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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. | |
| Applications Close May 13! Don't Delay! | | 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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Download Application Requirements Checklist
The May 13th deadline is approaching, and we want to ensure your application is complete and ready for the review board.
You will need to submit your electronic application along with your Concept Paper and financial summary to be considered.
Don’t let a missing document stand between you and the resources your business deserves.
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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 with assigned mentors, and complete and implement their 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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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
| 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. | | The program is offered at no cost to participating business owners, made possible through grant funding secured by the Hub. | | 2025 Impact Report Summary | | |
The past year was about more than just starting up—it was about scaling up.
The South Haven Regional Business Hub (SHRBH) 2025 Impact Report highlights significant achievements in supporting Southwest Michigan's entrepreneurial ecosystem, achieving a 92% business retention rate for its clients. This substantially outpaces the national average, where nearly half of new businesses fail within five years.
Our latest Impact Report is out now, featuring the stories of the founders, mentors, and partners who redefined entrepreneurship in Southwest Michigan over the last year.
Key Economic Achievements
- Job Creation & Retention: SHRBH supported the creation or retention of 328 jobs.
- Business Growth: The organization achieved 254% growth in its impact and currently services 82 active businesses.
- Reach and Impact: Through 2025, the Hub has served 171 aspirational entrepreneurs and business owners across its various programs.
- Revenue & Payroll Impact: Client businesses generated $28.7 million in revenue and contributed $14.76 million in annual payroll to the regional economy.
- New Ventures: Since its inception, the Hub has supported 28 total business starts, including four new starts in 2025.
- Financial Support: The organization facilitated $56,000 in grants to support small business development.
Programmatic Success
- Retention Excellence: The Hub’s structured mentorship and technical assistance resulted in a 92% retention rate for served businesses.
- Startup Series: Guided 69 entrepreneurs through the transition from idea to execution.
- Growth Series: Provided intensive scaling support to seven growth-stage firms.
- Strong Leader Series: Successfully launched an inaugural leadership intensive with 16 participants, achieving a 100% success rate in meeting participant objectives.
Digital and Community Impact
- Engagement Growth: Digital interactions surged by 163%, increasing from 19,000 to 50,000 in one year.
- Volunteer Commitment: The Hub’s mission was bolstered by 2,762 volunteer hours provided by more than 40 local experts acting as mentors, subject matter experts, and board members
Check out the full 2025 Impact Report to see how we’re helping small businesses grow and why our regional partnerships have never been stronger!
Read the Impact Report Online Here
| | Succession Planning Lookback | | |
Succession Planning Series: A Community Success!
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent workshops on business transitions and succession planning.
With a fantastic turnout of 34 unduplicated small business attendees, and 51 attendees overall, it’s clear that our local business owners in Southwest Michigan are focused on securing their legacies and planning for the future.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our expert speakers and facilitators for sharing their time and invaluable expertise:
- Brad Scoffin, Facilitator, ABB Business Brokers
- Stephanie Timmer, Sturgis Bank
- Jeff Farrington, Focus CFO
- Larry Baumgart, ABB Business Brokers
- Nate Russell, Rhoades McKee
- Nicholas Kuhn, Active Buyer
Your guidance has provided our small business community with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of selling, transitioning, and maximizing value. We’re proud to support the continued growth and success of businesses across Southwest Michigan!
Big thanks to Small Business Association of Michigan and the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce for their partnerships!
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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. | | Sturgis Bank held an open house in April that our Board Chair Debi Howe (right) attended. Pictured with Brandon Cook and Caryn Locker. Sturgis Bank is a longtime supporter of the Hub and its clients. | | | We recently met with Julie Callaway, President and Owner of BDN Industrial Hygiene Consultants, a WBENC-certified business. During our conversation, we provided guidance and made meaningful connections to support her company’s continued growth. | | | The South Haven Regional Business Hub was featured in two publications in April. Once in the Courier-Leader and once in the Allegan County News. The full articles are below. | | |
Munchie Man Food Truck is doubling its regional impact by acquiring a second, heated food truck to provide year-round service to the Holtec and Palisades workforce.
Previously limited by Michigan winters, owners Brian and Janet Tufnell partnered with the South Haven Regional Business Hub to build a sustainable growth roadmap. This expansion provides essential hot food options for second-shift personnel and meets surging demand at the facility’s training center. Supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, this leap moves Munchie Man from a seasonal startup to a vital piece of regional infrastructure.
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Roxanne Leder of Decadent Dogs in South Haven was featured on the Behind the Business podcast (with Samantha Haas), discussing business scaling, community involvement, and the evolution of a successful retail brand. From Passion to Main Street: Roxanne Leder shares the 'behind-the-scenes' story of building Decadent Dogs and the vital role of community mentorship in sustaining a beloved local brand.
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Meet the Subject Matter Expert
Afiya Latham
A321 Consulting, a structured consulting firm focused on helping entrepreneurs build and operate businesses with clarity, structure, and purpose.
Through her signature methodology, The Gameplan FrameworkTM, she equips business owners with the systems, strategies, and leadership tools needed to move from startup to sustainable growth. Afiya specializes in supporting entrepreneurs as they transition from working in their business to leading it—focusing on operations, team development, and foundational business practices that drive long-term economic empowerment. Her approach is practical and results-driven, ensuring clients not only create a plan, but execute it effectively.
| | Events by Strategic Partners | |
BETA Business Basics Workshop
May 16, 2026
In Person
$50
The BETA Business Basics Workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs think through their business ideas, ask important questions, and gain practical tools for launching a business with greater clarity and confidence.
Through guided exercises and reflection questions, participants will work through the key areas that shape a strong business foundation:
- Mindset & Legal Structure
- Planning & Value
- Finances & Execution
Set clear, actionable goals to move your business from startup to scale.
Registration is required.
| | 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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2025
2026
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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 | | | | |
