Lori Compas at the helm of new association for Wisconsin's small and rural businesses

Post by Christie Taylor on 9/28/2012 12:00pm

Lori Compas speaking at the Madison launch of the Wisconsin Business Alliance. Photo: Preston Austin

Brad Werntz, owner of Boulders Climbing Gym, says the idea to organize the state’s small business owners started, in many ways, with protesting Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill.

On March 9, 2011, having entered the locked-down state Capitol through a window and bumped into several other Madison business owners who did the same, he was dismayed to hear that he and other protesters, including Planet Propaganda co-owner John Besmer were being written off as “out of state union thugs.”  

“John and I, two middle-aged guys with kids and businesses and mortgages in town,” Werntz said.

And so, Besmer, Werntz and another half-dozen business owners who had been spending time at the Capitol gathered themselves together. Starting as a more informal group they called “the Job Creators’ Club,” they met over beers to talk about their concerns.

Werntz said they eventually gathered enough membership that it was time to find someone to lead them full-time–something they couldn’t do as people with businesses to run. That search began this summer, and culminated Thursday with the launch of the new Wisconsin Business Alliance, led by another who had gotten her start during the protests.

“The day after the recalls, it seemed we had other things to do,” Werntz said. “So we reached out and Lori responded and filled in the missing piece we needed.”

Lori Compas, the other half of the story, rose to local fame last year when she single-handedly took on then-Senate Majority (now Minority) Leader Scott Fitzgerald, gathering the signatures to get his name on the ballot for recall with little Democratic Party help, then running against him herself when no one else would step up.

On Thursday, speaking as the new executive director for the Wisconsin Business Alliance, she described her campaign process, meeting small business owners–Democrat and Republican–in small towns throughout the district who were concerned with shuttered shop windows, schools and libraries suffering from budget cuts and a government that didn’t seem to be responding to their needs.

“I promised to be their voice,” she said. “And then,” she added with a wry smile, “I lost.”

Compas said that with the WBA, she hopes to do what she couldn’t as a politician–provide them a voice, and help them get their needs met in a nonpartisan, “results-oriented” setting.

Despite the protest origins of the core group, Werntz said that politics had little to do with the decision to group together. Rather, he said, he and the other members of the group had seen too many politicians claiming to do things–including but not limited to the budget repair bill’s union-stripping measures–on behalf of small business. Meanwhile, as businessmen, he said, “We were saying this is not good for business.”

“If you look at Governor Walker, Scott Fitzgerald, their resumes, they know literally nothing about business,” he went on. “Meanwhile, we’ve got award-winning businessmen standing in this room today.”

“Small businesses are basically being left to fend for themselves,” Planet Propaganda owner Besmer said. “Larger companies, their interests are being represented in a variety of ways, and that’s okay.”

He said small business owners needed a voice to speak up for quality of life and conditions that will attract and foster a high-quality workforce. “The quality of people we can hire dictates the quality of our business,” he said.

Many of the 20-some business owners in attendance in Madison (the day also saw launches in Milwaukee and Janesville), echoed Besmer, saying they valued an educated, healthy workforce, and wages high enough that workers can also afford to be consumers.

“This current idea of deifying job creators is not working,” said Keith Schmitz, who runs a public relations business in Milwaukee, and who said he’s likely to join on as a WBA member. “Let’s instead do what works.”

Compas, herself the owner of a photography studio, said policies that drive wages down, for example, were counter to her interests as a business owner. “If people don’t have money in their pocket, they can’t spend money–I’m a photographer, photography is the first thing to go,” she said. “I want people to have disposable income so they use my services. Retailers want people to have disposable income.”

The association will aim in particular for small businesses, rural farm-based enterprises, and independent contractors and entrepreneurs. But Compas thinks they can attract business owners from across the political spectrum, with enterprises of all sizes, with those values: the group will be strictly nonpartisan, and she’s looking for anyone “committed to broad-based prosperity and a modern economy that’s built to last,” she said. Nor does she think her history in Democratic politics will hold that back.

“I campaigned on values–respect for the rule of law, respect for the process, and that’s not a Democratic or Republican value,” she said. “We all agree that it’s time to get past the bitter ideology that’s divided our state. True prosperity comes from collaboration, not contention, and we work best when we work together.”

The association will focus on outreach to media and other public platforms, Compas said, and policy-specific lobbying to both parties when the Legislature resumes in January. Specific policy positions, however, will have to wait until the members can discuss–all Compas can count on now, based on talking to people since the early days of her campaign, is that healthcare access and affordability is likely to rank high on the list.

Any other policy positions will be based on their long-term benefits, with careful study of the economics. “We’re not going to have a kneejerk reaction,” she said. “We’re going to be more deliberate.”

As of Friday morning, 24 hours after the website went live, Compas said her WBA inbox was “swamped.” “I’d say we have dozens of new members,” she said.

