Iowa businesses benefit through breakfast

James Robinson is a fan of Iowa State University Extension’s Business, Breakfast and More.

“The breakfasts have allowed us to see how other businesses work, to share our experiences and gain knowledge,” said Robinson, vice president of the Iowa branch of Robinson and Associates in Des Moines.

Business, Breakfast and More is co-hosted by the Iowa Procurement Outreach Center (IPOC) in ISU Extension’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS). Drake Small Business Development Center and the Small Business Administration also co-host the events.

Business, Breakfast and More gives business people the opportunity to share experience, gain knowledge and see how other businesses work.

While IPOC serves all businesses in procurement, it specifically reaches out to women, minorities and small businesses through the breakfasts. These bi-monthly events in Des Moines and Cedar Falls/Waterloo offer business people the opportunity to meet purchasing agents and gather information related to selling their products to state and federal departments of government, large businesses and to each other. Typically 75 to 100 people attend the Des Moines event.

Everything government uses has to be purchased from someone, explained Verlyn Anders of CIRAS. “Iowa businesses that explore this opportunity bring federal dollars to Iowa.”

Robinson and Associates began in the construction industry, but by developing their business, have expanded. Through assistance from IPOC, they currently are selling hamburger to USDA school lunch programs.

“Without their help, we would not have gotten our Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) certification and HUB Zone certification. They gave us instructions on how to approach it,” Robinson explained. “They have been very patient with me and it has made all the difference.”

IPOC also helps businesses to register and comply with the growing e-commerce industry, according to the center’s director Bruce Coney. “The federal government is a leader in e-commerce applications. We help small businesses in developing their Web sites to meet federal regulations, and then help them link their sites to Pro-Net, the Small Business Administration database.”

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• Last update: September 2001