Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Publication
Upcoming Events Start Up business Advice Meet a Member MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
July 2015
Business After Hours: The Chandelier Club
Member Spotlight: PUSH Personal Fitness
Meet a Member: Scott Williams - TDS
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Mark your calendar for these upcoming events! All events are held at the Chamber Office unless otherwise stated.
We invite you to join us at an upcoming Chamber event!
Wednesday, July 15 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Identity Theft Jennifer Popek from Associated Bank will share some shocking statistics, things to look out for and how you can protect yourself and your business. Understanding threats to employers, employees and consumers is important to keeping a business safe, reputation clean and consumers confident. solutions, fraud protection and much more.
Waverly Beach N8770 Fire Lane 1, Menasha Thursday, July 30 5:00pm - 7:00pm Tanner’s Grill and Bar Thursday, August 20 5:00pm - 7:00pm Country Inn & Suites - Little Chute Thursday, September 17 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Thursday July 23 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Business Card Exchange This is a structured process for facilitating introductions and conversation between people who don't know each other. Each participant is allotted a period of time to introduce themselves with a prepared short elevator speech which summarizes key elements of their company, their products and their services.
Looking for Volunteers! Project Thank You The Chamber will be delivering “Thank You” Packets to all of our Members during the week of July 27th! If you would like to help us deliver packets, email Laura@heartofthevalleychamber.com. We will do our best to customize your delivery list based on location and how many packets you would like .
To register, visit www.heartofthevalleychamber.com 4 Heart Beat | July 2015
Annual Chamber Golf Outing...Another SUCCESS! The 26th Annual Chamber Golf outing took place on Wednesday, June 17th at Royal St.Patrick's. Thank you to all of our golfers, sponsors and volunteers for helping to make this event a success!
Golf Carts - Buffalo Wild Wings Lunch - Community First Credit Union, Tailwaggers Doggy Day Care, Eagle Graphics Hole In One Sponsors - Bergstrom of Kaukauna Beverage Cart - Baker Tilly, Baylake Bank, Prime Steer Supper Club Hospitality Cart - BMO Harris Goodie Bags - Premier Promotions Putting Green - Schenck, SC Morning Hospitality - Larry’s Markets, FNB Fox Valley, Grand Meridian Cheat Sheet - Culver’s Of Darboy and Little Chute Tee Box Partners: Arla Foods Dental Associates ThedaCare at Work Ansay & Associates Lamers Bus Lines Nicolet Bank Cellcom AnchorBank, FSB Capital Credit Union Kobussen Buses Bank of Kaukauna Abel Insurance WE Energies Weyers Equipment Midwest Restoration Wipfli BLC Community Bank Hole Partners Berken Heating & Cooling V&S Midwest Carriers Complete Office of WI Merchant’s Choice Card Services (MCCS) Goodie Bag Donations Dental Associates East WI Savings Bank Epiphany Law K.R. West Massage Envy Prospera Credit Union Schenck Simon’s Cheese Thanks you to the following for Raffle Donations: St. Paul Home Haen Meat, Larry’s Piggly Wiggly, Country Inn & Suites - Little Chute, Ghost Town Fitness BMO Harris, Calumet County Bank, Dan & Lynn Kobussen, Sherwood Forest Golf Course Wisconsin Distributors and General Beer Heart of the Valley Chem Dry Building Services Group Tailwaggers Doggy Day Care - Little Chute 5
5 Ways Small Businesses Can Attract and Retain Talent
6 Heart Beat | July 2015
Start-Up Business Advice – 6 Must Read Tips Chambers are often asked for advice on how to start a business. Building your own business from the ground up is no easy task. There is no template or formula to creating a hugely successful business. There is just sheer hard work, determination and a will to succeed. Apple founder Steve Jobs once famously said “If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”
1. Make Sure You Have Support Starting up your own business is a difficult task and this can be made even more so if you feel that you are not being supported by the ones closest to you. How can you expect to succeed if you feel that those nearest and dearest to you do not believe in your abilities? If you’re married and/or have kids, you should also be asking your family how they feel about your working from home, as your decision will affect them both financially and psychologically. If the response is negative, spend time addressing any concerns. If you are unable to change their minds decide whether your goal is worth continuing against their wishes. This does not just end with family, asking close friends, colleagues or peers for their support can give you that added confidence.
