THE BUSINESS
At Kurschner’s Super Premium Ice Cream in Chetek, Wisconsin, Alan takes pride in making the only ice cream handcrafted in Barron County. He uses natural, high-quality ingredients, often locally sourced, at this small batch, artisanal ice cream shop. The store also offers gluten-free ice cream and gluten-free handmade waffle cones.
When the business started, he offered just two flavors and now the shop offers 16 flavors, many of which are award-winning. This year, he was honored at the World Dairy Expo with awards in many categories. Kurschner’s pistachio flavor took fourth place in the nuts category; his lemon poppyseed took second in the open class category; his smoky, mellow vanilla placed first in the vanilla category; and most impressively, his peanut butter chocolate was named the Gand Champion Overall.
THE SUCCESS
Alan worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Eau Claire to help get his business off the ground. He said Pam Baughman, the SBDC consultant he worked with, was instrumental in his success.
“Pam is so helpful! She is approachable and always makes herself available,” Alan said. “She helped me understand the reality of the numbers in my financial projections and assisted me in creating my business plan. She also helped me with determining my pricing.”
Watch to hear benefits of working with the SBDC
THE OBSTACLES
Three main obstacles were hurdles for this entrepreneur: high prices in the supply chain inventory, acquisition of starting capital, and staffing. “Hiring the right people is important to the culture and the experience we provide at the shop. We want people to really enjoy spending their time here, in addition to enjoying the ice cream itself,” Alan said. He uses the term “unreasonable hospitality” to describe the welcoming vibe at the store.
To help overcome the financial hurdles, he was thrilled to obtain low-interest loan capital through the Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire and the Regional Business Fund, Inc., which is a non-profit economic development corporation promoting businesses in West Central Wisconsin.
Accomplishments with SBDC at UW-Eau Claire
- Business plan
- Financial projections
- Product pricing
THE COMMUNITY
Listen to Alan describe benefits to the local business community
“The Chetek Chamber helps local small businesses work as a collective, not as competitors. Dave Armstrong at the Barron County Economic Development Corporation has also been a big help along my business journey,” Alan said.
Winning the prestigious flavor awards this year from the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association has brought a new customer base of people from the Chippewa Valley and surrounding towns, which leads to enhanced tourism dollars being spent in the community at places like antiques shops and coffee shops. Sharing a storefront with the Edgewood Bakeshop also helps increase the community impacts and symbiotic relationships of small businesses in Chetek.
THE ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS
“One thing I wish I knew sooner was that things are always going to cost a little more than you think. It is so important to consider the particulars and pay close attention to financial data,” Alan said.
Hear advice for becoming an entrepreneur
“I would advise others who are hoping to be entrepreneurs that it is important to learn new skills quickly as business owners often have to be a jack of all trades.” He continued with an inspiring message as well, saying, “Entrepreneurship is so rewarding!!”
THE FUTURE
We are excited to see how Alan continues to grow and enhance the unique experience of enjoying quality handcrafted ice cream at his shop. Keep an eye out for the pumpkin pie flavor which was just added this fall and other new flavors he is continually developing.
View story videos linked below
Published October 2025