Dozens attend seventh annual MKE Business Now Summit

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Starting a business from scratch can be daunting, but business owners from across Milwaukee helped others get their ideas off the ground.

Dozens of hopeful entrepreneurs filled this room at King elementary to pick the brains of established professionals.

Dale Dear was soaking it all in so he can open up his own business one day.

"This has been going on for like years, and i'm trying to put it into effect now. So when i heard about this event, i came to see what it was like to get things started," said Dear. 

The seventh annual MKE Now Business Summit was spearheaded by Alderwoman Milele Coggs in an effort to revitalize Martin Luther King drive and bring more small businesses to the city.

"This summit is just one small way bring all the resources we could for people to get the information that they need," said Coggs.

From speaking with vendors to checking out workshops, attendees listened diligently on how to build their brands.

Part of a panel this year, business owner Bobbi Tatum remembered what it was like to be on the other side of the table.

"The first business was very difficult because we were putting our business in a neighborhood that wasn't very welcoming at first. But one thing we didn't do is that we didn't give up," said Tatum. 

After leaving the event, Dear said he's now prepared more than ever.

"I'm fired up. I'm ready to go. I got enough detail, enough information, business cards to call everybody up so when that time comes, i can make my appointment, get my class going and get things started," said Dear. 

Sponsors of the event include US Bank, WestCare Wisconsin and the City of Milwaukee.

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