
Each minute of my three days last week in Milwaukee was so highly charged that it was like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hydrant.
My first meeting which I really thought of as a social call, turned into anything but. It was to catch up with a restaurateur that I met back in 2003-04, when I was still at
Wing Zone. Back then, this gentleman came to Atlanta for one of our Discovery Day programs, but at that time, chose not to move forward with our Milwaukee opportunity. We liked this guy a lot though and I still do. That’s why I phoned him in advance of my trip into Milwaukee. I, of course, figured that since he still owned his restaurant, I might be able to do him some good with tax credits.
After getting caught up on what he’s been up to for the past five years, it turns out that his current business interests, high profile and network of connections in Milwaukee, make him a really strong candidate for a
RetroTax franchise. I’m very much looking forward to receiving a preliminary application from him and his partner and then bringing them to Indy for a RetroTax Discovery Day. Perhaps this time, we’ll come to a different conclusion.
As witnessed by this reconnection, my search for a franchisee in Milwaukee could actually be over before it even starts, given the application that I am expecting to receive and the upcoming Discovery Day that will follow. A second potential candidate has also expressed interest in the market, but is not quite as far along in the process just yet.
What a bonus and sweetener all of that that turned out to be. My Milwaukee trip was originally scheduled because I was invited to participate in a meeting of the Milwaukee UEP. (
Urban Entrepreneur Partnership) The UEP has local chapters nationwide, designed to encourage entrepreneurship in urban areas, particularly among minority entrepreneurs. This partnership combines public, private and nonprofit sector resources to expand entrepreneurship and jobs in historically neglected and economically underserved areas across the country. At the local level, this meeting very much reflected the work that I have recently jumped into with both feet at the national level, with the
US Chamber of Commerce and its BCLC (Business Civic Leadership Center).
I came to speak to these civic and business leaders in Milwaukee, about the benefits and advantages of wage-based tax credits and the positive impact that they can bring to businesses located in and around Milwaukee’s Federal Renewal Community. Attendees at this meeting represented leadership from the public and private sectors, bankers, CEOs, financial professionals, attorneys, academicians and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s, Community Affairs Director, who assists with the facilitation of this UEP Chapter and its work.
My interest in this market is spurred by the fact that some 70 percent of Milwaukee’s city limits are located inside the boundaries of the city’s Federal Renewal Community. Milwaukee also has a strong urban residential population. These two factors together spell significant opportunity for the identification and generation of wage-based tax credits. Add to that the charm of the city and its people and that Milwaukee is a great place to do business, especially at this time of year.
As you can see, my love for Milwaukee is identified in both business, personal terms. One of my Chicago franchisees actually lives in Milwaukee’s northern suburbs. That probably begs the question, “why then isn’t he a Milwaukee franchisee?” The answer is that he is “hard-wired” to the city of Chicago. Additionally, he is in partnership with his daughter and son-in-law on their RetroTax franchise and logistically, Chicago makes greater sense for them all. I’ve actually made some very significant new friends and business connections in Milwaukee who are proving to be very deep and meaningful. My links to this community are already running deep and I am looking forward to expanding them all, in good time.
Great trip, great momentum, great results – all for our growing RetroTax brand that is STILL attractive in any economy, most certainly, this one.