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Supporting small business startup and growth in Van Buren, Cass, and Berrien Counties with no-cost mentoring and business training. | |
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Leadership Accelerator Applications are Open!
Applications for the 2025 Leadership Accelerator, hosted by the South Haven Regional Business Hub, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and Lake Michigan College, are open through September 27. Develop the practical skills and strategic insights you need to lead with greater impact.
Apply or Learn More Here
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Leadership Accelerator Free Informational Webinar September 9 at 2 p.m.
Join us to learn about the South Haven Leadership Accelerator. Get your questions answered. Find out more about the programming and speakers. Discover why leadership matters and how developing local leaders drives community growth. Most of all hear how YOU can become a better leader - beyond theory - into practice.
Sign Up Here
| | | | Growth Series Midterm Feedback | | We are into week 15 of the Growth Series and we asked our seven participants to answer four questions for us about their progress (and hopeful outcomes) from the Growth Series. During each session, participants have been buckling down and learning what it takes to grow. Here are the questions we asked them about the experience: | |
- Tell us about your business and how you first learned about the South Haven Regional Business Hub.
- Before starting the Growth Series, what were your main business goals, and what barriers were you facing in achieving them?
- How did the SH Regional Business Hub's mentoring, workshops, and networking aid you in overcoming or adapting these challenges to achieve new goals? Can you share some of your main achievements and successes so far?
- Looking ahead, how do you plan to use the Growth Series funding, and do you plan to continue working with the Hub? What advice would you give to other business owners, and what makes your story compelling for them?
Read their answers below and click on the company name to visit their sites. Support small business!
| | 2025 Growth Series Participants |
- Paula Jean Camp, Carriage House Ciders, Benton Harbor
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Jason Diebler-Love, The Lucky Wolf, Paw Paw
- Sam Dustin, Siren's Rose Tattoo Studio, South Haven
- Lisa Miller, Forever Clean Soap Works, Inc., St. Joseph
- Mary Ann Scott, Land of Light Community, Paw Paw
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Brian Tufnell, Brian the Munchie Man Food Truck, St. Joseph
- Amy Underwood, Health Elevated, St. Joseph
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Mark your calendars for The PITCH
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6-8 p.m. Lake Michigan College, South Haven. Join in this annual event to celebrate in our clients' growth and get energized by their visions. Hear each business leader take the stage to share in their plans for their company's growth.
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Growth Series Education Delivered in August
Marketing, Sales, and More!
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In August, the Growth Series continued to empower local entrepreneurs with two essential sessions.
Session 6 was "Reach Customers Online Using Free Google Tools," led by Cheri Bales, Hannah/Gold Communications. The session helped business owners understand how to connect with customers more effectively on the web. In Session 7, Dan Cubr of Sandler/EAM Consulting Group (photo) led a session on "Sales Skills for Non-Salesy Business Owners," providing practical advice on sales strategies.
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Additional thanks to Jen Sistrunk (photo) Executive Director of Visit South Haven for her insight on SBA lending and Katie Vanderhulst of MarketOne, pictured in the top photo, who spoke about the Van Buren County Revolving Loan Fund, offering another valuable resource for our businesses.
A special thank you to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for their financial support, which makes this program possible. The Growth Series is a true testament to the power of partnership, bringing together various organizations to support our small business community.
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Trending Clients
NEW AGE Laboratories recently hosted the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and a team of reporters. This visit was a significant recognition of the lab's success in attracting local, national, and international business to the state. The lab's work will also be featured in upcoming magazines.
Brian the Munchie Man Food Truck was voted Michigan’s Best Food Truck 2024 - and named “Most Likely to Cause a Flavor Riot," at the St Joe County Fair.
Samantha Craig, of Craig Farms Katahdins and Shepherd’s Garden, has been named the new Executive Director of the United Agrivoltaics Heartland Alliance. Through her work with Shepherd's Garden, she provides a range of services including solar vegetation design, consulting, and grazing. Craig also works with partners on developing agrivoltaic and solar policies, and advocates for community solar initiatives.
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Get Free Templates and Guides on Our Website | |
We get asked quite often if we have a template for business plans, marketing plans, P&L, and profit projections and the answer is YES. We even have a small business startup checklist to guide you. See all our free resources on our website or click below.
Browse our Free Resources Library:
| | Live Mentoring Tuesday and Thursday at Think Bar | |
The South Haven Regional Business Hub is excited to announce a new on-site partnership with Think Bar co-working space at 610 Phoenix St, South Haven. This collaboration aims to provide enhanced in-person mentoring and support for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Come ask us anything!!
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon through Sept. 11.
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Applications for the 2nd Annual HYPE (Highlighting Young Professional Excellence) event are open until September 30.
This year's event will be held on November 19 at the Watermark Solarium in Stevensville, where young professionals aged 21-40 will participate in a dynamic panel discussion.
The event will also feature a Shark Tank-style pitch competition, giving aspiring entrepreneurs a unique platform to showcase their innovative ideas and compete for valuable start-up capital and in-kind support.
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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.
The Hub combines community knowledge, connections, and resources to create initiatives and partnerships, supporting local entrepreneurs.
| | | South Haven Regional Business Hub News | | Our Executive Director, Elizabeth Bernhard, recently had a chance to meet with Representative Joey Andrews and Adam Locker from Locker and Locker Properties. Adam shared his company's plans for a mixed-use development in downtown South Haven that will bring new commercial and residential spaces to the downtown area. | | Adam shared his company's plans for a mixed-use development in downtown South Haven that will bring new commercial and residential spaces to the downtown area. | | | Learn to do Business With the Government | |
Apex Accelerator Upcoming Classes
Registration is required for all sessions (click the blue link for details) and attend in person at Cornerstone Alliance, 80 W Main St., Benton Harbor, or virtually.
You also may schedule one-on-one calls with either of the local specialists.
| |  | For questions, you may contact Kim Bourner (above) at 269-491-6585 or Theresa Chaney-Huggett at 269-243-2787. | | | 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 | | Like and Follow Us on Our Social Channels and Group | | | | |
