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February News and Events! | |
Small Business News from the South Haven Regional Business Hub:
- Celebrating The PITCH
- Startup Series Next Up
- Client News
- Events in the Area
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What we learned!
In the spring of 2024 four local business onwers committed to growing their businesses by attending the Growth Series for Small Businesses. These business owners presented their PITCH to he community on Jan. 9.
Read their stories below and click to visit participants' websites and be sure to Like and Follow them on Social Media.
Watch for the 2025 Growth Series - Application information available in the spring!
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I really appreciate the opportunity to be in the Growth Series. I’m learning a lot and am excited about building my own business. Things have been hectic, both at work and personally. This program has been a lifesaver, teaching me to ask for help instead of trying to handle everything alone. I’ve been working hard to get the finances in order and prepare to delegate tasks. My team has been incredibly supportive. With help, I am getting all the things done for the management side (which I dislike), and starting to love being who I should be again—which is the face of the business—and motivating my employees to learn and love why they work for a small business. There’s still so much to learn, but I wanted to share my progress. This program has been a positive experience, and I’m determined to reach my goals. I am learning so much and hopefully soon I will be the business owner I wanted to be.
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Being part of the Growth Series is a game-changer for Precision Syrups. I'm gaining valuable business skills that feel like getting an MBA crash course. While I know the basics, there are always fresh insights to uncover. Setting clear goals and understanding every part of our business is becoming much easier. Finance is a big eye-opener, showing how different business bookkeeping is from our family's. The Growth Series pushes us to really examine our finances and find ways to improve. Some of the goals we set are a stretch, but I'm excited to figure them out. The Growth Wheel tool is helping us shift our focus from the day-to-day to exciting future possibilities. Overall, this program is giving me a clear path forward, new opportunities to explore, and a chance to connect with other business owners.
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Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance, Karen Koch
What we like [about the Growth Series] is that it has allowed us to meet people like these and tap into those who may have an interest in what we're doing. It's provided us with resources, like scholarships for legal and marketing, and mentors are available to help with things that aren't our expertise. HMOTA, under Karen Koch's leadership, is thriving. The company offers accessible home modification evaluations, design, and construction services. With over 2000 occupational therapists across the country, there's a growing demand for their services. By combining research, experience, and a focus on task forces for different disabilities, HMOTA is able to provide comprehensive solutions nationwide. If you want to grow and are serious about your business, you need to connect with resources. The Growth Series, and the HUB programming has definitely provided us with resources and helped us take our business to the next level.
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Creative Catering Services, Sarah and Zach Cox
For us the biggest takeaway from the Growth Series course has been the little changes that we can make ourselves that we didn't know would be so impactful. Labeling pictures on our sites, email marketing, newsletters, proper keywords, proper branding, marketing on our google page, etc., just to name a few. All these little things we can do that we have been trivializing up 'till now. We thought we had to pay big money for marketing help, and we are realizing now just how much we can do ourselves. Our focus right now is on improving our website and developing Corporate Catering promotions for the coming holiday season. We have a lot to learn but we are headed in the right direction now thanks to this course.
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Next Statup Series Session is Feb. 6 | |
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Are you dreaming of starting your own business?
The South Haven Regional Business Hub is excited to invite you to join us for any or all of the Startup and Development Series. This program is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to launch and grow your business successfully.
Next up:
Is Your Business a Go or a No-Go?: Introduction to The Business Model Canvas
Thursday, February 6, 6-8 p.m. Lake Michigan College, South Haven
Light snacks provided.
Facilitator Steven Cummings, Vistage, SPC Consulting will help you understand the Business Model Canvas - a sort of mini business plan. It will be fully developed by the end of the series!
Who is the Startup and Development Series for?
This series is open and available at no charge to anyone in Southwest Michigan who is considering starting a business or in the early stages of launching a business.
Ready to take the next step? Register to attend at no cost.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
The South Haven Regional Business Hub
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Attend Startup Series Sessions to Win Small Business Support Services
One Small Business Startup Series participant will win $1,500 for approved small business services (accounting, marketing, legal, website design, social media, video, etc.). Apply using the available form. Each event attended earns one entry, increasing your chances to win.
Two additional grants will be awarded to participants: One year of QuickBooks Plus with 1 hour of support (must attend the accounting session) and Google Business Profile setup and verification (must attend the marketing session).
You only need to apply once for any of the awards.
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Value Proposition and your Target Market
Thursday, February 20
6-8 p.m.
Lake Michigan College
Presenter: Trevor Brooks, Kitchen Tribes
Learn:
- Who is your target audience?
- How do you price?
- What’s your value proposition?
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Set Up Your Books for Success: Accounting Basics
Thursday, March. 6
6-8 p.m.
