Scaleup in Iowa: Inside the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program with Jacki Boldt

Host Kaylee Williams sits down with Jacki Boldt, executive director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in Iowa, to unpack how the free, 12‑week hybrid program helps established small businesses scale. Jacki shares her path from business education to leading the statewide initiative, which focuses on growth through new markets, products, or services—not "more of the same." She details eligibility (roughly two years in business, at least two employees including the owner, and $75,000+ in annual revenue), the hybrid format with kickoff and finale in Des Moines, and the program's strong outcomes: about 66% of graduates increase revenue and 40% add jobs within six months, while roughly 98% end up doing business together. The program spans all industries and nonprofits—think restaurants to manufacturers to tech—and prides itself on statewide reach, with most cohorts drawing heavily from outside the Des Moines metro and potential expansion to the Quad Cities and Omaha on the horizon. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/10000-small-businesses-program/ 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Jacki also spotlights the engine behind the results: a 15‑person team, including seasoned business advisors and subject‑matter faculty, plus a highly engaged alumni network. While there's no direct funding (despite the name), participants gain a repeatable playbook for evaluating growth opportunities and de‑risking decisions—sometimes deciding not to pursue an idea after running the numbers, which can be a win. The commitment is real—10–12 hours per week for 12 weeks—and you only get one shot per business, so timing matters. With two cohorts annually (spring and fall), applications for the fall cohort are open now with a June 1 deadline for initial eligibility. Beyond the curriculum, the episode celebrates Iowa's collaborative small‑business spirit—turning isolation into connection and competition into partnerships. Chapters:  00:00 - Welcome and Guest Intro 00:29 - Jacki's Career Path 01:58 - Program Overview and Eligibility 03:40 - Growth Plans and Playbook 05:35 - Who Joins the Program 07:19 - Measuring Success Metrics 10:01 - What Makes Iowa Unique 12:18 - Cohort Experience and Commitment 13:28 - Meet the Team Behind It 15:49 - Networking and Alumni Collaboration 16:58 - How to Apply and Timing 18:54 - Why It's Called 10000 19:50 - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up