2018 Start Up

...WELL ALMOST.

Volume One’s Guide to

BOOTSTRAPPING YOUR OWN BUSINESS B R O U G H T T O Y O U I N PA R T B Y

LIGHTING A FIRE FOR ENTREPRENEURS ARTISAN FORGE STUDIOS GETS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD

ANDREA PAULSETH

ABOVE: A R T I SA N FO RG E ST U D I OS I S H OM E TO 43 SM A L L B U S I N E SS E S, MOST O F T H EM A R T I SA N S, I N C LU D I N G G L A SS B LOW E RS, M E TA LWO R K E RS, PA I N T E RS, A N D MO R E . BELOW: A R T I SA N FO RG E FO U N D E R G R EG J O H N SO N A N D H I S W I FE , K R I STA , P OS E W I T H T H E PA R AGO N AWA R D.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

A RTISA N FOR G E I S M OR E T HA N A COLL E CTION OF ART I STS’ ST U D I OS: It’s a small-business hub, an ever-changing gallery, a hive of creative activity, and an entrepreneur’s dream come true. In less than three years, founder and metal artist Greg Johnson has transformed a former trucking company garage at 1106 Mondovi Road into a fast-growing facility that houses 43 entrepreneurs (most of them artists) and employs 76 people. Now, Artisan Forge is the latest winner of the Paragon Award, which is given annually by the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp. to recognize entrepreneurial excellence.

“We’ve stumbled onto something remarkable here,” Johnson said as he accepted the award. The initial idea behind Artisan Forge was to create a sphere for creative people to come together, sharing resources and drawing inspiration from each other, he said. After remodeling the original 20,000-squarefoot building, Johnson and his partners built a 13,000-square-foot, $1.7 million addition last year.

They intend to add 18,000 square feet consisting of large-scale industrial shop space, to the building in the near future. Johnson’s own business, Artisan Forge Metalworks, specializes in custom metal art and furnishings.

Upon entering Artisan Forge, visitors are greeted by a gallery filled with prints, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, and furniture. Venture further down the hallways or up the stairs and you’ll find studio after studio housing artists of all kinds as well as a few complementary businesses, including a salon, a chocolatier, and – coming soon – a coffee shop. The proprietors of these businesses and their customers rub shoulders at Artisan Forge, creating new opportunities, attracting customers, and increasing investment in the creative economy.

Johnson said Artisan Forge has emerged just as traditional art galleries are faltering nationwide, in part because of online sales. What does the Internet offer that traditional galleries don’t? “It’s a connection to the artist,” he says. That’s something that Artisan Forge can offer as well, but it does the digital realm one better by offering customers a connection to artists in real life.

While most of the artists housed at Artisan Forge have moved their artistic endeavors out of their local homes, six or eight have relocated from other cities or states to be part of Eau Claire’s artistic renaissance, Johnson said. “There’s opportunities on opportunities,” he enthused. “They just build on each other.” Among those opportunities: Moving creative entrepreneurs from the stereotypical “starving artist” category toward self-sufficiency through their art.

The Paragon Award has been given to Eau Clairearea businesses since 2001, when Royal Credit Union became the first recipient. RCU is now the award’s sponsor, and CEO Brandon Riechers announced this year’s award winner on Feb. 13. Artisan Forge was chosen “because of the economic impact on our community due to their recent capital improvements, support of small local businesses and entrepreneurs, and their commitment to strengthening the Eau Claire area,” Riechers said.

According to Christina Wasson of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp., nominations for the award are judged on a series of criteria:

WORDS: TOM GIFFEY

W H AT I T M E A N S TO M E I S T H E CO M M U N I T Y I S R ECO G N I Z I N G T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F O U R C R E AT I V E S , O U R A R T I S T S , OUR ENTREPRENEURS. – GREG JOHNSON OW N E R O F A RTI SO N FO RG E , O N W I N N I N G TH E P A R A G O N AWA R D F R O M T H E E A U C L A I R E A R E A E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T C O R P.

