We recently connected with Ryan Laessig and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, thanks for joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

Being the owner of The Milwaukee Makers Marketplace has been an honor. Although I do still wear many hats including the East Side BID20 director as well and others, being the Creator and owner of the Milwaukee Makers Market is my favorite hat and has changed my life! Being and artist and a vendor I knew there was a way I could make the experience even better.
Milwaukee Makers Market is so much more than a makers and artisan fair. It’s a celebration of the city’s creators and our local community. I wanted to create a vibrant community for artists, makers, bakers, illustrators and creatives alike. We needed a safe, fun. and unique market experience. I would like to say that not only was I able to create a one of a kind market, I was able to create a beautiful spiderweb of creatives and networks. I was able to create an experience for the community to enjoy and for our art community to have a place to grow.

Ryan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am just your average Milwaukee Nerd with local pride. I know what its like to start from the bottom as a student, as an artist, or a photographer. Behind the table trying to get their artwork out there. Seeing the potential there was to help out not only myself but the community. Hearing the community’s voices, dreams, and passions pushed me forward to make The Milwaukee Makers Market. Having a creative and innovative mind I was able to create an amazing market that tethers the community’s Creatives and small businesses with the community that longs to shop local and support small businesses at the same time. Getting to see see smiles and hear their stories has truly kept me going for the last ten years.
When you support MMM and small businesses you are supporting someone’s dreams.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal for Milwaukee Makers Market is to create a market that brings the community together with art, music, food, hand crafted goods, and heart. To make a difference in the community by not only bringing its creatives and makers together it brings the community together to support each other. Milwaukee Makers Market celebrates the community’s creators in a unique, vibrant, and prosperous event. Helping our creators to thrive and grow while bringing artisan goods to the public. We also have brought in the Milwaukee Makers Marketplace for an every weekend shopping stop. Giving a store front for our creators to sell their products any weekend, not just our beloved Milwaukee Makers Market weekends.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

An artist is described as a person engaged in an activity related to creating art, practicing the arts, or demonstrating great skill and imagination.
Being an artist opens up so much more to life! Whether it is being able to see the beauty in things down to the operations of things. Being a creative is not just for art! You see more in life and more possibilities. Opens up for more ideas and creative way to run things. When you have a creative mind you can make things like the Milwaukee Makers Market.
A unique and fun experience for everyone. I believe that’s what sets the Milwaukee Makers Market apart. MMM takes in all artistic aspects of a Market as well as what the community is in need of to create a unique one-of-a-kind experience every single time. With each market being different from the others, I have created a desired experience and an unparallel Market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.milwaukeemakersmarket.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeemakersmarket
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeeMakersMarket/