2023 Bravo to Business Finalist Program

THANK YOU TO OUR SIGNATURE EVENT SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Frandsen Bank & Trust

Heartwood Resort

Imagineering

Northwestern Bank

Prevail Bank

Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.

Studier Insurance Agency

von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

WESTconsin Credit Union

WIN Technology

Wipfli

A letter from Chamber President &CEO, Dave Minor

Welcome to the second Bravo to Business event. For almost 20 years, the Eau Claire Area Chamber has recognized businesses of all sizes, entrepreneurs and business leaders for their contributions to the business community. We created Bravo to Business so we could take the time to celebrate those wonderful accomplishments. Our goal with this new event, is to recognize more investors within the community and enhance the prestige surrounding these awards.

The finalists for the Bravo to Business Awards represent a diverse range of industries and sectors, each making a significant impact on the economic landscape of Eau Claire. These businesses have been selected based on their outstanding performance, community involvement, and commitment to ethical business practices. As you enjoy this evening and have the opportunity to honor this year’s finalists and those who have been chosen, we encourage you to think about next year and whom you would nominate! As a reminder, you can nominate yourself.

Thank you for joining us, and we hope you have a fantastic evening

Table of Contents

Emerging Business of the Year Award

07

04 10 12

08 18 19

Chamber Workforce Initiatives 16 Business of the Year Award

Resilient Business of the Year Award

Young Professionals Best Place to Work Award

Small Business of the Year Award

Past Award Winners

New Investors Highlight

EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward

This award honors companies as ‘rising stars’ due to the actual or potential growth of its business, innovative products or services, and outstanding commitment to its employees and community. Company must be in business three years or less.

He then compared the emissions profile to gas and gaselectric hybrid cars and quickly realized the potential to reduce transportation emissions by using electric vehicles was in his words, “enormous.”

Green Fleet LLC is an all electric MSP Luxury Airport Shuttle based in Eau Claire, WI with a focus on providing convenient and sustainable transportation options as well as a mission to help preserve the environment for future generations. Green Fleet exclusively utilizes Tesla vehicles to provide this high-quality method of transportation and is proud to offer this service that is unrivaled in the US.

Founded by Bill Lobner in 2020, Bill’s education at UWGreen Bay and his passion for electric vehicles spawned the idea for Green Fleet. As a graduate student studying Environmental Science and Policy with an emphasis on Environmental Technology & Analysis, Bill quickly became a fan of Dr. John Katers and began working under him to complete his thesis which involved energy use and carbon taxes.

During Bill’s studies, he found that transportation was/is the #1 source of carbon emissions in the US, and began to look for solutions to this interdisciplinary dilemma. Bill created a new metric called CO² potential/kWh which gave a value to each of the 50 states to show how clean or dirty the electric grid was nationwide.

After a failed attempt in 2015 to found Green Fleet in Green Bay, Bill accepted a job in Eau Claire as an Energy Advisor with Franklin Energy. Dreams of Green Fleet persisted but Bill knew he had to find the right fit in the market and develop a new strategy. The pandemic of 2020 gave Bill the time to refine his business plan and eventually launch the business in September 2020.

Green Fleet initially started as a private car service with one vehicle, Bill’s personal 2013 Tesla Model S, (Blake), and one driver, Bill. After a brief partnership with The Lismore to bring guests to and from the hotel, Green Fleet quickly found their market to be much bigger. They have since expanded to 11 vehicles with over 10 drivers, and offer a Luxury Shuttle service that provides a private car experience. The addition of the new Luxury Shuttle service has Green Fleet poised to transport 50,000 people annually at an estimated 1.5 million miles per year. To keep up with its increasing growth, Green Fleet has partnered with a Swedish app company to develop a custom app solution and his website traffic has increased significantly.

Additionally, Bill has started working with the Eau Claire Chamber, Volume One, Visit Eau Claire and other Chippewa Valley organizations to promote the business.

With a team of over 10 drivers and his wife Anna by his side as part of business, Bill strives to help his employees better themselves every day by providing job growth opportunities and training. Drivers shape the foundation of Green Fleet, however, the business presents opportunities for assistant manager and manager level positions as well. And now with service covering a 300 mile radius of Eau Claire including routes from Chippewa Falls/Menomonie to MSP, Eau Claire to Rochester, Eau Claire to Marshfield and Marshfield to MSP, Green Fleet can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2024 and beyond.

What differentiates Natural Health and Allergy from others in their field is that they have Qi-5 technology that talks to the body and provides a potency, so there are no needles, no downtime and no medications. They offer a healing laser that has 180,000 substance specific frequencies that can heal a wound over night, take pain away instantly, act as a mood lifter, relax the nervous system and much more.

