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

Chippewa Valley Start-Up is sponsored by:

Royal Credit Union
200 Riverfront Terrace
Eau Claire, WI

Places & Resources

Six 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 ...

Helping Entrepreneurs With the Unknowns They Face

this bookkeeper and business consultant knows what it means to make the start-up leap

After working in bookkeeping and office management for a variety of businesses and nonprofits over the years, Kristin Cole finally made the leap into entrepreneurship by opening her own small business. Now through kCole Bookkeeping & Small Business Consulting, she is helping others get ...

This Contest Wants to Know: What’s Your Plan?

Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is looking for some good Ideas

Do you have a great idea for an app? Or perhaps a new piece of technology or a new process that will change not only the Badger State but the world? Then the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is for you. The contest is accepting entries online through Jan. 31 ...

BENTO & BEYOND: High Schooler Finds Sweet Success with Baking Biz

combining passion with a need for financial support, local 18-year-old is paving her own way

As charming as the entrepreneurial journey appeared – and as jaw-dropping as the baked goods looked and tasted – BentoBaby Bakery was not born out of a “why not” mentality. In fact, it was out of quite the personal need: financial stability ...

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK: Oh Claire Improv Wins Jump-Start Biz Contest

years of business planning, audience demand help launch comedy theater

Since relocating to from Chicago a few years ago, JP Fry and Alyssa Rivera toyed with the idea of opening a comedy theater in Eau Claire. JP got involved in improv comedy as a student at Memorial High School in Eau Claire before moving to Chicago ...

START UP: Building Your Business Knowledge With Northwestern Bank

understanding your financials is crucial to your business success

When starting a business, it’s not only important to be well-versed in your product and marketing plan, but also your financials. Understanding how to properly utilize your financial documents can help you make informed decisions and comprehend what ...

START UP: Pillar Bank Focuses on Supporting Relationships

bank bolsters businesses with deep knowledge of the community

When a business customer reaches out to Neil Mathwig, market president for Pillar Bank in Chippewa Falls, it’s not usually on his office phone, but on his cellphone. That’s not a problem for Mathwig, who has spent nearly 30 years in the banking industry in ...

Swimming, Hydrotherapy Biz Wins Idea Challenge

entrepreneur wins startup contest just days before graduating from UWEC

Just days before graduating from UW-Eau Claire, a local entrepreneur won a business idea competition with his plan for a swimming lesson and hydrotherapy startup. Fitness & Strength Aquatics and its founder, Jackson Anderson, won the $5,000 grand prize ...

Places & Resources

Advocacy 12

Expanding 6

How gonna expand: more of the same resources

Expertise & Education 20

Incubators, co-working, classes, organizations

Financing 14

How gonna finance it: loans, grants, contests

Incubators 6

Locating 6

Where they’re gonna do business: home, open spaces, incubator, co-working

Marketing & Branding 5

How gonna market/brand it: media companies, designers, etc.

Permits & Regulations 3

What permit/regulation hoops: city, county, state, etc.

Purposing 10

What they’re gonna do: business plan, market analysis, product dev't.