Due to technical issues, we had to send the Catalyst out a second time.  We apologize if this has caused you any problems.

Thanks,

BizStarts


 


 

A Note From the President 
 
According to the Wall Street Journal in a recently released Federal Reserve report from 2013, people under age 30 who own private businesses have reached a 24-year low.

In fact, the proportions of young adults who start a business each month dropped in 2013 to the lowest level in 17 years, according to the Kauffman Foundation.

What is particularly troubling is that the decline in young entrepreneurs is part of a broader drop in private business ownership over the past 25 years, Mr. Litan of the Brookings Institute reported "new firms as a portion of all firms-fell by nearly half between 1978 and 2011."

The plunge in business ownership captured by the Fed survey is, according to John Davis of the Harvard Business School, a "worrisome trend for the entire US economy."

BizStarts is determined to do its part to change this picture.  We offer hands-on help to each and every entrepreneur, young and old alike, giving them the help and resources they need to start a business.

Dan Steininger


 


A note from the Executive Director
 
 BizStarts is off to a great start in 2015.  We are now a staff of four, with the addition of Kayla Raguse as our Executive Assistant and Noah Ellis as our Development & Program Coordinator.  Together, we are working on increasing our intake of entrepreneurs, providing services, connection to resources, Professional Programs and mentors.

In January, US Bank presented a Professional program to entrepreneurs on the importance of a relationship with a business banker and what it takes to become "bankable" when starting your business.  The first of our Professional Program Series went very well and BizStarts will offer a new program each month.

BizStarts re-launched our Mentor Program, adding new mentors from various needed fields of expertise, yet keeping the dedicated volunteer mentors we already have.  You will not in this issue of the Catalyst, we have a new feature, Mentor of the Month.  These men and women offer our entrepreneurs expertise they may never be able to find on their own.  If you are interested in joining our Mentor Program, please go to our website and sign up for an interview.

Jacquin Davidson
 
BizStarts Featured Company:    Raw a-Peel
 
Entrepreneurship was at the core of what brought business partners Dan Rindt and Linda Haag to form Raw a-Peel.  This cold pressed juice company offers corporate America the health, education and energy needed to get through stressful projects and long days.  Founded in the fall of 2013 during workouts at a local gym, the making of a dream started to formulate.

After initially collecting recipes and performing research by product testing through focus groups, Raw a-Peel found themselves ready to launch the sale of their juices at local farmers' markets and through corporate wellness programs.  After receiving feedback from customers, they determined which juices to roll out to market.  At this point, Raw a-Peel contacted BizStarts, met with a mentor and realized this was where their vision was becoming a reality.

Linda and Dan are continually striving towards their goal of creating a healthier, more energized and educated community.  Raw a-Peel has hired a food and beverage consultant, found a local source for fruits and vegetables, moved to a larger, licensed kitchen, and has determined its distribution and pricing.  As their most rest recent step, they are currently working with a large company and its corporate wellness program.

BizStarts presents two entrepreneurs at first Investor Forum of 2015
 

On January 22nd, BizStarts held its first Investor Forum of the year at the Milwaukee Club, sponsored by Northern Trust.  Two companies that have gone through the BizStarts' BizForge Program presented to a room of potential investors.  The first company up to bat was Forceout, founded by Lee Jaramillo.  Forceout is a new protective inner glove for baseball and fast pitch softball players.  The second company was The Scholar's Choice, founded by Megan Harney & Bryan Potts.  The Scholar's Choice replaces 13 educational software packages with a single, cloud-based platform and lets teachers do what they are meant to do - teach.


 

As part of a special presentation, the audience got to hear from Katherine Nixon the Chief Investment Officer for the Wealth Management Business at Northern Trust.  Katie is a regular guest on CNBC's Power Lunch and other media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal.  She shared her market insights for 2015 and beyond, with this group of entrepreneurs and investors.


 

BizStarts Featured Mentor:  Robert Dennik,
 
Bob Dennik is the Vice President at VJS Construction Services in Pewaukee where he has worked for six years.  Previously, he worked for the then Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.  With Milwaukee County, he held several positions including the Director of Economic Development.  To Bob, Economic Development is all about mentoring.

VJS Construction Services and Bob have been involved with BizStarts since 2014.  Within a matter of hours after his first meeting with VJS Construction Services' Executive Vice President, David Jorgensen,and BizStarts' President, Dan Steininger, Bob started mentoring a company that had come to BizStarts in need of assistance.  He works closely with this company and believes it is now close to launch.  He has also met and worked with other firms and has logged many hours mentoring entrepreneurs through the BizStarts Mentor Program.

Bob finds it exciting to see people with great ideas and cherishes the opportunity to try and help them get into the marketplace.  This is what he truly enjoys and has made it his personal mission to try and help put someone to work every day.

Thank you Bob for all you do!

BizForge Program
ReadyReference: 
Selling to the Government
  
Federal, State and Local Governments offer small businesses great business opportunities. Whether in manufacturing, construction, services, technology or R&D, the Government purchases everything from furniture to tanks - from tree planting to socks.  Each level of government follows their particular process to purchase.  Businesses should become familiar with procedures used by a particular government entity then determine how they can best compete.

Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) is a non-profit organization established over 20 years ago by Wisconsin's Congressman, Les Aspin.  Its mission is to assist companies with government contracting - helping firms successfully enter and develop their government market segment.


BizStarts Featured Foundation:  
The Harley-Davidson Foundation
 
The Harley Davidson Foundation seeks to help meet the basic needs of the communities where we work, improve people's lives and encourage social responsibility.  In doing so, we help build strong, skilled and sustainable communities.  Established in 1993, The Foundation works with Harley-Davidson employees and dealerships to help fulfill dreams through partnerships with charitable organizations focused on education, health and the environment.

Grants provide community support where we have corporate facilities and target areas of greatest need among underserved populations.  Out work supports key community activities that enhance the quality of life for individuals and families.

For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com.
 

BizStarts' Board Member, Dr. Michael Lovell to be honored at the Champions of Change Awards
 
Dr. Lovell will be honored with the Lifelong Commitment to Environmental Justice at Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee's 25th Annual Champions for Change Awards Presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.  The Lifelong Commitment to Environmental Justice Award honors an individual who has contributed to improved environmental quality in Greater Milwaukee over a period of 10 years or more.  For other individuals will also be recognized for their  outstanding leadership:
  • U.S. Senator Herb Kohl - Lifelong Commitment to Justice Award (Social Justice)
  • Jill De Grave, Wisconsin Humane Society - Lifelong Commitment to Justice Award ( Animal Welfare)
  • The Milwaukee Brewers - David Schwartz Business Humanitarian Award
  • Vanessa La Coste, Artworks for Milwaukee - Future of Change Awards
What's Happening? 
Event Announcements for Entrepreneurs

 

2015 Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest is now open for entries.  Deadline for entries is 5 pm, January 31, 2015.  Since its

 inception in 2004, more than 2,900 entries have been received and about $1.8 million in cash and services such as legal, accounting, office space and ma

rketing) have been awarded.  Contest categories are Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology and Life Sciences.  To participate create an account at www.govsbizplancontest.com


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.

 




Anon Charitable Trust Foundation






























Daniel Hoan Foundation





























 


 

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