The overall goal of Natural Health and Allergy is to provide a natural approach to a better life. They practice functional medicine by getting to the root cause of the problem. Each patient is provided a physical, emotional and mental body assessment along with a detailed explanation of what can be done to provide support to help them heal.

During the 2020 pandemic, Laura assumed business would go downhill but it was quite the opposite. More and more people wanted natural healing and as a result, the business became busier and busier. When Laura’s building owner decided to move, she decided to take the plunge and took on the lease for the entire space. As a result, she is able to provide inexpensive space to other like-minded businesses looking for a place to start up. So far, Natural Health and Allergy has helped two small businesses expand and two other businesses get started.

Currently, the business has just one owner/practitioner, Laura, but future goals include adding more staff. Laura relies on several local volunteers that help support her growing business. She also proudly donates her services to the Eau Claire County Humane Association.

Natural Health and Allergy is a medical clinic that provides Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy by balancing the frequencies of the body in response to foreign substances and stressors. Led by Laura Hoehn, R.N., Natural Health and Allergy works with patients of all ages, ranging from pregnancy to elderly, and animals too. Laura started her business in 2020, leasing a private room which has now evolved to leasing an entire space with other tenants in the building. The business has grown from just a few patients coming to Laura’s home each week to about 30 patients per week currently. Additionally, Natural Health and Allergy has signed on with Awakend which has helped them introduce brain fitness platforms BrainTap and Uplift to the community.

Green Fleet customer service

Green Fleet vehicles

Laura and her office Products display

Wisconsin Makers Market (WMM) has a storefront that sells high-quality handmade only products from Wisconsin artisans. Established in October 2021, WMM officially opened its storefront at 106 Grand Avenue on July 1, 2022. Founded by Chelsea Higley, the goal of Wisconsin Makers Market is to support Wisconsin-based artisans and to act as a bridge between makers and other makers as well as between makers and the community.

The two main business values as stated by Chelsea, are 1) always handmade and 2) always local. She is proud to say that everything in the market is handmade in Wisconsin.

The store currently hosts over 100 vendors from throughout the state. In addition, WMM also hosts multiple vendor markets each year. The three large vendor market events partner with a local non-profit to raise money for their organization through a raffle. They also host community events, such as a children’s Halloween party and a children’s holiday PJ party.

In addition, WMM partners with Wisconsin artisans to host workshops for the community. They also collaborate with local businesses and organizations, most recently partnering with Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. for their Party on the Plaza event.

The business continues to grow which allows WMM the opportunity to offer even more local handmade items to its customers.

The business prides itself in not only providing customers with high-quality products, but also giving Wisconsin artisans a place to sell their goods that doesn’t compete with mass-produced products. Additionally, store customers get to see the ripple effect they create when shopping from local, handmade businesses. They are helping create a community that allows makers from all over Wisconsin live out their dream.

The team at WMM has also grown from one to now five, including four part-time employees. Open communication is important to Chelsea and her team members at all times. She stated, “They are amazing people and we all support each other. We are currently planning our first group community service/fundraising project to do as a team.”

Future goals for Wisconsin Makers Market include expanding into a bigger location adding other services, such as craft (new and secondhand) supplies, larger workshops, event space rental, incubator space rental, and someday, a podcast.

The store provides a collaborative and accessible space for makers and the community to be able to come together. In the words of Chelsea Higley, “Wisconsin Makers Market isn’t just a store. It’s a community.”

Example of products available

As an organization we have rebuilt and revitilized how we operate. From the events and programs that we produce, to our sponsorships and investment opportunities as well as all additional services, we are excited to share all of it with you!

JANUARY 24, 2024

Pablo Center at the Confluence

RESILIENT BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward RESILIENT BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward

In addition, they then had to send half of the relocated staff home when stricter guidelines were implemented due to COVID. ECEC made video updates, moved their allemployee updates online, and came up with schedules so that management was available to all staff at all locations several times a week.

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is a distribution cooperative that provides electricity to over 12,000 members in rural Eau Claire County along with parts of Chippewa, Dunn, Trempealeau, Clark, Buffalo, Pepin, and Jackson counties. Many people may not know that ECEC is a not for profit business and that their revenue largely comes from their member-owners.

ECEC would consider The Seven Cooperative Principles as their guiding values along with its Mission Statement. The Seven Cooperative Principles are: Voluntary & Open Membership, Democratic Member Control, Members’ Economic Participation, Autonomy & Independence, Education, Training, and Information, Cooperative Among Cooperatives, and Concern for Community.

ECEC practices these principles by providing open and transparent information to members, some of whom are employees, investing in their employees, youth, and public by offering them training and education opportunities, and giving back to the community through various ways.

