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SPRING 2016

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COVER STORY

SPRING 2016

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Fantastic Sams franchising is a family affair for Jeff Rauckman.

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Jackie Boos of Tilden and Gus Myran of Menomonie featured.

Catie.Carlson@ecpc.com

Editor ~ Liam.Marlaire@ecpc.com 715-833-9215 or 800-236-7077

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erving as editor for Business Leader has been a labor of love for the past several years.

Response to the region’s only locally owned quarterly business magazine has been overwhelmingly positive. Ensuring each edition consists entirely of local content deemed valuable to readers and advertisers alike has been a challenging yet rewarding task.

Due to a reshuffling of our newsroom at the Leader-Telegram, that responsibility now falls to Andrew Dowd. A lifelong Wisconsin resident and UW-Eau Claire graduate, Dowd joined the LeaderTelegram in August 2005 and has filled a number of roles for the newspaper. He now covers business news and county government and will be the editor for Business Leader. My duties have

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Graphic Design & Layout ~ John Balgaard _________ Sales Director ~ Kathy.Hayden@ecpc.com ________________ Magazine Advertising & Distribution Coordinator ~

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FEATURE STORY

➤ Campus News ����������������������������������� Page 9 ➤ Guest Columns ������������������������ Pages 10, 15 ➤ Book Review ���������������������������������� Page 12 ➤ Business Directory ������������������������� Page 13 ➤ Briefcase ��������������������������������� Pages 21-25 ➤ Crossword ������������������������������������� Page 26 ➤ Calendar ����������������������������������� Page 27-30 ➤ By The Numbers ������������������������������ Page 31

Rump’s owner Bob Adrian opening airport restaurant.

transitioned to those of an assistant editor for the newsroom.

Please contact Dowd at 715-833-9204 or andrew.dowd@ecpc.com with story ideas and local business news such as promotions, acquisitions or upcoming events. The goal of being the region’s top source for business news will not change under his leadership.

As always, thanks go out to the readers and advertisers who make this magazine possible. In return, we’ll continue to provide local, relevant and timely business news on these pages.

Regards, Liam Marlaire Assistant Editor Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

Published four times per year by the Leader-Telegram advertising department. Copyright 2016 Eau Claire Press Co., 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. All rights reserved. 800-236-7077. www.leadertelegram.com

COVER STORY

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Franchising an increasingly popular option

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By Eric Lindquist, Leader-Telegram staff

tarting a business is hard work.

A potential entrepreneur must make decisions about employment level, marketing approach, business structure, product pricing, building design and the list goes on and on.

For people more interested in running a business than making all those “boss” decisions, a popular solution is to open a franchise.

That was the case for Tom Hanaman when he launched a Servpro franchise six years ago in Eau Claire. The Gallatin, Tenn.-based restoration and cleaning company, which has about 1,680 outlets,

He also recognized that following a game plan that had been proven successful reduced the odds that his operation would join the 50 percent of businesses that fail within four years of opening their doors.

Hanaman is far from alone in being attracted to the franchising concept, as franchises have added nearly 1 million jobs to the U.S. economy in the past five years while increasing employment at an average annual rate of 2.6 percent, or about 20 percent faster than the rate for all businesses, according to the International Franchise Association.

The trade group is forecasting that 2016 will be the sixth consecutive year that franchise businesses will expand at rates that exceed the growth of the overall industries in which franchises are concentrated. The association predicts franchises will add 278,000 jobs to the economy this year to reach a total of 9.1 million jobs.

Staff photo by Dan Reiland Tom Hanaman owns Servpro of Eau Claire. The franchise specializes in restoring or cleaning residential and commercial properties.

“Franchise businesses ranks No. 4 on Entrepreneur magazine’s “Franchise are showing tremendous capability to provide new 500” list of the nation’s top franchises. jobs for working families and new businesses for “The franchise advantage was huge for me,” first-time business owners across all sectors in local Hanaman said. “The idea behind franchising is that communities,” IFA President Robert Cresanti said in you’re not going out to invent something on your a recent news release. own. The groundwork is already done.”

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Proven methods A big part of the attraction for franchise owners is the concept of buying into a business with a successful track record and a plan for how to achieve profitability.

That was definitely part of the appeal for Will Rauckman in the early 1980s when, as a third-generation operator of a beauty supply business, he decided he wanted to run his own salon instead of supplying other people’s salons.

He latched on to one of the first Fantastic Sams franchises in Wisconsin and eventually became the subfranchisor for the entire state, meaning Rauckman and his family control Fantastic Sams franchise rights in Wisconsin and thus provide training and support for the state’s 37 existing outlets and any potential new sites.

The Rauckmans — including Will and his wife, Gigi, and three of their sons, Jereme, Jeff and Shawn — also own and operate three Fantastic Sams salons in Eau Claire and one in Chippewa Falls.

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Meet, Stay, And Play Staff photo by Dan Reiland Jeff Rauckman of Fantastic Sams Hair Salon is pictured at one of the chain’s Eau Claire locations. Fantastic Sams is based in Beverly, Mass.

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“For our family, my parents in particular, Fantastic Sams was a good opportunity because it was a quickly growing business and the first franchise for full-service hair salons at the time,” Jereme Rauckman said. “For somebody interested in owning a larger business rather than just owning a salon or two, it was definitely the way to go, especially because we had the option to own a whole region.”

Beverly, Mass.-based Fantastic Sams, which has about 1,120 U.S. franchises, ranks No. 65 on the “Franchise 500,” and Jereme said his family has never regretted getting involved with the company.

“We’ve been very successful,” he said, pointing out that hair styling is fairly recession-proof and can’t be outsourced overseas or done online. “And the business is

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COVER STORY

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fun to run. We’re not dealing with inventory on a recognition that come with franchise ownership. shelf; we’re dealing with people.”

“I think the advantage of franchising is that For Ray Thielbar, the owner of four local Jimmy someone else has done quite a bit of work for John’s Gourmet Sandwiches shops — which you in terms of starting a business, so you’re rose to the top spot this year in the “Franchise not reinventing the wheel,” Kempen said. “The 500” ranking that looks at financial strength, downside is that you’re paying for all of that, stability, growth rate and the question and other statistical comes down to if you measures — buying a think you can do it franchise seemed like as efficiently on your a golden opportunity own.” when he retired from Buying a franchise is the beverage industry probably a good way and was looking for an to go for an individual investment venture. who needs the structure “The value of that goes hand in the franchise is the hand with franchise established brand ownership, he said. name,” said Thielbar, Recalling all of the who owns three Jimmy work he once put into John’s in Eau Claire starting a business, and one in Chippewa Kempen acknowledged Falls. “Nobody knows he has a more favorable who Ray is, but a lot of outlook toward people know the name franchising now than Jimmy John’s.” he did before that Staff photo by Dan Reiland Ray Thielbar, owner of four Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches franchises in the Chippewa Valley, Even more important experience. poses recently at his store at 923 W. Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire. Thielbar said he was attracted is that he likes the “If you’re the type to the franchise model when he made the investment. product the company of person who just promotes as being wants to come in and delivered “freaky fast,” Thielbar said, adding, “I run a business, it’s a lot easier to do that with a think it’s a great sandwich, and it’s a healthier franchise,” he said. “Any business that starts from option than a burger shop.” scratch has to figure out how to get customers Champaign, Ill.-based Jimmy John’s, founded through the door.” as a single sub shop in 1983 by James J. Liautaud, David Kochendorfer, a consultant with the added 205 units last year to hit a total of 2,361 SBDC, said franchises can offer an excellent path franchises to go along with 58 company-owned to business ownership for individuals who have outlets, according to Entrepreneur.com. limited experience in a particular industry.

Give and take

Do your homework

Luke Kempen, director of the Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire, said about a quarter of the center’s clients who seek advice about launching a new business are interested in becoming franchisees.

The debate typically revolves around whether an entrepreneur is willing to sacrifice some control and a share of profits for the volume buying power, collective brand advertising and name

Still, potential entrepreneurs should investigate the franchise they are considering, study the royalty requirements and contact existing franchisees before signing on the dotted line, Kochendorfer said.

Thielbar said that kind of research made Jimmy John’s an easy choice when he was weighing franchise options.

“I talked to other franchisees before I made the

♦ April 4, 2016

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decision, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” he said, noting that the company has lived up to its end of the bargain by providing outstanding business, training and marketing support.

Some entrepreneurs are scared away from becoming a franchisee by a fear that they will be bound by strict rules from the franchisor, but that isn’t always the case, Jereme Rauckman said.

