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Mixing with
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SUMMER 2017 New networking groups emerge in the Chippewa Valley.
➤ Business Directory ������������������������� Page 14 ➤ Calendar ���������������������������������������� Page 17 ➤ Book Review ���������������������������������� Page 18 ➤ By The Numbers ����������������������������� Page 23
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Insurance agent, financial advisor ends storied career.
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fter a dozen years of renting in Eau Claire, I finally started shopping for a house in autumn. Tales of this being a hot time to buy a home are true, especially in the price and size I had in mind. Articles on the market say that new listings were only lasting for days, but my experience was the best deals got gobbled up in mere hours. One tour I scheduled for a couple days after a house was listed was canceled because that house sold on the same day it appeared on Zillow. I was amid a slew of tours at another house on a Wednesday afternoon, but there was already
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a bidding war going on, and I didn’t like it that much to get wrapped up in that. Ultimately, about six months after I started spending weekends and off-hours browsing homes, I walked into a house and immediately knew it was for me. The listing went up at midday, and we had an offer to the sellers by 5 p.m. If you’re looking to buy a home this summer, make sure your budget, loan preapproval and checklist of must-haves are all in line because you might only have a couple hours to secure the house you want.
JuneAll12, 2017 ♦ 800-236-7077. BUSINESSleadertelegram.com LEADER | 3 Published four times per year by the Leader-Telegram advertising department. Copyright 2017 Eau Claire Press Co., 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. rights reserved.
COVER STORY
Mixing
with
mentors
Staff photos by Marisa Wojcik Organzier Tyler Anderson, a sophomore at UW-Eau Claire, listens to a presenter during the May 10 meeting of 1 Million Cups while fellow event organizer and university senior Jessica Wicklund records the presentation with her smartphone.
New networking groups emerge in the Chippewa Valley to forge relationships, share advice and enjoy a drink By Eric Lindquist, Leader-Telegram staff
T
wo UW-Eau Claire students stood in front of a group of Chippewa Valley business operators on a recent Wednesday morning and talked about their fledgling coffee enterprise. When the PowerPoint presentation was over, other local entrepreneurs asked questions, offered advice and shared information about resources that could help the student-run business called Blugold Roast. This nurturing process — with presenters ranging from Twin Cities entrepreneurs to local residents with potential business ideas — is repeated weekly as part of 1 Million Cups, a national business networking and entrepreneurship group that launched an Eau Claire chapter in April. Success in business is often about making connections — with customers, the community and other businesses — and the launch of new networking groups gives local business owners more options than ever to forge those connections. Whether it’s over coffee at 1 Million Cups, over lunch at a Polka Dot Powerhouse social or over a beer at a Musky Tank mixer, entrepreneurs have ample
4 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
opportunity in the Chippewa Valley to give and receive information that can mean the difference between success and failure. Following is a rundown of some of these relatively new players in the local business networking scene.
1 Million Cups
With the 1 Million Cups name based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee (offered at all meetings), the group’s motto is “caffeinating an entrepreneurial nation.” The organization, started five years ago in Kansas City, Mo., by the Kauffman Foundation, has spread to 116 communities. Ann Rupnow, entrepreneurship and economic development coordinator for UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business, said she attended a 1 Million Cups meeting in Fargo, N.D., a couple years ago after hearing about the city’s strong entrepreneurship culture and came away impressed.
“I came back thinking, ‘If Fargo can do it, we can do it too,’ ” said Rupnow, one of the organizers of the Eau Claire chapter. “At its core, the idea is to support local entrepreneurs.” The concept calls for one or two early-stage businesses to present their companies to their communities at each meeting. In Eau Claire, those meetings are held at 9 a.m. every Wednesday at The Local Lounge, 2106 N. Clairemont Ave. Attendance has been averaging about 20 people per meeting. At the recent meeting featuring Blugold Roast, students Nels Mowlem, a junior from Hutchinson, Minn., and Bradley Johnson, a freshman from Lake Geneva, described how the business started last fall and is designed to give students experience with sales, marketing, distribution, accounting, inventory management and other business skills. The nonprofit company sells organic, artisan, premium quality coffee online, in bulk to local enterprises and brewed at a retail stand on campus. “What makes us unique is that we are entirely student-run,” Johnson told the supportive crowd. When the experience was over, Johnson said he thought Blugold Roast could apply some of the tips from the crowd to improve marketing and possibly get more students involved. “We came here to seek advice because we know the people who show up here are very business savvy and willing to help out,” he said. “We got what we came here for.” Katy Stevens, owner of N7 Cafe, a cold-brew, nitrogen-infused coffee company in Eau Claire, attended the meeting and was happy to offer some feedback to the students. She hopes to be a presenter in the near future. For Stevens, 1 Million Cups was her second networking
meeting of the day, as she belongs to four such business groups and is a big believer in the concept. “There’s always something you can learn from other businesses and startups,” she said, “and anything I’ve learned I like to give back so it goes both ways.” Despite the casual atmosphere at the gatherings, Rupnow said she believes the group will prove beneficial to local entrepreneurs and that in turn will boost the regional economy. “We’re doing a lot of education on those Wednesday mornings without it feeling like education,” she said. “It’s really kind of fun, community educational thing — and a free cup of coffee.”
Polka Dot Powerhouse
Eau Claire-based Polka Dot Powerhouse dubs itself a “connection company” that is all about connecting the “Dots” — what members call each other. The group, which caters specifically to women in business, is different than 1 Million Cups in that it is a private enterprise and charges a membership fee ($299 for the first year and $199 annually after that). Its growth suggests there is strong demand for a group targeting the unique style of female entrepreneurs. Founder Shannon Crotty of Chippewa Falls launched Polka Dot Powerhouse in October 2012 with a lone paid member and still had only one member several months later, when she acknowledged “it looked like a failed idea.” But the concept began to take off in 2013 and now has grown to 50 chapters in 21 states, with its first Canadian chapter set to open this June.
