For more information, contact:
Christina Knudsen, Chief Operations Officer
414-263-5450 • cknudsen@wwbic.com
WDVA Provides 20 Laptops & 9 Equity Injections to Veteran-Owned Businesses in Wisconsin Through WWBIC
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) in partnership with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) announce that 29 small businesses owned by veterans across Wisconsin will receive laptops loaded with QuickBooks software or $5,000 equity injections. Several entrepreneurial recipients as well as WWBIC staff and WDVA Division of Benefits Administrator Jeremy Lyon attended an awards presentation on Wednesday at WWBIC headquarters in Milwaukee.
“The WDVA has been a great partner for us, and we’re so appreciative of their financial support,” says Kathryn Dunn, WWBIC President and CEO. “Providing training, and then backing it up with useful equipment and equity makes a huge impact for our veteran clients.”
All award recipients attended at least one WWBIC entrepreneurial training session on topics like QuickBooks, AI and resources for entrepreneurs for veterans in April and May. The equity injection winners were selected by a panel of business experts after submitting a video pitch. These pitch competition winning businesses are:
- Amberlulu, owned by Fanni Xie, Appleton, Wisconsin
- Beyond Yoga, owned by Michelle Marrero, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Driftless Provisions, owned by Ryan Wagner, Viroqua, Wisconsin
- Fireside Cabins, owned by James Gingras, Baraboo, Wisconsin
- Pulaski Community Masters, owned by Patrick Lara, Pulaski, Wisconsin
- Purple Basil, owned by Carolina Corral, Plover, Wisconsin
- S. Barnes Designs, owned by Shawna Barnes, Cable, Wisconsin
- Sullivan Family Farm, owned by Ryan Sullivan, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Weld X Metal Works, owned by Tyler Bierman, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin
“The resources and guidance I have received through WWBIC have introduced me to opportunities that I likely would not have discovered on my own, and I do not believe I would have made the same progress without their support,” says Weld X Metal Works owner and Army veteran Tyler Bierman. “The funding I am receiving will help increase revenue, reach new customers, and continue building a strong reputation for quality work and dependable service.”
2026 WDVA laptop and equity injection recipients pose with WWBIC President/CEO Kathryn Dunn
The 20 businesses who were selected to receive laptops loaded with QuickBooks software include:
- Acres Aweigh Farm Stay, New Glarus, Wisconsin
- AdjunctPro, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
- The Cat’s MeWow, Waukesha, Wisconsin
- DMP Development Analytics, Madison, Wisconsin
- Full Spectrum Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin
- Gear Inspections, Rio, Wisconsin
- Grant Canyon Outfitters, Waupaca, Wisconsin
- Harpoon Lures, Madison, Wisconsin
- Her Lounge MKE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Highland Cottage Cafe, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
- Honey Bee Solar MKE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Jump Street Party Rentals, Watertown, Wisconsin
- Living Vine Wellness, Weston, Wisconsin
- Rain Drop Irrigation, Gilman, Wisconsin
- SkyLabMKE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Skytech Dynamics, Two Rivers, Wisconsin
- Spirit Mind & Body Yoga, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Springkleen, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Team Royalle Bookkeeping, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Warden Group, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“Winning one of the laptops with Quickbooks could not have come at a more perfect time,” says Judy Farrell, a Navy veteran and owner of Acres Aweigh Farm Stay. “Trying to track produce inventory, sales, expenses, etc. was already becoming too complicated for our hand-written log system. I am so grateful for this gift as it is going to save me so much time and frustration while freeing me up to focus on the heart of my business.”
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About WDVA
Since 1987, the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) has served as the leading innovative economic development corporation that is “Putting Dreams to Work” by assisting microenterprise and small businesses throughout Wisconsin. WWBIC opens the doors of opportunity by providing any individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening, or expanding businesses with access to resources such as financial products and quality business and personal financial training.
WWBIC has fiercely championed its mission by operating in six Wisconsin regions to offer services statewide, channeling its activities through four pillars: credit/financial wellness; classes/training; capital/lending (ranging from $1,000 to $350,000); and coaching/connections. Since 1987, WWBIC has served 78,743 individuals and loaned $130 million to small business owners. Their technical and capital support has created or retained 16,895 jobs with over 11,336 businesses started, strengthened, or expanded. To learn more about WWBIC visit: www.wwbic.com.
Federal funding disclosure:
In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328:
WWBIC
Federal Funding – $2,281,870 (29%)
State Funding – $475,000 (6%)
Earned Revenues – $2,940,277 (37%)
Donations/Contributions – $2,289,127 (28%)