SMALL BUSINESS MILWAUKEE PARTNERSHIP &

COMMUNITY IMPACT GUIDE

Connecting Businesses. Building Relationships. Creating Opportunities Since 2014. 

Small Business Milwaukee was founded with a simple mission: to help entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community organizations connect, grow, and succeed. What began as a business directory has evolved into a business resource and visibility platform serving Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

Through business promotion, educational resources, networking opportunities, and community partnerships, we help organizations increase visibility, build meaningful relationships, and access opportunities that support long-term success.

We believe businesses thrive when they have access to the right people, the right resources, and the right opportunities.

Our Mission

To support, promote, and connect small businesses through visibility, education, collaboration, and growth opportunities that strengthen our local business community.

Think Tanks & Collaboration

Since March 2020, Small Business Milwaukee’s Think Tank has met twice each week, creating hundreds of opportunities for business owners, professionals, educators, and community leaders to learn, collaborate, and grow together.

The Think Tank provides a welcoming environment where participants discuss challenges, share experiences, exchange ideas, and explore solutions.

Discussions often explore emerging trends, technologies, and business practices, helping participants stay informed and prepared for future opportunities and challenges.

We believe business owners grow faster when they learn from one another.

Educational Resources & Advisor’s Desk

Small Business Milwaukee helps entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and community organizations access trusted expertise, practical knowledge, and valuable resources that support growth and informed decision-making. 

Through the Advisor’s Desk, business owners can learn from experienced professionals across a variety of fields, including marketing, finance, business strategy, operations, leadership, technology, and growth planning.

We believe access to trusted expertise can be just as valuable as access to trusted relationships.

Emerging Entrepreneurs Zone

The Emerging Entrepreneurs Zone (EEZ) was created to inspire and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Through educational content, mentorship connections, networking opportunities, community partnerships, and real-world business experiences, the Emerging Entrepreneurs Zone helps students and aspiring business owners bridge the gap between learning and entrepreneurship. The program also creates opportunities for collaboration between students, educators, business owners, and community organizations.

As part of the Emerging Entrepreneurs Zone, Small Business Milwaukee features young entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators through blog articles that showcase the businesses, products, services, and ideas they are developing throughout our community.

By sharing their stories and accomplishments, we celebrate creativity, determination, and innovation while encouraging future entrepreneurs to pursue their own business goals.

Community Partnerships

Small Business Milwaukee believes strong communities are built through collaboration.

We work alongside businesses, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, community groups, and resource providers to create opportunities that support entrepreneurship, workforce development, business growth, and community engagement.

Through partnerships, events, educational initiatives, business showcases, and collaborative marketing efforts, we help connect people, organizations, and resources in ways that strengthen Milwaukee’s small business ecosystem.

We believe meaningful partnerships create greater impact than any organization can achieve alone.

What Makes Small Business Milwaukee Different

Many organizations offer networking, education, consulting, marketing, or entrepreneurial support. Small Business Milwaukee brings these elements together while focusing on something many entrepreneurs discover is essential to long-term success: relationships.

Rather than simply listing businesses in a directory, we help create introductions, encourage collaboration, and connect business owners with trusted people, resources, and opportunities.

As founder Tracy Champagne often says:

“Many small business owners focus on what they know. Successful business owners also focus on whom they know.”

Through business visibility initiatives, Think Tanks, educational resources, community partnerships, and entrepreneurial programs, we help businesses gain exposure, build meaningful connections, continue learning, and prepare for future growth.

We also invest in the next generation through the Emerging Entrepreneurs Zone, helping inspire future entrepreneurs while strengthening connections between business, education, and community.

Strong businesses help create strong communities. Our work focuses on strengthening both.

Impact By The Numbers

2,500+

Social Media Connections

Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding Communities Since 2014

What People Are Saying

“An Incredibly Valuable Experience”

“Small Business Milwaukee’s Think Tank has been an incredibly valuable experience. Tracy creates a welcoming environment where business owners can ask questions, receive honest feedback, and gain new perspectives. Every session has helped me think more strategically and identify practical next steps for growth.”

— John Anderson

“A Huge Asset to Small Business Owners”

“Small Business Milwaukee events are always fun and engaging. Tracy and Kim provide exceptional value and put tremendous thought and effort into their many offerings. Small Business Milwaukee is a huge asset to the small business owners in our area.”

— Sarah Deacon

What Small Business Milwaukee Is Not

Small Business Milwaukee is not a bank, lender, chamber of commerce, government agency, or business consulting firm. We do not replace organizations that specialize in lending, business planning, legal services, accounting, workforce development, or formal business education.

Instead, we work alongside those organizations by helping entrepreneurs and business owners discover resources, build relationships, increase visibility, and connect with opportunities that support long-term success.

Our role is not to be everything to everyone. Our role is to help small business owners find the right people, resources, and opportunities to move forward.

Why Organizations Partner With Us

Organizations partner with Small Business Milwaukee because we provide access to a community of entrepreneurs, business owners, educators, students, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders.

Together, we can:

• Support entrepreneurship
• Encourage workforce development
• Promote educational opportunities
• Connect businesses with valuable resources
• Increase awareness of community programs and services
• Strengthen Milwaukee’s small business ecosystem
• Support future entrepreneurs
• Create meaningful connections that drive growth and innovation

Small Business Milwaukee

Where Relationships Become Opportunities.