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Musky Tank
Musky Tank mixers grew out of a desire by the founders of the 2-year-old local consulting firm Musky Tank (a Wisconsin twist on the ABC-TV business reality show “Shark Tank”) to provide another opportunity for local business people to connect and share ideas. “One of our company’s key recommendations is networking, networking, networking,” said Musky Tank co-founder Pete Marsnik, so the mixers fit right in with that philosophy. The concept calls for setting aside networking time and bringing in speakers to spark conversation about a variety of topics relevant to startups and small businesses. Among the topics addressed since the sessions started last fall are how to start a business, plan for growth, finance a company and deal with intellectual property. Contributed photo Polka Dot Powerhouse, a “connection company” that provides networking for “Starting a company is really a body contact sport. When businesswomen, started a few years ago in Eau Claire and has grown to you are starting a business, you can lose contact with people chapters in 21 states. because you are so focused on your idea,” Marsnik said. “The whole idea of the mixers is that you might learn something “Women are seeking an extra layer in their business there and you might make a connection that could help your relationships,” Crotty said. “The word we use a lot is business.” sisterhood. The group becomes like a second family for us.” Musky Tank partners with economic development That involves connecting with other businesswomen who corporations in Eau Claire, Dunn and Chippewa counties to push each other to take their businesses to a higher level but put on the events, which Marsnik said each have attracted 45 also help each other without condition, Crotty said. to 65 people, about three-quarters of whom are entrepreneurs. “Oftentimes businesswomen feel like they’re on an island The meetings are held the second Wednesday evening of the by themselves,” she said. “This group makes them feel like month, although organizers plan to suspend the mixers over they’re not all alone.” summer after the 6:30 p.m. June 14 session at Tanglewood Denise Bender, managing director of the 125-member Greens in Menomonie. Eau Claire chapter, put it this Attendance at way: “Women do networking a the sessions is little differently than men. We like optional, although to get to know each other first. We attendees are asked develop these personal relationships to register through and then we know that when we the muskytank. recommend somebody’s business, com website. As an they will take good care of the added bonus, the person I recommended them to.” networking is often Bender, a consultant for direct conducted over a sales company Tastefully Simple, beer. said she got involved with Polka “It’s been fun, Dot Powerhouse at a time when she and we’re getting wanted to expand her business and good engagement was looking for a no-drama way to and a lot of energy,” make connections. said Marsnik, also “After two or three months, I executive director couldn’t stop going,” she said. “It Staff photos by Marisa Wojcik of Chippewa Valley was extremely uplifting.” Mark Daigle, founder Mine the Bird, explains his technology company during a Angel Investors Members attend one meeting a 1 Million Cups meeting in Eau Claire. Network. month where they mingle with other Dots and listen to a presentation on topics ranging from social media and exercise tips to packing for business travel and developing an elevator pitch. Though Rupnow has been a key figure in founding the The positive response has Crotty setting her corporate goals Eau Claire 1 Million Cups chapter and Marsnik has played high. a similar role with the Musky Tank mixers, both attend the “After seeing the impact we have on members, our goal other group’s meetings when they can. is to reach all of the women across the globe who need us,” The networking sessions are held at different times, offer Crotty said.
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different styles and attract different people, so they all bring something unique to the boardroom table. “The more of these things you have, the more you grow and groom this entrepreneurial culture we are trying to promote,” Rupnow said. Marsnik couldn’t agree more, insisting he doesn’t think the Musky Tank mixers compete with other business gatherings but instead believes all of the groups have value. “If it brings people together and helps entrepreneurs move on to the next step in their business, it’s a good thing,” Marsnik said. “Ultimately, it’s a lot of work to get an idea off the ground and turn it into a business. If any of these groups can do something that helps, it can’t be bad.” Retired UW-Eau Claire College of Business Dean Diane Hoadley, who has been involved in organizing the local 1 Million Cups chapter, said the proliferation of business networking groups is a good sign for the local economy. “The more of these grassroots groups you have in your community, the better off you are,” she said.
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CEO SPEAK
Breaking the hierarchy Ditch the outmoded organizational chart to better align roles with goals
Jeff West is the owner of Bear Down (beardowninc.com), an executive and executive team coaching company based in Eau Claire. He was a founder and CEO of Silicon Logic Engineering. He also currently chairs the local chapter of The Executive Committee and Business Partners, a forum for small business leaders. West can be reached at 715-559-2195 or jeffatbeardown@gmail.com.