2. Research In any start-up, you don’t know what you don’t know. This is especially true when you’re entering an unfamiliar industry. Get started through research, studying the competition and talking to mentors. The first thing when thinking of establishing a new business is to take the time to do research on your market. This doesn’t have to involve substantial costs, you can find out key information by taking the time and undertaking it yourself. This will allow you to perform a SWOT analysis, assessing your com petitor’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the marketplace. I t will also give a clear picture without any further investment at this time as to the viability of your proposition.
3. Business Plan Numerous studies have shown that one of the major reasons new businesses fail is poor planning. If you
are planning on starting up a business, you must have a business plan. This will serve as a road map to guide you, and communicate with your bank or investors what you’re doing and why they should invest in you. It should include a mission statement, executive summary, product or service offerings, target market, marketing plan, industry and competitive analysis. A detailed and comprehensive business plan should ideally be able to answer the following questions;
* What primary product(s) or service(s) will you provide?
* That will you charge for your
can remain in debt for the first few years. The best way to start a business is to start out small and dip your toe in, so to speak. The advantages to testing your market will ensure you do not end up in a hole, with nothing to show. There are a lot of successful businesses, which have started out with a very minimal investment a great product and a great business strategy. The amount of avenues in which you can obtain capita l is large and research can help you uncover them.
5. Learn Why Others Have Failed
People naturally want to emulate success by analyzing successful business models, but it’s more important to learn from companies that have failed. * What does it cost you to deliver this You can learn from success stories but product or service? that same is true of failures. Learning others mistakes significantly * How many pieces must you sell or how from decreases your chances of following the many clients must you secure to same path. Former US Secretary of generate the revenue you desire? State Colin Powell once said “There are no secrets to success. It is * Who is the target market for your the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” There can be product(s) or service(s)? thousands of factors that contribute to business success, but when a business * Why will they buy from you? fails, it’s often easy to pinpoint the rea sons. You must avoid making these * How exactly will you reach your target mistakes yourself. market to sell to them? products(s) or services(s)?
* How will you get going right now with
6. Getting Your Name Out There – Networking
your currently available resources? What There is usually a local or national do you absolutely need that you’ll need trade show expo or conference in every help with? industry, where the “who’s who” all gathers in one place. Your local chamber * What could stand in your way of may even host a business expo. Attend generating sales—and how will you these events. You’ll have the chance to overcome such obstacles? learn the lay of the land, meet hundreds of people in person and learn about w * What benchmarks must you reach to hat’s new in your industry. It’s also a great place to form new partnerships. qualify your business as a success? Bring lots of business cards! The moment your business strategy has 4. Find the Right Funding evolved, start attending networking Potential sources of funding include a events. Becoming a member of your small-business loan from your local local chamber will probably give you bank, tapping into your savings, money access to a whole host of networking from other investments, borrowing from events throughout the year. If not, reach family/friends and, as a last resort, credit out on social media for ways to grow cards. Ideally, this investment will help your network. you break even after a year, but keep in mind that even successful businesses 7
Good News Is Worth Repeating The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation has awarded Goodwill Grows a $20,000 Champions for Healthy Kids grant provided through an educational grant from the General Mills Foundation. Unison Credit Union Announces 2015 Scholarship Recipients We are excited to announce our 2015 Unison Credit Union John Aman Memorial Scholarship recipients! Unison awarded three $1,000 scholarships. Emma Knick, a Kaukauna High School graduate, has logged many hours of service through her work with the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Kathrine Drexel Parish and the YMCA. Emma will attend UW-Stevens Point in fall to study Music Education.