Top ten franchises Rank/Company

Service/Product

Initial Investment

1. Jimmy John's

Gourmet sandwiches

$323K-$544K

2. Hampton by Hilton 3. Supercuts

Midprice hotels Hair salon Insurance/disaster restoration & cleaning

$3.8M-$14.1M $144K-$294K $142K-$191K

Subs, salads Burgers, chicken, salads, beverages

$117K-$263K $989K-$2.2M

Convenience stores Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods Family restaurant Fitness centers

$38K-$1.1M $217K-$1.6M $1.2M-$2.1M $63K-$418K

4. Servpro 5. Subway 6. McDonald's 7. 7-Eleven Inc. 8. Dunkin' Donuts 9. Denny's Inc. 10. Anytime Fitness Source: Entrepreneur.com

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“It depends on the franchise. We allow a lot of flexibility in how owners run their businesses,” he said of Fantastic Sams.

As the Servpro franchisee for Eau Claire County, Hanaman said he knew up front that he would pay monthly royalties based on sale volume — the higher the sales, the lower the percentage that must be paid to the company.

“It’s all based on the idea that they want you to succeed,” Hanaman said. “You make money, they make money.”

As an added bonus, he said, the same proven formula and name recognition that attract franchisees in the first place also are appealing to potential buyers of existing franchises.

“It’s an investment,” Hanaman said. “I have a license and a territory and a recognized brand, and there’s a demand for that.”

Contact: 715-833-9209, eric.lindquist@ecpc.com, @ealscoop on Twitter

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UW-Stout hosts SkillsUSA regional

MENOMONIE – The 33rd annual SkillsUSA regional tournament was held Feb. 25-26 at UW-Stout.

Nearly 300 students from 32 high schools in Wisconsin competed. Slinger took the most first-place awards with five. ChetekWeyerhaeuser and Black River Falls followed with three each.

SkillsUSA provides educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education.

Students were preparing for the SkillsUSA state tournament April 26-27 at Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

The UW-Stout sponsor and coordinator was the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, with support from the School of Education and UW-Stout student chapter of SkillsUSA. About 100 students and 25 faculty and staff volunteered.

Competition sites were in five UW-Stout buildings, with one event at Menomonie High School. Several competition categories also were open to middle school students.

SkillsUSA is based in Virginia and has more than 13,000 student chapters in the U.S.

By UW-Stout

CAMPUS NEWS

Contributed photo Members of the Winter High School SkillsUSA team helped with the opening and closing ceremonies during a regional competition at UW-Stout.

First-place winners included: ■ Black River Falls: Robert Coggsell, C02 dragster-middle school; Bryan Bluedorn, related technical math-middle school; Josh Goldsmith, welding sculpture.

■ Chetek-Weyerhaeuser: Sarah Churchwar, job skill demo open; Joe Beer, precision machining technology; Ryan Zeman, welding.

■ Eau Claire Memorial: Ben Nelson, automotive service technology.

■ Menomonie: Jack Henderson, carpentry; Josee Bingnell, prepared speech, high school.

■ Stanley-Boyd: Kristopher Hassemer, C02 dragster-high school; Kyle Walters, sheet metal.

■ Winter: Courtney Kowalski, extemporaneous speaking; opening/closing ceremonies (Jason Knuckey, Mikayla Knuckey, Lacey Martin, LeAnne Martin, Sydney Miller, Bailey Patenaude, Bretta Wiley).

CVTC adds online degree A new program at Chippewa Valley Technical College will focus on one of the skills most valued by employers. The fully online Professional Communications program will be offered beginning with the fall term this year.

“This will be an associate degree program and we will also have advanced certificates for technical writing, grant writing and writing for media,” said Cherrie Bergandi, dean of general education and liberal arts at CVTC, in a news release. “They will start out learning basic principles of communication, then they can specialize in

By CVTC where their interests lie.”

CVTC developed the program after receiving feedback from an ad hoc committee that included representatives from business, nonprofits, media, K-12 education and marketing professionals, Bergandi said. “It was unanimous. They said they would hire people with these credentials and we should offer the program,” Bergandi said.

Market research indicated a Professional Communications program would be attractive to people interested in a wide variety of careers in business and also

UW-EC tabs new radio manager

A local professional with a wide background in radio, music and the arts recently was named the first station manager for Blugold Radio.

Scott Morfitt will assume the station manager role April 18. Currently he is the marketing director for the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council.

The UW-Eau Claire Foundation recently received the donation of the station license and other related equipment that will be called Blugold Radio. It will be owned by Blugold Radio LLC, a subsidiary of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation.

“We are pleased to have someone with

By UW-Eau Claire Scott’s wide range of experiences join our team as our first full-time station manager,” said Kimera Way, president of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, in a news release.

In 2007, Morfitt created and produced the program “Local Independence” for WUEC 89.7, a Wisconsin Public Radio affiliate for which UW-Eau Claire students produce content. This was a three-hour radio program focusing on Wisconsin and Minnesota independent music, art and culture. In 2014, Morfitt turned his attention to civic news and affairs, helping to develop and produce the “WHYS Local

existing workers who seek training to become grant writers, media relations coordinators or other specialized skills.

The program will be offered in eightweek segments, with starting dates in August, October, January, March and June.

Bergandi explained that the schedule is designed so students would not have more than three classes at once, but could still complete a full semester of classes by taking consecutive eight-week sessions.

That schedule and the online delivery allow students to complete the program at their own pace, Bergandi said.

Show” for WHYS 96.3.

In 2011, Morfitt developed a broadcast journalism curriculum for Explo at Yale, a three-week high school summer program on the Yale University campus. In 2012, he revised this curriculum as multimedia marketing training for independent learners at remote locations in western Wisconsin through Workforce Resource’s summer youth training program.

Since 2014, Morfitt has also learned much about the Eau Claire media market as marketing director for the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center and Community for the Confluence.

April 4, 2016 ♦

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CEO SPEAK

Leadership qualities Knowing who and why you’re serving critical

Jeff West is the owner of Bear Down (beardowninc.com), an executive and executive team coaching company based in Eau Claire. He was a founder and CEO of Silicon Logic Engineering. He also currently chairs the local chapter of TEC (The Executive Committee) and Business Partners, a forum for small-business leaders. West can be reached at 715-559-2195 or jeffatbeardown@gmail.com.

“The plausibility of impossibility only becomes a probability in the absence of leadership.”

MIKE MYATT, executive coach and author

I

By Jeff West

n my last column we discussed the differences between being a manager and a leader. At the end of the column I asked you to think about the qualities you believe great leaders have. Did you give it any thought? Did you challenge yourself on the type of leader you are?

There are many qualities great leaders have, but only a very few I’ve seen everyone have in common. The first of those is having a servant heart. Great leaders realize their effectiveness comes from their ability to influence others, not control them.

Leaders, and in this case I use the term lightly, that strive for power and control, who lead by mandate and fear, are never great leaders.

A self-serving ego driven by personal desires rarely leads to a positive outcome. An extreme case of this was Hitler. While he led an entire country, he was never a great or even good leader.

Mahatma Gandhi, on the other hand, never officially led anyone.

Yet look at the incredible influence he had. He knew who he was serving. Positive, strong leadership is service. Service to your customers. Service to your employees. Service to your vendors.

Service to your community, and by extension then, service to yourself.

Great leaders know who they serve and why. The why leads to the next common quality I’ve witnessed: purpose. If you think of any great leader it won’t take you long to state what their purpose was or is. Knowing the “why” of what we’re doing is essential.

The “why” of what we’re doing is our compass. Without it, how do we know if we’re accomplishing what we want? Without a “why,” anything goes. Right? Remember the conversation between Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat? “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”

In my experience, business owners without a strong “why” are typically pretty unhappy with how their business is doing. It shouldn’t be a surprise, though. If you don’t have a strong reason for why you’re doing what you’re doing, how can you expect your employees or customers to know? If you can’t clearly and quickly articulate your purpose, I challenge you to figure it out.

Life becomes a lot more fun and fulfilling when we’re in pursuit of a purpose that stirs our passions. Otherwise we’re left to lead a life of just going through each day, usually tired and exhausted by the 10 |

♦ April 4, 2016

time we get home, just to go do it all over again tomorrow. Doesn’t sound like a lot of fun does it?

Another common quality I’ve identified in all great leaders is action. Doesn’t leadership mean we’re in pursuit of something?

Knowing who we’re serving and why we’re serving them is all fine and good. However, if we never take action what good is it?

Have you ever met the person that talks a good game? They seem to have all the answers but can never seem to let the clutch out and get going? We can never attain anything unless we take action.

Great leaders know that action alone isn’t enough though. Action must be focused (what’s your purpose?), it must be consistent and done intentionally. You must be willing to try and fail, to learn from the failures and continue to push ahead.

Other qualities I admire are leaders who are self-aware. They know their strengths and play to them. They also keep looking for their weaknesses and blind spots and work to improve them. Great leaders find time for themselves to think rather than continually booking their schedule full. Great leaders challenge everything, especially the things in their industry that are considered “common knowledge” or accepted “as true,” often finding they’re not. They fight the rigidity of a closed mind and constantly look for people to challenge their thinking. Why? Because when we silo ourselves off, thinking we have all the answers, we’ve just lost the most powerful resource we have at our disposal: diversity of thought. None of us have the entire world figured out. Refusing to subject our thoughts to fierce conversations with others keeps us in a perpetually weak state of mind.

