Grand Rapids will probably always be known as a furniture city, but as the local music scenes continues to grow, there might be a need in the not too distant future to add another industry to its marque. The latest example of a local talent helping to shine a light on Grand Rapids is DJ SuperDre. The Grand Rapids-based DJ and producer recently signed contract with the Madero Group, a high-profile, San Diego talent management firm. Richie Lampani, Dre's personal manager, is very excited about how the Madero Group will dramatically increase her national exposure with a strong marketing program and also develop and refine her personal brand. Lampani is equally enthused about the impact of this contract on other area musicians. "The West Michigan music scene is a wonderful example of the growth that we are experiencing on this side of the state," he says. "It's young and fresh and inspiring, regardless of the current economic climate. It is obvious proof of the pride and inventiveness that exemplifies our community."     SuperDre is a classically trained musician, well-known for many performances at various venues and events. One of the first fruits of the new contract will be a sold-out show for New Years Eve in Atlanta opening for national electronic act Bassnectar at the Tabernacle. Recalling the hard work that Dre has demonstrated over the last several years, Lampani feels her success validates the idea that if "you put in the time (and) work hard, big breaks can happen for musicians." Source: Richie Lampani, CEO/Founder Rocket Entertainment Group LLC Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor

Grand Rapids artist Lisa J. Lehmann's business is on fire. Thanks could be attributed to a heavy dose of social media marketing, a consumer trend towards buying local, a community increasingly supporting artists and a new business coach that helps her balance the ethos of being of an artist with the daily rigors of running a business. From her home studio, Lehmann uses traditional metal-smithing techniques, combining metals & semi-precious stones to create her wearable designs. Relying primarily on social media for marketing, business has been steadily growing for the last 18 months, bringing her to the point where she "hit the glass ceiling" and knew she had taken the business as far as she could being a "lone wolf entrepreneur." With an ambitious goal of "becoming a household name in jewelry," Lehmann attended an artist conference in Asheville, NC. There, she became "absolutely awestruck" and inspired by other creative women and business owners. Subsequently, she made the decision to hire a business coach and is now invigorated by the advice to focus on her "genius work," which is creating jewelry, and to get help from others to handle day-to-day operations. Moving forward, Lehmann is in the process of interviewing interns to add to her team. She is also making plans to open a working studio with retail hours to support her growing local customer base.  You can follow Lehmann on Twitter (@thebeadgirl) and you can visit her website to learn more about her studio or purchase her products. Source:  Lisa Lehmann, artist, owner Studio Jewel Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor.

Heather McGartland launched her eclectic boutique of repurposed goods and its in-store hair salon five years ago when the creative shop owner moved into one of Dwelling Place's live/work studios at 120 S. Division Ave. in Grand Rapids.Now Imagination Creations has outgrown its four walls and is moving to 337 Diamond Ave., the former Darcy's Hair Studio. McGartland, a licensed hair stylist who specializes in helping people who have had hair loss from chemo or alopecia, will use two of the building's four styling chairs for her own clients and will rent out the other two – all of which are in a private salon area. "We'll have a small waiting area within the retail shop," McGartland says. "Customers can shop if they want to while they're waiting for their stylist."The retail space will feature McGartland's repurposed creations, collectibles and vintage fashions, for instance, a collection of hats from the '30s through the '60s."In the new space, I'm able to departmentalize into a shoe shop, a hat shop, a seasonal shop, a jewelry shop," she says. "I sell mostly jewelry, clothing and fashion accessories for head-to-toe day and evening wear." McGartland, her mom Susan Edwards and two friends handpick the fashions, which they procure from resale shops, garage and estate sales, and Goodwill stores. The items are cleaned, deconstructed and restructured into something brand new, like the hanging plant rooters made out of old light bulbs or the jewelry and sculpture made from melted vinyl records. "I personally get dressed for under ten bucks by adding frill and crinoline to clothes made from four or five pieces I've torn apart and remade," McGartland says.She adds, "Imagination Creations is a treasure trove, a visual explosion. We have something for everybody."The new location opens the first weekend in December. Retail hours are Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 11 to 8. The salon is open for appointments the remainder of the week. For more information, call 616.458.1250.Source: Heather McGartland, Imagination CreationsWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News EditorRelated Articles17th Annual Neighborhood Business Alliance Awards honor local businessesAnd the nominees for Best Re-use of a Building and Best Window Display are…

Grand Rapids' Mayor Heartwell and GRPS School Superintendent Bernard Taylor recently got to "hang out" with leaders from nine other cities after being invited to attend a conference hosted by Robert Redford in Sundance, Utah.  Grand Rapids was one of a handful of cities chosen because of its work with LEED-certified school buildings. According to experts to excerpts from the story in Mlive; Grand Rapids Schools Superintendent Bernard Taylor and Mayor George Heartwell hung out with movie legend Robert Redford last week at the "Greening of America's School Summit" in Sundance, Utah. Taylor and Heartwell were among leaders from 10 U.S. cities invited to the 2-day event hosted by Redford, a noted environmentalist. Grand Rapids LEED-certified school buildings were well-regarded at the conference, Taylor said. You can read the entire story here.

WZZM13 reports that eight months of road construction that has hampered Grand Rapids commuters has wrapped up one day ahead of the deadline. According to excerpts from the story:Eight months of driving frustration is finally over for drivers in West Michigan. All the ramp closures, detours and construction on Interstate 196 has caused nothing but headaches. But now, the $40 million "Fix" is finally over. Sunday was the deadline for crews to wrap up the project. As you drive on highways near I-196, you'll see street signs telling drivers that on-ramps to I-196 are now open. That's eye-candy to West Michigan commuters. "The fix on I-196 is all wrapped up, " says John Richard, spokesperson for MDOT. "All things had to be wrapped up today; all things were actually wrapped up yesterday, so they made it [deadline] by a day. Had they not met Sunday's deadline, they would have lost out on $250,000 worth of incentives." Read the complete story here.

Tis the season to be thankful and riders of The Rapid have many reasons to express gratitude. From cost savings and convenience to environmental and economic advantages, Greater Grand Rapids' transit system already receives good grades from its users, although many hope to see even more happy returns in the years ahead.