Start Smart!
This business basics seminar is designed for those interested in starting their own business or for those who have recently started a business, whether a commercial lease or a home-based operation. Learn about the fundamentals of running a business and get chance to have your legal, accounting, banking and insurance questions answered.
Law
When you open your business doors, have you covered the bases legally? Do you have the necessary registrations, licenses, and permits? All of these issues should be planned for and addressed before they become problems and impact your ability to succeed in business. Justin Sondalle, attorney at Sondalle Law Office, LLC, will answer your legal questions.
Accounting
Starting a business is exciting, but also overwhelming. It is tempting to concentrate on what makes money for the business and let necessary business structure and accounting decisions slide until it is too late. Chris Taylor, CPA at Huberty, will help prepare you for business ownership. You don’t have to be an accountant to do a great job of record keeping, but you do need to understand some basic principles and terms.
Banking
How much money do you need to start your business? Is financing available? How can the Small Business Administration help? Adam Anderson, Business Banker at Fortifi Bank, will discuss preparing to talk to the bank, what items you’ll need to have ready, and overall financial strategies for start-up and legacy businesses alike.
Insurance
Business insurance exists to protect your investment in your business. It can also help provide financial compensation to the people who work for you if accidents occur. Most commercial insurance coverages are optional; some, like workers compensation, are mandatory in most states. Phil Burkart, retired McClone insurance agent, will provide a basic insurance overview of the types of insurance policies that you should know about and consider purchasing. Every business has different needs.
About Justin Sondalle
Justin Sondalle grew up in Green Lake and graduated from Green Lake High School in 2008. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in Legal Studies and Political Science, while also obtaining his certificate in Criminal Justice. Justin graduated law school from University of Wisconsin Law School in 2016 and joined Lehner Law Office shortly thereafter. In 2017, the owner of Lehner Law Office, Attorney Mike Lehner, retired and Justin and his father, Attorney Daniel Sondalle, renamed the long established practice to Sondalle Law Office, LLC. Justin has been practicing in Green Lake County and the surrounding area for the last two years. Justin has assisted numerous entrepreneurs with business formation and much of his practice is comprised of advising small business owners.
About Christine Taylor
Christine taylor is native of Ripon who graduated from UW-Eau Claire. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with twenty-two years of experience at Huberty CPA's in Ripon. She Specializes in business consulting and taxes. Huberty CPAs has offices in Ripon, Markesan, Fond du Lac, Plymouth, Sheboygan and Minocqua.
About Adam Anderson
Adam Anderson is a Business Banking Relationship Manager at Fortifi Bank. He specializes in helping business owners understand their financial opportunities and satisfying their lending and deposit needs. Focused on the individual, Adam works to understand what is important and what goals are trying to be achieved by each person he works with.
Beginning his career as a financial planner, Adam joined the community banking industry in 2015. He draws from his experience to further enhance each client’s business plan. Adam acts as an extension of each business and brings a broad perspective and depth of knowledge to each relationship.
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and carries a Bachelor of Science in Education. In addition, he holds Series 6, 63, 7 CLU licenses for financial planning. He is a certificate graduate of Leadership Oshkosh.
Adam is committed to his community through many philanthropic and volunteer activities including coaching youth baseball. Adam and his family take advantage of the Wisconsin landscape regularly and are active boaters and hunters.
About Phil Burkart
Phil Burkart holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with marketing emphasis from Marquette University and an Master of Business Administration degree from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Mr. Burkart went on to do post-graduate work at Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration, completing their Strategic Marketing Management Program and at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, completing the Wisconsin Ideal Scholar's Program. Phil has also started and owned a tropical fish store, a t-shirt and bike shop, and a vacation rental properties business.