We asked our 7 Growth Series participants to answer 4 questions for us about their progress (and hopeful outcomes) from the Growth Series. Now in its eighth session, participants are buckling down and learning what it takes to grow. Here are the questions we asked them:
- Tell us about your business and how you first learned about the South Haven Regional Business Hub.
- Before starting the Growth Series, what were your main business goals, and what barriers were you facing in achieving them?
- How did the SH Regional Business Hub’s mentoring, workshops, and networking aid you in overcoming or adapting these challenges to achieve new goals? Can you share some of your main achievements and successes so far?
- Looking ahead, how do you plan to use the Growth Series funding, and do you plan to continue working with the Hub? What advice would you give to other business owners, and what makes your story compelling for them?
And here are their responses…
Paula Jean Camp, Carriage House Ciders, Benton Harbor
Paula Jean co-founded Carriage House Ciders in 2020. Her company produces all-natural, dry ciders from local ingredients. A friend told her about the Business Hub. Her initial goal was simply to keep the business afloat, with her biggest challenge being a lack of customer awareness.
Through the Growth Series, Paula developed a plan to open an outdoor tasting room, improved her marketing, and began networking with others in her cohort to create new sales opportunities. Also during the Growth Series program, she has applied for a grant, bought new equipment, and hired an employee. The company is now thriving, with sales on track to nearly double this year. She plans to use the Hub Growth Series Award for new equipment and continued marketing efforts. Her advice to other business owners is to never give up and always be open to new ideas.
Jason Diebler-Love, The Lucky Wolf, Paw Paw
Jason, the owner of The Lucky Wolf in Paw Paw, was introduced to the Growth Series by Debi Howe. His business is unique, housed in a 200-year-old church with a bar, cafe, and a 170-seat theater. Having previously managed much larger businesses, Jason realized that running a small business presented new challenges, particularly with cost control, payroll, and marketing.
The Hub has been invaluable for Jason, providing him with a network of experienced small business professionals to bounce ideas off of. He found the sessions on Google Ads and other Google tools particularly helpful, as he had been relying almost exclusively on Facebook and Instagram for marketing. He is considering using the Hub Growth Series Award for new equipment, marketing, and software to help manage inventory and his website.
Sam Dustin, Siren’s Rose Tattoo Studio, South Haven
Sam is the owner of Siren’s Rose Tattoo Studio, which she opened in 2020 in South Haven, MI. She first learned about the Hub while working to secure a loan for her commercial space on Eagle Street, where Debi Howe helped her through the application process.
Sam’s main goal was to hire more tattoo artists, which is challenging due to the scarcity of trained artists in the South Haven area and a lack of affordable housing for potential new employees. She is currently in the process of hiring a new artist, but she is also losing two of her current staff members who are moving away. Sam hopes to hire a new local artist soon or get help finding qualified talent.
Lisa Miller, Forever Clean Soap Works, Inc., St Joseph
Lisa is the owner of Forever Clean Soap Works, which creates handcrafted bath and body products using natural, clean ingredients. She learned about the Hub through social media and an email from Debi Howe. At the time, she felt stuck and wasn’t sure what direction to take her business.
Her mentor has been a major help, offering simple, low-cost suggestions that are making a big difference. Lisa is currently redesigning her website and plans to use the Hub Growth Series Award to begin selling her products on Amazon. She also intends to invest in bigger equipment and hire someone to handle accounting, freeing her up to focus on the bigger picture. She said she would have never taken these steps without the Hub’s guidance.
Mary Ann Scott, Land of Light Community, Paw Paw
Land of Light Community is a spiritual and wellness center focused on connecting people with their innate wisdom and healing potential through a revolutionary trauma therapy process. The tax-exempt organization learned about the Hub through Debi Howe. Their primary goal was to expand marketing for this unique therapy, but they faced challenges in defining a target audience and promoting a service that is a departure from mainstream mental health approaches.
Through the Growth Series, Land of Light Community has started to overcome these barriers. They are currently redesigning their website to better explain their therapy, optimizing their online search presence, and launching a YouTube channel for educational purposes. They are also determining how to best use the Hub Growth Series Award, considering website and other marketing assistance. The organization’s advice to others is that the more effort you put into the program, the greater the benefits you will receive.
Janet and Brian Tufnell, Brian the Munchie Man Food Truck, St Joseph
Janet and Brian first learned about the South Haven Regional Business Hub through local connections and word of mouth. Their main business goals were to streamline operations and prepare for long-term growth. The biggest challenges they faced were staffing and managing inconsistent revenue due to the seasonal nature of his business.
The Growth Series provided the Tufnells with new strategies to tackle these issues. The mentoring helped them improve staffing and daily operations, while the workshops gave them practical ideas for handling seasonal revenue. Through the Hub, they have secured new contracts, expanded the business, and Munchie Man Food Truck was voted Michigan’s Best Food Truck. They plans to use the Hub Growth Series Award to invest in new equipment and systems that will help the business operate more efficiently year-round. Janet advises other business owners to stay resilient and seek out guidance.
Amy Underwood, Health Elevated, St Joseph
Amy is the owner of Health Elevated, a concierge pelvic health practice. She was introduced to the Hub through a connection with Debi Howe from a Women’s Business Center event (WBC).
Before starting the Growth Series, Amy aimed to hire support staff, ensure consistent business growth, and implement solid operational procedures.
She credits the Hub’s bi-weekly classes and her mentor for holding her accountable and helping her establish strong business operations. Looking forward, Amy plans to use her Hub Growth Series Award to create a comprehensive marketing plan to build awareness of her practice and continue its expansion.
Stay tuned for more good news and mark your calendars for the capstone experience – The PITCH coming Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6-8 p.m. Lake Michigan College, South Haven. Watch as our graduates present their businesses to the community and funding sources.