Angela and Greg Quigley, proud alumni of the Lubar College of Business, are the dynamic duo & married couple behind Married in Milwaukee, a thriving online wedding platform that has made waves in the Milwaukee wedding scene. Their story is not only one of business success but also a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, creativity, and community-building.
From Lubar Classrooms to Milwaukee Weddings
Both first generation graduates, Angela and Greg credit their time at the Lubar College for laying the groundwork for their entrepreneurial journey. Angela earned her degree in accounting (’02 BBA), while Greg studied marketing (’97 BS). These complementary fields equipped them with the skills needed to build and run their successful online business.
Angela recalls the lessons she learned, particularly from Dr. Chuck Konkol’s tax courses, continue to influence her work today. “I remember Professor Konkol’s real-world examples from his own tax business. I still leverage what I learned in those classes when doing the finances for Married in Milwaukee,” she said.
The Birth of Married in Milwaukee
The inspiration for Married in Milwaukee came from the Quigleys’ own wedding planning experience. The couple, who met online, became engaged in 2005. As they researched venues and vendors, they found that national sites like The Knot were showing them options far outside of Milwaukee—places like Green Bay and Beloit—which were of no use to a couple wanting to marry in the city.
“We saw a need and decided to fill it,” Angela said. “Back then, there wasn’t a centralized online resource for Milwaukee couples to find local vendors and get inspiration for their weddings. That’s where we came in.”
In 2012, they launched Married in Milwaukee as a local online wedding publication. The site connects couples with local wedding vendors, offers real wedding budgets and articles for inspiration. “Everything we do is digital, from vendor listings to articles and social media, because online is where engaged couples are researching their wedding,” said Greg.
Building a Community and Beating the Giants
What sets Married in Milwaukee apart from larger national competitors is its hyper-local focus. “We only sell advertising to local vendors. Couples know and trust that when they come to our site, they’re getting real local options,” Greg said.
This focus has paid off. Over the years, Married in Milwaukee has grown to become the top wedding planning resource in the region, even outpacing its national competitors. “It’s pretty fun to say that we’ve beaten the national guys, at least in our local market,” Greg said.
The couple also attributes their success to the authenticity and diversity they strive to maintain on their site. Angela noted, “We really try to showcase all couples in love—no matter their ethnicity, gender, size or who they love. We want every couple to feel represented in our work.”
The Future of Married in Milwaukee
Angela and Greg have started exploring opportunities to take their business model to other cities. They’ve already launched Married in Palm Beach and are seeking additional markets to expand into. “Our goal is to bring the same local focus and community-building to other cities,” Angela said. However, finding the right people to run these local branches has been a challenge. “We’re always looking for partners in other cities who share our vision and can carry it forward.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Preparation and persistence are crucial. “Run the numbers first, even if it’s high-level revenue / costs / time estimates on the back of a napkin.” Angela advises. “It’s also important to remember that starting a business doesn’t have to happen all at once. Side hustles are a great way to start. We didn’t think Married in Milwaukee would be our full-time job at first—it started as a side project, and we grew it from there.”
For the Quigleys, one of the keys to their success has been putting consistent time and effort into the business. “When building the business, we carved out time every week to write articles and meet with vendors. It’s about being dedicated and consistently working toward your goal,” Angela said.
As they look toward the future, Angela and Greg are excited about expanding their brand while continuing to support local Milwaukee couples and vendors. Their journey from Lubar College students to successful entrepreneurs is a shining example of how passion, hard work, and strategy can lead to incredible results.