Conference Agenda

 

Conference Registration

BUY TICKETS

2024 Conference Tickets:

  • $75 per person (early-bird ticket, includes lunch)
  • $85 per person (includes lunch)
  • $100 day-of-event pricing (lunch first come first serve)
  • $30 scholarship (lunch included) --> If you need further assistance, please send us an email.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION: Click here to apply for the $30 scholarship rate.

 

SEE YOU THIS FALL!

Become a Speaker

WE'RE ACCEPTING SPEAKER APPLICATIONS FOR 2024.

Do you have practical tips and specific information for starting, growing, or improving a business? We would love for you to share your knowledge at our Women's Business Conference in Eau Claire, WI!

View speaker application

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 (Morning)

7:30 - 9 am: Registration, Exhibitor/Vendor Hall, Breakfast Buffet

 

9:00 - 9:30 am: Welcome Address & Conference Kick-Off (RCU Theater)

Presented by: WBC Staff

9:30 - 10:30 am: Business Taxes & Recordkeeping

 

Join this session to learn how to prepare for tax season and tips for maintaining a good record-keeping system.

9:30 - 10:30 am: "Starting Your Business" Roundtable

 

9:30 - 10:30 am: "Growing Your Business" Roundtable

 

9:30 - 10:30 am: Why You Might be Blocking Sales

Presented by: Sarah Stokes, The Juicy Good Life

If you aren’t making the revenue you want in your business yet, there are 5 hidden reasons most female business owners are not selling more. It’s so common, most business owners never see it, but it’s draining on your time, energy, and money. In this session, Business Breakthrough Coach Sarah Stokes will help you discover where your hidden blocks are and help you move through the sales squirm and into positive money-making momentum. After personally selling millions in offers over her decades in business and helping others do the same, Sarah will help you uncover your hurdles and create new action steps you can start immediately after the conference.

ABOUT SARAH STOKES
Sarah Stokes is a Business Breakthrough Coach for the open-hearted, overwhelmed, overgiver. She helps women “de-should” their businesses to make room for more profits and joy. Her company, The Juicy Good Life, has helped thousands of women create more sustainable and successful businesses through coaching, education, retreats, podcasts, and masterminds. Sarah Stokes is an award-winning business strategist, who has successfully scaled three companies to multiple millions. Sarah is certified in the leadership work of Dr. Brene Brown and mastermind certified with Tony Robbins. She approaches business growth and sales by being rooted in the true value of the service she provides and loves to help other women do the same. In her first career, Sarah was a TV news anchor for nearly two decades. She married her co-anchor and they exited the TV news world to be with their two kids in the evening, instead of at the anchor desk. Sarah’s business background includes publishing, scaling, and selling a women’s magazine and creating an award-winning global marketing agency that she led for eight years before retiring it so she could business coach full time. Her heart is in philanthropy, and she is happiest hanging out in her pajamas on the dock at her lake home.

10:30 - 11:00 am: Break, Networking & Exhibitor/Vendor Hall

 

11 am - 12 pm: Session to be announced

 

11 am - 12:15 pm: Business Walking Tour

Presented by: Danielle Kummer, Eau Claire Chamber & WBC Advisory Board Member

Join this Business Walking Tour to learn how to start and run a business. This group will meet at the Main Entrance of the Pablo Center and then walk to Hello Adorn (jewelry, home goods, clothing & accessories) and The Beauty Room.

11 am: Meet at Main Entrance of the Pablo Center & walk to Hello Adorn
11:10 - 11:30 am: Hello Adorn's presentation and Q & A
11:30 am: Walk to The Beauty Room 
11:35 am - 11:55 am: The Beauty Room's presentation and Q & A
11:55 am - 12:00 pm: Walk to Pablo Center (arrival time may vary)

11 am - 12 pm: Financing Your Business Start & Expansion

Presented by: Tammie Clendenning, SBA

Learn about the resources available locally and through the Small Business Administration to help small businesses start, grow, expand, and recover. Services include funding options, government procurement programs, business advising, disaster recovery, and online assistance.

Tammie Clendenning is the Lead Economic Development Specialist for the Wisconsin District of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Tammie is responsible for providing training on SBA’s programs and services including capital access, procurement and business advising.  She enjoys talking to entrepreneurs about the many resources available to them at exhibits and networking events. Tammie is the district office technical representative for the Women’s Business Centers in the state and the Score Liaison. Prior to joining SBA, she held business development and leadership positions in commercial finance. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is a small business owner. Click here to learn more about Tammie Clendenning and the SBA.

11 am - 12 pm: Session to be announced

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 (Afternoon)

12 - 1:30 pm: Lunch Buffet (Riverfront Room), Networking & Exhibit/Vendor Hall

 

1:30 - 2:30 pm: Relaxation Session (Sound Bath)

Presented by: Sara Martin & team, Latitude 44 Yoga Studio

Looking to slow down and relax? Join certified yoga teachers Sara, Cassie, Nick and Becca from Latitude 44 Yoga Studio as they share their knowledge and passion for the power of sound to clear energy and create a sense of wellbeing. Plan to enjoy this session while seated in a chair, or bring your own yoga mat if you wish to sit or lay on the floor. A limited number of yoga mats will be available to borrow for the session. This session is accessible to all levels and no prior experience is necessary. Optional: Bring your own yoga mat. We’ll store it for you until the session begins. Click here to learn more about Latitude 44 Yoga Studio.

