|
Upcoming Western Dairyland Events
| |
Women's Business Network Meeting, May 10
Wisconsin Family Child Care Association Annual Conference, May 10-12
7 Steps to Starting a Business, May 17
|
|
Sponsors
| 
| |
Partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
|
|
|
|
|
9th Annual Women's Business Conference
|
If you attend only one business event this year - make this the one! The Women's Business Conference -- the only event of its kind in the state -- features 90 exhibitors, 20 educational sessions, a keynote address and networking opportunities galore!
Registration is just $49!
The Ninth Annual Women's Business Conference will be held on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire. The conference is expected to attract more than 500 business owners, aspiring business owners, entrepreneurs and exhibitors from five states. This year's conference features:
* Mickey Judkins, CEO of Details, Inc., will presenting the keynote address "How to Run a Business on Your Lunch Hour" at 11:30 a.m.
* Karen Kraus, Director of Development for Special Olympics Wisconsin, will present the welcome address
* More than 90 exhibitors, including businesses, small business resources and non-profit organizations
* 20 educational sessions and roundtable discussions
* One-on-one business counseling
* Networking opportunities The 2012 Women's Business Conference is presented by the non-profit Western Dairyland Community Action Agency and the Western Dairyland Women's Business Center, which is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The conference is sponsored by more than 40 businesses and organizations, including Charter Media, WQOW TV-18, I-94, the Leader-Telegram, Xcel Energy, Volume One, Queen of the Castle, Citizens Community Federal, WHEDA and the Wisconsin Women's Council. A complete agenda, list of sponsors, and speaker biographies may be found on the website www.WomensBusinessConference.com.
Partial scholarships are available for students and income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, call 715-836-7511, ext. 171, visit www.WomensBusinessConference.com or become a fan on Facebook!
|
| |
What Does the Affordable Care Act
Mean for Small Businesses?
| |
April 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - CVTC Gateway Campus
Small Business Majority and Know Your Care Wisconsin are holding a free, information session to help Wisconsin small business owners and entrepreneurs learn how the Affordable Care Act will benefit them. Experts on the federal and state provisions will cover topics affecting small businesses including:
* Small business tax credits-who's eligible for them and how to claim them
* State health insurance exchange
* High-risk pools
* Shared responsibility
* Cost containment
* Small Employer Wellness Programs
* Tools and resources to learn more about the law
A sandwich lunch will be available for $6.00.
This event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 12th at Chippewa Valley Technical College Gateway Campus. It is sponsored by the Eau Claire Alliance for Strong Communities.
RSVP by April 10: Pam Campbell, campbellp13@att.net if you plan to attend and/or would like to order lunch. |
|
Contracts and Certifications: Market Opportunities in Government Contracting for Small Businesses
Learn how to sell to the Government and other prime contractors!
|
On Friday, April 27th, Western Dairyland Business Centers and the Wisconsin Procurement Institute will host "Contracts and Certifications: Market Opportunities in Government Contracting for Small Businesses" at the Plaza Hotel and Suites in Eau Claire from 9 am to noon. This event is free, but space is limited. Please register at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org or call 715-836-7511, ext. 171.
Government contracting is a considerable way to grow a business, but it can also be complicated.To win a contract with the Government you must know the technical requirements, be competitive and understand what the Government really wants.
This workshop will focus on what a small business must know to enter or grow its Government work, including:
- State and Federal certifications - current requirements and benefits
- Locating opportunities
- Identifying competition
- Preparing to Sell and Market - what works
- Advice and mentoring from successful Government contractors
If you are considering entering or expanding your Government business, join us for this practical and informative session. For more information and to register visit www.SuccessfulBusiness.org. |
|
Women's Business Network Meeting 4/12
Network before, during and after Any Event!
|
The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center will host a Women's Business Network meeting with guest speaker Shelly Cedarblade, owner and chief social media strategist at Woo! Social Media Marketing, on Thursday, April 12th. The meeting is free to attend and will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire.
There is an art to getting people to know, like, and trust you. Learn how to use email, social media, a website, and blogging to promote your business and yourself! In light of the annual Women's Business Conference coming up on April 26, 2012, Cedarblade will present an overview on how to promote your business and yourself before any networking event, how to actively engage conference attendees during the event, and how to follow up with potential clients after the event. As a special bonus, attendees of the April Women's Business Network Meeting will be allowed to register for the Women's Business Conference at the discounted price of $39.
For more information call (715) 836-7511 ext. 171 or visit www.SuccessfulBusiness.org.
|
| |
7 Steps to Starting a Business
Learn the basic steps in building a successful business plan! |
Entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners are invited to attend The 7 Steps to Starting a Business on Tuesday, April 10th. The class will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire. Tuition is $25 for individuals and class materials are included. Scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals.
This training session teaches participants how to start a business by assembling the pieces of a business plan. Topics covered include feasibility, proving your market, funding your business, writing a business plan, marketing, business legal structure and more.
After the class, 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.
There are three easy ways to register and pay for the class: online at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org, by phone at 715-836-7511 ext. 171, or in person at the Western Dairyland office in Eau Claire. Because space is limited, pre-registration and payment is required by April 3. |
|
Selling Online: A Hobby or a Business? |
In an increasingly computer-driven society, many people utilize websites like eBay and Amazon to sell products. These products can be anything from used books to clothing, and even electronics. To many sellers, they are simply getting rid of things they might not want anymore. Yet, to the IRS, these sellers might actually be in business themselves.
So, how do you know when your hobby becomes a business and affects your taxes? The US Small Business Administration tackles this question on their website. If you are selling products in order to make a profit, you are technically required to report it to the IRS. If you are involved in affiliate marketing and are receiving commission by promoting a company's products or services, you must also report this to the IRS.
It is important to know where you stand when you sell online, and sba.gov can help you get the information you need. |
| |
Promoting a Business through
Public Relations | |
Although the field of public relations is generally associated with crisis intervention, it is also beneficial to small business owners. Using public relations strategies is more than just sending a press release to your local newspaper. The US Small Business Administration offers tips on how to market your business through public relations on their website. They cover topics like knowing your market, being newsworthy, creating a press release, and more! Visit sba.gov for more information.
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Karman Briggs
Western Dairyland Business Center
|
|
|
