Devine Wilson
What’s the name of your business?
Devine Grilling
Is there any history behind the name chosen?
My first name is Devine. I have many businesses under my name… Devine
What is the purpose of your business?
I love to feed people with Love. My businesses aren’t based on money but care and concern for the people I serve. Part of my upbringing.
How do you feel about being in the Hub?
Good experience being in the Hub. It’s great to have a black owned kitchen space in Madison. Also, a learning experience with room to explore different recipes.
Let me have a short comment to a long-term goal?
I hope to franchised around the state and the country.
Cheryl Wittke
What’s the name of your business?
Safe Communities of Madison and Dane County.
Is there any history behind the name chosen?
Our name comes from being part of an international initiative of the World Health Organization to promote safety and reduce serious injuries worldwide. Last time I checked there were over 150 Safe Communities organizations across the globe!
What is the purpose of your business?
To pull together organizations and individuals with a role to play to reduce Dane County’s top causes of injury related death: drug harm, traffic crashes, falls among older adults and suicide.
How do you feel about being in the Hub?
Love the energy and opportunities for collaboration that are made possible just by being right here in the building.
Let me have a short comment to a long-term goal?
Deepen relationships with organizations and community members to keep residents here safe.
Emily Schmitzer
What’s the name of your business?
WWBIC – Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation – I am the Regional Director in the South Central (Madison office)
Is there any history behind the name chosen?
When WWBIC was formed women were still required to have a male co-signor for a loan. Though women is in the name, we serve everyone who walks through our doors!
What is the purpose of your business?
We are an economic development corporation whose mission is to “Put Dreams to Work.” Our staff helps to open the doors of opportunity by providing individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and personal finance training. The services we provide to the thousands of clients we serve each year revolve around the “Four Cs”: Credit/Financial Wellness, Classes/Trainings, Capital/Lending, Connections/Coaching.
How do you feel about being in the Hub?
The Hub has a great ecosystem filled with passionate and creative entrepreneurs, leaders, and community members. Everyone here is mission driven and focused on strengthening the communities surrounding us.
Let me have a short comment to a long-term goal?
WWBIC’s focus is on keeping America’s entrepreneurship engine fueled with a spark to create hope and opportunity.
Dr. Shakkiah Curtis
What’s the name of your business?
Tailer Nicole Wine and Cupcakes
Is there any history behind the name chosen?
Yes, the name is deeply personal to me. “Tailer Nicole” is my firstborn daughter’s name, and the business encompasses all the things I love most – my daughter, wine, and cupcakes. It represents the heart of what drives me every day.
What is the purpose of your business?
Our purpose is to create culture and offer services of excellence while building spaces for networking and meaningful connections. We aim to foster community through exceptional experiences.
How do you feel about being in the Hub?
Being in the Black Business Hub gives us tremendous purpose. We’re able to create culture, unity, and build opportunities within a space whose vision aligns perfectly with ours – to create greatness. The Hub provides the ideal environment for us to contribute to something larger than ourselves while serving our community.
Let me have a short comment to a long-term goal?
Our long-term goal is to continue expanding our impact as a cultural cornerstone in the community. Creating spaces where people can connect, celebrate, and build lasting relationships while experiencing the finest in wine and cupcakes. We want to be known as the place where great conversations happen, and memories are made.
Charles Dean
What’s the name of your business?
My business is Wisconsin Martial Arts and Fitness Center, LLC. I am the founder, owner, and have been an entrepreneur since 2006, but founded my brand in 2016. We teach Martial Arts, Boxing, Circuit Training, and Jiu Jitsu to kids and adults!
Is there any history behind the name chosen?
While performing after school programs, college safety seminars, summer camps and professional development seminars, I realized the importance of combining self-defense and fitness concepts. I realized through my degree in Recreation with an emphasis in Corporate Fitness from St. Cloud St. University, my certification from the ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) in personal training, and my multiple black belts in Tang Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do, that incorporating fitness training and self-defense together is a powerful tool. Combining self-defense and fitness creates a sense of empowerment and self confidence that an individual will carry with them. This is vital for kids and adults.
What is the purpose of your business
The purpose of my business is to demonstrate that we are a professional organization of diverse men and women whose goals are to harmoniously blend martial arts and fitness through teamwork, dedication, and perseverance, to serve our community with humility, and to inspire individuals to be the best they can be.
Wisconsin Martial Arts and Fitness Center is also looking to continue growing our community outreach. We currently partner with UW Madison LAF(Leadership in Adaptive Fitness) under Dr Kecia Doyle, Edgewood College Cutting Edge, and Madison Schools Community and Recreation (MSCR). To also demonstrate the pride we take in our community, we donate nonperishable food items to Second Harvest and The River once a year!
How do you feel about being in the Hub
Wisconsin Martial Arts and Fitness Center will be consolidating its two locations into one at The Hub and our team of instructors, students, and family members are very excited. This will give us an opportunity to partner with more businesses and to continue our community outreach. My business has always been driven to serve our community. During the 1980’s I played three years for the Southside Raiders under legendary coach Will Smith. Over the past four years, my team and I taught self-defense and empowerment at One City Schools under Mr. Kaleem Caire. It is awesome to continue giving back to my community and share what I have learned since being a Raider. I have learned from great people who have inspired me over the years. I feel honored and humbled to be allowed to partner with the incredible group of entrepreneurs and business owners of The Hub!
Let me have a short comment to a long-term goal
The long-term goal of Wisconsin Martial Arts and Fitness Center is to continue to grow, inspire, and demonstrate the values of self-awareness, self-defense, and fitness in our community. We want kids and adults to take pride in pushing themselves to reach their human potential through a sense of self belief, perseverance, and integrity. Our goal is to purchase our own building where we can offer fitness, self-defense, after-school programming, and summer camps!
