Now is the time to get your business started

Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Offers Workshops to Start or Expand Your Business

Millions of people say they are going to start a business and then they don’t. Their excuse, “Now is not the time to start my business.” But if you do your business homework correctly, you should know if there’s a need for the business you’re starting, so now is the time.

The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce is here to help you do your business homework. If you are thinking about going into business make your first stop your Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will help you find the support you need to launch or expand your business.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Central Wisconsin SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) will offer a free workshop called Starting and Surviving In Business. The workshop will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Heart of Wisconsin conference room. Speaker Jeff Ebel, a SCORE representative, will present on these topics:

Determining whether a sufficient market exists for your product or service
Developing a sound financial plan for your business
Resources needed for a successful business
Creating a thorough business plan

Another program the Heart of Wisconsin offers to help you with your business homework is the Heart of Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Boot Camp. Boot Camp will be offered Dec. 8 through Dec. 12, at Mid-State Technical College.

The Heart of Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Boot Camp is an intensive learning program designed to train potential entrepreneurs. Boot Camp provides the framework necessary for participants to take ideas and develop them into workable business plans. The program is offered at a cost of $75 per person or $125 for two people who are developing the same plan. The schedule for the next Boot Camp is as follows: Thursday, Dec 8 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.; Friday, Dec 9 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec 10 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec 12 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Register for these programs online at www.heartofwi.com or call the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce for more information at 715.423.1830. Let’s get started on that business homework. Now is the time.

Melissa Loken is the chief executive officer of the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce