Unlocking Potential: The Many Ways SBDCs Help Entrepreneurs Succeed

What if the greatest opportunity for your business is already within reach—but hidden in plain sight? In this episode of Intentional Change, Shawn FitzGerald digs deep with Mitchell Kearns, Technology & Commercialization Director at Iowa’s SBDC. Together, they discuss how the Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) supports entrepreneurs as they turn big ideas into market-ready businesses, secure funding through SBIR/STTR grants, and avoid the costly trap of skipping customer discovery. From early-stage planning to succession strategies and rural innovation, Mitchell shares the practical steps that separate successful business builders from those who stall out. Whether you’re starting up, scaling, or planning your exit, this conversation is your roadmap to intentional growth.