As you read this article there’s a common theme among all of the leadership qualities I’ve mentioned. Do you see it? What causes a great leader to have all of these characteristics? Give it some thought.

I wasn’t necessarily planning for this to become a trilogy of articles on leadership. But let’s talk about what the common foundational quality is in the next article. Until then, challenge yourself. What about these qualities do you see in yourself? Which ones are missing or could use a little exercise. Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Challenge yourself and enjoy the ride.

Annual conference set for April 21 The 13th annual Women’s Business Conference will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 21, at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1202 W. Clairemont Ave. More than 100 businesses will exhibit their products and services at the event, which will kick off with a presentation titled “For Women Only: Overcoming the Confidence Gap”

by Rachel Woodward of Peregrine Communications. Over the lunch hour, an optional panel for attorneys and other business professionals — “Finding a Fit and Making it Work” — will be conducted by Wendy Sue Johnson of Klemish & Johnson and Daneille Strong and Emily Long of Weld Riley.

The conference will close with a business success story panel and raffle prizes. Sarah Stokes of Stokes+HERZOG, Mindy Pedersen of Pac Basic, Vanessa Moessner of Macaroni Kid & Lily Pad Lab and Nancy Rothwell of Straighten Up Organizing & A Little Bit of Everything will anchor the panel. Visit womensbusinessconference.com for more information about the event.

By Leader-Telegram staff

There also will be 20 educational sessions offered throughout the day. The schedule is as follows:

Session 1 (9:30 to 10:30 a.m.)

■ “10 Selling Skills every Business Owner Needs to Master,” Matt Middendorp of Sales Math Consulting.

■ “Key Elements of Your Marketing Plan,” Pat Millfelt of Serendipitous Connections Marketing.

■ “Business Plan Basics: To Funding & Beyond!,” Ken Pearson, Indianhead Community Action Agency.

■ “Navigating the Government’s Regulations on Your Smalll Business,” Nancy Mistele, state Office of Business Development.

■ “Workplace Drama! What You Need to Know About the Ever-Changing World of Employment Law,” Sara Ackermann of RuderWare.

Session 2 (11 a.m. to noon) ■ “The Critical Questions: What to Ask When Marketing Your Business,” Chris Herzog, Sarah Stokes and Michelle Rayburn of Stokes + HERZOG. ■ “Building a Brand and a Business on Social Media,” Laurie Boettcher of Chippewa Valley Technical College.

■ “Ask the Bookkeeper,” Evlyn Carlile of Simple Office Solutions.

■ “Franchise & Business Ownership,” Perry Zukowski of FranNet. ■ “Navigating Local Government and Laws When Setting Up a Business,” Lucie McGee of Pendergast Law Firm.

Session 3 (1 to 2 p.m.)

■ “Business Communication for Marketing Success,” Kristel Keys Running of Obsidian Link.

■ “Have a Happy and Healthy Workforce,” Heather Thom and Sarah Johnson of Lotus Spa. ■ “Funding Panel,” Beth Waldhart of West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Mary Trimmier of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Krista Paulus of Impact Seven, Char Gurney of RCU, Mike Dieckman of Wisconsin Business Development and Elaine Coughlin of the city of Eau Claire.

■ “Identity Theft & Business Data Security,” Michelle Reinen of the state Bureau of Consumer Protection.

■ “What Launched You Won’t Keep You Afloat: Discover the 9 Tenets of Small Business Growth,” Karen Altekruse of Launch and Stay Afloat and Executive Excellence.

Session 4 (2:30 to 3:30 p.m.)

■ “Publish on Purpose: How to Attract Clients Through the Power of Story,” Dara Beevas of Wise Ink Creative Publishing.

■ “Taking the Big Leap,” Renee Sommer of Chippewa Valley Family.

■ “Workshop: Making Room for Success in Business,” Jenny Peterson of Simplify with Jenny.

■ “Financial Moves to Help Your Business Survive & Thrive,” Paul Woita and David Hopkins of Woita & Associates.

■ “The Art of Negotiation,” Mindy Dale of Weld Riley and Vanessa Klemish of Klemish & Johnson.

We love dreams. But we love action even more.

Our business banking experts can help take your business dreams and make them an effective reality, helping prepare you for what’s ahead.

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April 4, 2016 ♦

| 11

BOOK REVIEW

On Your Own Author provides insights on becoming an entrepreneur

By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm

A

nother desk at the office is empty this week.

Another co-worker packed up, leaving the place short-handed.

Another downsize, and another reason for worry. What will you do if you’re next? You can’t just start over but you can’t retire yet, either. So read the new book “Be Your Best Boss” by William Seagraves, and see if you have what it takes for a new beginning.

Seagraves likes to drive.

When he’s with friends or colleagues, he’s always the first to offer his car, which is a good metaphor for his worklife: He likes to be in the driver’s seat in business.

Yes, he enjoyed some autonomy in his last position, but he says, “I could not stand (the) lack of control.”

Seagraves left his corporate job and tried his hand at being an entrepreneur (“That scary 12-letter word”) in a few different ways before he discovered something he liked. Today, he runs a successful company that helps entrepreneurs get started. In this book, he offers guidance on deciding if owning a business is for you.

The Bookworm is Terri First: What’s your pain?

Schlichenmeyer. Terri has Are you being forced out been reading since she by younger workers? was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a Downsized? Or are you book. She lives on a hill in disillusioned with corporate Wisconsin with two dogs life? What are your passions? and 12,000 books.

12 |

♦ April 4, 2016

Title: “Be Your Best Boss: Reinvent Yourself from Employee to Entrepreneur.”

Author: William Seagraves Pages: 224.

Publisher: TarcherPerigee (c.2016).

Knowing the answers to those questions will help winnow your options and overcome the “yeah, buts.”

Look at your skills and experiences and understand that you’ve already won half the battle. You know how to play nice with others. You’ve grown a thick skin, “practiced making money” and learned the rules of a lot of games — many of the traits you’ll need to be an entrepreneur are inherent in you now.

Next, take the quiz Seagraves includes and understand that “size matters.” Are you more of a “Company of One” kind of person? Would you be better as “Boss of a Few?” Is a “Business of Many” more your style? And what about a franchise? Know the pros and cons of these entrepreneurial methods, take things “one step at a time,” keep in mind that change is the “only constant” and remember that “… a smart business owner always plans for the exit, and there are more options than you might think.”

Self-employment can be the most frustrating, irritating, horrible, wonderful, awesome, terrific thing you’ll ever do for yourself. Are you ready? “Be Your Best Boss” will help you decide.

As you might expect, Seagraves is mostly encouraging in his book. There’s a lot of surface positivity here, but entrepreneurial readers with a mindset of doing it will absolutely find the help they need to do it right. I was happy to note plenty of quizzes to guide future business owners into the kind of endeavor that best fits their personality and work style, and the “Pros and Cons” pages here are invaluable.

While younger entrepreneurs might appreciate this book, it really seems to be more for older readers who’ve been in the workforce a while. Corporate life may have soured for boomers and early Gen-Xers, but “Be Your Best Boss” won’t leave them empty handed.

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| 13

New tourism director to promote Chippewa Falls

By Chris Vetter, Chippewa Falls News Bureau

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♦ April 4, 2016

ackie Boos is upbeat about her new job promoting tourism in Chippewa Falls.

Boos, 33, started her new job in February as the tourism director for the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, overseeing tourism marketing and sales efforts in the city and county.

Boos previously worked for Visit Eau Claire for about nine years, and she was looking for a new opportunity. She lives in Tilden with her husband, Matt, and liked the positives she’s seeing in Chippewa Falls, pointing out the work in redeveloping downtown, creating the Downtown Riverfront Gateway Park, a new zoo exhibit at Irvine Park and the numerous people who come to town to tour the Leinenkugel’s brewery.

“It’s the exciting vibration going on in this community,” Boos said. “It’s a fun time to be part of the movement here. And at the end of the day, tourism is just fun.”

Boos pointed to the Chippewa River, which is visible from the new chamber of commerce headquarters. She is excited about plans to open up the area and make it a more attractive park. Plans call for an amphitheater, walking paths and fountains.

“The renderings really bring it to the next level,” she said. “I love seeing the city was able to take the treeline down in front of the river.”

Businesses along River Street should benefit from the renewed effort to bring people to the new park, she said.

“It seems like everyone’s mindset is that we’re a forward-growing community,” she said.

Boos sees her role as connecting with groups from around the region and getting them to come to the city.

“People are always going to travel, whether it’s to a soccer tournament, a family reunion or

Jackie Boos

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Fresh perspective a conference,” she said. The goal is to get them to come here, she added.

