116 3rd St SE
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Alumni of 1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids to share their stories
Advice and support come with the coffee
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Over the past decade, 1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids has brought together collaborators, entrepreneurs and community members on Wednesday mornings, engaging over a million cups of coffee.
The event, part of a national program launched in 2012 by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, has become a central space for Cedar Rapids locals to connect, share new ideas and support the development of emerging businesses and community initiatives — all for free.
As part of NewBoCo’s 10 Years of Impact celebration, 1MCCR is launching an Alumni Series, where presenters from the past decade will share the lessons they've learned and the progress they’ve made since their initial presentations.
The Alumni Series will be held the first Wednesday of each month leading up to EntreFEST 2025.
Established in 2013 as the sixth 1 Million Cups chapter in the United States, 1MCCR has helped foster connections within the community.
Jourdan McChesney, NewBoCo’s director of events, joined the organizing committee in 2019 and has seen these connections flourish.
“It’s awesome to see someone attend for the first time, become a regular, and, even better, present their business or organization’s mission,” McChesney said. “You can see the full circle of what 1MCCR was organized for — which is so great.”
Presenters at 1MCCR don’t just jump into the spotlight. They receive feedback and guidance from committee members like Alex Taylor, NewBoCo’s director of entrepreneurship.
Taylor, who is also a 1MCCR committee member, supports presenters by answering questions and providing feedback before their session.
He notes 1MCCR is a welcoming space for entrepreneurs who are just beginning their business journey or want to refine their pitches.
“1MC is a great place to practice and get good feedback,” Taylor said. “We have a terrific group of regular attendees who offer insights and services like marketing, accounting, web development, and more. It’s a great place to expand your network with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey.”
Alumni Series
The 1MCCR Alumni Series will highlight inspiring stories from past presenters, such as Nikki Kettlecamp, owner of Scout and Scribe; Clint Twedt-Ball, founder and executive director of Matthew 25; Laura Taylor of Woofables; and representatives from the Indian Creek Nature Center.
McChesney envisions the Alumni Series as a way to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of those entrepreneurs.
“It’s remarkable to see the journey and level of growth some presenters have achieved since they first presented,” she said. “Not only that, but seeing the connections that have led to their successes — that’s the icing on the cake.”
McChesney hopes attendees will find inspiration and practical insights in the Alumni Series.
“Whether they’re encountering early-stage obstacles or have been in the game for a while, there’s something valuable for everyone navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship,” she said.
1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids hosts new presenters on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 9 to 10 a.m. The Alumni Series will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at the same time at NewBoCo, 415 12th Ave. SE. Sessions are open to all entrepreneurs.
Jessica Abdoney is marketing and communications coordinator at NewBoCo. Comments: jessica.abdoney@newbo.co
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