NEW END Blog

Create Your Own Experience

2007-06-01T12:37:00.000-05:00

NEW END 2007 is an event created especially for you – the entrepreneur. This is our third year, and the event has grown along with the resources and opportunities available in this region for those interested in exploring the entrepreneurial lifestyle and striving to create their own destiny. Without our generous and supportive sponsors, this event would simply not be within the budget of most small business owners. The sponsors of this event have shown true commitment to entrepreneurship and collaboration in our region by sharing their expertise and resources with you during the event. The culinary entrepreneurs you’ll meet represent the diversity within entrepreneurship and within the food and beverage industry. Their enthusiasm for this event demonstrates that even within competitive industries, there is enough room in the market to collaborate. We know you’ll enjoy Steven Little’s presentation! With Steve’s first ever appearance in the New North, you have a unique opportunity to learn from a world-class author, writer, and riveting presenter about how to grow your business successfully. We encourage you, your friends, and associates to attend NEW END. You’ll have the opportunity to create your own experience and leave with the information you need to launch, grow, and diversify your business. Great ideas, resources and connections await you at NEW END 2007. I look forward to meeting you there!

Autumn Hill
Autumn Hill Creative LLC

Exciting Beginnings Start With A NEW END

It's the spirit

2007-06-01T12:33:00.000-05:00

The spirit of entrepreneurship is in the air in Northeast Wisconsin! I am really looking forward to the NEW END event this year coming up on June 5th. It's always so exciting to see that many entrepreneurs, innovators, dreamers, and curious onlookers in one place! What better place to go and get advice, share ideas, listen to a great speaker, and interact with people who share the same drive and passion as you do? I can't wait to experience the new twists this year like the "Taste of Entrepreneurship" and the facilitated networking. All of this under one roof? Who doesn't want to be there!!!???!!!

Have a great day!

Robyn Gruner

The Power of a Network

2007-05-15T22:15:00.000-05:00

You’ve seen the Verizon™ commercial that shows the cell user on their phone and behind them are hundreds of people that represent the strength of Verizon™’s network, right? The benefit is peace of mind you get from the power of the Verizon™ network.

Now instead of seeing the cell phone user in your mind, when you visualize that commercial; see yourself, a small business owner, entrepreneur, intrapreneur, inventor, and innovator. And imagine that all of the people behind you as your network for achieving your potential with your concept, ideas, and business.

At NEW END on June 5 in Appleton you will have the opportunity to meet and talk to the people in the New North that are part of the network available to you. From the “Big 3” in the world of small business and entrepreneurship: lawyers (Epiphany Law), accountants (WIPFLI and Kerber Rose & Associates, S.C.) and bankers (Associated Bank and Community Bank and Trust) to professional service providers in the areas of marketing (Autumn Hill Creative), intellectual property (WEN), business planning (Quick Start), succession planning (Epiphany Law), education and training( UW-Green Bay SBDC, UW-Oshkosh Career Services, NWTC, and FVTC), counseling (Fox Cities SCORE), credit card processing (MCCS), networking and business support (Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, New North Networkers BNI Chapter and Mid-Day Business and Professional Women), insurance (Midwest Insurance Brokerage), economic development (Venture Center, New North, and ORIGIN), cash management (Priora Cash Flow Manager), health insurance (Hanson Benefits), event management (A-mazing Events) and employee law (Epiphany Law Employment), you can access the professionals you need in your network.

Networks are powerful and building a strong network takes some time and access. For example, when the first NEW END event took place three years ago it started with 10 people and the charge for each to personally invite 20 people to the inaugural event. Three years later the NEW END invitation list has grown to more than two thousand people! And what an impressive list it is with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and service providers to authors, consultants, and executives. Access the network that is here and available to you.
Come and experience all of the ideas, talent, and energy that flows from that network and experience peace of mind because you are in the right place, at the right time and have the right tools to realize your potential. Experience the power of the NEW END network.

