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Western Dairyland Business Center
May 2009 Newsletter |
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Greetings!
The Women's Business Conference was a great success and we are already planning for 2010. If you are interested in applying for a seat on the planning committee, see below for details. Also, May is packed! Check out all of our upcoming events -- including Recordkeeping 101 later this month. It will be a good precursor to our series of Quickbooks classes scheduled to begin in June!
May/June Events and Deadlines (details below)
05.12.09 Seven Steps to Starting a Business, 6-9pm, Eau Claire
05.14.09 Manufacturing Advantage Conference, UW-Stout, Menomonie
05.14.09 T.E.A.M. Women's Business Network Meeting, Western Dairyland, Eau Claire
05.14.09 Jackson County Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club, Black River Falls
05.16.09 SCORE workshop on financing options and cash flow statements, Thorp
05.21.09 Buffalo/Trempealeau Counties Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club, Independence
05.27.09 Recordkeeping 101, Western Dairyland, Eau Claire
05.31.09 Deadline for submissions - Downtown Eau Claire Jump-Start Competition
06.09.09 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference, Milwaukee
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 |
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Womens Business Conference
Speaking of next year--we are currently taking applications for the 2010 conference planning committee. This committee meets the second Thursday of each month at 10am at the Western Dairyland office in Eau Claire. If you are interested in serving on the planning committee for the 2010 conference, please email us at kbriggs@westerndairyland.org with a brief paragraph about your background and also let us know why you are interested in serving on the committee.
For conference feedback & follow-up visit us our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Womens-Business-Conference/48749686365?ref=ts
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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, May 12, 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. Arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested in advance.
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T.E.A.M. - Women's Business Networking Meetings
The Teaching, Education And Mentoring (T.E.A.M.) Women's Business Network Meetings for May and June will feature a special 2-part presentation by Kelly Berry and Pam Baughman from ResourceAbility, LLC.
"The 3 P's of Start-Ups: Planning, Passion, & Pro Formas."
May 14 with Kelly Berry, Business Plans and Market Research
June 11 with Pam Baughman, Pro Formas and Financial Projections
Meetings take place Noon-1pm at Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. Feel free to bring your lunch and business cards to share!
ResourceAbility, LLC is a local consulting firm whose mission is to advance their clients' understanding of their customers, competitors, and internal processes through the use of data collection, management, and analysis. Aside from assisting start-up's with business plans, they are often asked to create a plan for a new target market, a detailed sales forecast, or the selection of the best vendor for a new business venture.
T.E.A.M meetings take place the 2nd Thursday of each month from noon to 1pn. For more information about the Women's Business Network, get in touch with Karman at kbriggs@westerndairyland.org or (715) 836-7511 x 174.
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The next Jackson County I&E Club meeting is Thursday, May 14 at the Black River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at 120 N. Water St., Black River Falls. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. This month's speaker is Barb Brower, director of the Black River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Barb will be presenting on business in Black River Falls, services offered by the Chamber and the tourism industry in general.
The next Buffalo/Trempealeau County I&E Club meeting is Thursday, May 21 at the Western Dairyland Annex Building located at 23122 Whitehall Road, Independence. Meetings are held at 6:30pm on the third Thursday of each month. This month's speaker will be Renee Ponzio, business reference librarian at the L.E. Phillip's Public Library in Eau Claire. Renee will be presenting on market research techniques for your business.
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
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Recordkeeping 101
The Western Dairyland Business Center presents Hands-On Business Recordkeeping 101. This class will be held Wednesday May 27th from 6:00 to 9:00pm, at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. Registrants are encouraged to bring their business checkbooks so actual business records can be used to enter data into the new recordkeeping system. Laptops will be provided for the hands-on portion of this class. Good recordkeeping is a critical tool that saves any business time and effort at tax time. By developing an organized record keeping system that will help you develop profit or loss statements, you will be able to run a more efficient business, which may lead to increased profitability. Accurate record keeping puts a business in a better position to manage the business and to make critical business decisions. During this hands-on session participants will learn tips on how to set up an effective small business office filing system, how to set up an effective cash basis record keeping system, practice recording business income and expenses in the cash method, and create a profit and loss statement that will generate numbers needed to fill in the schedule C business tax return. Tuition is $25 for individuals, class materials are included, and scholarships are available for eligible individuals. Because space is limited, pre-registration and payment must be received by Monday, May 25. Visit www.SuccessfulBusiness.org to register and pay online, or you can register and send or bring your payment to Western Dairyland at 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire, 54703. For more information please call (715) 836-7511 ext. 171. Arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. |
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New to WisconsinCommonMarket.com
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 Business Success Story
JADE Spring Bottled Water
In a bottled water industry dominated by big corporations like Nestle and Coca-Cola--JADE Spring is unique. Since 2003 this woman-owned business located near Osseo, WI, has been bottling water (and only water) as it flows naturally from its own artesian well. JADE Spring collects the water, filters it, and bottles it--nothing more. And because of the purity and good taste of the water--nothing more is needed. Today JADE Spring bottles and ships over 6000 bottles a month, most of them under private labels to regional businesses.
