Check Out These 6 Women-Founded Businesses in Wisconsin
Looking to explore Wisconsin while also supporting women-founded attractions? From luxury retreats to craft beer, food tours and cheesemaking, here are sixeight women-led businesses to check out on your next Wisconsin adventure.
Wild Wellness: Wild Rice Retreat
Heidi Zimmer started with a dream — to create a one-of-a-kind wellness retreat on the scenic shores of Lake Superior. In May 2021, that dream became a reality, when Wild Rice Retreat welcomed its first guests. Located just outside of Bayfield, Wisconsin, the gateway to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wild Rice is the Midwest’s first all-inclusive wellness retreat.
Rooted in the idea of exploring and supporting expression in nature, Wild Rice Retreat offers a home for healing guided, personal and group retreats, meeting space and events following the pillars of nourishment, expression and movement. Choose from guided retreats or personal resort stays all year long to experience this one-of-a-kind Wisconsin getaway.
Creative Collaboration: The Bronzeville Collective
The voices of Milwaukee’s Black, Brown and Queer creatives had few outlets in which to share their work — until the Bronzeville Collective came along. Launched by Lilo Allen, Tiffany Miller, Tomira White and Jasmine Barmore, this collaborative storefront offers everything from homemade candles and soaps to jewelry and handmade art.
Located in the historic Bronzeville Arts and Culture District, almost everything in this vibrant space is either handcrafted or designed by Black and Brown creatives.
But, First, Cheese: Marieke Gouda
Born and raised in the Netherlands on a 60-cow dairy farm, Marieke Penterman has cheesemaking in her DNA. So it makes sense that she’d make it to Wisconsin sooner or later. Marieke is the founder of Marieke Gouda in Thorp, where she creates authentic Dutch Gouda Cheese. She’s a true pioneer; there are 1,200 licensed cheese makers in Wisconsin, and only 60 are women. Stop by Cafe DUTCHess for their farm-style breakfast, lunch and gouda-licious appetizers.
Spotted Cow Calling: New Glarus Brewing Co.
Deborah Carey and her husband Daniel co-founded New Glarus Brewing Co. in 1993, kicking off a beloved (and fiercely independent) craft beer kingdom that continues to this day. As Founder and President of one of the most successful Wisconsin breweries, she really does it all. Find their flagship beer, “Spotted Cow,” served at most bars and restaurants as well as widely available for purchase — only in Wisconsin. While traveling to New Glarus — Wisconsin's “Little Switzerland" — take a fascinating tour of this expansive brewery.
Follow the Food Guru: Milwaukee Food Tours
Food was a passion for Theresa Nemetz — but she never thought it would turn into a career. During a trip to NYC, destiny called when she and her husband took a food tour. Afterward, she realized that their hometown of Milwaukee had more than enough of a diverse culinary scene to do something similar. And so, Milwaukee Food Tours was born.
Today, Theresa and her team showcase the city’s rich Italian, German, Irish and Polish immigrant history, sharing their unique stories and flavors.
Farm to Fork: Pasture and Plenty
For Christy McKenzie, food and community are inextricably linked. And it’s that belief that led her to create Pasture and Plenty, a combination restaurant, test kitchen, market and home delivery service that provides ready-to-eat meals and meal kits.
Working closely with more than 30 local farms, ranchers and bakers, the Madison-based outfit has been a key connector between producers and consumers. Stop in the James Beard-nominated storefront for delicious deli selections, fun drinks and much more.
While you’re at it, check out more great attractions, including Native American businesses and Black-Owned businesses across Wisconsin.
