Business summit attracts hopeful entrepreneurs

MILWAUKEE -- It's a dream for many people - owning their own business. City officials hope an annual event will help aspiring entrepreneurs realize their goals.

The 'MKE Business Now!' summit also drew those trying to keep their business going.

That includes Brian Ingram, who says he's run a cleaning service since 1985.

"Successful? I wouldn't use that word, I've been hanging around but with the downfall of the economy, my business took a tanking," Ingram said.

Ingram said he was looking for a chance to network with area resources, specifically financial institutions that could give him a hand.

Others have a very different set of questions which is why organizers reached out to a number of different groups.

"Everything from banks to city departments to organizations like the Small Business Administration," said Ald. Milele Coggs, who organized the event.

The summit also featured several panelists who shared stories of their struggle, and eventual success. Although the crowd for that session was small, those who showed up listened intently. That includes Ingram, who says he would rather own a business that barely gets by than not own one at all.

"You can't just rely on jobs anymore," he said, "Jobs, they fire you, they terminate you, they move, they close down unexpectedly. But your own business? You're putting your own blood, sweat and equity into it and you can keep and roll with it for years and years and years."

This is the second year of the summit.

Coggs says the best addition was having city licensing officials on hand to answer various questions about permits.