WWBIC presents the Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund

WWBIC presents the Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Press Releases, Veterans

WWBIC presents the Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund

Veteran-owned small businesses play a significant role on the Wisconsin economy and WWBIC and the Wisconsins Veterans Chamber of Commerce have partnered to advance further support offerings through a newly created the Veteran’s Loan Fund.   During these unprecedented and unsettling times, support and resources for small businesses is needed now, more than ever, to aid with resiliency and sustainability for the long haul.

The WWBIC Veteran’s loan fund is for entrepreneurs and business owners needing business assistance and is open to Veteran business owners seeking capital to grow their businesses. The WWBIC Veteran’s Loan Fund offers loans up to $25,000 at a redudced interest rate, and can be combined with other WWBIC funding sources for a maximum $250,000 loan.

“We are thrilled that Bank of America is joining us with this new and additional investment to support our Veteran Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in Wisconsin.  These loan funds will prove helpful in providing that working capital and start up funds that are often difficult to secure.  This loan capital along with WWBIC’s business and financial education programming and support through our WWBIC Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC) will bode well with our strong partnership with the Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce.” Said Wendy Baumann, President and Chief Visionary Officer at WWBIC.

“WWBIC has been helping Veteran business owners for years and we are proud to carry on that tradition with our new loan offering. We thank all of our Veterans for their service and encourage veteran business owners to reach out and explore the possibilities of one of WWBIC’s primary focuses: lending responsible capital to Wisconsin Veteran owned businesses.” Said Michael Hetzel, Director of Lending at WWBIC.

“With more than 50,000 businesses owned by veterans in Wisconsin, our state’s economy depends on the success of veteran entrepreneurs and business owners. However far too many veteran entrepreneurs struggle to access the capital they need to successfully start and grow businesses due to their military service. Thanks to the leadership of WWBIC now they are empowered to realize their dreams. When veterans succeed, Wisconsin’s economy and our communities succeed as well.” Said Saul Newton, Executive Director Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce.

“With over 30,000 Veteran owned businesses in the state of Wisconsin, this investment will offer support and assistance to Veteran owned businesses throughout Wisconsin. . Veteran owned businesses make up nearly 11% of all the small businesses in Wisconsin. I am confident that The Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund will be instrumental in assisting these businesses grow ” Said Dan Newberry, VBOC@WWBIC Co-director.

For additional details about the Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund, please click here.

WWBIC COVID-19 Update

WWBIC COVID-19 Update

by | Mar 16, 2020 | News, Press Releases, Resources, Uncategorized, WWBIC

WWBIC COVID-19 Update

UPDATE: As of March 23, all WWBIC offices have been closed.

Greetings,

WWBIC is closely monitoring developments of the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Because we are a statewide organization, we have a responsibility to consider health crises that may affect areas of our reach in differing levels of emergency. We wanted to share an update on WWBIC programming and services in light of this situation.
 
 
WWBIC Offices
 
At this time, all WWBIC offices are open for business. However, as this situation is ongoing, we ask that you please reach out directly to our offices for information on potential closures or changes to regular business hours. Calling ahead is highly recommended. We will continue to share information on any changes and on how best to reach us during this time at the numbers
at the bottom of the page.
 
 
WWBIC Programming
 
At this time, WWBIC classes will all be changed from in-person to web based through April. Below is an initial list of our upcoming classes that had already been planned as webinars.
 
 
Over the next couple of days, we will be changing our in person classes to webinars. Please continue and check our website for the most current information in regards to our programming at www.wwbic.com/classes.
 
 
Disaster Relief Lending
 
The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced small business lending opportunities in the wake of COVID-19. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
 
For more information, please visit the SBA’s website here.
 
 
We appreciate your patience during this time. Our priority is and has always been maintaining the health and safety of our staff and our clients. While we remain open at this time, we advise that all individuals follow the precautions set by the CDC, making sure to wash your hands regularly and avoid larger crowds when possible.
 
 
Thank you and be well,
 
The WWBIC Team

 

WWBIC Greater Milwaukee/Waukesha: 414-263-5450

WWBIC Madison: 608-257-5450

WWBIC Racine: 262-898-5000

WWBIC Kenosha: 262-925-2850

WWBIC Appleton: 920-944-2700

WWBIC Green Bay Hub: 920-496-2110

WWBIC La Crosse: 608-632-8041

WWBIC Welcomes Diversity Driven Accelerator to Milwaukee

WWBIC Welcomes Diversity Driven Accelerator to Milwaukee

by | Oct 31, 2019 | News, Partners, Press Releases, Veterans

WWBIC Welcomes Diversity Driven Accelerator to Milwaukee

WWBIC is excited to announce the official launch of cohort one of the new “Diversity Driven Accelerator.” Modeled after the 2018-2019 WWBIC WEDC Growth Accelerator, which focused on Racine, Kenosha and Walworth County businesses, the Diversity Driven  Accelerator will support and grow businesses owned by minorities, veterans and women in Greater Milwaukee to help create jobs and strengthen neighborhoods.

The Diversity Driven Accelerator will consist of four intensive 11-week business accelerator programs made up of five business teams.  During the course of those 11 weeks, teams will develop their business models by engaging in consumer testing: Integrating input from customers, mentors and advisors.  At the end of the program, teams will present their pitches to qualify for a minimum of $500.00 seed grant. 

“The accelerator program has been very impactful to the thought process I have towards business. I found the content to be engaging, applicable, and relevant to any industry one endeavors to serve in. I think every potential business owner should participate in the accelerator program!” Donisha Nesbitt, Owner of CoveredCare Home Care Agency and Growth Accelerator participant.