Amy Pietsch
Venture Center

You Won't Be Disappointed

2007-05-15T17:57:00.000-05:00

Two years ago we had the opportunity to hear Barry Moltz speak on his book, “You Need to be a Little Crazy” and last year we heard Michael Gerber talk about his book “E-Myth Revisited”. This year I am looking forward to hearing Steven Little talk about his book, “The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth”.

Barry Motz brings entrepreneurship to life with his pointed examples and true to life stories. Anyone who is working with entrepreneurs who has not run their own businesses, this book is a must read. This book is the closest to experiencing running your own business as you can get.

Michael Gerber offers the small business owner hope for the future. As he writes, “Simple put, your job is to prepare yourself and your business for growth.” As small business owners we have to learn to set some time aside to work on our business rather than working 24-7 in our business. If you are frustrated with erratic or level revenues, this book is for you.

Steven Little comes to Appleton’s PAC with a message that every small business person should relate to with his “7 Irrefutable Rules” and his dynamic presentation skills.

Besides the great networking opportunity that is presented at these NEW END events, I find myself able to take away very valuable and relevant business tips from the prominent speakers I have seen at the past NEW END events. As I talk to small business owners throughout the New North about the business climate here, I find myself suggesting these books as must reads for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Don’t pass up the opportunity on June 5th to hear an outstanding speaker and small business leader at this year’s NEW END event.

As I think back on the past NEW END events and the quality speakers and presenters it has brought to the New North, I can’t wait for June 5th to come so I can hear what Steven Little has in store. If it is anything like past years, I am sure I will not be disappointed and neither will you.

See you at NEW END June 5th at Appleton PAC.

Gary Vaughan
Venture Center

It’s the message, silly

2007-05-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

There’s no silver bullet.

In the world of advertising, there are very few guarantees. You put together an ad, drive the reader/listener to your website or toll-free number and wait for the sales. If only it were that easy.

In 25 years, I have never been able to give a client a sure-fire media plan. The reason for that has less to do with my counsel and more to do with consumer behavior. Reaching your target consumer is hard—actually motivating that consumer to take action is even more difficult. Doing all these things and staying on or under budget is almost impossible.

If there were a magic advertising pill, I’m certain car dealers, grocery stores and other heavy advertisers would have figured it out already. The reality is there’s no one, perfect media plan. In my experience, it has less to do with what you buy and more to do with what you say.

If money’s no object, I have the perfect advertising strategy. Spend around $5 million in a market about the size of Northeast Wisconsin and you’ll get results—pretty much no matter what you say. If you want an example, just look to the recent congressional and state Supreme Court races. They were knee-deep in mud-slinging TV commercials, spent a ton of money, and motivated the target (the voter) to go out and do something (vote).

If your pockets are not that deep, you’ll have to be more judicious with your media spending and pay very close attention to what you’re saying. To swipe a line from James Carville in the Clinton campaign (It’s the Economy, Stupid), It’s the Message, Silly.

So often, small businesses see no result from their advertising/marketing/PR not because of what they’re buying, but because of what they’re saying. Before you talk to one newspaper rep or consider a TV campaign, do some triage on your message. Here are some simple things you can do to make sure you have a more effective marketing presence and maximize the money you spend in media.

Keep your message simple. The most famous first line in history is only three words: In the beginning… After that, the message gets a little muddy. Figure out what it is that you want to communicate and keep it simple. Believe me this is not easy. The hardest thing for my clients to do is to describe their product/service simply and within the context of the benefit it gives to the consumer.

Be friends with benefits. Everything you communicate should be crafted in terms of the benefit you will bring to the target consumer. Remember, this has more to do with what the consumer wants than what you might think they want. Don’t list product features—but communicate the benefits those features will bring to the target user.

Make your message stick. Create a message that is Velcro for your targets’ brain. Whether that’s through humor, a poignant message, or a personal story, create a message that tells a story and engages your target.

