Small Business Breakthroughs with Dr. Iris Cooper

Join the Ohio Small Business Development Center in partnership with the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center for a podcast style Q&A designed to dig into the topics that are impacting your business and keeping you up at night.

This edition of “Small Business Breakthroughs” will feature Dr. Iris Cooper, of “JustAskIris,” an entrepreneurial coaching firm, specializing in food enterprises and other smaller firms. Iris is a legend in Central Ohio entrepreneurship. Iris a founder of Glory Foods, Inc., a multi-million-dollar food marketing company and has launched several successful enterprises during her career. She is recognized nationally as a business strategy and branding expert, having coached many startups to sustainability. "Dr. I” is the former Director of the Ohio Division of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, where she led the state from 29th worst place for small businesses in 2007 to the ninth best in the nation, and 1st in the Midwest in four years.

Iris will share her experiences from over 25 years of leadership in financial services, small business lending, economic development, community service, communication, government, entrepreneurship, and education along with tips that will help you grow your business. This is a Small Business Breakthroughs session you will not want to miss.

Featured Guest: Dr. Iris Cooper, owner of "Just Ask Iris"

Dr. Iris Ann Cooper’s career includes leadership positions in financial services, economic development, community service, communication, government, entrepreneurship, and education. Her experience in multiple industries, including 25 years in banking, provides a unique ability to “connect the dots” for business success. Her entrepreneurial acumen led to a feature story in Entrepreneur Magazine, in addition to numerous local and national publications.

She is the owner of “JustAskIris” an entrepreneurial coaching firm, specializing in food enterprises and other smaller firms. Dr. “I” is a founder of Glory Foods, Inc., a multi-million-dollar food marketing company and has launched several successful enterprises during her career, including Pyramid Mortgage Solutions from 2001-2008. She is recognized nationally as a business strategy and branding expert, having coached many startups to sustainability. Dr. “I” is the former Director of the Ohio Division of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, where Dr. “I” led the state from 29th worst place for small businesses in 2007 to the ninth best in the nation, and 1st in the Midwest in four years. Her many awards include the Amos Lynch Legacy Award from Champions of Diversity, the Women for Economic Leadership and Development (WELD) Women You Should Know Award, and the Sharon Burkes Soar Award from Children’s Services. Dr. “I” is a published author, writer, speaker, and trainer on a variety of topics, including an adjunct professor at several institutions of higher education.

Her board experience has been strategically developed over time to enhance her knowledge of both local and national board responsibilities and governance. Dr. “I” has served in leadership roles on the following boards: Child Development Council of Franklin County, Community Capital Development Board, Strategies Against Violence Everywhere, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indiana University Kelly Business School, Columbus/Franklin County Port Financing Authority, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Young Women Christian Association, Women for Economic Leadership and Development, and the Small Business Administration.

Her contributions to entrepreneurship are included in the History Makers Collection at the Smithsonian Institute. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Coalition of 100 Black Women-Central Ohio Chapter, and the Indiana University Alumni Association. Dr. “I” holds a BA in Journalism and an MBA in Marketing from Indiana University. Her DBA is from Walden University in Entrepreneurship and her doctoral study was focused on small business mortality and entitled “The First Four Years: A Small Business Sustainability Study.” Her new venture, scheduled for availability in March 2023, is a foolproof JUSTASKIRIS! business plan template that will address the pertinent issues from potential investors or bankers with launching a new business.