In 2020, ECEC demonstrated great resiliency by going through a major remodel during COVID where their office staff, which made up half of their entire company staff, was relocated to a temporary and much smaller building. Their line crew worked from their headquarters, and operations staff, out of work trailers.

Then in 2022, ECEC tore down an existing garage that housed its inventory and bucket trucks and added a 40,000 square foot warehouse and garage which displaced their entire line crew, mechanic, and warehouse person. Amongst both remodels, and COVID, all staff were resilient, flexible, and were able to keep the lights on for their membership.

As a result, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative has very little turnover and has maintained 34-35 employees since even before 2019. They have employee tenure ranging from 40 years to 1 year of employment with an average of 15 years of employment at ECEC currently.

This award honors and recognizes those businesses that have demonstrated creative and innovative ways to adapt and respond to business disruptions and/or adveristy while maintaining continuous business operations. They have demonstrated ethical business practices as well as a committment to employee support and development.

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative staff

Onsite work

Contributing to their already successful employee work environment, ECEC also offers a fun and laid back wellness program along with monthly engagement events ranging from Easter egg hunts to bowling events, to baseball games, golf outings, and more. Their on-site walking trail, corn hole game and basket ball hoop encourage employee engagement as well.

Despite a building remodel, a pandemic and a building addition, ECEC was able to continue its mission to its members and provide safe and reliable electricity because of their dedicated staff.

Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children, Inc. –Resilient Business of the Year REACH Inc. is a 501(c)(3) local non-profit that provides prevocational, employment and day services to adults with disabilities and operates a fully inclusive childcare center. Their mission is to provide innovative opportunities for people in order to promote self-determination and full participation in the community, regardless of their ability.

Although small, REACH Inc. has been a mighty non-profit in Eau Claire and surrounding Chippewa Valley for the last 60 years, according to REACH president/CEO, Anne Woolever. Through the ups and downs of legislation and funding, a fire and most recently the Covid-19 pandemic and workforce shortage crisis, REACH Inc. has been steadfast in its mission to assist individuals with disabilities to live full and meaningful lives.

REACH Inc. contracts with local businesses to provide mailing, packaging and light manufacturing products that they need completed but don’t have the manpower to do. This provides individuals with disabilities receiving services at REACH Inc. with training that can help them prepare for community integrated employment along with a variety of services and opportunities focused on their specific employment goals.

REACH Inc. continues to successfully help individuals with disabilities identify, obtain and maintain employment by finding new employers who are willing to employ individuals with disabilities in a supported employment situation. To support this, Anne Woolever expressed, “We are cultivating an untapped resource, developing skilled employees and opening the eyes of employers every day!”

Being a 501(c)(3) organization that is funded primarily through Medicaid has presented challenges for REACH. Additionally, having programs that are labor heavy, meaning taking a lot of manpower and the work has to be done on site, REACH has not been able to take advantage of things like hybrid scheduling or remote work. The pandemic of 2020 resulted in losing over half of their full-time employees, forcing them to be creative with how they now staff their programs. They have downsized their physical footprint to allocate more dollars directly to their employees and service needs.

Despite these challenges, REACH has worked to create a flexible and meaningful workplace, which includes being able to increase starting wages and offering retention bonuses throughout the last two years as a way of thanking staff for their commitment and hard work. REACH believes in giving back to the community including involvement with the Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Menomonie Chambers. They also give back to other non-profits in the area, most recently donating to the Chippewa Valley YMCA and Hope Gospel, as well as sponsoring the Chippewa Valley Miracle League.

Through it all, REACH remains optimistic in their mission. As Anne Woolever stated, “As we navigate the workforce shortages for years to come, REACH will be a great resource for talented employees.”

Happy gathering

Supporting smiles

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BEST PLACE TO WORK YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BEST PLACE TO WORK

Award Award

Ayres is a multi-specialty architectural/engineering/geospatial consulting firm providing services from a network of offices. Headquartered in Eau Claire, they are a nationwide team of experts, representing the most innovative problem-solvers in their industry who stand behind thousands of the projects that support and strengthen their country’s infrastructure, economy, and environment.

As an employee-owned company, each member of the Ayres team is personally invested in the success of what they do, and they’re committed to living out the values that have held true since Ayres was founded in 1959. One of Ayres’ Core Values is We Challenge, Support, and Recognize Our Employee Owners. This couldn’t be more evident in Ayres’ approach to supporting their young professionals and enhancing the culture their firm presents for their YPs. Ayres provides a “roadmap and ladder” for their YPs to climb that will allow them to progress in their careers AND do it with Ayres.