• • • •

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Creating new, quality jobs; Expansion of an existing facility; Increasing tax base; Commitment to educating and training its workforce; • Supporting community economic development activities; • Being innovating in developing new technologies of products.

Past Paragon winners include Jamf, Action City, Menards, CURT Manufacturing, Bush Brothers, Dove Healthcare, Indianhead Foodservice Distribution,

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and Dynamic Fitness and Strength.

Johnson said he’s honored and humbled that Artisan Forge was chosen as the winner of such a prominent economic development award. “What it means to me is the community is recognizing the importance of our creatives, our artists, our entrepreneurs,” Johnson said.

Learn more about Artisan Forge Studios at artisanforgestudios.com or by searching for it on Facebook and Instagram. Find out about the Paragon Award and how you can nominate a local business for next year’s award at eauclaire-wi.com/services/paragon-award.

FROM IDEA TO PROTOTYPE U W - S T O U T C E N T E R G E T S $50, 000 E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P G R A N T ANDREA PAULSETH SUBMITTED PHOTO

BOB ROSENDAHL OF MENOMONIE, ability to go from concept to prototype WHO HAS INVENTED CRADLE in less than six weeks,” Rosendahl said.

STAKE, a product designed to secure “The state of Wisconsin is proud to gutter downspouts and protect them, support the university’s efforts to adsaid that an Entrepreneurship Support vance entrepreneurship in the region,” program from the Wisconsin Economic Kleefisch said during the announceDevelopment Corp. awardment of the second year of ed to UW-Stout helped the grant. save him thousands of WEDC received 36 apdollars as he took his idea plications for the program, from concept to a marketwhich provides matching able product. grants to nonprofit orgaIn January the WEDC nizations and communiawarded the university ties. The grants awarded another $50,000 for its Idea ranged from $17,000 to to Prototype program, for a $80,000. second year of the project.

“We are looking forUW-Stout was one of 11 ward to continuing our organizations that received strong relationship with grants totaling $500,000. the campus as we continue The grant was anto work together to grow nounced by Lt. Gov. the state’s economy,” HoGU I LFOI LE Rebecca Kleefisch and gan said. “This grant is WEDC Secretary and CEO another example of the Mark Hogan during a stop at the camstrong relationship that already exists pus Discovery Center Fab Lab in the between WEDC and UW-Stout.”

Applied Arts Building. The grant is for In 2016 WEDC programs helped UW-Stout’s Center for Innovation and more than 300 companies attract nearly Development, a specialty center within $300 million in new funding and over the Wisconsin Small Business Develop$85 million in revenue, Hogan said. ment Center network. CID is part of the Those companies employed more than UW-Stout Discovery Center.

2,100 full-time employees.

Rosendahl said the CID helped UW-Stout Provost Patrick Guilfoile him build his first prototype with a 3D said the grant is all about collaboration. printer and then helped him connect “There is collaboration in encouraging with Schmit Prototypes in Menomonie inventors to submit ideas, vetting those to produce Cradle Stake, which will be ideas, and then providing assistance available in the marketplace in the near with campus and other resources to future. “UW-Stout was central in my help convert those ideas into reality,”

Guilfoile said. “The grant also allows our students to connect with inventors and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to challenges faced in business and industry. And it will provide insight to those students about career options related to entrepreneurship and innovation.”

The intent with the grant is to engage with an additional 60 entrepreneurs this year who have inventions they are interested in developing.

Thirty of those will be chosen to get additional support to develop prototypes, business plans, and investigate intellectual property protections.

“Of those 30 projects, 15 will receive

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WORDS: UW-STOUT additional assistance from the Center for Innovation and Development and UW-Stout students and faculty in prototyping, computer aided design, pilot production runs, patent filing, and other areas,” Guilfoile said. “One element of UW-Stout’s mission is to grow the economy, so this grant clearly connects with our mission.”

