amazing. We will do that with joy and scream that out from the rooftops because we believe it will make the state a better place to be a small business owner,” he said. The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber made its debut October 2023, becoming the 77th affiliate chamber of the NGLCC. Since its inception last fall, it has organized launch events in four Iowa regions, the fifth slated for June 27 in Council Bluffs. “We're pleased to have entered into the strategic alliance with the Chamber,” SBA Iowa District Office lead lender relations specialist and public information officer, Dave Lentell, said. “Having a LGBTQ chamber here in the state is great for our economy, and just being able to grow that sector of business ownership. As we are working with other groups to grow all sectors of business ownership in the state, we just feel like there's going to be great benefit to that for the economy here in Iowa.”

Iowa City business receives SBA Impact Award

In celebration of their alliance and in recognition of Pride Month, the Chamber and the SBA Iowa District Office presented the SBA Impact Award to Chamber member and Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague. The award, given for his business, Caring Hands & More, was bestowed during a ceremony at the Krause Gateway Center in Des Moines on June 11. Caring Hands & More, a home health care services company in Iowa City, offers a range of services including personal care assistance, transportation, and light housekeeping. According to the company’s website, Mr. Teague became familiar with these responsibilities at the age of 13 when he began caring for his widowed aunt, who was diagnosed with cancer. Inspired by his aunt, and later Iowa City Hospice, Mr. Teague began Caring Hands & More, LLC in 2004. “He's not just a business owner who keeps to himself; he's an advocate for other small business owners and a champion for small business ownership throughout the state,” Mr. Lentell said, highlighting the qualities that impressed the SBA. “He started (Caring Hands & More) in a mobile home with only two employees back in 2004, and now he's got 90 employees servicing multiple group living locations serving clients on an individual basis,” he added. According to the Chamber’s LinkedIn page, Mr. Teague’s remarks at the ceremony centered on his dedication to caregiving, both in his business and as the mayor of Iowa City. He emphasized the importance of showing up and representing the people he serves and inspires.

Mr. Jansen said success stories like Mr. Teague’s are important for small businesses to hear, especially ones that are just starting. “When you start a business and you feel overwhelmed, and you know you love something, but you feel like you're jumping over hurdle after hurdle after hurdle – to see and hear a business owner like Bruce Teague, [who] has been there,” said Mr. Jansen. “He's faced all the hurdles, he's jumped them. He continues to jump hurdles, every now and again, but has learned to get into the stride of successfully running a business. That's really important for folks to hear. Those stories are really important.” Storytelling is a critical aspect in marketing one’s business and inspiring other business owners, Mr. Jansen said. “Also just for LGBTQ, it’s a form of advocacy; because there's sometimes a disconnect between the person who economically supports a community through running a business and some of the things that we hear in legislative sessions or in the media that paints a different picture,” he said. To help business owners market their story, the Chamber is holding a workshop and roundtable discussion on storytelling in Des Moines on July 17 at Invictus Media, 506 3rd St., with more details forthcoming. To find out more about the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce or to register as a member, visit https://iowalgbtqchamber.org/.