“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” VINCE LOMBARDI, Green Bay Packers head coach (‘59-’67) By Jeff West
Does your company use a traditional organizational chart? If so, have you ever asked yourself why? Have you ever evaluated how useful it is? This is an example of how leaders question everything. Many times it’s challenging the things that most organizations look right over. Everyone has an org chart, right? The typical org chart is focused on the business from a hierarchical perspective. It contains everyone’s “place” in the business. But is it the most effective way of organizing to accomplish what a business needs to get done? Among the most effective companies I’ve seen or worked with, many have gotten rid of the traditional org chart. So why would a company do that and what replaces it? Once organizations develop a strong understanding of their purpose it becomes much easier to identify what the structure of the company needs to be in order to achieve its goals. If the company has taken the time to hire the right people instead of just, “filling open positions,” the roles required become obvious. Those roles describe what needs to be done by each individual position, by each sub-group and by the company as a whole. Companies that have abandoned the traditional org chart have different names such as role descriptions or accountability descriptions for each position and group. While it may seem a subtle difference between these and an org chart, that subtlety is often where the magic comes from that takes a company from average to great. Here are some of the advantages companies glean from this approach: 1. It discourages egos. When there are defined roles within a business that need to be done, they are owned by individuals and groups of people within the organization with a clear understanding of how it moves the organization forward. Job titles then become unnecessary. 2. When role descriptions are clear, everyone knows the part they play in building a great organization. 3. The company ends up with better accountability and alignment. People know specifically what part they and the groups they work with play in the overall success of the business. That leads to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in their jobs. Employees that achieve this rarely leave these types of companies. Are you having any problems with turnover or finding good employees lately? 4. By clearly understanding the structure required to achieve the company’s goals, it’s much easier to identify what type of people 8 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
the company needs. 5. Role descriptions allow a greater degree of flexibility. As situations change, it’s much easier to figure out what roles need to change, which allows a company to adapt faster than their competitors. 6. Role descriptions force a level of clarity upon management. If a role’s description is nebulous at best, maybe the role isn’t necessary in the first place. 7. For a company to truly be great, every person with a role description must minimally outperform his or her counterparts in their competitors’ organizations. A company with this structure and the attitude it exudes will consistently outperform their competition. 8. Maybe the most important is a sense of camaraderie develops to a level that’s hard to create in command-and-control, orgchart organizations. When everyone is clear on their role and the company is clear on its purpose, a fellowship around being accountable to each other develops. With this model, over time, companies develop the internal capabilities for devising and carrying out plans for achieving measurable goals no matter what obstacles get in the way. A strong internal pride develops, along with true sense of being on a great team. This is the secret sauce of great organizations. Unfortunately most leaders of companies will never spend the time understanding the subtlety. They will happily continue on with an organizational structure that doesn’t inspire anyone, yet complain about competitors who always seem to be two steps ahead. Of course it’s not their fault. They just don’t have the right employees or enough capital or <insert excuse of the moment here>. Imagine if your company was one great team with the full capability and readiness to achieve any goal, no matter what happened. Ownership of planning and execution throughout an organization – not just those at the top – is the real key to organizational greatness. Remember what Vince Lombardi said about achievements being the results of the combined effort of each individual. Are each of your employees crystal clear on their role in your organization? Are they clear how their performance – good or bad – affects company outcomes? If so, congratulations. You are a rare leader. If not, why not, and what’s the cost to your organization for not doing it?
- Guest Article -
Food Trucks in Wisconsin:
The (Regulated) Open Road By Attorney Paul Mirr – Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.
In recent years, food trucks have emerged as an increasingly popular way for people of all ages to indulge in their favorite street foods, from barbeque to shaved ice to pizza to tacos…and on and on. One of the benefits of owning a food truck is that the startup costs are generally much lower than starting up a traditional restaurant. If you are thinking about starting up a food truck of your own, pump the brakes: below are some issues to consider before you jump into the driver’s seat (don’t worry: that was the last bad pun in this article). State Regulations. All food trucks in Wisconsin must comply with the Wisconsin Food Code requirements for Restaurants or Retail Food Establishments. In general, the Wisconsin Food Code requires all food trucks, or technically “mobile food establishments”, to obtain a mobile food establishment license and a service base license, in addition to any permits or licenses required by a specific municipality (for example, if you plan on operating in the City of Eau Claire, you will also need to obtain a restaurant license from the City and have your food truck pass inspection by the Eau Claire Fire Department – more on municipal requirements below). A service base is “an operating base location to which a mobile food establishment or transportation vehicle returns regularly for such things as vehicle and equipment cleaning, discharging liquid or solid wastes, refilling water tanks and ice bins, and boarding food.” Wisconsin Food Code 1-201.10(B)(84). In essence, the service base is a licensed facility where food for the mobile food establishment is stored or prepared, where water is obtained and waste is disposed, and where vehicle and equipment cleaning takes place. Food trucks must return to their services bases at least once every 24 hours. Note that service bases cannot be a private home; instead, they must be a warehouse or commercial space, a shared space from a licensed restaurant or retail establishment, or a shared space from a licensable community kitchen. The Wisconsin Food Code also requires that all mobile food establishments that prepare, handle or serve unpackaged meals have a Certified Food Manager’s license. Additionally, the Code places very specific
and differing restrictions or requirements on mobile food establishments based upon whether the establishment is “open air” (i.e., bicycle or push carts), “enclosed limited service” (i.e., small enclosed trailer), or “enclosed full service” (i.e., large truck or trailer with full kitchen). Such restrictions or requirements include the minimum size of required hand washing facilities; ventilation system standards; minimum required fresh water supply; minimum size of waste storage tank(s); the types of equipment allowed or required inside the food truck; electric or gas supply requirements; floor and wall finishes and lighting standards; and fire protection requirements.
also contains insurance requirements, and provides that food trucks must not show any visible signs of rust or deterioration. The City of Altoona’s food truck ordinance also restricts locations food trucks may operate, and allows food trucks to operate between the hours of 7am-10pm Friday-Saturday, and 10am9pm Sunday-Thursday. The City of Hudson restricts food trucks from operating on City-owned property or within the public right of way unless the use is authored as party of a temporary special event, and the food truck must not make or cause to be made any excessive noise, lighting or other method of attracting public attention.
In addition to the requirements contained in the Wisconsin Food Code, food truck operators will need to obtain a Seller’s Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue before serving any food. Also, all licenses must be posted on the food truck for the public to view.
Moral of the story: make sure to check with each local municipality to determine whether a food truck ordinance or regulations exist, and if so, make sure your food truck operation is in compliance with all local requirements, in addition to the State of Wisconsin’s requirements. The good news is that most of these items will be available on your municipality’s website. Finally, don’t forget that most municipal licenses must be annually renewed.
