Heather Lux Awarded 2024 Business Advisor of the Year

The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is proud to announce Heather Lux, Regional Director of the Southeast Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), as the recipient of the 2024 Business Advisor of the Year Award. This prestigious award celebrates a business advisor who demonstrates extraordinary dedication, positively impacting both their Women’s Business Center (WBC) and the clients they serve.

Heather Lux, WWBIC’s longest-tenured Regional Director, has made significant contributions to Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. In 2023 alone, Heather provided 225 hours of business technical assistance to 261 businesses, including 138 hours dedicated to supporting 156 women-owned businesses across Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Rock, and Green Counties. Her role as both a leader and mentor has been critical in the growth of WWBIC, which now hosts six WBCs across Wisconsin.

A Lifeline for Small Businesses: Heather’s Impact

Heather’s influence extends beyond her technical expertise. Her work has been instrumental in saving and scaling local businesses, like Kouzena 220, a beloved Greek restaurant in Racine, Wisconsin. Owner Paul Maheras faced the looming threat of foreclosure, but Heather and WWBIC stepped in to secure the necessary funding, keeping the family-owned business alive. Reflecting on the experience, Maheras shared, “Because of their tenacity, we were able to get open. Thank you to WWBIC, {without you we} probably would not be open right now.”

Mentorship and Community Building

Heather’s support of entrepreneurs extends through direct mentorship and community-focused events. In 2023, under Heather’s leadership, the Southeast WBC provided over 100 business training sessions in English and 30 in Spanish, along with signature events like Strong Women Strong Coffee, which featured prominent speakers such as SBA Region V Administrator Geri Sanchez Aglipay and Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Director Mysee Herr. Heather’s initiatives have not only empowered individual business owners but also bolstered the region’s economic vitality, leading to the creation of 67 new businesses and 364 jobs in the Southeast region alone.

A Champion for Business Advisors and Entrepreneurs

Association of Women's Business Center 2024 Business Advisor of the Year Award

Heather’s leadership has earned widespread praise from colleagues and clients alike. Tennisha Loggins, owner of Loggins Family Business in Beloit, Wisconsin, commended Heather’s dedication: “Heather’s expertise and guidance have been invaluable. She has propelled my business forward and helped me stay at the forefront of innovation. She has transformed small dreams into thriving realities.”

As the Regional Director of WWBIC’s Southeast WBC since 2008, Heather’s passion for supporting small businesses is evident. Her tireless efforts have made her an indispensable resource for entrepreneurs across the state, helping them navigate every stage of business development, from initial ideas to growth and expansion. Her mentorship, strategic insight, and compassionate support have changed the trajectory of countless businesses, ensuring that even the most ambitious entrepreneurial dreams can become reality.

Congratulations to Heather Lux on this well-deserved recognition as Business Advisor of the Year! Your dedication continues to inspire and uplift the community you serve.