Business Leader | Fall 2018 by Leader Telegram

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Taking the stage

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Downtown Eau Claire area anticipates economic boost from new arts center

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CONTENTS 4 16

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FEATURE COMMUNITY COVER STORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . , PROFILES . . . . . , STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Eau Claire-based WIN moves to new HQ.

Man’s trailers attract more customers.

Building brings family’s businesses together on city’s south side.

Menomonie co-op starts grants to help small farmers that grow its food.

GUEST COLUMNS

Terri Schlichenmeyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HONOR ROLL OF BUSINESS . . . . . . . . 19-23 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 BY THE NUMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

EDITOR’S NOTE Usually this is the spot where I attempt to whet your appetite so you’ll venture deeper into this issue. And indeed you’ll find stories of the entrepreneurs, innovators and others who are growing the Chippewa Valley’s economy and creating jobs. But there’s something that’s been missing for about two years now from the Business Leader — articles about how national economic policies impact the region’s businesses. Those kinds of stories are important, but difficult to do in the fast-paced era of

Downtown anticipates economic boost from new arts center.

EDITOR

Jeff West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kathryn Noe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

BOOK REVIEW

Andrew Dowd andrew.dowd@ecpc.com @ADowd_LT 715-833-9204

GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT John Balgaard

MAGAZINE ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR

Edie Litzkow - edie.litzkow@ecpc.com 715-833-9239

President Donald Trump. Love him or hate him, he provides plenty of material for daily newspapers hungry for stories to fill their pages. But the volatile nature of Trump’s edicts, which sometimes even take his own staff by surprise, make it difficult to write a serious, in-depth article on how his policies affect the Chippewa Valley. A thorough article weeks in the making could go to press, but could be rendered irrelevant just hours later if Trump suggests a policy change in one of his famous early morning messages on Twitter. So for now, let’s keep our focus on locals. And there are plenty of big things

happening in the Chippewa Valley, starting with the opening of a downtown arts center that’s been years in the making. Part of that project’s success will be measured by what it does for the local business community. Elsewhere in the city, a local telecommunications company’s growth prompted it to move into a former private college. A family chose different career paths, but stay close by working in the same building off Highway 93. A Stanley man’s personal foray in trailer construction turned into a fullfledged business. And a Menomonie food cooperative helps out some of its suppliers with grants to small farmers.

Published four times per year by the Leader-Telegram advertising department. Copyright 2018 Leader-Telegram, 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. All rights reserved. 800-236-7077. leadertelegram.com

FEATURE STORY

Rising above Staff photos by Dan Reiland WIN CEO Scott Hoffmann stands outside the company’s new headquarters at 4955 Bullis Farm Road. More than 130 people work for the company, most of them in Eau Claire.

Eau Claire-based WIN quietly grows to new, prominent headquarters

By Andrew Dowd, Leader-Telegram staff

cott Hoffmann saw opportunity in a venture planned by several northwestern Wisconsin phone companies — creating a new communications network to improve speed and reliability for their customers. With an engineering background and experience working for Wisconsin Bell, he agreed 20 years ago to move from Milwaukee to Eau Claire and take on the opportunity of leading that joint effort. In 1999, the Wisconsin Independent Network connected 10 communities through a state-of-theart fiber optic network — a buried loop going as far north as Superior and south to Hager City. It was a cutting-edge idea, making the transition from old phone lines to technology that could better handle growing use of the Internet and cellphones. But the timing wasn’t great when

4 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

shortly into WIN’s life, the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s and enthusiasm over the whole tech sector was tamped down. “Here we were as a new business trying to start up and we barely survived,” said Hoffman, the company’s CEO. The fledgling WIN cut its workforce down to Hoffmann, who had to handle everything — including late night drives over to Amherst when a piece of equipment broke down. But while investors were putting greater scrutiny in trendy Internet companies, the growth of cellphones was undeniable and service providers needed a strong network between their towers to carry customers’ calls and text messages. “What really helped at that time was we were at the right place at the right time because the

renovation of the former Uniroyal tire factory. The cellular industry started growing,” Hoffmann said. company grew inside of Banbury, taking up more Major mobile phone companies turned to WIN in space inside the nondescript brick building along northwestern Wisconsin, giving the company a boost Wisconsin Street. that put it into profitability in 2004 and it’s continued Hoffman recalls driving by Globe University three to take off from there. As the company went from a years ago and remarking to his wife how it would be “maintenance mode” during its early lean years into a great site for WIN’s offices. But she pointed out to expanding its network to meet rising demand for him that the private college was still in business and high-speed internet and cell phone service, WIN’s holding classes there, making a sale unlikely. workforce grew as well. About a year ago though, his wife pointed out an “Most of the big growth has been in the last 10 article about Globe University and the Minnesota years,” Hoffmann said. School of Business shuttering campuses. Hoffman A decade ago, WIN had about 20 employees. Three seized the opportunity and called up the university’s years ago, it had grown to 60. Now its workforce is owners to negotiate to buy the building from them more than double that, with 132 employees, mostly and a “for sale” sign never even went up. in Eau Claire, but also some elsewhere in Wisconsin, In June, WIN’s staff moved into their new home Minnesota and Iowa. on Bullis Farm Road — The company has prominently seen from stayed with the name Interstate 94 on Eau WIN, but it’s no Claire’s south side. longer an acronym for WIN operations Wisconsin Independent manager Matt Amenson Network since it has remarked at how well grown beyond this the new building is at state’s borders. It now is blocking outside sound. in more than 250 cities, Inside the second floor spread across most of area where he works, he Wisconsin and parts of can see traffic zooming Iowa, Minnesota and by on the interstate, Illinois. but none of that noise In addition to the bleeds inside the room, sought-after fiber-optic WIN engineers and designs its fiber optic cable, which which just has the network, the company is the underground by contractors . This cable has six tubes ins n buried noise of employees on also provides cable TV ide it, each containing 12 fiber optic fibers — pure glass surrounded by an opa que cla ddi ng. the phone or typing for 23 phone companies on their keyboards. and internet service and He recalled the old backup data storage for headquarters in Banbury Place did have the benefit of business customers. For companies too small to have downtown walking trails, but the offices themselves their own tech support department or looking to had fewer windows and the noise of trains passing outsource theirs, WIN also has workers to meet those on the nearby tracks. Though employees no longer needs. work there, WIN does still have its data center and “We’re thinking of ourselves not just as a fiber equipment storage in the downtown building. network business, but as an IT company,” Amenson hit his 10th anniversary with the Hoffmann said. company in August. He said he’s stayed with WIN Growing into Eau Claire because of the good team there and the variety in his For much of its 20 years, WIN had largely flown job. under the radar. “As folks have joined us they have stayed with us,” Up to 2004, the company had a small building on Hoffmann said. Eau Claire’s west side near Menards. And many of WIN’s employees were educated in But as its fortunes improved, the company moved into Building 2 of Banbury Place — a sprawling business complex in Eau Claire created by the See page 6 September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 5

Fitting into place

from Page 5

The 2007-built Globe University building took four the Chippewa Valley. There are some UW-Stout and months worth of renovations to become WIN and UW-Eau Claire grads at WIN, Hoffmann said, but now has the look of a high-tech company. more than 40 got their education at Chippewa Valley Bordering a room on the first floor is a row of TVs Technical College. mounted high on the walls, showing Internet traffic, “We have a lot of our graduates placed there from cellphone company use of WIN’s network, status our IT network specialist program,” said Brian of equipment in multiple states and a melodrama Goodman, an instructor with CVTC’s network on the Hallmark channel. And that latter one isn’t specialist program. necessarily for entertainment — it’s a way to monitor The technical college’s ties with WIN includes the signal on a cable TV internships that many service that WIN handles times turn into the for 23 phone companies. promise of full-time While it is providing work for students before cable TV, WIN has seen they even get their growth from people diplomas. eschewing it. And WIN is among Network traffic has several employers who grown 40 percent in the advise CVTC on how last eight months, which to keep its content and Hoffman attributed curriculum current in large part to people with the needs of the IT “cutting the cord” and industry. opting for streaming “We have some video services. employers in this area “A lot of it is Netflix,” that have been very, very Casey Shields works at his station in the second-floor of WIN’s office building, he said while glancing good partners for us,” which is bordered with windows providing natural light and scenic views of Eau up at a graph on one of Goodman said. Claire’s south side. the TV monitors. In addition to WIN, Other monitors show other area businesses that hire CVTC’s IT grads include veterinary software the status of equipment on the extensive fiber-optic network. provider IDEXX, device management software So, what happens if a shovel or piece of construction company Jamf, Eau Claire-headquartered home improvement retailer Menards, plus numerous clinics, equipment mistakenly digs into ground and severs one of WIN’s cables? hospitals, financial institutions, public schools and Equipment automatically detects the problem and CVTC itself. reroutes the traffic nearly instantaneously. “That happens within 50 milliseconds or less,” Hoffmann said. For much of the workday, employees are busy at their workstations, but there are other spots in the building that WIN makes good use of. Three classrooms were combined into one for a big meeting room with a panoramic view of the landscape wwt.net around I-94. More than 80 employees will gather there for weekly meetings, Hoffmann said, plus another 50 videoconferencing in from Wisconsin and Iowa. Globe’s former commons area is now a spacious break room for WIN employees with tables for eating lunch, plus tables to play ping-pong, foosball and shuffleboard.

