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Tips, Tricks and Expert Advice to
Help You Grow Your Business

Four Additional Members Join GROW’s Board of Directors

July 12, 2016

Four Additional Members Join GROW’s Board of Directors   Grand Rapids, Michigan — West Michigan non-profit organization, Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW), has added four board members to its 2016 Board of Directors to further help budding entrepreneurs. The new members include:   [row] [column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ] Amy Lodenstein Director of Operations … Read more

WomenConnect Recap

July 5, 2016

WomenConnect Recap WomenConnect, an annual event held at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) last month, came about because GROW, Varnum LLP, and GRAM share a common vision of empowering women in our community and beyond. Each organization has its own events and programs developed to connect and empower women. Still, WomenConnect is a way … Read more

Small Business Tax Tips

June 27, 2016

Small Business Tax Tips While tax time may be behind you this year, here is some advice that may make next year a little bit easier: Collect your records. Create one place for all of your business records. While this may seem like a no brainer, something always seems to fall through the cracks during … Read more

What Is Microlending and Is It Right for My Business?

June 7, 2016

What Is Microlending and Is It Right for My Business? At Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW), we’re proud to be an intermediary microloan lender through the Small Business Administration (SBA). In fact, GROW is the only organization in West Michigan to offer SBA microloans! So what are microloans, and are they right for your … Read more

Client Success Story: Rose Hendershot, Photographic Memory

May 9, 2016

Client Success Story: Rose Hendershot, Photographic Memory   Rose Hendershot’s passion for photography led her to start her own business, Photographic Memory, in 1997. Her work has since gained recognition and awards from organizations such as the Professional Photographers of America, Michigan Triangle Professional Photographers Association, Barry County Fair, and Michigan State Fair, among others. … Read more

Business Advice from GROW Staff for National Small Business Week

May 4, 2016

Business Advice from GROW Staff for National Small Business Week It’s National Small Business Week, where the US Small Business Administration (SBA) highlights the contributions of outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. As an SBA Women’s Business Center, the GROW team works with entrepreneurs and small business owners like you right here in West Michigan, … Read more

Local Entrepreneur & GROW Client Celebrates Shark Tank Win

April 27, 2016

Sara Moylan – SheFit Sara Moylan began her entrepreneurial journey in 2011 after recognizing that wearing up to three sports bras at once to work out was not only uncomfortable but also downright ineffective. Determined to find a better solution, she cut, sewed, and hot glued a few bras together to find the right support … Read more

Branding Tips for Your Business

March 25, 2016

Branding Tips for Your Business Entrepreneurial Insider Recap During our most recent “Entrepreneurial Insider” radio segment on WGVU, Mary C. Hartfield, GROW program manager, and Dr. Jermone Glenn, of JG Innovations, joined Shelley Irwin to chat about brand building. Dr. Glenn was one of the featured presenters at the recent Entrepreneur YOU conference. He has … Read more

Entrepreneurial Insider Recap

March 14, 2016

Microlending for Small Businesses Entrepreneurial Insider Recap During “Entrepreneurial Insider,” GROW’s monthly radio segment with WGVU, we chatted about the microlending programs offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), specifically the Pure Michigan Microlending Initiative. SBA’s microlending programs provide up to $50,000 for entrepreneurs who are struggling to obtain traditional financing. Through GROW’s partnership with the Pure … Read more

9 Critical Components to Creating Your Business Plan

March 1, 2016

9 Critical Components to Creating Your Business Plan   When it comes to finding success for your business, the careful creation of your business plan is a crucial part of that journey. Your business plan is a living document that should project a three- to five-year plan and outline the blueprint for your organization to … Read more

Five Tips for Handling Expansion with Ease

February 9, 2016

  Five Tips for Handling Business Expansion with Ease As a small business owner, we know you work hard to make a name for yourself and your business in order to sell your products or services. As your organization begins to grow, you’re likely faced with a new set of challenges that accompany the expansion … Read more

2016 Board of Directors Announced

February 3, 2016

Announcing our 2016 Board of Directors Newly elected GROW Board of Members add focus of diversity and inclusion to our programs and communications efforts. Grand Rapids, Michigan — Local non-profit organization Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) has been West Michigan’s source for relevant training, tools, and techniques to entrepreneurs and small business owners since 1989. … Read more