It is hard to imagine anything more comforting than cookies and a good book. Just ask Dakota Shayne.
By day, Shayne, 24, is a personal trainer. But he also has a "micro-career" as a an entrepreneur and organizer. Shayne, who recently moved back to Grand Rapids after living for the last 18 years in Arizona, is the driving force behind
Downtown Books and Cookies.It's a simple idea. Every month, Shayne will partner up with a local downtown business or organization and have community leaders read their favorite books to children while sharing fresh treats -- preferably the product of independent and artisan bakeries and confectionaries.
Shayne envisions the program as an opportunity for food entrepreneurs who can use the experience to test out recipes, get feedback and generate a little buzz for their business.
He references the recent winner of
5x5 Night, Uptown Kitchen, as a perfect example of an organization that would benefit from this program.
"Uptown Kitchen is a great concept and our program can be a next step," explains Shayne. His event will be ready this summer as he has secured other sponsors until Uptown Kitchens is ready.
Through promoting his event on Facebook and through his website, Shayne has already had several people in the business community reach out to him to help get the program launched.
"I really enjoy Grand Rapids and the creative culture," says Shayne, who encourages anyone interested in his idea to "like" his Facebook page and share ideas about his service.
To follow the where and when of Downtown Book and Cookies, you can visit their
Facebook page or check out their website
here.Source: Dakota Shayne, Downtown Book and Cookies
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs
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