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Western Dairyland Business Center Newsletter |
November 2008 | |
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Greetings!
Please welcome Walter White, our newest addition to the Western Dairyland Business Center! Walt joins the Western Dairyland Business Center as a Business Development Specialist and will be working one-on-one with individuals interested in starting businesses. Walt relocated to Eau Claire with his family six years ago from Ft Bragg North Carolina after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence officer. Most recently, Walt has worked as a Wisconsin licensed real estate agent. Combined with previous business ownership experience and a Masters degree in Business Administration, Walt brings a wealth of knowledge to this position.
This newsletter is packed with great information. In October we will be kicking off our annual Business Tax Chat series with Evlyn Carlile, owner of Simple Office Solutions. At our I&E Club meetings this month you can come network and learn about patents, and the small business program in Black River Falls. Also, please don't forget about our Tuesday Tech Talks held once a month on the first Tuesday here in Eau Claire from 7-9pm. Our next Tech Talk will be November 4th regarding tips and tricks on using Paypal in your Business.
Please enjoy our newsletter and don't forget to reply to this email with your suggestions, comments, and/or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sara Bates,
Western Dairyland Business Center |
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Jackson County I&E Club's next meeting is Thursday, October 9th at Jackson Electric, N6868 County Road F, Black River Falls. These meetings are held at 6:30pm on the second Thursday of the month. Our guest speaker for October isHenry Greengrass, Small Business Loan Manager for the Ho-Chunk Nation.
- Greengrass will present information on the small business loan programs currently offered by the Ho-Chunk Nation. Loans are available to any individual with a start-up or existing business in Jackson, Juneau, Monroe, Sauk, Shawano and Wood counties. Also included will be information on a new small business development training curriculum that will be offered by the Ho-Chunk Nation Small Business Program in the Black River Falls area to any individual interested in starting their own business.
Buffalo/Trempealeau County I & E Club's next meeting is October 16th. The meetings will be held at 6:30pm on the Third Thursday of the month at the Riverland Energy Cooperative (N28988 State Rd 93 in Arcadia). Guest speaker for October will be Tipton Randall Ph.D., Patent Agent.
- Randall will be providing an overview of the patent process for inventors who may have a product or product idea they would like to protect with a patent. The overview will include basic facts about patents, how to get a patent, and the different types of patents.
These two clubs are FREE of charge and open to anyone in Western Wisconsin who would like to learn from experienced professionals and discuss their ideas with other local inventors and entrepreneurs. Each meeting will feature a guest speaker who will share tips and techniques on topics ranging from market research and business planning to patents and trademarks. The goal of the club is to create a positive learning and networking environment that will enable participants to successfully move forward with their plans. No registration is required to attend the monthly meetings and there are no fees to join.
 Network with other I&E Club members outside of the monthly I&E meetings through our NEW online LinkedIn Discussion Group! To join, click here and you will then be directly connected with other I&E Club members and supporters. Looking for a prototype manufacturer? Need help with some marketing? Feel free to initiate discussions or simply post to ongoing discussions.
For more information on either I & E Club call:
Karman Briggs at 800-782-1063 or 715-836-7511, ext. 174
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Women's Business Networking Meetings
This month on Tuesday October 14th, Evlyn Carlile, owner of Simple Office Solutions, will present "Recordkeeping SO Simple"
Due to increasingly busy schedules and attendee feedback, the Women's Business Networking Meetings will now be held over the lunch hour from 12-1pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. These informal meetings are free and open to any and all women entrepreneurs. Each meeting features a guest speaker and will be held in Eau Claire at 418 Wisconsin Street. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch for themselves, bring business cards to share, and stay after for networking opportunities. 
This month, "Recordkeeping SO Simple" will feature Evlyn Carlile, local bookkeeper and owner of Simple Office Solutions, on October 14th from 12-1pm. Carlile will be presenting on the types of record keeping systems that are available for your business, how to get organized, what financial decisions you need to make when in business, as well as how to identify integral parts of your financial reporting. The next Women's Business Networking meeting on NOVEMBER 11th will be "Understanding Credit Reports" with Justine Rufus, Director of the Community Development Financial Institution.
**Our next planning meeting: Wednesday November 5th at 10am | |
BUSINESS CENTER TRAININGS for OCTOBER & NOVEMBER:
"TECH TALK" 2 hr session for $20 - laptops provided & space is limited to 20.
- November 4th "Paypal in Business" in Eau Claire from 7-9pm
"WOMEN'S BUSINESS NETWORKING MEETINGS" - (FREE) 12-1pm in Eau Claire 2nd Tues. of the month.
"7 STEPS TO STARTING A BUSINESS" - one 3 hour session for $25 (scholarships available)
- October 23rd, Thursday in Eau Claire from 6-9pm
- November 11th, Tuesday in Independence from 6:30-9:30pm
"BUSINESS RECORDKEEPING 101" - one 3 hour session for $25 (scholarships available)
- November 6th, Thursday in Eau Claire from 6-9pm (laptops provided)
"INVENTORS & ENTREPRENEURS CLUB MEETINGS" - FREE and open to the public!
