Small Business Saturday, coming this year on Nov. 29, is a good chance to focus on spending at local businesses rather than big-box retailers.
Better yet, why not support businesses owned by UWM alumni? Here are a few to consider.
Emerald Mills ’04, Diverse Dining
After some 20 years in the public health sector, Emerald Mills wanted a new career chapter, but one where she could still make a difference in the community. She fulfilled it by founding Diverse Dining, which simultaneously fosters constructive conversations – often among people with opposing viewpoints – while also serving diners delicious meals across a spectrum of cuisines.
In addition to catering meals, Diverse Dining also serves as an incubator for startup food entrepreneurs through the Diverse Dining Market in downtown Milwaukee. It houses a rotating menu of offerings from vendors who learn the dining ropes, perfect their product and grow their customer base, then head off to fully launch their businesses. It’s the latest way Mills is serving the community and nurturing the seeds that were planted at UWM.
“The opportunity to study abroad at UWM and take my first flight to Ghana cracked my world wide open,” Mills said. “Seeing culture, commerce and community through a global lens reshaped how I lead and serve in Milwaukee. That trip gave me the perspective that powers Diverse Dining – food as a bridge, people as the point.”
Bryan Bergner ’96, Highlands Honey
What began as a backyard project with Miles, Bryan Bergner’s then-6-year-old son, has turned into a thriving business producing delicious, small-batch raw honey. Highlands Honey uses bee-centric management practices to ensure the health of its 68 hives spread across southeastern Wisconsin because, as the Bergners say, happy bees make happy honey.
It all started with one hive in the Milwaukee suburb of Bay View as a way to provide Miles with people skills and develop a sense of ownership. Miles sold the first batch of honey out of the back of a battery-powered toy tractor, and today, the honey is available for purchase directly through the Highlands Honey website.
“My education experience at UW-Milwaukee is something that I cherish to this day,” Bryan Bergner said. “It put me on the path to our current business, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Ben Caya ’12, Floating Flame
Ben Caya had already put his mechanical engineering degree to use by founding Spike Brewing, a homebrew beer equipment company. Now, he’s expanded his small business interests to Floating Flame, which sells portable fire pits that customers can use at cookouts, tailgating parties and yes, even boats.
The self-contained, propane-powered fire pits are popular with pontoon boat owners, and Caya’s customers also use them on docks, yachts and houseboats. Designed with boat safety in mind, the pits produce the warmth of a cozy, campfire atmosphere that’s perfect for socializing or just chilling out. And for Caya, it’s a fun way to continue exercising an entrepreneurial spirit that got its start at UWM.
“I was the UWM club football president for two years during my time at UWM,” Caya said. “This gave me great experience in leading a diverse team but also was great for time management and prioritization.
Angelica Sanchez ’14, Cultural Cloth
Cultural Cloth is a home goods and décor store offering handcrafted creations from more than 40 countries, with a particular focus on women artisans. Angelica Sanchez works directly with the artisans to provide a U.S. market for their wares, with the goal of delivering a year-round sustainable income for them. Patrons can shop online or at Cultural Cloth’s two locations in Whitefish Bay and Maiden Rock, Wisconsin.
“UWM allowed me to explore my different interests and see what I liked and what I didn’t like,” Sanchez said. “It allowed me to take the classes I was interested in and create a career path I felt passionate about. The classes, like business classes, are paying off and it made for a very wholesome education.
Gwen Barker ’98, Sprocket Cafe
Gwen Barker and friend Julia Popovic created Sprocket Cafe, a cozy, welcoming café located in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood that serves up delicious drinks, sandwiches and baked goods while re-creating the sense of community she discovered at UWM.
“UWM delivered the whole, big experience of being around other people, and teaching that you’ve got to show up every day and put in the work,” Barker said. “All of that builds a strong person and gives you the tools you need. UWM gave me not just the ability to succeed, but the mindset that I’ve got it in me to do so.”
Sam Hogerton ’09, SRH Marketing
Sam Hogerton is a founding partner of SRH Marketing, a Milwaukee-based marketing agency with full-service expertise across strategy, creative and media. The company partners with brands to tell sharp stories and build strong identities. It also produces independent films, including “Hundreds of Beavers,” which landed on the list of top movies of 2024 by the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post.
“When it comes to how UWM and Milwaukee supported my business goals, UWM was the launchpad,” Hogerton said. “It’s where I met my business partners and why I moved to Milwaukee — a city that embraced SRH long before we had a full team, a cool office or a client roster anyone recognized. I owe a lot to both the university and the community, which are so intertwined.”
More businesses in directory
You can find more Panther-owned businesses in UWM’s Alumni Business Directory. And if you haven’t already, UWM alums and students should consider joining Panthers Connect, the university’s exclusive networking platform, which is another great way for Panthers to support Panthers.
