Milwaukee, WI
These two Wisconsin cities are among the best places to start a small business, study says
Twin brothers have a successful small business at age 22, hear more about it here
Twin brothers James and Chris Kardatzke created a small business called Quiver Qualitative which is an alternative data platform for retail investors.
Ebony Cox, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Madison is one of the top metro areas to start a small business in arts, entertainment and recreation, according to a new study from the Credit Review.
Among the 100 largest metro areas across the country, Madison ranked as the 15th best place to start a small business in high-growth sectors, according to the report.
The Milwaukee metro area lagged slightly behind Madison as the 30th best metro areas to start a small business. While Milwaukee has a strong network and support system to support small business, there are some gaps in mentorship and leadership that could limit growth, according to a separate report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
The study examined 100 of the U.S’s largest metros and considered their unemployment rates, population growth, GDP per capita, new business creation and business tax climate.
Austin, Texas was ranked as the best metro area to start a small business in arts, entertainment, recreation and information services. Six Florida cities landed in the top 25, and Utah, Texas and North Carolina each had three cities in the top 25.
What are the top five metro areas to start a small business in the U.S.?
Here are the top five metro areas to start a small business in the U.S., according to the Credit Review:
- Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas: Austin’s population is within peak working years between 18 and 44 years old, which is 7% higher than the national average.
- Provo-Orem, Utah: Utah’s second-largest metro area, which is nearby Brigham Young University, provides a pipeline of small business talent.
- Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina: A cluster of three elite research universities, North Carolina State, Duke, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, provide ground for innovation.
- Salt Lake City, Utah: Includes a tech startup community and numerous venture capitalists, as well as a young labor force.
- Boise City, Idaho: Metro area has a tech market and an education hub with a public college, private college and two community colleges.
Resources to start a small business in Madison:
Madison has local government programs and local groups to support small business owners. The City of Madison has an Office of Business Resources to assist businesses open in Madison.
Resources to start a small business in Milwaukee:
The city has at least 50 small business support organizations ranging from for-profit to nonprofit and government organizations. Most of the organization offer capital, grants, mentorship and networking. Here’s just a few organizations serving Milwaukee area small business owners:
More: New restaurants we expect to open in 2024 in the Milwaukee area

Milwaukee, WI
Cream City Carousing on $20: Coffee and games edition
Recently, we went on another Milwaukee adventure – AKA we caroused Cream City – and spent UNDER $20.
What is a “Milwaukee adventure?” We define it as an afternoon or evening we visit two different places on a single Jackson. It’s a challenge, but the goal is to present cheap outing itineraries you might not have considered.
Last time, we suggested gardens and sushi in Greenfield, and now we’re bringing it back to the East Side with coffee and games. The beauty of this Milwaukee adventure is it doesn’t require planning ahead, just spontaneously grab a pal any afternoon and head over to Downer Avenue for a delightfully cheap thrill.
Stop 1: Valentine Coffee Rosters
3126 N. Downer Ave., (414) 398-0220
valentinecoffeeco.com
Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $5-$10
This is Valentine’s newest space. Grab a drink and perhaps a snack of your choice “to go” from the locally owned Valentine Coffee. Lunch and early dinner items are also available. Head over to Old Guard Games, located one door to the north.
Step 2: Old Guard Games
3132 N. Downer Ave., (414) 988-0161
facebook.com/OldGuardMKE
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Leave your license at the front desk and borrow a tabletop game for as long as desired. Cribbage, chess, checkers and more are available – or spend a little extra and buy one of the many card games available in the shop. Take your game and your Valentine Coffee drinks to Old Guard’s outdoor cafe and enjoy the afternoon!
Milwaukee, WI
San Diego Padres shut out Milwaukee Brewers, 1-0

MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 08: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, June 8, 2025 in M
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers lost to the San Diego Padres in the final game of their series at American Family Field on Sunday, June 8. The final was 1-0, in favor of the Padres.
Game breakdown
What we know:
It took nothing more than a Manny Machado home run to take the game for the Padres on Sunday. It also secured the series for San Diego.
The Brewers have had a recent struggle at the bat. Milwaukee left 10 men on base over the last five innings.
Neither team got a hit through the first 4½ innings as Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta and Bergert were both outstanding.
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Milwaukee’s first hit was a one-out single by Rhys Hoskins in the fifth.
The Padres broke through on Tyler Wade’s leadoff single in the sixth.
The Source: The information in this post was provided in part by FOX Sports and The Associated Press.
Milwaukee, WI
'Wear Orange Weekend:' Milwaukee gun violence prevention efforts

“Wear Orange Weekend” in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued a proclamation recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Saturday, part of “Wear Orange Weekend” and National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Johnson said local organizations have distributed hundreds of gun locks across the city and shared safety information with residents this weekend. He also said the city is offering free youth programming all summer through its “Hello Summer” initiative.
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“Change is something that all of us can accomplish together, each and every single one of us,” he said, “if we come together, if we stand behind a common cause to reduce gun violence and make sure that people who should not have their hands on guns in the first place, don’t get the chance to do it.”
“Wear Orange Weekend” began as a tribute to a teen who was shot and killed in Chicago. It has now become a recognized movement to reduce gun violence nationwide.
By the numbers:
The most recently available Milwaukee Police Department crime data shows, as of June 5, there have been 205 non-fatal shootings in the city this year – a 15% drop compared to the same point in 2024 and a 39% drop compared to 2023. While the city tracks homicides overall, it does not track fatal shootings, specifically, on its dashboard.
Those statistics do not include a violent stretch that began Friday afternoon and continued into Saturday morning. Milwaukee police responded to at least four shootings that left two people dead and seven others wounded. Two shootings happened minutes apart on Hampton Avenue.
The Source: Information in this report is from city officials and the Milwaukee Police Department.
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