Jackson County- 2nd Thurs. of the month at Jackson Electric in Black River Falls starting at 6:30pm.
Buffalo/Tremp. County - 3rd Thurs. of the month at Riverland Energy Center in Arcadia at 6:30pm.
"BUSINESS TAX CHATS" - 4 sessions, $5 each from 6-8pm in Eau Claire
- October 28th - "To Computerize or Not to Computerize"
- November 18th - "Tax Ready Year Round"
- December 16th - Record Keeping not Just for the IRS"
- January 13th - "Financial Reporting"
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GET READY FOR TAX TIME!!
with our Business Tax Chats
In this 4-part series, small business owners will learn from, discuss with, and ask questions of local bookkeeping expert, Evlyn Carlile regarding record keeping and business taxes. Come to all chats, or pick and chose which ones would be most beneficial to your business.
- October 28th "To Computerize or Not to Computerize" To identify the record keeping system that will best fit your needs as a small business owner, Evlyn will discuss record keeping basics as shown in hand written systems, electronic systems, and Microsoft Excel/Word combos as well as Quickbooks vs. Peachtree.
- November 18th "Tax Ready Year Round" Learning how to strategically organize and maintain your business records throughout the year will greatly reduce that last-minute time crunch before taxes are due.
- December 16th "Record Keeping not Just for the IRS" Learn how to use a well formed record keeping system for making informed decisions regarding the direction of your business not just to satisfy the IRS. From identifying which marketing avenues had the best rate of return, to which area is ready for expansion in your business.
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January 13th "Financial Reporting and Open Discussion" Evlyn will present on asset tracking (both fixed and inventory), verifying balance sheet items, and other "Hot Topics" for the 2008 tax year. This will be an open discussion, so please come with questions.
All tax chats will be held from 6-8pm at 418 Wisconsin Street in Eau Claire
Tuition is $5 per tax chat, pre-registration is required.
For questions, to register, or more information
Online: www.successfulbusiness.org
Phone: 1-800-782-1063 or 1-715-836-7511 ext 171
Email: jbdassist@westerndairyland.org |
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SAVE MONEY & TIME - SHIP PACKAGES ONLINE!
Long gone are the days of trekking down to the post office and waiting in line to ship a package. Now, you can get shipping supplies delivered to you - free of charge. And, through the USPS website, you can also conveniently pay for and ship packages directly from your own home or business. To top it off - shipping fees may actually be less when you pay online for shipping, rather than paying at the Post Office! For example, according to the USPS, when you pay and print your postage online, you get the special Commercial Base Price, which is 3% off the retail price for Express Mail® and up to 11% off the retail price for Priority Mail®. So, where to start?
- First, like any online application, you will need to create a user account by clicking here.
- Next, order your shipping supplies. Through the USPS Postal Store, you can select from a wide array of shipping and mailing products to be delivered for free by your mail carrier. Essentially, anything that is given away for free at the Post Office, such as Priority Mail® Boxes, can also be delivered directly to your home for free, as well. But, you can also purchase stamps, mailing labels and even an electronic scale to weigh your packages.
- Once you have your supplies, go to the USPS Click-n-Ship® USPS Click-n-Ship® and log in. After you fill in the delivery address, package information and decide whether or not to purchase insurance (among other options), you will be given an array of shipping options from which to select -- based on price and delivery date. After that, you merely review the shipping label, submit payment and print the label. Although you can print the label on regular paper and tape it on to a package. You will likely find that it is easier to print directly onto shipping labels.
- Finally, request free pick up by your mail carrier by clicking here.
Karman Briggs, e-commerce Site Manager
For information on becoming a member of the Wisconsin Common Market
and taking your business online, visit our website
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| NEED TO KNOW, News and Events around Western Wisconsin:
EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Eau Claire Area Chamber 2008 Business Expo
Open to the public Wednesday October 22nd from 10am-3pm for $5. More than 120 exhibitors, great networking opportunities, door prizes, and free educational sessions every hour on the hour. more information
Annual Business Counseling Law Conference hosted by RuderWare
Wednesday October 15th from 7:30-10:30am at the Florian Gardens in Eau Claire WI. Topics include: Records Information Management, Cover Your Bases Before the Sale is Made, and Early Dispute Resolution. Seminar cost is complimentary and seminar materials and breakfast is included. more information
ONLINE RESOURCES:
Small Business Administration's Small Business Training Network (SBTN)
SBTN is virtual campus providing quality and targeted online training to meet the information needs of prospective and existing small business owners. The free online courses include topics like: Business Management, Financing and Accounting, Government Contracting, Marketing and Advertising, and more. Click here for a list of the available classes.
WEN (Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network) Resource Connection: Need to find business assistance in your area? Check out WEN's Resource Connection. Search by zip code, key word, or category. If you still don't find what you need, contact the Women's Business AnswerLine at 1-800-940-7232 or email info@wenportal.org.
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