The application can be found at bit.ly/wwbicaccelerator. Applications must be received no later than close of business Friday, December 6. The program is open to businesses and/or residents of the Greater Milwaukee area. The accelerator will start the week of January 6, 2020, exact date and time to be determined.

This initiative is made possible through the Wells Fargo Works For Small Business®: Diverse Community Capital program, which offers capital and technical assistance to minority-owned small businesses as a way to create local jobs and strengthen neighborhoods.

About WWBIC

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. (WWBIC) is a leading, innovative economic development corporation “Putting Dreams to Work.” WWBIC’s primary focus is on women, people of color and low income individuals, providing direct lending and access to fair and responsible capital, quality business education, one-on-one technical business assistance and education to increase financial capability.   Since 1987, WWBIC has lent over $60 million in micro and small business loans with a current loan portfolio of $18 million and nearly 500 active borrowers. 

WWBIC names Kamaljit ‘KC’ Jackson as new Vice President of Programs & Operations

WWBIC names Kamaljit ‘KC’ Jackson as new Vice President of Programs & Operations

by | Aug 2, 2019 | News, Press Releases

WWBIC names Kamaljit ‘KC’ Jackson as new Vice President of Programs & Operations

WWBIC has experienced a tremendous period of growth over the past year, with the start of the Veterans Business Outreach Center, the opening of a new office in Appleton, and expansion to Green Bay. In keeping with that trend, WWBIC has hired Kamaljit ‘KC’ Jackson as the new Vice President of Programs & Operations.

“We are thrilled to bring Kamaljit Jackson into the folds of our WWBIC leadership. Her decade of experience and insight from both the corporate and education sectors will be a great complement to our statewide team,” said WWBIC President and CVO, Wendy K. Baumann. “We are specifically pleased to have her Lean Business Model expertise as we further advance our WWBIC Strategic Plan.”

As Vice President of Programs & Operations, Jackson will actively participate on WWBIC’s senior management team to provide leadership to the organization while working collaboratively to set and support agency direction, consistent policies and procedures, and strategic plan implementation.  In addition to leading WWBIC’s Programs and Services teams, she will supervise and coach staff with positive influence to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.

Jackson brings a wealth of experience in leadership, coaching, program management and process improvement strategies.  She has a Bachelors in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University and holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside.  She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. 

Her previous experience includes positions in the public, nonprofit and private sectors – Senior Accountability & Efficiency Officer at the Racine Unified School District, Quality System Manager and Adjunct Instructor at Gateway Technical College, Project Administrator/Program Management with Johnson Controls – Human Resource Department, and Administrative Manager/Special Projects/Program Coordinator with the Medical College of Wisconsin. 

In addition, Jackson is active in the community – she currently serves on the Board of Directors for Visioning A Greater Racine (VGR) and is an examiner for the Baldrige National Quality Program Examiner: National Awards Program(MBNQA), as well as a Senior Member with the American Society for Quality (ASQ).  Jackson has also been involved with various organizations across Kenosha and Racine counties, namely,  Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Racine and Kenosha Counties, United Way of Kenosha volunteering on various committees, VITA, Readers are Leaders, Day of Caring, United Way of Racine Schools of Hope tutor, and HALO – Sleep Out for Homelessness.

“Mark Twain said it best that ‘the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.’ WWBIC is my why…this organization unleashes the potential in individuals by promoting self-efficacy, self-promotion, and empowerment to think and dream big, while walking alongside them to ensure they are ‘putting dreams to work.’  Just knowing you played a small role in someone else’s success…..well, it doesn’t get any better than that because we rise by lifting others, said Jackson.

 

WWBIC Announces Newly Elected Board Officers

WWBIC Announces Newly Elected Board Officers

by | Dec 19, 2018 | Press Releases, Uncategorized, WWBIC

WWBIC Announces Newly Elected Board Officers

WWBIC (The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation) welcomes a slate of new Board Officers for 2019. Karin Gale (Schenck SC) will now serve as WWBIC’s Chairperson, taking the role from Past Chair Michael McDonagh (Mallery & Zimmerman). Johnny L. Moutry Jr. (New Covenant Housing Corporation, Inc.) will serve as Vice Chair/Secretary. Kathryn Andrea (Andrea & Orendorff) will remain WWBIC’s Treasurer and Chair of WWBIC’s Audit and Finance Committee.

Karin Gale was a member of WWBIC’s Finance & Audit Committee before joining the Board. She is a shareholder at Schenck, a Wisconsin accounting and business consulting firm. Her board and committee service includes the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs (Past President), the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (Past President), the Association for Corporate Growth Wisconsin (Past President), and the City of West Allis Community Development Authority.

Johnny Moutry is Executive Director of New Covenant Housing Corporation, a faith‐based community and housing developer for low‐to‐moderate‐income individuals and families, in Milwaukee. A retired executive of Aldrich Chemical, a leading Milwaukee manufacturing now part of Sigma‐Aldrich, Mr. Moutry has received the Urban Economic Development of Milwaukee Leadership Award and the Wilbur Halyard Award for Community Service.

Kathy Andrea has been a partner at Andrea & Orendorff LLP in Kenosha, WI, since 1989. She served on WWBIC’s Finance & Audit Committee before joining the Board. Kathy specializes in providing auditing and management advisory services to nonprofit and governmental clients. She serves as Treasurer on the boards of the Kemper Center and the Kenosha Library Foundation.

WWBIC’s 2018-2021 strategic plan is underway. Through aligned growth, exemplary customer service, and measurable impact, WWBIC will advance its social goal of improving the economic well-being of individuals through inclusive entrepreneurship and facilitating self-sufficiency strategies.