GrowBusiness 
“There are always things to learn, and you don’t need to know everything to get started,” – Mallory Root Roots Brew Shop is a relative newcomer to Grand Rapids’ West Side, but this coffee shop is working hard to grow and foster the local community. Serving premium coffee and tea, as well as freshly made … Read more
GROW adds new year-long training program, EmpowerHER. We recently announced the redesign and introduction of updated training programs and business counseling as a result of the ever changing face of the West Michigan entrepreneur. EmpowerHER is one of the most significant additions, which is a cohort-based, year-long training program for women entrepreneurs who are … Read more
2016 Seeds of Growth Winners Our CEO Bonnie Nawara kicked off the 2016 Seeds of Growth Awards Luncheon & Fundraiser by welcoming attendees and explaining a little about what our organization does for Grand Rapids women business owners. The energetic and hilarious Judge Sara Smolenski – the afternoon’s emcee – took the stage next, jumping … Read more
Where Is She Now? Jennifer Deamud COO, Small Business Development Center When Jennifer was selected as Volunteer of the Year in 2015, she was the COO / associate state director for the Small Business Development Center. Since this time she was selected by the board of directors of the National Association of Small Business Development Centers … Read more
Gricelda Mata & Lindo Mexico. What a Year! As President of Lindo Mexico Restaurant, our 2015 Seeds of Growth Business of The Year owner isn’t slowing down a bit. As we look forward to our 2016 Seeds of Growth Awards Luncheon and Fundraiser, we also want to take a look at what our 2015 award … Read more
Latesha Lipscomb What’s She Doing Now? Our 2015 Seeds of Growth Leadership Award Winner shares what she’s been doing over the last year. If you haven’t met Latesha, it is probably because she hasn’t been still long enough for you to catch her. She’s had an incredibly full year since receiving the GROW Leadership Award … Read more
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention Deb Tacoma’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2006, after she was involved in a serious car accident that left her with numerous injuries, including a broken back. Completing tasks such as bathing and going to the bathroom became a daily struggle for Deb, leaving her feeling helpless. After this life-altering … Read more
GROW Receives CDFI Designation to Further Support Economic Development Grand Rapids, Michigan – Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) announced today the addition of a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) designation to their existing microloan program to provide financial services to meet the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals. In the past 4.5 years, GROW … Read more
Mastering Your Marketing Our blog theme for the month of August is marketing. We know that many business owners struggle with how best to market their business — and how to find the time to devote to it. This week, Amy McCartney of Grand Rapids’ very own BOXBOOM offers some questions and advice to help business … Read more
Client Success Story: Serena Allen, Forever Yours Bridal Just like any new business owner, Serena Allen began her entrepreneurial journey by taking a risk. While teaching alternative education at Satterlee School in Greenville, Michigan, and going to school to pursue her master’s degree, Allen decided to pursue her dream of opening a bridal shop, filling … Read more