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First Entrepreneurial Boot Camp Session A Glowing Success

Drake University has been host to the Startup Business Boot Camps for Women, but for the first time, they have moved the camp outside of Des Moines to hold their first Rural Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Women in Manning. The first of two sessions was held Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Warren H. Timmerman Shelter House in the City Park, with 13 participants from Westside, Denison, Carroll and Manning. One of the organizers, Main Street Manning Board President Ron Reischl said he jumped at the opportunity to do this as he has envisioned initiating a business incubator for the past three years. Local artist and part-time school teacher, Deanna Daiker, who lives in Manning was one of the attendees. After learning how to make jewelry about seven years ago to teach students in Exira, she fell in love with the hobby and started selling her wares just a few short years after learning. She said the boot camp opportunity came around at the perfect time for her goal of growth.

Daiker currently sells her jewelry at The Market Place in Manning as well as an art store in Guthrie Center, but she needed this type of program to get her kick-started. She said the first session was very instructive and the way the information was presented made it less overwhelming for her.

She said what was of particular value to her during the first session was the presentation of resources that can not only help get a business off the ground, but can be useful in helping to keep it successful into the future. The second of the two sessions is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30 and Daiker said she is really looking forward to specific parts of that agenda.

Though not yet through the final session, Daiker said this business incubator has been worth the time and effort involved, and she would highly recommend it to any woman who currently owns a business or has a dream to open one someday.

Drake and Manning organizers have said that if there is enough interest, they will consider scheduling another Rural Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Women in Manning in the future.

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