As an outsider new to the chamber, Boos said she brings fresh ideas for marketing the city.

“New campaigns will be coming in local and regional advertising,” she said. “At the end of the day, our goal is to get people to stay in these hotels.”

Even with the new Cobblestone Hotel planned for downtown, bringing 45 more hotel rooms, Boos said she wouldn’t be surprised to see another hotel come to the city in coming years. She said the city has a good occupancy rate of more than 40 percent daily use.

“It’s a natural evolution that more hotels could come,” she said.

Mike Jordan, chamber president, praised Boos and her background in promoting cities.

“Jackie has experience working with local hoteliers and other tourism-related businesses,” Jordan said. “She has valuable experience with marketing, group sales and grants. We are pleased that she has joined our team.”

The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is made up of more than 630 members. The organization provides leadership to coordinate, support and promote the business interests of its membership.

Boos was born in Wausau and moved to Tilden with Matt in 2008. She graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in general studies, but she took classes in communications and hospitality.

While Boos focuses on events in Chippewa Falls, she also wants to look at ways to draw people to the entire Chippewa Valley.

“Tourism is about everybody — there are opportunities for collaboration on large events,” she said.

Contact: 715-723-0303, chris.vetter@ecpc.com

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Andrew Cooper is a financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments in Eau Claire. He can be reached at 715-833-3986 or andy.cooper@edwardjones.com.

pril showers may bring May flowers, so many of us need to find a trusty umbrella at this time of year.

Spring weather can still teach us a few things — especially if we think about “umbrellas” that can help us protect our financial goals.

Consider these key areas: • Your vulnerability to emergencies. It’s a good idea to maintain an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Without such a fund, you may need to dip into your long-term investments to pay for unexpected, and unexpectedly large, expenses such as a new furnace or a big bill from the doctor. You’ll want to keep your emergency fund in a liquid, low-risk account.

• Your family’s financial situation. If something happened to you, how would your loved ones be affected? Would your family be able to stay in your house? Could your children eventually go to college? Would your surviving spouse have enough retirement income to maintain the lifestyle he or she has envisioned? Having adequate life insurance in place can help ensure that all your hopes and plans don’t fall apart upon your passing. Different types of life insurance offer different features.

For example, “term” insurance, as its name suggests, is designed to provide a death benefit for a certain number of years. On the other hand, “permanent” insurance, such as whole life or universal life, can be kept in force indefinitely. This type of coverage may also offer a cash value component.

• Your current income. If an illness or injury keeps you out of work, even for a little while, the loss of income could disrupt your family’s ability to pay its bills, leading to potentially big problems down the road. Your employer may offer some type of disability insurance as an employee benefit, but the coverage may be insufficient. So you may want to consider purchasing an individual disability policy.

• Your ability to live independently. If you’re fortunate, you may never need to spend time in a nursing home or require any other type of longterm care. But no one can predict the future — and it pays to be prepared, because long-term care costs can be catastrophic. In fact, the annual average cost for a private room in a nursing home is more than $90,000, according to the 2015 Cost of Care Survey produced by Genworth, a financial services company. A financial professional can help you find an appropriate way of paying for these types of costs.

• Your capacity to protect your biggest assets. Your home is probably going to be the biggest asset you ever own — so you need to protect it properly, with adequate homeowners insurance. It’s also important to have sufficient insurance for your other major assets, such as your car, boat and so on.

• Your exposure to property loss or liability. You may someday face costs associated with repairing or replacing your home, auto or boat, or even liability-related expenses. Additional liability insurance — known as an “umbrella” policy — is designed to kick in when your standard coverage on other policies, such as home or auto, has been exhausted.

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| 15

FEATURE STORY

Finding

a niche

Staff photos by Marisa Wojcik Owner Bob Adrian is pictured at Rump’s Butcher Shoppe, 1411 Lynn Ave., Altoona. Adrian also is opening a restaurant at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.

Rump’s owner expanding with airport restaurant

By Samantha West Leader-Telegram staff

N

o matter the type of business, Bob Adrian is a firm believer in one thing: If you don’t cut corners and do things “the right way,” everything will work out.

And so far, that seems to be the case for the owner of Rump’s Butcher Shoppe in Altoona as he prepares to open his third business venture, Hangar 54 Grill.

After graduating from high school in Rice Lake, and working as a jet mechanic in the Navy, Adrian broke into the food business world about 20 years ago as a food commodity trader.

16 |

♦ April 4, 2016

A couple of years ago, Adrian said he found himself thinking about diving into another venture alongside his first.

Shortly after, he met Dan Horlacher, who’s been a butcher for “basically his whole life,” which triggered memories for Adrian of making sausage as a teenager with his stepdad.

The two began bouncing ideas off of one another, and they came up with an idea: a butcher shop with a niche.

Adrian said they decided to only sell local products of the highest quality in a more

Employee Shane Esper reaches for a boneless chicken breast recently at Rump’s, which opened in 2014.

attractive business setting — a butcher shop done the right way.

“We wanted to make sure that we got rid of that perception that all butcher shops are going to be stinky places out in the middle of nowhere,” Adrian said. “They could be producing the greatest product in the world, but the look and the feel might not appeal to everyone.”

Since his stepfather inspired the business, Adrian named the shop “Rump’s,” his stepfather’s nickname, to honor him. The shop opened in October 2014, with Horlacher running the “front end” of the business.

When Adrian heard about a restaurant space opening at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, he spotted another opportunity to expand his work in the food business — this time with a restaurant providing the same high quality customers find at the butcher shop, Adrian said.

Knowing he couldn’t juggle another business alone, Adrian leased the space with his two partners, Ryan Anderson and Travis Dudley.

“They both have a lot of experience, but they’re young, energetic guys and we’re excited about the whole venture,” Adrian said.

Challenges remain, however, the space at the airport being one of them, Adrian said.

Adrian said he is concerned customers will think they will have to pay to park, and that they’ll have to go through security to enter the restaurant, neither of which is true.

“It’s really no different than a bar and grill being attached to a strip mall,” Adrian said.

But, at the same time, Adrian said they want to embrace being at the airport. This, he said, can be seen in the name.

“Hangar 54 is one of the hangars at Pearl Harbor and now they use that hangar for naval training, so that’s kind of how the name came about,” Adrian said.

In talking to fellow bar and restaurant owners, Adrian said he realizes it’s a “tough” business to be in, but thinks it’s important to find a niche, like he did with the butcher shop.

“It’s important to not worry about what everyone else is doing,” Adrian said. “We don’t want to let the rush of the industry dictate what we do.”

Their niche will be high-quality, homemade food, said Dudley, co-owner and executive chef.

“The menu will have a lot of variety; we’ll be grinding our own burgers from scratch and making sauces from scratch,” Dudley said. “We’re trying something a little different with our Hangar steak and we’re hoping that works out with us.”

Hard at work on the menu and renovating the space, Adrian said he hopes Hangar 54 will open in a month or two.

“We’re anxious to get cooking,” Dudley said.

Adrian’s passion for the outdoors — both hunting and fishing — has been put on hold a bit with his new responsibilities, but he’s grateful for his business success, and more than that, he’s thankful for the people who’ve helped him get to where he is today.

“I have really good people around me and I couldn’t do it without them, so I feel really fortunate,” Adrian said.

April 4, 2016 ♦

| 17

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Gus Myran of the Stout Technology and Business Park in Menomonie previously worked for what is now Phillips-Medisize.

Former Phillips manager running Stout Technology Park

G

By Pamela Powers, Menomonie News Bureau

MENOMONIE

The Manufacturing Outreach Center helps industry grow and prosper through lean management training and helping startups connect with needed services, including expertise from faculty and students.

“There is a tremendous amount of talent here that works easily with small businesses and new startups,” Myran said. “(For) most of the companies who have a problem we already have a tool in the toolbox. It’s exciting. It is very, very interesting.

“UW-Stout is a career-minded university. We want to do things to help businesses grow. Lean manufacturing is about doing more with less. It’s all

801714 4-4-16

us Myran isn’t into the status quo.

“I like new challenges,” Myran, 68, of Menomonie said.

After more than three decades in the plastics industry, including serving as general manager of four Phillips Plastics sites and vice president of operations for Nolato Contour, Myran retired in 2011.

He returned about four years ago to help other businesses as a project manager for UW-Stout’s Manufacturing Outreach Center and as the director of the Stout Technology Park.

18 |

♦ April 4, 2016

about productivity and space reduction.” in Northfield, Minn. He stayed there 17 years and ran three Larry Blackledge, director of the UW-Stout divisions.

Manufacturing Outreach Center, said Myran is personable “This was the beginning of plastics being used in the and easy to talk with. military,” he said. The first plastics were extruded mylar.

