Stephanie Sheler has always been passionate about mothers and children. She also admits she’s “always had a special place in her heart for D.A. Blodgett -- St. John’s,” where her passion is manifest in her position as a social worker for the Sisters in Support program.
Hook A Sista Up, founded by Linda Otterbridge, offers women the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring with other women leaders. Matthew Russell finds out how collaboration, connection, and competition are helping female entrepreneurs launch their businesses with the right kind of support in this week's Urban Innovation Exchange.
Brewery Vivant recently became a B Corporation, adding motivation to their constant search for improvement in the areas of people, profit, and planet. UIX editor Matthew Russell talks with Vivant's Kris Spaulding to find out why the beloved brewery is embracing its new status.
Cathy Bissell, director of corporate affairs for Bissell Inc., helps companion animals in West Michigan and even the U.S. through the Bissell Pet Foundation, which she began in 2011.
With the KDL’s new seed library, a self-perpetuating collection of heirloom seeds, borrowers are entreated to take seeds and propagate them in their personal gardens. UIX editor Matthew Russell learns why Kent District Library's Michelle Boisvenue-Fox is adding seed-sharer to her list of library responsiblities.
At Vizidef Display Technology, Marcel Thibert and Jordan VerBerg delight customers by creating magical interactive banners and integrating medium and message with talent. Matthew Russell finds out how the two have created their own market in this weeks Urban Innovation Exchange.
John and Shawn Tol launched MI Deals for Charity as a locally grown deal site that keeps dollars in West Michigan. Matthew Russell checks out this small business that's all about giving back in this week's Urban Innovation Exchange.
In the private and nonprofit sectors, a more human approach is called for: finding identity in how an organization can be useful to customers above the products they sell or the categories in which they compete. Read on as UIX editor Matthew Russell explores these issues and previews what's next in UIX Grand Rapids.
At Spring GR, Kafi and Rudy Carrasco use their entrepreneurial green thumbs to help budding businesses in the Madison-Hall neighborhood grow and flourish. Together with Partners Worldwide and Restorers, the wife-husband team is focused on "getting business going."
Chef Donald Ram's work with the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps combines his passions for food and teaching, and helps him to give back to the community he says has given so much to him.
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