Western Dairyland Business Center 

April 2009 Newsletter

Jump to the Following Section:
Women's Business Conference
Selling to the Government
T.E.A.M. Meeting
7 Steps to Starting a Business
I&E Club
Wisconsin Common Market
Distance Education Survey
News and Events
Business Resources
Quick Links
Greetings!
 
Spring is in the air and the Women's Business Conference is right around the corner!  Please note that there will be no women's networking meeting for April, but we will be back for May and June with a special two-part program "Planning, Passion, & Pro Formas" Also -- one time only -- Linda Krysiak from the SBA will be presenting a free, two-hour session on selling to the government that you will not want to miss!
 
April Events and Deadlines (details below)
 
04.09.09 Jackson County Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club,  Black River Falls
 
04.14.09 Seven Steps to Starting a Business, 6-9pm, Eau Claire
 
04.16.09  Buffalo/Trempealeau Counties Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club, Independence 
 
04.23.09 6th Annual Women's Business Conference, Eau Claire. A full day of opportunities for networking and learning.
 
04.24.09 Selling to the Government with Linda Krysiak, SBA, 10-noon, Eau Claire 
  
For more information on any of these events and more, continue reading below or feel free to contact me directly at kbriggs@westerndairyland.org.
 
Sincerely,
Karman Briggs
Business Center Manager
Womens Business Conference
 
Women's Business Conference Logo
April 23, 2009
Plaza Hotel & Suites
Eau Claire, WI
 
 
Coming up quick!
You pay only $49 for a full day of education, networking and business counseling. Scholarship rates are $15 if you qualify--apply at
 
http://www.womensbusinessconference.com/scholarship_application.html
 
If you're thinking of starting or expanding a business, this conference is for you!
 
715.836.7511 ext. 174
 
*BECOME A FAN OF THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS CONFERENCE ON FACEBOOK*
Women's Business Conference Women's Business Conference
 New for 2009
 

Since the first Women's Business Conference in 2003, the scope and variety of workshops has steadily increased.  This year, in addition to "Business Basics" "Advanced Business Topics" and the roundtable series, we are for the first time offering a full day of workshops on trends in business.  This series is the "breaking news" of the conference, with presenters offering information and insights on several important trends:  
 
International marketing--
the combination of Internet marketing and a relatively weak dollar mean that more and more small businesses find themselves selling and shipping worldwide.  Presenter Julie Pennington (UWEC) has successfully marketed products on six continents and offers a number of practical, low-cost and innovative strategies.  

Patents and Trademarks-- Why bother with patents and trademarks? Are they too expensive? A basic understanding of intellectual property rights in a cyber-connected world can go a long way in helping your business grow and stay competitive. Presented by attorney Tony Bourget.

What Can't You Sell to the Government? --You don't need to be a huge corporation selling heavy equipment to get into the game!  From tutoring services to bottled water, the range of products purchased by governments and prime contractors is wide and deep.  Experts Aina Vilumsons (Wisconsin Procurement Institute) and Linda Krysiak (Small Business Administration) explain how to go after that contract.

Green Business--Consumers are demanding sustainable products and services, and business owners who can understand and meet that demand will be ahead of the curve.  In this panel discussion Rick Beckler (Sacred Heart Hospital), Ned Noel (City of Eau Claire) and Erin O'Brien (Erin Designs) talk about environmentally conscious, and economically sensible, business practices. 

 Selling to the Government

The Western Dairyland Business Center, SCORE and CVTC present Selling to the Government with guest speaker, Linda Krysiak, Business Development Specialist with the Wisconsin District Office of the US Small Business Administration.  This FREE educational session will be held on Friday, April 24, from 10am to noon in the RCU room at CVTC Clairemont Campus.
 
From tutoring services to bottled water, the range of products and services purchased by the government is vast and wide. In this free educational session, Krysiak will present area business owners with information on how to make the government a customer and subsequently increase sales.
 
Linda Krysiak is a Business Development Specialist with the Wisconsin District Office of the US Small Business Administration.  She has been in the Business Development division which includes Government contracting and certification programs i.e. Hubzone, 8(a)/SDB since coming to the SBA in 1998.  Prior to SBA, Ms. Krysiak worked as a contract administrator for the Defense Contract Management Agency, where she administered both fixed price and cost reimbursement contracts as well as negotiating change orders for the US Coast Guard.  She has over 18 years of federal contracting experience. 
 
Because space is limited, please pre-register at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org. Arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
 
 T.E.A.M. - Women's Business Networking Meetings
Due to the Women's Business Conference, there will be no T.E.A.M. meeting for the month of April. 
 
