WWBIC presents the Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund

WWBIC presents the Wisconsin Veteran’s Loan Fund

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 Welcomes Diversity Driven Accelerator to Milwaukee

WWBIC Welcomes Diversity Driven Accelerator to Milwaukee

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. 

We’re Growing!

We’re Growing!

We’re Growing!

For Immediate Release:  WWBIC Expanding, hosting new SBA Veteran’s Business Opportunity Center (VBOC) for Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Media Contact:
Wendy K. Baumann | 414.395.4530 | wendy.baumann@wwbic.com

WWBIC aligned growth & expansion. With new and additional funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Veteran’s Business Development – WWBIC will be hosting the Veteran’s Business Opportunity Center in Milwaukee, covering a 3 state region.

The SBA’s Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide support to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and families interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA will now have 22 organizations serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) in 2018, including WWBIC.

“We are thrilled to receive additional federal grant funds to focus and further our efforts to support veteran businesses. There remains a clear need to provide educational programming and access to capital for veterans, and the VBOC model has proven successful,” said WWBIC President, Wendy K. Baumann.

This new expansion builds upon existing organizational efforts to serve underserved markets including veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners in Wisconsin. The new center will be headquartered in WWBIC’s existing Milwaukee business office.

WWBIC supported veteran-owned businesses in Wisconsin include: AccuTrans Group (Milwaukee), Baby Express (Racine), T/C Risk Management (Milwaukee), J Dog Junk Removal (Menomonee Falls)

“We are excited to expand our educational support and offerings throughout Wisconsin and beyond the state limits in both Minnesota and Illinois. This expansion resonates well with WWBIC’s new strategic action plan and growth trajectory,” said WWBIC President, Wendy K. Baumann

Wisconsin small businesses are critical to further improving Wisconsin’s economic outlook. In Wisconsin, small businesses employ 1.2million people, over 50% of the workforce! WWBIC has been providing quality business education programing and access to capital for more than 30 years. The organization has grown both in size and lasting impact. Since 1987, WWBIC deployed more than $60M in small business loans to assist over 4,000 businesses to start, strengthen or expand, creating and retaining over 10,000 jobs in our state alone.

“WWBIC’s leadership of the VBOC will be a win for the Badger State’s 40,000 veteran-owned small firms as well as those in Illinois and Minnesota,” says Eric Ness, Wisconsin’s SBA District Director. “WWBIC already has an outstanding proven track record of support for small businesses, including those owned by veterans, in both technical assistance and lending.”

AccuTrans Group in Milwaukee is a great example of a successful small business model that needed a bit of additional support and access to capital to expand. With the help of WWBIC loan, owner Matt Carroll was able to purchase additional vehicles and reach more clients successfully growing his business.

“WWBIC’s ability to see the potential in their clients is unprecedented. They helped me get on my feet,” said Matt Carroll, owner of AccuTrans.

Today, Matt Carroll is proud to say that AccuTrans Group is an industry leader in safety and dependability. He plans to continue expanding the business working towards becoming the best transportation option in the state of Wisconsin. AccuTrans Group is a great example of how WWBIC assists an entrepreneur from business startup, to growth and expansion creating jobs in our local communities.

WWBIC will continue to work with partners in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota to successfully serve under supported individuals. WWBIC partners include: SBA resource partners, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and SCORE in addition to local educational institutions, chambers of commerce and economic and community development organizations.

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. To learn more about WWBIC visit: www.wwbic.com

About SBA’s Office of Veteran’s Business Development VBOC Program

The Office of Veterans Business Development’s (OVBD) mission is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their famillies. OVBD is SBA’s liaison with the veteran’s business community; provides policy analysis and reporting; and is as an Ombudsman for veteran entrepreneurs. OVBD has a number of programs and services to assist aspiring and existing veteran entrepreneurs such as training, counseling and mentorship, and oversight of Federal procurement programs for Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.