Western Dairyland Business Center 

January 2009 Newsletter

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Greetings!
 
Welcome to a new (and hopefully prosperous)year! Although our monthly I&E meetings and WNET meetings have taken a break for the month of January, we have a lot of exciting speakers and topics coming down the pike, inlcuding Lorraine Dixon, owner of Cadeaux Gifts as well as Staci Heidtki, UWEC Internship Coordinator. 
 
We are also currently running in high gear at the office, in preparation for the 6th Annual Women's Business Conference on April 23rd. With the addition of an entirely new track dedicated to current trends in business and a keynote speaker addressing green and sustainability practices for small business, this year's conference agenda is the most exciting set of speakers and topics ever!
 
Sincerely,
Karman Briggs
Business Center Manager

Women's Business ConferenceWomen's Business Conference

The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center is glad to be continuing the 6th Annual Women's Buniness Conference on April 23rd, 2009 at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 
 
This day-long event offers:
  • Networking opportunities
  • Business-related educational sessions
  • A keynote address by Josie Pradella
  • One-on-one business counseling
  • Roundtable discussions
  • An exhibitor hall
  • A networking lunch

The event targets women entrepreneurs who are starting, expanding, and/or working to improve their businesses.

 
This year's conference is expanding! Last year's conference grew by 50%, with more attendees, presenters, and sponsors than ever before. Because of this, we have contracted more rooms to accommodate our rapid growth. Be a part of this wonderful event by being a sponsor and/or exhibitor!
 
http://www.successfulbusiness.org/2009WBCSponsorExhibitorPacket.pdf
 
*The early bird rate has been EXTENDED, but space is limited.*

For details on this year's agenda, visit the NEW and IMPROVED Women's Business Conference Website:
 
 
*BECOME A FAN ON THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS CONFERENCE ON FACEBOOK*

 Women's Busines Networking Meeting 

Thursday February 12th, noon to 1 p.m. 
 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire
"Succeeding in the World of Retail" 
 by
Lorraine Dixon of Cadeaux Gifts
 
Women's Business Conference Logo
 
The world of retail may not be an easy place to be in tough economic times.  At the February 12th TEAM meeting, learn how Lorraine Dixon of Cadeaux Gifts has successfully stood out in the crowd.  By identifying a niche market, collaborating with colleagues, and hand selecting unique products from within the United States as well as importing from her native Canada, Lorraine has continued to grow her retail store in the Eau Claire downtown.
 
*Meetings will now be held on THURSDAYS*

What's to come:
 
"Creating a Mutually Beneficial Experience for UWEC Interns in Your Small Business" by Staci Heidtke, UWEC Internship Coordinator. 
 
Interns are not just for big business!  Today's UWEC students are emerging with very specific skill sets and your small business may be the perfect place for them to gain real world experience while presenting a fresh point of  view for you.  At the March 12th meeting, Staci will detail not only how to hire paid and un-paid interns from UWEC, but how to create an experience that will be mutually beneficial to the intern and the employer - starting with identifying an appropriate role and/or project for the prospective intern.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS 7 Step Business Class
 Learn the Basic Steps in Building a Successful Business Plan
 
What to start your own business, but don't know how? T
he Western Dairyland Business Center is hosting an event to teach participants how to start a business by assembling the pieces of a business plan on Thursday, January 22, from 6 to 9 pm at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire.
 
Topics covered include feasibility, proving your market, funding your business, writing a business plan, marketing, business legal structure and more.
 
*If you attend this event you can apply for FREE, one-on-one assistance from Western Dairyland's Business Development Specialists to determine the feasibility of their business idea and identify sources to prove their market.  Business Development Specialists may also help with the preparation of business plans and financial forecasts which could be presented to lenders.*
 
Tuition is $25 for individuals; class materials are included.  Scholarships are available for eligible individuals
Here are 3 simple ways to register and pay for class:
  • Online at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org,
  • By phone at 836-7511 ext. 172,
  • In person at the Western Dairyland office in downtown Eau Claire


SPACE IS LIMITED, registration and payment must be received by Tuesday, January 20th.  Arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

 WCM Welcomes New Members

 
Wisconsin Common Market is happy to have 4 new members join their online shopping mall. 
 
Please stop by and visit their websites for personable and attractive products and services.
 
A Collar Above : Offers 100% cotton collars.  They have collar designs that change seasonally. Check out their website at
Tool Cool Jools: Custom-made and reasonably priced jewelry for men and women can be found here. Stop by and visit their website http://www.wisconsincommonmarket.com/toocooljools/
for great gifts for you or that special someone.
 
Scotchwood Candy Company: The sweet taste of fine chocolate, the fullness of roasted nuts, the buttery crunch of caramelized toffee - all blended to delight you with each heavenly bite. Too good to resist? Visit
http://www.wisconsincommonmarket.com/scotchwoodtoffee/
 
YinYarn Studio:
 Both beginners and expert knitters are welcom at YinYarn Studio. Stop by and get the finest natural fiber yarns, ribbons, unique buttons and funky beads. You can visit their website at
http://www.wisconsincommonmarket.com/yinyarn/
  
 

Once again, welcome and we wish you great business success!


