Small business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners are invited to attend Business Plan Basics on Wednesday, September 18th, 2019. The class will run from 5:30-8:30 pm. at Western Dairyland Business Center, 418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. Class participants will learn how to create an effective and engaging business plan that can be presented to lenders and used to guide the launch and growth of a new business. Tuition is $29. Class materials are included. Scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals.

The Western Wisconsin Women’s Business Center is offering a QuickBooks Online Basic Class. The hands-on class is being held on Thursday, September 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin Street, Eau Claire.

Whether you are new to business bookkeeping or just new to the QuickBooks® software, this series will tie it all together. Learn the key financial terms and underlying concepts you need to know, as well as the practical, day-to-day steps to effectively manage your business bookkeeping and track your business growth in three sessions. Small business owners, independent contractors, freelancers and self employed individuals are encouraged to attend.

• Session 1 (Sept 19): Learn the nuts and bolts of invoicing, billing, receiving payments, banking transactions and sales receipts
• Session 2 (Sept 26): Learn how to run AND interpret your business financial reports, as well as what should be in your chart of accounts.
• Session 3 (Oct 3): Q&A -- bring your business specific questions and any remaining unresolved issues for our certified Quickbooks® ProAdvisor to answer!

The Western Dairyland Business Center and the Women's Business Center invite entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to "Start a Small Business in 8 Steps" on Tuesday, October 22nd. The class will run from 5:30 pm-8:30 pm at the Western Dairyland offices at 418 Wisconsin Street in Eau Claire.  Tuition is $29. Class materials are included. Scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals.

The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center recently received $6000 from the Women's Giving Circle to launch a peer mentorship program for women seeking to grow their existing businesses. According to the 2018 State of Women Owned Businesses Report, 4 out of every 10 businesses (40%) in the United States are now women-owned. However, these businesses only employ 8% of the total private sector workforce and contribute just 4.3% of total revenues. In response to this discrepancy, The Western Dairyland Women's Business Center is launching a new program called Women's CEO Roundtables.

The Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center hosted its sixth annual Women’s Business Celebration on Wednesday, October 24^th, 2018 at The Florian Gardens in Eau Claire. A highlight of the celebration was the announcement of the 2018 recipients of the New Business of the Year Award and the Business Woman of the Year Award.

The Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center is pleased to announce that Tracey Smiskey has been chosen as the Women’s Business Center Advisory Board Chair.

Tammy Simon has joined the Western Dairyland Business Center as a Business Development Specialist who will provide services to individuals interested in starting, expanding, and improving small businesses in the Eau Claire area. Services include technical assistance and training in all aspects of business including business plan development, feasibility studies, marketing, management, and securing financing.