The latest grant will allow the Idea to Prototype program to expand from the region to statewide, said Randy Hulke, Discovery Center executive director.

Learn more about UW-Stout’s Center for Innovation and Development by visiting tinyurl.com/UWStoutCID or emailing cid@uwstout.edu.

NEW IDEAS PERCOLATING 1 MILLION CUPS BRINGS ENTREPRENEURS TOGETHER OVER COFFEE SOMETIMES A C U P OF COF F EE IS MORE THA N J U ST A C U P OF COFFEE. Just like a humble napkin can hold crumbs and a sketch of a milliondollar idea, a cup of coffee can be a stimulant to both the central nervous system and an entrepreneur’s dreams.

Multiply those dreams, add a few zeroes, and you’ve got 1 Million Cups, a free nationwide program “designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs with their communities.” What began in 2012 in Kansas City has spread to 163 sites around the nation, including – since last spring – Eau Claire. At 9am each Wednesday, entrepreneurs gather at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Business Education Building, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., for free coffee and inspiration from fellow businesspeople, both aspiring and veteran. We talked to Christina Wasson, marketing manager for the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp., about how 1 Million

WORDS: TOM GIFFEY

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Cups helps budding entrepreneurs.

Volume One: Could you describe the idea behind 1 Million Cups?

Christina Wasson: 1 Million Cups is based on the concept WA SSON that the entrepreneurial spirit in communities is cultivated by coming together. Ideas and stories are shared over 1 Million Cups of coffee every Wednesday morning across the nation as chapters of 1 Million Cups come together in their communities to

1 MILLION CUPS IS BASED ON THE C O N C E P T T H AT T H E E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L S P I R I T I N C O M M U N I T I E S I S C U LT I VAT E D

BY C O M I N G TO G E T H E R .

– CHRISTINA WASSON E A U C L A I R E A R E A E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T C O R P.

learn from their peers and mentors.

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How did 1 Million Cups come to the Chippewa Valley?

Several individuals from the community, including the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the Eau Claire Area

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Economic Development Corporation, the UW-Eau Claire Entrepreneurship Program, and local entrepreneurs came together to bring this national program to Eau Claire. Our first meeting was April 9 at the Local Lounge. … We have been at CVTC since October.

What kind of entrepreneurs are drawn to these events? Are these all first-time entrepreneurs, or are experienced businesspeople involved too, too?

One of the great things about our community is the support that both current business owners and established entrepreneurs as well as the emerging entrepreneurs and startups provide for one another. All types of entrepreneurs are represented and attend our weekly meetings!

Do you see the same people repeatedly?

We do tend to have repeat individuals who attend nearly every week, but there is also a huge segment of individuals who come when they can – whether that is every other week or once a month. While each week is a different story, a different startup, and a different discussion – there is always another opportunity next week to re-connect with everyone.

What is the usual agenda for a 1 Million Cups gathering?

We start off the gathering by reminding everyone to refill their coffee mugs and showing a short, informational video about 1 Million Cups. Then we dive right into a presentation from an entrepreneur. This short presentation is then followed by lengthy, and informal, Q&A session that revolves around questions about the business as well as the question “How can we as a community help you?” This discussion is often peppered with individuals sharing their personal stories and how they overcame certain obstacles, and how they were able to achieve success. We end each meeting with a trivia question – the prize is one of our 1 Million Cups mugs!

Can you describe the environment at one of the meetings?

1 Million Cups is a fun and engaging

event to learn more about entrepreneurism and our community. By the time you leave a meeting, you feel much more connected to the community as a whole.

Have there been successful business launches associated with 1 Million Cups locally?

As a community we are fortunate enough to have several entrepreneurial outlets such as Startup 48, Idea Challenge, and the UW-Eau Claire Entrepreneurship Program that assist individuals in becoming entrepreneurs. We have had several presentations from businesses that are moving forward into the marketplace such as the Three Foodies LLC, who won the most recent Idea Challenge and will be bringing a local food tour to Eau Claire this summer!