Be different. In most cases, corporate executives and business owners are comfortable with messages/advertising that they have seen before. That just kills differentiation. Obviously your message should be appropriate for your industry, your target, your application—but I encourage you to push the edges of visual and written communications and to flirt with memorable communications.

Be relative. Apple’s TV ads work because they are supremely appropriate to their target. They compare the screamingly dull nerd PC user with the easy-going, hip Mac user and get the message across in a big way. Understand what your target is looking for in your product/service and connect with them on their level, not yours.
Before you write a press release or a radio ad, make sure you can tell your story with these elements in mind. If that fails, you could always spend about $6 million on your next marketing campaign and hope your target consumer casts their vote for you.

Mary Schmidt
Schmidt Communicates

Is It Worth My Time?

2007-04-24T20:32:00.000-05:00

I attend a lot of meetings, events and programs and I always rate them the same way – was it worth my time? We are all busy people, trying to cram one more thing into each day and cross another thing off our lists. Freeing up hours to spend listening, learning, meeting and greeting is no longer an easy feat. And it always comes back to “is it worth my time?”

NEW END promises to bring a great return on investment. Although new to the area and to the event, NEW END’s line up has me already in high gear. I have cleared my calendar and my cell phone will be on silent mode. I’m a huge fan of Steven Little (visit his website at www.stevenslittle.com for a sneak preview) and always gain great insight into business growth from his presentations. NEW END also takes networking to a whole new level, getting past the exchange of business cards and introductions into actual dialogue where plans and resources can be shared. And this year’s “Taste of Entrepreneurship” promises a fun afternoon. Whether you’re just starting out or looking at that next step, trust me, NEW END will be worth your time!

Christina Trombley
Director
UW-GB Small Business Development Center

TOP 10 REASONS TO ATTEND NEW END 2007

2007-04-17T11:53:00.000-05:00

With being a co-chair of this event and a small business owner, I can think of hundreds of reasons why you should attend NEW END 2007. See below for my top 10 reasons why you should attend an event that could have a huge impact on your business and yourself.

1. Opportunity to create new business relationships.
2. Learn from Steven Little on how to attract and retain quality employees.
3. Purchase Steven Little’s book, “The Seven Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth” at a discounted rate AND have Mr. Little sign it himself.
4. Come find out what Steven Little does when he arrives at every hotel across the country.
5. Enjoy a few cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres at the cocktail reception beginning at 7:30 pm.
6. Come find out what new connection is going to have a positive impact on your business.
7. Feel the motivation and inspiration from a room full of people who share similar dreams.
8. Come hungry! Over 15 culinary entrepreneurs will have their tasty specialties available for you to sample.
9. Get answers to some of your burning questions from small business start up experts, attorneys, bankers and more.
10. Network, Network and more networking. Don’t forget your business cards.

With the support of our great sponsors and dedicated steering team, NEW END 2007 is guaranteed to be another huge success. Come see what all the excitement is about and be prepared to be inspired. I look forward to meeting you on June 5th.

Joey Reader

A Taste Apart!

2007-04-10T20:40:00.000-05:00

Successful entrepreneurs do not waste time on their negatives or weaknesses. They capitalize on their strengths, build on them and attract and inspire others with complementary skills and vision. The last two years the NEW END has attracted many entrepreneurs who have “cupided” with their ideas and resources. It would be hard to find a successful entrepreneur who was not also a gifted leader. However, the reverse can not be said! Small business managers and corporate executives are not necessarily entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are architects and astronauts of innovation. They take risks, sometimes for the sake of profit to advance their ideas, new services or intellectual property into the marketplace. Entrepreneurs may struggle as Thomas Edison and many others did. They may seem unfocused at times and need to be tamed. Being an entrepreneur is an “evolutionary process.” The NEW END is an opportunity to help foster this process. The New North is blessed to have many inspiring food and hospitality entrepreneurs who are truly “A TASTE APART!” I encourage you to come to this year’s event and enjoy…

Mark Burwell
Urban Hope

Break Out Of The Box!

