UW-Superior's Small Business Development Center News and Events

Nonprofit Economy Report & Building Sustainability in Your Nonprofit

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:56:50 +0000

Nonprofit Economy Report (9:00a.m. - 10:00a.m.)

This year marks Forward Community Investments' (FCI) fourth annual survey of Wisconsin's nonprofit sector. The report is a summary of economic trends and an examination of the capacity building and collaborative efforts undertaken by nonprofits in response to an ever-increasing demand for services.

Building Sustainability in Your Nonprofit (10:00a.m. - 12:30p.m.)
In today's changing environment, the need for nonprofit capacity building is vitally important- for nonprofits, as well as for the communities and the individuals they serve. FCI's Capability Building Assessment and Benchmarking and Action Planning Tools were designed to help nonprofit organizations assess their organizational capacity and are used in conjunction with a capacity framework that explores nine elements of organizational capacity. This workshop is for nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, external capacity builders, and funders looking to build organizational success. Participants will learn how to use FCI's tools and be provided access to them from a unique weblink after the conclusion of the workshop.

Presenter: Ben Williams, Forward Community Investments

Cost: Complimentary if pre-registered to attend. ($15 at the door). Register online or call 715-394-8469.

Location: Yellowjacket Union 203

Thank you to our sponsors for making this complimentary session possible!

Family Forum
United Way of Superior- Douglas County
UW-Superior's Small Business Development Center and the
UW-Superior's Center for Continuing Education

2013 Business Idea Contest

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:51:12 +0000

The Lake Superior Chapter of the Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN-LS) will hold the 2013 Lake Superior Business & Technology Conference at WITC in Ashland, WI on Friday, August 9, 2013.

Because of its success last year, a featured session of the Conference will be a Business Idea Contest. The contestants or their representative will be required to present their business proposal within a two (2) minute time period to a panel of 5 judges, who will rate and critique the proposal presentations. Twelve finalists will be chosen from the applicants of the contest, to be the presenters at the conference.

There will be three winners chosen, with the accompanying prizes:

First Place: $2,500.00 Cash Prize
Second Place: $1,500.00 Cash Prize
Third Place: $1,000.00 Cash Prize

2013 Contest Timeline:

April 1: Business Idea Contest Launch Date

June 7: Application Due Date

June 10-14: Committee will Review and Screen Submitted Applications.

June 17: Applicants will be notified if they made the cut to be in the next level of the event.

July 8: Phase I- Group Session for top 12 Applicants - applicants will participate in the Wisconsin Innovation Network's "Entrepreneur's Edge Boot Camp", an ideal program of preparation prior to presenting their ideas at the August 9 conference. (AM or PM for this event TBD).

July 22: (week of) Phase II- Group Session will focus on delivering refined presentations honed at the July 8 "Boot Camp". Contestants will be video-taped, provided further positive encouragement and constructive feedback.

Contest Parameters:

Eligibility will include Wisconsin residents 18 years of age or older, and who have a business concept that employs or leverages technology with the expectation to establish a business presence in either Ashland County, Bayfield County, or Douglas County.
All business idea finalists are highly encouraged to attend both sessions during the weeks of July 8 and July 22, noted above under: 2013 Contest Timeline. If any of the finalists will be unable to attend these sessions, we request that a copy of their presentation be submitted to the committee during these weeks for review, so feedback can be provided for said finalists. They are to be submitted to Tim Kane via email or mail (address at the bottom of the Business Idea Contest Application).
Entries must be the original idea(s) of entrants.
Inventors/Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
The business idea contest applicant is responsible for the confidentiality of their intellectual property.
The economic development corporations located in the county where the winners plan to locate their business: AADC (Ashland Area Development Corporation), BCEDC (Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation) or TDAI (The Development Association Inc. of Superior & Douglas County), will assist the winner in additional steps along their business start-up journey. Other businesses that have expressed their willingness to assist in providing "in-kind" services to support the winners of the contest will be connected to the winners after the contest as well.
Winners will be encouraged to go on to the state level to compete in the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium Elevator Pitch Olympics, November 5 & 6, 2013 at Monona Terrace in Madison, as well as at the Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest, beginning the first week of November.
Once the applications are in, a committee will screen the applications to determine 12 finalists. Prior to the event, the finalists or their representative will have the opportunity to polish their presentation individually in front of the committee, who will coach the applicants to prepare for competition (see 2013 Contest Timeline).