What does the coming year hold for 1 Million Cups?

The organizers of 1 Million Cups are looking forward to increasing our attendance and seeing what new presentations we will be able to see. In the future, we hope to have the ability to stream our weekly presentations and maybe throw in a social here and there for additional networking. As always, we encourage everyone to attend 1 Million Cups – you don’t need to currently be an entrepreneur or business owner to attend. The community feedback and discussion is so rewarding for everyone there! … If you have a business we would love to have you present! The environment is very low-stress, and everyone is always excited to hear about what is going on in our community.

Learn more about 1 Million Cups at 1millioncups.com/eauclaire. You can also search for @1millionCupsEAU on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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LET’S GET STARTED! UPCOMING EVENTS Musky Tank Mixer Feb. 21, 6:30-8pm • Chippewa River

Distillery & Brewster Bros. Brewing Co., 402 W River St, Chippewa Falls • FREE • muskytank.com “Know your numbers!” is good advice for any entrepreneur. In fact, success in business is built on understanding how you make money. Stop by Brewster Bros. for a refreshing brew, networking, and expert advice from an experienced panel.

Engaging Leaders, Employees & Teams Feb. 27, 7:30-

9am • Ojibwe Ballroom, Davies Center, UWEC campus, Eau Claire • FREE • 18+ • Dr. Scott Lester • uwec.edu A workforce who cares leads to a better work culture and better business outcomes. Join UWEC management faculty at a workshop to examine best practices for cultivating employee commitment, passion, and enthusiasm within an organization.

Supervisory Management: Learning to Lead Mar. 1,

8:30am-4pm; Mar. 2, 8:30am-4pm • Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire • $600 • 7158364648 • ce.uwec.edu The best leaders humbly keep learning and realize they don’t know it all. Whether you’ve recently taken on a new leadership role or you’ve been in leadership for a while, rejoice. All leaders can learn something at the Supervisor Training: Learning to Lead program.

Facebook Pixel Class Mar. 7, noon-1pm • Western

Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • $20 • westerndairyland.org A Facebook Pixel is a FREE piece of code that allows businesses to capture and segment each person who visits their website – and market directly to them! Class participants will learn how to access and effectively implement a Facebook Pixel to enhance any business marketing strategy.

Understanding Fundamental Business Financial Statements Mar. 10, 9am-noon • Western Dairyland,

418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • $29 • westerndairyland.

org Learn how to prepare and interpret the three primary financial statements that will enable you to make informed decisions in managing and growing your small business: a profit and loss statement, a cash flow statement and a balance sheet.

Business Plan Basics Mar. 15, 6-9pm • Western

Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • $29 • westerndairyland.org A formal business plan is a required document for anyone in search of funding to start a new business, expand an existing business, or launch a new product. Fundamentally, a business plan will include a mission statement, business description, product description, market analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management plan and financial projections.

Making Millennials Great Mar. 21, 1-2:30pm • UWEC

Schofield Auditorium, 105 Garfield Ave, Eau Claire • $40 • (715) 836-3861 This baby boomer and millennial duo have created a unique program based on their combined individual and professional experiences that include: humorous anecdotes, live action role play, reallife stories and interactive participation.

2017-18 Law Changes Wisconsin Sales & Use Tax Special Program Mar. 22, 8am-noon • Metropolis Resort,

5150 Fairview Drive, Eau Claire • $69 • 2628272880 • wcacredit.org Designed specifically for contractors who are required to incorporate these changes into processes for managing the sales and use tax reporting. Will cover sales & use tax overview, recent law changes including the building materials exemption for contracts with exempt entities, and the construction contract exemption.

Supervisory Management: Emotional Intelligence and Empowerment Mar. 22, 8:30am-4pm; Mar. 23, 8:30am-

4pm • Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire • $600 • 7158364648 • ce.uwec.edu Through this interactive session, attendees will build skills for delegating in a structured, yet empowering manner. This dynamic

RESOURCES & LISTINGS

workshop will focus on three key areas: meaningful selfappraisal, emotional intelligence and the art of delegation.

