GREATER DES MOINES, IA (June 25, 2026) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the fifth cohort of the Scale DSM Business Accelerator, a program designed to help small business owners gain access to knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to increase revenue, create jobs and positively impact the community. The 2026 program will run from June through December and is supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation. 

2026 participants represent a wide range of industries, from professional services, construction, home services and health care, to creative businesses and consulting.

This year’s cohort includes:

• Sue Bennett, Complete Weddings & Events
• Davis Carmack, Kids Lead, LLC
• Tanya Comer, Scott Enterprises & Consulting PLLC
• Samantha Cunningham, Waypoint Strategy Partners
• Enrique Delgado, RDS Structures
• Maribel Delgado, Maribel's Cleaning Service
• Staaci Gorgas, GEM Heating and Cooling 
• Jeff Hafner, Early Morning Harvest
• Erika Hotchkin, Queen Bee Face Painting LLC
• Kris Howard, KSH Designs
• Allie Jones, Allie Jones Consulitng
• Kelly Malott, Purple Cow Junk Removal
• Tamara Malott, Purple Cow Junk Removal
• Sydney Marshman, Happy at Home Consulting
• Nicholas TeBockHorst, TeBock's Landscape
• Megan Tucker, 143 Speech Therapy
• Sinikka Waugh, Your Clear Next Steps

“Every entrepreneur’s journey is different and access to knowledge and trusted peers can make a big difference,” said Emily McLain, Regional Affiliates and Member Support Manager at The Partnership. “We’re excited to welcome this year’s cohort and help these business owners strengthen their businesses and create opportunities across Greater Des Moines.”

Throughout the six-month tuition-free program, participants will complete a curriculum covering essential topics such as cash flow and financial projecting, marketing, customer identification and sales, market research and more. Scale DSM challenges participants to think critically about the state of their business, develop a deeper understanding of challenges and opportunities and build a growth plan to scale their business over the next three years.

Over the past four years, 56 small businesses have graduated from Scale DSM as part of The Partnership’s broader efforts to support entrepreneurship and strengthen the small business ecosystem across the Greater Des Moines region. 

To learn more about Scale DSM Business Accelerator, visit DSMPartnership.com.