Please complete and submit the 2013 Business Idea Application

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club Meeting

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:42:15 +0000

WITC-Superior in Room 216

6:00 - 8:00p.m.

Finance your Business

Want to capitalize on your business idea? Mike Lattery of the Entrepreneur Fund will be speaking about how to secure financial assistance with a loan for new and established businesses.

The Entrepreneur Fund helps locally-owned businesses start and grow successfully. The Entrepreneur Fund provides entrepreneur development services and financing to emerging and small businesses in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

As the Director of Business Finance for the Entrepreneur Fund, Lattery manages the Entrepreneur Funds Loan Portfolio and provides access to business financing for area entrepreneurs. Lattery will soon be certified as an Economic Development Professional® from the National Development Council (NDC), New York. Lattery has 17 years experience owning and operating 12 Domino's Pizza restaurants in the Twin Ports and throughout Minnesota, and previously, he had been a franchise consultant for Domino's. For several years, he has also owned and operated the Poplar Golf Course in Poplar, Wisconsin.

Explore the Entrepreneur Fund website: http://www.entrepreneurfund.org/

Please RSVP at (715) 394-8351 or by email: sbdc@uwsuper.edu

PIZZA WILL BE SERVED

Bring friends and prospective members! Guests welcome!
No charge to attend - PIZZA donations welcome.
Voluntary annual membership $25

Thanks to our Support Partners and Sponsors as the

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club

Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network

UW-Superior Small Business Development Center

Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power

Area Partnership for Economic Expansion

The Development Association of Douglas County

WITC-Superior

Superior Visions Breakfast - Network with Twin Ports Women in Business

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:59:25 +0000

Are you a female entrepreneur? A female business owner or non-profit manager? Superior Visions is an educational and networking breakfast series for Twin Ports women in business.

On May 7th, 2013, UW-Superior Chancellor Renée Wachter will be our guest speaker. The topic will be: Business Needs Women Innovators

Chancellor Renée Wachter in cooperation with the Small Business Development Center invites you to a breakfast and presentation about how business needs women innovators. Open to all Twin Ports women in business! Bring your friends!

Yellowjacket Union, Room 203, from 7:45a.m. - 9:00a.m.

Please join us and register using the link below:

Superior Visions May 7th Registration

Questions? Call (800) 410-8351 or email sbdc@uwsuper.edu

Wisconsin Science & Technology Symposium 2013

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:40:34 +0000

The sixth annual Wisconsin Science & Technology Symposium will be held on July 22-23, 2013 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The event will highlight groundbreaking research throughout the state, and focus on the establishment of collaborative partnerships to accelerate innovative research.

Find more information about the conference:

http://www.wisys.org/events/index.jsp?cid=64

Registration Links:

Registration Form

Poster Submission Form

Get your discount now! 10% OFF Online Business Courses!

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:09:54 +0000

The Small Business Development Center is offering a short-term offer of 10% OFF online business classes!

Choose from a variety of classes that could give you the edge you need in your business.

Browse the course descriptions:

http://www.uwsuper.edu/sbdc/online/course-descriptions.cfm

Check out the new project management classes:

Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam Prep
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Practice Exams & Exam Strategies
Agile Team Challenges
Effectively Managing Project Stakeholders
Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers
Ethics for Project Managers
Integrating Agile and Waterfall Practices

Browse for courses and register here:

https://apps-1.uwsuper.edu/ei/cm.esp?id=24&pageid=_38F0UCGGR&showpage=browser&cd=2757833126&start=eiscript

Questions? Call (715) 394-8351 or (800) 410-8351, or email sbdc@uwsuper.edu.

Discount limited to one class. Excludes certificate courses. Offer ends April 1, 2013.

Winter Tent Designers Develop Profitable Business

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:24:00 +0000

Duane and Margot Lottig decided to start a business after discovering that the perfect tent for them was not available. They would have to design this tent themselves but had no idea how to start a business. One day they stumbled across a used commercial sewing machine. They bought the sewing machine only to say to themselves, "Now what?" They learned to sew and decided one day to attempt to use this machine by making a pair of mittens. After making a few pair of these mittens they took a sample pair to a Duluth store and found that the owner liked them and wanted two dozen pair. The Lottigs then realized they could take an idea and make it happen.

