MILWAUKEE – Near West Side Partners (NWSP) is excited to announce Benjamin Biddle and Molly Howard with The Booth MKE as the winners of the Rev-Up MKE small business competition. The winner was announced live on Monday, September 8, 2025 at the end of the expo-style event, in which the fifteen finalists hosted booths to showcase their business ideas to judges and event attendees at The Rave/Eagles Club.
“We are thrilled that The Booth MKE will be expanding their business in the Near West Side, bringing a new, locally owned storefront to the neighborhood,” said Lindsey St Arnold Bell, Executive Director of NWSP. “Rev-Up MKE is a testament to the Near West Side’s strong ecosystem of entrepreneurs who support one another, making the neighborhood a place where businesses can flourish — and we can’t wait to welcome The Booth MKE to this community!”
The Booth MKE provides a premier, interactive 3D photo booth experience for weddings, corporate functions and private events. Their goal is to make events memorable by providing a fun, interactive photo experience.
“We put a lot of hard work into this. This is a testament that the work you put in is what you get back,” said Benjamin Biddle. “It is gratifying to receive this recognition.”
The Booth MKE will use the support from winning Rev-Up MKE to expand their mission of creating memories for people across the city by starting a live video or karaoke booth.
Prizes were also awarded to the other finalists:
- Brad Anthony Bernard and Erik Eide with Art Tours MKE was named as the runner-up and recipient of $1,500 in cash and a six month Fruition MKE co-working membership;
- Brianca Grace Beverly with Queen Crown Essentials was named the “Audience Choice” winner and will receive $500 in cash and a six month Fruition MKE co-working membership; and
- Brittany Thomas with Faraja Company was awarded the Jones Family Foundation Emerging Venture Award and granted $1,000 as recognition of her creativity, energy and commitment.
“Rev-Up MKE is a catalyst for local entrepreneurs that are the heartbeat of Milwaukee,” said Jay Mack, President and CEO of Town Bank. “We are excited to support The Booth MKE and the additional local entrepreneurs involved in Rev-Up MKE who will have a positive impact on the Near West Side and our city as a whole.”
Event attendees also enjoyed the “Taste of the Near West Side,” which included food and drink samples from Near West Side restaurants, including Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille, Lisa Kaye Bistro, A Goodman’s Dessert, Pete’s Pops, Tootsie’s Tea and Sodexo.
Background on Competition
In the weeks leading up to the competition, the fifteen finalists participated in business training with mentorship.
The Booth MKE will receive significant resources to support its venture, which will be located in a Concordia 27 storefront, including:
- $5,000 in cash for operational costs or business investment;
- Business coaching and consulting;
- Social media and marketing support;
- In-kind services and mentorship; and
- Media outreach and social media recognition from Near West Side Partners.
Judges from the event included:
- Pat McQuillan, Co-Founder/President of Central Standard
- Tiffany Miller, Owner of Fruition MKE
- Deanna Singh, Managing Partner of Uplifting Mansion
- Marylou Schirpke, Senior Vice President Commercial Banking of Town Bank
For more information about the competition and photos from the event, visit us online at: www.nearwestsidemke.org/revupmke/
ABOUT NEAR WEST SIDE PARTNERS, INC.
Near West Side Partners (NWSP) is a non-profit organization that works to revitalize the Near West Side of Milwaukee in four key focus areas: safety, housing, attracting and retaining businesses, and promoting the well-being of our neighbors. NWSP was founded through the support of business and civic leaders, including the organization’s five anchor institutions – Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures.
