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Western Dairyland Business Center February 2010 Newsletter |
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Greetings!
The BIG news this month is that online registration is now open for the 7th Annual Women's Business Conference scheduled for April 29th in Eau Claire! This year, we anticipate more than 300 participants from across the state representating a wide range of industries and resources for women interested in starting, growing or improving a business. If you attend one entrepreneurial education and networking event this year -- let this be it! Our fabulous sponsors allow us to keep the registration fees at the low rate of $39, if you register before April 5th. Go to www.WomensBusinessConference.com for more information or to register. In the mean time, check out the following great events planned for February:
February Events (details below):
2.9.10 ABC's of Business, 6-9 pm (3-part series begins Feb. 9, continues Feb. 16 and 23), Eau Claire
2.11.10 Free Women's Business Networking, noon-1 pm, Eau Claire, Planning For & Working a Trade Show
2.11.10 Jackson County Inventors & Entrepreneurs Meeting, 6:30 pm, Black River Falls, Trends in Product Packaging
2.18.10 Buffalo/Trempealeau Inventors & Entrepreneurs Meeting, 6:30 pm, Independence, Identifying Customers and Closing the Sale
2.25.10 Internet Marketing, 6-8 pm, Black River Falls
For more information on any of these events or to register, continue reading below or feel free to contact me directly at kbriggs@westerndairyland.org
Sincerely,
Karman Briggs
Business Center Manager |
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Women's Business Conference
The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center is pleased to be continuing the 7th Annual Women's Buniness Conference on April 29, 2010 at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
The event targets women entrepreneurs who are starting, expanding, and/or working to improve their businesses.
Register to attend the conferece and view updates & details on this year's conference, by visiting:
*BECOME A FAN ON THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS CONFERENCE ON FACEBOOK*
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ABC's of Business Ownership
The ABC's of Business Ownership 3-Day Workshop begins February 9th
This 3-day workshop will be held Tuesday evenings in February on the 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 6:00 to 9:00pm, at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. This workshop teaches participants how to start a business by assembling the pieces of a business plan.
This workshop allows participants to work on their specific business ideas. The first session, Are you Ready?,includes legal structure, permits/licensing/zoning, business plan outline, and business idea feasibility. The second session, Business Marketing, includes identifying customers, market research, and how to market to your customer. The third session, Creating Financials, includes managing cash, preparing profit/loss statements and cash flow projections, and identifying financing options.
After attending The ABC's of Business Ownership, attendees may apply for free, continued, one-on-one assistance from Western Dairyland's Business Development Specialists. Staff can assist clients in determining the feasibility of their business idea, identify sources to prove a market, and may also assist in the actual preparation of business plans and financial forecasts for presentation to a lender.
Tuition is $45 per individual. Class materials are included. Scholarships are available for eligible individuals. Because space is limited, pre-registration and payment must be received by February 8. There are three easy ways to register and pay for the class: online at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org, by phone at 836-7511 ext. 171, or in person at the Western Dairyland office in downtown Eau Claire. |
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Internet Marketing for Small Business
February 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
120 N Water St., Black River Falls.
At the Western Dairyland Business Center's Internet Marketing class, attendees will learn how to register a domain name, find a web host, locate free and inexpensive tools for building & maintaining the site, and finally optimize the site for better search engine placement. Individuals interested in marketing a product, service or business online are encouraged to attend. Information will be presented for individuals who may or may not already have a business web site.
Tuition is $20 for individuals and class materials are included. Scholarships are available for eligible individuals. There are three easy ways to register and pay for the class: online at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org, by phone at 836-7511 ext. 171, or in person at the Western Dairyland office in downtown Eau Claire or at the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce. Because space is limited, pre-registration and payment is required by February 22. |
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Women's Business Network Meeting
Planning For & Working at a Trade Show
February's guest speaker is Kay Vande Loo, owner of Impact Advertising.The meeting will take place on Thursday, February 11 from noon to 1 pm at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire.
The meeting is free and open to all women entrepreneurs and business professionals. Individuals interested in participating remotely via phone may contact jbdassist@westerndairyland.org or call 836-7511 ext. 171 for instructions.
In preparation for the 2010 Women's Business Conference, Kay will be sharing her experience from the promotional product industry and as a serial entrepreneur. Discussion will entail how to prepare for and work at a trade show or expo; how to design an effective display that will draw prospective clients to you; and how to effectively use imprinted promotional materials that are representative of your brand, business or product. Business owners interested in exhibiting at the 7th Annual Women's Business Conference on April 29, 2010 are especially encouraged to attend and will be given a $20 discount off exhibitor registration fees to be redeemed the same day.
Feel free to bring your lunch. And, remember to bring your business cards!
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Inventor and Entrepreneur Club Meetings
Black River Falls - 2/11/10
TRENDS IN PRODUCT PACKAGING
Dave and Mindy Pedersen, owners of Pac Basic, LLC in Eau Claire will be the guest speakers at the February 11 Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club meeting. The club meets on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. Water St., Black River Falls. The meetings are free and open to the public.
With 20 years of experience, the Pedersens will be discussing current trends in the product packaging and display industry. Design considerations, such as the visual appeal and utilitarian purpose, in developing custom solutions to meet small-run packaging needs for the independent inventor or entrepreneur will be highlighted. Individuals interested in bringing a product to market are encouraged to attend.
Independence - 2/18/10
IDENTIFYING CUSTOMERS AND CLOSING THE SALE
Jake Bain, Branch Manager and Field Sales Manager for CUTCO Cutlery, will be the guest speaker at the February 18th meeting of the Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club. The club meets on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Western Dairyland office, 23122Whitehall Rd., Independence. The meetings are free and open to the public.
Bain will present various tools and methods for identifying customers and closing the sale that he has gainned from his experience with direct selling for CUTCO Cutlery, the largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality kitchen cutlery and accessories in the United States and Canada. |
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Wisconsin Common Market
Wisconsin Common Market, Western Dairyland's e-commerce site, welcomes Earrings and Things.
Eunice Head is president of Earrings and Things. In 2002 her jewelry hobby grew into a business that she operates out of her home. There are no two pieces the same. She makes special designes for weddings and proms. Most pieces use swarovski crystal beads in the design.
To learn more more about Earrings and Things , visit the website at: http://www.wisconsincommonmarket.com/earringsandthings/ |
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News and Events
April 30: Free Contracts and Certification - Half Day Workshop, Eau Claire
May 6 - 8: WFCCA Conference, Wisconsin Dells
June 24: I&E Rendevous, La Crosse
August 25 & 26, 2010: Government Contracting Conference, Camp Douglas
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Partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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