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International Women’s Day has been observed for over 100 years, but women have been kicking ass and taking names since the dawn of time. Across the globe, women have made strides in every industry imaginable and the same is true right here in Milwaukee. In honor of March 8, I’ve put together a list of a number of women-owned businesses here in Milwaukee. This list is by no means exhaustive or complete, and how amazing is it that this list is constantly growing!? Every day, women continue to make strides both in business and in our communities. International Women’s Day gives us all an opportunity to shine a light on those women who truly make a world of a difference and in turn, empower others to be their best selves. Because that’s what today is all about: Recognizing the strides women have made in the past and the ones we continue to make. Speaking of which, can we take a second to talk about how good Ford’s IWD commercial was!?
Appreciating the big leaps women have made is something that should be appreciated in more than just history books, from figures like Harriet Tubman to Rosa Parks to Amelia Earhart to Gloria Steinem. The world would not be the same without the women of history – I mean, literally half of the world’s history is thanks to women. A day honoring women isn’t just about the big things, it’s a chance to appreciate the women whose names may not go down in history; the ones who shape us and make us who we are. Moms, teachers, bar tenders, drag queens – The women who raise us and the ones who are out on the streets making a difference in one person’s life or a community full of people. We wouldn’t be here without women and the women before us, and this list wouldn’t be here without them, either!
While there are plenty more women-owned businesses out there, this list touches on a handful of some of my favorite local ones (and some I’ve never tried, but really enjoyed deep diving into the history of!). For clarity's sake, many of these women are technically co-owners, but they still deserve the credit of ownership. Their husbands or wives or siblings or business partners deserve the credit, too, of course, but this list is for the ladies. These come in no particular order and I’ve got a clear bias towards the world of hospitality, so please feel free to comment or send in your favorite women-owned businesses so that all of the wonderful ladies in local business can get the recognition and appreciation they deserve for being fundamental parts of our community.
1. Boone & Crockett (et al)
Everybody’s favorite – “Pretentious cocktails with the pretentiousness.” Truthfully, I should have known this place was owned by women (co-owned, but like ⅔ women ownership counts in my book) when they recently hosted a doggy date night for Valentine’s Day. It was super stinkin cute and there were soooo many dogs. The bar also has received rave reviews for its perfect ice, which simply feels like a feminine-accredited detail in my humble opinion. Owners Dell (Emily Dell Revord) & Nugget (Jenni Nugget) make so much of the magic happen at Boone & Crockett. The bar of course also has a number of other fabulous females on their staff, too, and they all contribute to the cozy atmosphere and gorgeous menu. Dell is notably a multi-entrepreneurial spirit and has numerous ventures like rentals and event spaces, where she and Nugget have continued as a team. Notably the Cooperage, a 21+ event venue and music hall. Honorable mentions: Maddie of Cooperage, Gabby of Boone & Crockett (and Mothership, etc etc – she’s the world’s favorite bartender, let’s be real here, everyone wants a slice), and Jenneca (Mothership plus here, there, and everywhere).
Inspired by the name of her first golden retriever, Joey-Lynn “Joey” Curry named her modern floral arrangement company Remington’s Flowers. She now has four goldens, but even though they keep her hands full, that doesn’t stop her from making the most unique and stunning arrangements known to (wo)man! For the past decade, Joey has been creating arrangements for every day deliveries, parties, and weddings alike. Her abilities are expansive and she incorporates unusual florals and techniques in her arrangements that make her unlike any other florist in the area.
3. The Waxwing
What started as one artist’s personal studio has become a collective where over 350 nationwide artists have their work displayed and for sale. Their physical space has gone through a number of changes, but owner Steph Davies continues the artist collective online and the Waxwing continues to showcase many different artists and mediums. The focus of the store is generally jewelry, accessories, and other handmade goods, but there is something for everyone and no lack of personality in their products!
Steph places a focus on supporting other small businesses, and the art and gift shop even sells prints of her illustrations of local businesses – The profits of these sales partially go back to supporting the community! Steph is also the owner of MilwaukeeHome, the iconic stacked-letter brand started by Melissa Thornton Kuykendall in 2012, and this joining of the MilwaukeeHome x Waxwing means they now sell all of the MH products in their store! More than just the sweetest human alive, Steph has created a name for herself as an artist and business woman in the city.
Video of Jessica Seidel discussing the impact women are having on the cocktail scene in Milwaukee, courtesy of ‘rhuby rhubarbliqueur’ via YouTube.
4. Burnhearts
Australian Jessica Seidel founded Burnhearts 16 years ago and she continues to run it to this day. The cocktail bar is cozy but has also been described as having ‘naughty’ vibes, as its close-quartered and dim lit atmosphere give a prohibition-era feel. Jess hires some of the best, and the ladies here are all deserving of an IWD shout out. The edgy yet classy feeling bar encompasses Jess’s vision and personality. Jessica also co-owns Goodkind Bay View with a small collective of owners.