Local Municipal Rules/Ordinances. In addition to the State of Wisconsin’s food truck requirements, several municipalities are beginning to pass food truck ordinances to regulate food trucks operating within the municipality’s limits. For example, the City of Eau Claire’s food truck ordinance restricts several things, such as a food truck’s hours of operation (8am-11pm), locations food trucks may operate (i.e., no residential neighborhoods, must be 200 feet away from existing brick-and-mortar restaurants, and cannot stay in one location for more than a four hour stretch), and describes certain public parks in which food trucks operate (unless a special event is occurring at such parks). The Eau Claire ordinance
Attorney Paul Mirr, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.
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June 12, 2017 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 9
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Standing taller Chiropractic practice cracks into two more cities after starting in Chippewa Falls
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Lona Cook envisions that in the future, many people will consider going to see a chiropractor on a regular basis for preventative care, just like they go to see a dentist. “People are educating themselves more on proactive health,” she said. “So many people are aware of what else is out there.” Cook, 33, is owner of Cook Chiropractic, which opened in Chippewa Falls in 2010. The business was going so well, she added a second site in Hudson in 2013. She has now added a third location in Cadott, which just opened. She also has purchased the building in Chippewa Falls at 2029 Highway I, which houses her clinic. Between the three sites, Cook has six full-time workers and two part-time employees. She is looking at adding more staff. “It grows every year,” she said. “We’ve had a big growth in new patients in the past month, and I attribute that to adding another person in my office. We’ll have a busy day where we’ll see 100 people in a day.” Along with her three clinics, Cook has been active in bringing her services to an onsite clinic for Chippewa Falls school staff last year. She also provides education about chiropractic health in schools around the county, and she is president-elect of the Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin. Because of her growth and work in the industry, Cook was honored in May as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. at its annual meeting.
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Chiropractor Lona Cook opened her Chippewa Falls office in 2010 and her practice has since expanded to include Hudson and Cadott offices. The growing business earned her recognition from the Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. as “Entrepreneur of the Year.”
Charlie Walker, CCEDC executive director, said Cook is worthy of the award. “She’s aggressive. She’s young,” Walker said. “She’s a mover and shaker. She’s the best at what she does. And she’s willing to invest in rural communities.” Cook was thrilled to have the recognition. “I’m really grateful to be in this area and have the support of my hometown,” she said. Cook graduated in 2002 from Chippewa Falls High School and then earned a bachelor’s degree in English at UW-Madison. Then in 2009, she went to Northwestern Health Sciences in Bloomington, Minn., to learn how to become a chiropractor. More people are seeking assistance from a chiropractor because they see the benefits from an adjustment before they start having problems, Cook said. She added that many people now have insurance packages that include health-savings accounts, and people can use those dollars on chiropractic care. Many of her clients have hard, physical jobs, which is why they opt to see a chiropractor, she said. A friendly environment is another reason for the business’s growth, she said. “You walk in here, it’s not medical-looking,” she said. “It’s more family-oriented.” Cook said she enjoys the work. “People are in a great mood,” she said. “We have a lot of fun, so work is an easy place to come to.” Contact: 715-723-0303, chris.vetter@ecpc.com
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June 12, 2017 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 11
FEATURE STORY
Staff photos by Steve Kinderman
Customers line up to place their orders on May 20 at the Biggie and Bull BBQ trailer parked at Lazy Monk Brewing. It is one of several food trucks that park outside the downtown Eau Claire brewery during warmer months.
Heating up
Eau Claire’s food truck scene is getting warmer, but license to use parks gets cold reception
By Lauren French, Leader-Telegram staff
Janice Amenson waltzed up to the order window of Big Girl Street Foods on the corner of Oxford Avenue and West Madison Street and propped her elbows on the ledge. “What do I want for supper tonight?” Amenson playfully asked Randy Kuhnert, owner of the food truck. Amenson and Kuhnert bantered back and forth for a while before she settled on a basket of piggy fingers — deep-fried pork tenderloins — and Parmesan fries. Amenson took a bite, smiled, lingered for a while and was soon continuing her walk through downtown. She joins countless others in Eau Claire who enjoy the convenience of quirky curbside eats, and said she’d like to see more of them around. Last year, the city of Eau Claire expanded its rules regarding where food trucks can set up shop. With proper licensing and some exceptions, vendors can now operate on city streets and in parks. But no vendor has opted to pay for and obtain that license yet, citing concerns that ordinance limitations combined with a young food truck culture would make business hard. 12 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
Those who instead sell on private property, such as those parked outside of Lazy Monk Brewing, say they enjoy partaking in Eau Claire’s burgeoning street food scene and making connections with other businesses. There are nine vendors licensed to operate a food truck on private property in Eau Claire, which is up by a couple when compared to prior years, according to the city clerk’s office.
Food with personality
Kuhnert inherited what was then called Big Girls Hot Dogs from his father after he died and has been running the truck for about five years. A key to success, he says? A big personality. “You have to have a little carnie in you, almost, to do this,” he said. The food truck business isn’t Kuhnert’s only livelihood — he also owns a tavern and an auto repair shop. For her part, Amenson, who knows Kuhnert from going to his auto shop, said she likes food trucks for their personality and convenience. Stopping by Lazy
d
Monk’s corner, where food trucks considering the license that would are frequently stationed in warmer allow them on city streets and in parks but haven’t decided yet. If months, on her walk home from there’s no event to guarantee a work is a habit, she said. draw of hungry visitors, Hebert “Honestly, I’d like to see more said the chances of setting up in a (food trucks in the area) because park and not making a profit are it’s a convenience,” Amenson said higher. while she waited for her food to Kuhnert said the cost of the be ready. “Tonight, I was going to license isn’t yet worth the chance go to the store and decided to stop of a low-earning day, but he here. And then it’s Randy’s truck! appreciates the chance for more It’s his personality.” flexibility. While Kuhnert said running a Eau Claire City Councilwoman food truck is “never not fun,” it Catherine Emmanuelle, a backer of takes a lot of passion to commit to last year’s food truck policy, said a business with long hours and a the expansion is a good start. But sometimes risky payoff. she adds that this season will bring On a typical food truck day, feedback for potential changes to Kuhnert starts prepping food at 6 the policy next year. a.m., has the trailer delivered to the “I think (the policy) should be venue, heats up the appliances and revisited because the amount of is ready to go by about 10 a.m. He applicants is low,” Emmanuelle could then work until 10 p.m., not said. “That would be indicative that including cleaning and the drive Hope Knepper, right, and her cousin Abbie Knepper stoke the fire at the barbecue cooker at Biggie and something more needs to be done home. Sometimes the monetary Bull on a rainy day. to better work with businesses.” gain is great, Kuhnert said, and See page 14 other times, not so much. “There are days where I could go to my regular job and BUSINESS LOANS & SERVICES make a lot more money,” he said. “But I do enjoy that little old lady walking by and saying, ‘Great curds!’ and (Amenson) walking by and trying different stuff. I get a kick out of that.”
