Start a Business

$10,000 VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL READY GRANT Could you be eligible to apply for a $10,000 small business grant? Here at Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, we’re dedicated to helping small businesses thrive. But we know just how difficult it can be without the right resources - which is why we’ve set up our free learning program to help give you access to the tools needed to succeed. By joining Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, you’ll get access to courses, live coaching sessions led by industry experts, and insightful resources.

Apply by June 30th, 2025: Click here to register and watch two courses to unlock the grant application.
Grant Application Instructions (past recording): Click here to view instructions on Youtube

GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN WESTERN WI & EAU CLAIRE

• The Red Letter Grant is open to women throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin who want to start a NEW business. The committee will consider applications from existing women-owned businesses looking to expand, but preference is given to applicants in the start-up phase. Grant applications are accepted in spring and fall. Click here to learn more about this grant
• Fund Our Foodshed Grants by the Menomonie Market Food Co-op: With a submission deadline of March 17, 2025, local farmers and producers have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support their projects aimed at enhancing productivity and business growth. Funds from the grant may be used for various purposes, including purchasing machinery, construction, supplies, and infrastructure development. Additionally, awarded projects will receive promotional support. Click here to learn more!
• The Idea Challenge, sponsored by Northwestern Bank, is an annual contest ran by the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation that assists entrepreneurs in taking their idea and making it a reality. This is a free contest that accepts ideas in any stage of development for any new product, service, or process. Applications taken all year, 10-minute Business Idea pitches will be scheduled monthly, July - October. Deadline to apply is October 1 to be considered for December Finalist Competition. Applications received after this date will be automatically entered for the following year's Idea Challenge. Finalists are determined in November. Final 5 individuals present in December. Grand Prize Winner Announced in December. Click here to learn more.
• Jump-Start Downtown is a business competition for entrepreneurs over 18 years old interested in opening a business or relocating a business in Downtown Eau Claire (view downtown boundaries). Any type of business is eligible, from high-tech offices to gift shops. Application accepted between Oct. 1st and Dec. 31st, 2025. Click here to learn more about this grant.

LOW-INTEREST LOANS

• The City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers several assistance programs for businesses that can complement or fill the gap in programs that are available through financial institutions to help get them off the ground, expand operations, create new job opportunities, and improve commercial spaces. The following list of programs is available to business and property owners. To apply or request additional information, contact our division. Eau Claire WI Business Loan Programs
• Regional Business Fund, Inc. offers low-interest loan funds to businesses that expand within the region; diversify the economy; add new technology; revitalize buildings in the region's downtowns; create or retain quality jobs; and leverage private capital investment in the region. Regional Business Fund, Inc.

Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, you will find everything you need to start and manage your business venture on the IRS website.

The Preferred Lenders Program (PLP) is part of SBA's effort to streamline the procedures necessary to provide financial assistance to the small business community. Under this program, SBA delegates the final credit decision and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility to carefully selected PLP lenders. SBA, however, will continue to check loan eligibility criteria.

SBA Express features an accelerated turnaround time for SBA review; a response to an application will be given within 36 hours.

Find a Lender

The list below provides a description of different methods for financing your new business:

• Grants: Most federal and state small business development grants are awarded to agencies that provide services to individuals that want to start a business.
• Local Business Development Funding: Many community agencies have funds available to support economic development in their area. The funding is typically in the form of low-interest loans with favorable repayment terms.
• Venture Capital: Investors provide funding for a share of ownership in your business.
• SBA Guaranteed Loans: Loans for the purpose of starting or growing a business. Learn more.
• Commercial: Bank financing can be in the form of a loan with a fixed term or a line of credit.
• Home Equity
• Credit Cards: Good for small amounts. The interest rate is high, and if you are a sole proprietor, the interest is not deductible.
• Personal Savings

Most lenders rely on a variation of the "8 C's of Credit" when assessing a loan application. Different lenders place different values on each of the criteria.

• Credit
• Capital
• Character
• Commitment
• Capacity
• Collateral
• Conditions
• Cash Flow

Please schedule a consultation or contact the Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center for more information: info@successfulbusiness.org

Are good leaders made or are they born? No one knows for sure, but successful entrepreneurs tend to share these traits: Passion, persistence, stamina, strong drive, getting along with others, decision-making and organizational skills, a supportive family and strong work ethic.

Using your existing skills, observing unmet needs in your community, or imitating a proven business model (or buying a franchise) can generate a variety of business ideas. Next: What do you need to consider when you examine your idea? Remember, we can help with all of these steps.