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And some classrooms have been kept as they were so they can be used for employee training sessions. Not all of the 23,000 square feet of the two-story building is occupied by WIN staff yet, which gives the company room to grow. The old veterinary science and health care lab areas currently are storage with stacks of surplus padded burgundy chairs from the former university. WIN donated most of the equipment to the Eau Claire County Humane Association and the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. Even before its logo went up on the prominent building seen by many traveling on the interstate, WIN has been getting more involved in the community, Hoffmann said. WIN has helped out with The Community Table, the Buckshot Run, Junior Achievement, the Eau Claire Children’s Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters, area chambers of commerce and other community organizations.

Numerous workstations at WIN, including Kaitlyn Schmitt’s, feature large monitors so employees can see lots of information at the same time.

WIN also donates internet service to the Lismore and Oxbow hotels and will be in the Pablo Center at the Confluence as well. But WIN also provides service to other large buildings and companies that aren’t disclosed due to the privacy it keeps for those clients. That means there’s a chance you’ve tapped into free Wi-Fi at a large building in the Midwest and gotten service through WIN, but didn’t even know it. Contact: 715-833-9204, andrew.dowd@ecpc.com, @ADowd_LT on Twitter

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CEO SPEAK

Knowing or learning? Those who believe they have all the answers will be mired in the past “I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.”

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 chairs Business Partners peer groups in Northwestern Wisconsin. West can be reached at: 715-559-2195 or jeffatbeardown@gmail.com.

LOU HOLTZ, FOOTBALL COACH, COMMENTATOR

By Jeff West

We’ve recently been enjoying a visit by our 3-year-old grandson. The insatiable curiosity and interest in learning about everything around him. His repeated “Why?” and “How does this work?” questions have made me think about where I’d fall these days on a spectrum of knowing versus learning. Knowing <-------------------------------------------> Learning At one end of the spectrum is the knowing mindset. It appears when we stop asking questions. A telltale sign is when we’re continually defending our positions in conversations with others even though we have only a fraction of the pertinent information. As we get older it’s very easy to become trapped in a comfort zone of things we believe to be true. We no longer live with wonder about the world around us. We no longer challenge whether our beliefs are valid. Instead we reflexively know the answers to everything we consider important. ••• As a business owner it’s incredibly easy to fall into the quicksand of the knowing mindset. You run your business day after day needing to make constant decisions. Your employees and customers look to you for answers. Slowly and insidiously you unconsciously begin to believe you have to have all the answers. At its worst you always have an answer for why trying something new won’t work, then wonder why no one comes to you with ideas anymore. Your future ends up being a product of only what you know. Your decisions are based solely on what’s worked for you in the past. ••• If you look at the root cause of why many businesses fail, you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to uncover the knowing mindset as a key contributor. “It’s just the way we do things around here” and “We’ve always done it that way” are things you’ll hear in businesses run with a knowing mindset. Every business talks about wanting to find a competitive advantage yet often reflexively dismisses new ideas from employees. If they ask for customer feedback at all, the knowing mindset organization typically explains away critical comments as “We just hear from the difficult customers.” 8 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

••• At the other end of the spectrum is the learning mindset. This is the area where curiosity reigns supreme. It means being open to contrary ideas and beliefs. Companies in the learning mindset ask way more questions rather than just dictating what to do. The learning mindset is a growth mindset. Being in the learning mindset means you accept that the world will always be more complex than you can ever be. It means you realize what you know is often the biggest hindrance keeping you from what you need to know. As the leader of your business, being in the learning mindset means you understand you can never know everything. With that knowledge you not only ask more questions, you become good at asking the right questions. These questions allow you to create solutions to problems that wouldn’t have happened if you’d have stay mired in a knowing mindset. And your competition is always looking to copy your solutions, but are typically too late because you’ve already moved on to better ways of doing things. ••• If you think about the differences at both ends of the spectrum it’s clear to see why leaders of companies with a learning mindset typically dominate their industries. Competent organizations consistently ask better questions. They’re not afraid to try new ideas. They quickly throw out ideas that don’t work yet retain the knowledge they’ve gained from trying it. They’re not afraid to challenge processes that worked in the past that have seen time pass them by. It’s hard to come up with valid solutions when you’re blind to the fact you’re a big part of the problem. Companies with the knowing mindset live here a lot. Constantly blaming the economy, ungrateful customers, poor employee morale, incompetent sales people etc, etc, etc. ••• As the leader of your organization do you pursue what you need to know or are you hung-up making decisions based only on your current knowledge base? The best leaders I’ve ever met or read about realize the biggest obstacle they face on their journey is a personal one. What you need to know will always outpace what you already know. Find a way to tackle that insight and watch what happens to you as a leader and to your organization!

BOOK REVIEW

Tipping the odds Instead of counting on luck, strategies increase likelihood of success

Title: “Can You Learn to Be Lucky?” Author: Karla Starr. Pages: 288. Publisher: Penguin Portfolio (c. 2018).

By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm

Your lucky penny is in your bag. Or you’re wearing your lucky shirt or socks or tie, and you performed your Lucky Dance before you left the house. What else could you do to gain that new client, land the big account, get that longed-for job? You need certain things to happen, so you pulled out all the stops. But if you read “Can You Learn to Be Lucky?” by Karla Starr, you could win without those superstitious trinkets and habits. Every day your life has ups and downs. You made the last second of the green light, and wasn’t that lucky? Then you got stuck in traffic – bad luck always happens to you. Then you were lucky enough to get a parking spot close to the door. Could you control any of those happenings? Maybe, but Starr writes that they mostly “just happened … they’re called freak accidents for a reason.” Accidents notwithstanding, you can nudge life in a direction that’ll make you feel like the luckiest duck in the pond. When you know what statistically could happen – an “if A, then B” kind of scenario – you can better predict and guide outcomes, Starr writes. Studies show that when contests are being judged, the winners are more likely to have been at the tail-end of the entries. Don’t, therefore, volunteer to go first; take your time and embrace being last. By that time, you’ll have achieved Starr’s second important point: become familiar. Even introverts can do this by just being somewhere day after day, which can make others more comfortable. You don’t have to do anything; “just be there.” Don’t use hunches (intuition is fallible) but understand that others may be judging you. To offset incorrect

first impressions, “flaunt cues that you’re trustworthy, reputable and safe …” And if you’re not blessed with good looks, don’t obsess; you can still do things with wardrobe and attitude. And finally, understand that sometimes luck really is the only explanation. In those cases, “life is simply not fair,” Starr explains. You chant “stay green, stay green, stay green” but you still hit the yellow light. Your favorite shirt is a spillmagnet. If the cat’s going to hairball, she’ll do it just before you walk out the door. You have the rottenest luck but you can change that – and with “Can You Learn to Be Lucky?” you’ll laugh while you’re doing it. Indeed, luck is a funny thing and Starr uses humorinfused curiosity to best illustrate the many ways you can tip the scales and get what you want. That’ll take some people-watching skills as well as introspection, but Starr makes it fun. Imagine putting her methods to work in meetings and boardrooms. It could turn your client meetings around and, if implemented with the right finesses, it could turn your clients’ businesses around, too. Win-win-win! Call it manipulation, call it nudging or guiding, call it common sense, but there are things in this book that can enhance your day-to-day and give you the edge. So rub that lucky penny before you give it up for “Can You Learn to Be Lucky?” With this book, good The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has fortune is in the bag. 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.