As Nik Anderson, Ayres team member and YP member expressed, “The environment that Ayres provides for its young professionals to excel professionally and in their community is what makes Ayres the best place to work in (the) Chippewa Valley.” Once someone is hired to be part of the Ayres team, they are encouraged to get involved in the community, and Ayres fosters an environment that best suits their team members individual and career needs.

Ayres’ young professionals are dedicated to the Chippewa Valley, especially to our community. They regularly facilitate events like: Ayres’ United Way Day of Caring, Adopt a Highway Cleanup on USH 12 in Altoona, volunteering at the Miracle League, serving on the board of directors at DECI, and volunteering as a coach for Eau Claire Youth Cycling.

Additionally, Ayres’ Eau Claire YPs are consistently showing leadership in and outside of the office. Their YPs are typically the employees that facilitate most office events, most notably their recent golf outings as part of the inaugural Owen Ayres Cup. These events have not only created opportunities for their YPs to meet fellow colleagues but also to create lasting memories with each other, that will strengthen their ability to collaborate on projects together.

Ayres’ employee philosophy is “Ayres sees you.” They are proud of their inclusive culture, where each member of their team feels comfortable and confident being themselves at work – and knows how to cultivate that comfort with clients too. That level of trust unleashes all the intelligence, creativity, and innovation in the room. Bruce Ommen, president of Ayres Associates proudly shared, “Our commitment to our YPs fosters the success of the clients we partner with, other employee owners, the communities we live in, and the Chippewa Valley.”

This award honors employers that invest in the development of young professionals, who offer exemplary work environments, look to hire young professionals who are under 41 years old and strongly support as well as demonstrate commitment to those young professionals.

Grand Avenue Bridge dinner

Ayres Associates Summer Picnic

Bauman Associates, Ltd. Has been a pillar in the Eau Claire community for 75 years and continues to thrive and grow. With expertise in tax services, assurance, and outsourced accounting, our firm is well-equipped to assist clients in various industries.

In addition to building strong relationships with their clients, Bauman strongly believes in nurturing the professional growth of their employees. As a proud member of the Chamber, Bauman specifically encourages their younger staff to become members of the chamber’s young professional organization, recognizing the value of networking and professional development opportunities it offers. Bauman covers the annual registration fees and event costs, demonstrating their commitment to their YP’s growth and involvement in the community.

Bauman strives to create an exceptional workplace for all of their staff, young professionals included. They aim to promote a healthy work-life balance by offering benefits such as a four-day work week during the summer months and the option to work remotely for many positions within the company. Recognizing that flexibility appeals to their young professionals as they juggle various work, family, community and educational commitments, Bauman also offers flexible working hours, understanding that productivity and client service can be achieved at various times throughout the day. Bauman is committed to ensuring their employees’ well-being and fostering a supportive and fulfilling work environment.

Bauman Associates recognizes the significance of actively participating in community and chamber events as a means of supporting the local community and fostering meaningful relationships. Bauman Associates has dedicated civic hours that allow their staff members to actively contribute to community events without compromising their work responsibilities.

With 68% of their employees being young professionals or millennials, Bauman understands the motivations, needs and expectations of this generation and have successfully implemented strategies to attract, engage and retain them. As CEO/President Gregg Mleziva expressed, “We prioritize flexibility, growth opportunities and a supportive work environment, all of which contribute to a rewarding and fulfilling career at our firm.”

Since 1912, Chippewa Valley Technical College has delivered innovative, applied, and flexible education that has supported a diverse community of learners, improved the lives of students, and added value to our communities. CVTC values all students and their diverse backgrounds and are committed to their learning and success in a global society. Chippewa Valley Technical College fosters the careers of young professionals within their organization in many ways.

They offer all employees professional development opportunities that align with their career goals. The opportunities include classes within the walls of the College, but also conferences and institutes throughout the United States.

CVTC believes in the growth of leaders, which is why they offer mentorship to all new leaders. It’s also important to make sure employees are engaged. With 40% of their current workforce being young professionals, CVTC believes that when their employees, including young professionals, are appreciated and kept in the loop, they are engaged and eager to thrive in their careers.

In addition, the College urges colleagues to participate in United Way’s Day of Caring and other important community volunteer opportunities by offering eight hours of pay to volunteer throughout the year. It’s important to CVTC that their colleagues give back to the community they serve. While their passion is to help students, they can’t do it without first knowing the community, where they come from, and the struggles they may be facing.

CVTC takes pride in offering guidance, leadership, and opportunities for young professionals, which often sway them to choose employment at CVTC. As CVTC president, Sunem Beaton-Garcia proudly stated, “Our dedication to young professionals goes beyond merely offering a job; it’s about empowering individuals to build fulfilling careers.”