Is Eau Claire ready?
While many view the nature of a food truck as casual and spontaneous, starting one isn’t always like that. Estimates from the Eau Claire City-County Health Department place general food truck startup costs between $5,000 and $10,000, including the mobile establishment itself, commercial equipment, insurance and licenses. After a push from some Eau Claire residents resulted in last year’s new license allowing food trucks on public streets and parks, vendors have greater flexibility in where they choose to do business. That license costs $250. However, the license doesn’t allow food trucks to set up shop in areas that have a scheduled event occurring. That catch is a reason to pause for many vendors. “When you have a really large city, the population can support you being out and about,” said Pete Hebert, executive chef for The Hubb, a new food truck that is a sister company to Wagner’s Lanes. “I don’t know if Eau Claire is quite ready. I think they want to be ready, but we’re growing into the food truck scene.” Hebert said he and other operators of The Hubb are still
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from Page 13 When it comes to the events concern, Emmanuelle said she thinks it’s important to maintain a balance where food trucks can thrive, but also protect vendors who have committed to an event from competitors not under the event’s umbrella. Whatever kind of license he has, Hebert said he enjoys connecting with the community and signing The Hubb up for special events, such as the Blue Ox Music Festival. (Food trucks can operate in parks without the new license as long as they’re part of a special event that has a separate license to use city property.) “It’s just a different venue,” Hebert said of the food truck scene. “It’s one you can play with a little more. You can do anything.”
Contact: 715-830-5828, lauren.french@ ecpc.com, @LaurenKFrench on Twitter
Featured in this article:
• For more information on setting up a food truck business, visit ci.eauclaire.wi.us/departments/healthdepartment.
The future of food trucks
When it comes to deciding whether to open a food truck, Kuhnert and Hebert both point to planning ahead and knowing why you want to pursue the business. “As with any business, be prepared to work long hours and work very hard,” Kuhnert said. “Maybe go to work for a food vendor for a summer and just make sure this is what you really want to do.”
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“Before you buy one,” Hebert added, “go ahead and talk to your local health department and make sure you’re ready and prepared for what they’re going to need for you to be successful.” Emmanuelle said any bumps along the way in licensing for food trucks will be worth it in the end. “Eau Claire is this community that is very interested in supporting start-up businesses,” she said, “and finding that sweet spot — pun intended — for food trucks in Eau Claire is going to be worth it.”
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Superior native David Minor will start serving as the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce's president and CEO on July 1. For the past 23 years, he has served as the Minor leader of the Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce, which also runs a visitor’s bureau named Travel Superior and a foundation. “I would not be leaving Superior for any other chamber in the state but this one,” he said on May 31 when his hiring to the Eau Claire job was announced. Minor also knows his predecessor, calling Bob McCoy both a mentor and a friend. McCoy retired on June 2 after 23 years of serving as president and CEO of the Eau Claire chamber. Between McCoy's last day and Minor’s start date, Scott Biederman of local business consulting firm Musky Tank will serve as the chamber's interim president. Though Minor already is familiar with the Eau Claire area from his time serving a chamber just a few hours north of it on U.S. 53, the new CEO plans to get better acquainted with local businesses in his first months on the job. “I certainly have a handle, but there’s a lot I can learn about what’s going on,” he said. Minor’s wife, Jackie, is finishing up 30 years as leader of the Superior-Douglas County Family YMCA. Their two children are grown and away from home, but David Minor noted the move gets them a little closer to a daughter in La Crosse. The new job also means leading a larger business community.
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June 12, 2017 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 15
GUEST COLUMN
The future of small business looks brighter
Kathryn Noe is a financial advisor and managing partner at River Prairie Wealth Partners, a private wealth practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. The practice has its office at 2423 Rivers Edge Drive, Altoona.