2007-03-29T14:48:00.000-05:00

In business today we have the opportunity to foster change and innovation at a rate and depth never seen before. The question for many is how to break out of the box we have placed ourselves and our companies into and achieve new levels of innovation and growth. These boxes are carefully constructed of procedures, organizational charts, compliance forms, work rules, job descriptions, office hours, cubicles and a thousand other customs and practices that define how business is “supposed” to be done.

The NEW END conference is a fantastic opportunity to step away from the ordinary day to day routine of your business. You will have the chance to experience companies and individuals who may be on a different path to the organizational and personal achievement they visualize for themselves. Through exploration and networking with other business people you can learn about new markets, strategies, and approaches to your own business that would not been available to you otherwise. This collaborative mindset with an eye on innovation is exactly what is driving the growth of many companies. By creating an open concept culture in your organization, the creativity of the existing employees is enhanced and empowerment begins to flourish.

The 2007 NEW END conference is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit in Northeastern Wisconsin and promises to be the biggest and best yet. We look forward to seeing you there and helping drive the entrepreneurial vision forward.

Dale Walker
Venture Center

Are You Really Ready to Grow Your Business?

2007-03-23T10:00:00.001-05:00

I’m excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Northwest Wisconsin Entrepreneur Networking Day. I’m coming to Appleton to talk about business growth! We’ll be talking about The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Business Growth and the Future of Opportunity in Northeast Wisconsin.

Here’s a hint on what’s to come: one major rule has nothing to do with business plans, your leadership skills, or whether you’re in a cutting-edge sector of the economy.

I speak to literally thousands of business owners a month and most tell me that “the people problem” is their #1 issue one right now … indeed, by a wide margin. Many bemoan high turnover and a difficulty “finding good people” in a tightening labor environment.

However, a recent study done by OPEN Small Business Monitors Survey asked owners of businesses with less than 100 employees what skills they would like to develop further. Getting better at employee acquisition, retention, training, etc. were not the skills mentioned. Instead, the survey points to customer service, marketing/sales, financial management, decision making, and negotiation as the top responses.

For business owners, the barrier to growth is often not “knowing,” but instead not “doing” that which needs to be done. If “people” are the issue right now, clearly there is a need for business owners to improve their skills in the areas of attracting and retaining top talent. Organizations that put this need on the front burner are certain to gain a competitive advantage in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.

I look forward to sharing some tried and true ideas for attracting and retaining the best and brightest employees, regardless of your industry or the size of your company. The NEW END conference will be a great opportunity to network and share ideas on growing your business year after year. See you soon!

Steven S. Little

NEW END

2006-04-25T14:15:00.000-05:00

With NEW END just days away, I’m reflecting on all the wonderful people who are supporting NEW END and working hard to bring this exciting event to Northeast Wisconsin. We come from all walks of life: Economic development, education, technology, communications, large and small businesses and entrepreneurs joining together to stimulate business development in our region.

In Northeast Wisconsin working together across traditional boundaries at all levels of government, business, and education is sometimes easier said than done. We’ve become comfortable in our sphere of influence and sharing information and resources may seem uncomfortable at first and downright scary. However, with the economic vitality and the quality of life of our region at stake, we simply must minimize any differences and share resources and ideas to create opportunities.

At NEW END you’ll reap the benefits of this successful collaboration! You’ll be inspired by Barry Moltz, champion of entrepreneurship, learn how members of the entrepreneur panel became successful, and make connections that are vital to your business and to your future.

So come to NEW END; collaborate, and be a catalyst for growth in Northeast Wisconsin! We’ll see you soon.

Yvonne Kehl
NEW END Steering Team
Marketing Committee Chair

Economic Darwinism or Planned Evolution?

2006-04-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

We are watching economic Darwinism in our own backyards. In the struggle for survival, only the fittest businesses will survive and the most adaptable employees will stay at the top of the food chain. The tough fact of life is that to stay competitive in a market driven economy big, dependable area companies are closing operations and lives are going to change.