Facility instructors

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward

Atmosphere has a rich history in the office furniture industry, solving business issues through the application of facility solutions. Their strong corporate focus on culture, purpose, and process drives results, fulfilling our clients’ project and business goals. They serve organizations of every size across corporate, healthcare, education, and hospitality industries. Their focus on innovation and inspired solutions guides our partnerships with architecture and design, real estate, and construction.

Atmosphere’s Core Values are beliefs that guide their actions, unite their team members, and define their brand. These Core Values are Own It, Tune In, Aim Higher, and Better Together. Atmosphere’s purpose is to enlighten organizations to the connection between people, purpose and place, because they believe place helps people work better together, and that enables them to fulfill their purpose. So, their last value, working and leading better together, is especially meaningful for Atmosphere, and is also aspirational.

They strive to provide exceptional places to work, beyond the physical space. And they believe that their work communities can and should empower both the individual and the team.

As Atmosphere CEO Carlene Wilson stated, “We are passionate about creating spaces that not only inspire, but that also support and encourage workstyle and human diversity.” The Eau Claire office was developed from concept to profitability within a year and was a new territory for Atmosphere. The team started with Bonnie Krahn as the Eau Claire area salesperson and has expanded to include three additional team members and a new Worklab showcasing their products and collaborative capabilities.

Atmosphere’s Eau Claire location operates with a “start-up” mentality. With only four local employees, all team members take on multiple roles (sometimes outside their formal job description) to ensure that projects exceed their clients’ expectations. Their multiple locations in the Midwest also allow the Eau Claire office to draw on resources and assistance from regional team members as needed. This geographic diversity helps them to bring the latest workplace trends, ideas, and products to their local customers.

This award honors and recognizes those businesses that have experienced growth and sustainability within their company. They showcase entrepreneurship, innovative products or services and an overall response to adversity. They have involvement with the community, stewardship and commitment to good business practices, as well as strong workplace culture and employee relations.

Atmosphere staff

Atmosphere was a relatively new business to the Eau Claire area when the pandemic hit, and they continue to build brand awareness and establish their reputation as an innovative and knowledgeable full-service commercial furniture dealer and facilities services provider as the local business community recovers from the pandemic. They have navigated the extended lead times and supply chain issues that have plagued many industries by utilizing their extensive vendor resources, bringing flexibility and a myriad of product options to their clients.

At Atmosphere, their belief is that their greatest strength lies with each individual team member— the unique background, experience and culture that they bring, and the power of the teams they create.

Bauman Associates, Ltd. is a certified public accounting firm with a range of services and an unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. With expertise in tax services, assurance, and outsourced accounting, the firm is wellequipped to assist clients in various industries.

Gregg Mleziva, CPA and CEO/President of Bauman Associates proudly stated, “Bauman Associates has been a pillar in the Eau Claire area for an impressive 75 years and continues to thrive and grow.” At Bauman Associates, their core values serve as the foundation of their company culture and guide their actions. Integrity, accountability, communication, personal development, relationship and trust, and teamwork are not just words on paper; they are put into practice day in and day out. From the top down, their leadership leads by example, embodying these values in their daily practices.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that only 12 percent of companies are older than 26 years. Bauman Associates has an impressive 75-year track record. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is exemplified by their consistent recognition as one of the top three contenders in the “Best of the Chippewa Valley” awards for six consecutive years, an achievement Bauman Associates takes great pride in.

While many businesses in the Chippewa Valley are facing workforce challenges, Bauman Associates is ahead of the curve in its approach to recruiting, retaining, and rewarding its dedicated employees. When it comes to recruiting top talent, they employ a multifaceted strategy that includes actively participating in career fairs across Wisconsin, leveraging the power of social media to reach a broader audience, and implementing a referral program that encourages employees to bring in skilled individuals they trust and admire.

To ensure the retention of an exceptional workforce, Bauman places great emphasis on nurturing and developing their employees. They provide top-quality training programs that empower all staff to grow both personally and professionally. Additionally, the company assigns mentors who guide and support employees throughout their career journeys. Recognizing the significance of fostering a positive work environment, Bauman organizes various social events that foster camaraderie among colleagues, promoting a sense of belonging and enhancing employee satisfaction.

Bauman believes in giving back to our community is at the heart of their values and culture. They firmly believe in nurturing the growth and development of their employees, not just within the workplace but also within the broader community. Bauman proudly sponsors a broad range of chamber and community events including golf outings, Country Jam, and the Eau Claire Children’s Theater. They encourage their employees to attend and actively participate in these events, allowing them to establish meaningful connections and contribute positively to the local community’s growth and prosperity.