NeighborCARE, a program of Goodwill NCW, has announced two moves that are intended to make a stronger connection in the Denmark area. Tania Spofford, regional community organizer for NeighborCARE, said longtime community leader Terri Gajeski has been hired as a part-time community connector for the project. Gajeski has been the co-coordinator of the Community Cupboard Food Pantry, a volunteer position she’ll continue to hold. Nancy Branson, vice president of information technology at Thrivent Financial, has joined the Goodwill NCW board of directors. Marco, Inc.’s CEO, Jeff Gau, has been named as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the Upper Midwest.
Taylor Falck, a Wrightstown High School graduate, has given back to her community through volunteering through 4-H, Toys for Tots, Wrightstown High School Tiger Camps, Dave Barta’s Benefit and the Public Library. In fall, Taylor is going to UW-La Crosse to study either Physical Therapy or Radiation Therapy.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is pleased to announce that Mike Alexander has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lines, overseeing all aspects of commercial lines operations and sales.
Leah Bowers, a Freedom High School graduate, has dedicated herself to giving back to her community by working with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and Catholic Heart Work Camp Mission Trips. Leah will attend UW-Stevens Point this fall to study Human Biology.
First National Bank – Fox Valley (FNB Fox Valley) Alexander is happy to announce the promotions of Heather Bytof to Customer Care Banker Lead, Beth Meisel to Retail Operations Specialist and Rebekah Baker to Mortgage and Consumer Loan Assistant.
Stellar Blue, a Fox Valley, Wisconsin based digital marketing firm, launched six custom websites for companies this May. The websites included: Dura-Fibre LLC, Sign Country, Extreme Customs, TYRI Lights, Camp Lakotah and the Southwest Women’s Center.
Hanson Benefits (HBI) welcomes Carrie Abraham as their account manager. As a licensed agent, Carrie comes to HBI with over 20 years of experience providing account and sales support in the benefits field.
Schenck is pleased to announce that CNBC has ranked Schenck Investment Solutions 38th on its second annual list of the Top 100 Fee-Only Wealth Management Firms.
The following students are recipients of the second annual Money Smart Week® - Fox Cities scholarships:
Schenck is hosting Human Resources Leadership Lessons Learned – The Hard Way workshops to be held throughout Wisconsin in the month of June.
Anthony Current, $1000 winner, is a graduate of Hortonville High School planning to attend Fox Valley Technical College.
LGBT Partnership, a program of Goodwill NCW, is sponsoring Pride Prom for youth ages 14-20 who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied. The Rainbow Harmony Ball will be held 7-11 p.m. Friday, July 10, at the Marq, 3177 French Road, De Pere. There will be music and dancing.
Abraham
Michael Laes, $500 winner, is a graduate of Bayport High School planning to attend Milwaukee School of Engineering. Margaret Tetzloff, $500 winner, is a graduate of Lisa Corbeille Hortonville High School planning to attend Michigan Technological University.
Goodwill NCW and Safe Haven Domestic Violence and Sexual Edward Jones ranks highest in Investor Satisfaction in a Tie, Assault program are encouraging Shawano area residents to according to J.D. Power 2015 Full Service Investor Satisfaction participate in a donation drive on Wednesday and Thursday, June study. 24-25. Goodwill NCW is also hosting The myTEAM TRIUMPH Mile — 5 p.m., Friday, June 12 at Green Bay’s Astor Park — gives people with disabilities a chance to participate in sports as they’ve seldom been able to do. Goodwill NCW (North Central Wisconsin) will open its newest Retail Store and Training Center for shopping on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Plover’s Crossroads Commons retail area. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has announced that the Appleton Road interchange in front of Goodwill NCW’s Menasha Retail Store & Training Center will open by 8 p.m. today; however, the store remains closed for remodeling. Any change or update within your business such as a promotion, new addition, award won, etc. can be included in this section. News must be submitted by the 15th of the month for the following month’s publication. Send to: jamie@heartofthevalleychamber.com 8 Heart Beat | July 2015
