Downtown provides a cost-effective and scalable location for businesses to start and grow. Not only were downtowns the first live/work communities (a cost- and time-saving advantage that many entrepreneurs still take advantage of), but historic buildings also offer passive income potential in the form of rental of upper floor spaces, as well as future expansion opportunities. Read More
Women entrepreneurs make up a large, growing and vital part of the downtown business landscape. Women business owners and managers – who make up 40 percent of all downtown businesses owned in Wisconsin - find the downtown environment to be a supportive place to start and grow a business, offering convenient marketing, built-in foot traffic, and a community of other entrepreneurs to collaborate with. This network of like-minded business owners bodes well for future business growth. Read More
Farmers markets are a common sight in many Wisconsin communities. Markets create activity during off-peak hours, support local entrepreneurs, and increase access to healthy foods. Increasingly, these markets also incorporate performances from local arts groups, cooking demonstrations, food trucks and community engagement. Read More
When people hear the word “entrepreneur,” the picture that comes to mind may be a high-tech startup or an enterprising inventor with a new gadget. However, 91 percent of downtown storefronts are locally owned and operated, and these businesses are entrepreneurial ventures in the truest sense of the word. Webster’s dictionary defines an entrepreneur as