CPA passing party

Cowboy Jack’s has worked very hard since the company started in 2017 in a competitive marketplace to continually offer excellent service and a terrific atmosphere. Located in Altoona’s River Prairie development, Cowboy Jack’s is an eating and drinking establishment that offers a high-quality environment with exceptional food and drink, serving lunch and dinner, drinks, late night eats, delivery food, catering, special events, and specials every day of the week.

Owned and operated by MAR Hospitality, based in Eau Claire, Cowboy Jack’s is owned by Paul & Emily Madsen, Bill Albright and Shawn Rauckman. As one of the first businesses built in River Prairie, Cowboy Jacks continues to serve as an anchor and pioneer for businesses in that area. Cowboy Jack’s Altoona has several core values: Respect, Service, Efficiency and Fun. These core values are expressed to all employees and are continually communicated via a rewards system, competitions, recognition, compensation, and various appreciation events throughout the year.

Over the past year, Cowboy Jacks has incorporated the EOS Traction process to provide a systematic method to ensure they are continually working on improving. Their management team has undergone a great deal of training and they are very professional, effective, and passionate about what they do. They inspire the entire staff with their work ethic and dedication to serving their guests. Since opening, the most significant adverse situation that has been presented to eating and drinking establishments has been the quarantine shutdowns of 2020, limits to occupancy, and the public’s slow return to public events. Cowboy Jack’s was fortunate to have a strong business plan and an emergency fund in place. That preparation paired with quick action by their management team helped them retain staff and pivot to adjust to the challenges of that time.

Cowboy Jack’s supports a wide range of non-profit groups throughout each year, donating in excess of $15,000 annually.

They are proud to support the Altoona Parks & Recreation program as well as Boys & Girls Club, Miracle League, and more. The team at Cowboy Jack’s has always consisted of a significant number of animal lovers and they have supported the Humane Association and Bob’s House for Dogs for years. Veterans service groups are another area where they have focused their giving efforts. The success of Cowboy Jack’s can be attributed to both providing quality customer service and preserving a talented management team and staff. As CEO Travor Bohland stated, “We have worked diligently to foster organic and sustainable growth in this market and consistently receive high reviews from our customers.” He also expressed, “And we make sure our team is rewarded and that we have fun doing it all.”

Ferguson’s Orchards began as a small family farm in 2002 and has quickly grown to a premier fall destination in the Midwest and the largest commercial apple grower between the Rocky Mountains and Lake Michigan. Currently comprised of 6 apple orchards and 4 retail agritourism operations in Eau Claire, Galesville and Chippewa Falls, WI and Lake City and Jordan, MN. Owned by brothers Andy and Joe Ferguson, Ferguson’s Orchards is proud to be a family-owned and operated small business with deep roots in the Chippewa Valley community.

Dining at Cowboy Jack’s

Interior bar

As Andy Ferguson stated, “Family is at the core of Ferguson’s Orchards.” As a rapidly-expanding family business, the owners themselves have served in virtually every role in the business over the years, giving them an appreciation and respect for each job function and what they’re asking of team members. Along with a team of approximately 350 employees each fall, Ferguson’s works year-round to provide the best fall experience for their visitors. Unlike a traditional yearround business, Ferguson’s has to complete the entire seasonal hiring process for the majority of their hundreds of team members each fall. In addition, the orchards are spread out in hopes of both minimizing their weather risk from mother nature and sharing memorable fall experiences with as many communities as possible. In Fall 2022, over 250,000 people visited their farms!

While on the farms, visitors enjoy a wide range of activities from apple and pumpkin picking, to getting lost in the giant corn mazes, to enjoying a guided wagon ride tour through the farm. Visitors also stock up on fall essentials like fresh apple cider donuts, caramel apples, delicious baked goods and of course, apples. Their country store offers many local gifts, crafts and products, making them a premier destination for all things fall. The apples they do not sell in their own farm stores make their way to countless grocery stores, schools and kitchen tables throughout the Midwest.

Ferguson’s is proud to say that they measure their success in smiles – from the countless beaming children enjoying their day at the apple orchard, to the team members cheerfully greeting visitors as they arrive on a crisp fall morning, to the family devouring their fresh apple cider donuts on the drive home from the farm. They are proud to have been recognized numerous times for these “smiles.”

Natural Health and Allergy is a medical clinic that provides Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy by balancing the frequencies of the body in response to foreign substances and stressors. Led by Laura Hoehn, R.N., Natural Health and Allergy works with patients of all ages, ranging from pregnancy to elderly, and animals too.

