I’m excited to announce that Lava Row has partnered with 48Web to present
“What Now? A six-part entrepreneur survival guide” at Impromptu Studio.

If you’ve recently started your own business, or you’re trapped in a cubicle thinking about ditching “The Man,” we’d love for you to attend. Each session will consist of a conversation between two local speakers sharing their personal experiences, emotional highs, lows, hurdles and triumphs – with audience participation, of course. The full line-up is outlined below.

We’re experimenting with a couple of ticket payment options. Series passes are available for $150, or you can name your own price for individual session tickets. Please visit the event registration page on EventBrite to RSVP and purchase your passes. All proceeds from the series will go towards keeping Impromptu Studio a low-cost facility option for entrepreneurs, and a hub for the technology community in Des Moines!

Lunch will be provided. You’ll have a chance to network and eat from 11:30 am – 12:00 pm, and the speaker conversations will last from 12:00-1:00 pm. Hope to see you out there!

Making the Jump: Mistakes and Hurdles
Friday, January 30 – 11:30-1:00
Join Liza Kindred (Lullabot) and Brian Hemesath (Diligent IS, Catchwind) as they discuss common pitfalls and mistakes made when forming a business, and how to overcome various logistical and emotional obstacles.

Networking: Get out there!
Friday, February 13 – 11:30-1:00
Andy Drish (Principal Financial Group) and Justin Brady (Test of Time Design) will share various methods of getting out there and networking yourself socially and digitally – whether you’re looking to start your own biz right now or a few years down the road.

Avoiding the Day-to-Day: Staying Inspired & Motivated
Friday, February 27 – 11:30-1:00
Ron Wagner (comic book & storyboard artist) and Teri TeBockhorst (serial entrepreneur & former owner of East Village Books) join forces to talk about the emotional side of being in business for yourself: how to stay motivated, how to avoid depression, and how to constantly reinvent yourself.

Running Cheap & Lean: Bootstrapping 101
Friday, March 6 – 11:30-1:00
Jason Walsmith (The Nadas, Authentic Records) and Doug Mitchell (CreateWOWmedia) share success stories (and horror stories) of how they bootstrapped their respective businesses.

Character: Don’t be an @$$hole
Friday, March 20 – 11:30-1:00
Brett Trout (Law Offices of Brett Trout) and Adam Steen (25 Connections) talk about the importance of character in business relationships, and how it can affect your reputation, referral network and bottom line.

Marketing: How to get creative in a tight economy
Friday, April 3 – 11:30-1:00
Speakers: Mike Ferrari & Mike Wagner
Mike Ferrari (SmartyPig.com) and Mike Wagner (White Rabbit Group) share various ways in which they’ve creatively (and inexpensively) marketed their businesses in a tight economy.

The official series page is set up here over on the Impromptu Studio blog. Thanks to Andy Brudtkuhl and Daniel Shipton for helping put this together!