Myran is very valuable to the outreach center in working The plant also created flexible circuitry. with smaller entrepreneurial companies because he is In 1990 he started working with Phillips Plastics, now serious and gets right to business and communicates well Phillips-Medisize, in Fredonia. The plant was eventually with entrepreneurs, Blackledge said. sold and he moved to the Mondovi Road assembly “He is into getting a job done,” Blackledge said, which is facility in Eau Claire and then opened the Origen Center what the Manufacturing Outreach Center prides itself on in Menomonie around 1994. Myran also was the general doing. “I think our clients appreciate that.” manager of the metal injection molding facility in As the director of the Menomonie and the Phillips Stout Technology Park, plant.

Myran is working to attract The Origen Center was set businesses to Menomonie. up with an incubator to help Gus Myran enjoys golfing and fishing.

He is also a member of the foster new businesses. In In the 1990s he worked on projects in Scotland Dunn County Economic the mid-1990s, it had a Cray and was able to golf at some of the old courses in Development Corp. board supercomputer to allow for the Scottish Highlands. American courses are and the Greater Menomonie the testing of products using pristine, he said, while Scottish courses are more Area Development Corp. software rather than setting rough and challenging.

Myran’s office is in up a testing facility, which “They think the U.S golf courses are too easy,” UW-Stout’s FABLAB, or at that time was a cuttingsaid Myran. "During World War II they raised fabrication lab, of which edge difference, said Myran, there are just over 600 in whose wife is Nancy. crops on some golf courses and grazed sheep to feed the world. The FABLAB It will be a few years yet, the troops.” provides access to a variety but Myran sees 3D printing Myran fishes mostly for walleye and enjoys of tools, including computeras a big part of the plastics angling on the Red Cedar River and in northern aided design and desktop industry as more people are Minnesota. He also is treasurer of the Sunrise manufacturing technologies, trained to design using the Rotary Club in Menomonie. to help bring ideas to life. technology.

Growing up in “I think you are going Wanamingo, Minn., Myran planned to be a mechanic. His to see faster turnaround on new products,” the father of father worked for an implement dealer. two grown daughters and grandfather to five said. “The “My father had me overhaul engines in the summer in problem with 3D printing now is the speed of it.” my spare time,” Myran said. “I enjoyed it. I think that is the As prices drop for 3D printers and printing speeds mechanical side of me.” improve, there will be more of them available for industry He graduated from a community college and then was and in education. drafted in the Air Force for four years during the Vietnam “If you can give kids 3D printers and get them in the War. He returned and finished his bachelor’s degree in 3D environment, just think of the skills they will have five business management at Minnesota State University in years later,” Myran said.

Mankato.

Powers can be reached at 715-556-9018, Myran’s first job out of college was at Sheldahl Plastics pamela.powers@ecpc.com, @Menomonie Bureau.

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- Guest Article -

Purchasing a franchise can be an incredible way to own and operate a business with a proven business model and a track record of financial success. Furthermore, several of the decisions most start-up companies need to make will be predetermined, or at the very least suggested, by the franchisor’s operating requirements. However, before a potential franchisee takes the leap and enters into a franchise agreement with a franchisor, certain items should be carefully reviewed (preferably with legal counsel).

First, the potential franchisee should request a copy of the franchise’s Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (“UFOC”), which is a document required by the Federal Trade Commission to be provided by a franchisor to a potential franchisee before any money is paid or documents are signed. A copy of the franchise agreement itself is required to be provided with the UFOC. While the UFOC will admittedly not be a “pageturner” in the sense of a good novel, it should be read in its entirety so the potential franchisee will be making an informed decision of whether to enter into the franchise agreement. For example, the UFOC will give an overview and history of the franchise, along with information on the founder(s) and current officers or management team.

An important section of the UFOC will be the section on franchise fees and royalties. For example, most franchisors will require an initial or upfront fee (which can be substantial), and thereafter a continuing fee based on a fixed sum, percentage of sales, or a combination of the above. Additionally, look out for required advertising fees, technology fees (for using the franchise’s computer system), mandatory training fees, etc. The UFOC will also include average start-up costs for things such as inventory, equipment, and leases. On the topic of equipment, several franchisors will require that certain (or all) items such as equipment or inventory be purchased from specific sellers, which effectively eliminates shopping for better pricing. Also, local franchises should pay particular attention to national advertising fund fees, as there is often no guarantee that such funds will actually be used for advertising in the local community.

The UFOC will also contain a list of any pending litigation or bankruptcy filings of the officers of the company, or the company itself. If there is a lot of complex civil litigation pending, that may be a sign to pass on that particular franchise and look for 20 |

♦ April 4, 2016

Due Diligence in Franchising

By Attorney Paul Mirr – Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.

other opportunities. The UFOC will also list situations or circumstances in which the franchisor may be permitted to terminate the franchisee’s franchise, such as poor financial performance. Long story short, franchises that have been around longer will have better and more detailed financial and operating information in the UFOC for franchisees to review, which will hopefully assist the franchisee in making an informed decision.

As stated above, a copy of the franchise agreement will be included with the UFOC. This is the most important document of all, as it states the actual terms that will be agreed upon between the franchisee and the franchisor. While the list is long, some specific provisions to look out for include (1) whether the franchisee will be given an exclusive territory, i.e., an area where the franchisor will not permit any other franchisees to operate (and if so, how big that exclusive area may be); (2) whether the franchisee will be given a right of first refusal if another potential franchisee desires to open in the current franchisee’s general location; (3) as stated above, circumstances in which the franchisor may terminate the franchise (and vice versa, whether the franchisee may terminate the franchise); (4) the term or length of the franchise agreement, and whether renewal is allowable; (5) whether the franchisor can require the franchisee to purchase new equipment or re-brand the business upon demand; (6) whether the franchisor must have final say over the business’s

exact location, which can complicate or delay leases or purchases; (7) whether the franchise can be transferred or assigned (and if so, whether there is an associated fee); (8) the venue and location to settle any disputes (can often be out of state); (9) which state’s law governs the franchise agreement; (10) whether certain items require personal guarantees; and (11) obligations of the franchisee upon expiration or termination of the franchise agreement, such as return of confidential information and removal of franchise marks, signs or other intellectual property.

The issues listed above are not meant to be an exclusive list of things to watch for, but instead examples of the many factors that go into purchasing a franchise and a reminder that the UFOC and franchise agreement must be carefully reviewed and understood prior to executing the franchise documents and making a substantial investment of your hard-earned money.

Attorney Paul Mirr, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.

801627 4-4-16

BRIEFCASE Silver Spring exec is named president

The world’s largest horseradish company recently named a new president.

Bob Roemer now leads horseradish grower Huntsinger Companies and affiliated condiment producer Silver Spring Foods, both of which are based in Eau Claire.

Roemer has worked for the companies since 2012, first serving as chief financial officer and then as chief operating officer. Before his arrival, Roemer already had about three decades of experience in finance and accounting, much of it in the manufacturing sector, according to a Silver Spring news release on his promotion.

Roemer will report to Nancy Bartusch, Roemer granddaugher of founder Ellis Huntsinger, and the private company’s board of directors.

Eric Rygg, Huntsinger’s great-grandson, has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing.

Silver Spring Foods is the world’s largest grower and processor of horseradish. The company has been family owned and operated for more than 86 years and through four generations.

Eau Claire Chamber surveys local firms for wage statistics

Chippewa Valley businesses got surveys in March for incorporation in the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual wage study.

“We need area employers to contribute their data in order to keep the survey viable and relevant; data is kept confidential,” a chamber news release stated.

The wage survey report — the Chamber’s 17th year of publishing this data — will be available in July.

It will contain wage information on about 150 common jobs found in the area, with more detailed information on manufacturing, health care, financial and nonprofit sectors.

For more information on the survey, contact Emily Lindholm at the chamber via email lindholm@eauclairechamber.org or call 715-858-0614.

Music therapy office opens in Eau Claire

A new music therapy practice opened in February in Eau Claire.

Kim Negus owns Western Wisconsin Music in Medicine, 1620 Ohm Ave., which has five certified therapists who specialize in metronome or neurological music therapy.

“I think everyone understands how music is important for celebrations, exercising, relaxing and changing your mood, but what people don’t realize is that music stimulates the entire brain at a subcortical level,” Negus stated in a news release.

Negus WWMM’s service area goes beyond Eau Claire, reaching to Arcadia, Whitehall, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Black River Falls. Clients who are unable to get to the clinic can be seen in their homes.

The business includes specialized therapy programs designed

to treat two specific conditions — attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and COPD or other respiratory defects.

WWMM is a network provider for Western Wisconsin Cares, Care Wisconsin, ContinuUs, ILife/IRIS and some private insurance. Private pay is also accepted.

Find WWMM online at musicinmedicinellc.com or 715-495-3768.

Workplace wellness programs share advice during workshop

A free workshop featuring ways that employers can use and improve employee wellness programs will be Wednesday, April 13 in downtown Eau Claire.

