entrepreneurs
“Pop-Up MKE” Launches Second Year Offering Entrepreneurs Storefront Locations in Milwaukee
Entrepreneurs seeking growth and retail opportunities are encouraged to apply
Pop-Up MKE, a public and private partnership focused on economic development, neighborhood commercial corridor revitalization, and entrepreneurship, is actively seeking business owners looking to start or expand their business in one of three vital commercial corridors. The pop up spaces are a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to test their products, and begin to generate buzz for their business in a low risk, supportive environment. The entrepreneurs also help to breathe new life and activity into underutilized storefronts in three important Milwaukee neighborhoods.
“Much of Milwaukee’s economy is built upon the hard work and imagination of local entrepreneurs. From motorcycle makers to beer brewers, from electronic controls pioneers to insurance innovators, Milwaukee has always been fertile ground for start-up businesses,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “The current generation of local entrepreneurs is likely to define our economic future, so Pop-Up MKE could be the start of Milwaukee’s next best idea.”
Pop-Up MKE is collaborating with the Historic King Drive, Cesar Chavez Drive, and the North Avenue Marketplace Business Improvement Districts to redevelop commercial properties for the selected business owners in this short-term, retail opportunity. The program anticipates working with 8-10 business owners over the next five months.
Entrepreneurs will receive access to reduced rent, business coaching, marketing support, and mini grants that can be utilized for marketing expenses.
“Pop-Up MKE is a unique opportunity to activate vacant storefronts and help enhance important commercial corridors located in Milwaukee neighborhoods. Pop-Up MKE assists in reducing some of the barriers entrepreneurs face in establishing their businesses,” Milwaukee’s Commercial Corridors Team Manager, Natanael Martinez said. “The hope is that these temporary spaces grow and become permanent storefronts throughout the city.”
Pop-Up MKE is coordinated by the City of Milwaukee’s Commercial Corridor team, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in partnership with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), participating Business Improvement Districts, and MKE United. Pop-Up Milwaukee received seed funds from JP Morgan Chase Bank, and will complement commercial corridor revitalization efforts being made through Brew City Match.
“LISC is excited to partner for a second year of the program. Pop-Up MKE gives entrepreneurs of color access to critical training or resources to build their businesses,” LISC Executive Director Donsia Strong Hill said. “As Milwaukee corridors grow it is important that the growth is inclusive and equitable. Pop-Up MKE helps make equitable economic development a reality.”
“At WWBIC we brought support through our business education and our one-on-one business assistance support to individualize the attention that each entrepreneur really needed,” WWBIC Executive Director Wendy Baumann said. “We look forward to this next round to provide support and also use of our WWBIC portal for 24-7 support on many key business issues owners are experiencing every day.”
More information about Pop-Up MKE is available at: https://brewcitymatch.com/pop-upmke .The deadline for applications is August 14, 2019.
About LISC: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is the recognized leader in neighborhood development. Since 1980, LISC has marshaled over 10 billion dollars from investors, lenders and donors to foster the revitalization of more than urban neighborhoods and rural communities. Since 1995, LISC Milwaukee has invested $143 million in the central city by mobilizing resources for neighborhood revitalization and investing these funds through grants, loans and technical assistance to neighborhood-based community development efforts. More information is available at www.lisc.org orwww.lisc.org/milwaukee.
About the City of Milwaukee Commercial Corridor Team:
The City of Milwaukee Commercial Corridor Team (CCT) is a partner of choice in commercial corridor revitalization. Because commercial corridors have a vital impact on economic opportunity, neighborhood perception and quality of life, CCT staff partners with the City’s 31 Business Improvement Districts (BID) and 7 Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NID) through planning, grants, and business and commercial real estate opportunities. In addition to working with the BID/NIDs, the team is responsible for the administration of the City Façade, Signage, White Box and Retail Investment Fund Grants. To find more information on BIDs and NIDs, visit: milwaukee.gov/BIDs. For more on City resources, visit: milwaukee.gov/businesstoolbox.
About WWBIC: WWBIC (Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation) provides quality business education through both classroom and online programming on starting, growing and strengthening business, In 2017 it served approximately 3,300 individuals and closed $6.5 million in micro and small business loans. Over the past 30-plus years, WWBIC has assisted 60,145 individuals, loaned $60M to small business borrowers, and helped create and retain 10,725 jobs through business education and technical assistance, Revolving Loan funds, and SBA Loans.
About MKE United: MKE United is a cross-sectoral effort to create a shared and inclusive vision for Downtown Milwaukee and its adjacent neighborhoods, supported by a strategic action agenda to make that vision a reality. Led by a partnership between the City of Milwaukee, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Committee, and Milwaukee Urban League, MKE United is working to ensure the renaissance in Milwaukee’s downtown can be sustained and grown beyond the downtown and into Milwaukee’s neighborhoods and commercial corridors. More information is available at http://www.mkeunited.com/ and http://www.mkeunited.com/work-product
Christian Connections & Cupcakes: Entrepreneurs Need Self Care Too
In the United States, there are approximately 28 million small business owners. Our country is ranked number 1 for countries that are entrepreneurial friendly. That is of little surprise to those who know such information. Among those who start businesses approximately 6 percent of them operate it as their main job according to fitbusienss.com. Although failing businesses are on a decline, it was reported that 80% of small business owners self fund their ventures. Until a business thrives it is not logical to quit your day job, and even after sustainable income is acquired some owners still keep their job. Every day stresses can weigh heavily on a person who works, but when you add in a business self care becomes that much more crucial.