September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 9

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Staff photos by Chris Vetter Scott Marrier designed a pontoon trailer for his own use in 1997, but compliments he received on it convinced him to turn it into a small business. It has now grown into Trophy Trailers, which supplies directly to dealers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Stanley trailer business takes pride in growth, stability By Chris Vetter, Leader-Telegram staff STANLEY

cott Marrier built his own fold-down pontoon trailer in 1997, designing the aluminum structure to be sturdy and safe. He started hearing rave reviews from people who saw it. “After 30 people stopped and asked to buy it from me, I decided I should make more,” Marrier said. So, Marrier launched his own business that year, Trophy Trailers, in Stanley. He made 12 that first year, and saw the interest was there, so he kept growing the business. Last year, Marrier and his staff – now 20 workers – built 2,500 trailers on a five-acre parcel featuring three buildings on the north end of Stanley. Marrier said all the aluminum pieces are manufactured and welded together on site. He manufactures them ranging in

10 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

10, 12 and 14 feet lengths. They also make a variety of trailers for hauling anything like snowmobiles and ATVs. “We grossly over-build our products,” he said. “We’re famous for stability – you can take our pontoon trailers 70-80 mph on the highway and not worry about it.” Marrier said the trailers are sold directly to dealers across Minnesota and Wisconsin. In recent years, Marrier designed all the molds, or “jigs,” allowing the workers to make each trailer quicker with the same quality. “Every trailer comes out exactly the same,” he said. Marrier is pleased to have a workforce ranging from recent high school graduates to 60-year-olds.

“I’ve got some of the best welders – you get the right people, they take pride in what they do, and it shows in our products,” he said. The Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation honored Trophy Trailer in May as one of its “Business of the Year” winners. Charlie Walker, CCEDC executive

Rob Nye welds together a frame at Trophy Trailers, which is located on the north end of Stanley.

director, said the company was deserving of the accolade. “It’s the innovative trailers they make,” Walker said. “It’s a good, stable company. They do some really cool, customized trailers. We appreciate their investments.” Marrier is proud that he and his family have created the Hands Foundation, which raises money for homeless veterans. Marrier said his whole family, except himself, have a military background, and it is an organization that has meant a lot to him personally. Marrier noted he has more room on his five-acre parcel to expand if the company keeps growing. “We’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “Stanley has been very good to us.” Marrier takes pride in how few complaints and issues he’s had

Jesse Dusick puts screws into a trailer during August at the business, which employs 20 people ranging in age from recent high school graduates to workers in their 60s.

over the 20-plus years of making the machines. “My advertising is my customers,” he said. Trophy Trailers is located at 711 N. Broadway St. in Stanley. To learn more, visit trophytrailers.com. Contact: chris.vetter@ecpc.com

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September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 11

- Guest Article -

Customizing your benefit design helps retain and recruit talent

Chris Bruni, Sales Director, Security Health Plan

You’ve heard the phrase “one size fits all.” Maybe that works for knit hats, but not when it comes to personal services like health care. Customization and choice are as American as baseball and apple pie. As you turn the corner on this years’ benefit plan, consider customizing your employee’s health plan benefits to improve your competitive position and reflect the needs and choices of your employees. Remember, one size does not fit all. To remain competitive in today’s hot labor market, your company needs to consider choice in your health plan benefit design — after all, health plan benefits are the No. 1 sought-after benefit and choice adds a competitive edge to attract and retain staff. When creating choice in your benefit plan, the most obvious place to start is by profiling employees by demographic age bands, then matching benefits to employee need. For simplicity, consider these three groups: early career/young singles Employees’ interests and health plan preferences change over the course of their careers. Younger workers early in their career have a lower interest in health care benefits but higher interest in take-home pay. These employees often earn lower wages and may be taking on debt or trying to pay off debt from school, vehicles or a new home. They often gravitate toward lower premium plan options, and tend to use fewer health care services, and have few large claims. Early career employees may be interested in wellness programs but prefer programs that fit lifestyle and social needs while also providing cash rewards for successful completion. Mid-career workers may value richer benefits and the option to choose among types of benefits. In addition, choice of providers that match family needs vary. Provider choices may require options from obstetrics to pediatrics and from adult primary care to family urgent care — all available at locations convenient to the family. These employees value access and choice — including alternative modes of access such as virtual care or

mid-career/family

telemedicine. In addition, for dual income families, consider health plan benefit options that allow the family to allocate benefit dollars to maximize the family’s situation. For example, a dual-income family may find itself in a position where one spouse elects the health insurance coverage but declines vision/dental while the other spouse spends funds on elective (voluntary) benefits such as vision, dental, disability and/or life insurance. Together they create a family benefit plan that maximizes family interests and optimized funding allocations. Wellness program design should consider preventive care that maintains individual and family health with options for online access to coaching services. Employees nearing retirement often have less pressure on disposable income and may prefer richer health benefit plans (and therefore contribute more in premium for that option) because they are looking for better first dollar coverage — the type of coverage that provides benefits earlier than high deductible plans. A health plan that provides access to care management and/

end career/nearing retirement

or disease management programs becomes more important when life events have created a need. Similarly, your company wellness program may need customized health coaching for lifestyle modification programs to assist in managing chronic disease or preventing recurrence of acute illness. Looking for a health plan that matches your employee profile? Consider Security Health Plan. Security Health Plan offers a broad network of providers where your employees work and live and covers convenient care options like urgent care, telemedicine and wellness programs. Security Health Plan is known for its customized health plans that match your needs, from lower premium HDHP options to richer benefit plans. In addition, our expertise in health services means that your employees benefit from world class wellness, care management and disease management programs. No matter your employee demographics, choose Security Health Plan — we’ve got you covered. To learn more, contact us at 877.249.7232 or on the web at www.securityhealth.org. 204083 9-24-18

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September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 13 5/16/18 3:04 PM

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Co-op helps small farms with their projects

Growing through grants Contributed photos Erin Link raises San Clemente Island goats on her rural Dunn County farm and uses their milk in soap sold at several area stores.

By Ben Rueter, Leader-Telegram staff MENOMONIE

ive years ago Erin Link stumbled Menomonie Market Co-Op, 814 Main St. across an ad on Craigslist for some San The 45-year-old community-owned grocery Clemente Island goats. cooperative launched a grant program in May “I just scooped them up,” said the with the intent of improving the Chippewa owner of rural Dunn County farm EB Ranch. Valley foodshed — the swath of land that makes Considered a critically endnagered species, her food for our region. It was the co-op’s inaugural San Clemente Island goats are among only 800 Fund Our Foodshed Grant Program, which was believed to be alive in the world, though their partially funded by customers who volunteered numbers are slowly increasing, she said. to round up purchases to the nearest dollar. Link is doing her part, providing a home for 11 A statement from the co-op said that the the goats, which she hopes will grow by four when a average round-up donation was 45 cents. few give birth this year. Out of a dozen applicants, The goats’ milk is the the co-op selected five farms crucial ingredient in within a 100-mile radius of ■ According to the Farm Bureau, homemade soap that she Menomonie to get the grants millennials — defined as people born sells online and through intended to benefit small between 1981 and 1996 — make up several local stores. She family farms. more than 257,400 farmers. More than is planning upgrades Beth Martin, marketing 20 percent of all farmers are beginning to the ranch to increase manager for Menomonie farmers, meaning they have been in production of the soap Market Co-op, said the business for less than 10 years. and other products. program was able to raise “It’s been a lot of $3,250, which is one reason organizing and making why these projects had to be sure everything will work,” Link said. small and efficient. And some help with the financial part of the “Those are the type of farms we want to project came from one of her best customers – the support and grow in this region,” she said. 14 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

According to Martin, small family farms make up 40 percent of the co-op’s sales. “These farms are important for the strength of the local foodshed,” she said. According to the co-op, the award recipients were selected based on a variety of criteria that would provide a positive impact on the agricultural economy in the Chippewa Valley. All the farms that were awarded grant funds are beginning farmers. For EB Ranch, the grant-aided improvements include wire fencing, converting a hoop house into a goat shelter and expanding the farm’s watering system. Menomonie-area farm Mary Dirty Face Farm will get help with portable electric fences used to let sheep graze. Baruk Yah Organic Eggs of Menomonie sought a grant for a nesting box for their chickens to make it easier to collect and clean eggs. Two LaMancha does will be bought by Bifrost Farm in Boyceville with help from the grant program. Deutsch Family Farm of rural Osseo got a grant to help update its website. Located about 47 miles outside of Menomonie, the farm owned by Alison and Jim Deutsch supplies dairy, beef and crops to the co-op. Growing a farm comes with its struggles, Jim Deutsch said, including getting the word out about its operation. Recently the farm took on a new, small, but important project — building a new website. “It’s to kind of communicate to the Chippewa Valley foodshed what we have available and what we are doing,” Jim Deutsch said. Getting the funds to build a new website wouldn’t have been possible if not for the grant program, he said. Having a strong web presence allows the farm to reach as many customers as possible, which is now more important than ever for growing the foodshed. From his point of view the local foodshed has been getting stronger over the last decade. People have greater awareness about how their food is made, which has translated into bigger sales and a solid customer base for the farm. Link also said she sees interest in the local foodshed based on all the money the grant program received in its first year. She thinks that it represents that people really care about growing preserving the foodshed. “Food locally grown is something that I am personally passionate about,” she said. Each farm had until the end of the summer to complete their grant-funded projects. Following that there will be a grant review and wrap-up event. “It gets the community to come together and meet the farms,” Martin said.

