Cathe Hahn, owner/operator of Patagium Sewing Co., shows a group gathered at Ampersand Coworking her Sugar Glider, a stand-up paddleboard sail, with the help of event organizer Scott Sampeer Wednesday morning. The Marquette Chamber of Commerce invites local business owners, entrepreneurs and interested community members to its early morning networking event, What’s Brewing, every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Ampersand Coworking along Washington Street in Marquette. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE — The early bird gets a strong cup of coffee and the first pick of fresh baked goods.

The Marquette Chamber of Commerce invites local business owners, entrepreneurs and interested community members to its early morning networking event, What’s Brewing, every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Ampersand Coworking along Washington Street in Marquette.

“Waking up and getting started early sets you up for the day,” Scott Sampeer, event organizer, said. “You can come here and be to work by 9 o’clock.”

Sampeer said these events are meant as an avenue for the community to share ideas and get excited about their business all before the traditional workday begins.

“A lot of the time this group might be the first to hear about ideas in the community,” attendee Tammy Wixtrom Johnson said.

Wixtrom Johnson, who has been coming to What’s Brewing for about a year, said she enjoys being able to problem solve and “banter back and forth” with area entrepreneurs.

“It’s a really beneficial time,” she said.

These events are open discussions that feature a business owner or entrepreneur. During each session, attendees can get a sense of who they are and what their line of business is, and the business owner can present a product or topic for the group to discuss. If no businesses are slated for that week, the discussion occurs as usual.

Owner/operator of Patagium Sewing Co. Cathe Hahn, a business that repairs and restores recreational gear, was the featured business speaker on Wednesday.

“I’ll fix anything until it’s threadbare,” Hahn said.

She presented the group with her product the Sugar Glider, a stand-up paddleboard sail, to get new ideas about how to promote the item.

“I got a lot of positive feedback on how cool it is and how to get it out there,” Hahn said. “You need this in a community, you need to stay excited about things.”

For more information, call the Marquette Chamber of Commerce at 906-225-1693.

Corey Kelly can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.