City leaders have a message for small business owners: "Your success is the city’s success"
MILWAUKEE -- City leaders in Milwaukee have a message for small business owners in Milwaukee: they want to be your partner. This week (May 2nd through the 6th) is Milwaukee Small Business Week -- dedicated to connecting small business owners in town with resources to help them succeed.
"The more you can grow, the more jobs you create and the stronger this city is," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Mayor Barrett on Monday, May 2nd told a room full of small business owners just how vital they are to Milwaukee's economy.
"Two-thirds of the projected job growth comes from small business," said Mayor Barrett.
May 2nd through May 6th is National Small Business Week -- and the Small Business Sustainability Conference provided an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of small businesses to the economy and help them grow.
"If we're going to create opportunities for residents in Milwaukee, most of that opportunity is going to come from your shops. We recognize that as a city," said Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton.
The week will be filled with professional networking events, seminars and business workshops focusing on topics like how to leverage LinkedIn for your business development.
But something social networking can't beat in the business world is face-to-face human interaction.
"The relationships I made attending this conference two years ago allowed me to be able to re-finance my business, adding some more jobs, also doing a little bit of expansion," said Roy Henning, owner of MOFOCO.
From loan opportunities without fees to programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs looking to do business in Milwaukee, the conference highlights tools of the trade to boost a business and economy.
"Your success is the city's success," said Mayor Barrett.
On Tuesday, May 3rd there is a workshop scheduled for former offenders, to teach them the skills to be an entrepreneur. Later on in the week, there will be an awards ceremony recognizing successful small businesses in Wisconsin.