Small Business
Democrats brew up big changes to employer rules — including wage disclosure
By David Eggert, Crain’s Detroit BusinessLANSING — House Democrats on Thursday began considering new bills that would make broad changes to Michigan employment law, including altering the definition of independent contractors and requiring employers to tell employees the wages of similarly situated co-workers upon request.
Tribally owned Mno-Bmadsen’s acquisition of Indiana real estate firm built on years of collaboration
Written by Kate CarlsonDOWAGIAC — Mno-Bmadsen, the non-gaming investment arm of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of an Indiana commercial real estate firm.
In 6 months, GR Chamber program builds ties, belonging for minority-owned biz
Written by Andy BalaskovitzWhen Laura Hopson moved her industrial supply business from Lansing to Grand Rapids in 2020, she had an “intentional strategy” to connect with the local chamber of commerce and leverage networking opportunities with like-minded business owners.
Grand Rapids mainstay Swift Printing transitions to third-generation leadership
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Swift Printing Co., a mainstay along Bridge Street on Grand Rapids’ west side for seven decades, has transitioned to a third generation of ownership.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: DeVries Jewelers resurrects long-held plan for former Lannings’ restaurant
Written by MiBiz StaffDeVries Jewelers has resurrected long-held plans to redevelop the former Lannings’ restaurant on Grand Rapids’ west side.
New $10 million microbusiness loan program aimed at women, entrepreneurs of color
By Jay Davis, Crain’s Detroit BusinessWomen entrepreneurs across Michigan are getting a new source of much-needed financial help from one of the state’s leading women’s groups.
Auto-Wares partners with PE firm Kinderhook, acquires Indiana auto parts distributor
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — The parent company of Auto-Wares LLC, a distributor of aftermarket automotive parts to service centers and more than 200 company-owned stores in the Midwest, has secured an investment from Kinderhook Industries LLC, a New York City-based private equity firm.
Doug and Maria DeVos buy majority stake in boat dealership of which they’re longtime patrons
By Rachel Watson, Crain’s Detroit BusinessAfter years frequenting the boat dealership Action Water Sports, Doug and Maria DeVos are now its majority owners.
GRAND RAPIDS — House Rules Board Game Lounge plans to add a kitchen and expand its space to accommodate busy weekends at the bar, which features a collection of board games for customers as well as weekly trivia nights.
Service Express acquires East Coast data center service provider while establishing engineering base in Ireland
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — Third-party data center maintenance provider Service Express Inc. continues its M&A streak with the acquisition of a similarly focused Massachusetts-based company, as the Grand Rapids firm separately establishes a footprint in Dublin, Ireland.
Muskegon’s Rake Beer Project to relocate to former Pigeon Hill taproom, expand with new coffee concept
Written by Kate CarlsonMUSKEGON — Rake Beer Project LLC is moving its brewery and taproom across downtown Muskegon to the former Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. space, where owners also plan to debut a new coffee concept.
Grand Rapids-based payroll software firm acquired by Scottish business services company
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Payroll software firm Dominion Systems Inc. has been acquired by a private equity-backed business services company in Scotland.
Buying spree: Grand Rapids auto service company adds to dozens of recent Midwest acquisitions
By Kathy McCarron, Tire BusinessHUDSONVILLE — Dytech Auto Group Inc., d.b.a. GreatWater 360 Auto Care, has been on an acquisition spree the last couple of years, taking over nearly 90 independent auto service locations in the Midwest.
Most Michigan retailers’ sales fall in January amid strong signs for spring
By Jay Davis, Crain’s Detroit BusinessIn what is typically a slow month for retailers, a significant number of merchants saw a decrease in sales to start the year.
Catalyst Partners opens ownership opportunity to employees in ‘company-affirming’ restructuring
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Leaders of environmental consultancy Catalyst Partners LLC started transferring ownership of the firm to a group of its employees in December in what has been a years-long journey.
LEFT OUT TO DRY: State alcohol regulators deny liquor license for Grand Rapids laundromat owner
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — Edward Bates opened a laundromat on Grand Rapids’ far south side in 2018 after investing about $3 million into the building with renovations and new equipment.
MINNOW SWALLOWS WHALE: Werkman Outfitters acquires longtime Muskegon River fly fishing guide service
Written by Joe BoomgaardGRAND HAVEN — A growing family-owned fishing guide service on the Grand River is expanding its focus to the north with a deal to acquire RiverQuest Charters, a longtime fly fishing outfitter on the Muskegon River.
Small business group pushes changes to ‘retirement tax’ bills
By David Eggert, Crain’s Detroit BusinessLANSING — A business group on Monday requested changes to fast-tracked bills that would reverse Michigan’s “retirement tax,” proposing revisions its leader said would narrow disparities in how different seniors would be taxed under the legislation.
New ‘one-stop shop’ business incubator at Grand Rapids Innovation Park set to open for tech entrepreneurs
Written by Mark SanchezA new business incubator at Michigan State University’s research campus in downtown Grand Rapids offers a new venue for tech entrepreneurs to nurture their innovations.
EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE: Small business leaders navigate waves in the ‘big ocean of entrepreneurship’
Written by Andy BalaskovitzJermale Eddie co-founded Grand Rapids-based Malamiah Juice Bar a decade ago, but he still feels like he’s running a “10-year-old startup.”
A new training initiative wants to develop better leaders for family-owned businesses in West Michigan.