Link’s small farm has gotten some help with costs of projects to grow production through a Kickstarter campaign and now a new grant program from Menomonie Market Co-Op.

The co-op would like to make this an annual grant program. Contact: 715-830-5840, ben.rueter@ecpc.com, @BenRueter on Twitter.

715-832-4270

OUR SUITS ARE HOT HERE!!!

www.sparklewash.com/eauclaire ngardow@sparklewash.com

Store Fronts Sidewalks Dumpster Areas Awnings Graffiti Complete Exteriors Vehicle Fleets Free Estimates Fully Insured 204122_09-24-18

1506 South Hastings Way, Eau Claire 715-832-3502 www.muldoons.com

203605 09-24-18

September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 15

FEATURE STORY

Going Green

Staff photo by Dan Reiland Several Green family members have moved their businesses in a new building on Sandstone Road, on Eau Claire’s south side where the entrepreneurial spirit has been passed along to a second generation. From left, Aaron Arfstrom, his wife, Rachel Arfstrom, her sister Sarah Green, mother Patti Green, daughter Courtney Green and son Jesse Green are all involved in business ventures around Highway 93.

Family businesses come together under one roof on Eau Claire’s south side By Erica Jones, Leader-Telegram staff

n a too-small location she was renting, Sarah Green thought to herself – not for the first time – that her spa would be much better if she could design the space herself. She’d opened Sakura Skin Spa in 2013, renting a two-room space at her brother-in-law’s chiropractic practice in Eau Claire and then moved a year later into the same building that contains The Coffee Grounds. Growing her business in leased space though held her back from fully realizing her dreams for the spa. “We couldn’t fully create what we wanted to because we always knew we were going to build, so how much do you put in?” Sarah said. But luckily for her, her parents, also Eau Claire entrepreneurs, owned an unused plot of land just off of Highway 93 in Eau Claire. She approached her father, Dan Green, about putting up a new building for Sakura Skin Spa, and the two started to draw up plans that would make Sarah’s dreams a reality. Part of those dreams involved working in the 16 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

same building as her sister Rachel Arfstrom, who teaches essential oils classes at her husband Aaron’s practice, Apex Chiropractic. As planning progressed for the new building at 6045 Sandstone Road, Sarah and Rachel thought of their sister-in-law who was teaching spin classes at Gold’s Gym at the time. Courtney Green, who had been leading spin classes and personal training for a decade plus TRX suspension for six years, was interested in the offer of a spot for her in the new building. “I wanted my own studio for about eight years. I knew I wanted to make this a full-time job. That was the goal from day one,” she said. Plans were redrawn and construction delayed in order to allow customization for all three women. So now, they will be working in the same building. Sakura opened in July, then Apex on Labor Day weekend and The Wheelhouse – Courtney’s spin and TRX studio – is scheduled for late October. When asked if the family would get tired of

seeing each other every day, Sarah said they already spend a lot of time together as it is. “We’re together so much already,” Sarah said. “If I’m not working I’m probably at my sister’s house anyway.” Just across Highway 93, Dan and his son Jesse run operations at Water Source Heating & Cooling, where family matriarch Patti and Courtney both do bookkeeping. Dan and Patti’s daughter Leah manages the Mustard Seed Boutique at Down to Earth Garden Center, also on Highway 93. Now, everyone will be within walking distance.

An important lesson Patti and Dan taught their kids growing up was that it is possible to do what they love. Money, they said, didn’t have to be the only thing to strive for. Happiness is key. And they themselves have found that through their own experiences. “It’s exciting to see,” Patti said. “So Staff photo by Elena Dawson many people end up Sarah Green, left, and her mother Patt i Green talk with spa coordinator Shyan Duce in the lobby of Sakura, a not doing what they body and skin spa. love. It’s a job and they’re working to make an income.” While she added that there’s nothing wrong with working a job solely to Sarah isn’t the first in the family to start her make a living, Patti said it’s very satisfying to think back own business. Her parents dug their toes into on the journey she and Dan have been on for 35 years. entrepreneurship a generation before. The two started out with nothing back in ‘83, but In 1983, Dan and his wife Patti started Water Source, after a couple rough years they were able to build their and the entrepreneurial efforts only grew from there. business ventures into what they are today and are In 2000, Patti bought Picture This, a scrapbook store watching their children pursue their passions as well. that was located where the French Press is now on

Leading the family

London Road. She got into scrapbooking as her oldest child was preparing to graduate and because she was looking for something different than working at Water Source. Patti decided to buy the business with her sister, Beth. The two ran Picture This until 2006. Patti even built and owned a scrapbook retreat that she ran between 2008 and 2012. Beyond those businesses, Patti and Dan own buildings they rent out, including the ones that house Down To Earth Garden Center, the Mustard Seed Boutique and Picture This. While Sarah in part attributes her entrepreneurial appetite to watching her parents’ endeavors, she also said she has a natural drive to work for herself. In situations good or bad, she said, she gets to be the one in control. “For me it was always you’re creating what you want … it’s definitely the freedom and the decision-making,” she said. From the perspective of someone who’s been there and done that, Patti said she agreed with her daughter’s words. She said one of the most rewarding parts of entrepreneurship is the freedom to set the attitude and the atmosphere. But from a mother’s perspective, Patti said it has been fulfilling to watch her kids build their dreams from the ground up and follow their passions.

Working together

Sarah, the first to move into the new commercial building, said she feels content, settled and like she has made it. She is looking forward to “growing and blossoming,” continuing relationships with her clients and employees and bringing the newest and best to Eau Claire. From massages to Botox treatments to eyelash extensions, it’s important to Sarah that she provide her clientele with services and products she personally backs. And she’s excited to see how the other two businesses grow and how everything comes together. For the Wheelhouse, Courtney said she plans to offer an array of classes throughout the day. From the music to the lights to the times classes run, she aims to have something for everyone so she can help customers improve their strength, health and confidence. “The story of our business is going to be the story of the people who come in,” she said. “I want to help people get to their goals.” The businesses tie in so well together, Patti said, that people who visit for one service could utilize every business in the building. See page 18 September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 17

from Page 17

205469 9-24-18

different transitions, she said, has served as a good learning opportunity and a foundation for her own goals. Through “We jokingly say that they’re going to start down at everything, the family has worked together to help each other Courtney’s end … Courtney can beat them up with her see their dreams become reality. workout, Aaron can adjust “It’s nice to go into the them and then they can discussion knowing we all come (to Sakura) and have have the same jersey on and a nice massage or facial and come at it all on the same relax,” Patti said. team,” Courtney said of The tie-in also lends itself being integrated into the to hosting events together, entrepreneurship efforts of the she said. There is also family. the possibility of hosting Patti said she and her an open house once the husband will soon be sliding Wheelhouse opens at the into retirement, at which point end of October. they can use more frequently Sarah said there’s only the mobile home they bought one tricky thing about being and spend time with their so close to Apex and the seven grandchildren. For now, Staff photo by Dan Reiland though, they’ll continue to Wheelhouse. Dan and Patti Green took the plunge as business owners when they “Now I won’t have an run operations and cheer on opened Water Source Heating & Cooling in 1983. Dan runs the business excuse to skip spin class or their children as they dive into with son Jesse while Patti and her daughter Courtney do the books there. not get adjusted,” she joked. business side-by-side. Courtney said she “This was going to be our is terrified and excited to own a business for the first last thing. And honestly, we probably wouldn’t have built a time. However, because she and Jesse were high school building but that it was all the kids,” she said, “and that was sweethearts, she has seen the Green family in action for just neat to us. We thought ‘This will be the last thing, one last more than 15 years. building, then it’s the kids.’” Contact: erica.jones@ecpc.com Watching them run businesses and make their way through

18 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

Honoring Businesses in the Chippewa Valley for over 130 years.