Protecting the Aquifer and Wetland
Owner Beverly Caldwell's first concern was the environment. She and her husband Glenn didn't want to deplete the underground aquifer, and they wanted to maintain the small wetland between the wellhead and the creek. The well was dug in the 1930s and had been delivering a steady five gallons a minute year-round ever since. What if they didn't pump at all--just bottled a portion of the natural flow? Would that be enough water to build a successful business? Western Dairyland's Women's Business Center
Beverly brought that question--and a lot of others--to Western Dairyland's Women's Business Center (WBC) in Eau Claire. Beverly was aided by Western Dairyland by:
- Attending one of Western Dairyland's Business Plan Training seminars
- Working with Western Dairyland WBC staff to write a business plan
- Developing a marketing strategy
Custom Labeling--the Niche Market
Their best marketing idea, "hands down" according to Beverly, was the custom label service. "It's our niche-- something the big producers don't do on a small scale." The custom label is popular because JADE Spring makes it easy. "You get us your logo, we'll get it printed, and deliver the water to your door." One of their regular customers is Becky Welke, General Manager at the Plaza Hotel in Eau Claire. "The water tastes so fresh-no comparison to the off-the-shelf brands! And it is a great marketing tool-we sell it, we give it as a premium, and we donate it to community events." In addition to business customers like The Plaza, many families order custom labeled water for special events like weddings or graduation parties.
Six years after they shipped their first case, JADE Spring is doing well. In addition to private label sales, local shops and restaurants carry the JADE Spring label. The artesian well continues to flow, and the wetland is in fine shape.
Beverly says "We love visitors--let us know your coming and we'll show you around!" Call Glenn at (715) 694-JADE(5233) to arrange a visit. |
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News and Events
Manufacturing Advantage Conference--May 14, Menomonie
The Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center at UW-Stout is offering this one-day conference in Menomonie. The conference offers a full day of exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and simulations.Topics include: Hands on model-making and Prototyping, Lean Manufacturing Principles, Marketing Physics, Family Business Succession, and many more. This year's keynote speakers are Mike McKinley "Leading the Way to Maximum Performance: Staying Up in Down Times," and Daniel Burrus "Technology-Enabled Innovation: Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage" For more information, go to http://www.uwstout.edu/outreach/conf/mfg/index.htm, email conferences-workshops@uwstout.edu or call (715) 232-2793.
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SCORE Workshop: "YES, Loans Are Happening"--May 16, Thorp Panel members will discuss financing options including new 2009 and existing loans, grants, tax-breaks and other programs. Following the panel discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to individually consult panelists and SCORE counselors. A presentation on cash flow statements will follow. Workshop runs 9am-noon, Fee is $22 ($16 for second person). Contact score@score-eauclaire.org for more information.
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Green Communities 2009--May 27, Eau Claire
The answer is Going Local! If your company is interested in discovering innovative strategies to strengthen your product or service by incorporating green business principles, attend the Green Communities Conference! You will come away with an understanding of the return on investment and environmental benefits of "going local," as well as leave with models you can implement. Come hear from your peers who have experienced gains from implementing green practices in their operations. For more information, go to http://www.thesynergyconference.com/green--------------------------------------------------------------
DECI Jumpstart Deadline--May 31, Eau Claire
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.
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Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference--June 9, Milwaukee
The 7th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference will be held June 9-10 at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. The conference is one of the Midwest's premier networking and hands-on events for entrepreneurs. Keynote speakers include Robert Stephens, founder and chief inspector of "The Geek Squad"; John Roach, an Emmy Award-winning film producer who works for Fortune 500 companies; and Greg Meier, a serial entrepreneur and Milwaukee start-up catalyst. Additional highlights include: workshops on Refining the Dream, Building the Team and Making the Green; presentations by finalists in the Governor's Business Plan Contest; the Ken Hendricks Memorial "Seize the Day" award;"Entrepreneurs' Edge" pitches to investors and peers; exclusive forums for investors; hands-on panel discussions and dozens of exhibits; and a wealth of networking opportunities. Visit http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/ent_conf/ to register or learn more.
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Inventors and Entrepreneuers Rendezvous--June 25, LaCrosse
More info coming soon!
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Selling to the Government and Other Prime Contractors--August 5 & 6, Camp Douglas More info coming soon! |
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Partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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