Sbam Shorts, Your Weekly Small Business Success Tip

Michael Rogers talks with Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, owner of SPACE Inc. in Midland, recently recognized by the National Association of Business Resources as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation.

Michael Rogers talks with Brent Forsberg, president of TA Forsberg Real Estate in mid-Michigan, about the growth strategies that have helped them thrive into their third generation of family ownership.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “It’s really amazing just how much access we do have to the legislators through SBAM” Chris Drouin owns Ignite Media Group in Rochester Hills and he appreciates the opportunities that SBAM provides him for political involvement. “Coming back from the Leadership Council and being exposed to Speaker of the House Tom Leonard and House Minority Leader Singh and then having face time with the chief of staff of the Senate and House majority and minority team. Meeting two of the gubernatorial candidates, hearing about our grassroots movement, hearing about what’s coming up whether it’s the Fight for 15 or the legalization of recreational marijuana -- all these kinds of things were really kind of a whirlwind as far as a newbie, but it really showed you just how hard SBAM is working behind the scenes for us small business owners, how hard the team is working to make sure we do get in front of the legislativ

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “The Small Business Association of Michigan has been a terrific resource for me.” Paul Mead is a founding partner of Grand Traverse Strategic Partners in Traverse City. “As part of the Leadership Council, it’s allowed me to connect with people I would not otherwise even known. I have learned about businesses that exist that I didn't know about. I’ve met the leaders of these businesses. And when we do get together it’s really valuable time spent. Because we’re small business owners, you know, taking time out of our day to go learn about others is a luxury. And the Small Business, SBAM, allows me to meet people and learn from them, hear about some of their challenges, hear about their wins, so it’s a very exciting group to be with. And then more of a specific to my company, when I’ve needed help, when I’ve needed answers to questions or a little bit of guidance on a particular topic, I contact folks

Michael Rogers talks with Don Spry, Business Account Manager Lead for Consumers Energy, to find out more about the energy savings opportunities offered by the SBAM Energy Solutions program, Consumers Energy and DTE.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. Marisa Smith, profesional EOS implementer and founder of the Whole Brain Group in Ann Arbor, zeros in on two key reasons why she is involved with SBAM. “One is that my clients are growing and they are always looking for connections and resources, and so it is part of my job is to know what’s out there in the state and be able to connect them with resources to save them time and effort and so I wanted to see what SBAM had to offer and so far I’ve been really impressed with the service that I have experienced in terms of you welcoming me to the community. And I definitely plan to connect more of my clients with the resources here.” And the second reason she values her participation in SBAM is: “Was really just to get connected with other business owners who are interested in growing and contributing to the positive growth in the economy here in Michigan.” Leverage the value of your involvement with t

Michael Rogers talks with Bob Campbell, sales director for MTW Industries in Mt. Pleasant, to find out how they tap into their local university and colleges to help them find skilled workers.

Michael Rogers talks with Carl Erickson, the founder and CEO of Atomic Object in Grand Rapids, recently named one of Michigan’s top workplaces by the Detroit Free Press.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. Kathie Fuce-Hobohm is the owner and CEO of SPACE, Incorporated, an interior design firm and workplace furniture dealer in Midland. Kathie is a past chair of the association, and she particularly values SBAM’s owner-to-owner initiative. “Where you actually have the opportunity to engage with other business owners and discuss some of your issues or successes and get different perspectives. That has been massively helpful to our business.” Kathie also values SBAM’s political advocacy. “And I think that’s one of the things that SBAM does beautifully is their level of advocacy, and being the voice of small business, so you always know you have someone you can call and talk to if you have a business problem and you need to have that communication link to state government. If there’s people out there listening to the podcast that aren’t involved in SBAM they absolutely positively should.” Leverage the val

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “What the Small Business Association has brought is resources” Brent Forsberg is president of T.A. Forsberg Inc., a third generation development company located in the Lansing area. “We are a small business. We don’t have an HR department here but being able to get some of those resources to make sure we’re compliant but also finding people to help us.” Forsberg also values the input and experience he’s able to to share with his association. “And being able to go downtown, I’ve been to the SBAM offices and tell what our story is and what we’re doing. And hey, take a look at this over here and take a look at what these companies are doing.” Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.

Michael Rogers talks with Nate McFadden, owner of Elevator Service Inc. of Grand Rapids, to learn more about how service involvement helps his community and company.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. MTW Industries in Mt. Pleasant is a VIP member of the association. Bob Campbell is their sales director, and he says that MTW Industries values the networking opportunities that come along with Small Business Association of Michigan membership. “What we find the value in that is that we have the ability of meeting other local manufacturers in the state of Michigan and trying to build a relationship with them. And it just helps grow our business.” MTW Industries is a full service fabrication and manufacturing company that started as a small farm shop and puts a strong emphasis on American made and American owned. Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.

Michael Rogers talks with Tom Chaney, general manager of Jacobsen Industries in Livonia -- a member of the Detroit Free Press list of top workplaces in Michigan.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “We’ve been members for a long time and we are members because I think small business is so important to our economies and local cities.” Carl Erickson is the founder and CEO of Atomic Objects in Grand Rapids, recently named to the Detroit Free Press list of Michigan’s top workplaces. “Small businesses, I guess because we’re small and don’t have collective clout tend not to get the attention, the media coverage, the resources, the support that larger businesses do. And that’s a really dumb thing in the sense that a lot of innovation and a lot of job growth and a lot of goodness is happening in small businesses. So, I’ve always appreciated the fact that SBAM casts light on small businesses and works and lobbies on our behalf.” Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.

Michael Rogers talks with developer Bradley Hartwell, the owner of Northtown Real Estate in Grand Rapids, about the pros and cons of owning versus renting your building.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. Nate McFadden owns Elevator Service Inc. of Grand Rapids and when he attended his first SBAM Leadership Council meeting, he was impressed with the commonality of interests. “It was good to see other business owners that think about the same things, that struggle with some of the same challenges that perhaps are up late thinking about their team and what they can do to win in the competitive landscape that we operate in.” Nate says he found it heartening to be around like-minded people who share share similar burdens. “And it was also I must say I was impressed with the degree of professionalism of the leadership of SBAM and the actual, practical benefits that they bring to their members.” Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.

Michael Rogers talks with Stephanie Squires, President and Wealth Management Advisor for SCS Capital in Livonia, who says that communications is the key to successful business succession.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “Probably my biggest takeaways from my involvement with SBAM so far as a small business owner, you know, we all have problems” Bradley Hartwell is the owner of Northtown Real Estate in Grand Rapids, and when he went to a recent SBAM meeting, he valued the camaraderie of his entrepreneurial peers. “Just the fellowship of having other folks that are in the same shoes as you, going through the journey of small business ownership was really kind of interesting to interact with those folks, because you do go to a lot of fundraisers and networking events and it’s not always all small business owners. When you’re in a room where it’s all small business owners it’s pretty unique.” Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.

Michael Rogers talks with Dan Conner, Business Development Manager for Conner Insurance Group of Farmington Hills, about evolving insurance risks like cyber liability and ransomware.

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “I love the good, bad, ugly.” Stephanie Squires is President and Wealth Management Advisor for SCS Capital in Livonia. “Between serving on the committees, the annual event, it’s amazing to me the amount of information that SBAM has provided, and that has been priceless. And the biggest piece is being informed about the current legislation and potential items on the ballot that directly affect me and my business clients is absolutely huge because it’s the future of the business owner in Michigan and becoming an advocate for SBAM’s message and mission of promoting the success of small businesses. And most importantly is I have a voice. And that voice needs and wants to be heard because we are the business owners.” Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.