Renee O’Donnell opened Slate Boutique and Gifts, a women’s clothing and gift store, in Eau Claire in 2022. She, and her general manager, Natasha Wittig, were excited to take advantage of the benefits offered through Wisconsin’s Main Street Bounceback program.
The Beginnings
As a previous entrepreneur in a clinical setting, Renee was familiar with many of the steps to take to start and run a business. She said, “Despite my small business ownership background, convincing a lender to invest in a retail store so quickly after the height of the COVID pandemic was difficult.”
Renee continued, “Since financing has been our biggest obstacle on this entrepreneurial journey, we were thrilled to be awarded funding through the Main Street Bounceback Grant. We were able to use the grant award to help design and build out the physical retail space on Talmadge Road.”
The Education
When the Main Street Bounceback program expanded to offer technical assistance, Renee reached out to Dylan Brown, the project’s Business Navigator, for assistance. “Dylan was so responsive! He helped me select the classes that were truly right for me and my business,” Renee said. “I really enjoy that the classes being offered are frequently changed, with additional courses being consistently added to the available catalog.”
So far, this successful entrepreneur has attended five courses in the program, including one titled Business Basics Bootcamp. “I really focus on the marketing and finance classes, such as Enhancing Your Web Presence and Developing a Brand Identity. I developed skills in understanding and improving my own search engine optimization (SEO). My ability to create and analyze my own social media efforts has grown as well,” Renee said.
The Growth
Her skills and abilities were not the only growth in the business. In 2024, Slate Boutique and Gifts welcomed an additional entrepreneur into the retail space. The partnership with Eau Baby, a clothing store for baby’s and children, is beneficial to both businesses.
Together, they participate in community events like Little Girls Day. “Each year we welcome about 90 girls to the event. They have their hair professionally styled and have professional photos taken,” Renee said.
They also collaborate during the May Mothers Market event. “This year will be the third annual market. More than 40 vendors, including local food trucks, gather and there are well over 2,000 attendees each year,” Renee said. “Collaboration is key to a successful small business, and I love working with other local entrepreneurs.”
Slate Boutique and Gifts also gives back to the community during the Coats for Kids events and donates to the Eau Claire Fire Fighters Community Center.
Reflecting on her experience, Renee said, “The hardest and biggest step is getting started, but I have always had the entrepreneurial mindset. I love the freedom to use my own ideas and gather input from my team.”