Laura started her business in 2020, leasing a private room which has now evolved to leasing an entire space with other tenants in the building. The business has grown from just a few patients coming to Laura’s home each week to about 30 patients per week currently. Additionally, Natural Health and Allergy has signed on with Awakend which has helped them introduce brain fitness platforms BrainTap and Uplift to the community. What differentiates Natural Health and Allergy from others in their field is that they have Qi-5 technology that talks to the body and provides a potency, so there are no needles, no downtime and no medications. They offer a healing laser that has 180,000 substance specific frequencies that can heal a wound over night, take pain away instantly, act as a mood lifter, relax the nervous system and much more.

The overall goal of Natural Health and Allergy is to provide a natural approach to a better life. They practice functional medicine by etting to the root cause of the problem. Each patient is provided a physical, emotional and mental body assessment along with a detailed explanation of what we can be done to provide support to help them heal.

So far, Natural Health and Allergy has helped two small businesses to expand and two brand new businesses to get started. Currently, the business has just one owner/ practitioner, Laura, but future goals include adding more staff. Laura relies on several local volunteers that help support her growing business. She also proudly donates her services to the Eau Claire County Humane Association.

Ferguson’s Orchards

Ferguson’s apple cider donuts

BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward BUSINESS OF THE YEARAward

This award honors and recognizes the incredible impact businesses have on our local economy and how they give back. They have more than 50 full-time employees and have shown stability or growth in sales, services or have expanded their products and services. They have demonstrated a commitment to ethical business practices, employee support and development, strong corporate citizenship as well as community leadership.

Royal Credit Union offers financial products and services for its 300,000+ Member-owners across Wisconsin and Minnesota. Royal’s roots are in Eau Claire, going back to its start in 1964 serving employees of the Uniroyal Tire Company.

Royal is guided by a core purpose—to create a positive impact in the lives they touch. Team members live this purpose in their professional and personal lives. Every decision is made to serve their Membership and with their core values in mind: Make a Difference; Do the Right Thing; Make it Easy; Be Friendly, Nice and Respectful; Be Caring; Take Ownership.

Royal sets annual corporate goals and empowers team members to meet these goals by aligning with individual performance evaluations. In 2022, Royal met or exceeded every goal. Among the many awards and accolades Royal has received, they were ranked by Forbes as a Best-in-State Credit Union for six consecutive years as well as taking the top spot in four categories in the 2023 Volume One Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll.

Royal is committed to supporting communities with time, talent and treasure.

Each year, Royal donates over $260,000 to nonprofits, making a positive impact in the communities they serve. Since its creation in 2012, the RCU Foundation has granted over $8 million in capital gifts, including over $4.6 million in the Chippewa Valley.

Royal encourages their team members to provide hands-on service. Team members volunteer over 3,000 hours each year at local charities, community projects, and civic groups. Their annual performance reviews factor in team member participation and leadership on external committees and professional associations—so team members are reminded of the value and rewarded for taking this initiative. On Community Give Back Day in Eau Claire, 20+ nonprofits benefitted from RCU team members contributing 1,400 hours of service.

Downtown Eau Claire ribbon cutting

Mortgage Operations Center ribbon cutting

Despite the world’s uncertain economies, Royal continues to look ahead and invest in the Chippewa Valley.

In 2022 Royal opened a new branch in downtown Eau Claire as well as a new branch in Altoona. In addition, Royal remodeled its old branch on Birch Street to serve as our Mortgage Operations Center. Royal continues to see improvement and development opportunity in downtown. Brandon Riechers, CEO, said it this way, “If you think back to when we opened our headquarters down here (in 2005), one of the main reasons we chose downtown is the redevelopment of the area, hoping that business would follow and the neighborhood would boom.” Royal has been and will continue to be an anchor institution downtown.

Minnesota Wire continually strives to increase employee engagement. The company holds quarterly Town Hall meetings, at least one social event per month, enjoys a “community garden”, sponsors softball teams and yearly events such as family fishing day.

Minnesota Wire specializes in the engineering and production of wire, cable, and assemblies for medical, aerospace, and defense markets. Started at the family kitchen table, Minnesota Wire operates facilities in Eau Claire, WI and St. Paul, MN. Most production happens at the 62,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Eau Claire. Medical devices and cables continue to be Minnesota Wire’s largest product line. As trusted advisors to the market for over 50 years, Minnesota Wire supplies products to Fortune 500 companies. With aerospace being the fastest growing segment, the company was the first to employ carbon to reduce “tribo-electric effect” thereby improving signal purity in medical equipment.

Their team also led the commercialization of carbon nanotube signal cable for satellite systems known as “Space Wire” that is making the nation more competitive in this rapidly expanding frontier. Additionally, Minnesota Wire developed and commercialized a stretchable cable called iSTRETCH®. The company holds eight patents for these two revolutionary innovations.

