SBDC at UW-River Falls | December 2022 |
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Client Spotlight:
Ender-Barbell Coffee
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We are excited to take a look at Barbell Coffee for this month's client spotlight:
Q: Why did you start this business?
A: Growing up, my family owned and operated our own business. It was a family restaurant, and everyone in the family had a role in running the business (even the kids). I liked being a part of that, and it introduced me to what it means to run a business, and how it's different from working a "standard" job. That said, I've had plenty of jobs since then. From basic labor, sales, customer service, management, director, creative, writer, etc... But I've always had a pull to start my own business, and I didn't want to spend the rest of my life asking, "What if?" So Cassie - my wife - and I decided together to take the first step in starting our business. As far as starting a specialty coffee business, we love coffee! We love fresh-roasted, specialty coffee even more. There's such a difference between what you can get on the shelf of your local grocery store (or order online) vs what you can get from a local coffee roaster who takes the time to research, select, and perfect their coffees and roasts. Not to mention offering super fresh roasted coffee, which is a big piece for us. It's a world of difference, and we - my family and I - wanted to share that with people by making it approachable and accessible for folks - both from a price and expertise standpoint.
Q: What is a challenge you have overcome?
A: There are a ton of challenges when starting a business. Your product or service is just one part. There's costs, construction and build out, web and digital spaces, business planning, marketing, relationship building etc. But figuring out and completing all of the necessary licensing and permits was the most challenging. While there are a lot of resources out there, there are lots of different regulations and rules that need to be met to start a business (federal, state, county and local). That said, UW River Falls has an awesome resource right here with the SBDC (and I'm not just saying that because we're being featured in the newsletter!) that served as a great resource for me. Everyone I spoke to was patient and more than willing to help. And if they didn't know the answer, they would point me in the direction of someone that could help.
Q: What are you most proud of so far?
A: The amount of people I've been able to make smile from enjoying a fresh roasted specialty coffee. I take pride in the fact that whether someone is ordering one bag from our website or 10 bags on a monthly subscription, each customer gets the same level of attention and care and roast-to-order specialty coffee!
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Q: What are 3 tips for those thinking of starting their own business?
A: First and foremost, don't overthink everything. Don't get trapped in analysis paralysis where everything needs to be perfect before you take the next step. It seems simple, but it's easy to get trapped in needing everything to be perfect. Keep moving forward everyday. That said, make sure you take care of any licensing or other federal, state, and local stuff, and don't cut corners on quality and safety.
Second, use your resources. There are hundreds of resources available at the federal, state, local, and hyper-local level to help you.
Third, don't sweat the losses (...too much). You're going to lose. You're going to make mistakes. You're going to get rejected. Learn from it, but don't dwell on it.
Q: Why have you been successful?
A: While there's still certainly work to be done and there are many factors and life experiences that have contributed to this moment in my life, I have been successful thus far with Barbell Coffee Co. because of the support of my wife, Cassie. I absolutely would not have been able to do it without her support. Sure. I can do the work. I've been working hard my whole life. I can build, I can research, I can design, I can roast coffee, I can get my hands burned from 400 degree coffee beans and keep going (...rookie mistake early on!!), I can meet with businesses, serve customers, write business plans...the list goes on and on. For me, it's just work. Put in the hours and you get the result. But she brings a level of bravery and fearlessness to the job that I could have never gotten on my own. I...and by "I" I mean "we," would simply not be where we are at without her support.
Then of course, there's family, friends, the community, our customers, and the support I received from business resources and other professionals willing to help and answer my - seemingly endless - questions! Everyone is an essential piece to our success. They help us grow. And in turn, we help the community grow and thrive and add to the cultural make-up of the St. Croix Valley area.
All that being said, I truly thank God everyday for all of the opportunity and ability to even have a chance at being successful.