Christie Taylor

Contributor

Christie Taylor (@ctaylsaurus) covers science, environment, and, depending on the season, state politics for dane101. She verbs a lot of nouns, including rollerskates, radio, and Kurt Vonnegut. A Madison native, she's not sure she'll ever quite manage to leave Wisconsin, and that's just fine by her. Contact her at christie@dane101.com.

View the discussion thread.

32r34fwefsdf4tr3t34t43t43twt

Submitted by cashcorpzzz (not verified) on Fri, 2012-10-05 02:32.

t34t34t34t43h This is just a test, blah blah blah blah blah This is just a test, blah blah1234567 blah blah blah This is just a test, blah blah blah blah blah

32r34fwefsdf4tr3t34t43t43twt

Submitted by cashcorpzzz (not verified) on Fri, 2012-10-05 02:34.

t34t34t34t43h This is just a test, blah blah blah blah blah This is just a test, blah blah1234567 blah blah blah This is just a test, blah blah blah blah blah

The City of Madison would be

Submitted by disoner (not verified) on Wed, 2012-10-10 04:24.

The City of Madison would be wise to repeal the ordinance passed last month and focus its energy on responding to criminal or threatening behavior.strategy games

That was 15 years ago, I went

Submitted by coach factorysasa on Fri, 2012-10-26 04:43.

That was 15 years ago, I went to the city on business, leaving coach outlet online the subject of business, I go to the mall to buy some gifts to colleagues. Usually, when I go shopping like to carry some coins, because the mall near sometimes begging people to twelve coins in my heart will ease some. This day as well, still some coins in the pocket, coach factory outlet so I will give a coach outlet store bunch of little beggars begging ten a few coins scattered. Just then, I saw a boy holding a sign high and looked at me, no doubt, that he would like to get my attention. I went to him in the past, to see his girl of coach purses outlet thirteen-year-old, poorly dressed very clean, hair combed neatly. He is not like the others hands take a Tang Cigang, his brand side painted with a boy in a shoe, the side that says - "I want a shoeshine box.

I was doing investment business, anyway, there is still time, I asked the boys how much money is needed, the boy said: "125."

I shook my head, and said he wants the shoeshine box is too expensive. Boy say no more expensive, also said he has been to four wholesale markets, have seen, want to buy a dedicated box, stool, good clean oil, good soft brush, the dozen shoe polish, to reach 125 yuan his request. Boy, speaking in tongues, right rhythmic.

I asked him how much money is now in the hands, the boy imagined, said to have 35 yuan, 90 yuan less also. I have carefully looked at the boy, determined he was not a little liar, then took out his wallet, took out 90 yuan, said: "90 dollars to you, be my investment. Condition, took the money from you this moment, we are a partner. I stay for five days in the city within five coach factory online days, you should not only gave me 90 dollars, I would also like to have a dollar of interest if you promise this condition, 90 yuan is now owned by you. "

The boy excitedly looked at me Mankoudaying the. The boy also told me that he read the sixth grade, every week only to go on three days lessons, other days to cattle, sheep, help mothers farming, his results did not slide down over the top three, so he Best. I asked him why they buy the shoeshine box, he said that the family was poor, and he wants to take advantage of the summer and save enough tuition.

I looked at the boy in an appreciation of the psychological, then take him to the wholesale market to buy a shoe shine boxes and various other shoeshine appliances. Boy carrying a box, ready to be placed under the stall at the mall entrance. I shook my head and said, as his partner, in order to recover their costs, and the obligation to remind him to choose the place of business. Mall within the free shoe shine, a lot of people know. Boy seriously thought, asked: "election in the hotel opposite how?" I thought, here is a tourist city, a car a car every day to live in the hotel, they traveled the next day to travel definitely need shoes polished. Think of these, I promised him.

So the boy settled in the vicinity of the coach outlet hotel entrance, his shoeshine box into a little farther away from the door, he see no one around and said to me: "Why do not I paid a dollar interest? You should know my level of service. "Puchi" laugh, this little guy was witty, he is going to give me Shoe of which $'s interest with shoeshine charges arrived. I appreciate his shrewd, they sit him on the bench, said: "if you polished bad to prove that you're lying, my investment to a dishonest person to prove my investment failed." The boy's head Akira like a rattle, says he is the best, and his shoeshine training practice at home for a month. You know, not many people in rural areas and a few pairs of good shoes, he is the one to let them shoes out, carefully wipe polished.

A few minutes later, looking at the shoes light can Kam people, I nodded with satisfaction. Out of coach outlet store your pocket red pen, wrote the two characters in his left and right cheek: "Best" boy music. Just then, a minibus car with a car over visitors, he quickly carrying a shoeshine box ran over and pointed to his face after another to get off the travelers, said: "This is my reward customer, you want to try? your shoes I would become a mirror. "In this way, the boys busy ...

The next day, I came to the hotel to see the boy early to keep stalls, he excitedly told me yesterday he earned 50 dollars removing me 18 yuan, dinner spend three, his net surplus of 29 yuan. I patted him on the head, and bless him for good. He said that last night, did not sleep Bridge, but sleep Chase Shop, but did not pay 5 dollars bunk money, I doubt how beds will not pay money? In this case, the boy smiled smugly: "I help the boss and the boss rub a dozen pairs of shoes, tonight, I also do not have money to stay."