Additionally, Paul Wagner instituted “CEO Circle of Excellence” ensuring his involvement with every stakeholder, which includes holding one on one meetings and production floor walks.

As a company with a rich history of recognition of achievements and awards internally as well as externally, the company awards FREDDIE and NORA awards to outstanding employees who consistently demonstrate the founding principles of Fred and Nora Wagner. Externally, the company has won numerous awards for innovation and being an exceptional small business.

Minnesota Wire’s tag line “Life Saving Connections” embodies their commitments to the community. The company strives to manufacture products to benefit individuals, communities, the country and the world as a whole.

First Wisconsin facility

80’s theme summer picnic

Past Award Winners

Emerging Business Award

2022 Valley Sports Academy

Community Development Award

2009 Wipfli

2010 Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci

2011 Chippewa Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America

2012 Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association

2013 Sculpture Tour of Eau Claire

2014 Eau Claire Ski Club & Flying Eagles Ski Club

2015 JAMF Software

2016 Country Jam USA

2017 Commonweal Development Corporation

2018 City of Altoona – River Prairie

2019 Marshfield Clinic Health System

2021 WIN Technology

Young Professional Best Place to Work Award

2021 Benedict Sales & Service

2022 Royal Credit Union

Small Business of the Year Award (50

2009 (1) Nohre & Company, S.C. CPA’s (2) Benedict Refrigeration

2010 (1) J. Theisen Real Estate (2) Silver Spring Foods

2011 (1) Curt Manufacturing, Inc. (2) Student Transit--Eau Claire

2012 (1) Tru-Lock & Security (2) Gordy’s County Market

2013 (1) Hoeft Builders (2) EO Johnson Office Technologies

2014 (1) Applied Data Consultants (2) RB Scott Company

2015 (1) Greener Grass Systems (2) MEP Associates

2016 (1) Royal Construction (2) Volume One

employees or less)

2017 (1) C&M Properties & Construction (2) Kristo Orthodontics

2018 (1) Boxx Sanitation (2) Rain Master

2019 (1) Coffee Grounds

(2) Precision Systems

2021 (1) Benedict Sales & Service

(2) Trubilt Collision Center

2022 ReforMedicine, S.C.

Business of the Year Award (51+ employees)

2021 (1)Benedict Sales & Service (2) WIN Technology

2022 Huebsch Services

New Investors Highlight

7 Brew

A&W - Altoona

Adobe

Advanced Analytics Consulting LLC

Amazon Hub

AMK Nonprofit Coaching, LLC

Ansay & Associates

Automation Displays Inc.

Avergent

Balloons by Lindsey

BNI

Brooks Home Renovations

Caravel Autism Health

CC We Adapt

Cedar Crest Surgery Center

Charlotte’s Bridal of Eau Claire

City Eats at the Metropolis Resort

CleanPower

Confluence Chiropractic & Birth

Core Cabling & Integration

Cornerstone Caregiving

Costco

Crumbl Eau Claire

Democratic Party - Eau Claire County

Downtown Candy

East Hill Electric

Eau Claire Event District

Elly & Lula Boutique

Evolve Network Solutions LLC

Ferguson’s Orchard

Fire Protection Specialists

Foundations of Health & Wholeness

Godfrey & Kahn

Green Fleet LLC

Greywolf Partners

Happy Hollow Tavern

Healthy Pet Animal Hospital - Altoona

Hello Adorn

Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary

Holiday Oakwood Hills Senior Living

House of Gouda

Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant

KatStay

Kelly Services

Kobussen Buses

La Michoacana

10/1/2022-9/8/2023

LifeSkills Connection, Inc.

Lifetime Memorials LLC

Madden

Mathnasium of Eau Claire

Midwest Meals

National Tactical Security (NTS)

Natural Health and Allergy

Next Era Energy

Phillips-Medisize Corporation

Pizza Del Re

Play It Again Sports

Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Wisconsin

Representative Karen Hurd

Rocket Construction

Royal Credit Union

Royal Credit Union - Altoona

RWE Renewables Americas LLC

Senator Jesse James

Smart Scan Medical Imaging

SolarteHealth

SolidaritUS Health

Stand in the Light Memory Choir

Stokes Trucking LLC

Strategic Communications, LLC

Superior Choice Credit Union

TemptAsians

The Business News

The Good Feet Store

The Reboot Social

The Red Mixer

Toast POS | All-in-One Restaurant Solution

Transworld Business Advisors North

VIBE Nutrition

Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting, LLC

Wind River Financial Wisconsin Makers Market