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Connect with Ender
Phone: 651-300-9116
Email: info@barbellcoffeeco.com
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Looking to hear from the UW- River Falls Small Business Development Center more often? Check out our Facebook and LinkedIn Pages! |
Helpful links, new events, and more. Learn about new events quicker, interact with posts, and check out resources that are only posted on Facebook and LinkedIn. |
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Main Street Bounceback Grant Program |
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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, today announced the state will provide an additional $25 million investment for the popular Main Street Bounceback Grant Program, bringing the total investment in the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program to $100 million. To date, more than 6,200 small businesses and nonprofits across all 72 Wisconsin counties have been approved for $10,000 grants to help them move or expand into vacant commercial spaces.
The Main Street Bounceback Grant Program was first announced in April 2021. In May, Gov. Evers announced an additional $25 million investment to support the program due to greater-than-expected demand. Today’s investment builds on this work and will help ensure there is funding available to help a total of 10,000 small businesses and nonprofits.
The deadline for grant applications for the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program remains Dec. 31, 2022, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all the funds are disbursed.
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E-Commerce Academy Closes (for now!) |
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The 2022 E-Commerce Academy has come to an end. Want to hear how it went? Thinking about taking part in the E-Commerce Academy in the future? Check out this blog post for more information! |
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Wisconsin’s new Limited Liability Company Act (repealing and replacing Wisconsin Statute Chapter 183) will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. This new Chapter adopts a body of law that is “uniform” with twenty-three other participating states, including Minnesota. The new Chapter will apply to all existing and future LLCs, with limited exceptions.
Perhaps the most significant change in the new Chapter is that the law now recognizes verbal operating agreements. This is significant because under the old Chapter, unless you had an agreement in writing, you could not state that you had a verbal operating agreement. With the new Chapter, it is even more important that LLC owners have written operating agreements to neutralize the opportunity for co-owners, employees or third parties to say that they relied on the existence of a verbal operating agreement.
A second unique development is that the new LLC Chapter allows the admission of “non-economic” members - a new option that has in the past generally been reserved for non-stock and non-profit entities.
As 2023 approaches, stay tuned for further developments from attorneys, trade industries, as well as the Wisconsin department of Financial Institutions.
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By Maxfield E. Neuhaus
RODLI, BESKAR, NEUHAUS,
MURRAY & PLETCHER, S.C.
River Falls, WI
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Congress Re-Authorizes SBIR/STTR Program through 2025 |
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The SBIR and STTR programs offer the potential for commercialization when small businesses take part in Federal Research and Development. It's an award based program that helps businesses to explore technological potential. On September 30, the President signed an extension act for the program's renewal. The SBA administrator applauded the move to sign an extension and announced the 2023 Federal and State Technology partnership funding for the organizations that support the SBIR program.
~Defense Alliance October Industry Brief & sbir.gov
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Book Review
We are taking a look at one of the many helpful books available at our SBDC Donor Library! This month's book is:
Beyond the Myths and Magic of Mentoring: How to Facilitate an Effective Mentoring Process
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The most trusted resource on becoming a leader is now updated and revised for a new generation. This leadership classic continues to be a bestseller after three editions and twenty years in print. It is the gold standard for research-based leadership, and the premier resource on becoming a leader. This new edition, with streamlined text, more international and business examples, and a graphic redesign, is more readable and accessible than ever before. The Leadership Challenge, Fourth Edition, has been extensively updated with the latest research and case studies, and offers inspiring new stories of real people achieving extraordinary results. The authors' central theme remains the same and is more relevant today than ever: "Leadership is Everyone's Business." Their "five practices" and "ten commitments" have been proven by hundreds of thousands of dedicated, successful leaders. This edition, with almost one-third new material, emphasizes the global community and refocuses on business leaders.
"The best book on the subject. Practical advice based on solid psychology, with interesting case studies, clear structure, and readable style." - Amazon Reviewer
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To access more books like this on, check out the SBDC Donor Library! Go to our digital library database to browse our available selection! Then, head over to the St Croix Valley Business Innovation Center to grab your book, making sure to use the sign out sheet located on the top of the bookshelf.
Now Accepting Business Book Donations!
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Thinking about a business loan in 2022?
We have the experts to help you with financial projections and more! Contact us to get the conversation started - katherine.fossler@uwrf.edu
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Contact the SBDC at UW-River Falls
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The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in the University of Wisconsin System. It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Call 715-425-3472 or e-mail katherine.fossler@uwrf.edu
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