They started with things like anoraks, duffels and toboggans and were called Empire Canvas Works and Snowtrekker Tents. They made and sold a few tents but were not really making a profit. They realized that if they were going to make their business grow, they needed a business plan. They knew people from the local hardware store who had taken the Business Plan Writing class and highly recommended they take the course. They knew they needed to do something. They signed up for the class and completed it. When asked how they felt about this course, Mrs. Lottig said that it was a "phenomenal class". Mr. Lottig agreed but added, "You get out of the class what you put into it, it's hard work but well worth it." There were times that Mrs. Lottig wanted to pull her hair out but says that Julianne Raymond, program director, encouraged them not to give up.

Through the class they developed a business plan, developed their networking online, developed a computer program for sales and bookkeeping, and brought on an accountant who they still use today. Most importantly, this class took their break-even business to a profitable business. It did this, according to Mr. Lottig by "Allowing us to focus in one area and made us realize that the tents had the most potential for growth." Within two years they sold Empire Canvas Works and became only Snowtrekker Tents. They were back to their core values and their original vision. They both feel that it is rewarding to be able to focus on their dream.

Their profits have increased significantly. They realized that subcontracting was more cost effective which led to the tents being made in an out-of-town sewing facility. The canvas they use for these tents is ordered from India and is a lightweight, hand-woven material, making it ideal for traveling through snow with these in tow.

Duane Lottig had this to say for the effectiveness of this class, "To try to start a business without a good business plan would be insanity. This class gives you a laser vision look at your business instead of a panorama look." The Lottigs highly recommend for anyone who has a small business dream and wants to be successful in it to contact the Small Business Development Center at the UW-Superior.

For information on Business Counseling and Training Programs, please contact the Small Business Development Center at 715-394-8351 or sbdc@uwsuper.edu

Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club Meeting - Oct. 9

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:02:08 +0000

Join us this month on Tuesday, October 9th to hear Greg Oas, founder of Source One Enterprises, speak about his background as a business owner, world traveler, and product sourcer in the international retail market.

FREE PIZZA will be served. Please call (715) 394-8351 or email sdonova1@uwsuper.edu to RSVP by Friday, October 5th.

Bring friends and prospective members! Guests welcome!
No charge to attend - donations welcome.

The Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club hosts speakers from the local business community at each of their monthly meetings.

2012 Lake Superior Business & Technology Conference

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:35:08 +0000

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, August 3, 2012

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Ashland
9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Featuring:

Terry Whipple, Exec. Dir., Juneau Co. Economic Development Corp. and Entrepreneurship Advocate Extraordinaire
Business Idea Contest Finalists Presentations

Conference registration fee is $30.
Registration information available at: nwwib.com

Preview the Conference Agenda

For more information on the conference call the Ashland County UW-Extension office at (715) 682-7017 or the Bayfield County UW-Extension Office at (715) 373-6104.

Sponsored by: Wisconsin Innovation Network-Lake Superior Chapter, Wisconsin Technology Council, NW Wis. Workforce Investment Board/NW Wis. Concentrated Employment Program, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Northland College, Ashland Area Development Corp., Bayfield County Economic Development Corp., City of Ashland, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, UW-Cooperative Extension, UW-Superior Small Business Development Center, Xcel Energy, C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co. and Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.

Click Here for Customers!

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Yellow Jacket Union - Superior

Convenient "A la Carte" Pricing!

Morning Sessions - Only $5.00 per person
Afternoon Sessions - Only $5.00 per person
Lunch Session - $10.00
All Day Event - $20.00 (includes morning/afternoon and lunch sessions)
UW-Superior Students- Sessions Only are Free
Lunch session for Students - $10.00

You will learn:
     Basics of Web Design
     Getting a Domain Name
     Using Pay Pal and E-Merchant Banking Tools
     How to Use and Monitor Search Engines
     Choosing Professional Web Development
     Choosing and Using Social Media Tools
     How Social Media Works with Your Web site
     Ways to Strenghening Your Business
     How Others Use E-Commerce Successfully
     How Broadband is Helping Businesses

Register hereor call 715-394-8351

Thank you to the generous sponsorship of Minnesota Power and
Superior Water, Light & Power in promoting the use
of broadband in the greater Superior business community.;

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:04:52 +0000

First Robotics Team Demonstration

High school students in the area are getting ready to build their robots and compete in the national First Robotics competetion in early March. Their team co-chair Tim Velner said the area's top team will come to the Twin Ports Inventors & Entrepreneurs' Club to tell how they designed and built their entries and give us a live demonstration.

