As a small business owner, I’m supportive of raising the minimum wage in Wisconsin. At my business, Red Mug Espresso, our goal is to provide a great experience for our customers. We feel it’s important to provide our employees with the same experience - in a safe and healthy work environment and with a wage they can be proud of. Our loyal employees tend to remain with us longer and in turn help us to be successful.
Many of our employees are college-aged students far from home trying to afford the rising costs of tuition, books and housing. I’m happy to pay them above the minimum wage so they don’t struggle financially while they’re getting the education they need to be competitive in the future. This strengthens our employee loyalty and only improves our business.
Raising the minimum wage would give people more money to spend in our community. This can only help small businesses like mine and the local economy. It’s time for state lawmakers to take note of small-business support of this issue and raise the wage now.
Suzanne Johnson
Superior