Welcome to the

2018

onor Roll of Business The businesses listed on the following pages are proud of the history they’ve formed with the Chippewa Valley and they want to share it with you. They know first hand how difficult it is to open and operate a successful business year after year. We salute these businesses for their years of service to the Chippewa Valley. Some have been here a very long time and others are just beginning.

Congratulations to them all!

Years in business are provided by the businesses represented.

Want to include your successful business next year? Call Edie at 715-833-9239 to find out how!

160 YEARS

Connell’s Family Orchard Est. 1858

HONEYCRISP - Apples, Pumpkins & Squash, Apple Donuts & Bakery, Jams, Jellies and Pure Local Honey. Live, working observation bee hive. Raspberries, pick your own. WEEKEND

WAGON RIDES

715-723-5889 9 Open Daily 9-6 9--6 6 19372 Cty Hwy wyy O OO, Chippewa wa Fa F Falls 207617 09-24-18

146 YEARS

139 YEARS

Providing information and marketing services to Chippewa Valley readers and businesses.

(1872-2013) (1872-2018) U.S. Bank 65 area locations 715.839.6318

715-833-9200 800-236-8808

usbank.com Member FDIC

137 YEARS

208657_09-24-18

leadertelegram.com 207634 • 9-24-18

208640_9-24-18

September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER 840119 | 19

Honor Roll 131 YEARS

of Business 130 YEARS

127 YEARS

Eau Claire has been the home of McDonough Manufacturing Co. since 1888, producing quality sawmill machinery for sawmills in Eau Claire and the world over.

120 YEARS

112 Railway St. • Augusta, WI 54722

Keeping Your Image Neat and Clean Since 1891

Bus: 715-286-2271 www.LampertLumber.com

209061_09-24-18

207616 • 09-24-18

116 YEARS

3605 White Ave (715) 835-3101 1-800-666-3101 www.huebsch-services.com

2320 Melby St. Eau Claire, WI 54703

114 YEARS

209056_9-24-18

108 YEARS

208656 • 09-24-18

103 YEARS A Family Tradition in ne diamonds since 1915

Established 1910

HVAC, Plumbing, Temp Controls www.pedersonvolker.com

715-835-3169

207615 • 09-24-18

715-723-4649

97 YEARS

208655 9-24-18

207622 • 09-24-18

208654_09-24-18

Automobile Upholstery, Automobile Carpeting, Truck Cushions Rebuilt, Truck Accessories, Zippers-Sales, Repairs, Burn Damage Repairs, Convertible Tops, Boat Covers, Canvas Repairs

Eau Claire

10954 E. Melby St Chippewa Falls

www.hovlands-inc.com

715-835-3388 208652 • 09-24-18

80 YEARS

208651 • 09-24-18

79 YEARS

Family owned and operated – Four generations and counting! 24-HOUR SERVICE www.kurthheatingandcooling.com

715-723-2211

1003 Harlem St, Altoona

715-834-3191 1-800-944-3604

www.benedictrefrigeration.com 20 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018 208649 • 09-24-18

84 YEARS Conveniently located in Putnam Heights.

715.832.1691 715.723.7592

Leather Interiors Seat Heaters

208653 • 09-24-18

Serving Eau Claire Since 1934

“Serving the Eau Claire area since 1922”

207614 • 09-24-18

83 YEARS

www.bartingalemechanical.com

96 YEARS

96 YEARS AUTO TOP SHOP LLC

4890 Owen Ayres Court #200, Eau Claire, WI 54701 715.832.3407 wipfli.com

3rd Generation Downtown Menomonie 715-235-2220

LIQUOR MART 301 E. Clairemont

715-835-8737 208650 • 09-24-18

76 YEARS FURNITURE

Proudly Serving the Eau Claire Area Since 1939

3339 Fehr Road

Eau Claire, WI 54701

715-839-5116

207613 • 09-24-18

16051 County Hwy J Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 www.economyfurniture.us

715-723-1444

2118 19th Street Rice Lake, WI 54868 Across the street from Perkins.

715-736-7300

207618 • 09-24-18

840121

YEARS YEARS

72 YEARS

Serving local Serving local Serving local communities. communities. communities.

300 W St St Durand 300 300 W Prospect Durand W Prospect Prospect St Durand (715) 672-8300 (715) 672-8300 (715) 672-8300 Eau Claire 3014 Mall Dr 3014 Mall Eau 3014 Mall Dr Dr Eau Claire Claire (715) 834-4106 (715) 834-4106 834-4106 1511 W Main St Red Wing (715) 1511 W Red 1511388-1141 W Main Main St St Red Wing Wing (651) (651) (651) 388-1141 388-1141 207612 9-24-18

67 YEARS

of Business

70 YEARS

68 YEARS

Serving the Chippewa Valley for over 69 years.

Big, Tall, Short or Small... WE FIT THEM ALL Thank you Western Wisconsin for making our 67 years so successful.

“Innovative Construction Solutions, Since 1948” Offices in Eau Claire, La Crosse and Oakdale MN

WWW.MARTEN.COM

66 YEARS

715-832-3502 1-800-942-0783

www.market-johnson.com

Quality Clothing Since 1950

208648 • 09-24-18

209085 • 09-24-18

www.muldoons.com 1506 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire

715-834-1213

64 YEARS

208647 • 09-24-18

62 YEARS THREE GENERATIONS OF CONTINUOUS CARING SERVICES

Eau Claire SINCE 1951

HVAC

Wisconsin Based Company EST. 1897

WATERWORKS

PLUMBING

WELL & SEPTIC

596 CAMERON STREET

(715) 832-6638

207611 • 09-24-18

1supply.com

Proudly Serving the Chippewa Valley Since 1953 208643_09-24-18

INDUSTRIAL PVF

2514 Golf Road Eau Claire, WI 54701 715-834-2686 www.higginstravel.com 208665 9-24-18

61 YEARS PUB

2812 London Road

715.831.1300 More than pizza. We serve traditions. 208662 9-24-18

54 YEARS

60 YEARS We have been doing commercial painting and wall covering for the past 60 years. We appreciate your continued support.

HAGEN

DECORATORS, INC. Pleasant St. 715-835-4321 www.hagendecorators.com

208642 9-24-18

54 YEARS 1225 Truax Blvd Eau Claire, WI 54703

2625 Morningside Drive Eau Claire

www.ervsmith.com

715.832.5085 www.brotoloc.com

• 1.800.472.8838

207633 • 09-24-18

60 YEARS

207610 09-24-18

Est. 1956 • Funeral Director Erin Smith

Oﬀering Onsite Cremation & Pre-Planning Services 715-832-1141 • SMITHFUNERALEC.com

58 YEARS

There’s no home like the one you own

Wilbert Statz Home Builder LLC Custom Builder • Remodeling

Since 1958

715-834-3362 1913 Skeels Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701

1498 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI

715-832-1185

GovinsBarberSalon.com

208661_09-24-18

54 YEARS

207619 • 09-24-18

53 YEARS

Proudly serving Our Members for Nick Gardow is proud to continue the Sparkle Wash franchise serving Eau Claire for 39 years.

54 52 Years

• 715.836.8360

“Because we care, our customers become our friends”

FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORY

208663 • 9-24-18

209094 • 09-24-18

7474

74 YEARS YEARS

Honor Roll

Insured. OnTime. On Budget. Professionally Trained. Free Estimates. 715-832-4270 sparklewash.com/eauclaire

207632 • 09-24-18

September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER 840123 | 21

Honor Roll 51 YEARS

of Business 50 YEARS

50 YEARS

Julson’s Auto Service

Your Independent

Dealer

Ray’s Metal Work LLC

L.L.C.

Jim & Steve Julson

Ruth E. Harris M.S., Director

SINCE 1968 Complete Auto and LT. Truck Service

3 LOCATIONS:

1505 Western Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54703

Eau Claire South Chippewa Falls • Menomonie

715-834-5832

208659_09-24-18

209059 9-24-18

50 YEARS

715-834-2754

49 YEARS

or call 1-800-773-2605 2600 Stein Blvd., Eau Claire, WI northwestreadingcliniclimited.com

208641 9-24-18

AUTO/RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL GLASS GARAGE DOOR AND OPENERS

CHILDREN • ADOLESCENTS • ADULTS One-on-One Educational Services for Reading, Learning Disabilities & Attention Deficit Disorders

49 YEARS

715-962-3601

Heating & Air Conditioning 24-hr Service & Free Estimates

209207 9-24-18

47 YEARS

FAST & RELIABLE Service and Sales

44 YEARS

715.834.6603 Hillsidedental.com

William Hutchinson, DDS Lonnette Breneman, DDS Christopher Johnson, DDS

207631 09-24-18

Pam Hansen, DVM Nate Meyer, DVM Duane Vollendorf, DVM Kathleen Nowak, DVM Karen Trott, DVM

209184 09-24-18

2135 N. Clairemont Eau Claire, WI 54703 715-834-7538

Plumbing - Heating Air Conditioning

715-839-0707 or 1-800-307-9000 www.wiersgalla.com 207630_09-24-18

42 YEARS

301 N. Farwell St. Eau Claire 715-834-7707 207629 • 09-24-18

An Experience That Will Leave You Smiling

Thank you to our clients & their pets for letting us serve you for the last 49 years.

