Small Business
Mobile Defenders acquired by industry leader in wholesale mobile device repair parts
Written by Joe BoomgaardGAINES TWP. — Joining forces with its largest competitor will give Mobile Defenders LLC an opportunity to become part of the dominant player in the wholesale mobile device repair parts market with increased economies of scale.
Cocktail bar and brewery to soon open in former Sovengard space on GR’s west side
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A new cocktail bar as well as a second location of Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits are set to open in the coming months in a former restaurant on Bridge Street NW where The Sovengard formerly operated.
Restaurant for dogs serving ‘barkcuterie’ boards, meal bowls opening soon in Grand Rapids
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Jessica Ann Tyson is taking the concept of a dog-friendly restaurant a step further by making canines her main customer.
GRAND RAPIDS — Amanda Rostic on Wednesday night passed out samples of tea she batch brewed the night before with a special ingredient she thinks will set her product apart from other brands: hops.
State awards $1.15M to 49 small manufacturers for Industry 4.0 technology adoption
Written by MiBiz StaffEight West Michigan companies will each receive $25,000 grants under a state program that helps small manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies.
GRAND RAPIDS — Longtime family-owned window covering retailer The Shade Shop Inc. has sold to another family-owned company in the Grand Rapids area.
MIDDLEVILLE — Backed by a group of business partners from West Michigan, The Botanical Co. is opening the first adult-use cannabis dispensary in the village of Middleville.
Service Express bolsters data center maintenance offerings in scooping up Ohio firm
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Third-party data center maintenance provider Service Express Inc. has acquired the similarly focused, Beaverton, Ohio-based Sherlock Services Inc.
Calvin University launches Startup Garage business incubator backed by $500K donation
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — After selling the church management software company he started in 2014, Jon VerLee decided to put his money into assisting other entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.
GRAND RAPIDS — Royals is relaunching next week as a pizza restaurant after the former East Hills brunch spot underperformed since launching at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accessible mobility app eyes more West Michigan communities, health care settings as participation grows
Written by Andy BalaskovitzA mobility app for people with disabilities is experiencing strong growth since launching commercial operations in West Michigan two months ago, and now is considering expanding its services to more communities and health care providers.
State to deploy $72M in first round of federally funded small business loans, investments
Written by Mark SanchezThe state has begun the process to dispense nearly $237 million in federal funding to support small businesses.
Former Cherry Deli building sold to growing catering, personal chef business
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A husband and wife duo are moving their catering and personal chef business into the building formerly occupied by neighborhood staple Cherry Deli and Catering in Grand Rapids’ East Hills neighborhood.
Q&A: Consultant in new advocacy role sees creativity as strength for small biz
Written by Kate CarlsonJetCo Federal President Sue Schweim Tellier has stepped into a new advocacy role after being named vice chairperson of the Small Business Association of Michigan’s (SBAM) executive committee.
Emily DeRitter formed Grand Rapids-based wedding coordination company The Best Day Details LLC in late 2019.
PE-backed Heartland Home Services continues Midwest growth with latest acquisition
Written by MiBiz StaffHeartland Home Services LLC, a private equity-backed HVAC, plumbing and electrical home service provider, has added a second Wisconsin-based firm to its portfolio of companies in recent months.
Zeeland furniture startup in ‘launch and accessibility mode’ after $1.5M capital raise
Written by Mark SanchezA Zeeland furniture startup that seeks to play into the growing home office trend has secured $1.5 million in capital from investors around Michigan.
GRAND RAPIDS — A Grand Rapids-based microlender has rebranded from Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women to Grow as it focuses on increasing the number of loans it deploys to small businesses.
Chris Weavers is “terrified” by a court ruling handed down Tuesday that immediately raises wages for workers who rely on tips to offset their hourly wage.
GRAND RAPIDS — American Storage & Logistics is expanding its capabilities with acquisitions of two equipment suppliers based in the northeastern United States.
Owners to close, sell Seven Steps Up to cover ongoing losses from Grand Haven concert series
Written by Kate CarlsonSPRING LAKE — The owners of Seven Steps Up are closing their music venue after 11 years of hosting concerts and live performances in Spring Lake in an attempt to recoup mounting costs from an underperforming concert series they host for the city of Grand Haven.
Small biz group helps launch voting rights campaign, offers guidance on social issues
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGrand Rapids-based economic development nonprofit People First Economy has helped launch a statewide campaign advocating for voting rights and access initiatives.
Wedding venue’s LGBTQ policy draws backlash, spurs inclusive vendor directory
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A group of about 30 people gathered on Monday to protest a new wedding and events venue at a former Grand Rapids church where owners have a policy against hosting same-sex marriages.
Service Express acquires pair of firms as tech M&A market cools so far in 2022
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Third-party data center maintenance provider Service Express Inc. has acquired two companies: Middleville-based cloud hosting provider iInTheCloud LLC and Danbury, Conn.-based managed service provider iTech Solutions Group LLC.