“Entrepreneurs need self-care too” was the topic of the monthly meeting held by Christian Connections and Cupcakes. The organization was founded in 2017 by Laneice Mcgee, to connect women of all faiths with support, resources of course sweets! While talking with Mcgee she offered me a delicious sample that was prepared by Mo’Cake. The event took place March 18thon a Monday night and I had not yet had dinners so timing was perfect
There were multiple speakers including Mental Health Therapist and entrepreneur Marrika Rodgers,who delivered the message on self care.
“How many of you as for help” Was a question posed by Rodgers who saw two hands up in a room of 30 plus women of all ages.
Rodgers went on to say “make self care a priority not a luxury” while giving guest tips on how to carve out that time much needed time.
Well received are McGee’s meetings. She is calm, spirited and resourceful woman, so it make it Is of no wonder that her events reflect that. The next meeting will take place on April 18th at 2053 MLK Dr and the topic will be “building your business.”
Alderman Stamper encourages shoppers to visit Pop-UP MKE on W. North Ave.
Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II is encouraging shoppers to check out two Pop-UP MKE entrepreneurs who will be set up for business in the lot near N. 16th St. and W. North Ave. at 8 a.m. TOMORROW (Saturday, July 14).
Nandi Collections, which sells leather personal accessories and home decor, and Paradise Home, which offers clothing, accessories and home goods, will hold their grand opening together, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday at 1617 W. North Ave.
“I strongly encourage community members to stop down tomorrow and see what offerings these two retail business ventures have,” Alderman Stamper said.
Pop-UP MKE is a private/public partnership helping to launch retail pop-ups in the North Avenue, Historic King Drive, Cesar Chavez Drive, and Fond du Lac Business Improvement Districts. Pop-Up MKE is coordinated by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in partnership with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WBBIC), and MKE United, a partnership between the City of Milwaukee, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Committee, and Milwaukee Urban League.
Interested business owners can find additional information on WWBIC’s website https://www.wwbic.com/news-and-events/popumkep.php . Questions can be addressed to Amber Miller, WWBIC, [email protected], 414-263-5450.
How Some Executives Give Their Brain Waves A Workout
Successful CEOs and entrepreneurs, as well as ambitious middle managers, often seek ways to keep their mental faculties sharp to stay ahead of their competition.
But training your brain to perform at peak levels isn’t easy.
And that’s why some executives are turning to neurofeedback sessions – a kind of biofeedback for the brain – to improve their mind’s executive function and performance.
“Improved health and mental focus can help you balance the stressors of daily living while keeping you headed toward your goals,” says Dr. Ed Carlton, founder of the Carlton Neurofeedback Center (www.
“For example, for people who are seeking a promotion or a career shift, or planning to start their own business, neurofeedback training can help improve their executive function and their performance.”
Inspirational speaker Tony Robbins is a fan of neurofeedback training. So is Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Walsh-Jennings.
Carlton refers to neurofeedback as “fitness training for the brain,” which is perhaps why it’s appealing even to Olympic athletes.
Here’s how it works: The process begins with a brain map, which locates the specific areas that need help to function more efficiently. Once these areas are identified, neurofeedback training can improve their function. The technology uses computers to monitor brain-wave patterns while the patient relaxes and watches a movie or video. The visual and audio inputs are varied, providing feedback based on the training goals from the brain map. The results are lasting and there are no side effects, Carlton says.
While neurofeedback can be used to improve executive function, it’s also used to treat ADD and ADHD, depression, autism, seizures, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic-stress disorder.
Carlton says there are a few important facts business executives should know if they’re interested in the benefits of neurofeedback training:
- Why the brain’s executive function is important. Executive function refers to the complex neurological processes in the brain’s frontal lobe that help you plan, manage time and get organized. “This is where we learn to keep details in our head, come up with different ways to solve problems, and start and complete tasks,” Carlton says. This requires a complex set of skills such as being able to pay attention, self-monitor and regulate emotions.
- How neurofeedback training helps. Neurofeedback can help you regain your focus and reduce mental clutter that can impact memory and organization. “After patients start the training regimen, many of them tell us the first thing they notice right away is that their quality of sleep improves,” Carlton says. “As training continues, performance improvements follow.”
- Professional development as self-care. Neurofeedback training doesn’t alter your personality or change who you are, Carlton says. “It’s simply a training gym of sorts to help your brain make new connections that keep it in balance, which helps better regulate emotional states, improves attention and focus, and enhances working memory,” he says. “For anyone in business, all of these skills are keys to improving your performance edge, helping you break out of patterns or start new ones, and sharpening your cognitive performance over time.”
The weekly neurofeedback sessions take about half an hour and are painless and non-invasive, Carlton says. The results also last a long time.
“Once your brain learns new ways to respond,” he says, “it continues learning much the way we remember how to swim year after year.”
About Dr. Ed Carlton
Dr. Ed Carlton is founder of the Carlton Neurofeedback Center (www.