Simpson College and Iowans for Social and Economic Development (ISED) have  joined together to provide business classes for people who want to start a business or strengthen and grow an existing business.  They will offer 10-week class sessions beginning again in late January 2012 and will do so several times a year.  These classes are held on the Indianola campus of Simpson College and cost $75.00 total.  Students are given an extensive and helpful curriculum and one-on-one technical assistance. Outside local experts help provide relevant subject matter.  They also offer lunch-and-learn sessions on important  business topics at various times throughout the year and at a variety of locations.   For more information call Deb Downey at ISED ( 515.283.0940) ddowney@isediowa.org   or Marilyn Mueller at Simpson College (515.961.1574) Marilyn.mueller@simpson.edu.

Businesses or organizations that have internship opportunities available  for students may call the Simpson College Career Services office at 515.961.1667 to list the internships on the career services web page.  Students provide vital assistance to start-ups, existing businesses or organizations which support the small business sector.

Simpson College offers coursework in Small Business Management (Management 324) and Innovation, Entrepreneurship and New Product Development (Marketing 338).  Entrepreneurs may find either or both of these courses helpful.  Simpson College offers degree programs in business management, marketing, accounting, economics and international business and students may specialize in entrepreneurship.  Post-graduate certificates in management and in accounting are available.  Students who major in management or marketing may specialize in entrepreneurship by completing several specified courses as well as a relevant internship.

The Simpson College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team is available for a variety of projects which impact small businesses and the greater Indianola and Des Moines  business communities.  Please contact co-advisors Marilyn Mueller (Marilyn.mueller@simpson.edu) or Jerry Kelley (jerry.kelley@simpson.edu)  for more information.  SIFE is a vital part of the Simpson College experience and promotes the positive power of business while doing good things in the community.

In Spring 2011 Macy Koch organized “Start Up Storm,” a day devoted to talks and discussions surrounding entrepreneurship on the Simpson College campus.  She and student Lyndon Haselhuhn are organizing a similar day of events for Spring 2012 on our campus.

For the second year in a row the Simpson College SIFE team is sponsoring “The Road to Eagle” merit badge university.  On three Saturdays in January and February Simpson College will host 100 – 200 Boy Scouts who will be earning merit badges in 31 different areas, including entrepreneurship, invention, and American business among many other topics.

The Gerald Edwards Entrepreneurial Fund provides resources for our efforts to create and support an entrepreneurial environment on campus.