GROW-ing a woman-owned business

Women entrepreneurs in Grand Rapids have a valuable partner to help them start a business and assist them on their journey as a business owner. That partner is Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) and they’ve been providing counseling, education, resources and networking opportunities to women since 1989. 

Many women dream of owning their own business, but lack all of the tools they need to begin or make it work successfully. GROW works with these women and teaches them the basics of owning a business, creating a business plan, getting funding, managing the finances, promoting the business and planning for future growth.

What initially began as a service to help economically disadvantaged and minority women grow a business has evolved into what the organization is today: a resource for everyone. In addition to their start-up division, GROW now includes a business growth development division that works with established business owners.

CEO Bonnie Nawara hopes to one day add a sustainability division to focus on entrepreneurs earning an upper level income and be a resource for them as well.

“We want to be a high level resource for the women entrepreneur, from the start-up to the experienced, very successful business owner,” Nawara says.
 
The first step for anyone thinking about starting a business and partnering with GROW is to attend the “Intro to GROW” orientation, which is offered four times a month at the organization’s Sheldon Boulevard location. After this, the next step is the two-part Start Smart class, which helps women understand what it takes to own a business and what obstacles they may face.

“Some people shouldn’t start a business, but it’s not our job to tell them that,” says Nawara. “Our job is to help them figure out what they need to do.”

Other entrepreneurial training courses include the Business Basics group, focusing on strategic planning, tax and legal issues; Marketing Strategies courses that offer tools for promoting and branding a business; and Financial Awareness courses designed to teach basic reporting and financial analysis skills.

GROW also offers online training, webinars and monthly UpClose Workshops on a variety of topics such as marketing strategies, conflict management, QuickBooks training and more.

One-on-one business counseling and wellness check ups are also offered to GROW’s women entrepreneurs to keep them on track and overcome any possible issues they may be facing.

“We are highly collaborative,” Nawara says. “If we don’t have the service someone needs, we’ll find it.”

The organization offers financial resources to women as well through a micro lending program and individual development accounts (IDAs) that match savings accounts.  

One important way GROW encourages strong women-owned businesses is by bringing the entrepreneurs together to inspire each other, share resources and do business with one another. The organization offers monthly networking events, an alumni ambassador group and the membership-based Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), all designed to connect and strengthen women business owners.

AWE members meet monthly and as part of the group, women can obtain career development funds for conferences and workshops, get assistance with promoting their business to the media and trade publications, participate in educational programs and receive the encouragement and support of other professional women. AWE has nearly 80 members and is open to corporate management executives and women business owners.

GROW is hosting its annual fundraiser on October 17. As one of its biggest networking events of the year, the Seeds of Growth Conference and Luncheon will be held at the Goei Center and everyone is welcome to attend. Participants can register for the whole day or attend the lunch only. AWE is the conference presenter and the focus will be on connections, education and leadership with breakouts in each area.

GROW is always looking for volunteers who are willing to be a mentor to new business owners, offer entrepreneurial training classes and to work in the office. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or getting involved with GROW in any way, here are some resources to get you started: 

-    Visit GROW online to find out more.
-    Attend the Seeds of Growth Conference & Luncheon on October 17.
-    Become a member of the Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).
-    Volunteer for GROW.
-    Donate to GROW.
-    Like GROW on Facebook.
-    Follow @growgrandrapids on Twitter.

Source: Bonnie Nawara, Chief Executive Officer of Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women
Writer:  Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor

Photos provided by GROW.