The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Farwell St. Local success stories from Phillips-Medisize, the Eau Claire city government and eBay Enterprise will be part of the threehour workshop, which will also include advice on stress management.

The workshop is intended for those at local companies involved in establishing, administering or deciding to create a workplace wellness program.

Though there is no cost, registration is required. Register online at tinyurl.com/j9yqtst.

See page 22

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| 21

BRIEFCASE From page 21

Area banks announce merger

Rice Lake-based Community Bank of Northern Wisconsin has entered into a definitive agreement to merge into Citizens Community Federal, which is based in Altoona, in an all-cash transaction valued at around $17 million.

CBN operates five full-service branches and a loan production office. As of Dec. 31, it had total assets of $152.8 million, loans of $113 million and deposits of $132 million.

As a result of the deal: • The combined company will have total assets, loans and deposits, respectively, of about $734 million, $567 million and $590 million.

• It will have a total of 22 branches in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, with a concentration of 11 branches in northwest Wisconsin.

“The acquisition enhances our branch rationalization program and increases our presence in Barron County,” said Edward Schaefer, president and CEO of Citizens Community Federal, in a news release. “We look forward to the opportunity to provide our broader range of banking products and services to customers in the Community Bank of Northern Wisconsin footprint.”

The merger is expected to close in or around June.

New restaurant slated for River Prairie ALTOONA — The owners of Draganetti’s Ristorante and

Taverna Grill are opening a new restaurant — Za51 — off River Prairie Drive in the River Prairie development.

Za51 will specialize in the homemade pizza that helped their parents, Kas and Clara Draganowski, get their start in Wisconsin in 1951 when they opened the Enchanted Inn supper club in Barnes.

The new restaurant will be owned and operated by three of the Draganowski children, Joanne (Palzkill), Claudia and John, who currently own Draganetti’s and Taverna Grill. The new venture will feature pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and gelato.

“Our hope is that Za51 will be our way to bring all that we’ve learned over the years together, thanks to the sacrifices and struggles that our parents initially made beginning in 1951,” Palzkill said in a news release.

Za51 is slated to open later this year.

Auto business remodeling, expanding operations

Eau Claire Ford Lincoln Quick Lane, 2909 Lorch Ave., has begun remodeling and expanding its building.

The expansion included a complete renovation of the interior and exterior of the building, an addition of a three-bay quick lane and resurfaced parking lot. Renovations will run through the summer; the dealership will remain open during the process.

Eau Claire Ford Lincoln Quick Lane is a locally owned and operated car dealership and vehicle service center that opened in 1980 as Jim Carter Ford. The current owners, Rick and Sherry Mohr, purchased the dealership in 2004.

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♦ April 4, 2016

BRIEFCASE Heartland shifts away from homes

CHIPPEWA FALLS — Heartland Contractors is now dedicating all of its resources toward its commercial construction and excavation divisions and will no longer be building singlefamily homes.

The shift will allow the company to focus on a growing customer base in the health care, government, education, multifamily, hospitality, industrial and civil markets, according to a news release.

Heartland will continue to offer single-family lots in its neighborhoods — Hillcrest Greens, Willow Creek and Whisper Ridge — and partner with area homebuilders on bulk lot sales and financing options.

Relocation of Brewing Projekt moves ahead

The relocation of an Eau Claire brewery moved one step closer to happening after the Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority on March 16 granted Brewing Projekt owner William Glass the 90-day exclusive rights to negotiate on a property at 1807 Oxford Ave. Brewing Projekt currently operates at Building 3, 2000 Oxford Ave., a couple of blocks from where Glass wants to relocate the building.

Glass and the RDA will negotiate terms of a development agreement that will include such project details as the price of the 1807 Oxford Ave. Glass

building, how much it would be valued at once its renovation is complete and the structure’s appearance.

The building’s previous tenant, Silvermine Stone, has relocated to a building in the Chippewa Valley Industrial Park on Eau Claire’s north side.

Gordy’s, Mega sign deals for stores

Gordy’s Markets and Mega Co-op announced an agreement Jan. 5 in which Gordy’s Express convenience stores will become Mega Holidays, and Gordy’s Markets will acquire three of the Mega Co-op grocery stores.

Mega Co-op grocery stores in west Eau Claire, Barron and Whitehall briefly closed in late February for some remodeling and reopened as Gordy’s Markets a few days later.

The Mega East grocery store, 1201 S. Hastings Way, permanently closed on Feb. 5.

Mega Co-op began converting the Gordy’s Express locations to Mega Holidays on March 1.

With the transaction complete, Gordy’s owns and operates 24 grocery stores, and Mega Co-op has 33 convenience stores and fuel centers.

Financial terms of the transaction were not released.

Lismore eatery plans announced

The developers of The Lismore hotel in downtown Eau Claire have set their plans for three food and beverage venues.

The hotel will feature The Informalist, a 120-plus seat See page 24

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April 4, 2016 ♦

| 23

BRIEFCASE Business group plans teen camps

From page 23 restaurant; Eau Claire Downtown Coffee, a coffee shop with a fireplace lounge; and Dive, a bar that replaces the pool on the building’s second floor.

Leading the food and beverage operation will be Terry Vajgrt, former owner of the Creamery in Downsville. Co-executive chefs will be Bradley Dean Parent and Luke Bilda. The beverage manager will be Sean Murphy, a Chippewa Falls native with more than 26 years of experience in the field.

The Lismore, a total renovation of the defunct downtown Ramada Convention Center on South Barstow Street, has 112 hotel rooms. It began hosting events in its meeting rooms in the fall and will soon open its hotel rooms.

Visit thelismore.com or email events@thelismore.com for more information about the hotel and its amenities.

Chi-Hi student wins award

A Chippewa Falls High School sophomore won a statewide award that recognizes youths who start businesses.

Natalie Abbott, 17, won Junior Achievement of Wisconsin’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Abbott award for turning her 4-H beekeeping project into The West Hill Honey Company, a small business that sells honey and lip balm.

“She has a great product and knows her business very well,” said Erica Gehrke, development manager for Junior Achievement Wisconsin.

Abbott makes a dozen varieties of beeswaxbased lip balm and two kinds of honey— one harvested from hives kept in the country and the other from backyard bees.

Abbott Word-of-mouth and the company’s Facebook page bring in orders, Abbott said, but “once in a while we go door to door and to craft fairs.” A Chippewa Falls salon has also sold her lip balms.

Abbott said her father, John, helps her manage the beehives and mother Aimee takes care of the small business’s website.

Gehrke said that those who judged award applications were impressed that Abbott started the business before turning 10 and had to overcome a few challenges, including a bear that raided her beehives.

“She had a very unique story,” Gehrke said, noting it is the first bee-related business to win the award.

The award includes a $1,000 scholarship for Abbott.

She will receive her award at a Junior Achievement gathering on April 21 at The Pfiester Hotel in Milwaukee. She will get her accolade alongside several prominent Wisconsin business leaders who also are being recognized.

Innovation awards seek nominees

MADISON — Wisconsin entrepreneurs, inventors and creative thinkers can submit their products, services or organizations for recognition in the third annual Wisconsin Innovation Awards.

The awards highlight innovative ideas from all sectors and any size company in Wisconsin.

Nomination forms can be found online at wisconsininnovationawards. com.

Nominations are due by May 15.

The award ceremony, sponsored by American Family Insurance and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, will be on Aug. 16 in Madison.

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♦ April 4, 2016

MADISON — Wisconsin high school students can enroll in a four-day program to teach them about the business world and economy.

Hosted by statewide business group Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Wisconsin Business World program will be from June 19 to 22 at St. Norbert College in De Pere or July 10 to 13 at Edgewood College in Madison.

Students will work in teams during Wisconsin Business World to create an imaginary company that will produce a product, market it, create a commercial and compete in an online business simulation.

The program will include guest speakers and tours of local companies.

The all-inclusive earlybird registration price is $250. Prices will increase after April 22.

To register, go online to tinyurl.com/h7trp22.

Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the full price of the program. To learn about scholarships or sponsoring a student, call Steve Benzchawel at 888-276-7953, Ext. 2.

In other news

• Sterling Water Culligan, an Ellsworth-founded business now based in Eau Claire that distributes water products, merged with Willmar Water to expand its reach in Minnesota.

Founded in 1949, the third-generation Sterling Water Culligan has five dealerships across Wisconsin and Central Minnesota.

Willmar’s owners and employees will be staying with the company, according to a news release.

• FALL CREEK — Mary Kay Brevig, communications and public relations manager for Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, won an award for producing the co-op’s monthly magazine.

The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association awarded its N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award to Brevig — her second win in three years.

• MADISON — Ayres Associates of Eau Claire won an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin for the architectural and engineering firm’s recent high-accuracy mapping project.

