St. Paul's Business Builders Networking Group Profile Story

Following is the unedited version of an article Aaron S. Robertson authored for Muskego Patch in May 2011.

If you’re a business owner or working professional looking to network in Muskego, there are a number of available options open to you, options you may not be aware of. That’s where Muskego Patch comes in. What follows is the first installment in an occasional, ongoing series devoted to business networking opportunities here in Muskego.

St. Paul’s Business Builders Networking Group

Founded by Craig Lesser in March 2009, St. Paul’s Business Builders meets every other Tuesday morning from 7:00-8:30 in the Grace Room of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, S66 W14325 Janesville Road.

The group is open to anyone, and there is no cost or attendance requirements. Lesser provides a small continental breakfast. At the start of the meeting, there is a brief biblical reflection and prayer lasting 15 minutes or so. This is followed by each person being allowed a minute to introduce themselves to the rest of the group. A guest speaker then has the floor for 30-45 minutes.

Lesser tries to offer a good variety in speakers. To date, they have ranged anywhere from various social media experts to business and/or life coaches, and from specialists in women’s entrepreneurship to business owners simply sharing more about their line of work. From time to time, he has also hosted workshops that go beyond the normal meeting time and feature speakers that are more regionally known. 

In addition to business owners and professionals, though, Lesser encourages jobseekers to attend meetings, as well.

“The whole idea is people simply helping people and working to develop strong and meaningful business relationships. If someone is looking for a job and someone else in the group can be of assistance, that’s great,” Lesser said in a recent interview with Muskego Patch.      

Lesser, CEO of Big Bend-based LSR Technology, a credit card processing business, said he started the group for a number of reasons.

“I saw the need for a Christian-based networking group, though anyone is certainly welcomed to attend. I belong to St. Paul’s, so I wanted to find a way to develop relationships in both the church and the community to help businesses grow. There’s also the lack of an open group, and then there’s certainly the whole cost factor of other groups in the area,” Lesser said.

Currently, there are approximately 20-25 people attending the meetings, according to Lesser.

The group’s next meeting is on Tuesday, May 24. From there, it meets every other Tuesday. For further information, contact Craig Lesser at: (262) 613-4142 or calesser@lsrtechnology.com.