Iowa's West Coast Initiative Dream Big Grow Here Winners Announced

Dozens of people gathered in Le Mars, Iowa on the evening of March 31st to attend the Iowa West Coast Dream Big Grow Here regional pitch off event to determine the recipients of $5,000 in grant funds and to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Siouxland region. Organizers are pleased to announce Lumin Therapy in Sioux City as the recipient of $4,000 and American Hero Clothing in Larchwood as the recipient of $1,000 to expand their businesses.

Lumin Therapy provides yoga-based community workshops and clinics, organization and school outreach, and one-on-one home sessions for individuals and families with special needs. Lumin Therapy is owned by Meghan Nelson and Ryan Allen who plan to use the prize money to pursue additional trainings and certificates, as well as purchase needed equipment for specialized yoga sessions.

American Hero Clothing was founded by Michelle Sanderson and is a thriving e-commerce apparel business that has also recently opened a brick and mortar production facility in Larchwood, Iowa. Specializing in personalized custom clothing, American Hero Clothing is revolutionizing the way women confidently bring attention to their mission, business, or favorite team.

The other Dream Big Grow Here finalists who pitched on March 31st included:

-       Jerry McGill with A Little Help Home Care from Le Mars, Iowa

-        Brittany Keizer with Simply Jade Boutique from Sioux Center, Iowa

-        Lloyd Lee with Qneo from Sioux City, Iowa

-        Dalton Van Zanten with Van Shrimp from Rock Valley, Iowa

Dream Big Grow Here is an annual program for entrepreneurs and small business owners to earn cash to start or grow their business. To participate, owners upload their entrepreneurial expansion or startup ‘dreams’ during an online portion of the program. Dream entrants then encourage friends, family, customers and other business owners to vote for them online to prequalify to advance to the regional pitch off event.

Dream Big Grow Here was created by the Center for Business Growth and Innovation at the University of Iowa and is a program of UNI Business and Community Services. The northwest Iowa regional contest is organized and sponsored by the economic development organizations that are a part of Iowa’s West Coast Initiative, Northwest Iowa Developers and Siouxland Economic Development Corporation.