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We serve aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Southwest Michigan, with a focus on the critical first years of business—when access to guidance, capital, and community support is most essential to long-term survival and success. | |
| Apply for The 2026 Growth Series | | |
Scale Your Business with the Hub
The South Haven Regional Business Hub’s Growth Series is designed for organizations more than three years old and planning to grow!
Along with one-on-one individual mentoring during the 26 weeks of the series, you will have the opportunity to build your business strategy, create your vision, determine your competitive advantage, and align all aspects of your business for growth.
The process starts with a technology called the Growth Wheel that identifies gaps and sets up a customized milestone-based plan for the organization to follow.
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Qualifications To Apply
- Minimum of three (3) years in business
- At least $100,000 in annual revenue
- At least one full-time employee, excluding the owner
- Business located in Southwest Michigan
- Participants must sign a participation agreement confirming their commitment to:
- Attend scheduled sessions
- Meet regularly with assigned mentors
- Actively complete and implement their 30-, 60-, and 90-day action plans
These are application guidelines to be individually considered by our Board - please apply even if you do not feel you meet the exact criteria! Mentoring is still available. Accommodations upon request.
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Are you ready to transform your business into a sustainable powerhouse? Apply to join our upcoming 26-week Growth Series. This high-level intensive is designed to equip established entrepreneurs with the strategic framework necessary for long-term success.
Important Dates
- April 1: Applications open
- May 13: Program applications are due via electronic or email submission by 6 p.m.
- May 18-22: Interviews with the Hub Board
- May 27: Successful applicants notified
- June 10: First Growth Series session
- December 2: The PITCH event
- December 9: Founders Circle kick off
The program is offered at no cost to participating business owners, made possible through grant funding secured by the Hub.
| | Don't Miss the Final Startup Series Workshops | | |
Peer behind the veil: a business started from scratch…now over three decades old. Join GB Richmond to hear the three-decade story of a successful business.
He’ll share how the company was mapped out before launch, the real-world funding and marketing steps, and the vital difference between working on the business and working in the business.
From the founder, you’ll hear:
- How his business was mapped out well before it started
- About his funding and marketing steps, and missteps
- Why working “on” the business is as important as working “in” the business
If you haven’t been to a Startup Series session yet, be sure to join this last session to understand life as an entrepreneur!
| | Succession Planning - Last Chance for April Sessions | | |
We had a full house for the February and March Succession Planning sessions with presenter Brad Scoffin of Advanced Business Brokers. Thank you to everyone who joined us! The final session in the series is coming fast…
Insider's Guide to Buying
& Selling a Business
Wednesday, April 22, 4-6 p.m.
Gain direct access to a panel of trusted advisors, attorneys, CPAs, bankers, and business brokers, who will provide comprehensive guidance on transactions. Understand the process before costly mistakes happen.
Bring Your Questions For Our Presenters
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Bill Deckinga, Vice President, Huntington Bank A 25-year banking veteran, Bill specializes in business lending, credit solutions, and strategic growth. He partners with West Michigan business owners to provide tailored financial tools and cash management services that ensure long-term operational efficiency and financial health.
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Jeff Farrington, M.B.A., Area President, Focus CFO Jeff provides fractional CFO leadership to help Michigan businesses scale. Drawing on his experience as a former State Representative, tax policy chair, and entrepreneur, he offers a unique blend of financial and governmental expertise to help owners navigate complex growth challenges.
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Larry Baumgart, M.B.A., Co-Founder, ABB Business Brokers With 30 years in business appraisal and finance, Larry guides owners through the complexities of selling their companies. He specializes in removing the stress from transitions for small businesses in manufacturing, IT, and service sectors, ensuring a smooth and successful exit.
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Nate Russell, J.D., Attorney, Rhoades McKee Nate provides practical legal counsel for M&A, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. Leveraging his background as in-house counsel, he helps business owners balance commercial goals with risk mitigation to successfully close complex deals and protect their company's future.
Get the Inside Scoop…
- Understand the buying and selling process from start to finish.
- Learn to avoid common pitfalls during a transaction.
- Bring your questions for our panel
| | | | Location: Lake Michigan College, South Haven, 125 Veterans Blvd., South Haven, MI. | | |
Partnership Makes it Possible
Empowering Entrepreneurs, Elevating Southwest Michigan
| We couldn’t do this work without the partners who collaborate, contribute, and believe in our mission. Their support and expertise help turn purpose into impact for entrepreneurs and our broader community. | | |
Show Me The Money Day
Hub Mentor and Board Member Steve Whittington (center) served on "The Winning Playbook" panel during the Show Me The Money Day hosted by Emerge Innovation Hub in March at Lake Michigan College (Benton Harbor). The event brought together key partners like Michigan Women Forward, Northern Initiatives, and the South Haven Regional Business Hub to provide local founders with a direct roadmap to financial empowerment and scaling for success.
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Partners in Action
A great moment of connection with partners and friends (from left), Zach Morris of Sturgis Bank, Kristin Harrington of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Elizabeth Bernhard, Hub Executive Director, and Arnie Redsicker of Market One.
