Minority Business Development Newsletter - July 2009

Welcome from Aggo Akyea, Bureau Director

Minority Business Chambers of Commerce and Associations in Wisconsin

Minority chambers of commerce and other non-profit business associations and organizations in Wisconsin serve as a focal point for the Minority Business Community in Wisconsin to share ideas and to grow. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Bureau of Minority Business Development is happy to work with the minority business chambers of commerce in Wisconsin to help them achieve their goals.

Business networking is a marketing method by which business opportunities are created through networks of like-minded people. There are several prominent business networking organizations that create models of networking activity that, when followed, allow the business person to build new relationships and generate business opportunities at the same time. Many business people contend networking is a more cost-effective method of generating new business than advertising or public relations efforts.

Minority chambers of commerce in Wisconsin provide a formal opportunity for minority businesses to network. A chamber of commerce is a form of business network whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community.

The minority chambers and business associations in Wisconsin have produced a large number of events for the community, from business conventions to help those looking to start a new business, to government job fairs connecting federal, state, and local government employers with qualified job seekers. The goals of the chambers are to strengthen the minority business community, which include small businesses of one person, all the way up to large businesses of several hundred employees.

The chambers have always remained politically neutral. Their main concern is with specific policies affecting private sector growth and development as well as general issues relating to transparent and accountable good-governance. From public policy, entrepreneurial and leadership programs, from young professional and minority issues, the minority chambers of commerce have been a consistent and effective voice for the business community for many years.

We at the Department of Commerce support the efforts of these chambers, listed below, and encourage you also to work with them in any way you can to sustain the development of all of Wisconsin.

MBE Chambers of Commerce in the state

• African American Black Business Association of Madison (AABBA)
• African American Business and Professional Association-Racine
• African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Milwaukee
• American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
• Hispanic Business Alliance
• Hispanic Business and Professional Association-Racine
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
• Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
• Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.
• Madison Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County
• National Association of Minority Contractors of Milwaukee
• The Business Council
• Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce
• Wisconsin Iowa & Central Illinois Minority Supplier Development Council

Marketplace 2009

The Bureau annually coordinates the Governor's Conference on Minority Business Development, Marketplace, which is a low cost, capacity building conference for certified minority-owned firms and government purchasing agents. This year's conference will be held September 16, 2009. Stay tuned for details.

Opportunities for Marketplace 2009 Sponsorship - See Application

Meet Our New Interns

Ren Qiu Heng joined the Bureau of Minority Business Development in June 2009 as an intern. She is currently studying at the University of Wisconsin Madison, and will be completing her BBA degree in Actuarial Science and Finance in May of 2011. Born in Malaysia, Ren is conversational in English, Mandarin (Chinese), Malay Language, and Cantonese. She is a member of the Malaysian Student Association (MSA) and the University of Wisconsin Actuarial Club.

Eugene Dreytser joined the Bureau of Minority Business Development in May 2009 as an intern. He is currently attending the University of Wisconsin Madison with a double major in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, and Finance, Investment, and Banking. On campus, Eugene is involved with the Student Services Finance Committee, where Eugene and other students are responsible for the allocation of $32 million in segregated fees. His graduation date is set for May 2010. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Eugene is fluent in Russian.

Maybe Supplier Diversity Just Isn't Worth It . At least not enough to really commit to it.

I am still hearing comments I used to hear 20 years ago "We can't find them," "What is the ROI, "We are not willing to sacrifice on quality." Read more.

Reproduced with permission: A Publication of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking - www.entrethinking.com.

Congratulations to our Minority Business Loan Recipients May 2009-July 2009

• U.S. Foods & Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - $100,000
• Council Enterprises, Inc. - $20,000
• African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Milwaukee - $20,000
• JARI's , Inc. - $90,000

Congratulations to May-July 2009 Certifications

• Shaw Moving and Delivery Service
• Contorno Surfaces, Inc
• Mavid Construction Services, LLC
• Mind and State Software Developing, Inc.
• KM Logistics, LLC
• Nexus Pest Solutions, Inc.
• Quintanilla Translation Agency
• TKK Electronics, LLC
• Adam Information Technologies, LLC
• Cyberthink , Inc.
• Deschinny Engineering, LLC
• SPAAN Tech, Inc.
• Ken Davis Products, Inc
• Project Design Services, Inc.
• Quick Financial Solutions, LLC
• Sparsh , LLC

Profile of Minority Business Development in Wisconsin

The US Minority Business Development Agency analyzes economic and population data to understand the economic conditions of minority business enterprises. These analyses help the agency shape its strategies, program design and implementation, and develop its advocacy efforts. A profile of Wisconsin is available.

Upcoming Events

• August 18, 2009 - We Energy Diversity Symposium
• August 26, 2009 - Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin 30th Annual HCCW Jalapeno Golf Classic
• September 16, 2009 - Marketplace 2009

Directory of Minority-Owned Firms

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce offers an online directory that can be viewed and navigated in three ways:

• Minority businesses by company name (alphabetical listing)
• Minority businesses by county
• Minority businesses by industry sector

Contract and Bid Opportunities

The Wisconsin Department of Administration maintains a Minority Business Program Business Search which enables buyers to access information on Wisconsin minority-owned firms by product, service area, county, commodity code or ethnic category.