Chippewa Valley’s Leader In Collision Repair www.superiorautobodyinc.com

41 YEARS THE COUNTRY TODAY

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM! 2309 W Cameron St , Eau Claire

888.GoAsher www.GoAsher.com

Full Service Tire & Mechanic Facility. Tires, Brakes, Oil Changes Alignments & Wheel Polishing Commercial & Consumer Vehicles

1102 Menomonie Street Eau Claire, WI 54703

715-835-7555

208660_09-24-18

40 YEARS

1018 E. Prospect St. Durand, WI 54736 715-672-5659 Open April - mid September

208658_09-24-18

37 YEARS

207621 09-24-18

36 YEARS INSURANCE ASSOCIATES

HEALTH & LIFE INSURANCE

Tom Jakubowicz

“Your trusted independent agency helping individuals in the Chippewa Valley with their health and life insurance needs since 1982.”

715-828-2588

countrysideseptic.com 208725 9-24-18

22 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

207620 • 09-24-18

Owner/Operator

715-832-1772

3413 Golf Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 contactus@insassoc.net • www.insassoc.net 208664 9-24-18

“The Newspaper That Cares About Rural Life”

1-800-236-4004

www.thecountrytoday.com 208639_9-24-18

35 YEARS BRENIZER, REALTORS® Thanks to all of OUR Customers, Clients & Family for making us West Central Wisconsin’s

#1 Homeseller Coldwell Banker Brenizer, Realtors 715-835-4344 715-723-5521 715-235-8443

207628 09-24-18

Building Lasting Relationships, One Customer at a Time

840124

34 YEARS • Landscape Management • Design & Installation • Irrigation Services

30 YEARS

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1984 208766 9-24-18

208565 9-24-18

www.jaenkeconcrete.com

21 YEARS

800.635.6197 • oakleafsurgical.com

209052_09-24-18

419 E. Madison St. Eau Claire

715-834-5252 888-834-5252

208776 9-24-18

THE ART OF TEPPANYAKI

JOHN MOLDENHAUER

Experience Authentic Japanese cooking at its finest, prepared at your table.

GREAT SERVICE KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANICS 804 Bartlett • East side of Altoona, WI

Enjoy steak, chicken, Vegetables, fish, shrimp, lobster, scallops.

East side of Altoona, WI

832-3349 209053_09-24-18

21 YEARS

715-832-2539

2426 London Rd. Eau claire, WI reservations: 834-0313 www.tokyoEauClaire.com

Wednesday • 10 am - 4 pm Thursday • 10 am - 6 pm Fri. & Sat. • 10 am - 4 pm

20 YEARS

18 YEARS NEED STEEL?

• On-Site Document Destruction • Affordable and Confidential

4955 Bullis Farm Road Eau Claire, WI

wins.net 877-946-6300

16 YEARS

www.shredawayusa.com

715-835-0811 207625 09-24-18

15 YEARS

CEDAR ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS LLC OSTERTAG + NEWTON

715-829-0875

207623 • 09-24-18

Steve Odegard • Owner

1849 County Hwy. OO Chippewa Falls Offering Quality Home Furniture for Over 25 Years

208645_09-24-18

By the Inch or by the Pound Call

209266_09-24-18

GENERAL CONTRACTOR • BUILDER

207626 09-24-18

27 YEARS

804 Bartlett

Engineered To Serve

17 YEARS

Certiﬁed Dealer

Service & Parts - All Makes

NORTHSIDE SERVICE

We’re honored to have served communities in the Chippewa Valley for 21 years! 1000 OakLeaf Way • Altoona

John L. Webber Janome-Elna

30 YEARS

ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC

EST. 1988

• Septic Systems • Custom Skidsteer & Backhoe Projects • Total Site Dev. • Demolition • Poured & Block Walls • Floating Slabs • Retaining Walls • Garage & Basement Floors • Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks & Stoops • Snow Removal

Serving the Chippewa Valley Since 1985. We offer a full line of lawn maintenance & snow removal services. Let us do the work while you enjoy your leisure time. Call us at 715-533-8155 for a free estimate today. Quality lawn care at affordable prices.

30 YEARS Professional Automobile Repairs

31 YEARS

Alan J. Ostertag D.D.S., M.S. Orthodontist Brieanna Lise Newton D.D.S., M.S. Orthodontist 4907 Keystone Crossing, Suite A, Eau Claire, WI 777 E. Park Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI Tel: (715) 855-5051 Fax: (715) 855-5052 209047 • 09-24-18

General Contracting • Commercial • Industrial

Elk Mound 715-879-5559 River Falls 715-425-1138 Daily Deliveries Small or Large Quantities

www.steeltowne.com

207624_09-24-18

14 YEARS 208644_09-24-18

207627 09-24-18

715-832-1676

www.ever-greenservices.com

of Business John’s Sewing Center

ECONOLAWN

Commercial, Industrial & Residential, electrical work, and control work. 24 Hour Service

www.bandbelectric.com 1303 Western Avenue Eau Claire, WI

33 YEARS

208646 • 09-24-18

34 YEARS

Honor Roll

715-514-4172

www.rhomconstruction.com 209316 09-24-18

September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER 840125 | 23

- Guest Article -

LIFE-A-THON Wait, what? Choose your media disruptors? YES!

Flipping the multitasking button to OFF mode is a conscious decision amid the 21st century. With unmeasured results of disruptive technology inserted into our daily lives, it is relevant to question the value of multi-tasking in both our personal lives as well as the workplace. Often listed as a necessary skill towards achieving both personal and career success, multi-tasking has become synonymous with the term efficiency.

Digital Snacking

Efficiency in the 21st century has become a relative term when the average person consumes 12 hours and 7 minutes of media per day (e-marketer May 2017). Since the adoption of the mobile phone our attention has migrated to a wide variety of mobile devices. While tech adopters may research on their desktops, mobile devices are used as a digital snack during our breaks from daily grind. Digital consumers are continuing to define their niche programming via podcasts. In 2018, 26% of the U.S. population listen to podcasts monthly. This audience percentage skews both male and those between the ages of 12-54. Those whom listen regularly log onto their favorite podcasts 7 days per week. According to an e-marketer survey, the top 3 podcast subscriptions by audience are: 1. NPR 2. WNYC Studios and 3. PRX (e-marketer 2018). See the references below for a list. By location these podcasts were typically consumed 1. In the car 2. At Home 3. In the Gym. (e-marketer 2018) all common places to insert multi-tasking mobile media.

Tech Abstinence is Not a Requirement!

Multi-tasking splits the brain into a ‘divide and conquer mode’ -with the

prefrontal cortex as the key player. The brain activity of this region is separated into an anterior and posterior hemisphere designed for task management. The two hemispheres work in tandem to orchestrate thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals. Technological advancements have altered both the speed and efficiency of our daily work allowing for flexible mobile usage, yet its impact has left us unable to get away or completely switch to OFF mode. Case in point, how many of us can operate a normal day feeling secure without our technological devices (including our televisions and radios)? Checking your pulse rate at this moment is a true indicator of your dependence on technology. If not total abstinence, filtering the amount of technology we allow to control our perception of well-being begins with personal identity. What you do each day and how it is spent creates a feeling of fulfillment or lack. The authors of Well Being: The Five Essential Elements, Rath and Harter have written a holistic view of life elements that contribute toward an overall lifetime of well-being. (Gallop Comprehensive Study surveying more than 150 countries) Representing five broad categories essential to shaping the glance of well-being in our lives the interconnected elements are: 1. Career -what you do each day that is of significance, 2. Social -strength of relationships in our lives,

3. Financial -effective management of our financial life, 4. Physical -health and energy to carry out daily tasks, and 5. Community -sense of engagement within your community at large.

