10-10-2022 |
BrownWinick recently partnered with the Greater Des Moines Partnership to host a half-day seminar for individuals participating in the Partnership’s new Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator. This event included presentations from BrownWinick attorneys Dani Smid on Navigating Employment Law Issues During an Economic Downturn, Nate Borland on Labor Law Considerations for All Employers, and Mackensie Graham on Terminations, Severance, and Release Agreements. Jayne Armstrong, District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration also provided a presentation on Financial Tools and Assistance. Seminar participants were able to learn best practices and gain actionable insights to use in their businesses in addition to creating valuable connections with other business and legal leaders in the community.
“It was wonderful to get involved with this program,” said Dani Smid, attorney, and Chair of BrownWinick’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. “Programs like this are a great way for successful business owners, managers, and other business professionals to give back and assist these small businesses by providing them with information in the areas that they are most knowledgeable in. It was a pleasure to work with this group.”
About Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator
In March, the Greater Des Moines Partnership announced the launch of the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator powered by Interise. The accelerator aims to help businesses gain access to knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to increase revenue, create jobs and positively impact the community. The program is tuition-free and will run from June through December 2022.
Scale DSM participants complete Interise’s award-winning and internationally recognized StreetWise ‘MBA,’ (minority business accelerator) which is centered around practical, case-based peer learning for minority-led businesses. Programming is divided into five modules and participants are required to attend one session every other week. Module topics include business strategy and leadership, financial management, sales and marketing, talent and capital resources, and strategic growth action plan.
To be eligible to participate in this free program businesses must:
- Be a Minority-Owned Business
- Have $150,000-$4 million in annual revenue
- Have one other full-time employee besides the owner
- Have been in business for at least two years
- Be Willing to and have the ability to attend class for seven months, complete mandatory assignments, and complete program surveys up to three years following the program
Learn more about Scale DSM.
Visit our website to learn more about BrownWinick’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts in the community. to learn more about the firm’s DEI efforts within the community and our Employment & Labor services.