Lisa Proeber named ‘Notable Entrepreneur’ by BizTimes Milwaukee
I’ve been officially deemed “Notable” by BizTimes Milwaukee—and no, this time it’s not just my mom saying it. From launching The Middle Six to opening Board & Brush studios, a bar, and even penning a children’s book, I’m all in on building businesses that make real impact. This honor is a win for the team,...
Big News: I’m Officially “Notable” Now (And Not Just According to My Mom)
BizTimes Milwaukee named me a Notable Entrepreneur and honestly, I’m still processing it. Mostly because it’s rare to see the words “notable” and “entrepreneur” used together without a warning label or a LinkedIn humblebrag. But here we are.
This recognition is part of BizTimes Milwaukee’s annual list of entrepreneurial heavy-hitters who are out here building businesses, creating jobs, and making things happen across southeastern Wisconsin. I was nominated and am now officially part of a group of folks who are redefining what it means to lead with impact.
From Sales Boot Camps to Barstools and Board Books: Building Businesses (and Buzz) One Big Idea at a Time
The Middle Six started in 2022 with nothing more than a name, a big idea, and me sitting in front of my brand new laptop in a co-working space.. Since then, we’ve grown over 700% (no, that’s not a typo), brought on some incredible clients, and carved out our spot as the sales and marketing partner for companies looking to align people, process, and tech to drive revenue.
We’ve built Tactical Sales Plans that make your sales team actually excited to sell. We’ve led Sales Boot Camps that teach even the most “I hate sales” people how to close (sales is NOT a dirty word). And we’ve helped founders, owners, and sales teams get unstuck, un-siloed, and unapologetically aligned.
We’re kind of obsessed with HubSpot over here. Our team not only implements it, we architect entire sales ecosystems around it. From mapping out your sales process to customizing pipelines and automating follow-ups (yes, ghosting is over), we make HubSpot actually work for your business instead of becoming that expensive tool no one logs into. Whether you’re brand new to CRM or knee-deep in digital duct tape, we’re your people.
In addition to running The Middle Six, I also own two Board & Brush Creative Studios—one in Elm Grove and one in Oak Creek—because apparently I enjoy chaos, sawdust, and empowering people to use power tools while sipping wine. Whether you're creating art or creating revenue, it’s all about giving people the tools to build something meaningful.
Oh, and while we’re talking about buildings, renovations are now underway at Your Office MKE, a new bar and restaurant set to open later this summer. I am excited to open Your Office with my business partners, Nick Starr and Michael Sorge. Your Office will be a community establishment – highlighting the people who make Milwaukee a great place to live, work and play.
And because sleep is overrated, I also am also publishing Mama Cow Has a Baby later this year. Mama Cow is a children’s board book series for children ages 1–5 that gently introduces the idea that some families need a little help to grow.
It Takes a Village (and a Whole Lot of Coffee): Why This Win Belongs to All of Us
But this work is about more than just closing deals. As president of the Downtown Neighbors Association, I also spend my off-hours (lol what are those?) advocating for a better, more vibrant Milwaukee—pushing for thoughtful growth, supporting small businesses, and being a very vocal cheerleader for all things community.
This “Notable Entrepreneur” nod is cool, but honestly? It’s a team win. The clients who trust us, the community who fuels us, and the team who shows up every day ready to shake things up—they’re the reason this whole thing works.
Want to celebrate with me? Here’s how:
- Know a business that needs help making sense of HubSpot? Send them our way.
- Want to make sawdust magic? Book your next event at Board & Brush Elm Grove or Oak Creek.
- Don’t miss your next shift at Your Office. Sign up for my new bar’s newsletter so you know when it’s opening.
- Go take a peek and join the pre-order Mama Cow herd at themamacow.com!
- Shoot me a congrats message so I can print it out and hang it on my fridge next to my kids’ artwork.
Thank you, BizTimes Milwaukee, for seeing what we’re building and giving it a shiny little spotlight.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a city to grow, businesses to scale, and two studios full of people who still need to pick their stain and stencil colors. Did I forget about the toddlers to raise?
About Lisa Proeber
Lisa Proeber is the force behind The Middle Six®. With more than 20 years of high-performing sales experience, she brings a breadth and depth of knowledge to her solo venture. The Middle Six® is not a gatekeeper; it opens the gates for anybody to learn how to succeed at sales. Sales is not a dirty word; it's equal parts art and science, starting from the bottom up. Ready to become a salesperson with a roadmap in hand? Join us, and let's make waves together.
