Everyone knows it takes a village to raise a child. But, entrepreneurs know it takes a community to build a business!
While the pandemic challenged everyone, it also provided new opportunities for businesses to adapt and different ways for consumers to support them. From the return of QR codes to the innovation of outdoor public spaces, not- and for-profit organizations in the region strengthened their existing partnerships with the shared mission to keep businesses in operation.
On August 5, Southwest Michigan First invites you, our region’s business stakeholders, to tune into the latest Business First event. Our conversation will focus on the existing programs, resources and partnerships that make Kalamazoo an attractive place for entrepreneurs to flourish.
Congratulations to Gregory Shelton of Grand Unique Laundry for receiving his first loan through Northern Initiatives. With help from his SCORE mentor, Cheri Bales, Gregory did a fantastic job on developing his business plan and showing real entrepreneurial spirit. We wish you much success, and look forward to your upward movement. You are a wonderful role model.
I appreciate your ears for listening, your eyes that see my vision and your heart that makes you who you are. I thank you for your time. You are making a difference.
The WMed Innovation Center is a perfect environment for innovation to grow and become a successful commercial enterprise.
Whether you are seeking a research partner or want to enlist the help of student groups in developing business plans, or just looking for ways to engage with WMU, the Business Connection office can find the resource to help move your business forward.
A loan (from Local Initiatives Support Corporation) helped expand our cafe to triple our seating, add a kids space, increase much needed staff work areas, and make other improvements to the space.
The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) is the State of Michigan’s digital library. It has excellent resources available to Michigan residents at no cost.
Western Michigan University’s Starting Gate helped me take an idea and transform it into a much more attainable reality. Whether providing talks with investors and business owners or accountability, the ultimate goal is helping your business succeed.
The Kalamazoo Land Bank did robust community engagement around the vision and gave us something to work with that was solidly desired by people in the neighborhood. Having a vision meant we had to protect it. That’s something I thank the Land Bank for. It was difficult. It didn’t make anything faster or easier, but we got a better project in the end as a result of it.
Buy Local Greater Kalamazoo is a hard working grassroots group focused on the greater Kalamazoo community and its small businesses. Their events and networking opportunities are the best!
Michigan SBDC is a great company providing top notch service to local businesses all over Michigan. The consultants are professional and the student workers contribute with excellent work!