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc"

Refreshments Served!

Bring friends and prospective members! Guests welcome!
No charge to attend - Donations welcome.

Directions to WITC Superior Conference Center: Coming from Duluth, take the Blatnik Bridge ontoHammond Avenue and continue 21 blocks to North 21st Street. Turn left (east) at the stop sign on21st & Hammond and go 6 blocks. WITC is on the corner of 21st Street and Catlin Avenue. Entranceto the Conference Center is at the back of the building off Mortorelli Drive. Parking is free ofcharge.Enter the Conference Center and proceed down the corridor just past the Lunch Express. Turnright and go through thefirst exit doors. Stay on your left and take the staircase to the second floortoRoom 216.

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:54:24 +0000

We will be taking a tour of GreyStar Electronics located at 215 North Central Avenue in Duluth, MN (in Valley Center Shopping Mall)

GreyStar Electronics, Inc.

GreyStar Electronics, Inc. is an experienced company that creates electronics cable, harness, and circuit card assemblies, Breakout box assemblies, Electro Mechanical Assemblies.

Services Include Conformal Coasting, Reverse Engineering, and Custom Built Fixtures.

GreyStar electronics, Inc. is owned by Mary Modenhauer and is located in a 4,000 Square feet(space #8 in Valley Center Shopping Mall), single level, clear span, low ceiling in a controlled environment, with additional space to expand in the future.

GreyStar has an experienced staff to provide quality and service in the government and commercial marketplace.

Please plan to attend the tour on Tuesday, February 14

PIZZA SERVED AT GREYSTAR LOCATION at Valley Center Shopping Mall-Duluth

Call 715-394-8351 to LET US KNOW YOU'RE COMING!

Easy-to-Find Directions to Greystar Electronics:

Take Interstate 35 to the Central Avenue Exit (# 252) in West Duluth. Head north on Central Avenue to Bristol Street, and turn west (left) into the Valley Center Shopping Mall at 215 North Central Avenue. For Google instructions go to:

Greystar Electronics Map

Superior Area Entrepreneur Builds Successful Dog Food Business

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:12:39 +0000

Entrepreneur Eric Morris knows he has the best dog food on the market for his performance dogs. That's because he created it himself. And in 1998 he launched his business Redpaw Inc. around his superior product, now a top selling brand of dog food for sporting and working dogs. To grow his successful business, Morris received assistance from UW-Superior Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

"I was in business for five years or so when I got in contact with the SBDC," says Morris. "I contacted them for some advice, and Julianne [Raymond] met with me for few hours to discuss my business and what I was doing."

After that meeting, Morris took the Entrepreneurial Training Program at the SBDC. "That helped me realize that I have to take advantage of the resources that are available to me. And there were more resources available than I thought," says Morris. "The course taught me that I need to pay attention to other businesses and how other businesses are run and follow those models. It also taught me the value of a plan."

As a research scientist, Morris had the expertise and access to facilities to research various aspects of a dog's diet. As a musher himself with a kennel of sled dogs, he was able to develop his dog food in an actual kennel of working dogs.

"I followed what the dog was telling me was proper for the diet, not necessarily what the industry was saying was correct for a dog's diet," notes Morris. "Since we were testing in working sled dogs, we were able to spot the deficiencies in their diet very quickly and very easily."

Redpaw employs eight and is headquartered in Franklin with kennels in Port Wing, near the northern tip of Wisconsin. Its dog food is carried by retailers throughout North America and is the largest selling brand of dog food in the state of Alaska. Morris reports 25 to 30 percent growth over the last seven years. "We have finally eclipsed the survival stage," he says. "And we now are moving on to a big phase of growth. We are expanding, introducing a new product line that will go into widespread distribution in the first quarter."