Business Tax Chat Mar. 27, 6-8pm; Apr. 24, 6-8pm; Jun.

26, 6-8pm; Jul. 31, 6-8pm; Aug. 28, 6-8pm • Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • $10 • westerndairyland.org The Business Tax Chat is an opportunity for small business owners, particularly individuals who may be filing for the first time, to bring questions about their specific small business tax concerns.

Supervisory Management: Orientation, Time Management and Delegation Apr. 5, 8:30am-4pm; Apr. 6,

8:30am-4pm • Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire • $600 • 715-836-3861 Are you capitalizing on all of the skills and assets your employees have to offer? One challenge many managers face is effectively delegating tasks across their team in order to maximize time management.

Foot and Nail Care: Starting a Business Apr. 9, 6-9pm

• The Lismore, 333 Gibson Street, Eau Claire • $69 • 7158363636 • ce.uwec.edu After taking the Foot and Nail Education Day, take the first steps to starting your business and join us for this workshop. You will hear from a Foot and Nail Care specialist, small business entrepreneurs and current foot and nail care business owners. Learn how to start your business from a local business entrepreneur who will guide you through the process of developing your lean start up plan.

Food Entrepreneurship Roundtable Apr. 18, noon-1pm

• Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • $15; lunch provided • westerndairyland.org Presented by The Western Dairyland Business Center and Women’s Business Center, the purpose of each industry roundtable discussion is to gather entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in the same field to share their experiences and best practices, network, and find new and innovative ways to collaborate.

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Supervisory Management: Process Mapping and Work Flow Improvement Apr. 26, 8:30am-4pm; Apr.

27, 8:30am-4pm • Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire • $600 • 715.836.3636 • ce.uwec.edu You’ll return to work with a practical “blueprint” that can be used to improve any process in your organization. Experienced managers will benefit from the recent developments, expert insights, shared experiences and group discussions delivered in this program.

15th Annual Women’s Business Conference May. 22,

7am-4pm • Davies Center, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire • Registration fee information available online • (715) 836-7511 ext. 1171 • WomensBusinessConference.com Attendees learn from established members of the business community in Western Wisconsin, talk to business assistance providers, and network with hundreds of emerging entrepreneurs. Last year featured 100+ businesses displaying their services and products in the exhibitor hall. Twenty educational sessions and roundtables cover a wide range of topics, and one-on-one counseling is available to discuss specific business questions.

Supervisor Training: Employee Evaluation and Performance and Performance Management May. 31, 8:30am-

4pm; Jun. 1, 8:30am-4pm • Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire • $600 • (715) 836-4648 This course will help you incorporate performance management into an ongoing process, which can lead to increased engagement, productivity, and loyalty. You will learn proven techniques for delivering effective feedback and performance appraisals, even when the situation may be challenging.

ADVOCACY Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 10 South

Bridge St., Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-0331 • chippewachamber.org Seeks to improve the quality of life in the com-

munity by providing leadership to coordinate, support, and promote the business interests of its members. A leader of the business community by providing value through member benefits, quality programs, and political leadership resulting in a solid return on investment for members.

Chippewa Falls Main Street 514 N. Bridge St., Chippewa

Falls • (715) 723-6661 • teri@cfms.us • chippewafallsmainst.org Chippewa Falls has been a Wisconsin Main Street Community since 1989. Chippewa Falls Main Street helps promote and improve the downtown with rehabilitation projects, façade improvements, and numerous promotional activities including Pure Water Days, Paint The Town Pink, and the Bridge to Wonderland Parade.

Chippewa Valley Entrepreneurs • chippewavalleyentre-

preneurs.org/hello-world Chippewa Valley Entrepreneurs is a free, member-led, confidential, peer-sharing group of like-minded entrepreneurs from the Chippewa Valley area.

