BizStarts Milwaukee helps create jobs rather than waiting for jobs

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WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE - There's a silver lining of the clouds of recession that looms over the United States. According to BizStarts Milwaukee, hard times often lead to accidental entrepreneurs. The non-profit group has been helping small businesses get on their feet for two years.

While many are waiting for jobs to come to Milwaukee, BizStarts Milwaukee VP Dan Steininger wants to create jobs in Milwaukee. "The only way you're going to do that is help people start companies."

In less than two years, BizStarts Milwaukee helped coach and launch 22 start-up companies. Steininger says, "We're figuring over 350 jobs which have come out of that, which is terrific. It's wonderful, we're starting to see hope."

One of the companies BizStarts Milwaukee helped is Hands-On Garage in Milwaukee. It's a do-it-yourself garage that FOX6 featured in a story earlier this year. The garage is putting mechanics to work, and saves many automobile owners money. Steininger says, "They needed someone to say, 'Here's what you do to get the business started' Stop talking about it. This is what you need to do. So they had smart people from BizStarts giving them advice. We call them mentors, who gave them the advice they needed to get started."

BizStarts Milwaukee welcomes businesses of all types from hair salons to solar energy companies. Steininger says, "Where are the jobs going to come from. How does this region grow if we can't get this right. So we're all still waiting for companies to relocate here. So in the meantime, we are going to start companies. We are taking our own fate in our hands."