While Morris continues to grow his business, he appreciates the business assistance available at the SBDC. Today he is even a mentor in the entrepreneurial class that once helped him. "I owe something to the SBDC. They helped me a lot, and so helping them out is pretty easy for me to do."

For more information on this successful Wisconsin business, check out www.redpawfeed.com.

Article written by freelance writer Leah Call (lcall@mwt.net ).

Organic Dairy a Local Success

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:06 +0000

Springbrook Organic Dairy, a grass-based dairy in Springbrook, west of Hayward, is the long-time dream of Theresa Depies and her family. One Jersey cow, given as a Mother's Day gift in 1990, and some help from the UW-Superior Small Business Development Center (SBDC), made that dream a reality. Today Springbrook has 40 head of Jerseys, milks 18 cows and expects to expand to 36 milking cows in the next five years.

"I worked with Julianne Raymond [UW-Superior SBDC director] when I was first starting to get a business plan together," says Depies. "She met with me in Hayward, which was really nice because I didn't have to travel far. That's a big benefit, to have that outreach for people. We worked on the business plan, feasibility studies and marketing."

A $26,000 USDA Value-Added Grant in 2010 helped to fund a computer, Web site, logo and other marketing activities. The grant was extended to 2011 to fund additional product offerings.

Since 1990 the family has organically farmed nearly 180 acres. They chose Jersey cows because of their superior milk, higher protein and calcium content, and less waste production. The cows are on pasture an average of 200 or more days each year, which contributes to the exceptional flavor of the milk.

Springbrook organic products are sold at 25 area retail outlets and restaurants. Products currently include white and chocolate milk in half-gallon bottles and cheese curds. This summer the family will add yogurt and smaller bottles of milk. Depies is also working towards becoming a Wisconsin artisan cheese maker.

Five family members keep the Springbrook Dairy productive. Monthly business meetings with an outside mediator help to keep the "business" in this family business. "The meetings have been an absolute godsend to this operation," says Depies. "Having a family run small business brings in some different scenarios that you would not have if you had regular employees. The meetings keep us constantly moving forward. I would highly recommend it for anyone who has any type of family business or start up."

The Depies family is committed to sustainable farming practices. Depies speaks about sustainable farming and the local food movement on local radio stations and at conferences in Northwestern Wisconsin in an effort to promote the advantages of buying local for the consumer, community and country. For more information about this successful local business, check out www.springbrookorganicdairy.com.

Article written by freelance writer Leah Call (lcall@mwt.net ).

The Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:29:40 +0000

Our Guest Speaker is Aquatic Ecologist Dr. Ralph J Garono,
Reserve Manager of the Lake Superior NERR

Please plan to attend

Pizza Served!!!

Directions to WITC Superior Conference Center: Coming from Duluth, take the Blatnik Bridge onto Hammond Avenue and continue 21 blocks to North 21st Street. Turn left (east) at the stop sign on 21st & Hammond and go 6 blocks. WITC is on the corner of 21st Street and Catlin Avenue. Entrance to the Conference Center is at the back of the building off Mortorelli Drive. Parking is free of charge. Enter the Conference Center and proceed down the corridor just past the Lunch Express. Turn right and go through the first exit doors. Stay on your left and take the staircase to the second floor to Room 216.

UW-Superior's Small Business Development Center News and Events

Nonprofit Economy Report & Building Sustainability in Your Nonprofit

2013 Business Idea Contest

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club Meeting

Superior Visions Breakfast - Network with Twin Ports Women in Business

Superior Visions May 7th Registration

Wisconsin Science & Technology Symposium 2013

Get your discount now! 10% OFF Online Business Courses!

Winter Tent Designers Develop Profitable Business

Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club Meeting - Oct. 9

2012 Lake Superior Business & Technology Conference

Click Here for Customers!

Yellow Jacket Union - Superior

Convenient "A la Carte" Pricing!

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club

First Robotics Team Demonstration

Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club

Superior Area Entrepreneur Builds Successful Dog Food Business

Organic Dairy a Local Success

The Twin Ports Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Club

Our Guest Speaker is Aquatic Ecologist Dr. Ralph J Garono, Reserve Manager of the Lake Superior NERR

Our Guest Speaker is Aquatic Ecologist Dr. Ralph J Garono,
Reserve Manager of the Lake Superior NERR