You have ambitious goals but don’t always have the direction or connections to get there. The SBDC can be your go-to resource to build a strong framework. We partner closely with banks, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and others across southeast Wisconsin to match your specific needs. The Small Business Development Center supports entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and educational programs. Our SBDC staff facilitates improvement and growth for small and mid-sized companies and helps launch successful new ventures. Through our UW-Milwaukee office we serve owners in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington counties and beyond.
Do you need consulting services for growth and expansion? Please fill out an electronic Assistance Request Form.
Do you need help getting started? Please explore the free online training which helps you organize your ideas and create your action plan. We also offer complimentary resources to help start and grow your business.
Wisconsin SBDC Network Core Services:
- Business planning and startup
- Management and strategic planning
- Finance and capital access
- Marketing and sales growth
- Market research and data
Milwaukee SBDC
- 731 clients served
- 27 businesses started
- 2,340 jobs impacted
- $8.5 Million in capital infusion to small businesses
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My SBDC counselor literally changed the scope of my business, because she had so much information and knowledge.
Trueman McGee
Funky Fresh Spring Rolls
About Us
Athena Agoudemos
Center Director
Athena’s areas of expertise are strategic planning, conflict resolution, financial management and project management. She is an engaged listener and …
read moreAthena’s areas of expertise are strategic planning, conflict resolution, financial management and project management. She is an engaged listener and creative problem solver who guides clients to take manageable and strategic steps forward in support of their goals. She loves connecting clients to meaningful resources and opportunities to advance their business goals. Helping clients with understanding their financials and the impact of setting budgets is very meaningful to Athena.
Running is her medicine and she is a student of design thinking. Athena enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, UW-Milwaukee
- Studies in international relations and conflict resolution
Gregory Martin
Business Consultant
Gregory Martin is a business consultant at UWM’s School of Continuing Education Small Business Development Center. His job is to …
read moreGregory Martin is a business consultant at UWM’s School of Continuing Education Small Business Development Center. His job is to provide quality support and assistance to small- and mid-sized companies and help budding entrepreneurs launch successful new ventures. A former business owner with over 25 years of experience, Gregory is committed to sharing his knowledge with aspiring business people.
Gregory holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He started his business career as an investment banking analyst with Alex. Brown & Sons in Baltimore, Maryland, in the retail and restaurant division. After returning to Milwaukee, Gregory spent the next 23 years growing his family’s grocery operation, Lena’s Food Market, from one small store with 15 employees to a nationally recognized chain with six locations and over 600 employees. He was awarded the Minority Retail Entrepreneur Award by the United States Department of Commerce in 2005. Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin, Gregory assisted small business owners in pursuit of capital as a commercial loan officer with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation.
A native of Brown Deer, Wisconsin, Gregory is married and the father of three daughters. He is currently a resident of Mequon, Wisconsin.
Melanie Manuel
Business Consultant
Melanie brings a collaborate approach to problem-solving. She loves working with clients who are building a legacy, are passionate about …
read moreMelanie brings a collaborate approach to problem-solving. She loves working with clients who are building a legacy, are passionate about their product or service and who contribute to the greater community. When she is not at work, she is volunteering in the refugee community, cooking, getting outside or engaging in arts and culture.
The Wisconsin SBDC Network is part of the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in the University of Wisconsin System. It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact SBDC Milwaukee office at sbdc@uwm.edu or 414-227-3240.
