Work on your business, not just in your business.
The South Haven Region Business Hub’s Growth Series is designed for organizations between 3-5 years old who want to grow. The process starts with technology called the Growth Wheel that identifies gaps and sets up a customized milestone-based plan for the organization to follow.
11 Workshops, One-on-One Mentoring, Business Coaching
Along with one-on-one individual mentoring during the 20 weeks participants will attend in-person workshops focusing on additional processes for consistency and growth not identified through the Growth Wheel.
Precision Syrups, Tiffany Wood
Being part of the Growth Series is a game-changer for Precision Syrups. I’m gaining valuable business skills that feel like getting an MBA crash course. While I know the basics, there are always fresh insights to uncover. Setting clear goals and understanding every part of our business is becoming much easier.
Finance is a big eye-opener, showing how different business bookkeeping is from our family’s. The Growth Series pushes us to really examine our finances and find ways to improve. Some of the goals we set are a stretch, but I’m excited to figure them out.
The Growth Wheel tool is helping us shift our focus from the day-to-day to exciting future possibilities. Overall, this program is giving me a clear path forward, new opportunities to explore, and a chance to connect with other business owners.
Outpost Sports South Haven, Jacquie Lea
I really appreciate the opportunity to be in the Growth Series. I’m learning a lot and am excited about building my own business.
Things have been hectic, both at work and personally. This program has been a lifesaver, teaching me to ask for help instead of trying to handle everything alone. I’ve been working hard to get the finances in order and prepare to delegate tasks. My team has been incredibly supportive.
With help, I am getting all the things done for the management side (which I dislike), and starting to love being who I should be again—which is the face of the business—and motivating my employees to learn and love why they work for a small business.
There’s still so much to learn, but I wanted to share my progress. This program has been a positive experience, and I’m determined to reach my goals. I am learning so much and hopefully soon I will be the business owner I wanted to be.
Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance, Karen Koch
What we like [about the Growth Series] is that it has allowed us to meet people like these and tap into those who may have an interest in what we’re doing. It’s provided us with resources, like scholarships for legal and marketing, and mentors are available to help with things that aren’t our expertise.
HMOTA, under Karen Koch’s leadership, is thriving. The company offers accessible home modification evaluations, design, and construction services. With over 2000 occupational therapists across the country, there’s a growing demand for their services. By combining research, experience, and a focus on task forces for different disabilities, HMOTA is able to provide comprehensive solutions nationwide.
Creative Catering Services, Sarah Cox
For me the biggest takeaway from the Growth Series course has been the little changes that we can make ourselves that we didn’t know would be so impactful. Labeling pictures on our sites, email marketing, newsletters, proper keywords, proper branding, marketing on our google page, etc., just to name a few.
All these little things we can do that we have been trivializing up ’till now. We thought we had to pay big money for marketing help, and we are realizing now just how much we can do ourselves. Our focus right now is on improving our website and developing Corporate Catering promotions for the coming holiday season.
We have a lot to learn but we are headed in the right direction now thanks to this course.
20-Week Program (June-October)
Deadlines
Monday, April 1
Application process opens to small business owners within Van Buren County.Wednesday, May 1, by 6 p.m.
Program applications are due via electronic or email submission.- Complete the online application and upload the requested documents to be considered for participation.
- Once you submit your application and supporting documents, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Interviews with the Planning Committee will be held the week of May 20. Six program applicants will be notified by May 27.
Sessions
Session I—Wednesday, June 5, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
The Growth Wheel
Led by Sandra Cochran, Executive Director, WMed.
- Participants are introduced to the Growth Wheel, the Strategic Plan, and their Mentor*.
- Participants will leave with a 30-, 60-, and 90-day plan.
- Mentors will be in attendance
*Mentor Meetings: Alternating Weeks, starting June 10, meet with a mentor. In between workshops, one-on-one mentoring throughout the length of the program, set up and review milestones based on the Growth Wheel and self-assessment with assigned mentor.
Session 2—Wednesday, June 12, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Time Management and Entrepreneur Mindset
Led by Kathy Merchant, Owner, Calico Cleaning
- Participants will leave with a system to stay on top of their tasks.
*Week of June 10, Mentor Meetings if time permits.
Session 3—Wednesday, June 19, 4-6 p.m.at Lake Michigan College SH
Your Financials; an In-Depth Review
Led by Angela Schultz, CPA, Value Added Accounting
- By the end of the 20-week session, participants will create a P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and 3-year Projections.
- You will need to bring financial information.
*Week of June 24, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Recess until July 10
Session 4—Wednesday, July 10, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Developing a Customer Strategy for Your Product Mix
Led by Debi Howe, Executive Director, South Haven Region Business Hub
- The participant will leave with a clear definition of their target audience and value proposition.
*Week of July 15, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Session 5—Wednesday, July 24, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Marketing Tactics to Reach Your Target Markets
Led by Jennifer Sistrunk, Executive Director, South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Complete the survey distributed by the speaker. A list will be circulated ahead of this session to identify what marketing tools participants are using now.
- The South Haven Region Business Hub will advise participants on obtaining website design and a social and digital media implementation strategy.
*Week of July 29, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Session 6—Wednesday, August 7, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Reach Customers Online Using Free Google Tools
Led by Cheri Bales, Marketing Strategist, Hannah/Gold Communications
- Understand what free google tools are available for you to use.
- Get an overview of Google Ads.
*Week of August 12, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Session 7—Wednesday, August 21, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Integrity Selling
Led by Maria Sorrentino, President, PestPros of Michigan
- Helping your clients understand the solution you bring to their problem.
- Professional persistence, keeping the funnel full.
*Week of August 26, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Session 8—Wednesday, September 4, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Developing your Internal Processes for Consistency and Success
- Led by Steven Cummings, Managing Partner, SPC Consulting
- Review the typical processes that every organization should have.
- Participants will leave with a minimum of two processes completed.
*Week of September 9, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Session 9—Wednesday, September 18, 7-9 a.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Funding Readiness
Led by Brad Scoffin, CEO, Advanced Business Advisors
- Participants will leave with an understanding of what financial institutes will require, how to evaluate their organization, the difference between equity and interest investors, and how to start with the end in mind.
*Week of September 23, Mentor Meetings to Review Plans
Session 10—Wednesday, Oct. 2, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
PITCH Instructions and Preparation
Led by GB Richmond, Founder, Goodbye Money Stress
- Participants will leave with a draft of a pitch deck to funders
Session 11—Wednesday, October 9, 4-6 p.m. at Lake Michigan College SH
Meet the Funders
Moderator: Debi Howe, Executive Director, South Haven Region Business Hub
- Meet area funders in the SH/Lakeshore region.
- Understand key documents needed for funding.
- Identify nontraditional funding options.
Finalé – THE PITCH
Thursday, Dec. 5, 5:30-8 p.m. at Lake Michigan College, South Haven
Presenters:
• Jacquie Lea – Outpost Sports
• Tiffany Wood – Precision Syrups
• Karen Koch – Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance
• Sarah Cox – Creative Catering Services
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.