Continued bull market, potential to cut regulations aids owners' optimism By Kathryn Noe
Small business owners are reporting a brighter outlook on the prospects for growth, according to a survey of 1,000 of them in spring’s Bank of America Small Business Owner Report. The semiannual report finds that small business owners’ confidence in the economy is at its highest recorded level in five years and that those surveyed are experiencing less concern over several predominant economic issues such as consumer spending, corporate tax rates, the strength of the U.S. dollar and stock market. Of the entrepreneurs polled in the Bank of America survey, 52 percent believed the economy would improve over the next 12 months. That’s a significant 21 percent increase from just six months ago in the fall 2016 survey when only 31 percent were confident in economic improvement. With the current – and second longest – bull market having recently turned the ripe age of 8, it’s not surprising that only 34 percent of small business owners are concerned about the stock market – a 16 percent decrease from six months ago. Another explanation of such optimism is the current legislative environment in Washington, D.C., that could prove especially pivotal for small business owners. Tax reform, deregulation and the potential repeal of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act are among the reasons entrepreneurs are feeling hopeful. Already facing limited capital and resources, small businesses find themselves additionally burdened by aggressive regulations and expensive compliance that often create barriers for the entrepreneurs who need it most. Dodd-Frank, for example, has inhibited some small businesses and homebuyers seeking credit. The possible repeal of Dodd-Frank could mean easier access to credit for millions of businesses, an increase in homebuyers and a stimulated economy. According to the Bank of America study, more than 40 percent of small business owners have applied for loans 16 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
to help support, sustain and grow their companies. More important than easier access to credit, small business owners consider tax reform to be the No. 1 priority for Congress, according to the National Federation of Small Business. Small businesses account for around half of U.S. GDP and the private sector is responsible for two out of every three jobs in our nation. Lowering tax rates for small businesses, which pay a higher rate than large corporations, could prove significant to millions of entrepreneurs as well as the economy. At the center of the proposed tax reform is lowering the corporate tax rate from a current maximum of 35 percent to 15 percent. This cut applies to what the tax code calls “C corporations” such as Fortune 500 companies like AT&T, Ford and General Electric. This goal largely has bipartisan support because the U.S. corporate tax rate is among the highest in the world, and it is believed this major cut could incentivize companies to hire and invest. Why is this important for small business? The vast majority of small businesses are set up as pass-through entities such as a sub S corporation or limited liability company. Currently owners of these pass-through businesses report business profits as personal income, therefore paying maximum tax rates of up to 39.6 percent on those profits. As currently proposed, business income would be taxed at a reduced single rate of 15 percent rather than at the personal rate of the shareholders. It remains to be debated whether these reforms are viable and will find life in Congress, however, the current outlook for business remains strong. While it could be argued that the positive sentiment among small business owners is being viewed through rose-colored glasses spurred by lofty proposed legislation, cautious optimism – for now – is appropriate. As with anything, only time will tell.
June - September June 20: Business Hall of Fame Luncheon, noon, Eau Claire Golf & Country Club, 828 Clubview Lane, Altoona. Cost: $25. Register: EauClaireChamber.org or 715-834-1204. June 20: Business Plan Basics class, 6-9 p.m., Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29. Register: SuccessfulBusiness.org or 715-836-7511, ext. 1171. June 21: Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Success Series: Jim Loffler, founder and CEO of Loffler Cos. 7:30 a.m., Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, 1221 Whipple St. Cost: $25 chamber members, $45 nonmembers. Register: EauClaireChamber.org or 715-834-1204. June 22: Microsoft Excel Intermediate Comprehensive Session, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., CVTC Chippewa Falls Campus, 770 Scheidler Road. Cost: $119. Register: cvtc.edu. June 22-23: Supervisory Management: Recruiting and Retaining Top Performers course, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600. Register: ce.uwec. edu or 715-836-3636. July 11: Business QuickBooks class, 6-9 p.m., Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $99. Register: SuccessfulBusiness.org or 715-836-7511, ext. 1171. July 19: Supervisory Management: Maximizing Team Talent and Motivation course, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $300. Register: ce.uwec.edu or 715-836-3636. July 20: Microsoft Excel Advanced Comprehensive Session, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., CVTC Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Cost: $119. Register: cvtc.edu.
CALENDAR
July 20: Start a Small Business in Eight Steps class, 1-4 p.m., Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29. Register: SuccessfulBusiness.org or 715-836-7511, ext. 1171. July 25: Cyber Security Risks presentation by Jeff Olejnik of WIPFLI, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 54, Dunn County Community Service Building, 3001 U.S. 12 E., Menomonie. Cost: Free. Info: cvandong@csbnet.net or 715-386-9050. Aug. 10: Business Record Keeping 101 class, 5-7 p.m., Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29. Register: SuccessfulBusiness.org or 715-836-7511, ext. 1171. Aug. 22: Mechanics of Starting a Small Business class, 5-7 p.m., Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29. Register: SuccessfulBusiness.org or 715-836-7511, ext. 1171. Aug. 23: Supervisory Management: Diversity in the Workplace course, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $300. Register: ce.uwec.edu or 715836-3636. Sept. 6: Meet Menomonie & Job Fair to introduce new university students to the community and employers, 5-7 p.m., Johnson Field House, UW-Stout campus, Menomonie Sept. 12: Business QuickBooks class, 6-9 p.m., Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $99. Register: SuccessfulBusiness.org or 715-836-7511, ext. 1171. Sept. 21-22: Supervisory Management: Negotiation Skills course, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600. Register: ce.uwec.edu or 715-836-3636.
