A Des Moines entrepreneur whose businesses include a women's business networking group has been named the 2024 U.S. Small Business Administration's Iowa Women of the Year Champion.
Erin Huiatt is the owner of Des Moines Parent, which she purchased in 2015. This website provides tips, ideas, events, activities, and suggestions for parents in central Iowa. She is also the president of FemCity Des Moines, a networking group that promotes women's accomplishments by providing them with the tools, resources, and connections to succeed in business.
“The SBA Iowa District Office is honored to recognize Erin Hoyatt as an inspiration to professional women throughout central Iowa,” Iowa District Director Jane Armstrong said in a press release. “She is truly making a difference in Iowa's small business community,” Armstrong said.
On her website, Hoyatt describes herself as an entrepreneur, community leader, author, mother, and wife.
Huiat, who grew up in the Des Moines area, said since taking over the Des Moines Parents website, her Facebook following has grown from 1,000 to more than 21,000 and about 90,000 page views a month. The site is free and makes money through ad sales, which she said is the biggest challenge.
“We have a very large community and have spent a lot of time building connections with advertisers,” she said. “They're very loyal and trust what I say and share and how it (the website) works.”
Author, organizer, planner
In addition to his own business, Hyatt is also the author of “100 Things to Do in Des Moines Before You Die” and launched the Des Moines Beyond Business Conference in 2022. The conference brings together women business leaders and professionals from across central Iowa for a day of personal interaction. It will also include professional development such as educational sessions, guest speakers and networking opportunities, according to an SBA news release.
Hoyatt also serves on the boards of the Des Moines Children's Museum and the Grimes Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, is a certified postpartum doula, and is the author of the Postpartum Planning Workbook. She was a finalist for the Inspiring Women of Iowa Character Award and received the FuseDSM 2022 Rising Star Award.
Huiatt was nominated by Tricia Rivas, owner of Trixie's Salon & Spa in Des Moines.
One of the projects she has planned for 2025 is a printed directory of indoor venues for families to visit.
“It's probably going to be an indoor place where families can check out, like a family-friendly restaurant. It's really all about family-friendly places,” she said.
As president of Fem City Des Moines, Wiatt said the organization seeks to help women learn to make a living from work that began as a personal interest.
“Many of these small businesses started as a hobby, and they want to know how to turn it into a business out of a hobby spirit,” she said.
Like many businesses large and small in Iowa, attracting and retaining talented employees is one of the key challenges facing FemCity Des Moines members, Huiat said.
“I think women are looking for support and learning from similar backgrounds and stories from others, and Femcity provides that,” Hoyatt said.