Thrivent Financial-Beck & Associates We create financial strategies that help Christians be wise with money and live generously. We offer a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, plus tailored guidance from financial representatives nationwide. The representatives in our office are excited to be on this side of town to make it easier to serve our existing members and continue to build new relationships as well. We see money as a tool, not a goal. Our unique approach to blending faith, finances and generosity helps our members thrive, but that's only part of our story. We also support programs that help build stronger families, churches and communities. You could call it a fresh way to think about money. We call it The Thrivent Way. Phone: 920-423-3898 Website: www.thrivent.com Address: W2719 Brookhaven Dr., Ste. C1 Appleton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Troy.Beck.thrivent?fref=ts Edward Jones - Darboy The Darboy Office with Edward Jones was opened back in 2008. Patrick Minskey CFP, Financial Advisor, leads that office, which is located near the intersection of KK and N in the Darboy Plaza. Edward Jones, a full service brokerage firm with over 11,000 offices in the U.S. and Canada, specializes in serving the financial needs of individuals and small business. One thing that makes Patrick different from other financial advisors are his credentials. Having a BS in Economics, MBA, and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation gives him a distinction above most. Whether it is preparing for retirement, handling an inheritance, or some other financial need, Patrick would be happy to help. Phone: 920-832-0744 Website: www.edwardjones.com Address: W5669 County Rd KK, Ste H Darboy Plaza Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwardjones
Farmers Insurance Farmers Insurance has been around since 1928, insuring over 10 million households in all 50 states. Farmers Insurance an Insure.com "People's Choice" award winner for overall Customer Satisfaction and they are also an "A" (excellent) rated company with AM Best. The Ryan Mahloch Farmers Insurance Agency, located in Kaukauna, opened in June of this year; Ryan has over 15 years of insurance industry experience prior to coming to Farmers Insurance. At Farmers, they offer auto, home, life, renters, umbrella, and business insurance (including rental properties). They can also insure those fun summer and winter toys people have as well (boats, RVs/Campers, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles). They are always available to meet everyone's needs via phone or e-mail...or feel free to come over and visit us at your convenience. No appointments necessary. Phone: 920-372-2177 Website: www.farmersagent.com/rmahloch (Under Construction) Address: 1940 Crooks Avenue Kaukauna, WI 54130 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanmahlochagency
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Business After Hours: The Chandelier Club Smiling faces, delicious appetizers catered by High Cliff and giveaways made for a fun evening at the Chandelier Club.
10 Heart Beat | July 2015
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
PUSHING THE LIMITS OF PERSONAL FITNESS At PUSH Personal Fitness, the goal is to PUSH clients and to help them succeed at meeting their fitness goals! They challenge their clients and also make working out fun! This month in our members spotlight - Owner and Personal Trainer Derick Bielmeier gives us an insight into his business! Tell us the story of how Push Personal Fitness was started. I started training clients in their own homes in 1999. During that time my clientele kept growing and I was working 16-hour days traveling from house to house. Spending almost as much time driving as I was training, I had to find a way to leverage my time better. In 2011, the opportunity and location I was waiting for arose and Push Personal Fitness began. What services does your business provide to help clients meet their fitness goals and stay motivated? We offer one-on-one personal training, small group training, group spin classes, corporate wellness programs, a variety of high school clinics, and nutritional guidance. For people who travel we offer on-the-go and Web workouts, so wherever clients are they don’t have to miss a training session. Push is unique, it is an intimate studio setting where members feel both connected to each other and pushed beyond their limits. What is the most common mistake people make in the gym? The most common mistake is not changing up your exercise routine, not having enough variables and variety. Without those two key factors, your workout becomes boring. I have clientele that I’ve worked with for years and I still surprise them with different techniques and routines. Where Push differs from the typical gym is anytime a person is in our studio exercising, there is always a trainer making sure what they are doing is not only beneficial to their goals but that it’s not going to injure them in the process.
Derick Bielmeier, Owner/Personal Trainer
PERSONAL TRAINING YOUR GOAL IS THEIR GOAL PUSH Personal Training sessions are 100% all about you. Your PUSH Personal Trainer will assess your fitness level and then create a workout program that will help you reach your fitness goal. NEVER GET BORED WITH YOUR WORKOUT AGAIN PUSH Personal Trainers are always thinking of new exercises. You will never do the same workout twice. GRAB A BUDDY!
