Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Laessig

Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

My name is Ryan Laessig and I started Milwaukee Makers Market in 2017.
Prior to owning and running M.M.M. I was a freelance event organizer for different neighborhood BID’s and associations. During this time I was running my Art & Photography “Milwaukee Alt.” working with different tattoo magazines and websites creating alternative content. Looking for a place to sell my photography and artwork I started vending in local street festival and pop-up markets. I then took the leap into event management once I saw how things were being ran and took what I liked and listened to what people didn’t like and created my own style of shop local markets. After doing street events like Brady St. Sunday Funday, Neighborhood Festivals, & Local Markets; it became time to create something bigger & better and started the Milwaukee Makers Market.

Over the years now M.M.M. has won the Best Of Milwaukee awards for “Best Art & Craft Fair / Makers Market” in 2020/2021/2022 & 2023
Additional accomplishments include winning Best of Milwaukee “Local Entrepreneur”

And just recently received the Proclamation for “Milwaukee Makers Market Day” (Aug. 9th) in the City Of Milwaukee!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I have definitely needed to learn the in’s and out’s of navigating outdoor events and making successful indoor markets as well. Having to make sure it is a smooth process for the makers and vendors to load in and sell their work, along with making sure the patrons and supporters have room to shop and mingle while creating a safe one-stop-shop local experience.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am so blessed that I get to create art and photography during my “free” time and then being able to be a teacher during the week and shift gears into running Milwaukee Makers Market on the weekends is so rewarding.

I am very proud to be voted by my peers as *2023 Best Of Milwaukee* – “Local Entrepreneur” and “Best Art &Craft Fair/Makers Market for Milwaukee Makers Market”.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?

It’s been a wild journey these past years navigating markets during Covid and continuing to try and grow my business along with these other local small businesses. Just staying a float during these obstacles has been a challenge but persevering through the pandemic I feel like really showed people we need to support local businesses more.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

Courtesy of Ryan Laessig / Milwaukee Alt. / Milwaukee Makers Market