Meets monthly in groups of 7-10 people to support each other by focusing on business growth, personal development and community involvement. CVE members will support each other and offer input in those areas where you have questions that someone else has already experienced.

Chippewa Valley High Tech Alliance • members@cvh-

ta.com • cvhta.com A group of area technology-based businesses that have come together to raise awareness of the region as a leader in technology. A large number of companies – past, present and emerging – either employ technology as the core of their business, or rely on technology to deliver their products or services.

Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce 101 N Farwell

St, Eau Claire • (715) 834-1204 • eauclairechamber. org Leader in progressive development of the business community in Eau Claire. Hosts numerous events to promote a healthy business community. Advocates for strong education systems and workforce readiness, promotes educational information and other resources to enhance development, and supports small business members by providing programs and services specific to businesses with 20 or fewer employees.

Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce 342

Main St. E, Menomonie • (715) 235-9087 • menomoniechamber.org Seeks to promote a successful business climate in the Greater Menomonie area through a variety of events, training seminars from experts, advertising opportunities, a broad professional network, and member-only programs. Hosts Business After Hours, a networking event hosted by and for Chamber members.

Ignite Wisconsin 800 Wisconsin Street, Suite D2-401,

Mail Box 9, Eau Claire • (715) 855-7681 • mfinger@ifww. org • ignitewisconsin.org Ignite Wisconsin, a program of the Innovation Foundation of Western Wisconsin, helps prospective entrepreneurs in the region move from dreaming about owning businesses to taking active steps to turn those dreams into reality. The program provides encour-

agement, inspiration, and connection for entrepreneurs via online content, live events, and one-on-one connections.

Main Street of Menomonie Inc. 342 E. Main St.,

Menomonie • (715) 235-2666 • mainstreet342@wwt.net • mainstreetmenomonie.org Main Street of Menomonie Inc. is a non-profit organization with the purpose of working with downtown property owners and business owners to build a strong and vibrant downtown commercial district. The group’s four-point approach includes organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. Main Street of Menomonie is behind a number of annual events, including SummerDaze and WinterDaze.

Startup Current Dennis L. Heyde Entrepreneur Program,

Schneider Social Science Hall 400D, 105 Garfield Ave., Eau Claire • 715-836-4636 • mgmtmark@uwec.edu • startupcurrent.org Startup Current is a website designed to promote the culture of entrepreneurship on the UW-Eau Claire campus and throughout the community. It provides startup-related news briefs and information about entrepreneur-related events. Startup Current is sponsored by UWEC’s Dennis L. Heyde Entrepreneur Program.

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS North Barstow/Medical Business Improvement District City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division, 203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-4914 • downtowneauclaire.org Formed to allow business and property owners in the North Barstow and Medical districts of downtown to develop, manage and pro mote their respective districts and to establish an assessment method to fund these activities. Contact for information about the next meeting.

South Barstow Business Improvement District City of

Eau Claire Economic Development Division, 203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-4914 • downtowneauclaire.org Created to allow business and property owners in the downtown to develop, manage, and promote downtown Eau Claire and to establish an assessment method to fund these activities. The South Barstow BID is responsible for the flowers and music on Barstow Street. Contact to learn when the next meeting is.

Water Street Business Improvement District City of

Eau Claire Economic Development Division, 203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-4914 • downtowneauclaire.org Formed to allow business and property owners in the Water Street business community to develop, manage, and promote their business district and to establish an assessment method to fund these activities. The Water Street BID stretches along both sides of Water Street from the Chippewa River west to Seventh Avenue. Contact for information about the next meeting.

West Grand Business Improvement District City

of Eau Claire Economic Development Division, 203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-4914 • downtowneauclaire.org Created to allow business and property owners in the West Grand Avenue business community to develop, manage, and promote their business district and to establish an assessment method to fund these activities. The West Grand Avenue BID comprises the commercial area on the west bank of the Chippewa River from First Avenue to Second Avenue. Contact for information about the next meeting.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation

770 Scheidler Road Suite #3, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-7150 • chippewa-wi.com A certified economic development staff can assist offers multiple business solutions including loans, scholarships, incubators, initiatives & incentives, and an easy-to-use web-based tool designed to help entrepreneurs find a location for their business.

