On a good day, you can smell Alterra before you see it. A gentle breeze will waft hints of roasting coffee throughout Riverwest, leading your nose to Humboldt Avenue, where Alterra's headquarters, main roasting facility, bakery and one of its cafés are located. From there, its considerable tea and coffee selection, many of which are fair trade, organic and single origin, are delivered to its other cafés and kiosks, as well as the clients who serve Alterra products. At all of their locations, owners Lincoln and Ward Fowler and Paul Miller are commit to recycled building materials, eco-friendly business practices and clean, renewable energy sources. These locals prove that a hill of beans can be the foundation of a small empire. 

Entrepreneur Runners-Up:Aaron Kopec (Alchemist Theatre), Guy Rehorst (Great Lakes Distillery)