We’re always grateful for the relationships that strengthen our region, many of which began through our shared connection to Kinexus Group.
Connections like these continue to open the door to new ideas, deeper collaboration, and meaningful progress for our communities.
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Startup Series A Huge Success!
Tools and Expert Advice For Startups or Existing Businesses
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We are thrilled to look back at the incredible momentum built during our 2026 Startup Series. With close to 90 attendees throughout the sessions, the energy in the room was a testament to the thriving small business spirit in our region.
A huge thank you to our Subject Matter Experts and guest speakers who volunteered their time and shared their "real-world" playbooks to help our cohort build solid foundations for their dreams.
Our 2026 Startup Series Curriculum & Presenters:
Whether you attended one session or the entire series, we are so proud of the progress you’ve made. Thank you to Lake Michigan College South Haven for hosting us and to our community for continuing to support local growth!
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The House of Mosaic (also known as Mosaic Distillery) is a family-owned distillery and farm-to-table restaurant located in downtown Plainwell, Michigan. The distillery was highlighted in a March MLive story and is located at 119 W Bridge St, Plainwell, MI 49080.
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Co-Owner of Precision Syrups, Tiffany Wood was featured in a weekly series by Second Wave Media that explores new ventures, founder support, and the resources powering entrepreneurship and small businesses across seven counties in Southwest Michigan.
| | Startup Success Story - 2025's Max Transportation | | |
From Startup to Scale: The Rapid Acceleration of Max Transportation
The journey of Max Transportation and Car Service is a premier example of how the South Haven Regional Business Hub supports a business through every stage of its lifecycle—from the first spark of an idea to regional expansion.
Max Transportation’s evolution demonstrates the “longevity loop” the Hub strives to create.
By staying engaged with our ecosystem, they have successfully:
- Integrated into the Community: Becoming a go-to provider for signature local events like the Icebreaker Festival;
- Diversified Revenue Streams: Expanded from simple airport transfers to high-end winery tours and corporate contracts;
- Prepared for Scale: Participation in the 2026 Growth Series would focus on the systems needed to manage their rapidly increasing mileage, need for drivers, and client base.
“Working with the Business Hub,” notes Gleiss, “has been incredibly helpful as I’ve grown my business. Having access to thoughtful guidance, honest feedback, and people who genuinely want to see local businesses succeed made a huge difference for me. Their support helped me move from ideas to action with much more confidence.”
| | Events by Strategic Partners | | |
April 13 - 1:00 p.m.
Cyber Solutions – The Intersection of AI, Quantum and Cybersecurity
In an era where technological innovation evolves at an exponential rate, this webinar will cover cyber and how AI, 5G, IoT, and Quantum Computing will transform privacy and security with Georgetown Professor Dr. Chuck Brooks.
Brooks, a renowned cyber expert and DoD consultant, breaks down complex technological trends into digestible insights, offering a deep dive into how emerging technologies will shape the future of industry and society. Register Here
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April 15 - 1:00 p.m.
Cyber Solutions – It Might Be CUI If ...
The level of cybersecurity you need is tied to the type of data provided or generated by a contract. Join this webinar for a talk about Controlled Unclassified Information. Be sure you know how to decide if information is CUI and explore some of the most common types of CUI.
Walk away with new confidence around identifying CUI to ensure its security. Let’s have some fun and learn more about the topic of CUI, which drives contract cybersecurity and CMMC Levels. Register Here
| | Free Templates and Guides | |
We often get asked if we have a template for business plans, marketing plans, P&L, and profit projections? YES. We even have a small business startup checklist to guide you. See all our free resources below.
Browse Free Resources:
| | | Join the Hub: Become a Mentor or SME | |
Whether you are a specialist or a strategic leader, your expertise can be the catalyst for a founder’s success. Help us move entrepreneurs from risk to resilience by joining our network:
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Become a Subject Matter Expert (SME): Share your knowledge in finance, HR, marketing, or operations by teaching a session or providing targeted advisory support.
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Serve as a Mentor: Provide the accountability and strategic guidance founders need to scale, directly contributing to higher business survival and regional stability.
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Support Our Work
Invest in Local Entrepreneurs. Strengthen Our Region.
The South Haven Regional Business Hub is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping small businesses in Southwest Michigan succeed at every stage—from startup to scale. With the support of 40+ volunteer experts, we provide free workshops, mentoring, and hands-on programs like the Startup Series, Growth Series, and The PITCH. When you give, you’re investing directly in the people building our local economy.
| | | The Hub’s mission is to drive regional economic prosperity by growing and sustaining successful small businesses through innovative education and critical connections to capital, mentorship, and community for entrepreneurs across Southwest Michigan. The Hub works with small businesses throughout the region with support from the City of South Haven, Lake Michigan College, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the South Haven Area Community Foundation, and individual investors like you. | | Share this news by clicking one of the social links below and using the hashtag #smallbizsupport | | | | |
