Rachaad Howard has been a full-time entrepreneur since 2010. His journey started with Cream City Print Lounge, which he grew into one of the Milwaukee’s largest print shops, building partnerships along the way with the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Store, Kohl’s, and Visit Milwaukee. After closing part of that business, he helped open a coffee shop and café, then took time to figure out what was next. 

With an omnipresent interest in tech, he formalized his curiosity by going back to school for a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and certifications in Google IT, networking, and AI. His formal education, along with the foundational creative insights gained from his prior ventures, prepared him for building his next company, Wheemz Tech & Smart Home.  

Wheemz connects customers who need tech and smart home services with vetted contractors who can deliver them, something Rachaad describes as a blend of Angie’s List and TaskRabbit built specifically for the tech services space. The platform includes a customer support tool, a searchable knowledge base, an AI chatbot for instant help, and a contractor marketplace matching jobs to the right experts. For Rachaad, the AI piece isn’t about replacing the human touch, but scaling support and triage, so customers get fast answers and contractors get reliable leads. 

A referral from a friend first pointed Rachaad toward FOR-M. What drew him in was the opportunity to be around other tech founders and thinkers who could help push his idea further. Mentor sessions and module exercises helped him dissect his idea and streamline clearer workflows and conversations with fellow founders gave him feedback he wouldn’t have found on his own. 

Milwaukee’s startup scene is vibrant. Rachaad believes Milwaukee doesn’t get enough credit for the talent and grit people have. “If you’re building something here, keep building it here. The community shows up for founders who show up for it.” 

His advice to anyone considering a startup of their own: start before you feel ready. Across multiple industries, he says the common thread is that you learn a business by being in it, not by waiting until you have it all figured out. When he identified a gap in his own technical skills for Wheemz, he didn’t treat it as disqualifying. He found a way to close it and continue building. 

Interested in joining FOR-M? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, apply now!