2023 Growth Series PITCH Story
In the spring of 2023, three local businesses were selected to participate in The GROWTH Series. Participants attended a series of workshops, received one-on-one mentoring and coaching, and presented their businesses to potential investors, community influencers, local organizations, and the general public at The Pitch event.
During the Growth Series participants received one-on-one mentoring and achieved measurable business growth milestones based on the Growth Wheel and mentor and self-assessment. Each participant attended a series of 7 workshops in addition to weekly mentoring meetings for 7 weeks.
- Your Financials and How to Conduct an In-Depth Review
- One-to-one Live Financial Mentoring
- Leadership Challenge Developing your Customer Strategy for Your Product Mix
- Marketing Tactics to Reach Your Target Markets
- Integrity Selling Developing Your Internal Processes for Consistency and Success
Growth Series 2023 presenters and companies are:
- BP Bags & Boards, Larry Phillips
- Craig Farm Katahdin, Samantha Craig
- Excellence in Rehabilitation – Multiple Applications Table, Brian Scherff, P.T.

Our Planning Team
- GB Richmond, Goodbye Money Stress
- Scott Whiteford, Whiteford Wealth Management
- Mike Neiss, Michael T. Neiss & Associates
- Trevor Brooks, Kitchen Tribes
- Michael Medema, Amplify Innovations & Entrepreneurship
Our Mentor Team
- Kathy Merchant , Calico Cleaning
- Prince Covington, MovePortz
- Kevin Whiteford, Whiteford Wealth Management
- GB Richmond, Goodbye Money Stress
- Michael Medema, Amplify Innovations
Our Subject Matter Experts
- Steve Cummings, SPC Consulting
- Michele Coy, Michele Coy Enterprises
- Michele Mollard, EOS Worldwide
- Julie Payovich, FocusCFO
- A. Elizabeth Bernhard, Manufacturing Growth Alliance
- Jenifer Sistrunk, Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Mike Neiss, Michael T. Neiss & Associates
- Bob Jank, Consultant/Investor
- Michael Griffin, First Source Bank
- Sandra Cochran, WMed Innovation Center
- Valarie Cunningham, Synergy Health Center
- Sarah Forest, Michigan Small Business Development Center
- Maria Sorrentino, Pest Pros of Michigan
- John Kepplinger, SCORE Kalamazoo/SW Michigan
- Cheri Bales, Hannah/Gold Communications Marketing
Our Community Partners
- Manufacturing Growth Alliance
- WBC at Cornerstone Alliance
- Emerge Innovation Hub
- MI Works
- MEDC
- South Haven Township
- MSU Center For Regional Food Systems
- Market Van Buren
- South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce
- South Haven Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- City of South Haven
- Lake Michigan College, South Haven
Donors
- Big Blue Rentals
- Kitchen Tribes
- Amplify Connections
- Sturgis Bank
- Heart of the Haven
- Michigan Flywheelers
- Whiteford Wealth Management
- Goodbye Money Stress
All South Haven Region Business Hub programs or co-sponsored events are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arrangements for persons with disabilities are made when requested two weeks in advance.