Gifts, apparel, and jewelry workshops all under one roof! Winning multiple categories for the Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee for over 5 years, the Sparrow Collective (yes, sister shop of Sparrow Boutique) took over the space where the Fasten Collective previously was. Sparrow owner Jessica Franzen clarified the difference between the two Sparrow locations for OnMilwaukee: “Keeping the two Sparrows straight is a challenge for some customers, but basically Sparrow Collective is primarily a DIY, local gift shop and Sparrow Boutique is a cute and trendy women's clothing store with designers from Milwaukee and beyond.” Fun fact, Jessica is also a registered reiki master and teacher!
Known nationwide for their sweet pies, a string of restaurants of various appeals and sizes are owned and operated by Valeri Lucks. Val also holds part ownership of (the return of) Comet Cafe again as she did in previous years – Truly a serial restaurateur and such a genuinely community-driven woman. Along with longtime Smallpie employee Molly Mundt, Val is soon planning on opening Buttercup, a landscaping store and plant nursery!
7. Lazy Susan
While owner AJ Dixon will soon be closing her doors, Lazy Susan has been a staple in cozy Bay View for years. While other cafes come and go, Lazy Susan has always stuck around (for nearly a full decade now!). With an extensive background in culinary, AJ has poured so much of herself into her restaurant over the years. She accommodates all diets and dietary needs, with a changing schedule to always offer something new. It will be wonderful to see what fills the Lazy Susan space next. ♡
Big names like Belair Cantina, Comet Cafe, Hi Hat Lounge, Balzac, and previously Fuel on 5th, Comet Cafe, and Finks. Along with partner Scott Johnson, Leslie Montemurro has opened a number of restaurants in the area and become somewhat of a serial restaurateur since the 90’s. With an understanding of the neighborhoods of Milwaukee and how to successfully open restaurants in a number of different areas. They also give back to those communities and areas, as the group’s BelAir Cantina Powered by Tacos program has awarded $153,000 to local organizations and community efforts!
Now with at least three locations, Julie Waterman started Indulgence Chocolatiers in 2007. The stores offer classes, wholesale, and individual purchases of delectable and unique chocolate creations. Sophisticated artisan chocolates are the name of the game, and she is known to be the person who can find something for everyone, even people who claim to not like chocolate! Beautifully blending true Swiss chocolate with peak local ingredients for out of this world flavor and quality is the speciality at Indulgence, and no other local chocolatier has come close to what Julie has accomplished here with her team.
10. On the Bus
Plant-based and made from scratch, the menu at On the Bus is only the beginning of its appeal. Everyone knows the iconic bus that sits inside the Milwaukee Public Market, but what even I didn’t know is that On the Bus owner Emily Ware is also the woman behind the all vegan-restaurant collective group Playing in the Plants – An inclusive and expansive lineup of plant-based restaurants. You’ll recognize the name Sugar Cube, the pop-up donut shop that features square shaped donuts. Her latest venture has been Make Waves, a fresh approach brought to the 3rd Street Market Hall. Her latest upcoming project is an ice cream shoppe called Treat (no soft launch date released yet, but we know it will be downtown). Playing in the Plants general manager and head of marketing & growth Paige Hammond has also become a face of the brand – Keeping the business female! So excited to see what this collective does next.
11. Flour Girl & Flame (et al)
Award after award! Most recently, both Best Woman-Owned Business AND Best Wood-Fired Pizza in the city (Shepherd Express, 2022). Proudly LGBTQ+ supporting and led by diversity and inclusion, Flour Girl & Flame was started by owner and founder Dana Spandet (now operating as a joint venture under Brazen Standard Hospitality, which is also largely operated by women -- Love!). Recently, she has also had a major part in ventures such as Everybody’s Ice Cream. Throughout everything in her professional practices, she focuses on eco-conscious practices and supporting local.
12. The Pint
For more than 20 years now, Elizabeth “Bet-z” Boenning has owned The Pint (or “Walker’s Pint” if you’re into the play on words, which for the record, I absolutely am). She considers the bar more as a family than a bar, and she also prioritizes giving back to those in need and her community. Bet-z was also voted Milwaukee All Star of the Year in 2015! The bar is largely LGBTQ oriented (actually, it’s the oldest lesbian bar in Milwaukee) and is a comfortable and friendly spot in the neighborhood. Her slogan which is proudly displayed in the bar is “Be nice or leave”, which is fitting because it has long been considered a gathering place and a place for people, specifically women (both gay and straight, or anything in between) to hang out and feel safe and welcome.
With a focus on wellness and healthful consumption, Alesia Miller founded Soul Brew Kombucha in early 2019. She operates out of the lower level of the Tandem, previously owned by another amazing Milwaukee woman, Caitlin Cullen. Alesia has made a wildly popular kombucha base and loves experimenting with flavors and colors – Given enough notice, she will even help you formulate your own to match a color theme! She prioritizes local ingredients and even labels her bottles locally.
Alexa Alfaro started Meat on the Street with her brother Matt over 8 years ago. The business even offers catering and Kamayan style (or wedding!) events, and Alexa brings a Filipino flair to her food. She has greatly expanded the business to include a brick and mortar location located in Eleven25 at the Pabst. You can book the OG food truck, but Alexa’s continued ventures (and background in engineering) have also led her to helping others pursue their food truck dreams, too! Alexa has also notably received the Emily Phillips’ Jacken Award for ‘Risk Taker’, starred in an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games on Food Network, and achieved Milwaukee’s 2021 40 Under 40 list.
