New Grand Rapids chapter forming for organization that helps businesses expand to next level

Sharon Hanks

An Ada businessman is spearheading efforts to form a local chapter of the Strategic Small Business Initiative, where small and medium-sized businesses could get help to grow their companies through networking, education and peer support.

Dave Kersjes, principal of Breakaway, a company that coaches businesses on improving their performance, is trying to organize the chapter after the Kalamazoo-based chapter indicated there is interest in Grand Rapids.

Kersjes says established companies wanting to grow -- whether it's in sales, new markets, more employees or greater product offerings -- should find the group to be helpful. The fledging group meets at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday at the accounting office of Beene Garter, 50 Monroe Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids.

The group will sponsor monthly education forums and "mastermind groups" where phone conferences are arranged with other non-competing professionals in the same industry to brainstorm ideas to overcome challenges to growth.

Annual cost is $150, but Kersjes says dues will be waived temporarily as the group gets established.

Interested members are welcome to attend the weekly meetings or contact Kersjes at 676-8851 for more information.

Source: Dave Kerjes, principal of Breakaway, Ada

Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.
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