Define Your Life-Pace

A lifetime of well-being begins with creating short-term incentives that are consistent with long-term objectives. Momentary choices have effects on long-term goals. Rath and Harter emphasize that behavioral changes are made when we individually view the immediate payoffs. Our choices have the power to work for us or against us. Consistently aligning our daily choices with long-term goals results in behavioral changes that follow in tandem. Our societal idea of 21st century efficiency neither equates to a balanced life nor supports it. The recipe for a well-balanced life is a diverse as there are people on the planet. Discovering what is personally worthwhile is part of defining one’s own Life-a-thon. Filtering technology choices begins with creating the mindful moment. Choose to thrive by becoming aware of disruptive tech habits. Digital technology, when utilized best, is meant to enhance our daily lives. This is not a virtual life, it’s about living life! So, what’s your life-pace?

Contact Nichole from Leader Telegram’s Pixel Ink Creative Group for more information: office #715-8305823 email: Nichole.cerrillo@ecpc.com

References: e-marketer May 2017 https://www.emarketer.com/Article/US-Adults-Now-Spend-12-Hours-7-Minutes-Day-Consuming-Media/1015775; e-marketer February 2018 https://www.emarketer.com/content/ podcasts-who-s-listening-and-what-it-means-for-marketers; Tom Rath, Jim Harter Well Being: The Five Essential Elements Gallop Press 2010.; Popular Podcasts links: NPR https://www.npr.org/podcasts/; WNYC Studios https://www.wnyc.org/shows/; PRX https://www.prx.org

24 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

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COVER STORY

Halo effect

Staff photos by Dan Reiland

The Pablo Center at the Confluence is widely expected to provide a boost for existing businesses in downtown Eau Claire and to serve as a catalyst for new business.

Eau Claire arts center's ability to spur business, attract talent will measure its success

By Eric Lindquist, Leader-Telegram staff

he long-awaited opening of the Pablo Center at the Confluence represents more than just a new place to hold plays and concerts in Eau Claire. If that’s all the Pablo Center meant to the city, executive director Jason Jon Anderson would consider the gleaming new arts center at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers a failure. “I expect this to be an economic driver for the whole region,” said Anderson, who envisions a “Pablo halo effect” that will be a catalyst for new business and increased sales at existing ones throughout the Chippewa Valley. The business boost began even before the curtain was scheduled to rise for the $60 million facility’s opening celebration on Sept. 22, said Stuart Schaefer, president of Commonweal Development, a key player in development of the Confluence Project, which also includes the adjacent public plaza and Haymarket Landing, a six-story building with commercial space on the ground floor that houses about 400 UW-Eau Claire students on the upper levels. As evidence, Schaefer cited comments from the founders of The Lismore and Oxbow hotels referring to the Confluence Project as a major reason they made significant investments to renovate aging hotels in downtown Eau Claire. “There’s already been a notable reduction in the vacancy rate downtown because of the Confluence Project, and going forward there is a really good chance there will be significantly more improvement in the downtown,” Schaefer said. Downtown bars, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels are widely expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the

26 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

additional pedestrian traffic generated by the Pablo Center. While The District Pub & Grill directly across the street might be the most obvious candidate, other downtown businesses also are looking forward to a surge in sales. “I think all businesses in downtown Eau Claire should be excited about it,” said David Zempel, owner of The District, which opened about a year ago after a major remodel and was expanding its staff in the weeks before the Pablo Center’s grand opening. The District, now known mostly for its fish fry and gourmet burgers, plans to cater to its expected larger

Contributed photo Ashley Melland, general manager of The District Pub and Grill at 101 Graham Ave, pours a beer recently at the restaurant. The District is expanding its menu in preparation for an expected influx of customers after the opening of The Pablo Center at the Confluence right across the street.

volume and variety of customers by adding bottled That is certainly the plan, as Anderson said Pablo Center wine and a number of more upscale entrees that involve officials project the facility will attract 100,000 unique visitors greater preparation time and include more locally sourced in its first year — up more than 40,000 from level generated by The State Theatre — to the 110 shows on the schedule so ingredients. far. The 294 event days (unique shows in one of the Pablo “We’re kind of hoping to turn some eyes of people who Center’s two theaters) booked a month before the grand might otherwise go to other upscale restaurants,” Zempel opening was already nearly double the number at the State in said. “We do anticipate an increase in volume, but we’re not the 2017-18 season. planning to jack up our prices or get greedy with it.” Though Visit Eau Claire hasn’t yet attempted to estimate A month before the Pablo Center’s grand opening, Pete the economic impact of the Pablo Center, the increased Bauchle, general manager of The Lismore, said the hotel activity and presence of major shows that previously couldn’t already had several bookings associated with just-announced be accommodated in the market should generate a significant events at the arts center, which includes 1,229-seat and uptick in attendees from outside the Chippewa Valley, leading 404-seat theaters as well as a dance studio, art galleries, to thousands of additional overnight stays, said Linda John, classrooms, labs, a recording studio and rehearsal spaces. “We expect a substantial boost in hotel guests and also restaurant and bar business before and after events,” Bauchle said, noting that The Lismore also will provide catering for events at the Pablo Center. The impact should be especially important for downtown eateries, he said. “We already see what it can do for restaurants with events at The State Theatre, so that should only be magnified with the opening of the Pablo Center,” Bauchle said. That enthusiasm is shared by Allison Gumz, general manager of the Oxbow and its adjacent restaurant The Lakely, which are across the Eau Claire River and about The RCU Theatre in the Pablo Center has a stage three times that of The State Theatre. four blocks from the Pablo Center. “We couldn’t be more excited to have some new neighbors executive director of the tourism marketing agency. downtown,” Gumz said. “We hope people choose to stay John also predicted the arts center will help Visit Eau with us and get a bite at The Lakely first, go to a show and Claire bring more major conferences, conventions and special make a whole evening of it.” events to the city, further boosting business for hotels and The Pablo Center should only add to the cool vibe that is restaurants. being cultivated downtown, she said. Anderson understands that presenting a unique slate of events to attract visitors from around the state and the Twin Cities is part of the Pablo Center’s mission, and he believes the comparatively affordable prices available in Eau Claire will be attractive to patrons from higher-cost markets. David Minor, president of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of “We want to turn the paradigm of residents having to Commerce, expects the Pablo Center to provide an economic leave the Chippewa Valley and go to big cities to see major stimulus for the entire region, but especially for downtown cultural and entertainment events on its head and make Eau Claire. this a destination,” he said. “If the building is not a tourist “It’s been a dream for so long to have something like this, and now it’s finally here,” Minor said. “It’s a magnet that will attraction, it’s not serving its entire purpose.” draw people to it. It’s like the movie ‘Field of Dreams’: If you See page 28 build it, they will come.”

Major draw

September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 27

from Page 27

“That is one more piece for them to enjoy life outside of work,” Minor said. He expressed confidence that the quality of the Pablo Center John also highlighted the importance of the Pablo Center’s itself will be a draw for artists once word gets around. potential impact on attracting talent to the area beyond the “The building itself is so iconic. That’s why performers are facility’s 12 full-time staff members and several more part-timers. going to want to be here,” Anderson said. “There is no other “The importance of world class arts facilities in attracting space like this in the world. It’s incredible.” future employees cannot be overstated,” John said. “More Mike Schatz, economic development administrator for the frequently, younger workers in particular place community city of Eau Claire and executive director of Downtown Eau resources and amenities at the top of their list when Claire Inc., is enthusiastic about the potential business impact of determining where they would like to live, work and raise their the Pablo Center and what the Confluence Project could mean families.” for the city’s reputation. Not only can the Pablo Center help the community by “It’s really a great statement for our community to have attracting much-needed workers, but those new residents people from all levels of government and the private sector in turn can help the facility by buying tickets and attending come together to build shows. “It’s definitely a two-way something so nice in the middle street,” Anderson noted. of our city,” Schatz said. More directly, the arts center will seek to boost the local economy by hosting a Regional Innovation Cluster, where Local residents and outbusiness representatives will of-town consumers who go be able to use the production downtown to attend an event facilities — including 3D at the arts center also are likely printers and equipment for to patronize shops, restaurants, cutting, sewing, dyeing and bars, hotels, gas stations and embroidering material — for parking ramps while they’re in projects that increase the rate the area, Minor said. The State Theatre’s marquee heralds the opening of the Pablo Center, innovation, ideas, intellectual The UW-Eau Claire students which can be seen in the background. property and research transform living next door in Haymarket into products and services. Landing likely will only add to the Pablo Center’s drawing power — both by attending classes and events there and by promoting it to friends and family. “They will serve as a built-in marketing arm,” Minor said. Anderson understands and takes pride in the Pablo Center’s While it’s speculation at this point, all of the new activity role in the community’s resurgence. downtown is almost certain to spark entrepreneurs to start new “We are the heart of the city in many ways, and we don’t take businesses seeking to tap into the additional traffic, he added. that lightly,” he said. “We are not just about ‘We do great shows.’ “You’re just creating more and more opportunities for people We are working 365 days a year on making this a better place to to say, ‘How do we fit into this from a business standpoint?’“ live.” Minor said. Essentially, officials said, the Pablo Center will be the latest Officials from Commonweal, which owns the vacant building and most visible aspect of the creative economy that is sparking at 202 Graham Ave. just south of the Pablo Center, also see the downtown’s renaissance. potential, although they haven’t yet determined how best to use “We have a lot of things going for us in this community that the site. The company hopes to remove the building and pursue other communities can only dream of,” Minor said. “This is a a new development of some sort, Schaefer said. community right now that is just taking off.” “We think that it’s a prime site on the river and the newly Still, Anderson said he doesn’t see the Pablo Center as the final finished Graham Avenue alongside the new arts center,” he said. piece of the downtown revitalization puzzle and expects other