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June 12, 2017 â&#x2122;Ś BUSINESS LEADER | 17
BOOK REVIEW
Reclaiming your weekends ‘Cult of overwork’ cuts into free time earned by previous generations
Title: “The Weekend Effect.” Author: Katrina Onstad. Pages: 304. Publisher: HarperOne (c.2017)
By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm
Zzzzzzzzzip. That was the sound of your last weekend as it passed by, but it probably doesn’t matter anyhow: it was packed with work, to-do lists and obligations, kids sports and more work. Sometimes you wonder why you even bother. You might as well just go to the office – but first, read “The Weekend Effect” by Katrina Onstad before you zip out Friday afternoon. When was the last time you had two full days without plans? If you’re like most working adults, answering may take you a few minutes. Chances are, it’s been awhile; like millions of North American employees, our weekend is “not a weekend at all.” Much like the seven-day week, weekends are man-made things: Ancient civilizations created our modern week, the Old Testament demarked a day of rest, and employers tried forcing workers to toil most of both. In 1791, U.S. carpenters held the first strike over hours; the eight-hour day started to take hold in the late 1800s; Henry Ford introduced a five-day workweek in 1926; and generally, there we were until the digital age, when employees could – and do – carry work with them everywhere. Considering that 15th century serfs enjoyed a holiday-filled church calendar, says Onstad, you may work more now than a medieval peasant. That’s not good for mind or body, and employers are starting to recognize that. Known for obsessively-focused marathon workweeks, Silicon Valley may taketh away, but it also giveth: some high-tech start-ups offer employees flex-time and demand down-time. Your boss may welcome happier employees who aren’t so stressed. Four-day workweeks aren’t rare anymore, nor are half-day Fridays. 18 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
And yet, Onstad says, if someone asked you what you’d do with free weekends, you might struggle with a list. Think: You can actually visit with real people, in-person. You could volunteer more, read more, attend more church or go for more walks. In short, you can stop and learn to do less. What would you do with two unencumbered days? Imagine the possibilities and then read “The Weekend Effect.” While it might seem that few people need convincing when it comes to taking time off, author Onstad shows in her first pages why some people feel trapped into working more. Readers might see themselves in some of Onstad’s short profiles – we obviously have similarly driven compatriots – as we learn why a “cult of overwork” is detrimental to both individual and to a business. Yes, we can brag, but it’s unsustainable, and we’re hurting ourselves as it turns out. Once you have the ammo needed to try to make change, Onstad offers things that might now take up that newly gotten free time. There’s a surprise in that: Whatever you think you like to do on your weekends, you could be doing it all wrong. This book is eye-opening, but it may also tell you something you already know: You work too hard. For confirmation, though, or for further reasons why you need shut off your phone and find a hammock, “The Weekend Effect” has that all zipped up.
The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 15,000 books.
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June 12, 2017 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 19
FEATURE STORY
Easing into it After partially retiring 21 years ago, James Ganther, Jr. finally puts a storied career to rest Staff photo by Marisa Wojcik James Ganther, Jr. retired in April after 57 years of selling insurance and giving financial advice at Principal Financial Group in Eau Claire. By Andrew Dowd, Leader-Telegram staff
Advising clients on their retirement savings is one of James Ganther, Jr.’s specialties. But for a guy who helps people plan what to do after they finish their careers, he was in no hurry to finish his working years. At 84 years old, the agent at Eau Claire’s office for Principal Financial Group has finally decided to pass his clients along to his son Jay, who has worked at the firm for 18 years. It was the elder Ganther’s second try at retirement – he “officially” retired 21 years ago as far as 401(k) contributions go, but kept on working for the firm under a retiree contract.
The early days After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1959 with a degree in recreational leadership, Ganther got a job managing a recreation center in St. Paul. But he sought a way to return to his hometown. What brought you back to Eau Claire after college? I wanted to get back to Eau Claire for a selfish reason. That was to play sports. I played football in the touch football league. Basketball in the YMCA league. Softball in Eau Claire leagues. Baseball in surrounding communities – Howard, Lake Hallie. What led you into the insurance field? I answered a blind ad in 1959 put in the paper by Richard O’Brien of Banker’s Life; he was the manager. It didn’t say anything about insurance. So he took me out to the White House (an Eau Claire supper club) to eat there. He was telling me this was life insurance, how much money you can make and the value of it. I lived on the east side of Eau Claire with my mother at the time. So when I came home, my mother said ‘what was that all about?’ I said it was about selling life insurance. She said, ‘Jimmy you don’t want to do that! Everybody that 20 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
goes in to sell insurance, pretty soon they’re out of it.’ And that was true because 9 out 10 that went into the life insurance at the time, failed. Why make the switch then? At that time there were 20 jobs for each applicant in the recreation field. There was no worry that if I failed at insurance, I could easily go back and work there or somewhere else in the field. How has your job changed through the years? Originally it was health insurance. And it was health insurance that kept me in the business the first five to 10 years. Life insurance is not an easy thing to sell or convince people that they need. Then it phased into where I was doing almost all life insurance for many years. And then probably 20 years ago, I got into the investments big time. Now it’s probably 30 percent life insurance and 70 percent investments.
Being a good sport A few of his awards have wandered up from a basement room filled with trophies, plaques and sports memorabilia. His home office has a row of trophies topped with different figures – one hitting a softball, the next pitching a horseshoe and another carrying a briefcase. How many trophies do you have at home? I can tell you I had 50 plaques or trophies because of insurance or selling investments. All the trophies in the basement relate to athletic competition – horseshoes, baseball, softball. My guess would be around 250 of those. How long were you active in softball and horseshoes? I’ve been active in horseshoes for 70 years and active in softball for about 70 years. Our softball team was world slowpitch champions for 4 out of 6 years a few years back. I quit softball four years ago now, but I still do horseshoes.
In terms of softball, I’ve gone to 37 world tournaments. For horseshoes, I’ve gone to about 17 world horseshoe tournaments.
Selling insurance Life insurance – a product the buyer will literally not be around to enjoy the benefits of – can be a tough sell to people, but Ganther found early on in his career that it’s very important. Insurance is a pretty dry subject. How do you get people interested in talking about it? I usually try to talk about some things that are funny. So we can get a good relationship back and forth. The key thing is to get them interested in the subject of life insurance and investments. And show them what each of those items can do in certain situations. What kinds of stories would you use to illustrate how life insurance comes in handy? When I first went into the business I knew I had to do so much in terms of sales to keep my job. Not too long in the business, I had a fella home on leave who I wrote insurance for, killed himself in a motorcycle accident. That was my first claim. That’s when I realized how important it is to have life insurance. How many clients have you had with life insurance? At one time I had over 5,000 clients who had life insurance with me. Now that’s phased down, to maybe 3,500 that have life insurance.