How do you incorporate innovation in your business? We have mentored with well-known experts in the fitness industry. My team of trainers gets together twice a month to share new exercise routines, we collaborate to design more functional movements that our clients use on a daily basis. Developing exercises that you won’t find anywhere else — that’s what makes us fun and exciting.
Whether you workout alone or need a friend for some motivation, PUSH will work with you to design a 30, 45 or 60 minute workout for you or a small group!
What are your hopes for the future of your company? Continue to develop a variety of classes and fitness challenges, making it exciting to work out. We have daily exercises to our website, at www.pushpf.com, so people all over the world can put our workouts to the test.
3845 East Calumet Street Suite B, Appleton Phone: 920.410.0805 E-mail: info@pushpf.com Website: www.pushpf.com 11
AROUND TOWN
Hill Top Bakery - Kaukauna's neighborhood bakery and more! For over 80 years they have proudly served the Fox River Valley. They are a full retail and wholesale family scratch bakery, using only the finest ingredients and giving every product tender loving care. They bake fresh daily and use no preservatives. They feature old fashioned recipes and well known Hill Top classics such as Peanut Squares and Coconut Sticks. http://www.hilltopbakers.com/
Once farm acreage owned by the late Frank Hammes and Peter Fleming, Butte des Morts Country Club opened in 1924. It has since grown to become one of the finest private country clubs in Wisconsin and has withstood the elements, multiple generations and historical events including World War II and the Great Depression. http://www.buttedesmortscc.org/ A-mazing Events is committed to designing and executing flawless events by listening to their clients, partnering with quality suppliers and providing exceptional service through our attention to every detail. The level of service A-mazing Events provides can only be achieved by consistently adhering to the following core values: INNOVATIVE, INTEGRITY, POSITIVITY, DEPENDABLE , COLLABORATIVE, ORGANIZED http://www.a-mazingevents.com/
Chem-Dry carpet and upholstery cleaning is the world leader in carpet and upholstery cleaning. With Hot Carbonating Extraction equipment and solutions approved by the Carpet & Rug Institute, you can trust the professionals at Chem-Dry to provide you with a Drier. Cleaner. Healthier.速 experience. http://www.chem-dry.net/heartofvalley.wi
BE LOYAL. SHOP LOCAL Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates make the perfect gift for every one. From golf to gas, groceries to lumber, gift certificates can be redeemed at over 100 area businesses.
12 Heart Beat | July 2015
Meet A Member Scott Williams Account Executive - Commercial Sales TDS Telecommunications Corp. http://www.tdsbusiness.com/
Give us a brief description/history of your business…. TDS is the seventh largest local exchange telephone company in the US providing high speed internet, telephone and TV services to customer in more than a hundred rural, suburban and metropolitan communities. I have been with TDS for 9 years selling Business Telephone Service, Business Internet Service and our TDS Hosted Phone System, managedIP® Q: How did you get started in your field? In 1995 when I graduated from High School, I joined the US Army and was a Communications Specialist. Upon completion of my time in the service, I continued my career with communications by attending school for Computer Network Science in Green Bay. In November of 2004 I started working for AT&T and then moved over to TDS in February of 2006 and have been with them since. Q: Who is the one person that helped to make you who you are today? My Step-Dad, Don Yanskey was the one who made me who I am today. Growing up on our farm in Missouri and teaching me everything from electronics, equipment repair, giving me large responsibilities with operations of the farm and living and learning the true meaning of hard work. I truly know what it means to work for what you want and have never had anything handed to me. Q: What do you like most about working in the Heart of the Valley area? Almost everyone here in what we know as “The Fox Valley” has that small town appreciation of working with local people. The business relationships and friendships are irreplaceable and with that comes referrals and introductions to assist in making you and your business successful.