Appeals court ruling heads off impending minimum wage, paid leave spikes
By David Eggert, Crain’s Detroit BusinessA Republican move to weaken minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives in 2018 was constitutional, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, keeping intact current wage and benefit requirements that were scheduled to spike Feb. 20 under a lower court decision.
West Michigan trucking operation to shut down, sell fleet
By Rachel Watson, Crain’s Detroit BusinessAmid rising costs and a national decline in freight volume, a family-owned business in West Michigan is closing its trucking division and selling its fleet.
CRAFTY MOVE: Cannabis microbusinesses emphasize local products, customer experience
Written by Kate CarlsonWest Michigan’s few cannabis microbusinesses are taking a page out of the craft brewery handbook with a clear focus on customer experience and an emphasis on locally produced products.
Gazelle Sports CEO talks growth and battling back from pandemic-related losses
By Jay Davis, Crain’s Detroit BusinessGazelle Sports CEO Jennifer Brummitt took her position at an interesting time. The 40-year-old, who has worked with Gazelle in various capacities since 2003, became the Kalamazoo-based company’s first CEO in July 2020.
CASCADE TWP. — Control Electric Inc., a residential and commercial electric services provider, was sold to an unnamed individual investor.
Raising minimum, tipped wages expected to cause ‘monumental shift’ for restaurants
Written by Kate CarlsonMichigan’s minimum and tipped minimum wages are both set to increase in 2023, while pending litigation could cause even more significant changes for the hospitality industry that proponents say are overdue and some operators fear.
Holland Engineering Inc. aims to expand its offerings to municipal clients under a merger planned with another West Michigan civil engineering firm.
KALAMAZOO — Continental Linen Services Inc., a provider of uniform rentals and linen cleaning services, has completed a $6 million expansion following a pandemic-induced downturn that cut sales in half.
GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids-based I.T. services provider Micro Visions Inc. has sold to an Indiana consulting firm in what company executives described as a “natural fit.”
GRAND RAPIDS — Tommy’s Boats LLC, a retailer of ski, wake and pontoon boats, is expanding its operations in California with the acquisition of Larson Marine Inc., a Stockton, Calif.-based watersports dealer.
GRAND RAPIDS — Rende Progress Capital, a small business lender to companies owned by entrepreneurs of color, will host a networking event Thursday that’s designed to introduce minority-owned businesses to one another and prospective new customers.
Michigan small biz growth during pandemic exceeds national average and shows permanence, SBAM scorecard finds
Written by Mark SanchezA spike in small business formations in Michigan that began in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic continues and easily outpaces the national growth rate.
GR nightclub Ambiance permanently closes; owners cite ‘persistent safety issues’ in downtown
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The owners of one of the few Black-owned businesses in downtown Grand Rapids say Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge has closed after being open for less than a year.
A pair of West Michigan distributors of construction and industrial supplies have been acquired by a leading direct-to-jobsite construction tools distributor specializing in commercial, industrial, mixed-use and infrastructure end markets.
GRAND RAPIDS — West Michigan Tree Services, an operating company of Grand Arbor Group Inc. of Grand Rapids, has been acquired by a New Bedford, N.Y.-based professional tree and shrub care company.
SW Mich. partnership creates new pathway for Native entrepreneurs to launch startups
Written by Joe BoomgaardBENTON HARBOR — A new partnership hopes to improve the technical assistance available to Native American entrepreneurs in Southwest Michigan so they can have an easier time turning their business ideas into new startups and access funding.
GRAND RAPIDS — Vertically integrated cannabis company Fluresh LLC has opened applications for the next round of participants in its cannabis accelerator program for entrepreneurs.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Small biz group leads opposition to federal rule proposal for ‘gig economy’ workers
Written by MiBiz StaffThe Biden administration last month proposed new rules for employers that could have sweeping implications for small business owners who rely on independent contractors.
GRAND RAPIDS — Family-owned Bond Fluidaire Inc., a distributor of pneumatic and hydraulic hardware, components and systems, has sold to a southeast Michigan automation supply company.
WYOMING — Family-owned National Truck Brokers Inc., a Wyoming-based truckload carrier for grocery customers across seven Midwest states, has been acquired by a leading transportation and logistics company.
GRAND RAPIDS — Growing software design and development consultancy Atomic Object LLC has opened its fourth office with a move into the Raleigh, N.C. market.
Grand Rapids ranks highly among cities nationwide for its number of employee-owned companies.
Small biz group rallies opposition to federal rule proposal aimed at ‘gig economy’ workers
Written by Mark SanchezThe Small Business Association of Michigan is building opposition to a proposed federal rule change that could affect millions of workers who earn their living as independent contractors.
Byron Center I.T. service provider acquires Novi firm to bolster cybersecurity offerings
Written by Andy BalaskovitzBYRON CENTER — Information technology service provider People Driven Technology Inc. has acquired a Southeast Michigan tech consulting firm to build out its cybersecurity offerings after a two-year string of organic growth.
TRAVERSE CITY — Hodges Fastener Corp., a woman-owned distributor of a range of fasteners, has sold to an Ohio-based firm that has been consolidating fastener distribution companies across the Midwest.
Q&A: 3-year grant to help Northern Initiatives improve small business job quality
Written by Mark SanchezSmall business lender Northern Initiatives will receive $100,000 from major foundations annually over the next three years to help grow small businesses across Michigan.
Leaders in West Michigan’s Asian-American business community seek $6 million to provide a variety of programs and services to underserved communities, including minority- and women-owned businesses in the region.