In the last year, a handful of friends have been reorganized out of “good jobs” at “stable companies” where they were set for the future. Now they’re starting over or forced into retraining in their mid 50s and everybody is looking for someone to blame.

There’s no one to blame except the face in the mirror.

At a certain point people have to take responsibility for making sure their skills, talents and knowledge are relevant for a changing economy. Whether change is forced or planned, it’s inevitable and it can be a healthy catalyst.

Also in the last year, I met a different group of people who were downsized, reorganized, laid off, fired or just needed a change. Most worked at big companies and all of them toyed with living the American dream of being their own boss. The difference is, they did more than think about starting a business and started planning for independence.

One man had the idea to turn his genealogy hobby into a business and now does life documentation. My friend turned her passion for neatness into a professional organizing firm and just hired her first employees. Another friend had her dream come true by opening a coffee shop and catering business. Another will open her own hair salon in April—a result of careful planning and making her own opportunity.

Are they making a million? No, but they’re making a living and they’re making a difference. They’re generating business, contributing to a changing economy and providing employment for others.

They are all graduates of the E-seed program offered by Fox Valley Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The program is part of the Venture Center and helps people who have an idea or a dream turn that dream into reality. The Venture Center channels entrepreneurs and developing businesses into classes, networking and coaching to give them the tools they need to succeed.

After getting reorganized or frustrated in their “safe” jobs, these people could very easily have looked for someone to blame. Instead they had a great idea or a personal passion and found the help they needed to do more than dream. Most people who start businesses aren’t experts at running a business—they need help with budgets, inventory management, hiring, pricing and marketing. That’s where the Venture Center fills in the gaps and teaches average people how to learn these skills or find the resources they need.

These new business owners were not independently wealthy, they didn’t have an alphabet soup of post-graduate degrees after their names and they didn’t have an angel investor. They had an idea, put it on paper in a business plan, got help from a bank and took a risk.

Chances are someone you know will lose their job in the near future. When that happens, will you sit on the back porch and passively watch as traditional roles and job descriptions slowly go extinct? Or, will you participate in an economic evolution driven by innovators and entrepreneurs who might be in your own neighborhood?

I know what I’m going to do—I have a hair appointment with a new independent businesswoman who owns her very own salon.

Mary Schmidt

Entrepreneurism, Networking and Collaboration

2006-04-18T14:49:00.000-05:00

Northeast Wisconsin is going downhill, economically speaking.

In 1970, the average income in northeast Wisconsin was the same as the U.S. average. The average person in NE Wisconsin in 2004 earned only 82% of what the average U.S. worker earned. And it will only get worse unless you and I do something about it.

Entrepreneurism, networking and collaboration are three of the issues identified in an Economic Opportunity Study for our region to help reverse the above income trend. NEW END 2005 originated last year as one of the efforts to make improvements in those three issues. If you are interested in one or more of those issues, NEW END 2006 is likely a good way for you to spend a few hours and a few dollars.

So how should you decide if you will benefit from participating in NEW END 2006?

Read over the information on the website www.thenewend.com/. See if you have an interest in the general concept of the NEW END.
Read some pertinent excerpts from “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi. This is an excellent book about networking. With respect to NEW END, the book has some valuable suggestions on what your purpose in attending a conference or seminar should be. Keith suggests the most valuable benefits of attending an event like NEW END will be the people you meet at the event and connect with after the event. Any informational or motivational take-a-ways will be secondary to the value of the new connections you make at the event.
Review your personal network and your interest in entrepreneurial issues, both immediate and longer term. If you already have a wide-reaching diverse network and do not anticipate needing additional contacts or looking for a new job or source of income in the future, you probably won’t want to attend. But if you’d like to improve your network, or are interested in entrepreneurism or getting involved in more activities you’re passionate about, come to the NEW END 2006!

See you on May 9th…

Bob Waldron
myDigitechnician (www.mydigitechnician.com/)
Abba Makolin Waldron & Associates, LLC (www.goodprocess.com/)

I felt so motivated being surrounded by individuals with the same desire as mine.

