As I mentioned in passing on Facebook, I was less than impressed with the Scale Up Milwaukee event earlier this week. I think the people in attendance were very much in their traditional roles and opportunity for true discussion on how to assist entrepreneurs in Milwaukee was missed.
Let me start by saying I get it. With my current venture, I am never going to have a staff of thousands. But when the government official at my table responded to my introduction with “well, this is J. He actually has a business,” it didn’t leave me feeling like Milwaukee supports entrepreneurs. Everything (everything!) these days is pointing to mom and pop shops. To local. To “I don’t want to work for the man. I want to follow my passion and never work a Friday afternoon.” How do we get all of the people with these sediments to grow their business in our fair city?
Monday’s presentation centered around how can the big wigs of your Harley-Davidsons and NMLs help smaller fish invent the next Google in our backyard. That’s all swell, but I believe they are missing the mark.
Just like the MMAC did with Young Professionals of Milwaukee (Er…I mean Fuel Milwaukee…Whatever.) They created a group for young folks. Young folks who could apply and participate on their committees if they worked for your Johnson Controls or USBanks. Since I worked at a nonprofit (with around 50 staff), I never felt like I was a valued member. I circled the periphery, asking for programs those of us that paid our own way could enjoy, but it never went anywhere. Enter NEWaukee. Ian and his team have blown up the scene! Since their inception, they have invited the huddled masses from all corners of our great city (albeit with a hipster bent, but hey, aren’t all young professionals hipsters?) to big events showcasing unique places and features of our town. Thusly, making it a place young’ens love and want to live in forever. Which, I do believe was YPM’s purpose in the first place. Oh, and I think a sponsorship from anyone beyond the Surg Group didn’t show up for at least the first year of their existence. Boom.
So should I expect all of the Important City Folk to get together and hold cocktail parties (for the love of Pete, this was a serious suggestion…have more cocktail parties for the little people to meet your friends…good God…) to make my business explode? Nah. I’m not counting on them. Instead, I’ll go to Local First Milwaukee for opportunities to network and learn from other “little people” in town like the directors of Lakefront Brewery, Outpost and Laacke & Joys and turn to resources on the Internet and outside of the area for training.
And as for J and his “actual business”? Well, I looked him up and he has 10 people on his staff (or at least 10 people who do consulting for his business.) Good for you, J, and your jerky congressman friend, but I don’t think you’re changing the face of Milwaukee at that much faster a pace than me. Last I heard slow and steady wins the race. I’ll win this race even without your support!
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