LOCAL IDEAS. STRONGER BEGINNINGS.
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What is Launch Local?
What is Launch Local?
Launch Local Chippewa Valley is a community-focused initiative from kCole Bookkeeping & Small Business Consulting, being developed to provide free startup support to selected new business owners. Through personalized planning, bookkeeping and financial organization, and connections to local professionals, the program aims to help aspiring and first-year business owners build a stronger foundation from the start.
A PROGRAM IN DEVELOPMENT
Your idea. A stronger foundation. A community behind you.
Your idea. A stronger foundation. A community behind you.
Planned spring and fall selections for free, personalized startup support.
ROOTED IN CHIPPEWA VALLEY
Dunn County | Eau Claire County | Chippewa County
THE VISION
A good idea deserves a place to begin.
A good idea deserves a place to begin.
Starting a business brings a lot of questions. What needs to happen first? How do you organize the finances? Who can help with the details outside your expertise?
Launch Local is being developed to bring those pieces together: hands-on startup assistance, a practical financial foundation, and connections to local professionals.
The vision is to help new business owners move forward with clearer next steps, useful systems, and support from people invested in their success.
WHO IT'S FOR
For the person ready to take the next step.
For the person ready to take the next step.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. You do need a commitment to your idea and a willingness to put in the work.
✓ Adults 18 and older starting an owner-operated business.
✓ Businesses in the planning stage or within their first 12 months of operation.
✓ Businesses located in, operating in, or serving Dunn, Eau Claire, or Chippewa County.
✓ Owners ready to use practical guidance and resources to move their business forward.
Full eligibility requirements and exclusions will be available before applications open.
THE PLANNED SUPPORT
From "where do I start?" to a plan you can put into practice.
From "where do I start?" to a plan you can put into practice.
Personalized assistance is being developed around three parts of starting a business.
01 / PLAN YOUR BUSINESS START
Make the next steps clearer.
Make the next steps clearer.
Organize your business idea, identify startup needs, and build a practical plan for what needs to happen next.
02 / BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION
Get your finances organized.
Get your finances organized.
Establish bookkeeping routines and financial systems, with guidance on QuickBooks Online or other tools appropriate for your business.
03 / PREPARE TO LAUNCH
Get ready to put it out there.
Get ready to put it out there.
Work toward a starter online presence, prepare for launch, and receive follow-up support as your business gets underway.
The final package will be shared before applications open. Additional professional services and resources will depend on participating partners and available funding.
HOW IT WILL WORK
Support for a stronger start.
Support for a stronger start.
Launch Local is being developed around spring and fall selections for personalized startup assistance.
01 / APPLY
Share your idea.
Share your idea.
Tell us about your business, where you are in the process, and how the program could help you move forward.
02 / SELECTION
Find the right fit.
Find the right fit.
Applications will be reviewed for readiness, potential impact, viability, community benefit, and fit with available support. Finalists will be invited to interview.
03 / GET STARTED
Put support to work.
Put support to work.
Selected business owners will work with kCole and participating partners to organize priorities and take practical steps toward launch.
PLANNED ANNUAL SCHEDULE
Two opportunities to get started.
Two opportunities to get started.
Spring cycle
Spring cycle
Applications: January 1 - March 31
Selection: Mid-April
Support begins: May 1
Fall cycle
Fall cycle
Applications: May 1 - July 31
Selection: Mid-August
Support begins: September 1
Applications are not yet open. The first opening date and complete program details will be announced as preparations move forward.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Local expertise.
Local expertise.
Shared possibility.
Shared possibility.
Launch Local’s vision brings together professionals and organizations who want to help new local businesses get established.
Partnership opportunities are being developed for those interested in contributing services, educational resources, referrals, or financial support.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF COLLABORATION
Legal and tax guidance
Banking and photography
Website support
Chambers and economic-development organizations
Partner participation and contributions will be confirmed as the program develops.
Practical value beyond selection
Practical value beyond selection
An Applicant Resource Kit is planned for every eligible applicant, bringing together helpful information and community resources so support can reach beyond the businesses selected for personalized assistance.
Kristin Cole | Owner, kCole Bookkeeping & Small Business Consulting
WHY I STARTED LAUNCH LOCAL
Building a business is personal.
Building a business is personal.
I’m building Launch Local because I want practical business support to be more accessible to people getting started in the Chippewa Valley.
My vision brings together what I can contribute through bookkeeping and small business consulting with the experience and resources of other local professionals.
I want someone with a business idea to have help sorting through the next steps, setting up useful systems, and finding the right people to ask when they need guidance.
Launch Local is my way of working toward that vision: helping new businesses build a stronger foundation and creating more opportunities for our community to support its own.
BE PART OF WHAT'S NEXT
Let's help local ideas take root.
Let's help local ideas take root.
The program is taking shape. Whether you’re planning a business or want to help someone else get started, there’s a conversation to begin.
Thinking about applying?
Thinking about applying?
Sign up for the kCole e-newsletter for Launch Local updates, application opening announcements, and details about how to apply.
Want to contribute?
Want to contribute?
Let’s talk about how your expertise, services, resources, or financial support could help new local businesses.
Launch Local Chippewa Valley | An initiative of kCole Bookkeeping & Small Business Consulting
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