Crawford & Vernon County Regional Inventors & Entrepreneurs Clubs

Do you have an idea for an invention or new product? Would you like to start your own business? 
Inventors and Entrerpeneurs Clubs can help you explore your idea and turn it into a product or business. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come early to meet other creative people, and browse the resource table. Bring your ideas!
Local club meetings are held in

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN
First Wednesday of the month starting October 7, 2009
6:00 pm at Prairie du Chien City Hall

VIROQUA
Second Wednesday of the Month
6:00 pm at Western Technical College
LINK TO Vernon Economic Development I&E Club Page

FIND A CLUB MEETING ELSE WHERE IN THE REGION BY VISITING
www.driftlessentrerpeneurs.com

Prairie du Chien I & E Club Meeting - October 7, 2009

Upcoming Meetings

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN

The First Wednesday of every month
Prairie du Chien City Hall, 214 E. Blackhawk Ave
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Program starts at 6:00 p.m.
Meetings are FREE and open to the public!

Wednesday, November 4
“Growing A Culture of Innovation: Finding Opportunity in Tough Times”
Terry Whipple, Executive Director of Juneau County
Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) and President of the 7 Rivers Region

Wednesday, December 2
“Social Networking Tools and Tricks - How to be recognized in the Social Network World”
Tim Puyleart, Business Development Consultant, Environmental Health and Safety Professional

VIROQUA

The second Wednesday of every month
Western Technical College in Viroqua
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Program starts at 6:00 p.m.
Meetings are FREE and open to the public!

Wednesday, October 14
“Cooperatives” As A Business Model
Margaret Bau, Cooperative Development Specialist United States Department of Agriculture

View Margaret Bau's Powerpoint Presentation (4 pages, pdf, 310 KB)
Read about the Mondragon Cooepratives 10-09 (4 pages, pdf, 399 KB)

Wednesday, November 11
Holiday Party What Makes An Idea “POP” Brad Biddick, Entrepreneur, Owner Rural Route 1 Popcorn
Please bring friends and family for refreshments and celebration!

Wednesday, December 9
Building A Business On Your Values, Richard de Wilde, Owner Harmony Valley Community Supported Agriculture 

Past Meeting Archives

2009 MEETINGS

Wednesday, October 7
“See Jane Grow: How ECOpreneurs are Leading America's Rural
Renaissance"
Lisa Kivirist, Owner of Inn Serendipity Bed and Breakfast and
co-author of “Ecopreneuring”

Wednesday, September 9
"Branding Your Business Or Product"
Lois Federman, Marketing Consultant Something Special From Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture

2008 MEETINGS

Tuesday, August 12
Using Innovation to Grow Your Business
Dave Franchino, President,
Design Concepts, Madison

Tuesday, September 9
Keys to Success & Resources to Get You There
Greg Wise, Community Development Specialist
Center for Community & Economic Development

Tuesday, October 14
Licensing & Marketing:
Getting Your Invention Sold
Chuck Sara, Patent Attorney
Dewitt, Ross, & Stevens, Madison

Tuesday, November 11
NO MEETING IN NOVEMBER!

Tuesday, December 9
Business Etiquette for
Entrepreneurs
Sue Marino, Director
The Etiquette Center, Richland Center

Tuesday, April 8, 2008- “ The Serial Entrepreneur” with Al Waller, Out of the Box Publishing

Learn how Waller, President and co-founder of Dodgeville based Out of the Box Publishing (and a self proclaimed “Serial Entrepreneur”) turns simple ideas into the county’s leading companies.  Out of the Box developed and published the game Apples to Apples, which was sold to Mattel last year.  http://www.otb-games.com/

Tuesday, May 13, 2008- “Making the Right Connections for Your Invention or Business” with Julann Jatczak, Vice President, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation

Julann will share her perspectives on how to make a plan for networking based on your strengths and weaknesses, tools of the networking trade, business resources, and strategies to make networking easy and fun.  

Tuesday, June 10, 2008– “How to Survive as a New Business” with Bob Starks, Vernon Vineyard-

Learn how Bob Starks took his idea to fruition as vineyard specializing in cold climate grapes and became Vernon County’s first winery. http://www.vernonvineyards.com/

Tuesday, July 8, 2008- "What Makes A Good Business Idea?" with Jan Gallagher- Director, La Crosse Small Business Development Center

Jan Gallagher talks about what evidence you can use to decide whether to take your idea to the next level.  Prior to directing the SBDC, Jan was a co-founder of the La Crosse area business magazine “Commerce Now”, and served as the interim director of the Coulee Region Business Center, a small business incubator.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008-“Star Valley Flowers…Sharing Their Story” with John Zeher and Phil Mueller

Learn how John Zeher and Phil Mueller turned a small 2 acre farm into the largest field-grown cut flower producer in the Midwest.  Located in rural Soldiers Grove, the 165 acre agri-business has been often featured on Martha Stewart Living and ships products to customers as far as Chicago, Boston and Honolulu.  http://www.starvalleyflowers.com/

Tuesday, March 1, 2008- “Growing your Online Business”  with Ivan Davis

Download Ivan's E-Bay book here!

Whether you’d like to improve your web presence or get started with a new business website Roger Peck will provide tips and inspiration.  Roger’s successful business supplies software for small business owners to develop a presence on the internet and affordably manage their own websites.  http://superiorlighthouse.com/

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: