Blog
Tips, Tricks and Expert Advice to
Help You Grow Your Business
Strategic Planning for Small Businesses
Strategic Planning for Small Businesses If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. When starting or running your business, having a roadmap is very important to your future. We realize it may not always go according to your plan, still when you take the time to clarify where you want to go, and … Read more
Don’t Go It Alone. The Importance of Business Mentors
Don’t Go It Alone. The Importance of Business Mentors It’s one thing to be a small business owner; to attack the challenges you face and continue to move forward with grace. It’s another to be able to do those things all the while knowing that someone’s in your corner. Finding mentors as small business owners … Read more
Top 10 Reasons Your Small Business Should be Blogging
Top 10 Reasons Your Small Business Should be Blogging Everyone is talking about content marketing today, most of which is done through blogging. While it can sound very technical or intimidating to those getting started with their business, blogging doesn’t have to be. We’ve put together some great reasons why you should consider blogging. And, … Read more
October Entrepreneurial Insider – E-commerce Businesses
Entrepreneurial Insider: E-commerce Businesses Every month, WGVU with Shelley Irwin hosts our Entrepreneurial Insider where we talk with local small business owners about important business topics and trends happening in the market place. You’ll also discover resources that GROW offers to those who want to start their own business, or are looking for tips to … Read more
Local Organization Revamps Training Programs for Todays Entrepreneurs
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
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
Jennifer Deamud, Moving Up, Making A Difference
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, What a Year It’s Been!
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?
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
GROW Receives CDFI Designation to Further Support Economic Development
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
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
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