City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division

203 S. Farwell St., P.O.Box 5148, Eau Claire • (715) 839-4914 • mike.schatz@eauclairewi.gov • eauclairedevelopment.com A division of the CIty of Eau Claire. Its mission is to grow local businesses, facilitate expansions, and incentivize businesses to locate in Eau Claire. Has resources available to assist in marketing & branding strategies, paperwork, permits & regulations, finding a properties to rent or own, and finding financial assistance through grants, loan & credit programs.

Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI) 203 S. Farwell St.;

PO Box 5148, Eau Claire • (715) 839-4914 • downtowneauclaire.org A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development of business, housing, cultural resources, and activities within downtown Eau Claire.

DECI offers grants, loan programs, and credit programs to help businesses that are creating new job opportunities, expanding their operations, or bringing new technology to Eau Claire. DECI can help with location expansion, buying equipment, paperwork, permits & regulations, marketing & branding strategies, and learning how to get started.

Dunn County Economic Development Corporation 800

Wilson, Suite 219, Menomonie • (715) 232-4009 • director@dunnedc.com • dunnedc.com/dunn Promotes economic growth and stability in Dunn County. Resources available include finding available or building new commercial or industrial locations, expansion, starting a new business, customer retention, and matching individuals and companies with funding sources and incentive programs.

Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation

7 S. Dewey St., Suite 101, Eau Claire • (715) 834-0070 • ec.info@eauclaire-wi.com • eauclaire-wi.com The Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation

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advances economic prosperity through business and job growth by assisting in the creation, enhancement, and expansion of local businesses. They have resources for protecting and developing your ideas, financing and funding programs, information regarding regulations and permits, and more. In addition to other financial resources, such as a variety of grant programs, they host the annual Idea Challenge, which is an ongoing contest for individuals or businesses with an idea for a new product or service with the chance to win a grand prize of $5,000.

Momentum West 2322 Alpine Road Suite 7, Eau Claire

• (715) 874-4673 • info@momentumwest.org • momentumwest.org Momentum West is a regional economic development organization serving Barron, Clark, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, Pepin, Polk, Rusk, and St. Croix counties featuring startup, R&D, and Technology Transfer resources and much more.

lows users to design, prototype, and built their creations; the Stout Technology and Business Park, a 403-acre mixed-use park; the Manufacturing Outreach Center, which helps regional manufacturers grow; and the Center for Innovation and Development, which helps inventors commercialize their products and technologies.

STATEWIDE AGENCIES Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation 201 W.

Washington Ave., Madison • (855) 469-4249 • inwisconsin.com The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate.

Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network 432 N. Lake St.,

Suite 425, Madison • (608) 263-0398 • wenportal. org A statewide network that identifies high-poten-

tial entrepreneurs and helps move their businesses forward, and facilitates collaboration between entrepreneurs and outside organizations. Provides grants to help with business plan development and proposals for federal research and development grants. Expertise, coaching, and guidance with respect to technology assessment and commercialization, business planning, raising capital, and securing state and federal grants.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority 201 W. Washington Ave. Ste. 700, Madi-

son • (608) 266-7884 • info@wheda.com • wheda. com WHEDA uses funds from Wisconsin’s State Small Business Credit Initiative to support programs that leverage private lending to help finance creditworthy small businesses. These programs include Capital Access Programs, loan guarantee programs, and venture capital funds.

SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES Western Dairyland Business Center 418 Wisconsin St.,

Eau Claire • (715) 836-7511 • westerndairyland.org The Western Dairyland Business Center targets historically underserved populations such as women, low-income, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals in our local counties offering group training, networking events, and an annual Women’s Business Conference. Works with entrepreneurs one-on-one to develop a business plan, marketing plans, website development, and business structure.

