Find Connections & Growth with
BusinessResources
Find connections and growth with
Business Resources
Access Your Member Portal
Members can access the MemberClicks portal by logging in through the top right corner of this website.
Employees assigned the “Editor” role can access the following functions within the portal:
- Edit your Featured Business information: This is the content published in the Monona Guide and displayed in the Business Directory.
- Post events to our calendar: All featured events are included in our weekly events email.
- Post job openings: Share your employment opportunities with our community.
- Create member-to-member coupons: Offer exclusive deals to other members.
If you’d like to assign an employee as an “Editor” or add someone to “Receive Correspondence” (our mailing list for events and newsletters), please reach out, and we’ll update your account accordingly.
We’ve recorded the following How-To videos for your convenience:
Adding an Event to the MESBA Calendar
Members can access the MemberClicks portal by logging in through the top right corner of this website.
Employees assigned the “Editor” role can post events to the MESBA calendar.
The event submission form does not include the option to attach a graphic. You can:
- Copy and paste your event text and graphics from your website or a Microsoft Word document
- OR, drag and drop images from your website or Facebook page
- OR, email your graphic to us at connect@mononaeastside.com
Check out this How-To video for your convenience:
Free Video Production with Monona Community Media
As a benefit of your MESBA membership, we’ve partnered with Monona Community Media to provide you a free, one-minute promotional video showcasing your business—yours to use however you like. Monona Community Media will help you clarify your story, suggest a direction for narration, and film at your business or other visually appealing location. Filming typically takes just 1-2 hours.
MESBA members can contact Brennon Hechimovich at Monona Community Media to check for available spots in the 2025 filming schedule: BHechimovich@ci.monona.wi.us
View all MESBA Business Profile videos.
Mission: Workforce Alliance
The Monona East Side Business Alliance is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Mission: Workforce Alliance (MWA). This strategic collaboration opens the door to an invaluable resource for our members—the Mission: Workforce Alliance portal of candidates.
What is Mission: Workforce Alliance?
The Bridge For Businesses
Mission: Workforce Alliance (MWA) addresses workforce shortage challenges. The program simplifies the recruitment process, making it more accessible and cost-effective for businesses. Through resources and training offered as part of the program, businesses will better understand and leverage the diverse capabilities and experiences of veteran employees.
This comprehensive approach not only aids businesses in overcoming common hiring obstacles but also unlocks the potential of a highly skilled and adaptable talent pool. When you choose to hire a Transitioning Service Member, you’re giving them a chance to transition into civilian life and embark on a new chapter.
Each year, the Department of Defense reports that approximately 250,000 service members transition from active duty and we want to help them find the Great State of Wisconsin. Mission: Workforce Alliance gives our partners exclusive access to this remarkable group of individuals, representing a diverse range of skills and experiences. Mission: Workforce Alliance is an unparalleled opportunity for you to tap into a talent pipeline teeming with qualified, skilled candidates.
Apply Now – Use Code MESBA
Kristen Parent, Mission: Workforce Alliance Program Manager
Email: kristen@missionworkforcealliance.org Phone: 888.384.4482
Madison Metro has Arrived!
Ride Metro Route 38: Convenient – Fast – Reliable – Affordable
Starting Monday, March 3, Metro’s Route 38 will extend into Monona.
Metro’s Route 38 will provide weekday trips into Monona from 7am through 7pm serving numerous key locations including:
- Civic Campus (i.e. City Hall, the Community Pool, the Library, Senior Center and Winnequah Park)
- Heritage Senior Living
- Pier 37 Shopping Center
- Monona Grove High School
- Aldo Leopold Nature Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride
Other Routes Serving Monona
Existing Metro Routes G and L will also serve new stops along Monona Dr.
Review Maps and Schedules
- Route 38 Map (opens in a new window)
- Bus Stop Locations (opens in a new window)
- Route 38 Schedule (opens in a new window) / How to Read Schedule (opens in a new window)
Plan your trip online using Metro’s bus tracker starting on Monday, March 3.
Paratransit
Paratransit service will also be available to those that live within 3/4 miles of new Route 38 bus stops.
