Small Business

Award-winning Michigan doulas Alyssa Veneklase and Kristin Revere (left to right), founders of the doula agency Gold Coast Doulas.

Q&A: West Michigan doulas deliver new parenting book

Award-winning Michigan doulas Kristin Revere and Alyssa Veneklase, founders of the doula agency Gold Coast Doulas, are delivering their own parenting book, "Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby"

Latest in Small Business
Max Tendero and his mom, Jenn Tendero.
Published Together: Failing in public hurts. Moms can heal.

As part of Our Published Together series, Max Tendero writes about the lessons he learned from launching a startup with his mom and what her wisdom brought to the venture.

Calvin University senior Cameron Lockrey
Calvin student creates app that helps others ‘kickback’ and relax

Calvin University senior Cameron Lockrey has created an app to connect residents with people looking to complete odd jobs. The app has been successful so far and is continuing to grow.  

Daryl Reece is no stranger to hard work, but the entrepreneur says he has also been blessed to be around good people who treat him well. His line of vodka, Stock Da Bar, debuted in 2019.
Daryl Reece: Built on hard work, community support, and faith

“I don’t come from a business background — a money management background — I come from a hardworking background,” Daryl Reece says, adding that his parents instilled in him the value of hard work and saving money. After years of hard work and a lot of support from key friends and family, Reece has partnered with Lansing-based Michigrain Distillery to create his own brand of Stock Da Bar Vodka.

People talk during a KDL Work Hub open house.
Small businesses have huge resource in local library, chamber, and partnering organizations

It can be costly to run a small business, but the amount of resources that the Kent District Library and its partners, including the Grand Rapids Chamber, and Kent Intermediate School District are invaluable. Entrepreneurs and small businesses have a large resource with access to technology, tools, data, and training.

SpringGR's Emprende program helps business owners in a Spanish-language environment.
SpringGR uplifts local small businesses

While the financial awards are useful, SpringGR likes for the focus to remain on the social capital that they provide to business startups.

Photo by Tyler Herbstreith
Grand Rapids rises as a hub for medical startups and innovation

Discover Grand Rapids' dynamic medical startup landscape, where "The Bridge" incubator,  launched by Spartan Innovations and Health Innovation Partners, is turning challenges into opportunities, driving innovation and impacting health care — both locally and globally.

Why a nonprofit is ending subminimum wages for workers with disabilities

Since its inception, MRC Industries, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Kalamazoo County, has paid its workers a subminimum wage. But no longer. MRC dropped its 14(c) certification in September.

Photo courtesy of David Allen
Modular housing provides affordable homes to help address the housing shortage

In order to address the housing shortage in Grand Rapids, the city and surrounding entities are looking carefully at increasing accessibility and affordability of housing. One local company, InnovaLab is quickly adding to the number of housing units, with cost-efficient, quick-build modular homes.

BC’s Café Rica and GR’s Natural Maya inspired by native culture, supported by Northern Initiatives

Two Southwest Michigan Latinx businesses feature Mexican and Costa Rican products, sharing elements of Hispanic culture with their communities, thanks in part to nonprofit lender Northern Initiatives.

Our Partners

Disability Advocates of Kent County logo

Solutions journalism takes time, trust, and your support.

Close
Psst. We could use your help today!

Don't miss out!

Everything Grand Rapids, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.