Small business owners like Yuselff Dismukes, owner of Let’s Eat with Chef Yusleff, attended the MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit on Saturday, Jan. 31, to learn how to make sure his business stays open for years to come.
“Cooking is in my blood,” Dismukes said. “My grandma was a chef, my dad was a pastry chef, but here, I want to make sure I got everything in order –not for short-term longevity but long-term.”
Hosted by 6th District Ald. Milele Coggs, the 14th annual entrepreneurship summit featured speakers, workshops, vendors and resources for local business owners looking to grow.
The event took place at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School at 3275 N 3rd St. and was co-sponsored by the City of Milwaukee, the African American Chamber of Commerce and the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District.
The annual summit is an essential resource because small businesses are the backbone of the community, according to Coggs, whose district is seeing a renewed push in revitalization with several larger developments recently completed and underway.
“The larger developments that bring thousands of jobs can be few and far between,” Coggs said.
“Our neighborhoods are built off of successful small businesses, and we have to support, strengthen and grow those businesses.”
Local entrepreneurs network at small business summit
Dozens of attendees networked with 25 vendors lining the walls of the middle school gym.
There were financial institutions and business development groups represented, including The City of Milwaukee Department of City Development, Prism Technical Management and Marketing Services and the Greater Milwaukee Urban League.
The city’s development department provided entrepreneurs with information about city grants that support facade improvements, interior development and retail investment.
The department’s neighborhood business development specialist, Terrence Moore Sr., suggested business owners interested in city grants apply as soon as possible, noting that 2025 funds ran out by April last year.
“These [grants] help with economic development,” Moore said. “So, get in early.”
4C For Children, a nonprofit serving families in southeast Wisconsin, offered resources and training for childcare services.
“You need childcare to be in business or have a job,” said Esther Montgomery, the organization’s resource and referral specialist.
There was a panel discussion with local business leaders and three different workshops for participants to learn various skills to support their businesses.
The first workshop was led by the city’s license division and focused on permits, licensing and planning.
The other two workshops taught participants how to access public and private funding options and technological tools that can help small business owners.
The event featured several speakers on the main stage, including Coggs, real estate developer Dr. Robert Pyles and Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Johnson spoke about his “Year of Housing” campaign, which promises to increase housing-focused developments and affordability throughout the city.
According to Johnson, an increase in housing options will bring in more residents who can help strengthen small businesses.
“If we grow more density [residents], it will grow more customers, but it also grows more employees for those businesses,” Johnson said.
Everett Eaton covers Harambee for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact: ejeaton@usatodayco.com.
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