Lake Michigan College
Presenters: Michele Coy, Michele Coy Enterprises, and Jacob Christensen, Great Lakes Bookkeeping
Learn:
- How to determine cash flow
- What are P&L and balance sheets?
- How do the numbers correlate to profitability?
Attend and be entered to win one Year of QuickBooks online Plus 1 Hour Professional Support (Must Attend QB Session).
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Marketing 101: How Much Do You Really Need?
Thursday, March 20
6-8 p.m.
Lake Michigan College
Presenter: Cheri Bales, Hannah/Gold Communications
You'll learn about:
- The importance of strategy and branding for a new business
- Maximizing social media with automation
- Optimizing your website for SEO
- Marketing planning
Attend and be entered to win a free Google Business Profile Setup and Verification (Must Attend Marketing Session).
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Creating a Dynamic Culture to Attract and Retain Top Talent
Thursday, April 3
6-8 p.m.
Lake Michigan College
Presenter: GB Richmond, Goodbye Money Stress
- What is the MOST significant part of your business?
- Everything built for your team
- Empower, flexibility, hiring (culture first).
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Christine Velasco
I Heart Spanish is keeping busy with 6 vibrant virtual classes, and the self-paced Canvas course has been a real game-changer. In-person classes and our popular Spanish Storytime at local libraries are still going strong. I even got to share my entrepreneurial journey at the Women's Business Center, which was such a rewarding experience. This fall marked our 9th year in business, Exciting times are ahead as we prepare to launch 16 new online courses next year!
Sarah Cox
GG Sweets & Eats is a new venture opening on February 4, inspired by The Garden Griddle restaurant. It will offer a rotating menu of lunch features Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., along with their signature sweet treats. Customers can expect takeout and delivery options through DoorDash. The new bakery will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Call ahead for pickup.
Max Gleis
Max Transportation & Car Service has launched with transportation in Southwest Michigan, specializing in seamless airport pickups and drop-offs. Private car service is available for trips throughout Southwest Michigan.
Big thanks to Nicole with Gulotta Imagery for our PITCH photos and others throughout the year. We appreciate your support!
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Mitigating Risk: HR 101 + Compliance Changes
February 27, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Midwest Energy & Communications HQ, 60590 Decatur Road, Cassopolis
Free
With labor shortages continuing and compliance changes on the rise, small businesses in Michigan are in a precarious position.
Join us Thursday, February 27, from 8:30–10 a.m. at Midwest Energy & Communications HQ for this free event designed to help small business owners mitigate risk through fundamental HR principles.
Attendees will learn about:
- Compliance: Including the impact of upcoming changes to earned sick time, minimum wage, and the tip credit changes.
- Hiring: How to attract and retain the right talent, while avoiding bias in the process
- Culture: Concepts to encourage communication, reduce organizational risk, and create a purpose-driven workplace while building respect and productivity
- Performance: Strategies to create clarity on expectations and drive accountability
This free event was created in partnership between the Cassopolis/Vandalia Chamber, Greater Dowagiac Chamber, Edwardsburg Chamber Of Commerce, Market One, and HR Collaborative.
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Are you a woman business owner? Would you like to learn how to certify your business as "Woman-Owned"?
Join our special guest from the SBA, Gabrielle Coner, Business Opportunity Specialist, as we understand the certification process for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs).
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-Moody on the Market Article
"South Haven group helps turn ideas into successful businesses, one pitch at a time"
The Hub is dedicated to helping area entrepreneurs start and grow their business ideas into successful economic growth activity. Their volunteer members provide business mentorship, ideas, and pathways to resources that will help their businesses take root and eventually thrive. Founded in the wake of the pandemic, the South Haven Regional Business Hub is a group of successful business professionals, led by executive director Debi Howe.
Read the full story here.
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We want to hear about your successes!
To get your business news listed here, send your information to Cheri Bales by clicking the orange button.
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The South Haven Regional Business Hub is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping small businesses in SW Michigan start, grow, and succeed.
Over 40 local experts volunteer to provide free education, mentoring, and resources to entrepreneurs.
We've supported 50+ businesses in Van Buren County and counting.
- Our Mission: Making the South Haven Region a place where entrepreneurs want to start and grow.
- Guiding Principles: Combining collective knowledge, connections, and resources of the community, creating initiatives, and partnerships for all our local entrepreneurs.
If you're passionate about helping small businesses succeed and would like to join us in our work, consider donating to the South Haven Regional Business Hub today! Donate today and support our mission! Scan the code or click the link to donate.
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The South Haven Regional Business Hub works with small businesses throughout the region with support from the City of South Haven, Emerge Innovation Hub, Lake Michigan College - South Haven, Market One, MEDC, Michigan Manufacturing Alliance, Michigan State University Agriculture Extension, SBDC Michigan, South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce, South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Southwest Michigan First, Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance. | |
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