Changes outside your business—think nearby construction, rising rent costs, or shifting traffic patterns—can quickly affect how customers find and access you, making what once felt like a strong location yet another challenge to overcome. While you can’t control everything happening around you, there are ways to adapt. Eau Claire is home to local support organizations and professionals who can help you navigate these disruptions. Below are practical steps to help you stay accessible and stable.
Disclaimer: The guidance published here on the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division website is meant to be a helpful starting point as you navigate business support in our community. It’s not the final word on what’s best for your unique situation. We always recommend checking in with financial, legal, or other professionals for advice tailored to your business.
What to Do in the Next 48 Hours
When your location starts working against you—construction, access issues, or rising costs—it can get frustrating fast. You might feel like you need to make a big move right away, but for now, the focus is simpler than that: help people find you, make it easy to get in, and give them a reason to keep coming. The next couple of days are about staying visible and keeping things steady.
🎯 Goal: To help customers find you, reduce confusion, and keep business as steady as possible while things are changing around you.
Next Steps
1. Help people find their way in.
If it’s not obvious how to get to your door, start there. Put up simple signs that point people to parking and entrances. Even temporary signage can make a big difference in helping customers feel confident they’re in the right place.
2. Let people know what’s going on.
Don’t assume customers understand the situation. A quick “We’re still open—here’s how to get here” can prevent a lot of frustration. Share updates on social media, your Google Maps listing, your website, or even right on your door.
3. Update your online info.
Make sure your hours, directions, and access points are up to date online. Many customers check before they visit, so clear, simple information can help them decide to still make the trip.
4. Work with the flow you’re seeing.
Pay attention to when people are actually coming in right now. You may notice certain times of day are easier to access or feel less disruptive. If that’s the case, consider adjusting your hours, staffing, or even when you promote your business to match those patterns.
5. Stay close to your regulars.
Your repeat customers are more likely to stick with you through this. Keep them in the loop, thank them for making the effort to come in, and remind them you’re still open. Even small check-ins or updates can help keep that core group engaged.
6. Give people a reason to stop in.
If it takes extra effort to reach you, it helps to give people a nudge. That could be a small promotion, a limited-time offer, or highlighting something new. It doesn’t have to be complicated—just something that makes the trip feel worth it.
7. Pay attention to what’s helping.
As you try different things, notice what actually brings people in. Are certain messages or updates working better than others? You don’t need to track everything perfectly—just start spotting patterns so you can focus your time and energy where it matters most.
What to Focus on Over the Next 2 Weeks
Once you’ve made some immediate adjustments, the next couple of weeks are about settling into what works. Your location may still be a challenge, but this is your chance to learn, adapt, and focus your energy in the right places. You don’t need to solve everything—just start building a rhythm that helps you stay steady.
🎯 Goal: To figure out what’s working, focus your efforts, and make small adjustments that help you stay visible and accessible.
Next Steps
1. Check in with your customers.
Take a little time to ask how their experience has been. Was it easy to find you? Was anything confusing? These quick conversations can highlight small issues you can fix right away.
2. Pay attention to what’s bringing people in.
Look for patterns in who’s still coming through your door. Are certain days, times, or offerings holding steady? Even small trends can give you a better sense of what’s still working.
3. Double down on what’s still working.
Once you see what’s holding steady, put more focus there. That might mean promoting a specific product, leaning into a certain customer group, or simply doing more of what’s already bringing people in.
4. Simplify where you can.
If something isn’t getting much traction right now, consider scaling it back. Keeping things simpler can free up your time and energy while you focus on what’s most important.
5. Try small adjustments to improve access or visibility.
Make small, practical changes—like tweaking signage, directions, and how you communicate with customers. You don’t need big fixes here—just small improvements that make it easier for people to find and choose you.
6. Be clear and consistent in your messaging.
Keep reminding people you’re open and how to get to you. Use the same simple message across your website, social media, and in-person so customers aren’t left guessing.
7. Give yourself room to adjust as things change.
Things around you may keep shifting, and that’s okay. Some changes will work better than others. The goal is to stay flexible, keep learning, and keep moving forward without overcomplicating it.
What to Work Toward Over the Next 90 Days
Over the past few weeks, you’ve started to adjust and figure out what’s helping you stay steady. Over the next few months, the focus shifts to making those adjustments more sustainable. Location challenges—whether temporary or ongoing—can change how your business operates, but they don’t have to define it. This is your time to build a setup that works, even if conditions around you aren’t ideal.
🎯 Goal: To stabilize your business, strengthen what’s working, and create a more reliable path forward despite location challenges.
Next Steps
1. Double down on what’s consistently bringing people in.
Look at what’s held steady over the past few weeks—certain products, services, or customer groups—and start building around that. Focus your time and energy where you’re seeing the most consistency.
2. Step back from what’s not pulling its weight.
If something hasn’t been getting much traction, it may be time to scale it back. Letting go of low-performing areas can help you stay focused and reduce unnecessary strain.