Ayres won a Best of State Award in Engineering Excellence for its Wisconsin Regional Orthophotography Consortium — a mapping project with data that has multiple uses for the public and private sectors.

• Heartland Contractors promoted Justin Utpadel to director of operations for the company’s commercial building division based in Chippewa Falls.

Utpadel joined Heartland in fall, bringing with him 16 years of construction experience in the commercial and civil sectors.

• RCU named Jeff Labs as the credit union’s organizational alignment and development manager at its headquarters in downtown Eau Claire.

Labs has 13 years of experience involving training and development, formerly working at IDEXX Laboratories, UW-Eau Claire and Hutchinson Technology Inc. • MINNETONKA, Minn. — Fremont Private Holdings and Karl Schmidt recently completed the purchase of Morrie’s Automotive Group, owner and operator of 11 automotive dealership locations.

“Morrie’s exemplifies everything we look for in an investment — an attractive, unique service offering, a proven and dedicated team, and a demonstrated history of success,” said FPH partner Tim Sheehy.

a

d

BRIEFCASE Morrie’s will continue to be led by CEO Karl Schmidt.

Morrie’s is one of the largest auto retail groups in the Twin Cities and the company has a Mazda dealership in 2329 South Prairie View Road, Lake Hallie.

• RCU presented its 2015 Positive Impact Award to fraud specialist Karen Hotvedt.

An RCU employee since 1992, Hotvedt won the award due to her empathy and respect while aiding customers dealing with financial fraud.

The annual award is RCU’s highest accolade for one of its employees.

• For the third consecutive year, the United States Chamber of Commerce awarded the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce with Five-Star Accreditation for its policies, procedures and impact on the community.

Only 100 chambers in the country received this level of recognition, Faye Deich, board chairwoman of the local chamber, said in a news release.

• RICE LAKE — Rice Lake Weighing Systems is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

The company, founded in 1946 as the Thomas & Johnson Scale Service, is a manufacturer and distributor of weight-related products and process control equipment.

• WOODVILLE — OEM Fabricators named Joseph Bartz of Granton as the company’s director of operations.

Bartz, 37, will lead the firm’s manufacturing and related operations for OEM’s four plants.

Bartz joined OEM in 2007 and has served in numerous managerial roles, most recently as Neillsville plant manager since 2014.

OEM is a privately held contract manufacturer providing advanced steel fabrication and engineering services. The company employs 450 team members at its four Wisconsin facilities in Woodville, Neillsville, Baldwin and Phillips.

• Stokes+HERZOG, an Eau Claire marketing firm, was granted an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate a drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle, for commercial purposes. The company plans to offer drone video for use in a variety of applications. Visit stokesherzog.com for more information.

• Eau Claire-based Indianhead Insurance Agency was named a 2015 top performing agency for SECURA Insurance, a property and casualty insurance company based in Appleton. It’s the 10th time the firm, which has represented SECURA as an independent agency since 1978, has earned the award. Indianhead has Wisconsin offices in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Bloomer and Chetek.

• Gerald Bauer, owner and founder of JB Systems in Eau Claire, was selected as the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp.’s latest board member. Bauer will work with the board to offer free resources to entrepreneurs and businesses in the Chippewa Valley.

• Matt Faulkner of Market & Johnson in Eau Claire recently was named president of AGC of Wisconsin.

• Royal Construction recently announced its board of directors elected Jim Bunkelman as president and CEO, Jeff Olson as chief financial officer and secretary/treasurer, and Dennis Pischer and Brian Bessinger as vice presidents.

• Russ Plewa was named regional commercial banking manager for Bank Mutual.

Plewa, who has more than 20 years of experience in the field, will be responsible for leading the commercial banking teams in Eau Claire and Green Bay. He will continue his direct com­mercial banking activities with midmarket companies throughout Wisconsin.

• Eau Claire Energy Cooperative’s 865-kilowatt solar project in Fall Creek was one of several projects recognized at the RENEW Energy Policy Summit in Madison.

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2. “Creativity is just __ having fun,” Albert Einstein.

4. Sacred Heart Hospital chair.

5. Longtime Menomonie beverage supplier.

8. New online program at CVTC starting in the fall.

10. Rice Lake Weighing Systems acquisition.

12. A.J. Manufacturing president.

14. Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue secretary.

18. Statewide business plan contest for middle and high school students.

21. UW-EC grad and Applied Data Consultants founder.

22. Lauded UW-Stout offering.

23. Menomonie spot for wine enthusiasts.

25. Moving base abroad for tax purposes.

26. State agricultural ambassador.

27. Popular productivity app that allows users to collaborate on shared tasks.

29. Popular local campaign stop.

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♦ April 4, 2016

DOWN

1. Shannon and Kevin’s CF home remodel, addition specialist.

3. Current Alec Ross best-seller.

6. Local business group for ages 21 to 39.

7. Soon-to-open Altoona hotel.

9. Area maker of coatings for truck beds, feed conveyors.

11. Expanding CF company’s specialty.

13. CF Main Street executive director.

15. Eau Claire Express skipper.

16. Season-three winner on Trump TV show.

17. Movie about recent financial crisis.

19. Durand sleepover spot.

20. Top business school, according to U.S. News & World World Report. UW-Madison and Minnesota tied for 27th.

23. WMC program for high school students.

24. Best city for business and careers, according to Forbes.

28. Local chamber’s October destination.

CALENDAR

UW-Eau Claire programs abound • UW-Eau Claire is offering the program "Enhancing Your Creative Problem Solving and Innovative Thinking," which includes 11 hours of instruction over the course of five workshops. The schedule is as follows: - "Introduction: Adding Value to Your Organization with an Entrepreneurial Mindset," 8 a.m. to noon, June 28, UW-Eau Claire.

- "Creativity: Finding the Balance Between Originality and Value," 2 to 4 p.m., July 20, UW-Eau Claire.

- “What Parachute? Jump! Improved Communication and Strategic Risk Taking," 2 to 4 p.m., Aug. 24, Eau Claire Regional Arts Center, 316 Eau Claire St. - “Fostering a Culture of Creativity and Innovation in Your Workplace," 2 to 4 p.m., Sept. 21, Realityworks, 2709 Mondovi Road.

- "Collaboration: A Key to Success in Businesses and other Organizations," 2 to 4 p.m., Oct. 26, Volume One Gallery, 205 N. Dewey St. • The Supervisory Management Certificate Program at UW-Eau Claire requires six core classes and six electives. Upcoming sessions within the program include: - "Maximizing Performance," 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 21-22, at Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson.

- "Critical Conversations," 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 5-6, at Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court.

- "Process Mapping and Work Flow Improvement," 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 19-20, at Citizens State Bank in Hudson.

• The following workshops may be taken alone or as part of the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program at UW-Eau Claire:

- " Nonprofit Volunteer and Board Member Management," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 28, at Sleep Inn and Suites Conference Center, 5872 33rd Ave.; and May 5 at the Hudson Hospital & Conference Center, 405 Stageline Road.

- " Nonprofit Fund Development," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 29, at Sleep Inn and Suites Conference Center; May 6 at the Hudson Hospital & Conference Center.

- " Nonprofit Leadership Effectiveness," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 12 at Sleep Inn and Suites Conference Center; June 2 at Hudson Hospital & Conference Center.

- " Nonprofit Marketing and Communication," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 3, at Hudson Hospital & Conference Center; June 16 at Sleep Inn and Suites Conference Center.

• The three-part program "Leadership Beyond Management" will be from 8 a.m. to noon June 29, July 20 and Aug. 24 in Room 3314 of Centennial Hall at UW-Eau Claire. There also will be an online component. The deadline to register is June 15.

■ The program "Planning for a Confident Retirement" will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from April 12 through April 26 in Room 1204 of Centennial Hall at UW-Eau Claire. Presenters will be Adam Mohr and Kurt Kern of Ameriprise Financial; Regina Butler, Linda Danielson and Mary Ellen Schill of Ruder Ware; and Jennifer Nohelty of Gift Planning Services. The cost is $99.

For more information on any of the aforementioned programs, visit uwec.edu/CE/ or call 715-836-3636 or 866-893-2423.

See page 28

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CALENDAR From page 27 • “Tech Tuesdays” are 2 to 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St. Participants may get free personal training on e-readers, iPads, laptops or tablets. Individual, one-hour appointments also are available. For more information visit ecpubliclibrary.info or call 715-839-5004.

• MENOMONIE — UW-Stout is offering three half-day leadership seminars — each from 8 a.m. to noon — in April.

“Leading in a Whitewater World of Change” is April 12, “Leading and Facilitating Teams” is April 19 and “Effective Communication” is April 26. The cost is $85 for each or $200 for all three. For more information call 715-232-2793 or email profed@uwstout.edu.

