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Green Business Tip
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Turn off computers at night, but don't just put them to sleep. You will save four cents per day which adds up to $14.60 per year.
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Upcoming Western Dairyland Events
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Women's Business Network Meeting - May 12
ABCs of Business Ownership - May 19, May 26, and June 2
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Sponsors
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Partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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| Summer Marketing Series Begins May 12
| The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center will host a free Women's Business Network meeting on "Handling Media Inquiries During Times of Crisis" with guest speaker Karen Kraus, on Thursday, May 12th. The meeting will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire.
With years of experience in marketing and media relations, Karen Kraus will discuss how businesses can effectively work with the media for mutual gain. Specifically, she will discuss how businesses can direct and handle media inquiries during times of crisis and controversy. Karen will also offer insights into the "behind the scenes world" of local news.
Kraus is an experienced marketer, reporter, news anchor, and public relations professional. She began her career in Broadcast Journalism after graduating from UW-Eau Claire. She spent a year in radio and then made the transition to television news reporting, writing, and anchoring at WQOW TV-18 in Eau Claire. After seven years at the station, she was considered a veteran and lead reporter, winning several local and state awards. In 2005, she began working in marketing, public relations, and event planning with Metropolis Resort in Eau Claire. Currently, she works with Public and Community Relations while also doing freelance writing and teaching.
This is the first of a four-part summer marketing series. On June 9, Carol Robarge of CVTC will present "Integrating Customer Service in your Business Marketing Plan: Adding Value to Existing Products and Building Long Term Relationships." On July 14, Carol Robarge will present "Competitive and Profitable Pricing Strategies for Small Business." And on August 11, Amy Lokken of MüD Modular Displays will present "On- and Off-Site Business Signage Opportunities: Be Noticed Anywhere, Anytime!"
Women's Business Network meetings are open to the public and take place over the lunch hour on the second Thursday of each month. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bag lunches and plenty of business cards. The goals of the meeting are to facilitate networking relationships among women business owners and allowing them to expand their small business knowledge. The structure of the meetings will allow participants to learn from an expert in the field and from each other's shared experiences.
For more information call (715) 836-7511 ext. 171 or visit www.SuccesssfulBusiness.org.
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| ABCs of Business Ownership
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Entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners are invited to attend The ABCs of Business Ownership, a three-part workshop scheduled from 6 to 9 pm on May 19, 26, and June 2. All sessions will be held at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire.
Each session will teach prospective business owners how to assemble the pieces of a business plan. Participants are encouraged to work on their specific business ideas during the sessions.
May 19, Session One: Are You Ready? Topics include legal structure, permits, licensing, zoning, business plan outline, and business idea feasibility.
May 26, Session Two: Business Marketing Topics includes identifying customers, market research, and how to market to your customers.
June 2, Session Three: Creating Financing Topics includes managing cash, preparing profit/loss and cash flow projections, and options for financing.
Tuition is $45 for individuals or $40 per person for groups of two or more who are working on a business plan together. Class materials for each session are included. Scholarships are available for income eligible individuals.
There are three easy ways to register and pay: online at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org, by phone at 836-7511 ext. 171, or in person at the Western Dairyland office at 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire. Because space is limited, registration and payment must be received by Monday, March 14th.
After attending the workshops, attendees may request 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.
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| Featured Success Story
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Look out eBay and Craigslist! A new business has opened its doors on 14th Street in Barron. Barron Bid and Sell, a merging of traditional auctions and online auctions, has sold items ranging from an antique wagon jack to a high quality game camera. Owner Tammy Staber says, "A lot of us have stuff that we don't really need. Barron Bid and Sell helps people get rid of those items and replace it with new treasures."
The merging of a traditional auction and an online auction is a surprisingly simple process. Sellers bring their items to Barron Bid and Sell, where they are listed in an online auction. Bidders can access Barron Bid and Sell via the internet, or they can go to the store to look at the physical item. Both sellers and bidders can use kiosk workstations to check the status of the auctions online.
When asked where she got the idea for Barron Bid and Sell, Staber says, "My husband and I work full time and so we don't have time to go to traditional auctions. We do shopping on eBay, but sometimes it is nice to see more than a picture before buying something." Staber brings auction items to a broad audience without requiring bidders to be available for long time periods, and still offering the option of viewing the physical object before bidding.
A series of courses taken at Western Dairyland helped Staber get her business started. ABCs of Business Ownership provided step-by-step guidance and a place to ask questions. Staber says, "Western Dairyland helped me start my business the right way." She highly recommends that anyone who is starting a business or who owns a small business contact Western Dairyland. "It's worth it. Western Dairyland saved me a lot of time."
Staber is very optimistic about the future of Barron Bid and Sell. She says, "Right now, it is exceeding expectations. It is taking off and growing faster than projected." She plans to let the business grow, and see where it takes her.
To browse the current auction listings, visit barronbidandsell.com.
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Sincerely,
Karman Briggs
Western Dairyland Business Center
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