“Rev-Up MKE” Finalists Will Compete to Bring New Businesses to the Near West Side

MILWAUKEE – Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP) today announced five finalists selected as part of the sixth Rev-Up MKE small business competition. The program’s goal is to provide an opportunity for the winner – and as many finalists as possible – to expand or start a business in the Near West Side and receive the support necessary to be successful.

“The Near West Side is excited to welcome a new generation of entrepreneurs to our developing neighborhood,” said Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, Executive Director of NWSP. “Based on the great ideas and high-caliber applications we received for Rev-Up MKE this year, we clearly see that small business owners continue striving to make the Near West Side a thriving retail and commercial destination. To help select the next Near West Side storefront business, I encourage the Milwaukee community to join us on September 13 and vote for their favorite business idea.”

A panel of judges selected five finalists based on the strength of their applications and the quality of their business ideas. Each finalist will receive business training and support in the weeks ahead as they prepare to pitch their vision to a live audience at the Rave on September 13 at 5:45 p.m.

“Over the years, Rev-Up MKE has brought us beloved new businesses like Pete’s Pops, Triciclo Peru MKE and A Goodman’s Desserts – destination businesses that attract visitors to the Near West Side from all over Milwaukee and that have even grown into some community favorites with locations throughout the City,” said Lindsey. “Near West Side Partners looks forward to continuing to support entrepreneurs who have incredible potential and who can further this tradition of creating employment opportunities for our neighbors and who provide catalytic investments in our commercial corridors.”

Returning this year to Rev-Up MKE is banking partner Town Bank, who will provide seed funds for the winning venture and is the presenting sponsor of Rev-Up MKE.

“At Town Bank, supporting local entrepreneurs as a Rev-Up MKE partner is one of our favorite commitments,” said Jay Mack President & CEO, Town Bank and Wintrust Wisconsin Market Head. “As an active small business lender in Milwaukee with two locations in the Near West Side, we value entrepreneurship as a spark that lights the way for additional growth and development in our communities, and we look forward to helping propel a new business to success.”

“Marquette is proud to be working with Near West Side Partners, Harley-Davidson and Town Bank to support these up-and-coming entrepreneurs,” said Kelsey Otero, sr. director of community engagement at Marquette University and project lead for the Rev-Up MKE competition. “It is a privilege to provide mentorship and support to the budding business owners who will soon present their business ideas to Rev-Up MKE judges and members of the Near West Side community.”

FINALISTS
The five selected finalists include:

Ambrosia Cafe, LLC | Jameelah Love
Ambrosia Cafe specializes in classic American brunch food, and will integrate aspects of fine dining into the breakfast and lunch classics that drive America’s cafe industry. Ambrosia’s menu includes Creme Brulee Oatmeal, Souffle French Toast and Truffle Scrambled Eggs, with options for vegan, gluten-free, keto and healthy-choice lifestyles.

Culinary Education Program | Lisa McKay
The Culinary Education Program’s comprehensive curriculum focuses on hands-on culinary training, where students will learn essential cooking techniques, explore diverse cuisines and develop their creativity in the kitchen. The program focuses on training youth and young adults, equipping them with valuable life skills and preparing them for rewarding careers in the culinary field.

Chyenne Candles | Chyenne Stanley
Chyenne Candles crafts all-natural and non-toxic ways to fragrance your home. The candles are simple: just wax, fragrance and a wick, each one carefully hand-poured. Chyenne Candles hopes to grow into a storefront where they can also host candle-making workshops for visitors of all ages.

Backyard Flava | Dexter Williams
Currently a local food truck, Backyard Flava hopes to expand into a take-out restaurant where they can serve their classic BBQ food specializing in smoked meats. They serve ribs, chicken, sausages, mac and cheese and various desserts.

Wellness Spa | Brittney Rodriguez
A local spa and cafe that will offer various wellness services paired with healthy food and beverages at an affordable rate to promote healing for working class individuals. The cafe will feature locally-sourced products with the intention of supporting local entrepreneurs, serving items like juice, smoothies, coffee and tea, as well as breakfast and lunch options.

BUSINESS TRAINING & LIVE PITCH EVENT
The program will culminate with a “Live Pitch Event” on September 13, hosted at the Rave/Eagles Ballroom where each finalist will present before a panel of judges. The winner – who will be announced that evening – will receive significant resources to support their new venture, which will be located in a Near West Side storefront, including:

• $10,000 cash gift;
• $25,000 in in-kind services (architectural renderings, small business consulting, free legal audit and communication support); and
• Advertising and recognition from Near West Side Partners.

Additional details about the program and the live-pitch event are available on the NWSP website here.

ABOUT NEAR WEST SIDE PARTNERS, INC.
Near West Side Partners, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a mission to revitalize and sustain the Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor, through collaborative efforts to promote commercial corridor development, improved housing, unified neighborhood identity and branding, and greater safety for residents and businesses.  Near West Side Partners, Inc. is an organization of businesses and civic leaders from throughout the Near West Side, including the organization’s five anchor institutions – Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, MolsonCoors and Potawatomi Business Development Corp.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.