Past Schedule
 

• 4:30 - 5:00
  Registration/Networking
• 5:00 - 6:00
  Breakout Sessions
• 6:15 - 7:00
  Keynote Event
• 7:00
  Networking

To be added to the mailing list, contact Annette at (920) 929.2928 or email info@fcedc.com.

2011 Breakout Sessions

The evening included networking over light hors d’oeuvres, followed by breakout sessions. Each session was 30 minutes in length and was offered twice. The sessions covered topics relevant and timely to area entrepreneurs. The sessions were followed by a keynote event in which participants heard from area entrepreneurs who also wrote successful business plans. Coffee and dessert was offered following the keynote event.

Read about our 2011 presenters!

Guerrilla Marketing

Businesses consistently work to stay ahead of the competition. To do that takes time and money. So how can a business advertise their product with a tight marketing budget? Guerrilla Marketing is a method of promotion that relies on time and imagination rather than money. Learn how Jon Doemel used Guerrilla Marketing to reach $1 million in sales at his Glass Nickel Pizza Co.

Jon Doemel began working in the food industry in 1999. After gaining experience in several restaurants, he opened Glass Nickel Pizza Co. in Oshkosh - the first one of its kind outside of the Madison market. Jon’s Glass Nickel Pizza broke the $1 million sales mark in the first year, and won the award for Best Pizza in Oshkosh four times. Jon was also named as one of the 4 under 40 in Oshkosh in 2010 by the Oshkosh Northwestern.

Relationship Building

Today, more than ever, your network is an important factor in your business and career success. Learn how Joyce Fischer, owner of Timeless Bridal, made connections and marketed her business by building relationships.

Joyce believes in providing customer service, above and beyond what is expected. She wants all brides that come into her store to feel comfortable and without stress. She also wants to offer more to the community so she started a fundraiser during prom season. In 2011, the store was able to give $500 back to junior classes to help them with their prom and banquets.

Challenges Facing the Young or New Entrepreneur

In 2006, as graduation approached, and the real world loomed, Brian Macak and his friends took their future into their own hands. From eating at Jimmy John's in high school to owning 5 stores has been an adventure, he said. Opening 3 brand new stores and buying 2 existing restaurants have presented unique challenges and rewards for their hard work. Brian admits many mistakes were made along the way but he learned from them. He continues to try and provide the best service and product in his restaurants and overcome challenges as they arise. He also likes to remind people, "Your mom wants you to eat at Jimmy Johns!"

Financing

         The economy has made it challenging for entrepreneurs to find the financial resources they need to make their dreams a reality, but funding is available. Rich Diemer of the Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corp., and Owen Rock, business strategist from the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation, will help you discover your options including debt financing, equity financing, gap financing, and a variety of local, state and federal grant and loan guarantee programs.

Owen Rock, (pictured top left) provides direct consulting services to existing businesses and to clients who want to explore a new business idea, write a business plan or seek funding or other referrals for professional services. Owen is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional and has over ten years of economic development experience. Owen earned his Master’s degree of Science in Regional and Urban Planning from the London School of Economics and his Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Oklahoma State University.
 

Rich Diemer, (pictured left) is a Vice President and Economic Development Officer with Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation.  He has been with the organization for 21 years originating and closing SBA 504 loans and assisting lenders throughout Wisconsin process loan applications for a wide range of financing programs.  For the last 14 years, Rich has been responsible for updating the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s Economic Development Manual, a comprehensive resource of the federal, state and local funding and technical assistance available to Wisconsin businesses.

Questions? Contact Annette at FCEDC

(920) 929-2928, or info@fcedc.com