Five days passed quickly, I want to leave this city, and five days, the boy also 18 yuan, also enough 90 yuan. The boys know that I coach factory outlet online am louis vuitton purses the manager of an investment company in Beijing, said to be and so he graduated from university, will go to Beijing to look for me, saying, he stretched out a small black hand, I have also lent a hand, the two stingy clenched together ......

Stroke, was actually 15 years.

I left the original investment in the company, he opened a trading company. This day, I'm the office boggling, because of the unexpected loss of a large number of goods, working capital is facing difficulties, the Quartet in debt payment. Just put down the phone, the secretary came in and said there was a young man of cheap coach purses about my lunch, I asked who Touyebutai, secretary to come up with a key chain, put on my desk, looking at this key chain, and I froze lived, that the above is a glass Winnie, Winnie the coach factory forehead engraved on three words: "I am the best".

I think of it, this key chain, stuffed into his palm gift 15 years ago I Shoe juvenile parting handshake.

By noon, I walked into the hotel, book a good seat stood up in suits and ties, the young people of the British Gas is pressing. His subtle smile, slightly curved waist towards me. From his face, I found little then shadow Shoe young. Tea, he took out a five million check, said: "I want to invest in your company, the profits arrived back within five years."

5 million, it is timely help!

http://www.sandrabridalshop.com/

Submitted by sertfyry on Thu, 2012-11-22 06:15.

I read the article on the dig.com. I’d like to buy this 350$ - 2010 La Sposa Libertad Wedding Gown. Many of the brides-to-be around me feel it difficult to make proper decisions on buying 358$ - 2010 La Sposa Libra Wedding Gown. They are sure to be happy if they can be guided by your article.

http://www.jeanbride.com/

Submitted by sertfyry on Thu, 2012-11-22 06:15.

Excellent article！The cheap JLM Couture wedding dresses showed in the picture are very beautiful. Can you tell me where I can buy a cheap Jasz Couture prom dresses at a low price

Fortuner SUV Terbaik

Submitted by dhinicarnetta on Sun, 2012-11-25 13:53.

commonwealth life perusahaan asuransi jiwa terbaik indonesia
Fortuner SUV Terbaik
software ERP indonesia
Fortuner SUV Terbaik
Waletbet Promo Bonus 100% Sportsbook dan Casino Online
MASTER OF BUSINESS

Thank you again for all the

Submitted by Gunawancavalera on Sun, 2012-12-02 19:13.

Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,Fortuner SUV Terbaik
Ekiosku.com jual beli online aman menyenangkan
Commonwealth Life Perusahaan Asuransi Jiwa Terbaik Indonesia
Kereta Mini, Kereta Mall, Komedi Putar Ya Keretaminiku.com
Software ERP Indonesia
Fortuner SUV Terbaik

http://www.vip-coachbags2013.

Submitted by coachoutlet22 on Thu, 2012-12-13 04:21.

http://www.vip-coachbags2013.com/ Coach Outlet Coach Outlet Online

http://www.coachoutletonlineausa.com/ Coach Outlet Online Coach Outlet

http://www.coachvfactoryoutletonline.com/ Coach Factory Outlet Online

http://www.coachespurseoutletonline.net/ Coach Purses Outlet Online

http://www.coach-coachoutlets.org/ shop.coachfactory.com coachfactory.com/shop

http://www.shoppguccishoes.com/ Gucci Shoes UK Gucci Mens Shoes

http://www.mk-michaelkorsoutlets.net/ Michael Kors Outlet Store Online

http://www.coachoutlethouses.com/ Coach Outlet Coach Factory Outlet

http://www.m-michaelkorsusaonline.com/ Michael Kors USA Michael Kors Outlet Online

http://www.usacoachesfactoryoutlet.com/ Coach Outlet USA Coach Factory Outlet

http://www.coachesfactoryonline.net/ Coach Factory Online

http://www.thecoachoutleto.com/ Coach Outlet Coach Outlet Online

http://www.buyscoachfactory.net/ Coach Factory Coach Bags Factory

http://www.michaelkorsoutlettoyou.net/ Michael Kors Outlet Online

http://www.the-michaelkorsoutlets.com/ Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors USA

ask yourself, 'How much

Submitted by jinchen on Fri, 2012-12-14 02:16.

ask yourself, 'How much fraud's OK?'"If there's a way to to cheap designer handbags to improve the process, and if there's a way for
to serve in the process and be a part of of replica designer handbags of that contribution, then that's what we need to do,"
added.To stamp out voter fraud, True the Vote launched "integrity "integrity cheap real air jordans "integrity projects" all over the country by recruiting volunteers to
their own independent local chapters. True the Vote provides the the cheap real air jordans the groups with proprietary software to vet voter registrations, looking

Navigation

Follow Us

Become a Member!

Current

Arts

Music

Food

Sports

Adventure