A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News October 6, 2005 - Small business cluster helps entrepreneurs reach goal By Steve Lewallen, for Daily Tribune Editor's note: The Daily Tribune will regularly run columns updating Community Progress Initiative activities in local communities. Steve Lewallen is a member of the Small Business Cluster. The Small Business/Financial Services Cluster has been making many strides forward. For example, our members volunteer their time and provide technical knowledge to assist participants in the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance's entrepreneurial boot camps. These are offered several times a year. To date, 66 participants have graduated from these four-day training programs. Participants learn how to write a business plan and create a budget and how to handle accounting issues and market effectively. Legal issues also are discussed, and students receive guidance on the different types of legal structures to fit their needs - LLC, incorporation or partnership. On the last day, students present their own business plan to a panel of experienced specialists for review, critique and suggestions. We look forward to continuing this great project - helping new and existing businesses start out on the right foot and move toward steady growth. If you are thinking of starting your own business or you're currently in business and facing challenges and questions, call Heart of Wisconsin at 423-1830 to learn more about the entrepreneurial training program. Another program to help new and existing businesses with day-to-day operations is the Small Business Cluster's Entrepreneur Club. It's a great place to sit down with other business people once a month. We have had experts speak on topics like marketing, leadership, taxes, and technology. With fall here, it's time for businesses to get ready for the holidays. Recently, the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance hosted two half-day training sessions on customer service excellence. The Entrepreneur Club also hosted lunch and a brief training on this same subject. More than 65 people attended. The Entrepreneur Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Wood County Courthouse, room 101. We provide lunch, so please join us, learn and have lunch on us. The November meeting will be about budgeting. January is coming up; are you struggling to put your budget together? Join us at noon Nov. 2. The Small Business Cluster meets once a month. If you're interested in being part of a group that wants to make business easier, fun, and exciting, and help the Wisconsin Rapids area, you are more than welcome. For more information, call Steve Lewallen, 421-1800.
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