15. Fat Daddy’s
Stefani Jaksic Of Wunderjak Enterprises is the owner of the well-known bar and hot spot for volleyball. With leagues and tournaments throughout the summer as well as craft beer on tap, it’s no wonder Fat Daddy’s has remained a staple in Milwaukee. Stefani’s ownership and operation of the bar makes her part of a trio of bars in the Walker’s Point area that are proudly either LGBTQ+ bars, or heavily LGBTQ+ supporting. Fat Daddy’s even hosts drag queen bingo, and has simply always been a welcoming environment for all. Stefani has also substantially given back to her community and those in need, just one way she has stepped up as a cornerstone of her neighborhood. She has raised over $16,000 for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk! You go, girl.
16. D.I.X.
Wrapping up our list is D.I.X., the notorious gay bar nestled on the edge of Bay View and Milwaukee. With a focus on hot DJ’s and an inclusive environment that’s a party for anyone and everyone, the bar has only gone through a few hands since the building was turned into a bar quite early on in its life. Current owner Elizabeth Kujawa bought the building in 2007. Her bar may be for the boys, but Elizabeth is proudly out herself and an open member of the LGBTQ+ community. She and her bar fit right in in their ‘Gayborhood’ where numerous other (fabulous, amazing, all welcoming) LGBTQ bars have made the area their home. Elizabeth (D.I.X.) has raised over $100,000 for local charities such as Hope House, Pride Parade, and specifically Aids Walk in just 7 years… So to say they have an impact on the community would be an understatement.
Honorable mentions (not necessarily business owners, but still amazing women):
Emily Phillips
Local rockstar and bad ass, Emily created the Jackens Awards to acknowledge the efforts of local women involved in their communities and “those who are making a difference in Milwaukee”. She is a member of numerous boards for nonprofits and local organizations, but most notably is her role as the president of the board of directors for Professional Dimensions, a women’s professional organization, where she advocates for women and aims to expand what is possible for the modern woman. She strives to genuinely make the world a better place for women but also all people alike (has even had male nominees for Jacken Awards in the spirit of inclusion), and this comes from her passion of what she calls World Domination 4 Good. While she may not be a business owner, she is absolutely owning her role in the community and in the city.
Trixie Mattel
Now co-owner of the LGBTQ+ icon of a bar This is It! (lovingly also known as Tits!), Trixie's presence in the city has been symbiotic to say the least, as without the confidence that the city (and even the bar) gave her before she became the star she is today. Proudly self-acclaimed as tacky and the “Cher of gay bars”, Tits has been a cornerstone in Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community since 1968 – Making it the oldest gay bar in Wisconsin! Although Trixie is our modern day hero who re-established the open gay party scene in the city in many ways, the bar was opened by another woman entrepreneur, June Brehm. Since her passing in 2010, the bar has continued to thrive and function in her honor and has won numerous awards including #1 Gay and Lesbian Bar in Wisconsin multiple times! The bar is an absolute staple in the LGBTQ+ community and helps foster an inviting and forward environment that has always been and continues to be a safe space for so many. More than just slinging drinks, there are weekly movie nights, game nights, trivia, bingo, you name it – they do it! Trixie carried the operation through the Covid-19 pandemic and socially revived the bar, making it what it is today.
Carole Nicksin
Also not a business owner, but rightfully needs to make it on this list of incredible women somewhere! Carole is publisher and editor in chief of Milwaukee Magazine, where she has developed a focus on the business FACES of Milwaukee, which highlights ‘the best of the best’ in multiple respective fields. She recently spoke on the upcoming 2023 FACES edition: “This is such a special section of the magazine. It's inspiring to see so many local business leaders in one place.” Aw, Carole! From her first welcome article with Milwaukee Magazine, she’s become an influence in Milwaukee and has kept up with this gorgeous collaboration of a city. Redefining boss babe.
You & Every Other Woman Alive
Because you probably don’t get the recognition you deserve, and nobody else really does, either. We deserve to celebrate ourselves sometimes!
Whether you’re in a tough spot or just need a pick me up, I want to end this post by reminding everyone that there are a number of public resources for women. Sometimes asking for help can be hard AF when you’re supposed to be the strong one – Whether yo just feel like you don’t have time to check in with yourself, maybe you want to continue your education, maybe you just need more girl time and want to find like minded gals: There are a number of resources for women, no matter what you’re looking for.
Resources for women:
WWBIC (Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation)
Libraries also often offer free or very low cost classes, hold virtual seminars with various speakers, or host book clubs. Finally, Planned Parenthood has always and continues to provide services for women (and everyone else, but this post is for IWD).
Hopefully this list showed you some businesses to try out, or maybe even showed you a few businesses that you frequent but didn’t know were owned by women! I definitely enjoyed putting this list together and learning so much more about some of the lady brains behind the businesses that make Milwaukee such an awesome community.