By Kayla Sosa The City of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc are partnering to host an expo for small businesses in the city. Community members are encouraged to attend to meet local small business owners, who will…
Read More Upcoming expo to highlight small businesses in Grand Rapids
By Kayla Sosa Monique Salinas is no stranger to the nonprofit world; she has founded two nonprofits in the course of two decades. For 16 years, she directed Girls Choral Academy - a choir program for girls - and then…
Read More Experienced mentor helps nonprofits “Ascend to Greatness”
By Kayla Sosa A community organization in Grand Rapids is making it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners who can’t obtain a bank loan through racial bias and inequity, to acquire funds. Rende Progress Capital was co-founded by Eric…
Read More Rende Progress Capital: Creating equity in lending and investments
By Kayla Sosa Three teams of teen entrepreneurs took home cash prizes in the final pitch and showcase for the TESA program. TESA, the Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy is hosted by the Grand Valley State University Center for Entrepreneurship…
Read More Teams place, win cash prizes in teen entrepreneur competition
By Kayla Sosa Nick Kaminski is the recent grand prize winner of the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab at Grand Valley State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Before MVE, Kaminski was involved with Heroes to Hives, a program that teaches veterans how to…
By Kayla Sosa A local woman is one of the recent winners of the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab Showcase and Pitch Competition at Grand Valley State University. Ellie Dragstra wanted to become a doula - or maternal support practitioner - for…
Read More Born Blessing: Supporting women during their path to and through motherhood
By Kayla Sosa In an effort to spread self love to all women, Shawnda Louise Michael Jackson has started a transformational coaching service called Life’s Beautiful Diamonds. “I transform women’s lives from coal to beautiful diamonds,” Jackson said. “Those who…
Read More Shining light on inner and outer beauty with Life’s Beautiful Diamonds
By Kayla Sosa Ravel Bowman is an esteemed graduate of the Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TESA) held every year at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. After participating two years in a row in the program, Bowman continued…
By Kayla Sosa A second pitch competition concluded Monday night for the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab at Grand Valley State University. Four participants took home winnings after a night of showcasing their business ideas, and then a timed pitch competition in…
Read More Veteran entrepreneurs awarded in second MVE pitch competition
By Kayla Sosa Nursing students and faculty won all the available prize money at Grand Valley State University’s Laker Effect Challenge, a pitch competition where students and staff team up with community partners to do something good for the community.…
Read More Nursing students, faculty win GVSU Laker Effect Challenge with disaster-preparedness event