More to come

‘Heart of the city’

Seeking people

The Pablo Center also is expected to serve as an important asset in helping to address the worker shortage plaguing many employers in the Chippewa Valley and across the state. With businesses and organizations competing for a limited number of workers in a tight labor market that is only expected to get tighter as more baby boomers retire, the arts center could make more people want to live in Eau Claire and surrounding communities because they are attracted to the area’s thriving music and arts scene and overall quality of life. 28 | BUSINESS LEADER • September 24, 2018

downtown development projects to surge forward after it opens. “My belief,” he said, “is this is just the beginning.”

Contact: 715-833-9209, eric.lindquist@ecpc.com, @ealscoop on Twitter

Anderson

John

Minor

Schaefer

Schatz

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September 24, 2018 • BUSINESS LEADER | 29

GUEST COLUMN

IRA transfer to charities can trim taxes for seniors

Kate Noe is a financial advisor and managing partner at River Prairie Wealth Partners, a private wealth practice of Ameriprise Financial Services. The practice has its office at 2423 Rivers Edge Drive, Altoona.

By Kate Noe

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed at the end of 2017 has stirred excitement, especially in the business community. While most taxpayers will benefit to some degree from reduced tax rates and expanded tax brackets, changes in the law also mean it is less likely filers will itemize their deductions, instead opting to claim the higher standard deduction. While one could easily argue the benefits and setbacks of tax reform on a personal level, the new law stands to potentially impact another less talked about area: charitable giving. BUSINESS LOANS & SERVICES

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According to the bipartisan Tax Policy Center, those who report itemized tax deductions are estimated to provide about 82 percent of total nonprofit giving, adding up to $239 billion per year. When taxpayers claim the standard deduction, there is no financial benefit to any previous itemized deductions, including charitable donations. However, if you’re age 70½ or older and taking required minimum distributions from your traditional IRA, there’s a strategy that will still allow you to reap a financial benefit from your charitable donations – even if you’re claiming the standard deduction. Upon turning 70½, individuals are mandated by the IRS to begin taking RMDs from their traditional IRAs whether they need the income or not. These distributions are fully taxable as ordinary income and can meaningfully add to an individual’s overall tax liability. Fortunately, there is an IRS provision called the Qualified Charitable Distribution that allows anyone 70½ or older to send money directly from their IRA to one or more charitable organizations without that gift counting as income. Individuals may direct all or part of their required minimum distribution and any amount processed as a QCD counts toward your RMD requirement, lowering both your adjusted gross income and taxable income, resulting in a lower overall tax liability. Currently, certain entities are exempt from this strategy such as private foundations and donor advised funds. For most people, giving is not a business transaction. It is about human connection. For many it is a very personal and intimate act that makes people feel good about themselves, a much more motivating benefit than a tax deduction. And yet, for those who are charitably inclined, knowing there is still a way to be financially rewarded is a bonus that will hopefully keep us giving for years to come.

October - December Oct. 3: Transformational Leadership class, 1-3 p.m., exact location TBA, UW-Eau Claire Campus. Cost: $40. Register: uwec. edu/ce. Oct. 3: Microsoft Excel Basic class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Room 204A, CVTC Applied Technology Center, 2322 Alpine Road. Cost: $125. Register: cvtc.edu. Oct. 4-5: UW-Eau Claire Supervisory Management course: How to Influence Without Direct Authority, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson. Cost: $600, includes lunch. Register: uwec.edu/ce. Oct. 10: Manufacturing Advantage Conference, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Memorial Student Center, UW-Stout, Menomonie. Cost: $220 advance, $250 at the door, discounted prices for UW-Stout alumni, students and faculty. Register: tinyurl.com/ya9tsbc8. Oct. 11: Office 365 Features & Benefits class, 8 a.m.-noon, Room 204A, CVTC Applied Technology Center, 2322 Alpine Road. Cost: $79 Register: cvtc.edu. Oct. 11-12: UW-Eau Claire Supervisory Management course: Orientation, Time Management and Delegation, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600, includes lunch. Register: uwec.edu/ce. This class will be repeated Oct. 1819 at Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson. Oct. 13: Midwest Craft Brewers Conference & Oktoberfest, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Stout Ale House, 1501 N. Broadway St., Menomonie; 4-8 p.m. at Tanglewood Greens, 2200 Crestwood Drive, Menomonie. Cost: $100 for conference attendees; $30 advance or $40 at the door for Oktoberfest attendees. Register: tinyurl.com/y9ktx22d. Oct. 16: Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo & Job Fair, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Road. Oct. 16: Business Tax Chat, 6-8 p.m., Western Dairyland Business Center, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $10. Register: successfulbusiness.org. This class will be repeated Dec. 18 at the same location. Oct. 18: Powerful Business Writing class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Room 103, CVTC Chippewa Falls Campus, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. Cost: $119. Register: cvtc.edu.

$72.4 billion Corporate profit growth

from current production for U.S. companies in the second quarter of 2018, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis figures released in late August. That compares to a $26.7 billion increase in the first quarter.

2.8% Unemployment rate at

the end of July in the Eau Claire metro area.

6.9 million Job openings in the U.S. at the end of July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

CALENDAR

Oct. 25: Business Plan Basics class, 6-9 p.m., Western Dairyland Business Center, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29 regular, $10 for income-eligible applicants. Register: successfulbusiness.org. This class will be repeated Nov. 29 at the same location. Oct. 29: Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Workforce Solutions Summit, details TBA, Pablo Center at the Confluence, 128 Graham Ave. Nov. 1: Business Watch meeting between Menomonie police and local businesses, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Menomonie Market Co-op, 814 Main St. E., Menomonie. Nov. 1: Microsoft Excel Advanced class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Room 103, CVTC Chippewa Falls Campus, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. Cost: $125. Register: cvtc.edu. Nov. 1-2: UW-Eau Claire Supervisory Management course: Purposeful Project Management, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600, includes lunch. Register: uwec.edu/ce. Nov. 8-9: UW-Eau Claire Supervisory Management course: Employee Evaluation and Performance Management, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600, includes lunch. Register: uwec.edu/ce. This class will be repeated Nov. 29-30 at Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson. Nov. 14: Leadership Success Series: Hoffman Construction president Jim Hoffman, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, 1221 Whipple St. Cost: $25 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce members, $45 for nonmembers, includes breakfast. Register: eauclairechamber.org. Dec. 5: Professional Business Documents class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Room 204A, CVTC Applied Technology Center, 2322 Alpine Road. Cost: $119. Register: cvtc.edu. Dec. 5: Ethical and Positive Influence in Organizations class, 1-3 p.m., exact location TBA, UW-Eau Claire Campus. Cost: $40. Register: uwec.edu/ce. Dec. 6-7: UW-Eau Claire Supervisory Management course: Talent Management and Succession Planning, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson. Cost: $600, includes lunch. Register: uwec.edu/ce.

BY THE NUMBERS

150 Jobs pledged by Foxconn Technology Group for an

innovation center that will be housed in two downtown Eau Claire buildings.

$1.08 billion Taxable goods and services sold in Eau Claire County

in the first six months of 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the fastest the local economy passed the $1 billion mark during a year. September 24, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ BUSINESS LEADER | 31

2 season tickets. 3 children.

Around here this is a more common problem than you’d think. Our Trust & Estates team deals with this type of thing and many other family matters like “who gets the summer cabin up north.” These aren’t easy decisions to make and they’re not ones you should be making alone. We’ve been around since 1920 and have learned a thing or two, so contact us today and we’ll help you make the right decisions for you and your loved ones.

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