In Keota, Iowa, life is mostly about corn and beans. However, this average rural community in Iowa also has Westendorf Costumes, which adds a degree of uniqueness and sophistication.

Janie Westendorf started her company in 1994, making costumes for school kids. She then expanded to making costumes for other kids in the community, and hasn’t stopped making costumes since. The business currently rents out costumes to schools and theater production companies throughout the Midwest. The number of costumes in the company’s inventory has grown to over 20,000. Because of Janie’s love of the theatre and music, her knowledge in both fields is extensive. Not only can she furnish a listing of the productions her company has costumed in the past, she can give customers good ideas for future productions.

The business used to occupy two retail buildings on Keota’s main street that were 100 feet apart. Janie and her daughter-in-law, Lori, who helps operate the business, came to the Indian Hills SBDC to discuss how to finance a new building that would have the right atmosphere for storing costumes and also be customer friendly. SBDC Regional Director Bryan Ziegler helped them explore financing options and also discussed the need to expand their marketing, in order to raise the income that would be needed to support the new investment.

Bryan says that when you visit the business you can’t help wanting to try on a few costumes yourself and let your imagination soar. Lori Westendorf says, “Bryan doesn’t know much about theatre, but he knows all the details of financing programs and how to put deals together. The Small Business Development Center helps small businesses “dress up” for the small business show.”