About Us
History
Client Statistics
Awards
For more than 30 years, Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) has been working with thousands of entrepreneurs just like you, all with dreams of becoming economically independent. We focus on current and aspiring business owners, making us West Michigan’s source for entrepreneurial training, small business counseling, educational resources, and networking opportunities.
Whether the topic is business plans, finance, management, marketing, or strategic planning, GROW offers professional, high-quality training and business counseling. GROW is one of only 110 certified Women’s Business Centers in the nation, and one of three in the State of Michigan, all in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Success stories range from builders to manufacturers, farmers to restaurant owners, salon owners to dog walkers, and health care providers to graphic designers. Now it’s your turn. Whether you are a new or established business owner, let GROW guide you to entrepreneurial success. Attend one of our free Intro to GROW orientations to see all that we have to offer or contact us today to learn more.
History
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February 1, 1989
Original Steering Committee
Meet the original steering committee members who helped LeAnne Moss in the creation of GROW. There are many familiar names from West Michigan, and many of these individuals are still supportive of GROW today.
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March 1, 1989
LeAnne Moss Has Idea for GROW
The first steering committee meeting is held. LeAnne approached several leaders in the community to discuss the creation of an organization to serve women in low-income households and assist them in creating economic independence through business ownership.
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April 1, 1989
GROW is Founded
LeAnne wrote a grant request to Dyer Ives Foundation to initially fund the organization
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August 1, 1990
First MYOB Class Graduation
The first MYOB (Minding Your Own Business) class graduates. MYOB was a 16-week long program where participants met each week to work on different aspects of their business plan and development. This included classroom training, homework and other assessments.
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September 1, 1995
GROW Becomes A Certified Women's Business Center
It was in 1995 that GROW became a Certified Women’s Business Center through the Small Business Administration Office of Women Business Ownership.
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April 1, 1996
Inger Giuffrida Named As Executive Director
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April 1, 1998
MYOB Class #15 Graduates
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June 1, 2000
Rita VanderVen Becomes Executive Director
Rita Vanderven joined GROW in June 2000 as Executive Director. She would lead the organization through 2008.
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May 1, 2004
GROW Celebrates 15th Anniversary
In 2004 GROW Celebrated the organizations 15th Anniversary with and audio CD, titled “Voices of GROW.” Check back soon so you can listen to a few of these great stories.
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June 1, 2008
Patricia Duthler Joins as Executive Director
Grow welcomed Patricia Duthler as Executive Director from 2008 until 2010.
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April 1, 2010
AWE Incorporated Into GROW
In 2010, the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs was incorporated into GROW programs to serve second-stage women business owners.
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April 1, 2010
Anonymous Grant Paves Way for Microloan Program
GROW received an anonymous grant that paved the way to becoming an SBA intermediary Microlender. The organizations first 5 loans are made with this grant.
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September 1, 2010
Bonnie Nawara Joins GROW As CEO
In September 2010 GROW welcomed Bonnie Nawara as CEO of the organization.
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July 1, 2011
Microloan Manager Added To Staff
July 2011, GROW hired our first microloan manager to expand the lending program.
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March 1, 2012
Intermediary Micro Lender Under The SBA
In 2012, GROW became an intermediary Micro Lender under the SBA (Small Business Administration).
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August 1, 2013
Microloan Program Triples Lending Capacity
In August 2013, the GROW Microloan program tripled it’s lending capacity from $200k to $600k, allowing us to provide even more funding to local businesses.
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September 1, 2013
Small Business GPS Series
September 2013 – GROW adjusted the MYOB program to provide classes in smaller “clusters”. The new Small Business Growth and Planning Series was formed.
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July 1, 2015
AWE Rebranded As Established Division
In 2015, the (AWE) Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs was rebranded as the Established Division of GROW. Women business owners who have reached a certain point in their careers have needs that are very different from those who are just starting out. That’s why we created the Established Division of GROW. It is a membership by invitation only group, intended for those who are looking for opportunities to learn, network, and share with other successful women.
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January 1, 2017
2016 Economic Impact Stats
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April 1, 2017
Launched EmpowerHER Program
Spring 2017, GROW launched the EmpowerHER program for second-stage businesses. This is a cohort-based, year-long training program for women entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least a year and are looking for assistance with stabilizing and/or growing their companies.
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October 1, 2017
Received CDFI Designation
In October 2017, GROW received the Certified Designated Financial Institute (CDFI) award, expanding lending levels. Read the news release here.
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November 1, 2017
Received GR Chamber Rising Star Award
In November 2017, GROW was Recognized as a Rising Star, as part of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit with Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
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January 1, 2018
2017 Economic Impact
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May 1, 2018
SBA Michigan Women's Business Center of Excellence
In May 2018, GROW was named SBA Michigan Women’s Business Center of Excellence.
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July 1, 2018
Expanded To The Lakeshore
In July 2018, GROW expanded our programming & added full-time staff in Muskegon, inside the GVSU Innovation Hub.
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April 1, 2019
Nonprofit Champion Award from WMHCC
In April 2019, GROW Received the Non-Profit Champion Award from West Michigan Hispanic Chamber.
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September 1, 2019
CORP! Salute To Diversity Award Winner
In September 2019, our staff traveled to Detroit for CORP! Magazine’s Salute to Diversity.
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October 1, 2019
Celebrating 30 Years Of GROW
Throughout 2019 we celebrated the 30 years of helping women, and men, to start and build their own businesses. We do so through continued support in training classes, business counseling, mentorship, connecting them to resources and of course our expanding loan programs.
Awards
As a community organization, we often collaborate with other West Michigan organizations. This is part of our core purpose in creating a better community and empowering entrepreneurs and business owners in Grand Rapids and the surrounding communities.
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- September 2019 CORP! Salute to Diversity Award Recipient
Diversity Champion - April 2019 Non-Profit Champion Award
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber - 2018 SBA PRIME (Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs) Grantee
Grant to develop an online training platform - 2017 Rising Star Award at GR Chamber D.E.I. Summit
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce - 2016 Official Network of Women’s Business Centers
Maria Contreras-Sweet, U.S. Small Business Administration
Awarded to Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women - 2014 Neighborhood Business Award
John H. Logie Neighborhood Business Champion
Awarded to GROW CEO Bonnie Nawara - 2012 Remarkable Women Award
NuTheta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Awarded to Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women - Center of Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED)
Michigan Women’s Marketplace
Outstanding Volunteer 2012
Awarded to GROW CEO Bonnie Nawara - Heart of West Michigan United Way
2012 Bronze Award - 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, 2012, 2014, 2016
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Awarded to GROW CEO Bonnie Nawara - Clinton Global Initiative, Commitment to Action
September 20, 2011