2006-04-17T13:16:00.000-05:00

When I attended NEW END 2005, I was just finishing my E-seed class through the Fox Valley Tech. My business plan was about ¾ complete and I was feeling very overwhelmed with the whole idea of owning my own business. At the time, I was also contemplating if I should take the big leap and quit my secure weekly paying job.

After listening to the featured speaker at NEW END 2005 and being surrounded by individuals with the same desire as mine I felt so motivated. The energy that filled the room was very inspirational. It was just what I needed to push me one step closer to my dreams of owning my own business.

As a member of the steering team for NEW END 2006, I can guarantee each entrepreneur, innovator, and small business owner that attends will be influenced in some positive way. Whether the keynote Speaker, Barry Moltz inspires you to take that next step in your business plan or one of the successful panelists answers a question in way that relates to you and your business. Or perhaps you will make a new connection during one of the many scheduled networking times. Whatever your situation, NEW END can open the door to some great opportunities.

With the help of some great sponsors and a dedicated steering team, NEW END 2006 will be an event that people from Northeast Wisconsin will be raving about. So come see what all the excitement is about and be prepared to be inspired.

I look forward to meeting you on May 9th.

Joey Reader

Who Can You Help?

2006-04-11T14:31:00.000-05:00

The Northeast Wisconsin Entrepreneur Networking Day (www.thenewend.com) is an excellent opportunity for nascent, start-up and existing entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to share ideas and get connected.

Despite the rapid pace of today's business environment and the use of technology to expedite communication 24/7, business is still done with people and people need to connect. The networking that will take place on May 9th at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay will lead to new relationships for all in attendance. Knowing how to make the most of each new connection is critical.

There are many ways to effectively network but my preferred method is to think about who I will be able to meet and help. I absolutely love being able to help people solve problems and one of the ways I am able to do that is by connecting people with other people that can assist.
When I attend any event I am interested in what I can do for others rather than what can be done for me. The satisfaction that comes from bringing people together is what drives me to continually meet new people, learn about them and then share with them others in my network that would be good connections for them.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners are driving the economy in northeast Wisconsin, the state and the nation. The best way to nurture their creativity is by giving it fertile ground for growth and expansion, so their passion, ideas and hard work can combine to form innovation which leads to business development and opportunities for many. NEW END and all of the amazing steering committee members, supporters and sponsors that have collaborated to make this a premier networking event are excited about the potential of the day.
So, practice that elevator speech and come armed with a great attitude, open mind, ideas to share and with a focus to help others and you'll reap the benefits. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Amy M. Pietsch
Venture Center - Director

NEW END hopes to spur business development

2006-04-04T11:14:00.000-05:00

Besides networking opportunities, the day event will feature a presentation by Barry Moltz, a nationally recognized author of "You Need to be Little Crazy" and an expert on entrepreneurism.

See you on May 9th at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay!

2006-04-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

Entrepreneurs are an inspiration to me with their passion, creativity, vision, and “never give up” attitude. As an entrepreneur and intrapreneur, I know that these ingredients are the keys to success – that and a lot of working capital! Another ingredient that is also important to entrepreneurial success is building relationships – i.e. collaborating with other organizations to accomplish a goal, giving back to the communities that we do business in, and partnering with fellow entrepreneurs to share best practices and success stories.

NEW END is an exciting environment in which entrepreneurs can build these types of relationships. I am amazed at how many connections I have made as a member of the steering committee for NEW END 2005 and 2006. I think all of us involved with NEW END feel a sense of responsibility to build relationships and to tear down relational barriers in The New North! I look forward to interacting with Barry Moltz, our Entrepreneur Panel, our sponsors, and all of the entrepreneurs who are attending this event.

Tracy Buzzell
Community First Credit Union

I cannot believe how many amazing people I met at last year's NEW END event.

