Business Matters

Welcome to the Season Three Premiere of the Business Matters podcast! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. Throughout 2025, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 110th birthday! To mark this milestone, we'll be highlighting our incredible supporters throughout the year. Kicking things off, we're proud to feature one of our Birthday Ambassadors, Chippewa Valley Technical College—an institution that has been part of our community for over 110 years, just like us!In this season premiere, Kaylynn Winegar, VP of Investor Engagement, sits down with CVTC President Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garccia and together, discuss Chippewa Valley Technical College's diverse programs, student experiences, and its impactful relationship with the community, underscoring its role as a vital educational resource in the Chippewa Valley.

Welcome to the Season Two FINALE of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Kaylynn Winegar, VP of Investor Engagement, chats with Jen Miller from Rellim Senior Day Care. Together, they explore how Rellim Senior Day Care is changing the lives of seniors and their families. Discover how Rellim is redefining aging, promoting independence, and developing strategies to enhance quality of life.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Chief Financial Officer, Danielle Kummer, sits down with Harlie Juedes from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to discuss ways small businesses can successfully navigate the holiday season. Harlie shares valuable insights and strategies tailored for local business owners, covering everything from inventory management and marketing tips to customer service.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor sits down with Shawn Kapanke of Silver Spring Foods to celebrate Manufacturing Month and discuss the vital role manufacturing plays in the Eau Claire community. Silver Spring Foods, a family-owned business for over 90 years, is known for its iconic mustard and horseradish, which have put Eau Claire on the map in the food manufacturing world.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Kristen Parent, Middleton Chamber of Commerce talks with Kaylynn Winegar of the Eau Claire Area Chamber about a revolutionary program that matches military service members - transitioning from active duty, with Wisconsin employers looking for skilled candidates for difficult-to-fill positions.Tune in to learn more about Mission Workforce Alliance and the lengths this team is going to bring highly skilled workers to Wisconsin from across the world.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor sits down with Chris Dooley of Midwest Select Insurance to discuss the new Investor Benefits program, and how small businesses can take advantage of an exclusive menu of group benefits for their employees.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Ryan Ludy, Executive Director of the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley talks with Kaylynn Winegar of the Eau Claire Area Chamber about the meaning of non-profit and volunteer work across the region. Tune in to learn more about Ryan and the impact areas of the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Director Charity Zich talks with Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Vice President Governmental Affairs, about the challenges and successes of commercial air service for EAU. Learn how the Sun Country jet service to seasonal destinations is doing and what's next for the airport's future.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio, and a special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Kaitlyn and Travis discuss the importance of mentorship amongst young business professionals and how the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley came to provide a program tailored specifically to combat that need in our community.

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union.Many of us shop local this time of year, what we may not know is just how much it affects the owners and employees of those small businesses. In this episode, we interview Chelsea Higley, Owner of Wisconsin Makers Market who shares her perspective on how critical and meaningful shopping locally is. Her store supports over 100 Wisconsin "Makers". Tune in to learn more about "makers" and why she started this unique store right here in Eau Claire! And, don't forget to shop locally, all year around!

Welcome to Season Two of Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union.Today we speak with Aaron White, City of Eau Claire and Luke Hanson, Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation about Manufacturing Month and how business not only gets to our area but evolves within it.

Welcome to the season premiere of Business Matters Season Two! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union.In honor of Chamber of Commerce Month, President & CEO Dave Minor, sits down with fellow Chamber leaders, Allyson Wisniewski of the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce and Ashley DeMuth with the Menomonie Chamber & Visitor Center. Together they discuss how they got to where they are and how each Chamber advocates for their communities.

Welcome to the season finale of the Eau Claire Chamber's podcast, Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, VP Investor Engagement Kaylynn Winegar takes time to learn more about Lar Kong Xiong, Business Specialist with the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. Through conversation we learn more about their new office in Eau Claire and what they plan to do to help business growth in the area.Join us for our return in September with Season Two!

Welcome to episode 15 of the Eau Claire Chamber's podcast, Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Young Professionals Director, Kelsy Schultz and Hannah Connor with Chippewa Valley Technical College, discuss the mission and impact that the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley has on our business community.

Welcome to episode 14 of the Eau Claire Chamber's podcast, Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union. In this episode, Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor talks with Country Jam's Kathy Wright about Jam's new home called the Eau Claire Event District and why it is more than just Country Jam.

Welcome to episode 13 of the Eau Claire Chamber's podcast, Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union.In this episode, VP Workforce Initiatives Kaylynn Winegar talks with Wipfli partner, Valerie Fedie about the workplace culture and Business Resources groups they've created to help employees be their authentic selves.They discuss the importance of workplace culture and inclusion pertaining to hiring and retention in today's job market.

Welcome to episode 12 of the Eau Claire Chamber's podcast, Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union.In this episode, VP Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers talks with Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch about her path from growing up in Eau Claire, working elsewhere in municipal government, and then returning to the community with her family. They discuss the role of the City Manager in the Council/Manager system of government, and the challenges and successes of managing the city.

Welcome to the eleventh episode of the Eau Claire Chamber's podcast, Business Matters! Coming to you from the WIN Technology Studio and special thank you to our media sponsor, Royal Credit Union.On this episode, VP Investor Relations Phil Swiler and CoLab's own Adam Accola, discuss the entrepreneur opportunities that are available in the Eau Claire area; along with the importance of supporting local.

On this episode, President & CEO, Dave Minor, is joined by Dr, David Usher of ReforMedicine, s.c. to discuss the ever growing topic of healthcare and their recent win of the Small Business of the Year award.

On this episode, Chief Operations Officer, Chrystal Mills, is joined by Julie Pangallo, public arts and events support manager with Visit Eau Claire, WI. The two talk about Sculpture Tour Eau Claire and its impact on our community's ever-growing art culture.

On this episode, VP of Investor Relations Phil Swiler, sits down with Valley Sports Academy general manager, Chase Hoople. Together they dive into topics such as youth sports, business ideas, talent attraction, and the stigma of training costs.

In this episode, Vice President Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers speaks with retiring State Senator Kathy Bernier as she reflects on her career in public service.

On this episode, Vice President of Workforce Initiatives, Kaylynn Winegar, speaks with Kristen Norgaard of Royal Credit Union about the importance and value of business engaging students in youth apprenticeship.

On this episode, Vice President of Education & Young Professionals, Casey Schumacher speaks with Erin Garney of WIN Technology / Perigon. Together, they discuss Erin's role with the Chamber Educational Foundation Leadership Programs & her passion for community involvement through her career with WIN Technology.

On this episode, Vice President of Investor Relations, Phil Swiler speaks with new investor, Kim Pomeroy of Indigo Waters Holistic Therapies & Retreats LLC, about her journey to becoming an entrepreneur here in the Chippewa Valley.

On this episode, Vice President of Workforce Initiatives, Kaylynn Winegar, takes a deep dive with Monica Obrycki of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative into workforce challenges that are in our area and some of the ways partnering with the Chamber has provided solutions to developing, retaining and recruiting staff.

On this episode, Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor, discusses the rich history that Market & Johnson, Inc. has sustained with the President, Jerry Shea (now retired) and why business matters to them.

This episode features Neal Bennett, Occupational Chaplains of America and Creative Director, Chelsea Seckora and together focus on business community stories from OCA's perspective that will spark the question of why business matters.