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Why Start a Business? |
People in Crawford County go into business for many reasons: to have more control of their income, exercise creative freedom, profit from their work, or simply gain the satisfaction of becoming successful through their own hard work. However, there are also risks associated with going into business. It is important to think through these risks carefully and ask some essential questions before jumping into starting a business. Use the resources below to help you ask the right questions, evaluate your idea along the way, and guide your business toward success!
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Exploring Your Business Idea |
This Department of Commerce website http://toolkit.wi.gov/getting.htm is provides self assessment quizzes and early startup resources. The Build Your Business “BYB” website at www.wisconsin.gov/state/byb also has a number of assessment tools (Business Wizard) that can help you evaluate whether owning and running a business is right for you as well as permit, license, tax and employment requirements specific to your business. You’ll also want to become familiar with resources available through the Small Business Development Center www.wisconsinsbdc.org and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network www.wenportal.org. The Small Business Administration (SBA ), both the federal and state, offers multiple resources, partners and programs to support the needs of the small business.www.sba.gov 1-800-U-ASK-SB
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Business Counseling & Education
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Whether you have a high school diploma, a college degree or a Ph.D., you will need some practical advice to start a business. Many programs and services are designed to help you get started: |
Small Business Development Center
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| Business Counselors from the Small Business Development Centers provide free counseling services and classes for new business owners. Counselor Gary Smith typically makes appointments in Prairie du Chien on the third Wednesday of each month but also visits Platteville, Fennimore, and Richland Center. To schedule an appointment or find out more about classes visit (Platteville office) www.uwplatt.edu/swsbdc/ (608) 342-1038 or (Lacrosse) http://www.uwlax.edu/sbdc/ 608-875-8782. The Wisconsin SBDC also has a great 24-hour answer line for business questions: 1-800-940-SBDC (7232). |
Coulee Community Action Program (Couleecap) |
Couleecap’s Job and Business Development Program also offers business counseling and technical assistance for businesses in Crawford County. Visit www.couleecap.org or call Marilyn Huckenpoehler at (608) 796-2926. |
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) |
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) counselors are active and/or retired business executives who are highly qualified to assist new or expanding businesses. Visit www.score.org to find out how they can help. |
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
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The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation is an economic development corporation providing quality business education and access to capital for entrepreneurs. WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin. www.wwbic.com (414)263-5450 or (608)257-5450 |
Chambers of Commerce |
| Area Chambers of Commerce are located in Prairie du Chien, Marquette-McGregor, Boscobel, Viroqua, and many other cities. Chambers often provide networking opportunities and classes for members. Contact Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce at (608)256-3400 to find out about your local chamber. Prairie du Chien and Viroqua also have Main Street programs that provide support for new downtown business owners (contact Viroqua Partners or Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization). |
Technical Colleges |
| Crawford County residents are served by several institutions of higher education that can provide training for new business owners. Southwest Technical College in Fennimore www.swtc.edu and Western technical College www.westerntc.edu are two great places to start. Upper Iowa University www.uiu.edu also offers some classes in Prairie du Chien. |
Inventors and Entrepreneurs Clubs |
| These clubs are located all over the state of Wisconsin and provide free opportunities for new and existing business owners to network and share resources. Clubs typically meet monthly and have a featured speaker address a relevant topic for new businesses. Local clubs meet in the evenings in Gays Mills (second Tuesday), Richland County (last Wednesday of the month) and Darlington area (locations rotate third Wednesday). Visit www.wenportal.org to find your nearest I&E Club. Gays Mills also has a new Youth Entreneurship Club that also meets every second Tuesday. |
UW Cooperative Extension |
| Educators at the Crawford County UW Extension office are available to help direct you to other resources that will help you on the path to business success. This includes, one-on-one- financial planning to help you get your budget and resources in order. Help with locating education or funding tools, and assist ance with new agricultural businesses. Visit our website www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/crawford/ or call for more information 608-326-0224. |
What is a Business Plan? |
If you choose to start a business you should prepare a clear plan that takes your idea from concept to reality. A business plan lays out how you are going to run your business and is a management tool to help guide the future of your company. This is a required document for most business financing. Many web sites offer examples of business plans including http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm. You may also purchase software programs to assist in writing a plan. Most business counselors can help you develop your business plan.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Brown
Community Development Educator
Crawford County - UW Cooperative Extension
225 N. Beaumont, Suite 240
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Phone: 608-326-0224
Fax: 608-326-0226
Email: laura.brown@ces.uwex.edu |