Business ConsultingUWEC Offers FREE Business Consulting Services
 
With the new year upon us, you are likely taking stock of your business and considering your plan for the upcoming year.  At this time, the Small Business Consulting class at UW-Eau Claire, taught by Assistant Professor Kristy Lauver, is seeking local businesses interested in receiving business plan assistance.  Whether you need to hone your marketing efforts, streamline your operations or simply create a general business plan for your business, you may qualify to receive free business plan counseling. 
 
Interested businesses must have been in existence for at least one year, have employees and be willing to meet four to five times throughout the spring semester with the students and their professor. 
 
To apply, please contact Karman Briggs at [email protected] or (715)836-7511 x174.

 Attention Inventors and Entrepreneurs!

 
There is a great opportunity for you as WSPE's 38th Annual Event "2009 Governor's New Product Award" is coming up.
 
Don't think you can do this? Cary and Craig, Jeff and Josh were our past finishers last year. Congradulations to them!
 
As a Governor's New Product Award entrant:
� Your company competes to be named the 2009 GNPA winner in the mega, large, medium or small company employment categories.
� Four Best of State winners will compete in the 2010 National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) New Product Awards for national recognition. Since 1993 Wisconsin has won the top award sixteen times.
� Each entrant receives a GNPA Certificate signed by the Governor recognizing your economic contributions to Wisconsin.
� Each entry is publicized through WSPE. The Governor's Office via the Department of Commerce will distribute a press release of the competition results to all Wisconsin media outlets on the Department of Commerce's press list.
� All entrants and guests will be invited to attend the Governor's New Product Awards Banquet, Thursday evening, April 23, 2009 at Lambeau Field's Legends Club Room, Green Bay, WI. Over 100 people are expected to attend
the awards banquet.
 
Applications Due:
February 16, 2009
Award Ceremony and Banquet:
Thursday evening, April 23, 2009
Lambeau Field's, Legends Club Room
Green Bay, WI
 
Click below to access application:
Application Form
 
*There will be no meeting this month.*
 
 

 

News and Events

SCORE Marketing Seminar
SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," is partnering with Chippewa Valley Technical College to present an important panel discussion to share strategies and ideas for marketing products/services of area businesses.
 Advertising and Marketing "Musts" for 2009

News, advertising, and marketing specialists from the Chippewa Valley will share strategies for promoting businesses in 2009 and answer questions about the pros and cons of various broadcast, print, outdoor, web, ad specialties and other media during the opening panel discussion program.  SCORE counselors will follow with an hour of tips and handouts to develop or update your plans for marketing your product/service.

 
Date:                     Saturday, January 31, 2009             9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
    
Place:                    Chippewa Valley Technical College
                                    Main Building, RCU Room
                                    620 W. Clairemont Ave.
                                     Eau Claire, WI 54701

 Fee:                      $15.00
                             Second person:  $10.00
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BARB ROLLAND [email protected]
 
Governor's Business Plan Contest open for 2009 entries

 
The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest - the nation's first statewide, tech-based business plan competition - is accepting entries online for the 2009 competition.  Entries will be accepted now through 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2009.  The contest's Grand Prize is worth $50,000 in cash and services.
 
Managed by the Wisconsin Technology Council, the contest sprang out of conversations with Gov. Jim Doyle shortly after he was first elected in 2002.  Doyle had talked about the value of a statewide business plan contest during his campaign, and it meshed with similar plans underway within the Tech Council.   The mission of the contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin.
For their initial entries, contestants will submit 250-word idea abstracts online at www.govsbizplancontest.com.  Contestants who advance to subsequent contest rounds will have the opportunity to expand their plan or idea.   More than 60 judges drawn from the finance, sales, marketing, research and specific technology sectors will score the entries and provide feedback.
 
As with past contests, the 2009 competition will take place in three stages:
 
In the "Business Concepts" phase, which is open until Jan. 31, 2009 at 5 p.m., the contest will accept IDEA Abstracts on the web site. IDEA abstracts are 250-word business concepts that will be graded on a scale of 1-10 (10 highest) by our judges. The top 50 IDEA Abstract presenters will be asked to write a Summary Business Plan.
           
In the "Summary Business Plan" phase, which runs from Feb. 23 to March 12, 2009, the top 50 IDEA Abstract presenters, plus ties, post their 1,000-word summaries online for comments by the judges. Contestants may be encouraged to revise their plans based on judges' comments. The top 20 plan summaries are selected for the final round.
 
In the "Final Business Plan" phase, which runs from April 2 to April 27, 2009, the top 20 Summary Plan presenters, plus ties, prepare final plans for judging. Limited comments and mentoring continues. Judges will review the plans and pick three place winners in each category.
 
The four category winners will present at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference, June 9-10 in Milwaukee; all prize winners will be announced there.
 
To enter, become a judge or a sponsor, visit www.govsbizplancontest.com.
 
Wisconsin Restaurant Expo 2009
 
-Our Expo is held March 9-11, when food and beverage professionals are making menu changes.
-Meet members of other well-known industry associations that will be meeting at the Expo and making purchasing decisions for their businesses.
 -Connect with F&B executives that don't have time for the traditional sales call.
 
 March 9-11, 2009 � Midwest Airlines Center � Milwaukee, WI
www.everythingfoodservice.org