If you have a passion for food and enjoy working with others, then starting your own Iowa food catering company may be just for you. The ideal caterer is someone who not only enjoys cooking, but likes to work with people, helping them plan and execute memorable events. You should have a meticulous eye for details, both large and small. You should also be organized, reliable, flexible and not afraid of hard work.

Located in Americas Heartland, Iowa has a population that is spread out over the state. Urban centers include Des Moines and Cedar Falls. The demand for food catering companies in Iowa centers around private functions, such as weddings and birthday parties to major corporate events for fortune 500 companies.

Some of the things you'll need to do as to start your catering business in Iowa include:

1. Financing your Iowa catering company.
2. Establishing your niche catering in Iowa.
3. Equipping your catering business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a lender to help you start your own catering business in Iowa

There are many organizations in Iowa that work with small business entrepreneurs to get their businesses up and running. Even if you start your catering company for next to nothing, working out of your home kitchen, if you want to expand the quickest way to do so is with a bank loan.

I recommend: The Small Business Development Center of Iowa can help you draft a business plan to take to the bank. Their free counseling will also answer questions you may have about starting a business in Iowa, from what kind of licenses and permits you need to how much insurance you should carry. Once you are ready to go to the bank, the Small Business Administration of Iowa can help connect you with a lender.

Make your Iowa catering business stand out from the rest

Before you start printing menus or booking events, you must first decide how your catering business will stand out from the rest of the caterers in Iowa. Will you have a specific type of menu, such as barbecue or Italian? What other services will you offer your clientel. Remember, established caterers already have name recognition and a clientel, so you need to be unique, while at the same type competitively priced. In order to do this you need to exactly what the competition offers, in terms of food, services and prices. This will help you in developing your own menu.

I recommend: Start your reconnaissance of other catering services in Iowa through your local chamber of commerce. Both the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce have links to the websites of several area caterers. From there you can check out their menus, prices and services. You may also see pictures of their food and catered events. If you can't find a website, call the caterer directly and request information. If possible, attend a function that is catered by a competitor. This allows you to see their work up close and personal.

Stock up on equipment and supplies for your catering business in Iowa

The good news about starting your own catering company is that you don't need a lot of equipment. A few nice serving platters and some paper goods, and you are ready to go. As your catering business grows, you will need to add big ticket items, such as commercial coolers, stoves, or warmers. You may want to expand into linen and china as part of your business as well.

I recommend: Both Lake Equipment, Inc., in Clear Lake, Iowa, and DeWitt Refrigeration out of Gladbrook, Iowa, offer catering smallwares as well as larger commercial kitchen equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  More and more people are turning to the Internet when they are looking for food catering. Iowa caterers should use a website to market their company. Although the initial start up costs may be higher than traditional advertising, you will very likely save money and reach a larger market in the long run.