Looking to Grow Your Business? Check Out These Northeastern Wisconsin Resources

July 22, 2019

Maybe you’ve been thinking about starting up your own business but haven’t turned the key. Or, maybe your business has been up and running for a while and you’re wanting to expand your horizons and take it to the next level. Regardless of your stage in the startup game, if you’re interested in growing a business, Northeast Wisconsin is a hub of opportunities, with plenty of resources for startups and established businesses alike.

Here are a few key resources to check out if you have a business or are thinking about starting one:

1. Fox Valley Technical College

Image credit: Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

FVTC provides classes, customized training, seminars, and business planning assistance and has on-site business advisors at its Venture Center. FVTC courses and trainings cover a variety of topics, from introductory classes about businesses to specific topics such as social media marketing.

Here are a few of FVTC’s featured seminars and trainings:

• Explore Starting a Business
• Business Feasibility and Exploration
• Business Start-up for Specialized Markets
• Small Business Skills
• Business Model Design

FVTC also has courses specific to your field or industry and an Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Certificate. Learn more about what FVTC has to offer here.

2. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Image courtesy of NWTC

NWTC offers several resources for those interested in business. Here are a few of their main programs:

NWTC’s Small Business Initiative

NWTC’s Small Business Initiative is a program dedicated to the development of entrepreneurs and local businesses. Innovators and business owners receive customized coaching and can attend workshops led by business professionals about topics like starting a business, using QuickBooks, marketing strategies, websites for businesses, legal advice, and even logo creation. You’re also able to make connections with other business professionals, obtain credentials and take classes, and learn about trends in the world of business.

Entrepreneurial Training Program

As part of the Small Business Initiative, NWTC partners with the Small Business Development Center at UW-Green Bay to provide an Entrepreneurial Training Program. It includes eight sessions focused on helping you create a comprehensive business plan to set you up for a profitable, successful business. In the program, you’ll “learn to identify customers, determine their needs, and analyze that information into a feasible plan for starting or growing your own business.”

Startup Hub

NWTC is also home to Startup Hub, an organization powered by the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce and made up of several partners, including SCORE, UW-Green Bay, and NWTC’s Small Business Initiative. Startup Hub is a business incubator, providing shop and office space for those looking to startup or grow a business, and includes other services such as mentoring and events, as well. Startup Hub acts as a one-stop-shop for help with growing a business—it has onsite business professionals ready to point you to the appropriate resources based on your individual, specific needs.

3. SCORE (Green Bay and Fox Cities)

SCORE is an organization made up of volunteer business mentors dedicated to “helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve goals.” SCORE offers several resources, including mentoring, webinars and workshops, online resources (such as infographics, templates, blogs, and videos), events, and in-person discussions. And, SCORE has plenty of locations throughout Wisconsin.

Visit SCORE Green Bay and SCORE Fox Cities for more information.

4. The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation

The WWBIC is a nation-wide organization dedicated to helping women-owned businesses grow and succeed. WWBIC provides training, mentoring, workshops, business counseling, and other resources to women looking to start up a company or expand one. The organization provides classes on the basics of business ownership, such as business planning, as well as unique topics, such as “Perfecting your Pitch” (on developing an “elevator pitch” about your business).

WWBIC’s office is located in Appleton. Learn more here.

Grow Your Business With Unison Business Lending

Often, the biggest obstacle to business growth is the required capital. That’s why Unison Credit Union offers business lending options customized to your vision for your business. Our lending experts can work with you to understand your needs and develop a solution that’s right for your business, whether you’re just starting your business, considering a new piece of equipment, or looking to expand. Our business lending options are perfect for small- and mid-sized businesses.

Unison Credit Union also offers reliable Business Checking and Business Savings Accounts as well as credit card processing for businesses. Get in touch with one of our Member Advisors by visiting our Grand Chute branch, emailing businesslending@unisoncu.org, or calling 920-380-6000. Our Member Advisors will work with you to make sure you have the information you need to make the financing decisions right for your business.

Membership eligibility required.

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