Run your Des Moines business with a local edge.
Plain-English guides on starting up, permits, taxes, hiring, and funding across the metro — plus a free weekly newsletter with the deadlines, programs, and opportunities local owners actually need.
75+ Free & Low-Cost Resources for Des Moines Business Owners
Every counselor, lender, class, and government office in the metro — sorted by the exact problem you're trying to solve.
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Start a Business
Idea to open doors — structure, registration, launch.
3 guidesLicenses & Zoning
Permits, zoning, and inspections by city.
1 guideMoney & Taxes
Iowa taxes, bookkeeping, pricing, cash flow.
2 guidesFunding
Loans, grants, and lender-ready applications.
1 guideHiring & People
Recruit, hire legally, and keep good staff.
1 guideMarketing & Growth
Local marketing, networking, and contracts.
3 guidesProtect Your Business
Weather, outages, crime, and cyber risk.
1 guideResource Hub
Every metro resource in one directory.
1 guideCornerstone guides
Deep, regularly-reviewed, metro-specificHow to Start a Business in Des Moines: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Idea to legally-ready business — structure, registration, taxes, and launch, with where metro-city rules differ.
Business Licenses, Permits, and Zoning in the Des Moines Metro
Which office controls your activity, and exactly what to verify before you open, move, or add a sign.
Iowa Small Business Taxes: What Des Moines Owners Need to Know
Sales tax, withholding, and which Iowa services are taxable — plus a current-year tax calendar.
Where to Find Small Business Loans, Grants & Funding in Des Moines
Realistic options, what each costs, who qualifies, and how to build a lender-ready package.
How to Find, Hire, and Keep Good Employees in Greater Des Moines
When to hire, recruiting locally, required setup, and reducing avoidable turnover.
How to Market a Local Business in Des Moines
A local playbook: Google Business Profile, reviews, community events, and low-cost promotion.
Five minutes that keep you ahead of every deadline.
This week's filings
Tax, permit, and renewal dates coming up across the metro.
Open programs
New loans, grants, and competitions accepting applications now.
What's new & updated
Fresh guides and what changed in the ones you've read.
Owner of the week
A local owner's playbook, in their own words.