St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care: Business incubator participants announced

Contact: Sharon Selz
(414) 977-5064; sselz@stanncenter.org

A hydroponic greenhouse, a healthy juice bar and café, and a travel agency arranging international adventures for high schoolers. These are a few of the enterprising ideas that will be presented at a free business incubator designed to stimulate new and growing businesses on Milwaukee’s near north side.

The neighborhood business incubator is set for Thursday, December 81-4 p.m., at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Avenue. With the theme “Building from Within,” the incubator aims to encourage locally owned business start-ups in the 53206 and 53205 Zip codes. The success of a similar incubator held in June led to the planning of this follow-up incubator.

Sponsored by Milwaukee Ald. Russell W. Stamper II, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care and Marketplace Business Improvement District (BID) 32, the incubator is designed to help jump-start local businesses that can generate income for the 15th Aldermanic District. Unlike “Shark Tank”-style incubators that award the single best business idea, this event is designed to give as much help as possible to all participants.
 


“The result of the first incubator has some entrepreneurs well on their way to opening up their businesses,” says Ald. Stamper, who has worked to find office space for them. “We‘re expecting an even greater success with the second incubator.”


The incubator will give budding small business owners a chance to present their ideas to a panel of bankers, lawyers, investors and successful entrepreneurs. Participants will also receive coaching on developing a business plan, branding and possibly find backers for their ventures.

The business hopefuls and their proposals include:

  • Jonathan Cousin–Automated hydroponic gardening system, growing food for restaurants and food insecure households
  • Jamila Olivia Pugh–You Can: Dream Abroad, providing international travel opportunities to high school students
  • Jesse Colas–General contracting company providing construction surfaces for banks and insurance companies
  • Marvin Jones-Shared kitchen/commissary for food trucks, caterers and healthy cooking classes
  • Laneice McGee–Future Entrepreneurs Moving Ahead—a program aimed at exploring entrepreneurship options for youth
  • Brandi Iberia Austin--“Saved and the City”, a community-based radio talk show that will provide answers/resources for various community needs, including personal development, spiritual awareness, and support for small business
  • Sheneta Hamilton–Afro-centric attire and accessories
  • Ara V. Jackson–Live flowers embossed with messages and edible gift/promotional products
  • Marshall Harley–Green Source Juice Bar Café and Lounge
  • Taletha Thompson–Kid Chauffeur USA transportation service for children ages 4 to 17
  • Nakita Deberry–Residential/commercial cleaning service
  • Yvonne Martin–Spa promoting health, relaxation and meditation techniques
  • Sonja Conner–Residential home care
  • Barbara Green–Travel agency and T-shirt shop
  • Charmaine Fowlkes–Winery producing local small-batch craft wines
  • Valerie Guerin–Crocheting for All Ages, crafting classes