2006-03-30T14:35:00.000-06:00

I'll admit it. I was coaxed into attending NEW END 2005 by my boss because our company was a sponsor. I had never heard of the event and didn't know what to expect. As a sales professional, it's part of my job to go to networking events to meet new people and promote our business. So I figured it would be a good opportunity to do that. And it was, but it was so much more.

I cannot believe how many amazing people I met at last year's NEW END event. It was the first time I had heard the name Amy Pietsch, which I quickly learned was a name as well known as the phrase "Friday Fish Fry" in Northeastern Wisconsin! I also connected with a woman who owned a business in Appleton that has since become a very loyal customer to me here at Infinity Technology, Inc. I was surrounded by entrepreneurs, innovators, and also people who were just curious. It was so inspiring to listen to their stories of triumph and defeat in the world of self-employment.

One of the people I met was the keynote speaker, Liz Ryan. She is the founder of a worldwide networking organization called WorldWIT (www.worldwit.org). I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Liz one-on-one. I told her about my desire to meet more people in this new area I had recently moved to, and I expressed my excitement for the entrepreneurial spirit!

That conversation with Liz inspired me to start my own local chapter of WorldWIT. Within two months, FoxWIT was created! FoxWIT is the Northeastern Wisconsin chapter of WorldWIT (www.worldwit.org/chapters/foxwit). With over 200 members now, we connect women in Northeastern WI with others locally and globally for answers, advice, ideas, etc. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people, raise funds for area charitable organizations, talk to area businesses about sponsorship opportunities, and plan quarterly events.

These are all passions of mine that I am able to fulfill due to a connection I made at NEW END.

I'm so honored to be a part of the Steering Committee for NEW END 2006. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had over the past year based on connections I made at last year's event. I cannot wait to hear what Barry Moltz has to share with us, and cannot wait to make another connection that could impact my life!

Robyn Gruner
www.InfinityTechnology.com
www.worldwit.org/chapters/foxwit

Event to focus on entrepreneurs

2006-03-29T11:15:00.000-06:00

An estimated 500 entrepreneurs from across the region are set to gather May 9 in Green Bay for the second annual Northeast Wisconsin Entre-preneur Networking Day.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION SPARKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP

2006-03-29T10:19:00.000-06:00

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Yvonne Kehl, NEW END Steering Team
920-788-1111 - yvonne@autumnhillcreative.com

The second annual Northeast Wisconsin Entrepreneur Networking Day “NEW END” will be held May 9, 3 p.m. at the historic Meyer Theatre in Green Bay. NEW END is a non-profit, regional event that represents a collaborative effort among many public entities and private business owners throughout the NEW NORTH.

The event will bring 500 entrepreneurs and innovators from throughout the 18-county region of Northeast Wisconsin to learn from the experiences of successful business owners, connect with resources, and make contacts that will spark new business development.

As our region transitions from a manufacturing to a knowledge-based economy, small business is the engine that is powering the change. Entrepreneurship plays a key role in developing a strong economy through job creation and economic diversification. Nationally, 100% of all new jobs were created by small businesses in 2005!

The NEW END event begins with a networking reception. The keynote speaker is Barry Moltz, an award-winning champion of entrepreneurship and nationally recognized author of You Need To Be a Little Crazy. Barry serves on the Illinois board of Entrepreneurship Education and teaches entrepreneurship at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Also featured will be a panel of successful regional entrepreneurs who will share their experiences and answer questions from the audience. The NEW END Steering Team is currently accepting nominations to the NEW END Entrepreneur Panel at www.thenewend.com. NEW END concludes with a networking cocktail reception.

According to a recent report by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network, “Roughly half the people in Wisconsin are or have been involved in the Entrepreneurial Process . . . They are either thinking about starting a business, are starting a business, or have previously started a business. However, among people involved in the Entrepreneurial Process, there is a low level of awareness and use of assistance programs for entrepreneurs.”

Discounted registration is available through April 15. For more information and registration log on to www.thenewend.com or call 920-788-3000.