April 13: The program “Refresh Live Leadership Simulcast” will be from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, 1221 Whipple St. Back for its seventh year, the program’s speakers will include Marshall Goldsmith, author, professor and executive coach; Shaquille O’Neal, television sports analyst and 15-time NBA all-star; and Kaplan Mobray, author, motivational speaker and career consultant. The cost is $25 for chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. Members sending five or more employees from the same organization will receive a discounted rate of $20 O’Neal per person. For more information or to register, visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204.

• Also on April 13, the program “Adobe InDesign Level 3” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Menomonie campus, 403 Technology Drive E. The cost is $104. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/hbjku75, email businessindustry@cvtc.edu or call 800-547-2882, Ext. 4676.

April 14: CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. is holding a roundtable discussion with Ben Brancel, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rooney Farms, 9996 Highway Q. The cost, which includes lunch, is $10. For more information or to register, contact Jerilyn Sahr at 715-723-7150 or info@chippewa-wi.com.

• Also on April 14, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the program “ISO 9001:2015 Transition Strategies for Your Organization” will be in the Memorial Brancel Student Center at UW-Stout, Menomonie. For more information contact Joni Geroux at gerouxj@uwstout.edu or 715232-5270 or visit www.uwstout.edu/profed/iso.

• Also on April 14, WESTconsin Credit Union is holding its 76th annual membership meeting in the Menomonie High School auditorium, 1715 Fifth St. W. All credit union members are invited to attend the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The meeting will include an election of two directors, a presentation on the credit union’s status, door prizes and entertainment. A complimentary meal will be served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the high school’s commons area.

April 19: The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s 102nd Annual Meeting will be from 5 to 11 p.m. in the W.R. Davies Center at UW-Eau Claire. Invitations were slated to be mailed in midMarch. Visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204 for details.

28 |

♦ April 4, 2016

April - May • Also on April 19, the program “Microsoft Outlook: Effective Email Management” will be from 9 a.m. to noon and “Time Management with Calendars and Tasks” will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Menomonie campus, 403 Technology Drive E. The cost for each is $49. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/hbjku75, email businessindustry@ cvtc.edu or call 800-547-2882, Ext. 4676.

April 21: The 13th annual Women’s Business Conference will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1202 W. Clairemont Ave. The event will feature more than 100 exhibitors, educational sessions, featured speakers and networking opportunities. Rachel Woodward of Peregrine Communications is a keynote speaker Visit womensbusinessconference.com for details.

Woodward • A pre-conference event, “Forging New Markets,” will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on April 20 at The Plaza. The event will provide information on how to enter new markets through selling to the government, selling internationally and perfecting the sales pitch. The cost is $49. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org or call 715-836-7511.

April 26: MENOMONIE — The program “Microsoft OneNote” will be from 8 a.m. to noon at Chippewa Valley Technical College, 403 Technology Drive E. The cost is $59. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/hbjku75, email businessindustry@cvtc. edu or call 800-547-2882, Ext. 4676.

April 28: Western Dairyland Community Action Agency is holding a training webinar, “Farmers Market 101,” from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will learn how to become a successful vendor at the farmers markets in the rural areas of Trempealeau and Jackson counties. There is no cost, but advanced registration is required to obtain webinar access. For more information or to register, visit successfulBusiness.org or call 715-985-2391, Ext. 1171.

• Also on April 28, Riverview Animal Hospital, 475 Chippewa Mall Drive, Chippewa Falls, is holding an open house and grand opening from 2 to 6 p.m. Visit riverviewanimalhospital.net for more information about the business.

• Also on April 28, the program “Microsoft Access: Nuts & Bolts” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $104. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/ hbjku75, email businessindustry@cvtc.edu or call 800-547-2882, Ext. 4676.

May 1: The date is the early-bird deadline to secure a booth for the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 2016 on Oct. 18 at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Road. Visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204 for more information.

May 4: The program "Microsoft Excel Advanced" will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $104. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/hbjku75, email businessindustry@cvtc.edu or call 800-547-2882, Ext. 4676.

• Also on May 4, the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce's annual golf outing begins at 9:30 a.m. at Whitetail Golf Course, 8418 760th Ave., Colfax. For more information or to register, visit menomoniechamber.org or call 715-235-9087.

May

CALENDAR

May 10: MENOMONIE — The 2016 Red Cedar Watershed Conference is 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center at UW-Stout. For more information visit www.uwstout.edu/ profed/redcedar/ or contact Anna McCabe at mccabea@uwstout. edu or 715-232-5484.

May 11: ALTOONA — The fourth annual "Working Mothers Luncheon" will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Eau Claire Golf & Country Club, 828 Clubview Lane. Scheduled presenters are Dori Pulse, an author, speaker and writer, and April Marion of the Eau Claire accounting firm of Biesterveld & Spies. The cost is $25 for chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. For more Marion information or to register, visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204. The registration deadline is May 6.

May 12: The program "Start a Small Business in 8 Steps" will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Topics to be covered include honing an idea, marketing and recordkeeping. After the class, participants may request free, one-on-one assistance from Western Dairyland's business development specialists. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org or call 715-836-7511.

May 12-13: MENOMONIE — The program "ISO 9001/13485 Internal Process Auditor Training" will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days at the Memorial Student Center at UW-Stout. For more

information visit www.uwstout.edu/profed/iso or contact Joni Geroux at gerouxj@uwstout.edu or 715-232-5270.

May 18: The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Breakfast will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Wild Ridge & Mill Run Golf Course, 3905 Kane Road. Visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204 for more information.

May 20: The Chippewa County Economic Development Corp.'s "Annual Meeting and Business of the Year Breakast" will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, 3800 Starr Ave. For more information call 715-723-7150 or email info@ chippewa-wi.com. The event will be followed by a golf outing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 23: ALTOONA — The 32nd annual "Business Salutes Eau Claire Golf Classic" outing will start at 7:15 a.m. at Eau Claire Golf & Country Club, 828 Clubview Lane. Contact Bob McCoy, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, at 715-858-0612 for more information.

May 24: The program "SQL Introduction" will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Schneider Hall at UW-Eau McCoy Claire. The presenter is Matt Sias, systems developer and database administrator for the university. The cost, which includes lunch, is $250. For more information or to register, visit uwec.edu/CE/ or call 715-836-3636 or 866-893-2423.

• Also on May 24, the program "Adobe Photoshop Tips and See page 30

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June

CALENDAR From page 29

June 10: The 20th annual “Breakfast in the Valley” will be from 5 to 10:15 a.m. at the Eau Claire County Expo Center, 5530 Fairview Drive. In addition to breakfast, the event will include agricultural displays, contests and a petting zoo. The goal is to serve around 3,400 people. The cost is $7 for adults, $2 for children 3-12 and free for 2 and under. Tickets are available at the door. Visit eauclairechamber.org for details.

June 21: The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s “2016 Business Hall of Fame Luncheon” will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at The Lismore hotel, 333 Gibson St. The Business Hall of Fame award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their business and the community. Visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204 for more information.

June 29-30: The program “Improve Your Business Financial Savvy: Develop Planning and Analysis Expertise” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court.

The presenter is David Steenstra, professor of management in the College of Business at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. For more information visit uwec.edu/CE/ or call 715-836Steenstra 3636 or 866-893-2423.

Tricks” will be from 8 a.m. to noon and “Adobe InDesign Tips and Tricks” will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost for each is $59. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl. com/hbjku75, email businessindustry@cvtc.edu or call 800-5472882, Ext. 4676.

June 7: CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce annual golf outing begins at noon at Lake Wissota Golf & Events, 16108 97th Ave. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, call 715-723-0331 or email kelly@ chippewachamber.org.

• Also on June 7, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Women’s Golf Workshop” will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Wild Ridge & Mill Run Golf Course, 3905 Kane Road. The event will feature golf etiquette, rules and instruction. The cost is $35 for chamber members and $65 for nonmembers. Call 715-834-1204 or visit eauclairechamber.org for more information.

June 9: Eau Claire Morning Rotary’s 10th annual Charity Golf Outing will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Wild Ridge and Mill Run Golf Course, 3905 Kane Road. Visit morningrotary.org or call 715858-7960 for more information.

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Questions on Page 26

412 3.6% 52,000 New rooms being added in the Eau Claire metropolitan area this year, as five hotels are scheduled to open.

Wisconsin jobless rate for military veterans last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figure tied for the 14th lowest in the U.S.

109.1 No. 324

Number of business entities created in Wisconsin since Gov. Scott Walker took office, according to the state Department of Financial Institutions.

The seasonally adjusted pending home sales index in February — 3.5 percent higher than in the previous month and its highest level since July — according to the National Association of Realtors.

Signed contracts rose 11.4 percent in the Midwest.

Donald Trump tied for the spot on Forbes magazine’s most recent rankings of the world’s billionaires with an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion. Eau Claire-based John Menard was tied for 116th at $9.3 billion.

Bill Gates topped the list at $75 billion.

By the NUMBERS

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