Local Wholesale Produce, Meat, and Food Products
Reap Wholesale
Frustrated by the disconnect between local farmers and wholesale buyers? REAP Food Group is here to help. With USDA support, we’re creating a platform where growers and buyers can easily connect, communicate, and complete transactions.
REAP’s Farm to Business program strengthens connections between local farms and wholesale buyers. Through our new Wholesale Readiness Marketplace, growers can promote their products and buyers can confidently source local food—all with the goal of keeping more dollars in Southern Wisconsin’s agricultural economy.
Farm to School
Farm to School brings fresh, local food to schools through gardens, food education, and local purchasing. It helps build healthy habits, supports local farmers, and strengthens communities. REAP also advocates for strong nutrition policies, including universal free meals for Wisconsin students.
The Farm Fresh Atlas
The Farm Fresh Atlas™ website and print publication features Wisconsin farms, farmers’ markets, restaurants, stores and other businesses that sell and support local food and use sustainable production and business practices. The Farm Fresh Atlas™ began in 2002 in Southern Wisconsin, and has since expanded to include the whole state.
Maize
Discover Maize, a locally developed app that connects you with fresh, local food. Find nearby restaurants, farmers markets, and regional specialties—or explore local food options across the country. For growers, producers, and food-based businesses, Maize also offers a platform for bulk purchasing and business-to-business connections.
Legal Resources for Businesses
Wisconsin State Bar
Small businesses and nonprofits in need of brief advice can request an appointment through the Small Business Assistance program offered by the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin.
For small business legal matters, the Marquette Small Business Clinic serves individuals statewide online on Thursdays beginning at noon on a first come first serve basis. Join the online waitlist here. You can find more information on the clinic and additional availability here. There is also a printable brochure available at Small Business Assistance brochure.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at kolson@wisbar.org and thank you in advance for your assistance in spreading the word about this program.
Kara Olson, Section Coordinator
State Bar of Wisconsin
(608) 250-6124
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6124
Spanish Language Resources
Shelene Zárate offers verbal and written Spanish translation services, Spanish language and latin culture integration ideas for your company, and connections to groups offering Spanish language resources in our community.
Conectados is a bilingual radio and video show hosted and created by Monona resident Shelene Zárate with support from the City of Monona. The show is run fully by volunteers with the intention of bringing diversity to the City of Monona through interviews that share local information, traditions and perspectives from other cultures and latin music. Shelene was inspired to start the show to share her language and Mexican culture to our community while learning about the perspectives of the diverse cultures in Monona.
Shelene is also a talented marketer and is available for translation/interpreting projects and offers cultural inclusion resources and Spanish integration ideas for your business, such as conferences, consultations and staff training.
Reach out at shelene@conectadosmedia.com
LGBTQIA+ Networking
Find networking events focused on inclusivity, comaraderie, and sharing resources.
Rainbow Happy Hour at Delta Beer Lab:
Open to ALL people who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with friends and allies. Come as you are, stay for as long as you’d like! This is a welcoming environment and we want YOU to come and say hello.
Find Rainbow Happy Hour on Facebook . Learn more about social justice causes at Delta Beer Lab.
Coworking Spaces
At Uplevel Coworking, we’re committed to creating a space where you can do your best work and thrive. Whether that means you need coffee on-demand, a professional network to cheer you on, or just to be out of the house away from distractions, we’ve got you covered.
Learn more about Uplevel.
Become a Certified Dementia Friendly Business
Make your space easier to navigate and welcoming to individuals with dementia and their care providers.
The Monona Area Dementia Friendly Community Coalition is an information and training resource for organizations and businesses in the community to help them provide better customer service for people who may have dementia.
To learn more, contact Diane Mikelbank – Monona Senior Center – DMikelbank@ci.monona.wi.us
AI Resources
Get started with AI, learn about prompts, ChatGBT, and other great blogs on technology.
RobotsArePeople.net
Meet Ben, a MESBA member, and a curious mind at the intersection of technology, AI, and the everyday world. This website was born out of a fascination with how artificial intelligence is transforming our lives. Along the way, I recognized that much of the information shared isn’t practical for everyday users. Often, it’s presented in a way that doesn’t necessarily improve the reader’s professional or personal life and may even create more confusion.
My goal is to share insights with you, offering a fresh viewpoint on how we can all adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving digital era. Head to RobotsArePeople.net.
