Entrepreneur Resources

Many great entrepreneurs got started in Eau Claire. The most famous is probably John Menard. A 1962 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduate purchased some land in Eau Claire and built an office and workshop. Faced with huge demand for his post-frame construction work, John Menard expanded and added new work crews. By 1969, he had added numerous manufacturing sites for various home improvement materials and had added a distribution center. Currently the company has 235 stores in 11 states and keeps growing. John Menard has kept his headquarters in Eau Claire and is the biggest employer in the city, employing over 4,500 people.

Another company that got its start in Eau Claire is Silver Spring Foods, Inc. The company is now the world's largest grower and producer of horseradish. Ellis Huntsinger founded Huntsinger Farms, Inc. and its subsidiary Silver Spring Foods, Inc. in 1929 when he started growing horseradish and other vegetable crops on a few acres of land near a fresh water spring south of Eau Claire. Silver Spring Foods, Inc. is now an important part of the Eau Claire business sector.

Join these world-class entrepreneurs with your business. There are many resources that can assist you in turning your dream into a world-class business.

The Chippewa Valley Innovation Center (CVIC) is a business incubator that offers not only a below market rent, but also resources to assist with business planning.

Jumpstart Downtown Business Competition

How to Write a Business Plan

Start-Up Checklist

Small Business Resources