Start Up: Volume One's Guide to Bootstrapping Your Chippewa Valley Business

Chippewa Valley Start-Up is sponsored by:

Royal Credit Union
Your trusted advisor for all of your financial goals. Visit rcu.org

Places & Resources

Lock In With The Eau Claire Business Startup Toolkit

new resource from the Eau Claire Economic Development Division pulls city-specific resources together for aspiring entrepreneurs

There’s no time like the present, especially for local entrepreneurs-to-be in need of a how-to and resource rundown. The City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division (ECEDD) recently launched its Business Startup Toolkit, a comprehensive review of how to do the damn thing. The online hub is organized into three sections – “Planning,” “Setting Up,” “Launching” – and offers step-by-step guidance ...

Let's Get The P(ART)y Started

Wine & Design's Eau Claire location fosters creativity and community

“We believe art is for everyone because creativity knows no age, skill level, or background.” These values are the driving forces behind downtown Eau Claire’s new arts-focused business: Wine & Design. Starting on January 24, this North Carolina-based business will offer...

BEYOND THE MIDWAY: How The Northern Wis. State Fair Boosts The Valley's Economy

recent data proves the NWSF is an economic engine making a real regional impact

Tens of thousands of people put the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds (NWSF) on their summertime bucket lists every year, drawn to the Chippewa Falls destination by more than the mouthwatering scents of sweet kettle corn and promise of thrilling carnival rides. The arts and entrepreneurial fabrics of the wider Chippewa Valley are showcased at the NWSF year-round, as are the expansive agricultural experiences ...

Icon Realty Pushes Back on Transaction-First Real Estate

Katherine Lillie's brokerage launch signals a shift towards human first real estate built on trust and intention

A new era is dawning for Icon Realty in the Chippewa Valley. Katherine Lillie, the driving force committed to doing real estate intentionally, is celebrating the official launch of Icon Realty as a brokerage...

Five Locally Focused Business Boosters

the right people and programs to help your start-up succeed in the Valley

Are you thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship? Have you already started your own business but could you still use a hand, a sympathetic ear, or some inspiration? The Chippewa Valley offers a rich environment to create and expand your own business ...

Water Street is Home to 50+ Businesses – and Women Lead Many of Them

historic Water Street District filled with female-fronted restaurants, retailers, salons, and more

Eau Claire is a hub for small business owners and entrepreneurs – the fact that it’s fertile ground for both is ingrained in the history of the Chippewa Valley – and the historic downtown area remains such today. Take Water Street for example: There have been dozens ...

START UP: DECI Is Driven By Entrepreneurs

downtown nonprofit’s leaders know the ups and downs of business

If you’ve shopped, dined, celebrated, been entertained, or even just strolled in downtown Eau Claire during the past 23 years, you’ve probably heard of Downtown Eau Claire Inc. – also known as DECI. Yet unless you’ve been a member of DECI ...

START UP: Overcoming Fear of Failure

Chippewa Economic Development Corp. encourages local entrepreneurs

What keeps many would-be entrepreneurs from succeeding – or even trying to succeed – is fear of failure, says Charlie Walker, president and CEO of the Chippewa Economic Development Corp. And helping ...

Places & Resources

Advocacy 12

Expanding 6

how to expand resources

Expertise & Education 20

Incubators, co-working, classes, organizations

Financing 14

loans, grants, contests

Incubators 6

Locating 6

home, open spaces, incubator, co-working

Marketing & Branding 5

media companies and designers

Permits & Regulations 3

city, state permit and regulation hoops

Purposing 10

business plan, market analysis, product dev