• Assess market size
• Assess your competitive advantage
• Assess capital requirements
• Find out if anyone else has tried and failed (and why)
• Assess barriers to entry

Are there enough potential customers in your target market who will buy your specific product or service at a price that will cover my expenses and support your family? Let’s evaluate if your business idea is feasible by analyzing your potential customers, target market, industry, and financial projections.

First, you must define your target customer by evaluating their demographics. Remember, not everyone is going to be your customer. Examine their age, gender, geographic area, education level, income, lifestyle and family structure.

Secondly, take a look at your industry and ask yourself: What are the trends in my industry? What is the growth potential? What are other businesses doing? What’s the current supply and demand?

Next, determine your financial feasibility:

• Create a sales forecast based on the market size
• Determine the approximate cost of goods
• Estimate your fixed and variable expenses
• Calculate your profit
• Assess financial viability

The type of legal structure you choose can affect how your business is regulated and taxed. We can help you make the best choice for your business. Once you decide the structure, you can set up these other key pillars to protect your business:

• Federal & State Tax Registration
• Permits, Licenses, and Zoning
• Business Insurance
• Other Legal Considerations: Partnership Contract, Release of Liability, Intellectual Property
• Advisors: Attorney, Accountant, Insurance Agent, Banker, our Business Development Specialists

Businesses rely on marketing to spread awareness of their products and services. Having a predetermined strategy can help you make logical decisions about how to most effectively develop your customer base. Start by thinking about your customer’s age, gender, income, habits and lifestyle to help you determine how to best spend your marketing budget.

Keeping clear records of income, expenses, employees, tax documents and accounts isn't just good business. It can bring you peace of mind, help you monitor progress toward goals, and save you time and money.

A business plan is a written document that describes in detail how a business—usually a startup—defines its objectives and how it is to go about achieving its goals. A business plan lays out a written roadmap for the firm from marketing, financial, and operational standpoints.

There are three immediate benefits for writing a business plan:

1. To create an effective strategy for growth
2. To determine your future financial needs
3. To present to potential funders

Most lenders rely on a variation of the "8 C's of Credit" when assessing a loan application. Different lenders place different values on each of the criteria.

• Credit
• Capital
• Character
• Commitment
• Capacity
• Collateral
• Conditions
• Cash Flow

Remember these important points:

• Have someone who doesn’t know your business review your business plan
• Do not underestimate or overestimate financial needs.
• Be realistic with your sales projections. Err on the side of caution.
• Lenders vary. Start with your own financial institution but present your plan to more than one. You are developing a relationship.

Click here to watch the "Business Plan Basics" video series.

A business plan is a 30- to 50-page document that outlines a company’s goals and strategies for achieving those goals. It also outlines the internal and external processes a business needs to meet its financial projections and customer expectations.

Your business plan should include an executive summary, company description, market analysis, outline of the organization and management, description of your services or products, as well as your marketing and sales goals. If you direct your business plan toward investors or potential shareholders, then you can include a funding request in your business plan document.

Lastly, reveal your financial projections. This section should demonstrate your financial goals within a given time frame. The appendix is the last section you should include in your business plan. Here you can include several important documents for readers to review, such as licenses and permits, resumes or CVs of company officials, product photos, credit history, and other documents relevant to your company.

• Product/Service: Is there a demand for the product/service you are offering? If so, then your ideal customers are likely getting it from one of your future competitors. How can you provide your product/service better, faster or cheaper? Give your customers a reason to buy from you rather than the other stores.
• Price: Determining an appropriate selling price is complicated because it affects both marketing and finance. Products/services should be priced in line with the current market and competitor pricing. The selling price should be sufficient to pay all business expenses and should make a profit for the owner, given a reasonable amount of sales. Keeping business expenses in mind, set reasonable sales goals and strive to meet them every day.
• Packaging: Along with packaging your product/service, you also must present your business in the most attractive way possible. A business's name is its most important marketing tool and you should spend considerable time brainstorming ideas before you commit to a name. The best business names are memorable, clever, and descriptive.
• Position: Positioning your product or service means identifying the best location from which it will be sold. It is often referred to as the distribution channel and can include physical or online stores.
• Promotion: Promotion includes any form of communication used to market a product or service. Generally, promotion breaks down into four categories: advertising, public relations, personal selling and sales promotion.

