Northern Initiatives

11/11/2026

Happy and Happy . Today, we celebrate an entrepreneur who is a veteran, a startup business owner, and an amazing chef.

If you trace Trimell Hawkins’ path to this moment, it reads less like a résumé and more like a carefully composed menu — each step deliberate, each experience building toward something bigger. That vision has come to life with the opening of Trust, his long-awaited dream restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids.

Born in Chicago and shaped by his service as a U.S. Marine, Hawkins’ earliest lessons in leadership and discipline were paired with something warmer: the kitchen of his grandmother, who cooked daily for a household of ten children. “I grew up in the kitchen,” he says. “I fell in love with food and hospitality because of her.”

Lucky us. Read his success story: https://northerninitiatives.org/2026/11/trust/

11/10/2026

We're really looking forward to Thursday's Business and Economic Summit for Manistee and Mason counties. It opens with an intriguing keynote from David Vandermolen, exploring how to move beyond surface-level conversations, strengthen meaningful connections, and combat the growing loneliness in our lives. We'll have a table and we are ready for some meaningful conversations! See you there; more info here:

November 12, 2026 Presented by West Shore Bank What’s ahead for our region? Join us for the West Shore Business & Economic Summit on Thursday, Nov. 12, for an afternoon focused on the issues, trends, and opportunities impacting our rural communities. Hear from knowledgeable speakers on the economy...

11/09/2026

Happy ! Let's celebrate a really powerful startup in the heart of Michigan. Nearly 90% of the paddles powering the Au Sable Canoe Marathon are made in Grayling by Rivertown Composites.

Owner Chad Swander knows exactly what it takes to compete. A veteran marathon racer, engineer and owner of Paddle Hard Brewing, Swander purchased the assets of legendary paddle maker Zaveral Racing Equipment in 2025, fulfilling a longtime dream of bringing the industry's premier paddle manufacturer to the heart of canoe country.

Read the success story! https://ow.ly/SRcJ5104hzM

11/06/2026

Happy First Friday of and what better startup to celebrate than Four Leaf Brewing!

Amy Shindorf opened Clare’s only brewpub in 2015 and contributes some of the success of the brewery to a connection with the fermentation program at nearby Central Michigan University. Four Leaf Brewing is now serving w**e, c***r, mead, and kombucha as well as b**r, and Shindorf is employing 16 people. It’s that last part that makes her the happiest.

Read the success story: https://ow.ly/QYeM5104hqA

11/04/2026

Happy ! We are celebrating startups all month, like the brilliant RJ's Printing, LLC. in Kalamazoo. We throw all kinds of wacky orders at them, and they all turn out perfectly.

Sean Hollins, a graphic designer, first worked with RJ's former owner Ralph Jones in 1995, helping Jones move into the computer era. They’d kept in touch throughout the years and, in 2019, Jones mentioned he wanted to retire soon and would Sean like to buy the business?

Hollins got lots of support (read the story!) to buy the business and says, “The two best areas of upward mobility are home ownership and business ownership. Now the capacity of what I can make is literally up to me. Instead of sitting at the table eating someone else’s meal, I’m able to prepare the meal.”

Read the story! https://ow.ly/La8f5103vV9

11/03/2026

Don't forget to vote! And don't forget to come see us at the Lakeshore Business Growth Expo Wednesday at the Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University! We'll be there from 3 to 6 p.m. More info here: https://ow.ly/TnZA5103lN4

11/02/2026

Happy ! We are celebrating startups all month. Starting a business is tough, and all too often it is made tougher for startup entrepreneurs trying to find capital. We are so proud to help.

RL Movement Studio is a women-centered Pilates and strength studio designed to meet a need that currently isn’t being met in Battle Creek. Many women — especially mothers — want to move their bodies but don’t feel supported or safe in traditional fitness spaces. Megan Woodson had an established client base when she started the Business Plan Cohort offered through Northern Initiatives - Battle Creek. The six-week course gives entrepreneurs the tools to be set up for success — accounting, marketing, legal, and financials are all covered. At the end of the cohort, the entrepreneurs are prepped to start looking for capital. Megan secured a loan the month she graduated.

10/28/2026

Kalene McElveen, owner of Tastefull Vegan Ice Cream, grew up serving and making vegetarian meals in soup kitchens with her mom. "It was as uncommon then as it is now for people that need meals and have food sensitivities to have low/free food options." Now she has a tradition of providing allergen-free Thanksgiving meals to those who need them. If you or someone you know is in need, send an email to [email protected].

10/26/2026

Among the highlights for us at was a panel discussion about technical assistance, and spreading the TA love across your entire organization. Northern Initiatives Chief Strategy Officer Amanda Blondeau served on the panel with Ray Pennie, of ACE Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Lamont Jackson of BBIF, and T**i Ikhile of Working Solutions CDFI. Attendees left with action plans they're putting into action right now! Plus, it's always a thrill to see Suipi's East End Eatery on the big screen at our annual conference!

10/23/2026

¿Todos tienen su lugar de confianza para comprar pan de mu**to? ¡Un saludo a Tienda Mexicana El Cuñao LLC. in St. Louis!

Does everyone have their go-to place for pan de mu**to? Shout-out to Tienda Mexicana El Cuñao LLC. in St. Louis!