Q: What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Cleaning out the cattle trailer after hauling cows to the sale with a power sprayer. A Pretty Shi**Y Job to say the least. Q. What is 1 thing the average consumer does not know about your business? That we provide not only business telephone and internet service to a business, but we also provide a fully hosted and managed telephone system for businesses. This is known and TDS managedIP® Q: OK, now the good stuff. What do you like to do for fun? I am an avid fisherman and love being outdoors. When I am not fishing, I like to do jobs around the house or build things. Q: What’s your favorite movie and why? The Patriot……and not really sure why but still to this day one of my favorites Q: Is your desk messy or organized? My desk is very busy and organized to my liking. I know where everything is, so that’s a good thing. Q: Green Bay Packers or another team? Green Bay Packers. Q: Where was your best vacation and why? Our annual summer vacation to a privately owned cottage in Wisconsin or another state. This gives me time to turn off the world of electronics and just fully enjoy time with my wife Nicole and our 4 kids. Q: What are the Top 3 items on your bucket list? Own a farm, travel abroad when I retire and learn to play guitar.
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Cellcom Partners With VisTracks to Deliver Fleet Tracking Cellcom Partners With VisTracks to Deliver Fleet Tracking Service Managing a fleet of vehicles can present challenges to businesses. Fuel consumption, vehicle effectiveness and employee behavior can add up to large business expenses without accurate and real-time data to identify efficiencies and determine where improvements can be made. Cellcom has partnered with VisTracks to develop Cellcom Fleet, a fleet tracking service that utilizes Cellcom’s network and a GPS modem to give businesses in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan the tools they need to get the most from their vehicle resources. “With Cellcom Fleet businesses can monitor and manage vehicles and drivers to simplify operations and reduce costs while improving customer service, productivity and safety,” said Dan Fabry, chief operating officer at Cellcom. “The solution empowers companies by providing detailed data from their
vehicles helping to make decisions that create efficiencies and positively impact the bottom line.” The Cellcom Fleet solution powered by VisTracks provides complete, up-to-theminute data on vehicle or fleet activities in a centralized, web-based interface. Companies can reduce fuel costs and ensure high safety standards by monitoring driving behaviors for excessive idling and speeding, manage productivity by monitoring current location, quantity of stops and length of stops ensuring drivers are en route, on task and on time, and increase efficiency and enhance customer service by using location data to quickly dispatch drivers.
“Fleet tracking solutions were previously a tool that came at a high price making it cost prohibitive to small and mid-sized businesses,” says Abraham Levine, VisTracks’ Chief Operating Officer. “With VisTracks’ technology, Cellcom business customers of all sizes can realize the benefits from the Internet of things and successfully compete in their industries with this easy-to-use and cost-effective service.” Cellcom is an example of how wireless carriers can diversify by adding non-traditional service offerings for its business customers. According to Fabry, “Cellcom Fleet provides our customers the flexibility to better manage their business. Additionally, it expands the offerings from Cellcom to incorporate the advancements of wireless and the needs of our customers.”
What Our Members Are Saying Working with the Heart of the Valley Chamber is wonderful. Kelli, Jamie and the team are amazing! They listen to the chat on the street, the pains and successes of business owners and lift the awareness of non-profits. The Heart of the Valley Chamber is a friend and resource to its members. I feel like I have friends and family everywhere I go because I have met some great people in the chamber and at the events. - Jennifer Popek, Associated Bank
The Heart of The Valley Chamber of Commerce is an excellent resource for a small business like ours. We value the opportunities to connect, share ideas and share leads with other local members through programs such as the monthly Business After Hours events. Programs and events are truly focused on what we need to grow our business. The membership fee is a great value! - Steve Engmann, Competitive Strategies
The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce has been an excellent resource for our business. The Chamber provides multiple channels for business awareness, networking opportunities and helpful educational programs. Being a member of the Chamber has really made a difference in helping expand our business visibility, growth and development in the Fox Valley.
Mike Glaser, Dental Associates 14 Heart Beat | July 2015
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101 E. Wisconsin Ave. Kaukauna, WI 54130 920.766.1616. www.heartofthevalleychamber.com