By far, advertising is the most common way to reach your customers. For example, one of the most effective pieces of advertising is a simple, inexpensive business card. Beyond that, consider brochures or flyers, email marketing, magazine ads, newspaper ads, newsletters, posters, radio ads, television ads, telemarketing, and websites - to name a few. After you have researched your potential customers and have found your niche among the competing businesses, it is time to go to work on the business plan. The Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center will help create a marketing plan that will position you to attain the highest possible market share.

View Our On-Demand Video Library

Work with a business development specialist at our Business Center to create a marketing plan for your business. Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center's basic marketing plan includes five primary components.

1. Define the Current Market
2. Quantify the Market: Size, trends, local issues, based on demographic and geographic definitions of the market
3. Profile the Competition: Who are your competitors? Where are they located? How do they/you compare to them? Nature and status of each competitor.
4. Marketing Strategy: Competitive focus (price, quality, service, selection, convenience), marketing method(s), channels of distribution, advertising/promotion plan
5. Future Markets/Expansion Markets/Opportunities for Years 2, 3, & 4

Define the Current Market

Customer Category

• Consumer
• Business
• Industrial
• Institutional
• Government

Define Need for Product/Service

Geographic coverage: distance, time, traffic patterns, topographic consideration, social and cultural considerations
Demographic target: age, income, gender, employment, education, residence, family status, race, religion, psychographic characteristics

When Ashley Kosharek started AMK Cleaning Services in September of 2012, it was out of frustration. After years of working in customer service, retail, and restaurants, she was tired of barely making ends meet.

"I was a single mom and knew that I had to do something that made enough money so we could make a living and not be scraping by," she said.

Because she had five years of experience housekeeping in hotels, she started cleaning homes in her free time. As word got out, she began to receive more referrals and added accounts.

After attending the Western Dairyland Women's Business Conference in 2013, Kosharek registered for QuickBooks and Business Plan Basics classes at the Western Dairyand office in downtown Eau Claire. Dozens of similar classes are offered each year for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners.

Later that year she approached the Western Dairyland Business Center for advice. "We were at the point where it was either get bigger or stay small, and I didn't really know which way to go at that point," she said. "It made me scared to get bigger because I knew managing people was going to be hard, but I knew that if I wanted to have a retirement plan and have something to show, then I needed to get bigger."

Kosharek's next step was to meet with Western Dairyland Business Development Specialist Ken Pearson. Western Dairyland staff members provide assistance with business plan writing, financial projections, setting up record keeping systems, establishing business legal structures, and developing marking plans. Additional services are offered depending on the type of business being considered. Together, Kosharek and Pearson figured out a way to add vehicles, increase wages, and reduce employee turnover.

Since then, AMK Cleaning Services has experienced quick growth. Kosharek went from one employee to fifteen (including five full-time) and in June she started leasing an office on Fenwick Avenue in Eau Claire.

She currently serves between 80 and 150 residential and commercial clients, but sees the need for reliable cleaning in rural areas. Eventually, she hopes to expand and open satellite offices. Kosharek controls her own marketing and sales and has invested in a computer system to make managing her clients easier. She has also gone paperless, providing employees with iPads so they can quickly access important documents while out in the field. For the most part, she now runs her business independently, but it's reassuring to know that a Western Dairyland counselor is only an e-mail or phone call away.

She recalled that in the beginning, owning her own business seemed impossible, but now she knows she's right on track. "It's crazy to look back and see how much we've done and how far we've come."

"I was a low-income, single woman and because of this help we've created a livable career and created jobs for other people, so that's probably the biggest success," she said. "Building and growing a business was always a dream of mine and it became a reality with assistance from Western Dairyland."

Small Business Administration
This site has a lot of information on starting or growing a business, financing, marketing, and business plans.  There are also links to numerous resources that can provide assistance in starting or growing a business.

SCORE
By providing mentorship and sharing ethically sound business practices, SCORE's nationwide initiatives help entrepreneurs and small business owners at various stages in their professional lives.

Find a Business Center

Ascent Dashboard A free learning platform for women entrepreneurs.

10 steps to start your business Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions, and completing a series of legal activities.

Chamber of Commerce Contains a directory of all the chambers of commerce in Wisconsin.  Check your local chamber for demographic information and more.

• Eau Claire:  www.eauclairechamber.org
• Black River Falls:  www.blackrivercountry.net
• Chippewa Falls:  www.chippewachamber.org
• Menomonie:  www.menomoniechamber.org

Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation The ECA-EDC provides demographic, geographic, and company information for area communities.

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission The MRRPC provides community profiles by county within the region.

Momentum West Momentum West is a Regional Economic Development Organization composed of ten counties:  Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, and St. Croix.