All by hand During his long career, Ganther racked up records in the industry. He won the National Sales Achievement Award for all 48 years it was handed out – requiring him to write at least 100 life insurance policies annually. Did you ever keep a running total of the policies you’ve written? No, I’ve never kept a tally. But one year I wrote 540 applications in 15 months. Since I was the only one to ever write 100 applications 48 years or more, I had to be one of the top members in the industry. During that span when you wrote 540 applications – You weren’t on computers back then, were you? No, no, no. I had to fill out all these forms by hand. Here I am today still doing the same thing. Now my son, the systems he’s got in place pretty much fill them out. Do you use a computer now? I can’t even turn on a computer, that’s terrible. But I’ve seen so many people that are coming into the business that got so computer-oriented that they never got away from the computer to see the people. To me the big thing is you’ve got to see the people.
Saving for retirement
How did you plan for your retirement. What strategies did you use? We had four kids. So from age 40 on, we started to make sure we were doing enough a definite amount each month to save for retirement. But not just save everything for retirement, but make sure you had enough going so you could retire. How has retirement saving changed since you started in the field?
A lot of companies back a few years ago started dropping their defined pension plans and went to 401(k) plans where the participant will be sharing in saving some money. The people that don’t have access to that have to do it through IRAs or some other consistent investing. When that shift from pensions to 401(k)s occurred, how did your job change? With the fact that the employer was not doing as much in retirement planning, that did open it up for more individuals. Now the individual – whether he’s aggressive or he’s moderate or he just wants good guarantees – can pick and choose in the 401ks and IRAs and other savings, what he wants to do with it. And therefore our advice becomes more valuable. What do you think is the current state of retirement savings for the general population. Are most people behind, ahead or at the right level? I think most people are behind somewhat. Because when all the pressure is put onto each of us to get the job done, then we can find many other things that take away from that.
Helping out A newspaper article laying out on the Ganthers’ dining room table is about a local high school student who was honored for her performance in school. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’ll soon get the Jim and Gloria Ganther Youth Recognition Award. The couple have been sending certificates and checks to students they read about in the paper or elsewhere who they feel deserve recognition. When did you decide to start doing this? I had a lady client in Barron about six years ago who said ‘I don’t like giving to all these charities. You don’t know if the money gets there and is used properly or not. What I do is I see people in the community who are doing well and send them a check.’ It wasn’t my idea. But it was that idea where I said, ‘Hey, why don’t we develop something like that?’ Do you know how many checks you’ve sent out? I’d guess we’d sent out about 100 checks a year. They aren’t that large. They aren’t a big deal. Except to these kids it’s a big deal. We hear back that it’s going toward their education. We get a lot of them saying ‘that’s nice, sending a check to people you don’t know.’ Contact: 715-833-9204, andrew.dowd@ecpc.com, @ADowd_LT on Twitter
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June 12, 2017 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 21
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Staff photo by Pamela Powers Janet Adams of rural Elmwood started On the Go Bus, a business that creates one-day bus trips primarily for area seniors.
Get on the bus Day trip business provides social outlet for seniors By Pamela Powers, Leader-Telegram staff MENOMONIE
J
anet Adams of rural Elmwood wants to see people hop on the bus to stay active. Adams, 53, who moved to the area about a year ago, started On the Go Bus, a one-day bus trip business after leaving a 30-year career at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison coordinating major events for the hospital and 13,000 members of its senior citizens club. “Coordinating events and having fun is kind of in my wheelhouse,” Adams said. “I wanted to start something on my own.” Adams said she has always enjoyed working with retirees and knows it is important for them to stay active and socialize. “I think they have so many life experiences,” she said. “It’s fascinating to learn what they have experienced in life. They just have so much to share.” The first trip for On the Go Bus was a May 17 outing to the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, Minn., where they took in the play, “The Savannah Sipping Society.” Jan Link of Knapp attended the first trip and loved it. “It was just so convenient and you meet new people.” Link said. “It was fun, and I just really had a good time. It was so nice not to have to worry about traffic.” Link plans to attend future trips and encourage her friends to go along. For Adams, half the fun of the trips will be to play games and hand out prizes to travelers as they go to their destinations. The goal is to get travelers to talk and interact with each other and make new friends, Adams said. In addition to providing a social outlet, Adams also wants to help promote other area businesses with On the Go Bus. As the bus travels, she plans stops in communities. She wants to have coupons for area businesses to encourage her clientele to visit them. Businesses could also offer a small gift that will be part of a gift bag to travelers. “I want my customers to help support other businesses,” she
22 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ June 12, 2017
said. “I am a small business owner, and I want to help support other small businesses. It is business-to-business relationship building.” The coaches used for On the Go Bus are charted from Kobussen Buses in Bloomer, Adams said. She currently is planning to do one to two trips each month. The next trip is a June 28 return to the Old Log Theater to see “Ghost the Musical.” A Wisconsin Dells theater is the destination for upcoming trips to see the musical “Grease” on July 13 and a John Denver tribute show on Sept. 8. So far Adams plans to only offer day trips, but if there is demand she may offer overnight tours, said the mother of two grown children. “The possibilities are endless,” said Adams, who is married to her husband, Craig. “It is just going to take time to find out what people are really looking for.” This not Adams’ first foray into the small business world. In the late 1980s she started Stork Express, where she delivered gift baskets to new moms in the hospital in a stork costume. She also would attend baby showers in costume. She sold the business after a couple of years. Adams’ mom, Betty Riemann, 74, of rural Mondovi, will serve as trip host on the tours. “This is not only a great opportunity for her to meet new people, but how awesome is it that I get the opportunity to have some fun with my mom,” Adams said. Riemann said she is thrilled her daughter asked her to be part of the trips. “I feel so happy to be part of her new business,” Riemann said, noting she is looking forward to her adventures with On the Go Bus. Contact: 715-556-9018, pamela.powers@ecpc.com, @MenomonieBureau on Twitter • To learn about future trips sign up for email announcements at janet@onthegobus.com, www.facebook. com/OntheGoBus or call Adams at 715-619-6064.
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