3. Look for ways to reduce your location-related risks.
If rising rent or ongoing access issues are a concern, start exploring options. That could include renegotiating terms, adding alternative ways to sell (like online or delivery), and thinking longer-term about your space.
4. Set a clearer plan for how you’ll operate moving forward.
Think about what needs to stay, what needs to change, and what you want your business to look like over the next few months. Having a simple plan can help you stay focused as conditions continue to shift.
5. Adjust how your business runs day to day.
This might mean updating hours or rethinking how customers access your space. Small operational changes can make a big difference over time.
6. Keep your messaging clear and up to date.
As things evolve, make sure customers always know you’re open and how to reach you. Consistent, simple messaging helps build trust and keeps people coming back.
7. Keep checking in and adjusting as things change.
Location challenges can shift over time, so keep paying attention to what’s working and what’s not. Give yourself space to keep adjusting as needed—this is about staying steady, not getting everything perfect.
A lot of location challenges can be managed with small adjustments, such as clear communication and better signage. But sometimes it starts to feel like those fixes aren’t enough. When things around you keep getting in the way of running your business, it can help to bring in outside support sooner rather than later.
You may want to reach out to one of the support organizations listed below now if you’re starting to notice things like:
Experiencing one or more of these doesn’t mean your business can’t recover. It just might be a sign that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Local advisors, support organizations, and other professionals can help you step back, talk through your options, and come up with a plan that fits your situation. Reaching out early can make things feel a lot more manageable and help you move forward with more clarity.
Find local organizations and experts that can help with location impacts.
Support Organizations
The City of Eau Claire is a local government office that works with businesses and residents to support growth and long-term success. Staff can help you understand what’s happening around your location—such as construction timelines and access changes—and connect you to the right departments. They can also help you explore solutions related to visibility, signage, and navigating disruptions that may be affecting your business.
🔗 eauclairewi.gov
The UW–Eau Claire Small Business Development Center is a no-cost, confidential business advising center that works with entrepreneurs and existing businesses throughout the region. Their advisors can help you think through challenges like declining foot traffic, shifting customer patterns, or whether your current location still makes sense. They can help you assess your options, adjust your approach, and build a plan that fits your situation.
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
SCORE West Central Wisconsin is a volunteer network of experienced business mentors who provide free one-on-one guidance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Their mentors can help you work through location-related challenges, whether you’re dealing with access issues, thinking about relocating, or trying to maintain customer traffic. They offer practical insight based on real-world experience.
🔗 score.org
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council is a regional nonprofit that provides business training, technical assistance, and access to financial support programs. Their team can help if rising rent or location-related costs are putting pressure on your business. They can work with you to stabilize your finances and explore options to help you move forward.
🔗 westerndairyland.org
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is a local business membership organization that supports employers through networking, promotion, and professional development. They can help you stay visible and connected during disruptions by offering opportunities to promote your business and communicate with the community.
🔗 eauclairechamber.org
The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce is a statewide organization that supports entrepreneurs through business advising, technical assistance, and access to capital. Their team can provide culturally responsive guidance and help you navigate challenges related to location, customer access, and long-term growth.
🔗 hmongchamber.org
Local Professionals
A marketing professional is a specialist who helps businesses communicate with customers and stay visible. They can help you update your messaging, improve your online presence, and clearly explain how customers can find and access your business during disruptions.
🔗 Find a Local Marketing Professional
A signage or wayfinding specialist is a professional who designs signs that help guide people to your business. They can create clear, easy-to-follow signage that directs customers through construction zones, parking changes, or alternate entrances.
🔗 Find a Local Signage Specialist
A commercial landlord or property manager is responsible for overseeing the building or space your business operates in. They may be able to work with you on temporary solutions, such as improving access, allowing additional signage, or adjusting terms during periods of disruption.
🔗 Find a Local Commercial Property Manager
A commercial real estate broker is a professional who helps businesses lease, purchase, or relocate within commercial properties. They can help you explore alternative locations, compare options, and determine whether a move makes sense based on your current situation.
🔗 Find a Local Commercial Real Estate Broker
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a financial professional who helps businesses understand profitability, costs, and overall financial performance. They can help you assess how location-related challenges—like rising rent, reduced foot traffic, or temporary disruptions—are affecting your numbers and identify ways to adjust your finances to stay on track.
🔗 Find a Local CPA
A small business financial advisor is a professional who focuses on financial planning and long-term business performance. They can help you think through different scenarios—like staying, adapting, or relocating—while weighing the financial risks and opportunities tied to each option.
🔗 Find a Local Financial Advisor
A business attorney is a legal professional who advises businesses on contracts and agreements. They can review lease terms, support negotiations with your landlord, and help you understand your options if you’re considering changes to your space.
🔗 Find a Local Business Attorney
An operations consultant is a professional who helps businesses improve how they run day to day. They can help you adjust workflows, service delivery, or customer experience to better fit changing conditions around your location.
🔗 Find a Local Operations Consultant
Get in touch with the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division for connections to confidential business support from local partners.