Moment of Truth

"Once you have heard someone's story, it is impossible to unhear it."

Welcome!
We’re thrilled you’re interested in contributing to Moment of Truth, a white paper project funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. This initiative amplifies the voices of entrepreneurs and innovators in the Waterloo, Iowa area by sharing stories of triumphs and challenges in building capital and driving change.

If your story is selected, you’ll receive a $100 gift card as a token of our appreciation. Let’s work together to create something impactful!

Eligibility:

1️⃣ You are an entrepreneur or innovator contributing value to your community or business.

2️⃣ You have a current or past connection to the Waterloo, Iowa region.

3️⃣ Your story highlights personal or systemic challenges and successes in entrepreneurship, with a focus on underrepresented voices. This round our focus is on Black innovator's voices.

4️⃣ Register your interest by January 15, 2025 (11:59 PM).

5️⃣ Submit your 500-1,000 word story by February 28, 2025 (11:59 PM).

Bonus Gifts

🎁 Option 1. Join a coaching circle peer group. Groups will meet weekly for one hour to help you uncover deeper levels. Week 01 will commence Thu. Jan 9, 2025. Three options for meeting groups: A) Thu. 5:30 - 6:30 pm, B) Fri. 2 - 3 pm, and C) Mon. 10 - 11 am (in Central Chicago Time)

🎁 Option 2. Join a two-part Writing Workshop led by author and writing coach, Heather 'Byrd'. Date will be Thu. Feb 13 and Thu. Feb 20, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

🎁 Option 3. Bring it all together with a Wellness Workshop led by Licensed Psychologist and Executive Coach Dr. Ronelle Langley, Thu. Feb 26, 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

All these coaching options are free and optional. You also have further discretion to write your story anonymously if you prefer.

For some quick start tips and a list of example topics, check this page.

Lindi + The Qii Team

Step 1. Register Interest

The Three 'Moment of Truth' Project STeps

Step I: Due Wed. Jan 15, 202/5
Register Intent
Our goal is to curate about 50 stories of underrepresented entrepreneurial voices connected to the Waterloo, Iowa area. Some stories may be of successes some of building character but all should teach us.

Step II: Jan + Feb , 2025
Available Coaching
Option 1. Coaching Circles will kick off for five weeks starting Thu. Jan 9, 2025. Pick between: A) In-Person, Thu. 5:30 - 7:30 PM, B) Fri. 2 - 3 PM, or C) Mon. 10 - 11 AM.
Option 2. A two-part writing workshop will take place Thu. Feb 13 and 20 (both 5:30 - 7:30 PM)
Option 3. Before submitting, attend a Wellness Workshop led by Dr. Ronelle Langley, a licensed Psychologist and Executive Coach.

Step III: Due Fri. Feb 28, 2025
Submit Your Story
Whether you include your name or not is up to you, but if your 1-2 page story of a Moment of Truth is accepted, we would like to give you a $100 gift card to say thank you for helping innovators and policy makers understand our economic landscape's truths better.

View the Qii Calendar