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Supporting small business startup and growth in Southwest Michigan with no-cost mentoring and business training. | |
| Register for Startup Series Workshops Now! | |
Launch and Grow Your Business with Free 2026 Startup Series Workshops!
Your dream business won't wait. Secure your spot now in the South Haven Regional Business Hub's comprehensive 2026 Small Business Startup Series. We invite entrepreneurs ready to launch and small business owners (up to five years in business) across Kalamazoo, Allegan, Van Buren, Cass, and Berrien Counties to register immediately for this essential training.
Workshops take place January through March of 2026 and registration is required for each session. Attend as many as you want!
Each session is focused and practical, helping you:
- Sharpen your business acumen and improve operations.
- Develop robust marketing strategies.
- Find new sources of funding and investment to support growth.
- Work toward completing a Business Model Canvas (a core tool provided in the first workshop).
All workshops will be held at Lake Michigan College, South Haven from 6-8 p.m. Light snacks provided. Registration is open now!
Click below to sign up for any session you'd like to attend.
| | | | Succession Planning - Starting in February | | February 18, March 18, April 22 | | |
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities in our community, and our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to secure your business's future, on your terms.
That's why we're offering a series of individualized workshops specifically designed for small business owners like you – especially those with 5-100+ employees.
Workshops will be held February 18, March 18, April 22 from 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College, South Haven, 125 Veterans Blvd., South Haven, MI.
There is no charge to attend thanks to our generous sponsors: Small Business Association of Michigan, Lake Michigan College South Haven, City of South Haven, and South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce.
Come get free expert advice if you're planning to exit your business.
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Succession Planning 101: Where to start
Wednesday, February 18
Whether you’re considering retirement in a few years, planning for a smooth transition, or simply want to maximize your business’s value, planning ahead is crucial and we’ve got the expert advice you need.
Start YOUR Next Chapter:
- Learn how to plan ahead for a smooth transition.
- Understand your options for turning over daily operations.
- Secure your business’s future by starting the process now.
Sign up today and get the expert guidance you need.
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The Exit Strategy Playbook
Wednesday, March 18
This workshop helps you prepare for a successful exit. You’ll learn how to maximize your business’s value in the current market and what to expect during the transition process.
Ready to begin your succession plan?
- Discover what drives business valuation today.
- Explore different succession planning options.
- Learn how to be well-prepared when you decide to exit.
Register now to secure your spot.
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Insider's Guide to Buying & Selling a Business
Wednesday, April 22
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.
Get the Inside Scoop…
- Understand the buying and selling process from start to finish.
- Learn to avoid common pitfalls during a transaction.
Register now to secure your spot.
| | South Haven Regional Business Hub News | |
Meet the Team
Jennifer Cohen, Virtual Assistant, Subject Matter Expert
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Jennifer (Jen) Cohen is a seasoned administrative professional with 30 years of experience. She’s spent her career leading departments, supporting high-level executives, and is now the owner/operator of EssentialJen Virtual Services, where she helps small business owners with the administrative and technical pieces of their businesses.
Whether it’s managing the day-to-day, setting up technology, implementing systems, assisting with marketing and communications, or coordinating events, Jen’s mission is to make life easier for small business owners.
Contact Jen today.
| | Tips From Our Subject Matter Experts | |
The Hidden Cost of “Holding Your Team’s Hand”
Guest Article: Michele Mollard, EOS Worldwide
The Drag of Doing It All…
Leadership isn’t about doing it all for everyone else. Yet, it’s easy to slip into the role of the ultimate fixer—stepping in to double-check, rework, or make sure every detail is “done right.” This desire to protect your team from mistakes creates operational drag, blocking the very growth and confidence you want to see. The cost is often hidden, measured in slow decisions, stalled team ownership, and work that constantly circles back to you.
Not sure if you have operational drag? Here are the most telling signs you’re ready to stop holding your team’s hand and start building real capacity? Check the list below:
- You’re stuck double-checking work that shouldn’t need it.
- Your team hesitates to decide without you.
- Your calendar is clogged with “check-ins.”
- You’re craving bigger-picture thinking but are stuck in the weeds.
EOS Worldwide to clarify your roles, refine your delegation strategy, and reclaim your time so you can move the business forward. Read the whole article below.
| | Events by Strategic Partners | | |
Berrien After Hours
Thursday, January 8, 5-7 p.m.
Kick off the 2026 season of Business After Hours! Enjoy networking, connection, and conversation while Berrien RESA provides an update on countywide education goals. Attendees will also learn about opportunities for local businesses to support these initiatives and help strengthen our region’s future workforce.
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AMEX Shop Small Grants – Apply by Jan. 16, 2026
The AMEX Shop Small program is awarding 250 grants of $20,000 to help small businesses grow and innovate. Funds can be used for capital projects, marketing refreshes, or community-centric spaces.
Eligibility:
- For-profit, brick-and-mortar businesses in the U.S.
- Established by Jan 1, 2024; at current location by Jan 1, 2025.
- 20 or fewer FTE employees.
- Projects must be completed by Sept 2026.
Questions? AMEX Shop Small Grants Program webpage for more information and contact smallbizgrant@mainstreet.org or call 708−515−4889.
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Entrepreneurial Services at Cornerstone Alliance
Business Plan Certified Orientation, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon
Learn to build your business plan with Live Plan!
Join this interactive two-hour session designed to help entrepreneurs gain a clear understanding of the Business Plan Certified program structure. Participants will begin developing a comprehensive business plan using Live Plan to guide their entrepreneurial journey and refine their business idea. Two tracks will be offered—one for start-ups and one for businesses operating five years or more. Facilitated by Chrissy Meek.
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Show Me the Money Day
March 7, 2026
Fettig Youth Campus | Boys & Girls Club | 600 Nate Wells Sr. Dr., Benton Harbor, MI
Join Emerge Innovation Hub for a free event on March 7, 2026, for a day of financial workshops, resources, food, and prizes. All ages welcome.
Learn practical skills in the Financial Fitness Bracket Challenge covering:
- Round 1: Financial Foundations (Credit Repair | Budget Basics)
- Round 2: Grow Your Money (Investing 101 | Smart Money Moves)
- Championship: Future Wealth (Homeownership | Assets)
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2026 Michigan Craft Beverage Summit
March 23 – 25, 2026
Muskegon Delta Hotel
The annual summit brings together Michigan craft beverage producers, farmers, suppliers, retailers and industry supporters for three days of networking, education and collaboration. Registration is now open. Email Jennifer Weitzel WeitzelJ1@michigan.gov for more information.
| | 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:
| |  | Client Feedback from The PITCH | |
🐞 It was awesome to have the opportunity to attend "The Pitch" put on by the South Haven Regional Business Hub at Lake Michigan College (South Haven, MI) Wednesday! It was great to see Kathy Merchant Coaching and Michele Coy Business and Leadership there as mentors for the small business owners who went through the program this year! Excited to see my friend Lisa Miller with Forever Clean Soap Works, Inc as one of the businesses that went through the program and had an amazing presentation! All the small business owners did a great job presenting their businesses!
—mrsladybug2020
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Support Our Work
Support the South Haven Regional Business Hub's Work with Small Businesses. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering small businesses in Southwest Michigan to launch, expand, and thrive. More than 40 local experts volunteer, providing entrepreneurs with free education, mentoring, and resources like the Growth Series (and the PITCH) and the Startup Series.
| | | The South Haven Regional Business 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 | | | | |