Western Wisconsin SCORE 500 S. Barstow St. Fed-

eral Building Rm B11 (Lower Level), Eau Claire • (715) 834-1573 • score@score-eauclaire.org • scoreeauclaire.org SCORE is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is comprised of retired entrepreneurs that offer advice to current entrepreneurs.

Offers free management, bookkeeping, accounting, construction, design, and budgeting counseling, financial & loan resources, help with permits & regulations, and seminars from experienced entrepreneurs.

Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire 7 S. Dewey St., Suite 101, Eau Claire

• (715) 836-5811 • KEMPENLS@uwec.edu • wisconsinsbdc.org/eauclaire The SBDC assists entrepreneurs at every stage of business development with financial, marketing, and management techniques and strategies at no cost. Provides professional consulting to entrepreneurs in an eight-county area of west-central Wisconsin. Also offers the Entrepreneurial Training Program, which helps entrepreneurs create business models and business plans and provides advice on accounting, marketing, financing, business structure, and more.

FINANCING Chippewa Valley Angel Network 2322 Alpine Rd. Suite

7, Eau Claire • (715) 878-9791 • cvangels@execpc. com • wisconsinangelnetwork.com Angel Investors provide equity capital to local entrepreneurs in order to bridge the gap between initial seed funding and institutional financing.

West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission • (715) 836-2918 • wcwrpc@wcwrpc.org • wc-

wrpc.org The West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee has established the Regional Business Fund, which offers low-interest loans to businesses that expand within the region, diversify the economy, add new technology, revitalize buildings in the region’s downtowns, and create quality jobs and capital investment in the region.

Wisconsin Business Development 3610 Oakwood Mall

Dr. Suite 201, Eau Claire • (715) 834-9474 • wbd.org WBD facilitates financial assistance for your business by working with your local lender and federal loan opportunities.

INCUBATORS Chippewa Valley Innovation Center 3132 Louis Ave.,

Eau Claire • (715) 836-2842 • chippewavalleyinnovationcenter.org The Chippewa Valley Innovation Center encourages new and emerging entrepreneurial business by allowing them to use community resources and by providing them a temporary start-up facility as well as managerial, technical, and financial assistance. CVIC offers flexible, low-cost building accommodations along with access to local economic development agencies.

CVTC Applied Technology Center 2322 Alpine Road, Eau

Claire • (715) 833-6237 • dolson@cvtc.edu • cvtc.edu/atc/ Pages/default.aspx The CVTC Applied Technology Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is designed to accommodate the development of business start-ups for microfabrication and other advanced manufacturing technologies.

UW-Stout Discovery Center 278 Jarvis Hall, UW-

Stout, Menomonie • (715) 232-2397 • discoverycenter@uwstout.edu • uwstout.edu/discoverycenter/ The Discovery Center is the umbrella organization for UWStout’s research, outreach, and economic development efforts. The center aids local industry and the community thanks to the extensive expertise of UW-Stout faculty, staff, students and other specialists, fostering discovery and innovation. Among the center’s many programs and services are the Fab Lab, a digital fabrication lab that al-

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Wisconsin Innovation Service Center 1200 Hyland

Hall, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater • (262) 472-1365 • innovate@uww.edu • uww.edu/wisc/ Wisconsin Innovation Service Center specializes in new product and invention assessments and market expansion opportunities for innovative manufacturers, technology businesses, and independent inventors.

Wisconsin Procurement Institute 10437 Innovation

Dr., Suite 320, Milwaukee • (414) 270-3600 • info@ wispro.org • wispro.org NPO assisting Wisconsin businesses in creating, developing and growing their federal, state and local government sales by providing technical and professional expertise and experience to Wisconsin’s business community, specialized for disadvantaged, minority, woman, disabled and veteran owned firms as well as those located in designated HUBzone and distressed areas.