Rob Kessler

What is your job and its responsibilities?
I am the Director of Direction at NEWD Clothing Company.  My responsibilities are mainly to our clients, to make sure they have a great experience with NEWD, by helping them get the custom clothing they are looking for whether it is 1 shirt or 10,000.  We take time to help identify what the reason for the shirts is, and help them accomplish their goals within their budget. We do a lot more than just print t-shirts. We help design shirts that will actually be worn again, and not just end up as yard work shirts.  My other responsibilities are to my team.  As the Director it is my job to make sure they have what they need to succeed.

How would you rate Milwaukee as a place to work and do business?
I love the term “Small-waukee,” it is so true.  Everyone knows everyone, somehow or another.  That is good if you are great at what you do.  We have never had to advertise or really promote our custom printing business, it has grown totally through word of mouth.

How does it compare to other cities you’ve lived in or visited?
I’ve only lived here, Appleton and Los Angeles.  Appleton is way too small, Milwaukee is a great size, and LA is huge, but I love it too.  It is hard to gauge a place you visit because you are only seeing a fraction of it, and usually the touristy parts.  As our company grows and expands, I plan to keep the operations based here.  We already do work in most states, and I think Milwaukee is fairly centrally located.

What strikes you as the most unique thing about Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is unique because of how proud people are to be from here. I have friends all over the country and they always talk about being from here. It is cool to see such pride. I think it is helping the city to flourish.

What is your favorite Milwaukee building?
I’d like to say it is my building, since I sacrificed the last year of my life to make it what it is.  But visually, I think the Mackie Building on Michigan between Water and Broadway has some of the most intricate carvings and architecture in Milwaukee. Also, my sister got married there so it holds an extra special place in my heart.  I have been in real estate for the last 13 years because of my love of architecture.

Who is your favorite Milwaukee personality?
I am very proud to say that without a doubt, it is my dad.  I know a lot of people are 50/50 when it comes to him.  Some love his commercials, and others hate them, but either way he is a marketing genius and I respect him for following his gut and stepping way outside of the box in his industry.  I have learned so much from him about life and how to run a business. It is just amazing I have that resource right at my fingertips. I am very proud of my father and don’t know what I would do without him.