Business

For over 30 years Joe Patoka has been a successful journeyman plumber in the Portage County area. A familiar face, Joe built a reputation for reliable, expert plumbing service, tackling everything from minor repairs to major installations.

In 2023, Joe and his wife Jodi heard that the previous owner of Best Septic Services was ready to sell the business. Recognizing the opportunity to take on ownership of an already successful business, Joe and Jodi were ready for a...

Steph Schmid’s business name, Wisco Branding, proudly reflects both local heritage and her commitment to amplifying genuine brand voices for sustainable growth.

Before starting Wisco Branding, Steph Schmid worked in radio as a digital marketing consultant, gaining experience in scriptwriting and commercial production. Recognizing she could better serve customers with personalized and flexible solutions, she dove into entrepreneurship and launched Wisco Branding....

Driven by a passion for community impact and aligned with the values of American Family Insurance, Hanna Sellner established her own business in 2023, Hanna Sellner Agency, LLC, to offer personalized insurance solutions. Her endeavor is built upon her background in account management, sales roles, and her ties to community through coaching high school volleyball at Regis Catholic School in Eau Claire.

Hanna’s office is guided by the core values of accountability,...

When seeking financing for your business, it’s crucial to remember that the relationship between you and your lender is a two-way street. While the bank evaluates your creditworthiness and ability to repay, you also have the opportunity to demonstrate that you’re a reliable partner. As a lender, I understand the importance of these interactions. But as someone who also sits on the side of the table as a customer, I know how vital it is to present yourself in a way...

Sometimes, the most incredible journeys start with the simplest of steps. For Alec and Dylan Tutton, it boiled down to three key things: the satisfaction of a completed project, the power of customer referrals, and the strength of the relationships they’ve built.

The Tutton brothers started doing lawn care in high school to make some extra money. They spent their summers biking to neighborhood houses where they’d cut grass or do other small landscaping projects....

Starting a new business is exciting, but it's no secret that a high percentage of small businesses fail within the first two years. One of the most common reasons is poor cash flow management. Without a clear understanding of realistic income expectations versus expenses, many entrepreneurs find themselves unable to cover costs or invest in growth. But don’t worry—there are steps you can take and people available to help you.

Are you in the market for a car, apartment, or your very first home? If you answered yes to any of these, then you should focus on understanding credit scores and why they are essential.

A credit score is a 3-digit number (between 300 to 850) that your lender will use to determine your creditworthiness. Think of your credit score like a report card – it shows whether you've been meeting your debt payments on time. The lender uses...

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Are you taking steps to stay protected from fraudsters? It's crucial to take proactive measures to safeguard your information. Although there's no perfect method to prevent an attack, there are numerous steps you can take to mitigate the risk. Our Prevail Bank Information Security Officer, Michael Hostak, recommends the following tips to ensure your safety.

It's important...

There are several risk factors to consider outside of production alone to produce a flourishing farming business. These areas include but are not limited to production risk, price or market risk, financial risk, institutional risk, and human risk. Preparing for the unknown through proper risk management of these areas mentioned is something every farmer should consider. The farming landscape is ever-changing, and limiting uncertainties through risk management planning...

Owning a successful business is one of the American dreams many wish to obtain. Some only dream of making a business a reality, while others make it a reality. Before you can breathe, a lot of work goes into growing and stabilizing a business and establishing it for the long run. The reward is worth it for those who put in the time.

With being raised in a family of small business owners, a multi-business owner myself, and meeting with many hopeful business...