What is a sound bath? Sound baths are relaxing, immersive experiences where participants listen to soothing music, healing vibrations, and/or nature sounds. They’re often used to reduce stress, but sound baths can be used for many purposes, including sleep induction, relaxation, creativity enhancement, and spiritual development. (Source: www.yogabasics.com)

2:30 - 3:00 pm: Break, Networking & Exhibitor/Vendor Hall

 

3 - 4 pm: Session to be announced

 

Join us in the RCU Theater to close out the day with a couple of announcements and awesome prizes!

3 - 4 pm: Session to be announced

 

Join us in the RCU Theater to close out the day with a couple of announcements and awesome prizes!

3 - 4 pm: Session to be announced

 

Join us in the RCU Theater to close out the day with a couple of announcements and awesome prizes!

3 - 4 pm: Session to be announced

 

Join us in the RCU Theater to close out the day with a couple of announcements and awesome prizes!

4 - 4:30 pm: Closing Announcements & Prize Winners

Presented by: WBC Staff in the RCU Theater

Join us in the RCU Theater to close out the day with a couple of announcements and awesome prizes!

PAST SPEAKERS

2024 Speakers

Presented by: see below

2024 speakers coming soon!

2023 Speakers

Presented by: see below

2023 Speakers

  • Missy Hughes, WEDC
  • Becky Albert-Breed
  • Tammie Clendenning, SBA
  • Sarah Coenen 
  • Jamie Edwards
  • Kim Garber
  • Dawnell Kelly
  • Danielle Kummer
  • Sara Martin & team, Latitude 44 Yoga Studio
  • Toni Mattson
  • Molly Rodriguez
  • Angela Ryan, The Design Blonde
  • Tracey Smiskey & Lacey Logslett
  • Kristin Schmidt & Katie Ott, M3 Insurance
  • Maria Serbus LLC
  • Erin Trowbridge, Four Peas Consulting
  • Stacey Whaley, Fire Up & Lead

 

2023 Roundtable Speakers

  • Lorance Uwinaza, The Coven (host)
  • Laura Ericson Group Trips
  • Beth Elliott
  • Mi Sullivan

 

  • Anna Cardarella, Western Dairyland (panelist/host)
  • Kristina Barnier
  • Ashley Kosharek, AMK Cleaning

 

  • Jaime White, Believe Crew (host)
  • Marquita Davis
  • Hannah Koschak
  • Amanda Myrick, Royal Credit Union

2022 Speakers

Presented by: see below

2022 Speakers

  • Tammie Clendenning, SBA
  • Amy Vik, H&R Block
  • Stacie Brenner, Stacie Brenner Coaching
  • Kaileen McMickle, Inner Ascent Counseling LLC
  • Carolyn Zick, Bad Axe Enterprises
  • Jeff Kersten, State of Wisconsin DATCP
  • Anna Ledebuhr, Coulee Boutique
  • Molly Rodriguez, Eau Claire Body Care
  • Laura Gmeinder, Laura Gmeinder Coaching & Consulting
  • Kim Garber & Tru Mwololo, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
  • Vanessa Klemish, Klemish & Johnson LLC
  • Dr. Emily Elsner Twesme & Kate Tosteson, Vibrant Virtual
  • Katie Labedz, Learning to Lean LLC
  • Sam Kjelstad, CLA
  • LuAnn Buechler, PMC Events & Coaching
  • Tara Nolan, Transformation Tara
  • Stacy Whaley, Fire Up & Lead

 

2022 Roundtable Speakers

  • Gretchen Hudacek, Royal Credit Union
  • Erin Johnson, Integrity Audit & Tax
  • Carolyn Jahnke, Athena Legal Solutions
  • Tammy Tom-Steinmetz, Talking Results (host)
  • Erin Trowbridge, Four Peas Consulting

 

2022 Power Panel Speakers

  • Dr. Maysee Herr, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
  • Katie Labedz, Learning to Lean (host)
  • Anna Ledebuhr, Coulee Boutique
  • Farrah Miller, Chic Sweets Drinks & Desserts
  • Stephanie Schneider, Together Farms

2021 Speakers

Presented by: see below

2021 In-Person Power Panel

  • tbd

 

2021 In-Person Speakers

  • Dr. Emily Elsner Twesme, Vibrant Virtual
  • Stacy Whaley, Fire Up & Lead

 

2021 Virtual Speakers

  • Mindy Dale, von Briesen & Roper
  • Nicole Howard, US LBM
  • Linda Pophal, Strategic Communications
  • Krista Paulus, Security Financial Bank
  • Amy Vik, H & R Block
  • Tina Nazier, Wipfli
  • Erin Trowbridge, Four Peas Consulting
  • Katie Labedz, Learning to Lean
  • Kim Garber, WPI
  • Jim Zons, EZ New media
  • Angela Eckman, CVTC
  • Amelia Wenzel and Sara Thurston, Child Care Partnership
  • Tammie Clendenning, SBA
  • Katia Rave, Rave Strategy Studio
  • Michelle Madl-Soehren
  • Lisa Tavares, Image Consultant
  • Beth Crowell, Current Coaching LLC 
  • Justin Vajko, Dialog Design
  • Beverly Wickstrom, Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs LLP
  • Holly Anne Burns, bb7
  • Jan Schaffner, Schaffner Tax Solutions
  • Deanna Dennison, Pro-Active Engineering

2019 Speakers

Presented by: see below

Past speakers coming soon!

This event brought to you by Western Wisconsin Women’s Business Center, a program of the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Agreements for persons with disabilities will be made at all times in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and associated amendments. Arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. This institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals.

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