A Note From the President 

 

BizStarts continues to expand its reach to help all entrepreneurs and is getting the attention of business and political leaders in the state of Wisconsin.


 

The Secretary of WHEDA, Wyman Winston and the Secretary of WEDC, Reed Hall are coming to BizStarts offices for separate briefings on our progress since our Grand Opening in April.


 

The strategic initiatives we have pursued since our Grand Opening include:

  1. Our expansion to open our doors and offer assistance to all entrepreneurs, not just gazelles, has caused our deal flow to explode.  We are now working with over 130 companies and adding a significant number every week.
     
  2. BizForge is now working on steroids.  We have formed partnerships with the mainstream institutional players that are critical to successfully growing companies.  No organization has a greater network of critical major partners in this space in all of Southeast Wisconsin.
In the meantime, we have partnered with United States Association of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs, lead by our own board member, Patrick Snyder and UW-Whitewater to put on an Entrepreneurship Over Easy program.

This is a big deal as they are the largest small business association in the country.  Hopefully you can attend the very exciting program.  For more information please read the article below.


Dan Steininger

BizStarts Featured Company:    Travel Pocket

 

Did you know that over 400,000 people are pickpocketed each day? Leo Vitangcol invented Travel Pocket to help others avoid becoming part of that statistic. Leo, Dave Clark, Mina Vitangcol and Donna Clark started Wellspring Ideas, LLC to bring Leo's solution to vulnerable travelers.

 

Leo has traveled all over the world and was disappointed when told to leave valuables in a hotel safe or keep money in his sock while traveling. Then Donna had a terrible experience. Someone "stole" her credit cards by using a scanning device to electronically read and record the cards right through her purse! 

This type of crime is becoming increasingly common. As a result, Leo created the Travel Pocket with RFID-Blocking Technology to stop electronic pickpocketing as well as traditional pickpocketing!

 

Travel Pocket is proudly made in the USA and uniquely combines three features:

1. You wear Travel Pocket, so it can't be "lifted" like a wallet can.

2. Travel 

Pocket has RFID-Blocking Technology to protect against electronic pickpocketing.

3. Unlike other hidden travel pouches, you don't have to reach into your shirt or pantsto access your money. 

 

In the Milwaukee area, Travel Pocket can be found at RedCap Luggage in Whitefish Bay, Traveling Bags Luggage in Greenfield, and Hal's Harley Davidson in New Berlin. To learn more, or to purchase Travel Pocket, visit safetravelpocket.com. 


BizStarts honored Barry Mandel as an 
Inspirational Entrepreneur on November 13th!
 

Barry Mandel's advice, to a crowd that included some of Milwaukee's business stars, thought leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and Mayor of Milwaukee Tom Barrett:

 

 "If you are a straight A student go become a doctor or a lawyer; but if you're a C+ or  B- student think seriously about starting a great company and becoming super successful and wealthy in the process."

 

Photo Credit: Erol ReyalAt Schlitz Park on November 13 Barry Mandel joined a long list of Wisconsin rock star entrepreneurs who've grown great companies and created thousands of jobs and received the BizStarts Inspirational Entrepreneur Award.

 

Dan Steininger, President of BizStarts said that Barry Mandel was selected because he's an entrepreneur who has reshaped the Milwaukee skyline in the process of building a great company.

 

Barry 's additional advice is that entrepreneurs have to have a passion for what you're doing; be willing to work long hours and weekends; pick yourself up off the mat when you've been knocked down; listen to your teammates and changes in the market to pivot, and most importantly pay yourself last.

 

 
Entrepreneurship Over Easy - 
December 5th at 8:00am
 
Entrepreneurship Over Easy is a unique breakfast series offering education, inspiration and food for thought, presented by University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, BizStarts Milwaukee, and USASBE.

This event will cover the topics of Economic Projections for the New Year: Wisconsin in 2015 with Dr. Russ Kashian, Director of the Fiscal and Economical Research Center and a Difference Making Sales Training and Performance discussion with Dr. Jimmy Peltier, Director of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Institute for Sales Excellence.
BizStarts logo with URL
 
 
BizStarts Featured Sponsor:  GRAEF


 

At GRAEF, you'll find a dedicated staff skilled in a full range of design services that will help your business become more efficient, more innovative, more responsive and more successful. As a full service engineering consulting firm, the needs and objectives of each client is their main focus. GRAEF has the knowledge of 

the latest technologies and the evolving marketplace that can help any business thrive, whether that business is well established or still taking its first steps into a new or larger market.


With 250 employees and offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay - as well as in Chicago, Illinois and Orlando, Florida - GRAEF has the ability and drive to solve the toughest design challenges. The firm specializes in markets such as public infrastructure and transportation, environmental issues, industry, communications, governmental facilities, healthcare, education, and more. Market specific knowledge and expertise gives GRAEF the ability to provide tailored engineering and design solutions - ultimately helping clients reach their goals. 

 
 
BizForge Resource Hub's
ReadyReference: Crowdfunding

In mid-November, as part of the Mayor's Entrepreneur Week, BizStarts hosted a crowdfunding workshop with attorneys Kate Bechen and Michael Dahm of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.

As part of the workshop they discussed the different types of crowdfunding available including,  reward based, equity based and credit based.  They also talked about the new laws that went into effect on June 1, 2014.  While crowdfunding might not be the right avenue of funding for every business, it is certainly an alternative for those that can't get funding through bank loans or traditional investment.

To read more on the regulations for crowdfunding visit the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website:  http://www.wdfi.org/fi/securities/crowdfunding/default.htm

What's Happening? 
Event Announcements for Entrepreneurs

 

Entrepreneurship Over Easy, December 5th at 8:00AM, Schlitz Park RiverCenter Auditorium Register Here

  
Tools for Entrepreneurs

Used by BizStarts, created by Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship

Here are 10 of the best digital tools to help you launch and grow your startup
A networking site for entrepreneurs, designed to help connect startups
 
 
Recognition for BizForge Resource Hub 
Sponsors and Partners

 

As the region's premier resource for entrepreneurs and emerging companies, BizStarts Milwaukee draws expertise from a wide range of service and professional specialties that collectively foster Wisconsin's entrepreneurial spirit.  
 
BizForge Resource Hub enlists these experts to provide unique opportunities for training and development, market and/or product assessments, leadership planning and other consultations or services...available only to BizStarts engaged entrepreneurs and their businesses.  Why is this model important? More innovation, more successful launches and more jobs in our community.  Please join us in thanking our sponsors and partners.

 






















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