After spending nearly a decade in workforce development, Katie Hall set out to develop software that allows employers to better utilize their current employees.
State lawmakers have reached a compromise on a bill that would allow taxpayers to claim an income tax credit on their investment in a Michigan-based small business.
GR tech firm accepted into renowned California accelerator as it looks to scale up
Written by Jayson BussaA Grand Rapids-based tech startup is leveraging a potentially game-changing opportunity as it enters a nationally renowned accelerator program.
The Collaborative Lab offers high-tech production space for in-person, live-streamed events
Written by Jayson BussaThree Grand Rapids-area entrepreneurs have launched a new high-tech production space to meet the digital needs of area businesses.
Grand Rapids-based Woosah Outfitters and Outside Coffee Co. plan to open a lakeshore location in Douglas that also will offer various gear rentals.
NORTON SHORES — A West Michigan information technology service provider has been acquired by a leading cybersecurity and tech firm that executives say will bring more resources and capital backing for growth.
Greenleaf Capital invests $10M to scale up Kalamazoo fund for entrepreneurs; new committee to focus on women in leadership
Written by Mark SanchezA Kalamazoo-based investment fund that also looks to cultivate and support a new generation of entrepreneurs who want to own a business will use a $10 million investment to scale operations.
HOLLAND — The launch of a brick-and-mortar startup incubator in downtown Holland is the latest effort to cultivate a thriving tech community in the lakeshore city.
Most basketball fans in Michigan recognize Ben Wallace as an iconic figure in Detroit Pistons lore. The 6-foot, 9-inch center helped lead the Pistons to an NBA title in 2004, just one highlight in the four-time all-star’s career. Since retiring in 2012, Wallace has adjusted to life after basketball. His business pursuits also have tied him to West Michigan after he recently bought a stake in Kalamazoo-based Green Door Distilling Co. and also partnered with Rair Cannabis of Michigan, which maintains a location in Lowell, to develop a brand of cannabis products called ‘Undrafted.’ MiBiz caught up with the Hall of Fame player to talk business, basketball and his love for Grand Rapids.
PE-backed Elevator Service Inc. continues Ohio expansion with latest acquisition
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS — Elevator Service Inc., a provider of elevator services for a growing coverage area throughout the Midwest, continued to expand its geographical footprint with another acquisition.
Start Garden Inc. is now accepting pitches from entrepreneurs competing in The 100, a business competition with $300,000 in funding for startups.
PLAINWELL — Ownership of asphalt maintenance service company Tustin’s Asphalt Sealing Inc. is changing hands.
A Grand Rapids staple for craft beverages and food, Siciliano’s Market Inc. is selling to new owners after nearly 30 years on the city’s west side.
‘BUSINESS WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS’: Siciliano’s Market selling to new owners
By KATE CARLSON and ANDY BALASKOVITZGRAND RAPIDS — Siciliano’s Market Inc., the family-owned specialty store and launching pad for countless West Michigan breweries, is changing ownership after a decades-long run selling craft beverages and foods and the equipment used to make them.
Hundreds protest in downtown GR after footage released of resident shot, killed by police
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Several hundred protesters gathered in downtown Grand Rapids Wednesday calling for justice for the family of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man who was recently shot and killed by a Grand Rapids Police officer during a traffic stop.
Couple expands business with second storefront in hopes of lifting downtown GR retail scene
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A West Michigan couple who launched their business through online platform Etsy in 2014 is now preparing to open their second brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Grand Rapids.
Inno-Versity LLC and Th3rd Coast Digital Solutions, two portfolio companies of Ada-based family office Century Technology Group Inc., will merge and rebrand as MindSpring LLC, company officials announced.
PE-backed elevator services provider acquires City Elevator of Michigan owner
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS — Elevator services provider Elevator Service LLC continued its growth in the Midwest through a recent acquisition.
Public relations and integrated communications firm Lambert & Co. has entered into a new strategic partnership with the largest minority-owned public relations agency in Michigan.
GR marketing firm Deksia merges with longtime Portland marketing agency Anvil Media
Written by MiBiz StaffGrand Rapids marketing agency Deksia LLC has merged with Anvil Media, a digital marketing agency in Portland, Ore.
Coopersville environmental consulting firm files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy; plans sale to competitor
Written by Jayson BussaCOOPERSVILLE — A West Michigan-based environmental consulting firm has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it positions to sell the company to a competitor in the industry.
GRAND RAPIDS — Sock retailer boldSOCKS, which sells a wide ranging inventory of decorative socks both online and at a downtown Grand Rapids brick and mortar shop, has been sold and plans to relocate to Fruitport.
GRAND RAPIDS — VNN Inc., a developer of digital tools and media solutions for high school athletic programs, is merging with a tech company that has a long history of servicing the K-12 and college education markets.
State announces $409M grant program for businesses that lost revenue during pandemic
Written by MiBiz StaffA new $409 million state grant program will be available starting March 1 for Michigan businesses that experienced financial hardship as a result of state-ordered shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.