T.E.A.M. Women's Business Network Meetings for May and June will feature a special 2-part presentation "The 3 P's of Start-Ups:  Planning, Passion, & Pro Formas."  Presentors will be Kelly Berry and Pam Baughman from ResourceAbility, LLC. Mark your calender for May 14 and June 11, Noon-1pm at Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire.  For more information about the Women's Business Network, get in touch with Karman at kbriggs@westerndairyland.org or (715) 836-7511 x 174. 

 7 Steps to Starting a Business 
 Learn the Basic Steps in Building a Successful Business Plan 

Want to start your own business, but don't know how? The 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 Tuesday, April 14, 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 your business idea and identify sources to prove your 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. Two or more people starting a business together may register for $20 each.  Class materials are included.  Scholarships are available for income eligible individuals.  For more information or to register, go to www.SuccessfulBusiness.org or call 715/836-7511, ext. 171  SPACE IS LIMITED, registration and payment must be received by Friday, April 10.  Arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested in advance.
 
 
The next Jackson County I&E Club meeting is Thursday, April 9 at our new location at the Black River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at 120 N. Water St., Black River Falls. Meetings will continue to be held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. 
 
The next Buffalo/Trempealeau County I&E Club meeting is Thursday, April 16 at our new location at the Western Dairyland Annex Building located at 23122 Whitehall Road, Independence.  Meetings will continue to be held at 6:30pm on the third Thursday of each month. 
 
These two clubs are FREE to attend 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.
 
Connect to other Inventors and Entrepreneurs like you at LinkedIn.  Click HERE   
For more information on either I & E Club call: Karman Briggs at 715-836-7511, ext. 174 You can also email IandE@WesternDairyland.org  
 

   New to Wisconsin Common Market 

A&A Glassworks  

A & A Glassworks LLC is owned and operated by Andre and Annette, a husband and wife who work out of their home in Waukesha, WI.  By day, the owner / artisans work in metallurgical engineering and nursing.  By night, they create personalized stained glass pieces that reflect their fine design skills, their love of beauty and their commitment to the environment. 

All works are collaborative efforts.  Annette usually takes the lead on fine detail work and fused products and has the final say on most glass choices.  Andre focuses on larger panels, does most of the soldering and creates most of the designs.
 
Their latest Tiffany style products feature lead-free solder exclusively.  It costs a bit more, but prevents any release of lead into the environment. Check out their work on the Wisconsin Common Market.
 We want your feedback. . .
Our training and networking events will soon be available as distance education--webinars, conference calls, and similar events. As a potential participant, how do you feel about this?  We want your feedback--please take our on-line survey.

  News and Events

ABWA Spring Membership Drive The Eau Chapter of the American Business Women's Association will kick off it's spring membership drive with a dinner and meeting on Wednesday, April 8th.  Networking is at 5:30, dinner and meeting at 6:30, Connell's at the Airport, 3800 Starr Ave., Eau Claire. For more information, contact Donna Christianson, (715) 552-9135.

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SCAM ALERT!!!! Someone is using stationary which is VERY similar to the SBA letterhead and sending letters to small businesses saying they are eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate.  The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number. 
 
SBA DOES NOT do that. Small businesses SHOULD NOT respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates. 
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DECI Jumpstart--Deadline MAY 31
 
This competition is great for entrepreneurs interested in opening a business in Downtown Eau Claire. This competition is open to any type of business - from hi-tech office services to specialty gift shops. You could win $5,000 in start-up capital and $500 of TV airtime!
  
To be eligible:
  • You must be 18 years of age or older and interested in starting a business in Downtown Eau Claire or relocating a business to Downtown Eau Claire.
  • You cannot enter a business already located downtown at the time of entry into the competition. Proposed business must open by May 2010.

Submit an application and a business plan for the proposed business to Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. by May 31st, 2009. To learn more go to www.downtown-eauclaire/jumpstart.

 

Business Resources 

Looking for an angel?  Joe Kremer and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network (WEN) have put together a step-by-step guide introducing entrepreneurs to the investment scene.  It was created for entrepreneurs who would like to raise funds from angel investors but do not have experience, and provides a direct link to existing resources. http://www.wisconsinangelnetwork.com/resources/?Id=58

Staying Afloat in Tough Times The Small Business Administration is offering free on-line training and other resources to help small businesses during these challenging economic times.  Available courses include:
  • Strategic Marketing: How to Win Customers in a Slowing Economy
  • Down-Shifting in a Slowing Economy: Business Planning Guide
  • Raise new capital / Refinance exisiting debt
  • Diversify with federal contracts: A Guide to Winning Federal Contracts 

Small Business Administration    Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network   Women's Business Conference Logo 

 

Partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.