Good News - Stories from the Field
HopSide Brewery

HopSide Brewery opened in 2018 with the mission to provide a relaxing and fun atmosphere with a rotation of highly drinkable beers and unique comfort food in downtown Alpena.

Owners Derek, Ray and Tyler connected with the MI-SBDC for assistance and worked with business consultant Carl Bourdelais, who provided support with business planning, strategic planning and loan package development.
HairbyDVG Beauty Boutique

While on a family drive to Chicago, Deanna Gantt connected for help with her business HairbyDVG Beauty Boutique in response to the pandemic. She was soon provided with the opportunity to participate in the Muskegon Pitch Black Competition and won first place!

Since winning Pitch Black, DeAnna has been meeting with website developers and Certified Public Accountants, restructuring her business, learning QuickBooks, planning photoshoots and serving 50+ clients per week at her brick and mortar location.
Spencer's Route 46

Spencer’s Route 46 has been locally owned and operated for over 20 years, specializing in serving a diverse menu with a mix of classic Italian, steak and seafood dishes. Small business owner Greg Mallek took over in late 2021 and worked with the Michigan SBDC to grow his business.

The MI-SBDC supported Greg in fine-tuning his business plan, providing market research data and
critiquing the financial analysis of cash flow in preparation for applying for a business loan.
Sunlight Gardens LLC

Devon Wilson of Battle Creek has been a farmer over eight years. He worked on several organic farms and graduated from MSU’s Organic Farmer Training Program while managing a two-acre urban farm for Sprout Farmers Market in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Battle Creek. Devon purchased Sprout Farmers Market in 2020 and re-branded it as Sunlight Gardens, LLC.

The MI-SBDC provided a 12-week course to assist both existing and new entrepreneurs residing in Battle Creek’s Washington Heights Neighborhood. The course walked participants through the process of writing a business plan to submit to Battle Creek Unlimited for a Real Estate Improvement Grant. In addition to the 12-week course, Devon received 20 hours of direct consulting with consultants of the Southwest Region to help develop his business plan.
A Message from State Director & CEO, J.D. Collins
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Michigan. Small businesses continue to request support services in record numbers. Trends that our consultants are seeing include increased demand for start up and transition services, new needs arising in supply chain management, rising inflation and the pending threat of a recession. Now more than ever, small businesses are seeking help.(...)
Team Highlights
Celebrating Small Business Success!

In early May, we celebrated small businesses from around the state at the 18th Annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards gala!

Thirty-two small businesses that worked with the MI-SBDC took the stage for awards ranging from “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” to “Best Small Businesses." The Southeast Michigan Region won the US. Small Business Administration award for MI-SBDC Region of the year.
New Talk Show! Small Business BIG MOVES

Tune in to Small Business BIG MOVES which highlights small business owners across Michigan, and asks them to share the BIG MOVES they made to grow their business.

Our first episode featured two women-owned businesses: 1) Ultimation Industries, LLC and 2) Grocer's Daughter Chocolate who shared their stories of their small business journey.
SBDC Day 2022

The MI-SBDC is proud to be part of a nationwide network of industry experts who provide free consulting and business education to help small businesses launch, grow, transition and innovate.

On March 16th, we joined SBDCs across the United States in celebrating the achievements of our network along with the small businesses that are thriving.
Fireside Chat with MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr., GVSU President Mantella and Interim Provost Plouff recently held a fireside chat. Topics discussed included transformational economic policy, educational investments and opportunities for building a "championship economy" for Michigan.
Progress Toward Goals